To the handheld Switch players, what grip/joycons are you using?

[KORNdog]

This honestly has felt like some eternal struggle for me since getting the switch. The official joycons are garbage. The build quality is garbage, the analogue sticks are garbage, and the form factor is garbage. I value my hands and need something better!

Here's what i've tried so far:

My first purchase...the skull co grip, which did help and maintains the functionality of the official joycons but gets "loose" over time and doesn't fix the underlying button placement issues of the joycons, so I still get cramp. On the plus side, It's dockable.

I tried the dobe (other brands make the exact same thing in different colourways) and form factor was almost perfect...but I couldn't dock it and the moment I stuck the official charge cable in the pass through USB-C it stopped working entirely... so that was great! Lol

I've tried the split pad pro and it felt almost as nice as the dobe. But was designed poorly and looks terrible. Considering it's officially licensed I would have assumed it would have at least retained rumble and motion controls...alas, no...but it is dockable and has the best analogue sticks so far AND has additional programmable back buttons which was a nice bonus.

I've ordered these third party vivefox (much like other Chinese controllers there are other brands who make the exact same product on different regions) and it seems to tick most boxes...but I fear the comfort won't be there due to the almost identical analogue/button placement to the official joycons. But they rumble. They have motion. They work wirelessly together and apart... And they're dockable!

And lastly there's the new kid in town. The Binbok split controller. Which is basically the same as the above but with much better looking ergonomics, and the split pad pro's back buttons...I'd love to try these but they're like rocking horse shit...just impossible to find...

So what are you all rocking to avoid the nasty ass Nintendo joycons?

 

[daybreak]

Honestly - nothing. I've found the Joy-con to be completely fine.

That being said, I have a few friends with the Hori Split Pad Pro and they love it.

 

[Neuromancer]

I use the Satisfye Zen Grip Pro. I'm very happy with it.

ZenGrip Pro

Description The Ultimate Gaming Grip for the Nintendo® Switch Includes: ZenGrip Pro + Two Thumb Pads Jump to ZenGrip Pro Features & Benefits Dimensions Shipping Options The following shipping options are available at checkout: Domestic + International Shipping Available 2-Day USA Shipping Available

www.satisfye.com

 

[capnjazz]

I use normal Joy-Cons for non-action games but I bought the Daemon X Machina Hori pad to play games like Monster Hunter and Astral Chain.

 

[Laser Ramon]

I tried the dobe (other brands make the exact same thing in different colourways) and form factor was almost perfect...but I couldn't dock it and the moment I stuck the official charge cable in the pass through USB-C it stopped working entirely... so that was great! Lol

Click to shrink...

Welp I use one of these and really love it but I know what I won't be doing in the future

 

[Nessus]

Hori Split Pad Pro all the way. I don't mind the lack of rumble, etc. It feels so much more comfortable than the Joy-Cons. Yeah it's an ugly color scheme and I wish they'd just made the whole thing black, but oh well.

 

[NinjaScooter]

I use the Satisfye Zen Grip Pro. I'm very happy with it.

ZenGrip Pro

Description The Ultimate Gaming Grip for the Nintendo® Switch Includes: ZenGrip Pro + Two Thumb Pads Jump to ZenGrip Pro Features & Benefits Dimensions Shipping Options The following shipping options are available at checkout: Domestic + International Shipping Available 2-Day USA Shipping Available

www.satisfye.com

Click to shrink...

2nd this. Great design. only downside is its not dock-compatible but the thing slips on and off super easy and is small/light/sturdy enough to just toss in a backpack if you are traveling.

 

[¡Hip Hop!]

Satisfye is comfortable. I was turned off by the asymmetrical grips at first, but after trying it, it's much more comfortable than the Nintendo licensed one I had before that.

 

[KORNdog]

Hori Split Pad Pro all the way. I don't mind the lack of rumble, etc. It feels so much more comfortable than the Joy-Cons. Yeah it's an ugly color scheme and I wish they'd just made the whole thing black, but oh well.

Click to shrink...

I don't mind the colour scheme. It's more the shape of it. The fact there's like a cm drop where the controller's meet the screen. It just doesn't seem very well thought out and makes it look a bit slapped together. Lol.

 

[Astral Lovelace]

Switch Lite, and all I'm using is the official flip cover.

Though like hell would I try to play Bayonetta like this, that's about the only game I *WON"T* play like this.

 

[KamiCrit]

I quite like the JETech case. Very simple, take it with me to the dealer car services. Not flashy, simple to install/remove, and fits into the official Switch pouch.

 

[KORNdog]

Welp I use one of these and really love it but I know what I won't be doing in the future

Click to shrink...

Tbh it was something I wasn't ever going to try since I figured "cheap Chinese product + power supply = bricked system"...thankfully it wasn't as bad as that, but I didn't think it was going to kill the entire controller. Lol. I might have just had a defective unit...the weirder thing was the pass through charge did work...it charged the switch as intendrd. It just broke the rest of it in the process 😅

Switch Lite, and all I'm using is the official flip cover.

Though like hell would I try to play Bayonetta like this, that's about the only game I *WON"T* play like this.

Click to shrink...

After playing with some of these options I can't even go back to the default joycon sticks. They're just too small and have such short travel. It's not like, the worst, but having a full size functionally "normal" analogue just like on the pro controller or PS4/5/Xbox etc it's like night and day for me.

 

[Bennydiesel]

Split pad here.does the dobe compare in comfort to the split pad pro?

 

[Perkin_Warbeck]

I like my Split Pad Pro, but I've actually gravitated back to the standard joy cons. The real thumb sticks on the Split Pad Pro are nice if you're playing an FPS or something, but I don't like the buttons as much on it. They have too much travel for my taste. Also, it's hard to get past the fact that the thing is just gargantuan with the split pad pro. I can't put it in my work bag for train rides at all.

I've also used this from Hori quite a bit:

But I don't like the shoulder buttons on it. Also having one side feel so much different than the other just feels wrong for some reason. I remember getting it when I was already about 30 hours into Hollow Knight, thinking it would be an improvement, but it just wasn't at all. I've actually come to think the four buttons are perfectly alright for 2d games.

 

[KORNdog]

Split pad here.does the dobe compare in comfort to the split pad pro?

Click to shrink...

Definitely. I actually find it more comfortable since it's a bit chonkier. It has rumble and motion too. Although try to get the updated model (slightly wider with better button placement) if you go for it.

Tbh If I were a handheld ONLY player...it's what I would be using. But I still dock quite a lot and having to remove it every time annoyed me...plus I killed it with a charge cable. So...there was that too lol.

 

[Perkin_Warbeck]

Also, if anyone wants a case for their Switch with a split pad pro, this thing fits great:

Amazon.com: Khanka Hard Travel Case Replacement for Numark DJ2GO2 Touch Pocket DJ Controller: Musical Instruments

 

[sredgrin]

I use the Satisfye for the Lite. Much better than default comfort wise.

 

[ghibli99]

Hori Split Pad Pro (I have the red ones), and I haven't looked back. Can't remember any games in many months that have needed any Joy-Con functionality that are missing from these, and I find the rumble in Joy-Cons to be annoying (and loud) anyway. Dobe not being dockable is a big no for me.

If/when I have to use Joy-Cons, I like the Satisfye grip (I've tried so many...), and I have a Flip Grip if I want to play vertical/tate games.

 

[Slick Butter]

I have been liking the vivefox, since they fix the main problem with the joycon (ergonomically), being too damn flat. no great to hold split while docked but at least they work. though the connection can also be a little spotty. great for handheld mode though without being too huge

 

[Astral Lovelace]

Tbh it was something I wasn't ever going to try since I figured "cheap Chinese product + power supply = bricked system"...thankfully it wasn't as bad as that, but I didn't think it was going to kill the entire controller. Lol. I might have just had a defective unit...the weirder thing was the pass through charge did work...it charged the switch as intendrd. It just broke the rest of it in the process 😅



After playing with some of these options I can't even go back to the default joycon sticks. They're just too small and have such short travel. It's not like, the worst, but having a full size functionally "normal" analogue just like on the pro controller or PS4/5/Xbox etc it's like night and day for me.

Click to shrink...

On a system with wide-spread gyro, Bayonetta is the only game that gives a single shit about sticks. 90% of the time the games could just be Dpad only and I'd barely even notice.

 

[DiceyRobot]

This honestly has felt like some eternal struggle for me since getting the switch. The official joycons are garbage. The build quality is garbage, the analogue sticks are garbage, and the form factor is garbage. I value my hands and need something better!

Here's what i've tried so far:

My first purchase...the skull co grip, which did help and maintains the functionality of the official joycons but gets "loose" over time and doesn't fix the underlying button placement issues of the joycons, so I still get cramp. On the plus side, It's dockable.

I tried the dobe (other brands make the exact same thing in different colourways) and form factor was almost perfect...but I couldn't dock it and the moment I stuck the official charge cable in the pass through USB-C it stopped working entirely... so that was great! Lol

I've tried the split pad pro and it felt almost as nice as the dobe. But was designed poorly and looks terrible. Considering it's officially licensed I would have assumed it would have at least retained rumble and motion controls...alas, no...but it is dockable and has the best analogue sticks so far AND has additional programmable back buttons which was a nice bonus.

I've ordered these third party vivefox (much like other Chinese controllers there are other brands who make the exact same product on different regions) and it seems to tick most boxes...but I fear the comfort won't be there due to the almost identical analogue/button placement to the official joycons. But they rumble. They have motion. They work wirelessly together and apart... And they're dockable!

And lastly there's the new kid in town. The Binbok split controller. Which is basically the same as the above but with much better looking ergonomics, and the split pad pro's back buttons...I'd love to try these but they're like rocking horse shit...just impossible to find...

So what are you all rocking to avoid the nasty ass Nintendo joycons?

Click to shrink...

I have the hori split pad. Which of those do you think has the best d-pad?

I think the hori spp is okay in terms of comfort, but my main draw was the d-pad since I play a lot of 2D stuff.

 

[mentok15]

Switch lite and nothing. Seems fine enough for me.

 

[Nessus]

I don't mind the colour scheme. It's more the shape of it. The fact there's like a cm drop where the controller's meet the screen. It just doesn't seem very well thought out and makes it look a bit slapped together. Lol.

Click to shrink...

I mean I agree that the drop off is inelegant, but I don't ever see it. And the way I hold the system I never notice it either, unless I extend my fingers out to intentionally feel it. My fingers normally rest on the back paddle buttons.

I just personally really don't like the color scheme. Reminds me of awful edgey PC gamer peripherals, like Asus "Republic Of Gamers" laptops, etc.

I also sorta like that because it lacks rumble, motion control, IR, etc. it also doesn't have any batteries in the controller sections, so it's entirely passive and you aren't wasting battery life recharging the Joy-Cons when you use it. The controllers themselves feel a little light/hollow, but the weight of the Switch itself sorta balances that out I find. And they still feel sturdy and well made. Hori's got a decent track record.

Overall it's a bit bulky, but I figure that's the trade off for having a portable that's actually comfortable to hold.

The single biggest downside for me is that you can't assign right side face buttons to the left side back paddles. Literally my only real complaint aside from the aesthetics.

 

[Deleted member 45130]

I use joy con's paired with a satisfye pro grip and have a Hori Split Pad pro for FPS games since aiming is far easier with that.

 

[crienne]

For both my regular and my lite, I use the Satisfye grips. They're so good.

 

[KORNdog]

I have the hori split pad. Which of those do you think has the best d-pad?

I think the hori spp is okay in terms of comfort, but my main draw was the d-pad since I play a lot of 2D stuff.

Click to shrink...

I find dpads can be super subjective. Especially when it comes to whether you're someone who prefers something clicky or spongy.

Out of those I listed I personally think I prefer the hori too. It's certainly the biggest one, which I think works best...Although I did like the feel of the dobe too.

I honestly just wish hori released a slightly more expensive version of this pad with rumble and motion and maybe even let you use them together wirelessly as a docked pro pad. I think there's definitely a market for that. a great all rounder with a premium feel.

The Chinese third party market all seem to be offering this at 2 thirds of the cost of the SPP but something higher quality and licensed that is more readily available would be ideal.

 

[Martin]

Just normal Joy Cons without a grip.
Playing handhelds since I'm 5 made my hands steal like.
Could even play Kid Icarus on the original 3DS without the stand and no pain at all.


So everyone git gud with your hands!!!

Spoiler

/s

 

[cowbanana]

I'm using the Hori Split Pad Pro. I like it/them a lot.

The Binbok looks very interesting, but as mentioned it's hard/impossible to find.

 

[.exe]

I'm using the basic ones without any extras. They're small and versatile. I never got into the accessory mania that seems to surround Nintendo products in particular. But with how unreliable the Joy-cons are, perhaps I'm the crazy one.

 

[Sloth]

I stick the switch screen in this, and use the pro controller. I have rsi and arthritis in my hands, so using the joycons attached causes serious pains.

 

[Magic]

Satisfye for the Switch Lite and I've never taken it off

 

[StereoVSN]

I have been using Fixture S1 accessory with the Pro controller. Works like those Xbox One controller phone mount clips, but much more solid.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08J9RZHKZ

It's very well built, and while frankly a bit overpriced, works great if you already have a Pro controller.

 

[Guppeth]

Hori Split Pad Pro. It's ugly, and I feel like the buttons aren't as precise as I'd like. I miss having rumble. Since I got them I haven't played any games that use the gyro, but when I do, no doubt that'll piss me off.

But the sticks feel great, the D-pad is an actual D-pad, and it doesn't interfere with docking. I can leave my Joy-cons in my Ring Fit accessories except when they need changing. My hands don't hurt! I recommend it.

 

[Scruffy8642]

I definitely use handheld as like a secondary "before bed" or "travel" or just "don't wanna sit in front of TV" thing, so I haven't been bothered enough to get joycon replacements. However I do have a Satisfye grip for when I'm playing games that require heavy use of that right analogue stick and it's fantastic. The extra meatiness on the right side is the only way to go.

 

[RadzPrower]

Original Joy-Con with occasional cleanings to help with drift.

 

[Kraq]

The original Joy-Cons that came with the system. Didn't really have a problem with them up until recently, but now the drift is terrible and the left Joy-Con keeps making a creaking sound.

 

[Redcrayon]

I've also used this from Hori quite a bit:

But I don't like the shoulder buttons on it. Also having one side feel so much different than the other just feels wrong for some reason. I remember getting it when I was already about 30 hours into Hollow Knight, thinking it would be an improvement, but it just wasn't at all. I've actually come to think the four buttons are perfectly alright for 2d games.

Click to shrink...

I pretty much always use this Hori one for the dpad on the left side, and then the standard joycon on the right.

 

[Tunesmith]

Whenever I'm handheld I'm using a S1 Fixture mount that bolts onto a regular Pro Controller.

 

[Vitet]

I'm using the Hori Split Pad Pro. I like it/them a lot.

The Binbok looks very interesting, but as mentioned it's hard/impossible to find.

Click to shrink...

Isn't it this?

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B08QJ3HXZT/ref=sr_1_3?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=3A0NOARIIY7NR&dchild=1&keywords=binbok+joycon&qid=1612702940&sprefix=binbok%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-3

 

[dedhead54]

The joycons feel just fine in my hands. Even in a longer session (2 hours is long for me), I experience no discomfort.

I'm using the orange/purple set.

 

[Pooroomoo]

I have been using Fixture S1 accessory with the Pro controller. Works like those Xbox One controller phone mount clips, but much more solid.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08J9RZHKZ

It's very well built, and while frankly a bit overpriced, works great if you already have a Pro controller.

Click to shrink...

Whenever I'm handheld I'm using a S1 Fixture mount that bolts onto a regular Pro Controller.

Click to shrink...

Thank you! It was clear to me that once MH Rise comes out, this will be the end of my joycons (and my hands), but all the viable solutions seemed to have their faults. The Fixture S1 appears to be the perfect solution for my needs.

 

[RelaxItsJustMe]

I have a Satisfye grip, a Hori Split Pad Pro and a normal Hori left side joy con for the dpad.

I quite like both the Satisfye grip for when I need to use the joycons for something as well as the Split Pad Pro.

I think they improve the handheld experience tremendously, though granted I still don't really like to use the Switch in handheld. But at least those 2 make it more bearable.

I think I would actually really like the Fixture S1 but I couldn't find those in Europe and I don't wanna pay twice what it costs just because of shipping. How are they in terms of comfortability though? While the Switch without controllers isn't exactly overly heavy, the weight probably still does affect how comfortable it is over a period of a few hours.

Honestly I just hope that Switch 2 or whatever the followup is will still be compatible with all of those because all those accessories including cases and the like pretty much cost me about half a new Switch by themselves.

 

[cowbanana]

Isn't it this?

https://www.amazon.com/-/es/dp/B08QJ3HXZT/ref=sr_1_3?__mk_es_US=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=3A0NOARIIY7NR&dchild=1&keywords=binbok+joycon&qid=1612702940&sprefix=binbok%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-3

Click to shrink...

Yup, that's the one. But I'm in Europe so I don't really buy from Amazon.com. The controller is unavailable on .de and .co.uk.

 

[Deleted member 91227]

My launch Switch stays docked and I use a Pro controller. It has some minor screen damage and broken plastic around the fan from an unlucky drop. I can't remember the least time I used the Joycon for sure. Probably Pokémon Let's Go Pikachi back in summer 2019 when I needed something to play one handed when recovering from surgery on my left arm.

I got a Switch Lite for handheld play and the ergonomics and weight of it are good for me. Doesn't hurt my hands and wrists like the regular one did in handheld mode.

I've been lucky and not had any issues with drift in my Joycons, pro controller or Switch Lite.

 

[TGB86]

Hori Split Pad Pro. Love it. Although I mostly play indies and retro games handheld, so the lack of gyro isn't an issue for me.

 

[Joseph Merrick]

I dont use them that often, but really like the daemon x machina split pad pro. something really satisfying about the triggers/shoulder buttons on those.

 

[Deleted member 87246]

HORI split pad pro is a game changer for portable play (especially for shooters and 3D games where you're adjusting the camera a lot with the second analogue stick). I've never found the joycons comfortable since launch and could only play using them for an hour at most.

 

[linkboy]

I'm honestly surprised a company like 8Bitdo hasn't made a pair of joycons for the Switch. I think they'd do a fantastic job.

 

[MIMF]

As someone who has/had tried all the options from OP plus also this one:

Joycon Controller para Nintendo Switch LED ajustable de 8 colores, reemplazo ergonómico inalámbrico Joy Con con D-Pad y agarre antideslizante, Turbo, Dual Vibration 6-Axis Gyro Motion Control, L / R: Amazon.es: Videojuegos

Joycon Controller para Nintendo Switch LED ajustable de 8 colores, reemplazo ergonómico inalámbrico Joy Con con D-Pad y agarre antideslizante, Turbo, Dual Vibration 6-Axis Gyro Motion Control, L / R: Amazon.es: Videojuegos

www.amazon.es

And also this one:

Amazon.com: Kydlan with Turbo Motion Control Upgraded Replacement for Nintendo Switch Controllers Joy-con , Curved-designed for Nintendo Switch Controller Joycon, Programmable for Switch Controller Joy con Gift: Electronics

Amazon.com: Kydlan with Turbo Motion Control Upgraded Replacement for Nintendo Switch Controllers Joy-con , Curved-designed for Nintendo Switch Controller Joycon, Programmable for Switch Controller Joy con Gift: Electronics

www.amazon.com

I have to say that the best option by far is the Binbok joycon from the OP, the smaller one from the link I posted is much worse.

 

[Tobor]

I'm honestly surprised a company like 8Bitdo hasn't made a pair of joycons for the Switch. I think they'd do a fantastic job.

Click to shrink...

I would buy joycons from them in a heartbeat. It is strange they haven't tried.