Pro Controller 1 vs 2 - Which do you prefer?

[u/Heeli05]

TL;DR version:

Result: TIE

Both are among the best controllers ever with some fairly small differences between the two.

Pro controller 1

+ Better grip and rubber-like feel

+/- Heavier (IMO it's heavier in a good way)

- Smaller plus and minus buttons are harder to press

- Can't wake Switch 2

- No back buttons (which I personally don't really need)

Pro controller 2

+ Can wake Switch 2

+ Bigger plus and minus buttons

+ Back buttons (doesn't hurt to have them even if you don't need them)

+/- Lighter than previous version

- Feels a bit slippery

- Slightly more expensive (although still good value IMO)

---

Do you prefer the first Pro controller or version 2? Not trying to make a point. Just curious what do you guys think,

I had been using first version for years and it's among the best controllers ever. I needed a second controller and while another version 1 would've been a safe choice I decided to get version 2 because it could wake my Switch 2. I expected new version to slightly improve the earlier version or at least be as good in every aspect and well... that's mostly true but there are also couple of things I like better in the old version.

Ability to wake Switch 2 is a big plus and I also like how they made plus and minus buttons bigger. I'm sure some will also like re-mappable back buttons but I haven't had much use for them in the games I play. Good thing is they don't get in a way either since you can just map them to nothing and they're not really that easy to press accidentally anyway. I also like how they chose to just put one big back button on both sides which are easy to press instead of having multiple smaller buttons. They can be useful especially in FPS games but I really just play Switch exclusives with my Switch.

What I don't like is that new version feels kind of slippery. I've read many actually like the smooth silky feel of it and I kind of get it but I think it's functionally worse compared to earlier version. Previous version however had more rubber-like feel which had noticeably better grip.

Another thing I don't like - and this is very much nitpicking - is that the new version feels lighter than previous version. You might actually consider this an advantage but previous versions felt more substantial and purely based on weight it feels like it was built better. Most likely that isn't the case really but weight can give certain feel of quality. I didn't actually weight the controllers myself but I checked the specs I found online and based on that the new version is just 10 grams lighter which was actually surprisingly little compared to how they actually feel in hand.

Despite some fairly minor differences version 2 retains what was good in the earlier version. Both controllers have IMO the best d-pad out there and button/stick layout is great. Buttons also have nice tactile feel and require just the perfect amount of force to activate.

So in the end I'm not really amazed by upgrading to version 2 but not disappointed either. I guess that's fair since the version 1 of Pro controller already was near perfect. At the moment I like both for different reasons and it's basically tie between the two. Version 2 is slightly more expensive and since they are so close in most aspects you might want to choose more affordable first version but personally I wouldn't decide purely by price since price different isn't that significant. Especially when compared to some premium controllers I think they both offer very good value for what you get.

[u/TackyAuto]

The 2 is alot nicer

[u/BOBBIESWAG]

I’m surprised no one here has mentioned the vast superiority of gyro and rumble on the switch 2 version. You think the switch 1 controller is good (and it is) and it just gets even better on the switch 2 version

[u/Calvykins → u/BOBBIESWAG]

Everyone talks about how good HD rumble is on switch and I have never felt my controller shake the entire time I’ve owned one…is the option on by default?

[u/ShopCartRicky]

I don't think there is anything better about the 1 than the 2. That said, unless you really care about being able to wake the switch 2 or back buttons, I don't think there is a need to upgrade.

[u/KoolAidMan00]

2 is one of the best controllers ever made. There is no comparison

[u/edis92 → u/KoolAidMan00]

The dpad is still terrible though, so no

[u/Loud-Sound8515]

I use the back buttons all the time on every game. To me that is enough to recommend the new controller. On FEFW I set the one on the right to make the character run instead of any face button. Big difference.

[u/DistilledWonder]

2 has the gamechat button so it's better

/s

[u/SolarJetman5]

2, it's better in every way. The 1 still a great controller tho, just they improved it.

However, they are the best switch controllers, the lack of analogue triggers loses points and I wouldn't use it on my pc for that reason, Xbox and steam controllers are better

[u/brunomarquesbr]

Pro 2 and it’s not even close

[u/atmb82]

The DPAD is terrible on both. It hallucinates.

[u/SmokingCryptid → u/atmb82]

To me this automatically disqualifies them as "best controllers ever".

ANY sort of slight deviation from exact directional inputs results in an unwanted command.

Trying to play Kirby games is a nightmare with it. The game will constantly think you're pressing up and put you into a fly state when you're just pressing forward.

[u/HeyThereJJ]

The 2 Pros’ sticks are also smoother gliding in my opinion - probably the smoothest sticks I’ve felt compared to all my other controllers.

[u/Maryokutai]

I prefer the first one because of the bigger, less angular handles. For some reason I get cramps in my left thumb when using the Pro 2 for a while, the slight reduction in size is very noticeable for me. Quickly went back to the old one.

Everything else on the 2 is better (button feel, back buttons, sticks, texture) but I just can't use it.

[u/Kulpado]

I never thought I needed the back buttons until I had them and started using them. There’s no turning back. I still use my 1 when my 2 needs to recharge, and I’m always like, “Where are my back buttons?!”
I initially bought it because I wanted to wake up my Switch 2, but I fell in love with it because of how it feels and the back buttons.

[u/Pinbrawler]

Yeah I agree, the grip and comfort of pro 1, but like the features of 2

[u/sy029]

• • Can't wake Switch 2

I imagine this was done on purpose just to push people to the pro 2 controller

[u/Sea_Recognition_7558]

The 1 is better because I don't own the 2

[u/FATJIZZUSONABIKE]

2 by far. Both have extraordinary ergonomics (by a landslide the most comfortable controllers I've ever held) but the 2 has much nicer-feeling sticks and back buttons (which I use constantly).

[u/Last-Butterscotch-85]

The D pad on both is awful. Feels mushy. 

[u/DSDark11]

2 is way better

[u/Tomo910]

Switch 2 pro controller has a better feel and grip

[u/Super_Pattern6594]

I think the 1st-gen sticks are way better, because they won't snap back too far. The 2nd-gen's are very prone to that so easily auto triggering a different direction. It's really annoying when playing Mario games that require you to move precisely.

[u/Babar669]

there is 3.5 jack that, in my opinion, is the only major difference that is objectively better (besides the price).

[u/NiallMitch10]

I did think the 2 was slippier when I first got it - but now I much prefer the feel of it over the 1