An extra controller is a necessity for Switch owners, and while the official Nintendo Pro controller is a great piece of tech, 8BitDo has a terrific and feature-packed alternative that’s worth considering. The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is on sale for as low as $55. This specific price applies to the eye-catching white color variant. Alternatively, you can get the red model for $60 or the black version for $60. The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is GameSpot’s favorite third-party Switch controller and is already a bargain at its $70 list price–so you shouldn’t miss out on this deal.
The red and blue models also come with stylish optional thumbstick caps.
This controller is fantastic for many reasons: It has Hall Effect analog sticks that mitigate stick drift, two remappable back buttons that perfectly align with the controller’s stellar ergonomics, and offers robust customization. Plus, it comes with a matching charging dock. A compartment on the bottom of the dock stores the 2.4GHz adapter, which can be used as an alternative to Bluetooth for a wireless connection. It also comes with a detachable USB-C cable, if you prefer a hardwired connection.
As mentioned, the 8BitDo Ultimate is also incredibly customizable, as you can store up to three profiles on it and use 8BitDo’s mobile and PC app to fine-tune the device to your liking. From remapping inputs to adjusting trigger and rumble sensitivity and analog stick dead zones, you’re getting a bunch of features normally found in controllers that cost twice the price or more.
Though the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is primarily considered a Nintendo Switch controller, it also works wirelessly with PC, Mac, Steam Deck, iOS, Android, Analogue Pocket, and more devices–its three connection types help make this particular 8BitDo controller one of the most versatile options around.
You’ll get around 20 hours of battery life on a full charge, and the charging dock offers a convenient way to get your controller ready for your next session.
“The 8BitDo Pro 2 Ultimate and Pro 2 are the best Switch controllers when it comes to customization,” we wrote in our best Nintendo Switch controller feature. “These controllers have features that pro-style controllers sold for twice the price or more don’t have. Incredible value.”
You can check out the 8BitDo Pro 2 at Amazon. The Pro 2 is particularly great for retro games and is a great choice for those who prefer aligned, PlayStation-style sticks.
It’s worth noting that the official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is on sale for $63 at Amazon. Though this is only a 10% discount, deals on Nintendo controllers are very rare. If you need more Switch controllers for your next game night, you should also take a look at Walmart’s Joy-Con bundle deal.
Update: Shortly after publishing this story, the price of the red controller changed from $53.54 to $60. Amazon deals often expire or change without notice.
