Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) — Controller · 2017
Nintendo

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)

Controller · 2017

86
/ 100
From $69
VS
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) wins by 8
Nintendo Switch Lite — 2019
Nintendo

Nintendo Switch Lite

2019

78
/ 100
From $199
Specdex verdict

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) lands at 86 and Nintendo Switch Lite at 78. That puts Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) if…

  • ✓Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
  • ✓Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
  • ✓Cross-platform compatibility

Pick Nintendo Switch Lite if…

  • ✓Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Store ecosystem
  • ✓Cross-gen compatibility
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Performance

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)

Compared on the performance sub-score

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) leads on performance (86 vs 78).

Games

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)

Compared on the games sub-score

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) leads on games (86 vs 76).

Features

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)

Compared on the features sub-score

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) leads on features (84 vs 76).

Value for money

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) more score per dollar ($69 vs $199).

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) 86
vs
78 Nintendo Switch Lite

Score breakdown

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)
86
performance 86
games 86
features 84
value 82
Nintendo Switch Lite
78
performance 78
games 76
features 76
value 82

Specs side-by-side

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) versus Nintendo Switch Lite — full spec comparison
Spec Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) Nintendo Switch Lite
Type
Controller
—
Color
Black
—
Release year
2017
2019

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)

Pros
  • +Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
  • +Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
  • +Cross-platform compatibility
Cons
  • −Battery replacement paid on some
  • −Software dependency
  • −Stick drift still possible (non-Hall)

Nintendo Switch Lite

Pros
  • +Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • +Store ecosystem
  • +Cross-gen compatibility
Cons
  • −Storage expansion pricey
  • −Dashboard UX ages
  • −Subscription required for online

FAQ: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) vs Nintendo Switch Lite

Which is better, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch Lite? +

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) worth the price? +

At $69, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in performance.

Is Nintendo Switch Lite worth the price? +

At $199, Nintendo Switch Lite delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in value.

Does Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch Lite last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for performance, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch Lite? +

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) — leads on performance (86 vs 78). Compared on the performance sub-score.

Which is better for games, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch Lite? +

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) — leads on games (86 vs 76). Compared on the games sub-score.