Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)
Controller · 2017
Xbox Series S
Zen 2 · 4 TFLOPS RDNA 2 · 1440p target
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) lands at 86 and Xbox Series S at 82. That puts Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) ahead by 4 points — a narrow 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 Xbox Series S if…
- ✓Cheapest path into Game Pass + Quick Resume
- ✓Compact white form factor
- ✓120 FPS target at lower resolutions
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testGames
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)Compared on the games sub-score
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) leads on games (86 vs 84).
Features
Xbox Series SCompared on the features sub-score
Xbox Series S leads on features (86 vs 84).
Performance
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)Compared on the performance sub-score
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) leads on performance (86 vs 80).
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 $299).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Controller | — |
| Color | Black | — |
| Release year | 2017 | — |
| CPU | — | Custom AMD Zen 2 8C @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU | — | Custom RDNA 2, 20 CUs @ 1.565 GHz, 4.006 TFLOPS |
| RAM | — | 10 GB GDDR6 (8 GB @ 224 GB/s + 2 GB @ 56 GB/s) |
| Storage | — | 512 GB internal SSD |
| Output | — | 1440p target up to 120 FPS |
| Dimensions | — | 275 × 151 × 65 mm |
| Weight | — | 1.93 kg |
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black)
- +Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
- +Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
- +Cross-platform compatibility
- −Battery replacement paid on some
- −Software dependency
- −Stick drift still possible (non-Hall)
Xbox Series S
- +Cheapest path into Game Pass + Quick Resume
- +Compact white form factor
- +120 FPS target at lower resolutions
- −512 GB SSD fills fast
- −10 GB total RAM splits between 8 GB fast + 2 GB slow
- −No disc drive
FAQ: Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) vs Xbox Series S
Which is better, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Xbox Series S? +
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. 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 Xbox Series S worth the price? +
At $299, Xbox Series S delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in value.
Does Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Xbox Series S 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 games, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Xbox Series S? +
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) — leads on games (86 vs 84). Compared on the games sub-score.
Which is better for features, Nintendo Switch Pro Controller (Black) or Xbox Series S? +
Xbox Series S — leads on features (86 vs 84). Compared on the features sub-score.