With all their drifting concerns, high price tags, and uncomfortable designs, many are seeking alternatives to the classic Nintendo Switch Joy-Con. Thankfully, there's no shortage of budget-minded third party gamepads. Hori, however, has long produced some of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Nintendo Switch accessories on the market and it has two sets of clicke﷽rs up its sleeve.
The Split Pad series offers Joy-Con like attachment to the main handheld tablet, with the extra benefits of a more ergonomic design, remappable back buttons, and even a handy turbo feature. There are two versions to consider, though - the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Hori Split Pad Pro and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Hori Split Pad Compact.
As the name would suggest, the Compact model takes everything the Pro does (at least at a feature level) and shrinks it down into a smaller footprint. That brings it more inline with the majority of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Nintendo Switch controllers out there. However, there's more to consider in this equation. We've had our hands on both versions for the last couple of months, testing and comparing to see which Joy-Con alternative you should buy.&nbs🅠p;
In short, we'd recommend the Hori Split Pad Pro for its addition🐭al comfort features and more satisfying feel. That verdict comes after weeks of weighing cost, comfort, controls, design, and compatibility to find the victor. That's not to say everyone will be best served by the Pro, though, and you'll find our full breakdown of each model's pros and cons just below.
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Hori Split Pad Pro vs Compact: Price
(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro
$49.99 / £39.99 for controllers only
$79.99 / £69.99 for Attachment Set
Hori Split Pad Compact
$49.99 / £49.99 for controllers only
Both the Hori Split Pad Pro and Compact sit under $50 / £50 when buying the controllers by themselves. However, the Pro model has a slightly cheaper price in the UK at £39.99. You're♌ paying the same whichever version you buy in the US, unless you opt for the full Attachment Set, which includes a centrepiece for use with a docked system. Considering the benefits below, the Pro offers far greater value for money than the Compact, even when at the same $49.99 MSRP in the US.
Hori Split Pad Pro vs Compact: Comfort
Image 1 of 2
Hori Split Pad Pro(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Compact(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro
Larger size and additional grips
Rougher texture along the back
Larger face buttons
Curved d-pad
Larger, smooth thumbsticks
Hori Split Pad Compact
Square design
Only slightly textured along the back
Smaller face buttons
Curved d-pad
Smaller textured thumbsticks
There's no getting around it, the Hori Split Pad Pro is far more comfortable than the Compact. The larger size and chunkier gri♏ps makes for a more ergonomically-minded form factor straight off the bat, allowing the hands to gently cradle the handheld system in the palm. The Split Pad Compact does widen out at the base, allowing for a more comfortable grip🃏 than a Joy-Con, but the squared off design and lack of legs mean it's not as naturally relaxed in the hand.
On top of that, the Split Pad Pro has a rou♚gher texture running along the back of each controller. With diamond ridges in the plastic itself, there's far greater grip than the slightly bobbled plastic on the Compact model.
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(Image credit: Future)
Around the front, 🌱by nature of its size, the Pro version carries taller, slightly larger face buttons than the Compact version. In our testing, we found that this did mak🍨e for a more comfortable experience overall, with a satisfying button feel and plenty of space to navigate the button array. However, young children will likely get on with the reduced size of the Compact better.
(Image credit: Future)
Similarly, the thumbsticks on the Pro have a larger diameter with a taller stem. While that generally makes them more comfortable to use, and easier to wield in more precise gameplay scenarios, the thumb does need to travel further to swap to d-pad or face button controls. Overall, we♎ preferred the experience of the Pro's thumbsticks, though it should be noted that the grippy texture prese✱nt on the Compact's version allows for more controlled movement.
The Hori S🦂plit Pad Pro offers greater comfort overall, though those buying for small children will prefer t𓆉he reduced thumbstick height and smaller face buttons of the Compact.
Hori Split Pad Pro vs Compact: Controls
Image 1 of 2
Hori Split Pad Pro(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Compact(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro
Full control scheme
Snappier face buttons and d-pad
Precise, responsive thumbsticks
More pronounced back buttons
Turbo functionality
Hori Split Pad Compact
Full control scheme
Mushy face buttons and d-pad
Precise, responsive thumbsticks
Back buttons inline with body
Turbo functionality
With both models offering the same full control scheme layout, there's very little difference in the functionality of both the Pro and Compact. However, the implementation of the face buttons, d-pad, and programmable back buttons doe🔯s differ between the two models. While the fully fledged Hori Split Pad Pro offers a snappy response in its ABXY and d-pad controls, thanks to the larger size and longer travel distance, the Compact's options feel a little mushy under the hand. This was one of the first things we noticed during our testing, and it certainly makes for a different experience overall. While both feel responsive, the Pro is considerably snappier.
(Image credit: Future)
Both controllers do offer excellent thumbsticks, though, with far greater precision and accuracy compared to the Joy-Con. These have the resistance and speed of something more akin to the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. As mentioned above, the additional height on the Pro model can add a sliver oℱf additional time moving between thumbsticks and buttons, but it also provides a greater sense of control overall.
The only other difference between the two control schemes is the back buttons. While these clickers sit slightly away from the main body of the Pro model, they are in-line with the main Compact chassis.♊ That means there's far less travel and more of a chance of accidental presses. We were regularly hitting these back buttons by mistake in testing, whereas the Pro version was nicely positioned and ready to hit exactly when needed.
Both the Pro and Compact of✃fer the option to map these back buttons to a wide range of commands, as well as assign a turbo function to certain inputs. In both cases, this is quick and ea🦂sy to set up via two dedicated clickers at the bottom of each gamepad.
Hori Split Pad Pro vs Compact: Design
Image 1 of 2
Hori Split Pad Pro(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Compact(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro
Bulky form factor
More colorway options
Solid, durable plastic materials
High quality rail sliders
Hori Split Pad Compact
More streamlined form factor
Fewer colorway options
Solid, durable plastic materials
High quality rail sliders
Depending on how you want your Switch to look, the design category might be the Hori Split Pad Pro's downfall. The extra heft required to make a controller this comfortable and tactile means the Pro model dramatically changes the look and feel of your handheld overall. This is a bulky device, significantly adding to the device's footprint and creating a chunky bulbous aesthetic. By contrast, the square design of the Compact is far more in keeping with the ethos of the Switch itself. It's far more streamlined and keeps the footprint similar to that of a set of Joy-Con. While neither the Pro or Compact will fit into a standard clamshell 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Nintendo Switch case, it is easier to transport the Compact model in a separate 𒁃backpack pocket.
Aside from physical form factor, though, the Hori Split Pad Pro does offer a wider range of colorways and more choice between franchises if you're opting for a special edition. At the time of writing, the Pro comes in black, blue, and red, with special editions spanning Pokemon, Pac-ꦬMan, Megꦕa Man, and Sonic in a variety of different character decals. The Compact is only available in red or gray, with only two special edition options, both of them Pokemon.
Still, both controllers are 𓂃built to a high quality. There's a solid, durable plastiꦛc chassis keeping each one scuff-free and save, with no wobble or flex in the rail sliders.
Hori Split Pad Pro vs Compact: Compatibility
Image 1 of 2
Hori Split Pad Pro(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Compact(Image credit: Future)
Hori Split Pad Pro
Attachment Set for docked mode
No wireless connection
Hori Split Pad Compact
Can only be used in handheld mode
No wireless connection
Neither the Hori Split Pad Pro nor the Compact allow for a wireless connection. That means you won't be able to split these controllers up for separate use across multiplayer sessions. However, the Pro does take the edge here if you're willing to pay a little extra. While the Compac⛄t will only work when directly attached💟 to the Nintendo Switch system, the Pro is also available in an Attachment Set. This package includes a central panel to be slotted in between each controller, which can then be connected to a docked system via USB-A.
Hori Split Pad Pr💜o vs Compact: which should you buy?
(Image credit: Future)
We'd recommend the vast majority of players buy the Hori Split Pad Pro over the Compact model. Prices are about the same (if slightly cheaper in the UK), and you're getting a far more comfortable form factor, better control scheme, and better button feel overall, more aesthetic choice, and the option to use the devi💟ce with a docked console༺ should you opt for the Attachment Set. The Compact does have its audience, though. Younger children will likely find the slightly smaller face buttons and reduced footprint much easier to navigate. Plus, those looking to keep the slick, streamlined design of the Switch will likely prefer the square shape of the Compact as well.
Buy the Hori Split Pad Pro if:
You're looking to maximise comfort
You don't need to worry about controls being too big
You prefer a snappier, more tactile experience
You don't mind a chunkier form factor
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Buy the Hori Split Pad Compact If:
You're buying for younger children
You still want to keep the Switch aesthetic
You don't want to navigate a larger control scheme
You don't need to use it for docked mode
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We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video💛 Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyb🎉oards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.
