Do you want to get the best PC controller for gaming? Here we’ve listed the best controllers money can buy to augment your PC gaming experience.
PC games over a huge variety of experiences, from exploring an alien to battling corrupt corporations or hunting monsters. Not every game is suited to a keyboard and mouse, and this where it becomes important to have a good PC gaming controller available.
Modern controllers come in a range of styles, with the option to use them wireless, via Bluetooth or through 2.4GHz wireless.
We examine some of the best controllers on the market to help you pick the one that is right for you.
1. 8Bitdo Ultimate Controller
- Connectivity: USB-C, Wireless (Bluetooth), 2.4Ghz
- Battery life: 30 hours
- Weight: 330g
- Price: $69.99
- Features: Hall-sensing analog sticks, back buttons, programmable macro, included charging dock
| Pros | Cons |
| Hall effect sticks | Directional pad feels awkward |
| Long battery life | |
| Low latency |
8BitDo has been around for a while now, and we think that their latest Ultimate Controller is one of the best pads you can buy, namely because it uses hall-sensing analog sticks, and also comes with a charging dock. It works with Nintendo Switch, PCs, and anything that supports 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, too.
You also get two extra buttons on the back, in addition to heaps of macro functions that will make this controller one of the best ones you can buy. Coming in at around $70, it’s really difficult to beat the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller on value pretty much anywhere else. Be sure to check out our review for more.
2. Nacon Revolution 5 Pro
- Connectivity: USB-C, 2.4 GHz Wireless
- Battery: 10 hours
- Input latency: 6ms (wireless), 4ms (wired)
- Price: $199.90
- Features: Two-stage trigger stop, wireless Bluetooth 5.2, onboard audio mixing, swappable stick caps, additional weights, hall-effect sticks & triggers, included carrying case.
| Pros | Cons |
| Hall effect sticks | Directional pad short travel distance |
| Headset compatibility | Latency issues in wireless mode |
| Adjustable weight |
The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro has almost everything you could want out of a controller. It feels fantastic in your hand and oozes a premium build quality. Thanks to everything you get in the box, including a carrying case and cleaning cloth, there’s ample space to store away all of your extras, too.
In our review, we iterated that its long-lasting hall sensor sticks and an avalanche of features make it one of the best controllers we have ever used. The sticks are also fully customizable with additional caps that come in the box, in addition to stick widths, and it all works completely seamlessly.
3. GameSir T4 Kaleid
- Connectivity: USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Compatibility: Switch, PC
- Price: $47.99
- Features: Dual programmable buttons, dual rumble motors, gyroscope, hall-sensing analog sticks, turbo function, dedicated software app
| Pros | Cons |
| Hall effect sticks | Wired only |
| Customisable RGB and triggers | Transparent plastic scratches easily |
| User-friendly software |
Considering the price of the controller, it’s difficult to go wrong with the GameSir T4 Kaleid. The controller is flush with features, thanks to its back buttons and RGB implementation. You cannot refute the value that the controller offers.
In our review, we noted that while you will be making a compromise with a wire, the controller itself feels and looks fantastic, and we think that the more high-profile manufacturers should put more effort into creating controllers that are built to stand the test of time, as the T4 Kaleid is built to do.
4. Nyxi Warrior
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4G Wireless, USB-C Wired
- Compatibility: PC, GameCube, Switch, Wii
- Price: $68.99
- Features: GameCube-style layout, Hall Effect Sticks, HD rumble, Optical microswitches, customizable back paddles, Gyroscope sensor, 8-way D-pad
| Pros | Cons |
| Hall effect sticks | D-pad feels weird |
| Microswitched face buttons | Adaptive triggers don’t always work |
| Can switch between modern and retro gaming |
Many retro gaming fans will hail the GameCube controller as the greatest controller ever designed. We are not prepared to go quite that far, but there are certainly advantages to the GC controller layout.
The Nyxi Warrior is effectively a PC-compatible GameCube controller for the modern day. It has Hall Effect sticks to eliminate drift, along with microswitch buttons for a nice clicky feel. The controller is customizable, with replacement outer rings for the analog sticks and a back paddle panel for programable macro buttons.
For retro fans who like to play on PC, the Nyxi Warrior is a great choice.
5. CRKD Neo S
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-C Wired
- Compatibility: PC, iOS, Android, Smart TV
- Price: $49.99
- Features: Hall effect sticks, swappable stick tops, adjustable trigger sensitivity, mappable back buttons
| Pros | Cons |
| Hall effect sticks | Rectangular shape not suited to everyone |
| Colorful collectible designs | App needed for many functions |
| Comfortable for larger hands |
The Neo S looks like an unusual controller for modern gaming, with a shape and proportions that call to mind the NES or Master System controllers of old. Despite this, the Neo S is a remarkably well-made controller.
It comes in a variety of designs, including some that invoke retro hardware like the Nintendo Famicom in order to bring a splash of color to your set-up. The analog sticks not only come equipped with Hall Effect sensors but the stick tops can be replaced if they get worn.
The shape looks like it should be uncomfortable, but the clever molding and design means that it remains comfortable, even for long gaming sessions, especially for those with larger hands.
6. HyperX Clutch Gladiate
- Connectivity: USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Compatibility: Xbox, PC
- Price: $34.99
- Features: Dual programmable buttons, trigger locks, dual rumble motors
| Pros | Cons |
| Budget price | No Hall Effect Sticks |
| Lightweight feel | Wired only |
| Good build quality |
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The HyperX Clutch Gladiate will be extremely familiar to anyone who has ever used an Xbox controller. The familiar feel and layout are augmented by some interesting additional features, all of which are available for a budget-friendly price.
The programmable macro buttons on the rear are an unexpected feature usually only seen in high-end controllers. The haptic feedback is also excellent, providing an additional feeling of immersion, especially notable in a controller as light as the Clutch Gladiate.
The only real downside is that the low price means the loss of Hall Effect sticks and Wireless capability. For many, however, the trade-off will be worth it.
7. GameSir Nova Lite
- Connectivity: USB-C, 2.4 GHz, Bluetooth
- Compatibility: PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOS
- Features: Dual rumble, carrying case, adjustable dead zones
- Price: $24.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Budget price | Narrow shoulder buttons |
| Hall effect sticks | Short battery life |
| Great D-pad |
Good quality does not have to come at a high price. The GameSir Nova Lite is not remarkable in the design department, and it is not packed with features like more expensive models, but it is solid and well-built.
The Nova Lite is a budget controller, and this is reflected in some areas, such as the triggers, battery life, and the slightly mushy rubber dome buttons. It does, however, boast Hall Effect analog sticks which is unusual for a budget controller.
If money is tight, but you still want a solid experience without Stick Drift then the Nova Lite might be a good choice.
8. Scuf Envision Pro
- Connectivity: USB-C; 2.4 GHz Wireless
- Price: $179.99
- Features: hybrid adjustable triggers, exchangeable thumbsticks, reprogrammable paddles, microswitch D-pad, microswitch face buttons, G-key Windows shortcut bar
| Pros | Cons |
| Long wireless range | No Hall Effect |
| iCue app compatible | Expensive |
| Low latency |
The Scuf Envision Pro shares design cues from both the Xbox Wireless Controller’s D-pad and face buttons, but opts for an ergonomic shape and similar stick placement to that of the Sony DualSense. While it borrows a lot from other top-end controllers, its performance can easily outclass them all.
In our review, we noted that the microswitch-enabled D-pad and face buttons provided a level of immediacy and precision unlike other controllers we’ve gotten our hands on. The ability to assign dedicated profiles to the controller makes the Scuf Envision Pro perfect for fighting games.
9. Victrix Pro BFG
- Connectivity: USB-C, 2.4 GHz Wireless
- Compatibility: PC, PS4, PS5
- Price: $179.99
- Features: Customizable stick placements, adjustable triggers, back buttons, adjustable thumbsticks, hair-trigger mode, fightpad module
| Pros | Cons |
| Customisable controls | No Hall Effect |
| Lots of features | Expensive |
| Comfortable design | Trigger adjustment is tricky |
The key appeal of the Victrix Pro BFG is its versatility. The controller is modular, which allows users to swap different components in and out. You can choose a 6-button Fight Pad module, a Sniper Stick cap, a Shield-style D-pad, and more. All of which can easily be switched for the default controls in seconds.
This means that the Victrix Pro BFG can be tuned to suit whatever genre of game you are playing to suit your playstyle. This unique approach does cost a pretty penny, however. Inexplicably, despite the price users are still missing out on the benefits of Hall Effect.
Should you use a controller for PC gaming?
While a keyboard and mouse are more than enough for most PC games, some more console-focused ports and titles feel much better using a controller. Older ports of console titles might also require a controller, so you should use a controller for PC gaming in some titles.
Moreover, thanks to their wireless connectivity, most modern game controllers offer a tangle-free experience. This also allows you to pair these controllers with devices like your phones and tablets.
With native support on Windows, getting a controller is a game changer. Some even have extra customizable options that you might not have even dreamed of yet, like hall-sensing analogs, paddle buttons, and even RGB lighting.
What makes a good game controller?
The main elements to look for when getting yourself a brand-new PC controller are the quality of the buttons, triggers, and sticks. They should be the main things you look for ahead of anything else. A controller is no good if the buttons are mushy, the triggers don’t feel good and the sticks wobble all over the shop.
You should also look at the controller’s features. Does it support X-Input? Does it have support for multiple consoles? Does it have features like additional paddles or macros? These are all important factors that you need to take into consideration when you pick up a brand-new game controller.
Why is my controller drifting?
Usually, most manufacturers use a stick from a company named ALPS. These sticks use something named a potentiometer, which measures and reports a position to your controller.
There is a physical element inside a potentiometer named a wiper that reads the voltage and therefore the position of your stick. The issue arises when these physical elements break down, thus creating the issue of drift. The wiper can alter the voltage readings if damaged, and therefore the reporting becomes inconsistent, making your controller drift. Additionally, other elements like dust or other elements can cause the stick to drift.
The only way around this is to use something named a hall-sensing stick, which relies on magnetism, instead of a physical potentiometer that wears over time, causing drift issues. Every controller, except for the Gulikit King Kong Pro 2 controller, and the Dreamcast controller from twenty years ago can suffer from stick drift.
The only way around this is to replace the stick itself. No amount of software solutions, as we saw in the Nacon Revolution X Pro, will manage to fix it.
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