The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller has brilliant lighting, but everything else left me wanting more

Date:
Tue, 16 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Description:
The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller is fine if you're after something cheap, but there are better options out there.

FULL STORY ======================================================================PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: One-minute review

If youre after a wired Nintendo Switch 2 pad that comes in at a relatively
low price and offers a decent range of features, then the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller is a solid choice, though far from any of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.

It features all the required Nintendo Switch 2 buttons, including the new C button for GameChat, plus two extra rear inputs that you can quickly remap without any software. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, compatible with
many of the best gaming headsets or gaming earbuds , and offers three equalizer modes. Theyre nothing groundbreaking, but a good inclusion at this price point.

I tested the with Lumectra variant, which also boasts some pretty incredible RGB lighting that beautifully illuminates its entire faceplate. Thats aside from the giant red Nintendo Switch 2 logo thats positioned right in the
middle of the gamepad, which spoils the clean look. The lighting can be customized with a few pre-sets, or entirely personalized using four distinct lighting zones if youre happy to spend time fiddling with the cumbersome button shortcuts.

The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller also boasts Hall effect thumbsticks, which is great on paper and should mean this controller lasts quite some time. Sadly, the thumbsticks themselves arent the best and feel very loose in comparison to alternatives. Fine control is difficult, which isn't a huge issue when youre playing a casual game such as Mario Kart World
, but it is extremely annoying in a title like Splatoon 3 , where accuracy really matters.

The top of the thumbsticks features a knobbly texture thats rather harsh on the fingers too, leading to some soreness over prolonged periods of use. This wont be a dealbreaker if youre after something for player two, but for your main gamepad, consider more expensive alternatives like the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller or 8BitDo Ultimate 2 .

You get what you pay for with this one. (Image credit: Future) PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Price and availability Starts at $39.99
/ 29.99 Lumectra variant is $49.99 / 34.99 Its frequently on sale for much less

Buyers in the UK are getting a better deal on the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller, which starts at $39.99 / 29.99. Thats for the plain
version. The Lumectra variant I tested goes for slightly more at $49.99 / 34.99.

This makes it a little cheaper than previous wireless options from the brand, such as the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller with Lumectra for the
original Nintendo Switch.

These prices are frequently subject to discounts, though, especially if youre not after a particular pattern. At the time of writing, the Mario Time
edition costs just $28.68 at Amazon in the US, while the black version is
down to 24.99 at Smyths Toys in the UK.

Its wide availability means that its one of the cheapest Nintendo Switch 2 controllers that you can get at most retail stores, putting it firmly into impulse buy territory. If youre shopping for a spare gamepad ahead of a multiplayer session, its going to be a really tempting option. PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Specs

Price

Starts at $39.99 / 29.99

Weight

10.88oz / 300g

Dimensions

5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 149 x 104 x 62mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Connection type

Wired

Battery life

N/A PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Design and features Lightweight Lengthy 10ft USB cable Doesnt feel premium

The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller is extremely lightweight and doesnt feel the most premium. Its constructed from a basic, almost brittle plastic and seems hollow in the hands.

It doesn't help that there are a few spots where you can actually peer at the circuitry inside the controller, around the thumbsticks and triggers, for example, which is a little strange and will surely lead to dirt and dust accumulating inside in the long run.

That lightweight feel does at least mean that its comfortable in the hands, though, and even young children shouldnt struggle to hold it for extended gaming sessions.

On the front of the controller, youll find the two thumbsticks and all the expected inputs. This includes the face buttons, d-pad, plus and minus (which are located towards the bottom), a home button, C button, and capture button. The thumbsticks use Hall effect components, which is a good sign, though unfortunately dont feel very high quality. They offer practically no resistance, gliding around quickly and making them difficult to control precisely.

Theyre also made from a hard, plastic-like material with little abrasive
bumps that left my fingers feeling sore after a few hours of play. (Image credit: Future)

I tested the With Lumectra version of the pad, which comes in a clean white. When plugged in, the face plate illuminates brightly thanks to loads of
hidden LEDs in an impressive rainbow effect.

PowerA really knows how to make good RGB lighting without breaking the bank, and it leads to a very attractive-looking controller. Unfortunately, its somewhat spoiled by the giant Nintendo Switch 2 logo thats been awkwardly slapped in a giant red square in the middle of the pad.

It clashes with the lighting effects and looks incredibly weird and out of place. Luckily, if youre buying the cheaper regular version of the
controller, you wont need to worry about this, as the logo comes in more reasonable colors, like a dark grey on the black colorway.

On the back of the controller are the two remappable buttons, customized by holding a small program button next to them. Theres also a button to control the LED lighting, plus a dedicated audio button that cycles through EQ
presets when you have headphones plugged in via the 3.5mm jack. Theres a standard preset, plus a bass boost and an immersive option.

The only other thing of note is a small LED bar towards the bottom of the controller. It can be easy to miss with all the lighting turned on, but its a clean white when the controller is on and blinks blue when youre remapping buttons.

As a wired gamepad, the controller is only usable when connected to the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 via a USB Type-C cable. A 10-foot-long PowerA-branded cable is included in the box, which should be long enough for most setups. (Image credit: Future) PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller: Performance Gets the job done Ideal as a spare gamepad
Thumbsticks could be better

At the end of the day, the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller gets
the job done. If youre after a cheap controller to use when youre playing
with a friend or to give to a child, then it performs as you would expect for the price. The buttons arent the most tactile, but they are perfectly responsive to press, and the d-pad is a decent size and easy to use.

The plug-and-play compatibility makes the controller incredibly easy to set up, and the ability to tweak the rear button mapping or lighting effects without the need for any software is handy - though the process of doing this is cumbersome even with the instruction manual on hand. (Image credit:
Future)

The biggest area for improvement is easily the thumbsticks. As I already mentioned, theyre harsh on the finger and could really do with being made
from a much softer material. Theyre also quite loose, which makes them a poor fit for games that require precision.

Dont get me wrong, theyre perfectly usable still, but they hardly compare to those offered by more expensive controllers such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller Its the one thing that really stops the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller from netting a more enthusiastic recommendation, given its modest price tag.

The addition of a 3.5mm jack is useful for voice chat, as it allows you to connect a pair of earbuds or headphones with a microphone. The three EQ settings are also nifty.

The standard and bass boost options are self-explanatory, while the Immersive preset subtly increases both low and high-end sounds. Is it particularly immersive? Not really, but its still fun to play around with and might even help a cheap headset sound a little bit better. (Image credit: Future) Should I buy the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller? Buy it if

You love the lighting
The Lumectra version of the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller has some stand-out lighting. Its worth getting if you want a cheap pad with some impressive RGB.

You want something cheap that gets the job done
The PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller makes the most sense as a
spare gamepad. Its worth picking up if you want a controller to keep on hand for impromptu co-op play. Dont buy it if

You want to use it for a long time
If you want to use a controller for extended periods of time, youre much better off with the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller or even just the Joy-Con 2 controllers that come with your console.

You need something wireless
The 10ft cable included here is going to be long enough for most setups, but if you sit further away from your TV then you should look at wireless
options. Also consider...

PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

8BitDo Ultimate 2

Price

Starts at $39.99 / 29.99

$84.99 / 74.99 / AU$119.95

$69.99 / 59.99 / AU$90 (or $59.99 / 49.99 for PC-only model)

Weight

10.88oz / 200g

8.3oz / 235g

8.7oz / 246g

Dimensions

5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 149 x 104 x 62mm

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

5.7 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 147 x 103 x 61mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch 2

PC, Android (Switch/Switch 2 version sold separately)

Connection type

Wired

Bluetooth, USB Type-C

2.4GHz, Bluetooth, USB Type-C

Battery life

N/A

Around 40 hours

10-15 hours

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
The Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller is easily the best gamepad for Nintendos latest console right now. It feels incredibly premium and boasts loads of features, but that is reflected by its high price tag.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review

8BitDo Ultimate 2
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is cheaper than the official offering, but more expensive than the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller. For your
money, you get a wireless pad that feels much more premium and even comes
with a charging dock.

Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate 2 review (Image credit: Future) How I tested the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller Tested for over two weeks
Tried with a wide range of games Compared to other Switch and Switch 2 controllers

I tested the PowerA Advantage Switch 2 Wired Controller for over two weeks, trying it with a range of Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 games, including the likes of Mario Kart World , Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition , Hitman World of Assassination Signature Edition , and more.

Throughout my time with the controller, I compared it to my hands-on testing of other Nintendo gamepads, including the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller and Joy-Con 2 .

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/powera-advantage-switch-2-wired-controller-re view


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