Difficult to impossible to figure it out until you're shooting representative examples for yourself on a range. Handling them at a gun store counter only tells how they feel when not being fired. Felt recoil is subjective, and it's not unusual for how someone experiences controllability to change an opinion.
I own a M&P 40c, but have fired a number of 9c's.
I own a couple of G26's and a G27.
I've handled and fired the Shield 9 & 40.
The 9c is really controllable and nicely balanced. The 40c requires more effort and practice (as with most .40's compared to similar 9's).
The Shield 9 & 40 were a very pleasant surprise. The Shield 9 is rather thin in the hand, but it handles very nicely under live fire. It's balance was a bit quicker than my well-used and slightly heavier 3913, but it was just as controllable. Very accurate, even in a number of fast-paced drills running out to 10+ yds. Nice. If I didn't already own a number of very nice compact/subcompact 9's, I'd have already ordered one.
The G26's are good. A bit thick and chunky, but good for their intended purpose. Controllable. I prefer the revolver-shaped curved triggers of the M&P series guns (which includes the Shield), but the little Glock 9/.40's can be run fast, hard & well with practice.
The Shield 9 is the slimmest of the bunch, but even so, its grip design, overall handling and controllability make it a very attractive subcompact 9. Some folks have expressed an opinion that the Shield is almost too thin in the grip frame. (Which is why a prospective buyer would probably benefit from looking around to rent one and try it on a range. to make sure its felt recoil & handling characteristics under live fire are suitable to the buyer's desires, experience and skillset.)
I'm also an armorer for the Glock and M&P series, although last I heard they haven't gotten the additional material for the Shield included in the M&P armorer manual. Maybe by the time I have to get my next armorer recert it'll be approved and included in the class.
As an armorer I like many things about the guns mentioned.