That means there’s something for everyone on the shelves right now, and we’re compiling a list of the best PC controllers across the board. All of the established names have full wired and wireless options, with some gamepads featuring mechanical microswitches and Esports-centric feature sets to suit any preference and budget. Below are our top picks for the best PC Controller available in 2022, which we compiled after extensive testing and research.
Here is the list of Best PC Controller
Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller
Easily one of the best PC Controller available on the market, The Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller is slightly smaller than the Xbox Series X Accessories, making it a better fit for those with smaller hands. It also has more comfortable control sticks than the Xbox controller and a directional pad on the left that is more comfortable for playing 2D games. It includes some nice extras that the Xbox controller does not, such as an internal rechargeable battery and a touchpad that can simulate a mouse cursor. However, it requires some extra effort to make it work with non-Steam Windows or macOS games, and headsets plugged into its headphones jack don’t work properly with computers unless you purchase Sony’s USB wireless adapter. Many games also assume an Xbox button layout, which can be confusing when the in-game button labels do not correspond to the buttons on your controller. For PC gaming, we prefer the DualShock 4 over the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, which has the same flaws but is physically larger and more expensive.
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
After using the Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller for more than ten minutes, you’ll understand why it’s ranked first. The Series 2 exudes luxury in every way. The nearly limitless customization options give you unrivalled control (pun intended) over your gameplay. The ability to customise all aspects of the controller, such as d-pads, shift paddles, and joystick tension, is a godsend. The most noticeable difference between the Series 2 and the Series 1 (which we also liked) is a handy little carrying case that doubles as a portable USB Type-C powered charging station for the controller’s new rechargeable battery, which has around 40 hours of juice. Finally, with Project Xcloud and Apple Arcade bringing some great games to mobile devices, the Series 2 controller can be easily paired via Bluetooth.
PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced
The Spectra Infinity Enhanced wired controller from PowerA is an upgrade over the Spectra Enhanced we reviewed in this guide. The most recent version is more similar to the Xbox Series X|S controller, which is not surprising given that the Spectra is an official Xbox licence product, though it has noticeably brighter lights. Given its low price, it’s a pretty swanky controller these days. We tested the Spectra against an official Xbox One controller while playing all of the usual suspects such as Call of Duty: Warzone and Mortal Kombat 11, and discovered that the joysticks have nearly the same amount of tension and that the face buttons have a similar feel when pressed. Thus, this product is one of the best PC Controller available right now.
Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma
The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma gamepad is a beast. Razer has taken its expertise in producing high-quality peripherals and applied it to an Xbox-style controller to create something that is faster and more customizable than others on the market. The Wolverine’s switches have an incredibly short actuation time of 0.65mm for an incredibly quick response, allowing you to feel like you’re up to speed no matter how fast your game is. It also has 6 remappable buttons, four triggers, and two bumpers to help you access special skills and create a preferred layout in your games. You can also switch between shorter and longer thumbstick caps. You can also use two sliding locks to limit the travel of your main triggers for faster play.
ASTRO Gaming C40 TR Controller
The Astro C40 TR is a high-end, feature-rich PC controller that is a viable alternative to Microsoft’s popular Elite Wireless Controller. The C40 TR, like other premium gamepads, has fully remappable buttons and trigger/stick sensitivities, as well as hair-triggers for faster fire and swappable components. While Astro is best known for its headsets, the C40 TR demonstrates that the company can also produce other peripherals. The C40 doesn’t stop there; you can also completely rearrange the pad’s stick and d-pad layout, allowing you to choose between Xbox-style offset sticks and PS4-style parallel sticks. The C40 is a substantial vehicle and one of the more expensive high-end options available. However, it is an excellent choice for those willing to pay a premium for a plethora of customization tools. Currently, this is one of the best PC Controller that you can buy right now.
Xbox Core Wireless Controller
The Xbox Core Controller is a good place to start if you want a controller with a good design and a lot of flexibility in how you use it to game on your PC. Microsoft has designed an ergonomic controller with additional grip on the sides and back of the controller. Even the triggers have improved their grip. The buttons and triggers retain the familiar Xbox layout, while the D-Pad has been upgraded with a new design reminiscent of the Xbox Elite controller. It’s more tactile now, too. You can also remap a large portion of the buttons using the Xbox Accessories app, making it an ideal companion for your PC. The device can be connected to your PC in a variety of ways. A wired USB connection reduces input lag, while Bluetooth is available as a wireless option. A low-latency wireless connection is even available if you have an Xbox Wireless adapter for PC. In addition, the controller has a 3.5mm jack for your headset, reducing the number of wires connecting you to your PC.
Logitech F310 Controller
Are you a devoted keyboard and mouse gamer who only occasionally imagines yourself using a gamepad? if this year’s, yearly. The controller features dual joysticks, bumpers and triggers, four standard face buttons, and an eight-directional D-Pad. Ten buttons are programmable, allowing you to tailor the gamepad to your exact specifications. The Logitech F310’s short, nubby grips aren’t ideal for ergonomics, but that shouldn’t matter if you’re only going to use it for short bursts of driving in games like Grand Theft Auto V or Battlefield 2042. It’s also a wired option, connecting via USB, but that means low input lag for the quickest actions possible. Still, it is one of the best PC Controller that you can consider.
8BitDo SN30 Pro Controller
If you have a Steam library full of pixelated platformers and old-school action games, 8Bitdo’s SN30 Pro is a fantastic way to play them. This gamepad faithfully recreates nearly every detail of the original Super Nintendo controllers, while also including extras like dual analogue sticks, rumble functionality, and rear triggers to make it compatible with more modern titles. The SN30 Pro is an excellent companion for titles such as Sonic Mania, Cuphead, the Mega Man Legacy Collection, and the trove of indie fighting games available for PC, thanks to its tight d-pad and clicky buttons. Just keep in mind that, while the thumbstick are fantastic, the controller’s ergonomics aren’t ideal for playing an intense online shooter at a competitive level.
Turtle Beach REACT-R Controller
The Turtle Beach React-R is the brand’s latest gamepad, and the Xbox and PC controller excels in its price range. While a little lighter than more premium offerings, and sometimes feeling a little cheap as a result, the attention to detail, streamlined aesthetic, and remappable paddles on the fly make this feel far more expensive than it is. Budget gamepads with gaudy form factors, oversized buttons, and non-standard spacing can sometimes feel unbalanced in the hand. However, everything feels solid here, with plenty of tactile resistance beneath the thumb sticks and triggers, and each of the face buttons feels comfortable to press. Overall, it is one of the best PC Game Controllers that you can buy.
Gulikit King Kong Pro 2
The King Kong Pro ranks high on this list despite being a relatively unassuming pad that resembles an Xbox controller. Gulikit, on the other hand, has patents for ground-breaking technology such as hall-sensing analogue sticks and tactile face buttons. In practice, the hall-sensing technology means that this controller outperforms the competition in terms of reliability and accuracy on the analogue sticks. The majority of the controllers on this list will employ an ALPS analogue stick, which is prone to wear and stick drift. Gulikit’s King Kong Pro 2 controller, on the other hand, employs its own technology, resulting in an incredibly accurate stick that will never, ever drift. Furthermore, the accuracy of the sticks is unrivalled.
Final Words
This article has compiled a list of the best PC Game Controllers in a variety of categories. As a result, when you play a game, a controller can provide additional benefits while allowing your mouse and keyboard to rest. After all, PC gaming is about playing games at their highest possible quality, experiencing games at ultrawide and super-wide aspect ratios not available on consoles, or simply having the highest, silkiest frame rate possible.
