Probably yes, eventually. The Joy-Con 2 uses the same kind of analog sticks that caused drift on the original. Nintendo didn't switch to drift-proof technology.
Wait, Why Not?
A lot of people expected Hall effect sensors, those magnet-based sticks that don't wear down. Third-party controllers have used them for years to avoid drift.
Here's the catch: the Joy-Con 2 attaches magnetically. Those magnets would mess with Hall effect sensors, which also use magnets. Nintendo had to pick one or the other. They went with the magnetic attachment and stuck with traditional sticks.
Kind of annoying, honestly.
The Silver Lining
Nintendo still offers free repairs for drift. The class-action lawsuit made sure of that. If your Joy-Con 2 develops drift, contact Nintendo and they'll fix it at no cost.
Some people say the Joy-Con 2 sticks feel better built than the originals. The controller is bigger, so maybe there's more room for sturdier components. But it's too early to know if drift will be less common.
What You Can Do
If you're really worried about drift, buy a third-party controller with Hall effect sensors. 8BitDo makes good ones. They won't snap onto the Switch 2 magnetically, but they'll work wirelessly forever without drift.
Or just use the Joy-Con 2 normally and take advantage of the free repair program when needed.
The Reality
Potentiometer sticks will always drift eventually. That's just physics. The question is how long it takes. Nintendo's betting the Joy-Con 2 will last longer. We'll see.
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How we researched this
Where this comes from: this answer draws on the product's published specifications and the reviews ShopSavvy collected for it, alongside prices from 2 retailers in ShopSavvy's price data, most recently seen Sep 26, 2026.
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