Connectivity is important with a PC controller. It should have easy button mapping, and you shouldn’t have to worry too much about learning new mapping for different games. Really high-end controllers often let you customize the buttons and sensitivities, making the controller exactly how you like it. Some of the best controllers are dual-purpose too, and they can work on both a console and a PC. This makes the controller a better value. We’ve evaluated a number of PC controllers, and our pick for the best is the Xbox Elite Series 2 because of its customizability and seamless connection to PC. However, if the price is a little steep, we’ve also included our picks for the best PC controllers in other categories like the best budget PC controller and the most reliable. This controller is exceptionally comfortable and the controls are outstanding. Everything feels super tight, lighting fast, and ultra-responsive (including the back paddles). The Elite Series 2 is made for efficiency. Plus, you can basically turn it into a controller tailor-made for you. You get a thumbstick adjustment tool to change the tension to your liking, you can map buttons, as well as make different profiles so you can have different customization options for different games. Hands down, this is the best PC controller on the market right now. The only notable downside is the cost, but for a controller this amazing, it’s worth the investment. You can use the Elite Series 2 with PC or Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X consoles. With an improved texture on the grips and a matte finish with a nice texture on the triggers and bumpers, this controller is also a joy to hold and use. Even during long gaming sessions, it remains comfortable to hold and won’t slip in your grip. Another great thing about this controller is that it doesn’t just work with the Xbox Series X|S. This controller also works with Xbox One consoles and Windows 10, so you can use one controller in all three places. Microsoft didn’t break new ground with this controller in terms of looks or features the way Sony did with the DualSense, but the changes they did make were all welcome and useful. If you aren’t looking to upgrade to a controller with mechanical buttons or other advanced features or options, the standard Xbox Series X|S controller is a great option for gaming on both Xbox consoles and PC. The best thing about the Razer Wolverine V2 is that it includes some features that can give you an edge over anyone who is using a regular controller. The most important is the ability to adjust your thumbstick sensitivity on the fly via sensitivity clutches. This gives you snap control over your sensitivity, allowing for precise movement at the exact right time. This controller also includes trigger stops, which are switches that can turn the long-pull triggers into hair triggers. Instead of pulling the trigger all the way to shoot, you can shoot the moment you touch a trigger, giving you a much-needed edge. The Razer Wolverine V2 also uses mechanical switches instead of rubber dome switches. This results in pleasantly clicky buttons that don’t heat up and start sticking in the middle of a long gaming session and also adds to the longevity of the controller. While the Razer Wolverine V2 isn’t the flashiest controller, and it is a bit on the pricey side for a wired controller, it packs in some excellent functionality backed by a high build quality. If you’re looking for a wired Xbox Series X|S controller that’s built to last and just might give you an edge, this is the one you need. The bigger changes can’t be seen, however, but you will feel them. Precise haptics provide subtle feedback all around the controller, complementing the on-screen action of games, while impressive new adaptive triggers provide on-the-fly resistance to immersively convey in-game actions like shooting guns or swinging from Spider-Man’s webs. Bundle in a touchpad and tilt controls and developers have a vast toolbox to play with, as seen in the grin-inducing pack-in game, Astro’s Playroom. It’s a little pricey, but the DualSense is an excellent evolution of the PlayStation controller. The Xbox Adaptive Controller was a collaborative effort with The AbleGamers Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Foundation, Warfighter Engaged, and SpecialEffect. Consultations from these community members helped create the controller’s design, functionality, and packaging. This isn’t the most seamless controller in terms of its connectivity, and it doesn’t have the lengthy battery life or Bluetooth connectivity you get with the Elite Series 2, but it has some features that make it a worthwhile PC controller. It has back paddles, and the customization options are pretty much endless. Using the companion software, you can map buttons, adjust sensitivities, adjust sound settings, and so much more. This controller is designed for PC and PlayStation 4, but you can change the layout from DualShock to Xbox style. If you want to use the Astro C40 controller on PS5, you can play PS4 games on PS5, but you can’t play PS5 games. The PowerA Spectra feels good in the hand, with a soft-touch finish and good button feel. It also has mappable buttons on the back you can program in just a few seconds, as there’s a program button right on the back of the controller. This controller looks and feels more expensive than it is. One of our favorite things about it is the edge lighting that surrounds the buttons and trim. The LED lighting, which you can change between seven different colors, makes the controller match a PC with RGB lighting. And, because the lights are actually pretty bright, this also helps you to see the controller’s buttons better in a room with dim lighting. In addition to the standard controls, it packs on four paddles to the rear side along with two extra bumpers. This gives you a lot of options for gaming. The main triggers also have trigger stops to make you quicker in shooting games. If you need a lot of button options for PC gaming, then this may be the controller for you. You’ll be able to swap out D-Pads, choose your height and style of your sticks, and adjust the sensitivity and vibration intensity. A 3.5mm jack will let you plug headphones directly into the controller, and the USB cable slides snugly into a slot, so you won’t have to worry about bending the port out of shape, as can happen with some other controllers. The Xbox Wireless Controller uses Bluetooth for its wireless connection, so you should have an easy time pairing it with a gaming laptop or a desktop that supports Bluetooth. Of course, you also have the option of connecting the controller to your computer via USB cable. The Xbox Wireless Controller has a simple design, with dual analog sticks, a D-pad, and all of the standard buttons and triggers you’d expect to find on a current-gen controller. Plus, it has a 3.5mm jack, so you can plug headphones directly into the controller. While the standard is white with black accents, Microsoft offers a wide variety of color customization options. Our reviewer Zach called the Xbox One S controller the best wireless controller for anyone not willing to shell out for the Elite. Mark Thomas Knapp has been a tech journalist since back in 2012, and has lead coverage of a huge variety of topics, including gaming, PCs, breaking news, and more. His byline has appeared in several top tech media publications. Zach Sweat is an experienced tech writer, editor, and photographer, specializing in video games, consoles, and PC hardware. He’s written extensively about a variety of gaming platforms for Lifewire, including the PC. Andrew Hayward is a Chicago-based writer who’s been covering tech and video games since 2006. He specializes in mobile gadgets, particularly smartphones, wearables, smart home devices, games, and game accessories. Jeremy Laukkonen has been writing for Lifewire since 2019. He’s a tech generalist covering a wide range of gadgets, games, accessories, smart home devices, and more. He also has experience writing for major tech trade publications and has a background in automotive technology.
What to Look for in a PC Controller
Design - Far from just an aesthetic consideration, design is crucial in a very practical way for controllers. How does it fit your hand, how heavy is it, how durable are the materials if you drop it on a hardwood floor? How easy are the buttons, triggers and analog sticks? Design also plays into familiarity; if you have a layout you prefer, you want a PC controller that mirrors it as closely as possible. Connectivity - How a controller connects to devices, and whether its wired or wireless, can be a make or break feature for a lot of gamers. USB is mandatory for some, while others will want to take advantage of their PCs built in Bluetooth support and live that fully wireless lifestyle. Customizability - A lot of modern controllers now offer various features to extensively customize them, whether that means remappable buttons, additional paddles, interchangeable D-pads or analog sticks, trigger stops, or a host of other options. Customization is key to making a gamepad feel comfortable and like its truly yours, and also allows you to alter functionality on the fly for different titles (or platforms).
