BETTER than the Split Pad Pro? HORI Split Pad Compact for Nintendo Switch REVIEW

While I wasn't the biggest fan of the original Split Pad Pro, HORI's new Split Pad Compact brings a number of improvements that make it a more appealing joy-con alternative.
HORI Split Pad Compact (Light Gray & Yellow ) for Nintendo Switch:
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[@ImpatientTurtle]

Got the Gengar ones arriving Friday, upgraded to the Switch Oled yesterday. Cant wait. Great review.

[@NeiltendoPower]

Really appreciate that! The Gengar ones look SO GOOD

[@oo0024]

It’s been one of my many gaming habits to switch rumble off while playing games so these are perfect for me

[@rodddossantos1437]

I’ve had this version for just under a week, and it is easily my favorite way to play in handheld now. I was hesitant at first since I was really getting used to and enjoying the joy cons (which I modded to include an actual d-pad), but the comfort, d-pad, and overall grip of Hori’s Split Pad Compact really makes me not want to put my Switch OLED down! It really changes things for the better.👍

[@NeiltendoPower]

Yeah, I’d these had rumble I’d probably use them all the time. The sticks especially are a major improvement

[@redcrimson1028]

@@NeiltendoPower never had an issue with the analogs on the old one's, they were pretty much perfect

[@oo0024]

Joy cons feel fantastic until you try playing warframe and then you realise they actually suck 😂

[@Mlarsen1985]

i just wish they made this in a version with only grey tones, and not the yellow

[@SuperBram77]

Superb review! Can you do a comparison vid with other wireless alt joycons like Omelet/NYXI?

[@edelrenteria5590]

Great review you just won a new suscriber

[@SexManNordin]

this looks really nice the shape and look kinda reminds me of the nitro deck and thats a great thing it looks way better than typical joycons imo

[@danielmcphee2546]

Mmm might get this for brother for christmas, he has pair binboks already, but he always looking out for joycons. I still prefer my nexigo/ovio ergonomic grip better but he prefers joycons. lol

[@keremakyuz1839]

Sorry I just bought the switch oled and it's my first nintendo consol, so don't know much about it. I also purchased one of those controllers. What is assign and turbo buttons for?

[@NeiltendoPower]

No problem! The assign button lets you assign a button of your choice to the extra paddle on the back. This can be helpful for competitive multiplayer where you might set a jump button to the back trigger, which would allow you to keep your thumb on the right stick without having to move to one of the face buttons. Keep in mind you can only assign buttons on the same side as the paddle though, meaning you couldn't set any of the d-pad buttons to the right paddle etc. Turbo just sets rapid repeated button presses when holding a button down. Hope that helps!

[@keremakyuz1839]

@@NeiltendoPower Perfect explanation! Thank you so much ❤️

sorry, do you know if they fit with the original grip that comes with the switch console?

[@NeiltendoPower]

These would be too big for that, but I bet you could make it work by removing the grips on the back of the original Switch grip and just connecting these with the middle rail piece if that makes sense

[@maximilianonahuelgarcia6888]

Hola! ¿Cómo estás? Consulta..¿Me conviene mejor comprar este hori o el hori split pad pro de Pokémon Arceus? ¿Cuál es mejor en tanto agarre y demás? Perdón que te consulte,pasa que no entiendo tu idioma :(

[@NeiltendoPower]

el split pad compact y el Pokémon arceus split pad pro son básicamente iguales, y solo difieren en apariencia y forma. Para mí, prefiero el split pad compact.

[@maximilianonahuelgarcia6888]

@@NeiltendoPower Entonces ya sea en materiales y calidad...¿Son lo mismo? También te quería consultar si el compact tiene vibración,batería incluida,sensor de movimiento y demás.

[@NeiltendoPower]

Sorry I had to use google translate. Hope that helps!

[@angeliquealways9462]

@@maximilianonahuelgarcia6888 el compact no tiene vibración o sensor de movimiento😕

[@lapis591]

I've never, ever, ever seen someone play Legend of Zelda with an analog stick.

[@NeiltendoPower]

I did that to specifically test dead zones on the sticks compared to the joy-con because directional movement is so obvious

[@smokegames1179]

Bought a split pad pro for $18 used steal

[@dickyo6952]

i have many joycons. The hori pro and compact and like 3 nyxi and binbot.... but the hori compact are the best

[@redcrimson1028]

You don't know what you're talking about! They are plenty 3rd party joycons and controllers with rumble. Ori just chose to cut out features to make a cheaper product.

[@NeiltendoPower]

*officially licensed* I never said there were no third part controllers that have rumble. I’m very familiar with 8bitdo’s offering. I said there are no *officially licensed* third party controllers for the switch that feature rumble. PowerA, PDP, and HORI all lack rumble when it comes to the Switch, and those are the three officially licensed controller manufacturers for the Switch. PowerA for example, makes controllers for other platforms that do feature rumblen. None of the ones for the Switch

[@virgil5650]

You need to simmer down smh

[@redcrimson1028]

@@NeiltendoPower I have a non official joycons from a 3rd party that has rumble so again what are u taking about? Also your comment is double standard at best, you named third party controllers like 8bitdo for example which is not affiliated with Nintendo has rumble! It may not be HD rumble but it's there and that's a 3rd party non official nintendo product or am I just missing something here? Peace

[@RonaldVegan67]

@@redcrimson1028 you should try to read his comments harder one more time and make use of that stuff between your ears ..

[@NeiltendoPower]

@@redcrimson1028 bro what is wrong with you? What do you not understand by “officially licensed”? Yes, I am aware that there are third party controllers, like 8bitdo that work with the Switch and have rumble. I’m saying there are no officially licensed (meaning they have the officially licensed Nintendo logo on the box) third party controllers for the Switch that feature rumble

[@stefannicic6509]

From all this videos ... I came to conclusion if I buy switch I will have to buy split pad pro, Hori Split pad and switch wireless adapter to connect my ps5 dualsense, I am not going to buy nintendo pro controller, also. Jesus.

[@SolarFarle]

Just bought these a couple of days ago and they're much better than the original Split Pad Pro. Much better to hold too. Plus I can play in tabletop mode without disconnecting them.

[@jessica49arrow]

Is the compact lighter than the pro?

[@SolarFarle]

@@jessica49arrow Yes.

[@orokanaangel9907]

I never hated the regular joycons. But they do hurt my hand sometimes. This new Hori split pad is nice ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 I also feel like I have a Gameboy when playing.

[@switchunboxing]

I’m one of the weird people that likes the size and fit of the JoyCon - so I’m loving these over the Split Pad Pro! I was digging the pro but yeah it did feel flat and just kinda weird. I feel like they fixed it all with this and went from off brand to official. Cant wait to check out those Gengar ones. And you’re so right about them fitting better than the JoyCon yes!! The dead zone is a bit of a drag but I don’t notice it anymore really.

[@SidneyRJames]

The only reason I got this was because I like to play Splatoon in handheld and the joycons hindered me quite a bit. But if it wasn't for that I would have stuck to joycons.

[@jessica49arrow]

Is the compact lighter than the pro?

[@sinnohleaguechampion]

I have been using the split pad since July 2021 because I was frustrated about the joycon drifts and I was done needing to replace parts every time. But even using split pad pro came at a cost. I am a handheld person myself so I didn’t use my dock so much. Now thanks to that and to also using split pad pro almost all the time, my nintendo switch got slightly bend and I also got marks on the upper corners on the back of the switch. These marks come from sliding on and off the split pad pro. They have these parts that go underneath your switch. I can still put my slightly bend switch in the dock but it doesn’t go that easy as it used to be.

[@NALLawliet]

Am I the only person who actually hates Rumble?

[@NeiltendoPower]

yeah love the look of this thing!

[@CrystalNinja07]

I always turn rumble off too! I just wanna play, not have my hands shake!

[@wrathpsp]

Is the Dpad good for 2d fighting games?

[@RFNY315]

@@wrathpspyeah.

[@Skribzz_]

I love rumble man, especially in shooters getting feedback in my hands upon a kill feels so satisfying

[@alexfizz7402]

Amazing review man. The one big flaw and what made me pass on these ones is the lack of rumble... I mean, they are not wireless! Why removing the rumble?

[@MUSQUIZanimation]

That’s my favorite shade of yellow. Combined with that white. I might pick these up for the color alone.

[@NeiltendoPower]

Yeah I genuinely love the look of these while I found the Split Pad Pro to look kind of goofy

[@lapis591]

I think the colour is called 'sickly yellow.'

[@LanceBoyle-z2g]

If you actually like the rubbish joy con grip combo over this, dat means this also rubbish 🗑 The worst controller I've ever used since Atari 2600 days, it's the joy cons.

[@titus9165]

How is the placement of the right stick? Do you think these would be comfortable for play first person shooters in handheld mode?

[@NeiltendoPower]

The placement is sort of in between the joy-con and the split pad pro. It’s definitely not as bad as on the joy-con where the stick is directly below the face buttons, but it’s maybe a little more cramped than on the pro. For your case, I might actually recommend the pro over the compact

[@apd_avery]

I just bought the light grey one’s on sell at target for $32.49

[@NeiltendoPower]

Nice! That’s a great price

[@jdxcoffee]

I absolutely love the split pad compacts

[@NeiltendoPower]

Yeah, big improvement over the originals in my opinion

[@MJGxo]

Best review ever had some great points, im buying these now after seeing this, thanks, bro

[@Niborino9409]

The split pad compact was perfect for me. Now I can play Skyrim in handheld for as long as I want 😊 Although the lack of motion controls really bother me. The rest of the features I don't mind being missing. And it not being able to wake the Switch. If you take it right out of the dock they can power on asap but other times like if I grab it off of the table I have to press the power button on the Switch then activate the split pads separately. 🙄

[@fruitjuiceronline8714]

rumble sucks, motion controls suck and no amiibo support dude most nintendo games limit you one amiibo a day so whats the point.

[@mattb9664]

Hori is the only 3rd party controller manufacturer I trust since they know what their doing when it comes to controllers..it's a shame that their Pro model doesn't feel identical to the Pro Controller. Guess I'll be picking up the compact model.

[@Wiihelfer]

The lack of motion controls is my most disappointment with these controllers. That's a pity... :(

[@nickb6425]

I love my Arceus Split Pad Pro, but I'm becoming more interested in these too. I want those Gengar ones once they become available to pre order again

[@NeiltendoPower]

I tried snagging those Gengar ones from Playasia but wasn’t quick enough. It looks so good!

[@nickb6425]

@@NeiltendoPower it really does! The same happened to me with an amazon pre order lol

[@switchunboxing]

Pre orders are up on Amazon they ship Nov 8!

[@nickb6425]

@@switchunboxing sadly still currently unavailable where I am :(

[@switchunboxing]

@@nickb6425 Ohhhh in due time!

[@biggboyygaming5497]

I picked up the compact last week and personally i have big hands and the original split pad pro i found to be more comfortable for longer game sessions than the compact. Still love the compact especially the smaller design is more travel friendly than the split pad pro. Split pad pro looks bulky next to the compact. Overall, they’re both a great buy.

[@NeiltendoPower]

It’s funny, I have fairly large hands as well, but the SPP just fits my hands kind of awkwardly. I feel like the slightly more pronounced bump in the middle of the SPC makes for a better grip, but that’s just going to come down to personal preference.

[@marssinner8707]

Can you please tell me what the clunky squares are on the back at the top ? My bf recently bought the gengar set and it’s driving my crazy that I don’t know the function of those squares !!!!! He thinks they’re finger rests but I thought no way bc resting my fingers there felt unnatural

[@NeiltendoPower]

I’m not entire sure, but I think they serve a few purposes - they allow the split pad/switch to lay flat on its back and not on the triggers when set down on a table or desk, they also act as braces against the back of the Switch and take a little pressure off the joy-con rails, and they also rest nicely along the top of the dock when playing on the tv. Definitely don’t rest my fingers on them tho

[@Ceejay-s9e]

How could anybody like the stock joycons?!??

[@tamaki5982]

I want something to play doom eternal so I need the rumble but damn the spongy buttons over all cheap feel is a turn off for the pro and the compact not having rumble is also a turn off 😅😢

[@NeiltendoPower]

Check out the Mobapad M6 HD! It’s more expensive but missing everything the Split Pad lacks

[@hansrodriguez8201]

Hello bro, do you have any conclusion about it? I have the split pad pro I like the new design of Gengar in the compact I don't know if I should change it, could you show me how the split pad compact looks inside the tomtoc case, I have the same one but I don't know how it fits, thanks!

[@NeiltendoPower]

I don't have the Tomtoc case so I wouldn't know how it fits either. I do prefer the look and feel of the compact over the pro, but I think that's really going to come down to personal preference

[@gerardohernandez8620]

Hello Just a Quick question will you say this are better to play splatoon 3 than normal joycons? I find normal joycons not confortable. Regards

[@zurdmannakella3812]

No gyro on these ones

[@LandensAutoCare]

For anyone wondering, it’s super easy to brake off those nubs perfectly, sand it with a soft grit and you can use them with a switch case.

[@johnesco]

I just bought these and the size feels perfect. The joysticks feel amazing. Will see if no HD, or motion controls becomes a factor, but I'm happy so far.

[@BobbyHo2022]

the split pad feels better for my hands than the joy cons but my hands still get sore after a while. That never happened to me with other gameboy models other than the switch.

[@RetroFanatic-Trapster2]

Considering the compact one but I did read the buttons are slightly mushy compared to the pro. While I do have a Satisfye gen 1 grip, the reason for getting a Split Pad is the right joycon has randomly lost connection to the console 3 times pretty recently. That's when it was attached to it.

[@LATR3NDS]

Thanks for the helpful review, subbed!

[@NeiltendoPower]

Appreciate the kind words and sub!

[@robertward5047]

I always turn rumble off anyway. Annoying when some games need it though (mario odyssey for example)

[@AIIRHEAD11]

The Switch Joy Cons rumble is a big selling point that a lot of people dont appreciate and while it is pretty amazing rumble feature that gives games a special feel it sucks that they ban 3rd party from using any rumble. In conclusion, solid review. Thank you.

[@NeiltendoPower]

Thanks! I’m currently using the new Mobapad M6 HD and really loving them. Basically the Split Pad Compact without any of the compromises, and they also have HD rumble. Hoping to get a review up soon!

[@DelphinusVyse]

Got the Pikachu and Mimikyu design 4 days ago, and love it. Going on vacation next month including a plane ride, so I'm certainly going to be getting a lot more handheld use in.

[@riomendoza1111]

Any real gamer will tell you the joystick on the joycons is a no go. If you are using the joycons with a grip over Hori you arent a real gamer. Sorry that is just a fact.

[@emmaholsomback6758]

Does the split pad compact fit in travel cases?

[@NeiltendoPower]

No pun intended, but it's going to be a case by case basis. The compact is still quite a bit bigger than the stock joy-con though, so tighter fitting cases most likely won't fit

[@davedave7780]

I just bought the pro… did they remove an option to wake up the switch?

[@NotRiki-vr1cq]

i have the split pro sonic version and i feel amazing in handheld so i’m interested about the compact but i have what i want

[@bodacious117]

I don’t care about rumble that much but I love the split pad pro joy cons..

[@NeroVingian40]

I did watch the Split Pad Pro video, it was one of the videos I watched when I was considering to buy a Switch early last year. And now I’ve come full circle and watching your Split Pad Compact review lol

[@jj_1edzep]

6.36 I didn't even know it could be waken up with the home button XD

[@lapis591]

The lack of rumble is not an 'odd Nintendo thing.' HD rumble is proprietary. There is no way Nintendo is going to licence its proprietary tech to a third-party.

[@NeiltendoPower]

I’m not saying the lack of HD rumble is odd, I’m saying it’s strange no officially licensed controllers feature rumble at all, even when those companies make controllers for other platforms and do feature rumble. Also, Immersion, the company behind the Switch’s HD rumble is the same company behind the PS5’s DualSense haptic feedback.

[@slm20408]

They dont have gyro right?

[@hazelbagels024]

Nope. No functions that the joycons have.

[@anonymoushuman8443]

I wish they would do non Pokémon joy cons.

[@NeiltendoPower]

Yeah they definitely go pretty hard on the Pokémon themed ones, but they’ve done Sonic, Pac-Man, and Mega Man ones too!

[@goodiegoodygumdrops]

@@NeiltendoPower Right? Them Splatoon ones (with the color gradient) are SO pretty though.

[@danielxdiamond2976]

What is the little part that sticks out of them and stays behind the Switch for? I feel like they just scratched the console.

[@NeiltendoPower]

I think they just sort of serve as braces since the wider body of the split pad compact creates a little more leverage on the joy-con rails. They also keep the Switch from resting on the shoulder buttons when laying the Switch down flat on its back. Haven't had any issues with them scratching the back of the tablet either

[@systim30]

I would pick these up if they made it in cherry red. I'll stick with Hori's Dpad joycon until they make more colors.

[@NeiltendoPower]

Did you see the apricot red version? Not a fan?

[@systim30]

@@NeiltendoPower not really. Cool color but it's not my style

[@nobodyknows8794]

Do they only fit on the oled?

[@NeiltendoPower]

Nope, these fit the regular Switch as well!

[@lightninggod4348]

I'm stuck between these and the Binbok joypad/controller. Thoughts?

[@NeiltendoPower]

That's a tough call. The Binbok controllers are more comfortable and feature rumble and gyro, but in my experience, the rumble feels kind of cheap and build quality can be a little spotty too. The Split Pad Compact feels like a higher-quality product, but you're missing out on a lot of features. Really comes down to how important those different aspects are to you

[@lRedBaronl]

I respectfully disagree that the compacts are more comfortable than the pros. Ive had both and with the compacts my hand cramp up almost as fast as they do with the original joycons. This never happened to me with the split pad pros. I do agree that the grip and original joycons is the most comfortable. Specially the staisfye grip. It just sucks that I cant dock the switch with the grip on

[@hellscreamifill2730]

Wonderful review 👏

[@H.ヒロトAon]

will they drift tho?

[@sojannedos]

I really like the compact look on these, however, I think I'll wait and see if they finally decide to make a wireless version with an attachment to connect them as one. I have the normal Arceus Split pads, so I'm good for now. But I feel like these are good for someone who doesn't have them.

[@NeiltendoPower]

That’s a good point, not sure these are necessarily worth the upgrade if you already have the Pro, but yeah, I’d definitely recommend the Compact over the Pro if it’s the first pair you’re picking up.

[@switchunboxing]

Have you checked out the Nyxi/Binbok? It’s like the Split Pad Pro but has wireless, gyro, rumble, and it has LED lights. Downside is it’s kinda bulky and doesn’t have the awesome designs

[@Thilucken10]

Great video man. Thank you

[@nickb5891]

Great review, thanks 👊🏼

[@TNA999]

Perfect joy for persona

[@TheInfiniteNine]

Nice to see that the compacts are dockable. Even tho you say thr pro's are dockable, mine cannot dock because of the raised edges on the front which rub the sides of the dock if I go to push the system down.

[@maikatase]

Still no rumble? I don't see the point of them

[@trza49er]

I love Hori, but the price isn’t right for these considering the lack of features. After much research I think I’ll be going w a Skull & Co grip.

[@jasonblake1908]

I like the splitpro the why theyluck So bigger for your hands Mait pick up ipar hon Amazon!😉👌

[@manegrindshard]

no gyro scope or vibration and the ugly bright color options are a deal breaker for me as much as I want to like them and their design

[@redcrimson1028]

The original split pad pro is very comfortable but your hand will still strain after a few minutes of playing. They are indeed better than the satisfye though. The original split pad pro are pretty much one of the best joycons on the switch hands down. I bought these today and is dying to try them out. These are very ugly though, but if they don't cramp your hands after 30 mins then I'll be happy. The reviewer made it seem like the originals were bad and these are way better but there was nothing wrong with the originals, they were perfect. Only thing missing was rumble, gyro and nfc

[@NeiltendoPower]

Nah I just said I prefer these to the old ones because the buttons feel better and the shape fits my hands better. As with all my reviews, it’s just my personal opinion

[@redcrimson1028]

Update: finally tested out these bad boys and the pale in comparison to the split pad pro. The compact is a step back and the dpad is terrible. It is however still a good controller but meant for small to medium hands and do not use these with fighting games.

[@ghosttiee9212]

@@redcrimson1028nah not to me they are perfect I have the red ones and idk how they look” ugly” they look better than the pros

[@GojiGuy]

No wireless play is a waste of time...

[@buster5661]

The design is good, but it feels cheap nearly $50 is overpriced bro