Greatest PC controller 2024

That is the most recent iteration of the much-applauded Xbox controller, designed by Microsoft for console and PC gaming alike. Its comfy and intuitive design lends itself simply as effectively to the massive library of video games to play on PC because it does to the library on Xbox. It’s straightforward to know why that is the go-to controller for thus many avid gamers and as a Microsoft product, there’s straightforward plug-and-play compatibility with Home windows.

In comparison with earlier Xbox controllers, the textured grip on the rear has been prolonged to cowl the triggers for additional grip and precision, and there’s now a hybrid domed D-pad which we’ve beforehand solely seen on the high-end Xbox Elite controller.

Moreover, the pad’s iconic form has been tweaked in comparison with the unique Xbox One pad, which means it matches a wider vary of hand sizes and shapes. Nonetheless, the slight adjustments might hinder compatibility with attachments, so hold that in thoughts.

Learn our Xbox Wi-fi Controller overview.

Do you ever end up enjoying one thing with Recreation Go Final, then going out and streaming the sport in your cellular as you do? With the PowerA Moga XP-Extremely, you may proceed enjoying with the identical controller, because it has a MOBA gaming clip that means that you can connect your Android telephone (although sadly not iPhones). It additionally gives full compatibility with Xbox Collection X|S and plenty of good TVs that you just may wish to stream by way of too.

The Extremely-XP is a Bluetooth controller constructed for all eventualities, then – one thing echoed by its modular design. Within the field, you get an attachable telephone mount to show your handset right into a handheld, and it additionally options removable grips, lowering the footprint for taking part in on the go or providing you with an choice if you happen to desire the scale of old-school controllers.

We actually just like the modularity provided by the XP-Extremely. Taking part in retro video games with the mini-pad is a blast, and having a sturdy option to mount a telephone for cloud gaming is good. The battery lifetime of 40 hours in Bluetooth mode is immense, and, for some video games, we love the D-Pad. Probably the most adaptable and versatile controller we’ve ever used, the PowerA Moga XP-Extremely actually is a jack of all trades – however you understand how that saying ends.

Learn our PowerA Moga XP-Extremely overview.

Razer gives a number of the greatest gaming merchandise available on the market, and the Wolverine V3 Professional is additional proof of their dedication. Delivering a premium controller (with an equally premium value), the most recent iteration of the Wolverine is competitive-ready, with a excessive 1,000Hz polling charge when wired, and a snug design.

Even the again paddles, which may be troublesome for some controller producers to make really feel comfy, are good with the Wolverine V3 Professional. Whereas the battery life is, admittedly, a little bit disappointing, the connection choices are stellar, with wired providing you with a efficiency increase, and the HyperSpeed 2.4GHz working spectacularly.

The value is fairly excessive, particularly as you may’t get the controller for cheaper with out the extra options. Nonetheless, it’s among the best available on the market proper now, and it’s definitely well worth the asking value.

There’s a purpose the Rainbow Professional 2 earned a 9/10 from us, and it has nothing to do with the RGB lighting. As an alternative, the Rainbow Professional 2 is well one of the crucial shocking controllers available on the market proper now, taking a moderately unassuming Xbox design and ramping the interior {hardware} as much as 11.

Corridor Impact triggers and no-dead zone joysticks make for a brilliant responsive controller, whereas the 1,000 mAh battery vastly outperforms expectations contemplating the lighting that’s included on the controller. The 4 further buttons may be reprogrammed utilizing the cellular app by way of Bluetooth whilst you’re related and enjoying by way of 2.4GHz wi-fi for pressing on-the-fly adjustments.

Like many premium controllers, you should buy a mannequin of the Rainbow Professional 2 with further joysticks, an additional d-pad, and a charging dock, however you continue to received’t pay over $80, whereas others need you to pay nearer to $200. In the event you can sacrifice a recognizable model identify, the Rainbow Professional 2 is a stellar PC controller.

Learn our Large Large Gained Rainbow Professional 2 overview for extra.

Thrustmaster’s Eswap Professional X is a premium gamepad by way of and thru, however its modular design makes it one of the crucial versatile units on this record. It’s additionally an ideal choice for gamers preferring PlayStation’s parallel controller structure, as you may simply swap across the d-pad and thumbstick.

Not solely are these magnetic modules prime quality, but when they do ever put on down, you’ll have the ability to change them with out turning into a gamepad surgeon. You would even steadiness substance and magnificence by including totally different colours utilizing considered one of Thrustmaster’s optionally available kits.

The Eswap Professional X additionally comes with a powerful 22-button structure, 4 of which reside on the again of the dangerous. In the event you’re a fan of all issues clicky, you’ll be happy to know that the d-pad and face buttons use microswitches, which make all of the distinction in comparison with rubber dome membranes.

As for compatibility, the Eswap Professional X’s PC drivers include Thrustmapper, a configuration suite that means that you can remap the pad and fine-tune sensitivity. In different phrases, if you happen to’re in search of a thumbstick expertise that comes near the accuracy of a gaming mouse, this gamepad may very well be what you’re in search of.

Learn our Thrustmaster Eswap Professional X overview.

Sony’s successor to the Dualshock 4 is a newcomer to the gamepad fold, but it surely’s already a promising PC controller. It’ll improve bodily immersion in huge hits like Name of Obligation: Chilly Struggle, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, and Deathloop, all of which boast adaptive set off assist.

The DualSense can be simply a wonderful gamepad, and it elevates every thing that made its predecessor nice. Its thumbsticks are nonetheless beautifully positioned, and the entire controller remains to be comfy to carry after hours of use.

Whereas Sony is slowly branching out on the PC, although, assist for the platform is missing. Official DualSense drivers aren’t a factor but, and also you’ll have to stay with particular video games to profit from the pad’s immersive options.

Utilizing the DualSense wirelessly on PC additionally comes with a further cord-cutting caveat. For no matter purpose, haptic suggestions received’t work on the pad over Bluetooth, which means you’ll should tether it to your rig utilizing a USB-C cable.

That mentioned, if you happen to’re a fan of parallel sticks, the DualSense is a killer pad with nice capabilities. So long as you’re conscious of its foibles on PC, it is a high-quality, well-designed controller with implausible adaptive triggers, and the value isn’t dangerous for the function set both.

Learn our PlayStation DualSense overview.

Most of the classics in gaming historical past have been initially on Nintendo consoles and if you happen to’ve obtained a big assortment of retro titles, then that is most likely the most effective controller to play them with.  Nintendo pioneered the d-pad again in 1982, so it’s no shock that the Swap Professional controller upholds its gamepad legacy

Although made particularly for Swap, the controller has been given its personal Steam profile and may be related to your gaming PC with a wi-fi Bluetooth connection or a USB-C cable. With a configuration that’s similar to many historic Nintendo controllers, it’s very best for revisiting traditional video games, whereas remaining well-equipped to deal with trendy releases too.

There’s one thing charming in regards to the Swap Professional Controller’s construct high quality, notably by way of its plastics. However, it nearly seems like a gamepad from the early 2000s, one thing that differentiates it from different premium pads available on the market. Though some might discover the buttons and triggers a little bit too chunky (particularly if you happen to’re used to Xbox controllers), you may get used to them rapidly. The Swap Professional can be well-built and feels comfy in your hand.

Whereas the pad lacks fancy options like analog triggers, its tactile buttons and cozy really feel make it a winner on the subject of precision-based platformers. It’s additionally obtained a whopping 40-hour battery life by way of Bluetooth, making it among the best wi-fi choices available on the market.

Learn our Nintendo Swap Professional controller overview.

Spending effectively over $100 on a joypad might sound a bit extreme, however the Elite Collection 2 is one significantly stunning controller. Nearly every thing about it has been designed to simply scream ‘QUALITY!’ in your face. It’s an evolution over the earlier model moderately than a revolution, but it surely’s obtained every thing we cherished in regards to the unique Elite, plus every thing the competitors has added to their high-end pads to try to compete.

Similar to the Eswap Professional X, the Elite Collection 2 is provided with customizable buttons that’ll enable you completely dial in your palm expertise. It’s not fairly as hot-swappable as Thurstmaster’s method, but it surely gives a unique array of choices, like changeable stick heights and paddle-style triggers.

It’s a small factor, however the truth Microsoft features a arduous case with the Elite Collection 2 speaks volumes. Not solely does it provide you with someplace to maintain your ins and outs, but it surely’ll additionally shield the pad and assist it serve your gaming wants lengthy into the long run.

In the event you’re not into further equipment, you could possibly go for the Collection 2 Core, a less expensive bundle that solely consists of the pad and an adjustment instrument.

Learn the Xbox Elite Wi-fi Controller Collection 2 overview.

From Recreation Go Final to Steam Hyperlink, there’s an more and more massive variety of methods so that you can stream PC video games while you’re away from residence. In the event you’re in search of a controller that may make it simpler so that you can play your favourite PC video games on cellular, then we suggest the Razer Kishi Cell.

It really works simply sufficient by slotting onto both finish of your telephone after which connecting by way of USB-C. Since most cellular controllers join with Bluetooth, it is a refreshing change, because it doesn’t create the latency issues often encountered when going wi-fi. Whereas sometimes designed for cellular use, with the correct adapter (particularly a right-angle USB-C connection), you should use it straight in your PC too, opening the doorways to a world the place you will have one controller for all events.

Though there isn’t a native button mapping, you may nonetheless accomplish that if, for instance, you’re gaming by way of Steam Hyperlink (which has its personal remapping choices). Total, it’s an honest little bit of {hardware} and it’s going to hit the spot for anybody who likes with the ability to play PC video games with out accessing a PC.

Again within the early 2000s, guitar controllers have been the large factor and there have been a great deal of video games being launched that utilized them. Nonetheless, since round 2010 or so, they’ve form of fallen into obscurity. A 12 months in the past, if you happen to wished one, you’d battle to discover a new one, however now PDP has come to the rescue with a model new guitar controller that can be utilized on each PC and Xbox.

Fortnite Pageant, Rock Band 4, and Clone Hero are all among the many trendy video games that it may be used with, and we’re positive that there’ll be new rhythm video games launched sooner or later that benefit from the {hardware} too. The distinction a guitar controller makes actually can’t be unspoken, and utilizing it with Clone Hero opens up the doorways to a whole bunch of hours of use.

The controller relies on the real-life Fender Stratocaster guitar and it feels nice to carry. Additionally, excellent news for left-handed folks: it’s obtained an ambidextrous design so it may be used nevertheless is most comfy for you. The buttons all really feel nice whilst you’re utilizing them too. It’s a powerful piece of {hardware}.

About the one factor we’d complain about is its lack of Bluetooth. Each time you employ it, you’ll should plug in a dongle, and if you wish to use a headset whilst you play, you must use its audio jack. In the event you desire to make use of among the best wi-fi headsets, you’re out of luck.

It could be costly, however for followers who cherished the age when Guitar Hero and Rock Band have been at their peak, it’ll be straightforward to justify. The identical goes for newer followers who want to see what all of the fuss was about. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re solely loosely within the style, it most likely received’t be price it.

Learn our PDP Riffmaster overview.

We’re completely amazed by the standard of the Logitech Excessive 3D Professional for its low asking value. Not solely is that this among the best joystick fashions you should buy for PC proper now, but it surely additionally prices simply $34.99.

Don’t let that low value put you off, although. This strong, well-made stick is surprisingly succesful on the subject of motion and sensitivity, and it even features a separate throttle management, in addition to true 3D motion.

It’s very well designed too, with comfy contours that fall into your hand, and all of the buttons in logical locations. There’s additionally an eight-way HAT swap on the pinnacle. In motion, we discovered the Logitech Excessive 3D Professional was additionally responsive in its heart, and provided a surprisingly clean transition from the center to excessive angles.

In the event you don’t have the cash to purchase a full flight stick and HOTAS system, however you wish to transcend the bounds of a gamepad within the newest flight sims and spaceship fight video games, then that is completely the most effective joystick for PC you should buy at this value proper now.

Learn our full Logitech Excessive 3D Professional overview.

The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One flight stick recreates piloting for gaming fans. The stick’s ergonomic design effortlessly accommodates a variety of flight eventualities, together with aerial fight, area exploration, and civilian flights. It’s geared up with a handrest on the joystick and a weighted base to make sure consolation and stability throughout gameplay. It gives plug-and-play performance and button remapping choices on PC.

The T.Flight Hostas One excels in efficiency. The controller’s twin rudder mechanism permits for exact management. Its versatility extends past flight simulators, although compatibility with sure video games might fluctuate. The joystick has clean actions. You may even improve your setup with different {hardware} from the vary.

Learn our Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One flight stick overview.

Some gamers say you shouldn’t convey a gamepad to a avenue battle, and the Nacon Daija Arcade Stick may enable you land the ending blow in all the most effective combating video games. Developed alongside French esports participant Marie-Laure ‘Kayane’ Norindr, precision and performance are weaved into this stick’s DNA, two qualities that elevate it above different contenders.

Coming in at round $279, the Nacon Daija is way from being the most cost effective arcade stick available on the market. Weighing 3.4kg, you’ll battle to overlook it’s stowed away in your backpack.

Whether or not you’re new to tinkering with arcade sticks, or simply in search of a better time, the Nacon Daija has you lined. Its toolless design means you’ll have the ability to swap out buttons and switches with out battle, and useful diagrams will hold you proper if you happen to get in a tangle. On the surface, the Daija boasts a refined aesthetic, however you may jazz issues up by including customized art work beneath the stick’s plexiglass overlay.

Take a look at our Nacon Daija Arcade Stick overview.

Turtle Seaside constructed its Velocity One flight controller with Xbox in thoughts, but it surely nonetheless gives super worth for PC gamers. At this value, you’d count on lots, and also you do certainly get lots on your cash.

The Velocityone options an genuine 180-degree yoke deal with rotation that pushes and pulls for ascending and descending respectively, ten programmable buttons, swappable lever handles, and a built-in show you should use to customise just about every thing about this gadget.

It’s designed particularly for Microsoft Flight Simulator and gives extra performance than most, however nonetheless works superb with loads of different flight video games like Star Wars Squadrons and Elite Harmful.

Like most yokes, it’s fairly a bit bigger than a joystick and you have to to clear area in your gaming desk to piece it collectively, but it surely’s straightforward to arrange, makes gaming really feel like an occasion, and involves life when the RGB lighting begins to shine.

In contrast to standard fashions, the components inside a Corridor Impact controller are  powerful. The Nacon Revolution 5 Professional brings the primary ever Corridor Impact triggers to the market and it’s a welcome sight. Constructed for efficiency and longevity, the Rev 5 Professional ought to see you dominate your opponents for years to come back, however the preliminary price ticket could also be arduous to swallow.

Like all of the most effective PC controllers ought to, the Nacon Revolution 5 Professional gives each wired and wi-fi connections, and an app to utterly customise any facet of the controller, from the set off sensitivity all the way down to the LED lighting. If you would like a controller that adapts to you, moderately than the opposite approach round, the Rev 5 Professional is well that controller, and its Corridor Impact implementation places it forward of many rivals.

Learn our Nacon Revolution 5 Professional overview for extra.

As among the best PC steering wheels available on the market, the Thrustmaster T818 can present an unequalled expertise when enjoying racing video games like Forza Horizon 5 or Assetto Corsa Competizione. Though, due to its value, we will perceive why some gamers decide to proceed with a standard controller.

The wheel itself gives as much as 1080° of rotation, and with 10N⋅m of torque behind it, it feels very very similar to turning an actual steering wheel. It usually comes bundled with Thrustmaster’s T-LCM Pedals, however not all the time, so ensure you’re not simply getting the wheel, because it loses lots with out them.

Both approach, this implausible wheel comes with 25 buttons and 7 encoders, and with a modular design that you could add additional bits to (for consolation or management), it’s an impressive racing wheel.