PowerA Nano Enhanced review: a Switch Pro for smaller hands

Nintendo’s Switch Pro controller is fantastic, but it’s also a big thing. If you’re having a hard time grasping it or just want a smaller controller to put in your bag, PowerA’s new Nano Enhanced Wireless Controller for Switch (also compatible with Windows 10) is a good solution. It is a more compact version that reduces about a third of the size of the official Nintendo controller. Most of its design and features are faithful, including USB-C charging, motion controls, and LED lights on the bottom to indicate connectivity status. On the downside, it lacks support and NFC for Amiibo.

The Nano costs $ 49.99, which is significantly less than the $ 69 Switch Pro, and it comes in two colors: black with gray accents around the sticks and triggers, or gray with neon blue and sprinkled red accents.

Although the controller is slim, the analog sticks, face buttons, and triggers are large and easy to find. With the exception of the directional pad, each of those elements matches the responsiveness of the Nintendo controller itself. That’s not to say the D-pad isn’t repairable, but it does require a more concerted effort to press in each direction, almost as if the membrane wasn’t properly aligned under the plastic. Young children may have a hard time pressing it easily, and I would rule out this model if you mainly play classic games that rely on the D-pad.

This little controller has two assignable buttons on its back that you won’t find on the Switch Pro, and they allow you to remap, for example, a trigger and a front button on the back, which might be more convenient for you if you play games than they require holding down a button to run or something equally tedious. It’s kind of like having a more limited version of Sony’s back button accessory on a Switch controller. This feature doesn’t really help me much as I’ve gotten used to using the standard facial buttons, but it adds ease of use and some extra value.

Setting the controls aside, you’ll find a USB-C charging port on top of the Nano, and PowerA claims it can last 20 hours between charges. Many third-party Switch controllers use replaceable batteries, so it’s great that this one is built-in and rechargeable. It also lasts a few weeks at a time if you only play a little bit each day. There is an LED near the port that indicates when the battery level is critically low. In the box, PowerA includes a 10-foot USB-C to USB-A cable along with a drawstring pouch for the controller.

In terms of reliability, it lives up to the Switch Pro, which means it’s excellent. It was just as easy for me to connect to the Switch as I just had to press the pairing button near the USB-C port for it to connect. (The process to link it to a Windows 10 PC with Bluetooth is the same). He never dropped the signal with the console, and PowerA’s 20-hour battery life claim holds up well. The build quality of the Nano is excellent. It has a sturdy, matte texture feel around the controller body that really works for a smaller controller. I have no trouble finding a comfortable grip with the standard Switch Pro, though I found myself gravitating towards this half the time when I just wanted something a little more discreet to hold.

The PowerA Nano is a nice addition to the Switch Pro. Depending on the size of your hand, it could easily be your main switch controller. However, for me, I’m less excited to make it my main one because it lacks the HD rumble response. Still, I can imagine carrying this with me on the go or having it on hand for my partner or I to use during a multiplayer game so that none of us get caught in the malicious Joy-Con grip (at least in my House). As long as you can see past the omission of the rumble, this slim driver is a solid addition to your Switch setup.