Many PC gamers prefer the venerable keyboard and mouse, but controllers aren’t just for consoles anymore. Controllers can actually improve the experience in certain games, particularly those ported from a console, and a controller can be a comfortable reprieve if you’re already spending all day using a keyboard and mouse. There are as many controller options out there as there are games to play, so what’s a PC gamer to do? We’ve tested numerous game controllers from high-end devices with customizable hardware to bargain-basement wired models, and here are the best controllers for PC gaming.
Further reading: See our roundup of the best Xbox controllers for PC to learn about competing products.
Xbox Wireless Controller (2020) – Best controller for PC
Pros
- USB-C port is better for long-term support
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Refined, more tactile d-pad
- Grippy textures and slimmer body
Cons
- Rechargeable battery is not included
- Share button is hard to reach
It’s hard to find fault with the current-gen Xbox controller, which was released in 2020. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X/S update to the iconic gamepad added several long-overdue features, including Bluetooth connectivity, a USB-C port, and a dedicated share button. It has the standard asymmetrical thumbsticks we see on other Xbox-style gamepads. They’re smooth and accurate in our testing, but 8BitDo’s Hall-effect sticks are likely to last longer.
The Xbox controller retails for $60, but it’s regularly on sale for $50 or less if you don’t demand one of the fancy colors or elaborate skins. That price doesn’t include a battery—this controller still takes two AA batteries. However, that’s enough juice for 25 to 30 hours of gameplay. Microsoft’s add-on battery pack is $25, but third-party versions are as little as $10, and that’s worth the price.
Microsoft’s controller might not have a ton of bells and whistles like the Elite controllers or the 8BitDo Ultimate below, but the matte plastic body is sturdy, and we appreciate the microdot texture on the grips that make it less slippery in the hand. The more tactile, dish-shaped d-pad is a nice upgrade over most other controllers, too.
What really makes the Xbox Controller the best overall PC controller is simply that it works with everything. If a game has controller support on PC, it will understand the Xbox Controller without any coaxing. It also has a huge accessory ecosystem, offering docks, phone mounts, and more.
8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller – More features, at a price
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Works on Windows, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch
- Hall-effect thumbsticks for long-term reliability
- Full remapping and customization support in 8BitDo app
Cons
- Includes charging dock with 2.4GHz adapter
- Nintendo Switch button layout can be confusing
- Bluetooth is buggy on Windows
- More expensive than Xbox controller at $70
8BitDo made its name with retro-styled budget gamepads, but its Ultimate series controllers are worthy of even the most intense AAA games. The Ultimate Bluetooth Controller, as the name implies, has Bluetooth for use with smartphones and the Nintendo Switch. There’s a 2.4GHz mode that works better with PCs, and it comes with the necessary 2.4GHz receiver inside the included charging dock. It also has a USB-C port if you don’t have the dock handy or prefer wired gameplay.
The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Controller is slightly smaller and lighter than the Xbox controller (with batteries), but it feels very solidly constructed. We also appreciate the Hall-effect thumbsticks, which use contactless magnets instead of the potentiometers in most controllers. Thumbsticks are often the first component to go, causing the input to “drift” during gameplay. This won’t happen with Hall-effect sensors in the 8BitDo Ultimate.
That’s not the only advanced feature—the 8BitDo gamepad also has rear-facing paddle buttons, which you can assign controls or even macros using the 8BitDo Ultimate software. The interface is a little confusing at times, but it gives you full control over button mapping, thumbstick active areas, vibration intensity, and more.
The internal battery is good for at least 18 hours of gameplay (8BitDo claims two hours), so you don’t have to buy a separate battery or burn through AAs like the stock Xbox controller. The only problem for PC gamers will be the ABXY button layout, which follows the Nintendo Switch design. It’ll take some time to adjust if you’re moving from an Xbox controller.
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Sony DualSense controller – Limited support, amazing hardware </h3>
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Very comfortable in the hand </li>
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Haptics and adaptive triggers are amazing </li>
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Built-in speaker </li>
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Short battery life </li>
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Limited support on PC </li>
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