The Poké Ball Plus is one of the most charming Pokémon accessories ever made, and it doubles as a Pokémon GO catching device. But in 2026, with true auto-catchers widely available, it is worth understanding exactly what the Poké Ball Plus does for Pokémon GO, where it still shines, and where it falls short. This guide covers its catching behavior, the Nintendo Switch and Mew bonuses, and whether it is the right buy today.
Key Takeaways
- What it is: a 2018 Poké Ball-shaped device that works as a Pokémon GO catching accessory and as a Nintendo Switch controller.
- Catching style: it needs a button press for each catch, so it is not a true hands-free auto-catcher like the Pokémon GO Plus +.
- Best bonus: it grants a Mew the first time you connect it to Pokémon Let’s Go or Sword and Shield.
- Extras: it carries a Pokémon, helps earn Buddy Candy and distance, and auto-spins PokéStops.
- Verdict: a nostalgic, dual-purpose gadget, but for pure Pokémon GO catching a modern auto-catcher does more for less.
What Is the Poké Ball Plus?
The Poké Ball Plus launched in 2018 alongside Pokémon Let’s Go, Pikachu and Eevee. It is a Poké Ball-shaped device with a clickable control stick and a button, and it serves two roles. In Pokémon GO it works like the original Pokémon GO Plus: it catches Pokémon and spins PokéStops while connected over Bluetooth. With a Nintendo Switch it acts as a motion controller for the Let’s Go games and can carry a Pokémon you take on walks.
What It Does in Pokémon GO
This is the part buyers most often misunderstand. The Poké Ball Plus is not a true auto-catcher. It spins PokéStops automatically, but for catching it lights up and vibrates when a Pokémon is near and waits for you to press the button to throw a single regular Poké Ball. It works with your phone locked, so you can keep it in a pocket, but you still have to press the button for each catch. It throws Poké Balls only, with no berries or throw bonuses, the same as every device in this family.
It also carries a Pokémon you select, which earns Buddy Candy and counts distance as you walk, and it auto-spins stops for items. So it is genuinely useful in Pokémon GO, just not the set-and-forget experience that newer devices deliver.
The Switch and Mew Bonuses
The headline extra is Mew. The first time you connect a Poké Ball Plus to Pokémon Let’s Go or Pokémon Sword and Shield, you receive a Mew, a Mythical Pokémon you cannot get through normal play. On Switch it also functions as a controller for the Let’s Go games, with motion catching and a satisfying click. If you own those titles, that combination adds real value beyond Pokémon GO.
Is It Worth It in 2026?
As a Pokémon GO catching tool on its own, the Poké Ball Plus is not the practical choice in 2026. It needs a button press per catch, it is harder to find now that it is no longer in steady production, and it often costs more than third-party auto-catchers that catch fully hands-free. Where it still makes sense is as a dual-purpose gadget: if you play Let’s Go on Switch, want the free Mew, or simply love the Poké Ball design, it earns its place. If your only goal is to catch Pokémon in the background, a true auto-catcher is the smarter spend.
Better Auto-Catchers to Consider
If hands-off Pokémon GO catching is the goal, these modern devices outperform the Poké Ball Plus. Prices are as of June 2026. Our overall best seller, and the device we recommend for most players, is the MEGACOM DuoMon 3.
Pokémon GO Plus +
True auto-catch, zero ban risk, and Pokémon Sleep tracking.
MEGACOM DuoMon 3
Auto-reconnect, dual accounts, and IPX7 waterproofing.
Go-tcha Evolve
A watch-style band that catches every Pokémon hands-free.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Poké Ball Plus auto-catch in Pokémon GO?
Not fully. It auto-spins PokéStops, but catching requires a button press for each Pokémon. It is not a true hands-free auto-catcher like the Pokémon GO Plus +, which auto-catches without any input for species you have caught before.
Does the Poké Ball Plus still give you Mew?
Yes. Connecting a Poké Ball Plus to Pokémon Let’s Go or Pokémon Sword and Shield for the first time grants a Mew. This works once per device, so a brand-new unit is needed for the bonus.
Is the Poké Ball Plus worth it for Pokémon GO in 2026?
Only if you also want the Switch features or the Mew bonus. For pure hands-off Pokémon GO catching, a modern auto-catcher like the Pokémon GO Plus + or MEGACOM DuoMon 3 does more for the same money or less.
Does the Poké Ball Plus throw Great or Ultra Balls?
No. It throws regular Poké Balls only. The only device that can use Great or Ultra Balls is the Pokémon GO Plus +, and only with a manual button press.
The Bottom Line
The Poké Ball Plus is a lovely dual-purpose gadget that gives you a free Mew and a Switch controller, and it works as a button-press catching device in Pokémon GO. As a pure auto-catcher in 2026, though, it has been outclassed. If catching in the background is your aim, start with our tested auto-catcher rankings, or read our explainer on what Pokémon GO Plus is to see how the whole device family compares.