The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
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Games Are Only as good as the controller you use to play them. As anyone who's ever struggled with stick drift or connectivity issues knows, a bad controller can make the best games feel awful. Fortunately, we're living in a golden age of controller designs. Comfort is a priority even for first-party controllers, and third parties are bringing new features (that aren't just cheating). We've tried a bunch over the years, and these are the best game controllers we've come across, official and unofficial, for the Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Check out our other gaming guides, including Best Gaming Headsets, Best Keyboards, Best Gaming Mice, Best Mobile Game Controllers, Best Gaming Laptops, and Best Handheld Gaming Consoles.
Updated November 2024: We've added the PlayStation DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2, GameSir Cyclone 2, and Hori Switch Pad Pro.
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Screen Distancing
If you’re in the market for a new controller or console, or you’re getting a controller for a PC for the first time, I want to point out a few things about placement—specifically, your placement, where you are in relation to your TV or monitor. For most of us, when we’re playing a console game we sit on the couch. If we’re playing a PC game we sit at our desks. But the distance between you and your display can play a huge role in your overall feelings about gaming with a gamepad.
If you’re too far away it can feel like you’re slow and sluggish, like you’re oddly detached from the game. For me, it feels like trying to type with chopsticks. I’m able to hit the same keys and type, but it isn't optimal. You would get the same using a mouse and keyboard far from your PC, but you don’t typically use those if you aren't sitting very close to the screen.
So if you’re using a gamepad and find yourself feeling less capable than you were with a mouse and keyboard, this hand-eye coordination disconnect could be the culprit. Don’t be too proud to sit closer to your TV or monitor, even if that means sitting on the floor like a kid watching Saturday morning cartoons. You might find that you do better with about 5 to 6 feet of distance between you and your TV, or about 3 feet between you and your monitor. Footie pajamas optional.
Controllers vs. Keyboard and Mouse
If you tell teammates on Apex Legends on PC that you play with a controller, a couple of them will probably quit. There is a huge stigma against using controllers in fast-paced online games, particularly on PC. Hardcore gamers cite lack of precision, slow reaction times, and clumsy aim as justification for dumping on gamers who use controllers instead of a mouse and keyboard.
There are two things to unpack here. First, the game controllers on this list are designed to banish that stigma. The Scuf Prestige is specifically designed for competitive use even in PC games. Customized correctly, a controller isn't going to hold you back. Second, there's a question of accessibility. Not everyone can use a mouse and keyboard, even if they want to. The perception that someone could never perform as well as their mouse-and-keyboard-using compatriots is false. Games are for everyone.
- Photograph: Scuf
Best Controller for PC
Scuf Reflex ControllerIf you have a PlayStation 5, the official DualSense below is absolutely the best controller for you. However, while it's technically compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android, it's a bit of a pain to pair with anything but a PS5. The Scuf Reflex is a PS5-silhouette controller that brings one of our favorite controllers to other platforms, without the pairing headaches.
The Reflex has all the bells and whistles that make the DualSense a great controller (three-dimensional rumble, custom-tensioned triggers), and it includes four removable, re-mappable paddles on the rear of the controller. They lie precisely where your fingertips rest, so you don't need to adjust your grip to use them. It also stores three onboard configuration profiles, so you can swap between different button maps without reconfiguring them every single time. And it just feels great. It's coated in a soft-touch plastic that feels grippy without being sticky. The triggers feel super responsive, and the thumb sticks can be swapped out for taller ones for extra-fine control. These extra features are all must-haves for players who spend a lot of time in competitive online games.
Officially works with PS5, PC, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best PS5 Controller
Sony DualSense ControllerIt might be tempting to look for a third-party controller for your PS5, but there just isn’t one that beats Sony’s own DualSense. On top of its slick design that matches the eye-catching console, its packed with some of the most innovative features of any controller on the market.
The three-dimensional rumble gives you haptic feedback in different places on the controller based on what’s going on in your game. The adaptive triggers have adjustable tension, which developers can use to make it a little tougher to pull the triggers for moments that require more effort from your characters. This is an immersion-maker at moments like when Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West pries open ancient, rusted chests, or when Spider-Man rips rocks apart with his bare hands.
Officially works with PS5, PC, MacOS, Android, and iOS
- Photograph: Matt Kamen
Best PS5 Controller Upgrade
Sony PS5 DualSense Edge Wireless ControllerThe standard PS5 controller is already a beast, but the DualSense Edge takes it up several notches. It comes with a set of alternate control sticks of varying heights, which allow you to get more precision when accuracy is important. The L2 and R2 triggers have physical switches that adjust their actuation point so you can activate the button with less pressure.
On the rear, there's space for two additional paddles, which you can customize with any button you prefer. I find this particularly useful for playing games like Overwatch 2, where minimizing how much I have to move my fingers between buttons matters more. You can even set up custom profiles for different games. A pair of Function buttons just below the control sticks are used for shortcuts to swap profiles without digging through settings. The only thing to dislike is its price tag, but you get a lot for your money.
Officially works with PS5, PC, MacOS, Android, and iOS
- Photograph: SCUF
Best Xbox Controller
Scuf Instinct Pro ControllerWhat's nice about PC gamepads is that they're usually compatible with the Xbox Series X/S. The Scuf Instinct Pro is no exception. It's a well-built controller, with a matte black finish and grippy underside. It feels premium and has several features that set it apart from competitors.
The paddles on the back are my favorite. There are four that can be mapped to 16 different controller functions. The paddles are like hair triggers that rest right underneath your fingers, so you don't need to adjust your grip to use them. They come in handy for games like Destiny 2 and Overwatch 2 when you have to juggle class abilities. It's compatible with PC, but the Xbox silhouette doesn't feel quite as nice for PC games as it once did. Thankfully we have another pick for PC players in this guide.
Officially works with PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, MacOS, iOS, and Android
- Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
Best Xbox Upgrade Controller
Xbox/Microsoft Elite Wireless Controller Series 2Microsoft's Elite Wireless Series 2 controller fills a similar role to Sony's DualSense Edge. It provides a ton more customizability for the discerning gamer. It has swappable control sticks with different heights for better precision. You can also adjust the tension of the control sticks if you, like me, tend to use way more force on your sticks than necessary. The D-pad has a slick, metal dish-style cover, but you can also swap it for a more traditional four-way D-pad cover if you prefer the old ways.
On the rear, you'll find tension switches for the two triggers. I usually prefer a longer actuation point, to prevent accidental button presses, but you can make it much shorter if you'd rather fire faster with less effort. There are also four slots for rear paddles, each of which can be customized to whichever button you prefer. It's also one of the few official Xbox controllers with a rechargeable battery. Microsoft still prefers using AA batteries, but for a controller this expensive, it's nice not to need a separate accessory to recharge.
Officially works with PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, iOS, and Android
- Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
Best Budget Controller
GameSir Cyclone 2The GameSir Cyclone 2 is super impressive for its price. Its layout is styled like an Xbox controller but with a few extra bells and whistles. It has two rear paddle buttons that can be customized, and hair triggers with a physical switch inside each to swap between short and long actuation points. It also comes programmed with a ton of shortcuts to tweak things like vibration intensity, button layout, and control stick dead zones on the fly. The controller also has a semi-transparent case, stuffed with RGB LEDs, giving it a stylish but subdued look.
One of my favorite features is the charging stand. The bundle that comes with the stand is only $5 more, and I highly recommend spending the extra few bucks. The stand is made of sturdy aluminum and props the controller up like it's on display. There's a USB-C port on the rear and a USB-A port on the front. This is a clever design that lets you plug the USB-A wireless adapter into the stand directly, and run a USB-C cable to your PC. You can pull the dongle out to plug it into another device easily without needing to fumble around with your PC under your desk. Put it all together and I can't believe this controller only costs this much. The only downside is that it's not compatible with the PS5, but it works with every other platform.
Officially works with Xbox, PC, MacOS, iOS, and Android.
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- Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
Best for Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch Pro ControllerFirst-party controllers are often quite good. They're usually well-built, feel comfortable, and do everything a controller should do. Still, it's rare for a first-party controller to feel as nearly perfect as the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. This controller might top every category if you could use it as easily with the Xbox and PS5 as you can with the Switch.
There are no other gamepads on the market that feel as comfortable and responsive as the Pro. It is the king of controllers. If you use your Switch in docked mode, you owe it to yourself to invest in one of these gamepads. It'll spoil all other controllers for you. Check out our Nintendo Switch Accessories guide for more.
Officially works with Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, and Android
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Another Good Controller for PC (and Nintendo Switch)
8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth Wireless ControllerThis feature-packed controller from 8BitDo has lots to offer at a reasonable price. At first glance, it looks like an Xbox controller, but it has five central buttons on the front and a pair of rear paddles. It boasts a host of customization options to suit your play style. Using 8BitDo’s software, you can remap buttons, tweak the stick and trigger sensitivity, assign macros, and tune the vibration intensity.
It’s a compact controller with a grippy texture on the handles, satisfyingly clicky triggers, and a decent D-pad. The Bluetooth support is for Nintendo Switch, making this a solid alternative to the Switch Pro controller, but there’s also a 2.4-GHz dongle in the charging dock for PC gaming. Battery life tops 20 hours, but the convenient charging dock keeps it topped up.
Officially works with Nintendo Switch, Windows, SteamOS
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Wired Controller
GameSir G7 ControllerAt first glance, this looks like a standard Xbox controller, but GameSir has packed in high-end features like Hall Effect analog triggers, customizable back paddles, a hair trigger mode, four rumble motors, and swappable faceplates that you can paint (you get a white spare in the box). GameSir also promises a 256-Hz polling rate and 0.004-second input latency.
Cutting through the specs, this controller feels responsive, the joysticks glide smoothly, and the buttons have a satisfying mechanical click. I have minor quibbles: it's lightweight, I don’t love the 4-way D-pad, and the USB-C port is weirdly deep. But the build quality is impressive for the price, and you can tweak to your heart’s content in the GameSir Nexus app (Xbox and Windows).
Officially works with PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One
- Photograph: 8BitDo
Best for Retro Play
8Bitdo SN30 Pro ControllerNo, you're not hallucinating. This is an SNES-style controller with joysticks. And Bluetooth. And support for Switch and PC. Functionally, it's not unlike a PS5 controller, with the sticks at the bottom flanked by buttons and a directional pad. But it feels very different. The familiar flat profile of a classic SNES controller makes it a perfect choice for playing retro games, but it's fully functional with modern titles. So if you're looking for a retro gamepad for the classic Nintendo games available on the Switch, or just something to spark some nostalgia, this is it.
If you struggle to get by without handles, the 8BitDo Pro 2 ($45) adds them along with a couple of handy programmable back buttons. It currently tops our Best Mobile Game Controller guide. Both controllers can also be used with retro consoles like the SNES Classic.
Officially works with Nintendo Switch, PC, MacOS, iOS, and Android
- Photograph: PB Tails
Best for Combatting Stick Drift
PB Tails Metal Crush DefenderStick drift has been an insurmountable problem since the days of the Nintendo 64. Small, plastic control sticks move tiny potentiometers inside a module smaller than your thumb to control fine-grain movement, and you're out here slamming that thing into the wall like it's a crash test dummy. It's no surprise that, over time, the tiny parts of these things wear out. Springs get less springy, plastic gets a little more brittle, and eventually, your controller thinks you're moving slightly to the left, even when you're not touching it.
Fortunately (and finally) controllers like the PBTails Metal Crush Defender (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are putting this problem to bed. This controller uses K-Silver TMR sticks, which use contactless, magnetic sensors that don't require physical touch to register an input (similar to Hall effect). That dramatically cuts down normal wear and tear, and consequently, your control sticks can last longer without succumbing to stick drift.
Officially works with Nintendo Switch, PC, SteamOS, MacOS, and Android
- Photograph: Eric Ravenscraft
Best Mobile Controller
Backbone One PS5 EditionIf you want to play games on your phone—either locally or via a streaming subscription—you're gonna need way more buttons than your phone has. That's where the Backbone One (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes into play. This sliding controller expands to fit (almost) any phone, even some still in their phone case. It plugs in via USB-C or Lightning connector (make sure you get the right model for your phone!), so there's no frustrating input lag or connectivity issues. There's a standard version that has a basic button layout, but you can also grab a PlayStation model that uses the platform's classic shape keys. There's no functional or price difference between the two, but the PlayStation model is objectively a little cooler.
Officially works with iOS and Android phones
- Photograph: Microsoft
Best Accessible Controller for Xbox and PC
Microsoft Xbox Adaptive ControllerThe Xbox Adaptive Controller is designed to offer a wide variety of options for gamers who may not be able to comfortably use a traditional gamepad. It essentially deconstructs all the inputs in a gamepad and lays them out in a way so anyone can create a controller layout that works for them.
Games are for everyone, and this controller offers an easier way for anyone to play Xbox and PC games. The Adaptive Controller is just the base station, though. You can also plug in buttons, switches, or foot pedals to customize your setup.
Officially works with PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One
- Photograph: Playstation
Best Accessible Controller for PlayStation
Sony Access ControllerSony’s palm-sized, turtle-shaped Access controller (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a welcome addition to adaptive gaming. This customizable kit has swappable buttons, adjustable stick length and caps, and expandable inputs (four 3.5-mm ports), so folks can add compatible accessories.
The Access controller can be used flat on a table or tray, in your lap, or attached to an AMPS pattern mount. You can create up to 30 custom control profiles on your PS5 and store three on the Access controller itself (there’s a dedicated button for switching). It lacks Remote Play support, a touchpad, and haptics, but our reviewer mostly liked it, saying, “The Access Controller’s ingenuity solved my issues and opened gaming back up for me.”
Other Game Controllers to Consider
There are so many game controllers out there, but not all of them are good enough to make the list above. These are the other controllers we have tested recently.
Hori Split Pad Pro for $50: The Joy-Con's split style of controller is great, but the platform's Pro controllers are more comfortable for bigger hands. The Hori Split Pad Pro splits (ha) the difference by making a more Pro-sized controller, but cut in half. You can still attach these to the sides of the Switch, or you can grab the controller with its attachment set to turn it into a wired controller as well. It's quite a bit cheaper than regular Joy-Cons, too, which is nice.
Nacon Revolution 5 Pro for $150: This highly customizable PS5 controller boasts Hall Effect sticks and triggers, programmable back paddles, and a great D-pad. You can tweak the weight, stick length and grips, and even the trigger actuation. It boasts a 10-hour battery life, and you can connect your headset via Bluetooth or plug-in. Unfortunately, it's expensive, and you don't get the haptic feedback or adaptive triggers that you'll find in Sony's excellent DualSense controllers.
Logitech G Pro Racing Wheel for $800: WIRED editor Parker Hall raved about Logitech’s racing wheel accessory, and racing game fans with deep pockets will love it. It adds a layer of reality to your in-game driving with force feedback and vibrations that help you feel every surface. The gear shift paddles have Hall Effect sensors. There is also an OLED display that enables you to tweak settings without opening the app.
Power-A Fusion Pro 3 for $75: With a detachable faceplate, nicely textured grips, trigger locks for different depths, swappable thumbsticks, and a long detachable cable, this controller has a lot going for it. The shoulder buttons and relatively high price are why it misses out on a place above (the GameSir G7 edges it on value). But this is my daughter’s favorite wired controller because she plays with a headset and loves that there is a 3.5-mm audio jack with volume and mute controls. She also likes the four mappable back buttons.
Nacon Revolution X Pro for $80: This wired Xbox and PC controller comes with a long (around 10 feet), detachable, braided USB-C cable. Nacon offers an impressive level of customization, including interchangeable thumbsticks, programmable back buttons, and weights to help you get the feel you want. The Profile button lets you cycle through four presets, a switch toggles configurations, and it has a 3.5-mm headphone jack. You can tweak everything in the flaky Revolution X app for Xbox or PC. While it works well, I don’t love the cheap feel (even with adjusted weight), and the rear triggers are awkward. At full price, the Revolution X Pro is too expensive for a wired controller, but discounts are frequent.
Charging Accessories
Wireless controllers are great, but you do have to remember to charge them. If you don’t want to mess with cables, a charging dock is the way. After testing several, we have some recommendations.
The official Sony charging station is the best for DualSense controllers. It is compact, charges two controllers, and frees up your PS5's ports. Slotting your controllers into place is a breeze, with successful docking marked by a click.
This stylish charging station is for wireless Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One controllers and comes with battery packs and replacement doors. The molded plastic makes it easy to slide your controllers into, and you can tap the top to change the lighting. The only drawback is that it is bulky.
This charging base can charge a Switch Pro controller and two Joy-Cons. It is simple to use, although you must insert a USB dongle into the Pro controller. I actually slightly prefer Power-A’s charging dock, which is more compact than the base, but it is out of stock at the moment. If you only need Joy-Con charging, try the HyperX Chargeplay Quad ($15).
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