The best PC controllers are throwing a spanner in the works of competitive multiplayer games. Even though mouse and keyboard players are typically faster and more accurate, modern pro controllers are seriously leveling the field. If you're not looking to top the online leaderboards of your favorite games though, a great PC controller can be a useful tool to use in third-person games. Not everything is designed to be played with a mouse and keyboard, after all. If you want to kick back with a more relaxing game, one of the best controllers will help you do just that.
The controller market is in a fantastic place at the moment. With a newly expanding PS5 controller scene, there are now new additions to our list, such as the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro, and the DualSense Edge. These pads can be expensive though, which is why it's great to see GameSir make its first appearance on the list below with its new T4 Kaleid controller for PC and Nintendo Switch. On the other end of the console spectrum, the Xbox Elite Series 2 has been one of the best PC controllers for a while, and the Core version we reviewed recently is a cheaper entry point for it.
Today's PC controllers pack a whole host of customization features, including those aforementioned extra paddles, and even the ability to swap out whole components thanks to modular designs. Along with your purchase, you'll usually get conclusive software that lets you control the essential parts of your gamepad, with some letting you set custom dead zones for the analog sticks. The market is stocked full of wired and wireless options, and with the popularity of having a console and gaming PC setup at the moment, you'll most likely be able to find something that works for both.
If you'd like to tailor your search a little more, we've collated lists of the best Xbox Series X controllers, as well as the best racing wheels and best joysticks.
The best PC controllers 2023
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Are you tired of hearing that folks who use a controller can't keep up with the raw power of a mouse and keyboard? Because with the Victrix Pro BFG in your hands, that might not be so plain and simple anymore. This controller is designed with elite performance in mind, and thanks to its amazing modular design, you can tailor it to your exact preferences thanks to the suite of attachments that come in the case. Among them is a taller analog stick for precision aiming, multiple D-pad choices, stick gates, and a fightpad module that gives you six face buttons. Like the Thrustmaster E-Swap X Pro, the modules can also be flipped around so the sticks are symmetrical.
Besides being comically stripped back - the controller feels pretty lightweight in the hands, and has absolutely no rumble or haptic feedback, this is a controller that's bred for getting the best performances out of you in whatever game you play. It has four back buttons that are as comfortable as they are useful, as well as a clever "Tournament Lock" mode that stops you from pressing the system buttons during competition, which could result in disqualification. During tests there wasn't a single game we could throw it at and not have a good time with.
Although it's got official PlayStation licensing, it works for PC as well. In terms of value for money, this is absolutely one of the best controllers to hit the shelves in recent years, especially when you consider that it's cheaper than its competition in the PS5 controller arena.
The Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro is the best PC controller on the market right now. From its solid feel in the hand to its massive array of customization options, from its speed and response times to its endless supply of extra buttons - there's something special about this gamepad. We particularly enjoyed the accessibility options baked into this modular design in our own testing. That goes hand-in-hand with the build quality - being a larger than average gamepad with a suitably heavier, more substantial, feel. We did notice that this extra weight makes the whole controller feel a little front heavy, but it never influenced comfort or the ability to reach any of the buttons.
If you're looking for a premium, customizable controller for PC, this is about as good as it gets.
Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro review
Similar to the Razer Wolverine line, it's wired, but this approach means that there is zero latency in the response time; perfect for those gaming sessions where milliseconds matter. Plus, we appreciated the ability to circumvent Microsoft's wireless connections when hooking the eSwap X Pro up to a console.
It's in the surplus of extra buttons - including the phenomenal feeling triggers and the four on the face - that elevate this controller above its similarly priced competition. There are many customisation options due to the modular components, and we found it easy to adjust the controller as needed when switching games. It also means you are able to chose between a symmetrical or asymmetrical style depending on what you prefer.
If you've been waiting on a great feeling modular controller that finally allows you to swap the positions of the D-pad and left analog stick at will, as well as offering customisation and extra inputs, then this is the one. The Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro will see you through every genre comfortably and quickly, making it the go-to for the best PC controller available right now.
Read more: Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro review
A transparent controller design isn't seen all too often these days, especially among the best Nintendo Switch controllers. The GameSir T4 Kaleid is the latest multi-platform controller from GameSir, and it's available for use on PC, Android TV, and Nintendo Switch. It asks an important question: how expensive should a pro controller be in this day and age? Because despite the number of features on offer here, it might be one of the cheapest controllers worth buying right now.
Somewhat most notably, the offset or asymmetrical sticks are Hall Sensor ones, meaning you won't encounter stick drift with this controller, despite it being much cheaper than a lot of the alternatives. On the textured grips of the T4 Kaleid, you'll find two back buttons. These are excellently placed where my middle fingers wrap around the controller and take absolutely no displacement of my hands to use.
If you're a PC player looking for a semi-decent controller to use in third-person games, shopping can be tough. You want a cheaper brand, but you want quality, and you want something that will last you. The T4 Kaleid is that controller, and its price is insanely affordable in the current market.
Here's where things start to get serious - with a price tag to match no less. I'll preface this by saying that this gamepad is, at heart, a mega-charged edition of the standard Xbox Series X controller.
Included in the box are replacement thumbstick heads, a classic cross-design D-pad, and tools to tailor the feel of the controller to your liking - with physical adjustments to almost every part of the controller. Also to note, the extended 40-hour battery life - akin to the Switch Pro controller - a good 8-hour bump up from the Xbox Series X gamepad's lifespan between charges. We found that that recommended battery life from Microsoft largely rang true in our own testing.
The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but at times it feels like a revolution.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 review
We were pleased to find new textured grips covering the legs of the Series 2 version of the Elite controller, offering low-profile tactile feel that didn't seem prone to wear or scratches during our romps with these buttons. We also found it particularly easy to swap in any of the alternative analog sticks or d-pad buttons.
However, we saw the greatest leaps in the software improvements under the hood. We were still able to fully remap each function, but there's plenty more going on here. You can assign system-level functions like taking a screenshot or opening up achievements in console play.
The Elite 2 does justify its asking price through its premium features but at the end of the day, these features and this price will not suit everyone's needs or budget. If are on the look out for a high end controller and do have the money to splash out then this could definitely be considered the best controller for you.
Read more: Xbox Elite 2 controller review
The Xbox Elite Series 2 Core takes the high quality of the full-fat Elite Series 2 and brings it down to a more affordable price point, making it one of the best PC controllers out there. If you want a premium controller with great software benefits and features, this is a great value gamepad. This is essentially the same great package as you get with the Elite Series 2 - the main difference between the two is the accessories you get bundled along with them.
The original Elite Controller Series 2 will set you back $179.99 / £159.99 and comes with all the customizable goodies you could ever need for it. The Elite Series 2 Core only costs $129.99 / £114.99 and comes with the exact same body and features, but none of the accessories. These are available to purchase separately and can be used with the Core, but they will bring the total investment back up to $179.99.
Although I'm disappointed that there aren't any attachments on offer here, and really would have appreciated some form of back paddles or extra stick caps, I can't seriously fault the Elite Series 2 Core. It feels like going to a bougie, Michelin-star restaurant and being served something as basic as bread and butter. It's stripped back, simple, and you expect a more complicated course for how much you pay. But it's probably the best bread and butter you'll ever eat.
The DualSense Edge is the first homemade pro controller from Sony, and wouldn't you know, it works with PC as well. Rounded corners at the bottom of the grips, as well as a heftier weight make it feel far better in the hands than the original DualSense. Clever software integration into the PS5 means you can fine tune bespoke PS5 features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback, and function buttons found under the control sticks help to change customisable profiles in a flash.
The two back button attachments are extremely comfortable, and work extremely well no matter how you map them. Unfortunately, there are only two of them, which means for a similar price you can get a third party controllers that offer fewer features and software integration, but a load more functionality.
More importantly, the DualSense Edge has a shorter battery life than the original DualSense, and doesn't truly fix the widespread stick drift issues. Although entire stick modules can be replaced, we'd have an easier time recommending it if there were genuine fixes built in.
Regardless, the DualSense Edge is still a great controller that will serve you well for PC and PS5. If you play a lot of third-person action adventure games, or specifically, PlayStation first-party games on PC, this controller is the one you want.
The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro is the next generation in the Wolverine family tree and the first iteration that's compatible with PlayStation. On the whole, we'd argue that it doesn't fully capitalize on its potential, but it's still up there with the best PC controllers on the market. With a total of six extra buttons compared to a regular DualSense, the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro has the highest number of extra buttons of any controller on this list.
The Wolverine V2 Pro also has an excellent battery life which can be even longer if turn off the fancy RGB chroma lighting on the gamepad's face. This is, for sure, one of the best options for people who prefer chunky, substantial controllers with offset sticks. Unfortunately, it's one of the priciest options on the market right now and comes with the fewest attachments. Regardless, if you want the highest number of extra buttons possible, and you can forgo a carry case, this is still a really great option.
Unfortunately, the placement of its back buttons makes them uncomfortable and difficult to use, since they're set fairly central and high up on the controller's spine. The extra bumpers work great, though, and even if the buttons themselves aren't the best, the relentless functionality that comes from having this many extra buttons at your disposal opens up this controller to so many new horizons. For competitive multiplayer shooters, this is a controller you could use that would mean never taking your thumbs off the sticks.
It should be of little surprise to anyone that the latest revision of the Xbox gamepad lands so high on our list for its performance and comfortable feel. Couple that with the fact that it works natively on PC - just plug it in or link up via Bluetooth - and it's ready to go with no further messing around.
The new additions this time around, though distinctively minor, are the inclusions of USB-C charging - much faster than Micro-USB (if you use a rechargeable pack at least) - as well as the 'hybrid' D-pad which takes its cues from another much more expensive Xbox model that we'll get to later. There's also a share button - as was found on the DualShock 4 - which does exactly the same thing; create and share photos and video clips to upload to social media; something which offers limited functionality for use on PC.
There's a reason why not much has changed in eight years - when the Xbox One controller launched - and it's because it was already damn near perfect. If you want to go even further back, it's only really been iterative since the Xbox 360's gamepad back in 2005 - because it all just works exceedingly well and continues to be the go-to pad for PC, balancing performance and value.
Read more: Our impressions of the Xbox Series X controller
The Turtle Beach React-R is the latest gamepad from the budget-minded brand, and the $39.99 / £34.99 Xbox and PC controller excels in its price category. While a little lighter than more premium offerings, and sometimes feeling a little cheap because of it, the attention to detail, streamlined aesthetic, and on the fly remappable paddles make this feel like a far more expensive product than it is.
These kinds of budget gamepads can sometimes feel unbalanced in the hand, with gaudy form factors, oversized buttons, and non-standard spacing. However, everything feels solid here, with plenty of tactile resistance beneath the thumbsticks and triggers, and a comfortable press to each of the face buttons.
The Turtle Beach React-R has flipped our idea of a cheap controller.
Turtle Beach React-R
The real stars of the show are the paddle buttons to the rear. We were particularly impressed by the ease with which we were able to remap these paddles on the fly during gameplay. Not only that but, compared to budget options from PDP and PowerA, these larger buttons could be hit far more reliably.
The Turtle Beach React-R shares the same Superhuman Hearing features of the Recon model further down the page. While we didn't find the boosted footsteps or reloads too game-changing during our testing, it's a solid feature to maintain considering this newer model comes in $20 / £15 cheaper. You are sacrificing the rubberized grips of the Recon, however we found the plastic grooves to provide plenty of security - especially employed across the trigger and shoulder button. If, however, you feel a Pro Aim mode would help your gameplay, we'd recommend checking out the more expensive release.
Overall, minus some personal frustration with the slightly hollow shoulder buttons and a lack of chat mix on PC, the Turtle Beach React-R is the best PC controller under $40 / £40 right now. The value for money on offer here is outstanding, making it a must-see budget option.
Read more: Turtle Beach React-R review
There's a lot of impressive features that this $60 Turtle Beach Recon PC controller has that gamepads twice its price point don't. For a start, there's a whole host of audio options available through the dedicated audio bar atop the dashboard button.
The kickback simulated by the vibration in the shoulders really emphasizes the violent shifts in momentum when you slam on the brakes in Forza Horizon 4.
Turtle Beach Recon Controller review
Through this menu, you can toggle things such as what Turtle Beach calls 'superhuman hearing' which isolates and amplifies subtle noises that would have otherwise been washed out in the chaos, such as gunfire and footsteps. In our testing, we found that this audio boost worked well to help us focus in the few games we tested it out on where the music could drown out such sound effects; Katana Zero, Hotline Miami, and Sonic Mania. That's just scratching the surface of what the Turtle Beach Recon Controller provides from a purely audio perspective, though you will need a wired gaming headset. We tested the EQ and the four different levels of audio intensity and found the results were more than pleasing through a Razer Kraken Tournament Edition headset.
Sound aside, the two most interesting features relate to the physicality of gameplay; 'Pro Aim' mode and button remapping. The former is a form of sensitivity reduction that can be manually set to four different levels of force to suit the situation, with the 4th setting (highest) offering a restricted amount of stick movement for more precise inputs; it works surprisingly well. The button remapping refers to the two buttons on the back of the controller which can be programmed to cycle through four different profiles for different configurations of resistance and audio settings. This means that you spend less time desperately wading through the options and have your desired setup for any given in-game moment.
Read more: Turtle Beach Recon Controller review
How to use an Xbox controller on PC
Using your Xbox gamepad as a PC controller is significantly easier - it's all Microsoft after all. Again, you can simply connect via a standard cable and you're good to go. However, a wireless connection can be achieved by holding down the main Xbox button and then the pair button while in your PC's Bluetooth settings. You'll see Xbox Wireless Controller appear as an option.
How to use a PlayStation controller on PC
Using your Xbox gamepad as a PC controller is significantly easier than a PlayStation one - it's all Microsoft after all. Again, you can simply connect via a standard cable and you're good to go. However, a wireless connection can be achieved by holding down the main Xbox button and then the pair button while in your PC's Bluetooth settings. You'll see Xbox Wireless Controller appear as an option.
Best PC controller: FAQs
What game controller is best for PC?
The best PC controller overall in our opinion is the Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro as it has great accessibility options which goes hand in hand with the build quality. If you are looking for a more affordable PC controller option then the Turtle Beach Recon Controller is likely the best way forward - for $60, it has features which gamepads at twice its price point don't. However, we believe that the best PC controller to suit most people will be the Xbox Wireless Controller. It is plug and play and can be used both wirelessly or wired.
Do PC gamers use controller?
Overall, whether you want to use a PC controller or keyboard and mouse is entirely up to you and what you find comfortable. Some people prefer controller when they migrate to PC due to the familiarity. However, there are benefits to using keyboard and mouse, one being higher accuracy when aiming which can allow for a competitive advantage. There are also hybrids of the two like the Azeron keypads.
Regardless; our advice would be to play with whatever you individually feel comfortable using. And perhaps most importantly, don't judge or mock others for what they choose. You never know why someone might need to use a controller over a mouse and keyboard - it could be for accessibility reasons. Either way, the toxicity around the controller vs mouse+keyboard debate isn't a healthy thing we should be keeping around in 2023.
Is the PS5 controller good for PC?
The DualSense is definitely one of the stronger controller options on the market thanks to its adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. However, it doesn't have programmable back buttons or much of the software that separates the men from the boys in the best PC controller market. Having said that, with PlayStation now starting to release more of its first-party games on PC, the PS5 controller is probably one of the best ways to experience them. Although we'd recommend the DualSense Edge if your budget can stretch to it.
How we test PC controllers
In brief, every controller that we have had our hands on is used in a series of different video games to accommodate for most genres. This means that we'll test the responsiveness of the sticks, face buttons, bumpers, triggers, and any other additional features found on the unit. If a controller is wired or relies on rechargeable batteries, then the duration of the lifespan is tested, too. The same can be said for any specialist software, such as drivers, that may be included with the gamepad as well.
For more on how we test controllers at GamesRadar+ check out our full article, and for something more representative of our holistic approach to the latest gear, check out our Hardware Policy.
Looking for more ways to enhance your gaming setup? Definitely check out your control alternatives with the the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mouse candidates. And maybe it's time to upgrade to one of the best gaming desks or best gaming chairs. If your PC is getting on a bit, take a look at our guides on the best gaming laptops and best gaming PC.
