Hori Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 Review: Solid Value With Some Quirks

Hori Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2: A Decent Alternative With Trade-Offs

The Hori Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 offers a compelling mix of value and features, but it's not without its flaws. If you're looking for a spare controller or want to save money compared to the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, this pad is a solid choice. However, some design quirks and missing features keep it from being a universal recommendation.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

What We Liked

• Excellent TMR joysticks that resist drift
• Solid build quality for the price
• Robust Turbo function for arcade and retro games
• Convenient button lock feature

What We Didn't Like

• Mushy D-pad and triggers
• Short battery life
• No PC compatibility

Design and Build: Feels Solid, but Controls Feel Soft

The Horipad Turbo has a comfortable, traditional shape that fits most hands well. The plastic feels high-quality, and the overall construction is sturdy. However, the D-pad and trigger buttons feel mushy and lack the satisfying click of the Pro Controller. This might not bother casual players, but competitive gamers will notice the difference.

Performance: TMR Sticks Are the Star

The standout feature is the TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) joysticks. These are designed to resist the drift issues common in traditional analog sticks. In our testing, they felt smooth and accurate during fast-paced platformers like Super Mario Odyssey and shooters like Splatoon 3. The Turbo function allows you to assign rapid button presses for games that require repetitive inputs—a huge plus for retro collections or fighting games.

Battery Life: Could Be Better

The Wireless Horipad Turbo lasts about 15 hours on a full charge, which is okay but shorter than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller's 40-plus hours. If you play daily, you'll need to recharge more often. It charges via USB-C, and the cable is included.

PC Compatibility: A Major Limitation

One of the biggest drawbacks is the lack of PC support. This controller only works with the Nintendo Switch 2. If you want a controller that works across multiple platforms, look elsewhere.

Price and Value

At around $50 to $65 depending on color, the Horipad Turbo is significantly cheaper than the Pro Controller. If you just need a second controller for couch co-op or a backup, it's a good deal. But for primary use, the official controller's longer battery and better feel might be worth the extra cost.

Good for the Price, but Not a Must-Have

The Hori Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 is a capable budget controller that delivers on anti-drift sticks and turbo features. However, the mushy buttons, short battery life, and lack of PC compatibility prevent it from being a top pick. If you can live with these trade-offs, it's a decent buy for casual and retro gaming sessions.

We may earn a commission if you purchase through links on our site. Prices accurate at time of writing.