Both are great options, and I always have one or the other attached to my Switch.
The Gripcon is a one-piece design that is easy to set up.
You simply slide your console along the back panel and into the USB-C port.
The snug fit allows the console to feel secure even if you jostle it around.
The most recent Gripcon model supports both the Switch OLED and regular Switch.
I tested it with both models and found them to be equally secure.
From there, you’re able to calibrate the joysticks and you’re good to go.
My favorite aspect of the Gripcon is the shape of the handles.
While the Split Pad Pro is comfortable to use, it makes the Switch quite wide.
For people with large hands, the Split Pad Pro is probably comfortable for hours of use.
For me, however, it starts to become straining.
Much like the Split Pad Pro, the Gripcon’s controls are superior to the Joy-Con controllers.
The triggers have an upwards curvature that feel like natural resting places for your index fingers.
I’ve always felt that the Split Pad Pro’s sticks were a tad too loose.
The Gripcon remedies this with a tighter feel.
The D-pad, on the other hand, is worse than the Split Pad Pro.
It’s too rigid.
It’s still better than using the button layout on the Joy-Con controllers, though.
The Gripcon also has more customization than the competition.
It comes with six joystick caps that can be easily swapped.
I tested the black model, which comes with three red and three black joystick caps.
The blue/red and green/blue models come with all black caps.
The caps have different sizes and materials.
The caps for the left stick have a rubberized feel, while the right caps are plastic.
All of the cap styles and materials feel great.
These can be mapped on the fly and are positioned in ideal spots for ring and pinky fingers.
The NexiGo Gripcon is a stellar Switch controller for handheld play.
If you like the idea but also want to play on your TV…
The three-piece Joypad comes in various colorful designs.
It does offer neat RGB lighting effects and a turbo function, which are nice bonuses.
As a handheld controller, the Joypad is great–just not as great as the Gripcon.
The Joypad has an awesome D-pad with just the right amount of mush to it.
It just falls short of the Gripcon for handheld play.
you might’t go wrong with either of these controllers, though.
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly?
