Best controller for PC 2023 – Xbox, PlayStation, Razer, SCUF, PowerA

We find the best controller for PC

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While most people who game on PC will no doubt be using a keyboard and mouse, there are always a couple of games that just play better with a controller. If you haven’t yet picked up a controller for your PC and are wondering which is the best option, you’re in luck. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the best controllers for PC you can pick up today. Each of these will have different designs, button layouts, and even some extra features along the way. It can be difficult wading through all the marketing speak while looking for a new controller which is why we’ve chosen to create this handy guide.

This guide will act as the perfect place to get started if you are looking for a new controller to use on your gaming PC. Keep reading to find out all you need to know about the best controller options currently available right now. We’ve grabbed a couple of the well-known options out there today as well as some which are geared toward different types of gamers. One of the big choices that will determine which controller suits you best is if you are more used to a standard Xbox or PlayStation thumbstick layout – we’ve made sure to add options for both.

Today’s best peripheral deals

Best controller for PC: SCUF Instinct Pro

SCUF Instinct Pro controller

Compatibility

Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC

Weight

280g/9.8oz

Buttons

Standard Xbox layout +4 programmable paddles

Connectivity

Bluetooth, USB Type-C

Ports

USB-C, extension port, 3.5mm stereo headset jack

Wireless range

Up to 12m/45 feet

How We Review

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Pros

• Comfortable
• Aids in performance
• Subtle color scheme

Cons

• Expensive

The SCUF Instinct Pro controller tops our list for a few reasons. Of course, it has the bog-standard paddles, great battery life, and grippy texture on the grips, but that’s only half the story.

Our favorite feature of the SCUF controller is the magnetic removable faceplate and included thumbstick of varying lengths. THese combine to allow rapid switching up of the configuration. This means you can avoid excessive downtime as you optimize the controller for alternative playstyles or different games altogether.

But the best actual performance benefit comes from the triggers. They have two distinct modes of operation, so you can change their characteristics on the fly to better optimize them for different games. Mode one is the regular old full-travel Xbox trigger feeling we all know and love. Mode two significantly reduces the travel distance, making them click like a mouse. This can be a huge benefit for FPS games as you don’t have to wait for the triggers to return back to the original position before actuating them again for nearly as long.

If you haven’t tried this sort of trigger, and want to improve your performance in-game, we highly recommend it, and this is one of the reasons the SCUF INstinct Pro tops our list as the best controller for PC.

Read our hands-on with the SCUF Instinct Pro Wireless performance controller as we get into more detail there.

Best Xbox controller for PC: Xbox Elite Series 2

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Compatibility

Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC

Weight

345g/12.1oz

Buttons

Standard Xbox layout +4 programmable paddle

Connectivity

Xbox Wireless, USB Type-C, 3.5mm stereo headset jack

Wireless range

15-20ft

How We Review

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Pros

• Performance-focused
• Wide compatibility

Cons

• Very expensive

First on our list is possibly our favorite gaming controller for PC. Offering almost an endless level of customizability, the Xbox Elite Wireless controller allows you to change bindings, the D-pads, and even paddles on the fly. You’ll also be able to set the tension on your thumbstick as well as change them out if you don’t like the style.

This is a very well-built controller too and you’d hope so considering its price! Retailing at around $180, you’ll want this controller to last you for many years to come. We don’t think there’s any danger of that not happening though. To help keep it safe you’ll receive a carrying case which is perfect if you’ll be bringing this controller with you on your travels. This also houses the set of four paddles, two D-pads, and six thumbsticks, as well as a tool to adjust them. The case also acts as a charging dock with its very own USB-C cable.

The rugged black and grey design may not be as eye-catching as some of the other controllers on the list but we love the simplicity of it, especially when paired with the ‘faceted D-pad’.

This controller can be used both wirelessly and wired if needed. With a battery that lasts around 40 hours, you won’t find yourself searching for the charger that often.

Best RGB controller for PC: Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma

Combatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Weight

13.4 ounces

Buttons

Standard Xbox layout + 6 multi-function buttons, and 2-stage trigger paddles

Connectivity

Wired

How We Review

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Pros

• Remappable buttons & triggers
• Chroma RGB lighting
• Extra thumbstick caps
• Tactile buttons which feel great

Cons

• Fairly pricey
• Rear paddles not so durable

Razer are a well known brand when it comes to developing gaming-focused peripherals, so you probably won’t be surprised to see they offer a range of game controllers. For playing on PC, we’ve opted for their Xbox-styled Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controller. It’s worth mentioning there’s also a non-Chroma variant if you want a cheaper option that forgoes additional features such as the RGB lighting or back paddles. Regardless, V2 Chroma offers the best from Razer if you’re looking for a tactile controller with plenty of customization.

One of the best things about this Razer pick has to be the tactile buttons. Clicky buttons and a responsive feel makes playing with this pad a joy. This makes for a durable build which should last you some time, though one downside in this regard would be the back paddles which don’t seem as durable as the face buttons, bumpers, or triggers. Any fan of RGB lighting will be pleased with the Chroma pick too; it’s customizable for 16.9 million colors and has a number of lighting effects to play around with.

This pad comes with 6 extra remappable buttons (on top of the regular Xbox controller layout) – 4 extra triggers and 2 bumpers which are great if you want plenty of binds to play with. Some additional features include the interchangeable thumbsticks, as Razer provide you with both short and extended sticks to fit your style. Ergonomics are also much improved from the previous blocky controllers we’ve seen from Razer, with non-slip grip texture for a secure hold. All in all, this is a great premium controller from Razer, and you easily customize buttons and Chroma lighting effects within the accompanying software.

Best affordable controller for PC: PowerA Enhanced Wired

PowerA Enhanced Wired Xbox controller

Compatibility

Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC

Weight

7.2oz/204.1g

Buttons

Standard Xbox layout +3 programmable paddles

Connectivity

Micro USB

Ports

Micro USB, 3.5mm stereo headset jack

Cable length

10ft/3.05m

How We Review

Hands-on Review

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Pros

• Clicky, tactile buttons
• Beautiful colorway
• Mic volume rocker is a nice touch
• Detachable cable

Cons

• Shiny texture on top plate will be displeasing to some
• slightly creaky build quality

We had to include the PowerA controller here for its reasonable price and fantastic visual design. No, it isn’t wireless and has no paddles or switchable trigger response, but it significantly undercuts the price of every other controller on this page by such a considerable margin.

This makes it far and away from the best value-for-money proposition on this list, so if you need a solid, reliable, and utilitarian controller right away, this is your best bet. Read our full PowerA Pink Lemonade enhanced Xbox controller review for more details.

This is of course in addition to the absolutely gorgeous coloring of this thing. With the pastel colors smoothly fading from one to another across the faceplate, and a clean, white color on the underside, this is the prettiest controller we’ve seen here at WePC. In fact, it’s now got a permanent home on one of our videographer’s desks for those lunch-break gaming sessions.

Recently, we’ve spotted that the Pink Lemonade color is no longer available on Amazon US – so you could instead opt for a different color or the refreshed PowerA Advantage Pink Lemonade model.

Best PlayStation controller for PC: Sony DualSense

Sony DualSense controller

Weight

280g/9.87oz

Connectivity

USB Type-C/Bluetooth

Battery life

Up to 15 hours (Depending on haptics)

How We Review

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Pros

• Very comfortable
• Industry-leading haptics
• Multiple colorways available

Cons

• Expensive

We had to include a controller with a layout familiar to those of you who prefer the PlayStation controller layout, so we thought we’d go with the OG Sony DualSense Controller. Not only is it the most ergonomically-designed official controller Sony has produced, but it’s hiding some fun tricks up its two-tone sleeve.

First of which are the game-changing haptics. You get the normal vibrating motors, that have been improved since the PS4’s controller of course, but you also get something entirely new that hadn’t been done on a large scale until the release of the PS5: Haptic triggers.

These are an ingenious way of increasing immersion as the gamer you’re playing, and even the actions you’re performing in said game can inform the feeling of the triggers. This is due to Sony’s implementation of a voice-coil style actuator. This can dynamically change the resistance of the triggers, making them harder or easier to pull as the game sees fit.

Unfortunately, this isn’t supported as extensively on PC as it is on the PS5. But this list of games that support this great feature continues to grow, so it’s worth grabbing one of these as your favorite PC game could be next.

Best high-end PlayStation controller for PC: Sony DualSense Edge

PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge controller

Weight

335g/11.81oz

Connectivity

Bluetooth, USB Type-C

Additional buttons

2x extra buttons on the back. Choice of levers or half-dome

Battery life

5-10 hours

How We Review

Hands-on Review

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Pros

• Premium option; comfortable
• Excellent build quality
• Remappable buttons & swappable extra back buttons
• Easy wireless and wired connectivity

Cons

• Worse battery life than standard PS5 controller

There is an even better choice of PlayStation controller if you want a truly premium feel, and that’s the PS5 DualSense Edge. We had the pleasure of reviewing the Edge and it definitely delivers as a high-end controller. Although it’s pricey, it backs it up with plenty of features, better build quality, and comfortable feel. One downside compared to the regular PS5 controller is the lower battery life, though this is no problem if you’re going to be playing wired on PC.

It features everything you get from the PS5 controller and more, such as the two additional back buttons to be mapped how you like – these are also swappable to suit you, whether you want the flatter paddle-like buttons or not. Customization is a big part of this controller, with adjustable trigger lengths, on-board function switch for controller profiles and game volume (with an analog connection), interchangeable stick caps, and fully replaceable analog sticks if the time comes to buy some fresh ones.

So, you can definitely go for the DualSense Edge if you want a truly high-end PS5 controller alternative from Sony themselves. It’s stylish design is just the icing on the cake with the premium gamepad. We’d also recommend checking out the SCUF Reflex Pro too as an alternative, as it features many of the same positives.

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How we choose

It doesn’t really matter what type of product you are looking for, we know it can be tricky to find the perfect option for yourself.

It often takes hours and hours of research and watching reviews, and even then it’s still a tough task to decide what you want to spend your money on. We do all this so you don’t have to, by taking the time to have an in-depth look at each of the products we recommend and even testing them ourselves if possible.

If you aren’t very tech-savvy and want to avoid purchasing the wrong thing, look no further. Whether or not this controller is for yourself or even a gift for a loved one, reading this guide will help you make the right choice.

We look at the best options out there and go through them individually. We make sure to choose a wide variety that is suitable for different gamers and different budgets.

How we test

To help us choose a list of products to recommend to our users we have to do some thorough research and testing beforehand. It wouldn’t be right of us to go about recommending any old product for the sake of it.

We look at a number of things to make sure that these products can live up to the title of being the ‘best’ in their area. In the case of controllers, some of the things we look at include the cost of the controller, the build quality, the styling, and any great gaming features.

This allows us to have the peace of mind that the guides are both accurate and informative. This, in turn, allows you to come to a decision on which purchase is right for you so you can walk away with some great value for your money.

Things to consider when buying a controller for PC

Some of these controllers cost upwards of $200. This means that it’s a significant investment, and with any big purchase like a new gaming headset, keyboard, or mouse, you should spare a few minutes to think about what you need and what you don’t. Let’s have a look at some of these variables below.

What budget should I set for a controller for PC?

For most of us, we don’t have a bottomless wallet we can use to make our purchases. So, this makes it especially important to think carefully when setting a budget for your controller.

It’s a good idea to have a list of essential features you want your controller to have and then start shopping from there. Then, anything extra will simply be a nice bonus and you can weigh up if the addition of a custom faceplate is worth the extra money.

Although you can pick up some of these controllers for a standard price of $40-50, if you start to move into the region of specialized controllers with additional buttons and flashy designs, you can expect to pay a premium.

If you want a controller with a couple of extra features such as customizable paddles or unique designs, you will be looking in the range of $120-180 for the privilege.

Compatibility

Another important thing to consider is how hard these controllers are to set up. While some controllers such as the Xbox One controller will simply work out of the box, you may have to do a bit of tinkering when it comes to more specialized controllers.

This can involve installing additional software and even changing settings and key binds manually. If you are purchasing this controller for somebody who isn’t very tech-savvy, this might be something you want to be aware of.

Even though features like these are a major selling point of these controllers, you’ll have to decide if you want the extra layer of setup before you play a game for the first time.

Build quality

Each of these controllers will have a very different feel to them. You’ll want to consider which is the best type of controller for you before you make your purchase. If you are used to playing on Xbox, you might want one with a similar thumbstick layout – the same goes if you are used to playing on PlayStation.

Some of these controllers will be different shapes, and weights and even have extra buttons. You’ll want to keep in mind how heavy and easy to hold these controllers are if you know you’ll be playing for long periods of time.

You’ll also be able to find controllers that have different designs and faceplates. While these will add nothing to the process of using the controller, they will surely make them stand out!

Controller layout

While some of these controllers will feel like a 1:1 replacement for the controller you are used to using on your console, some of these options will have extra buttons, triggers, and programmable paddles that you can customize. This is something that you’ll seriously want to look into if you’re going to be primarily gaming on PC as you’ll likely need to map additional buttons.

You’ll also want to make sure that the software these controllers come with is easy to use and can achieve what you want. If you want to completely remap your controller’s buttons and triggers for a number of different games you own, it’s worth checking out if this is possible to avoid disappointment.

Related pages

Eager for more peripheral pages? We’ve got you covered, fam. Have a look below.

• Peripheral page directory
• Best keyboard and mouse for PS5
• Best keyboard for Xbox One X/S
• Best PS4 keyboard and mouse adapters

Best controller for PC FAQs

Are Xbox or PlayStation controllers better for PC?

When it comes to picking out a controller, many people opt for a thumbstick design they’re used to – with the Xbox and PlayStation styles causing a divide.

For PC gaming though, support for Xbox controllers has always been superior with easier integration with Windows drivers. That being said, modern PS controllers are now easy to connect to a PC, but you may miss out on support for haptic features depending the game you’re playing.

Are wireless controllers good for PC?

Wireless controllers have long been the standard for consoles, but what about PC? Some may say that wired is the easier option considering you’re likely going to be sat close your PC tower anyway. But that doesn’t mean wireless controllers are bad for PC.

If you do want wireless, connectivity is generally made simple thanks to Bluetooth support. However, depending on your controller or PC setup, you may have to opt for a wireless adapter to connect your controller wirelessly.

Final word

That finishes up our list of the best controllers for PC today. We hope this guide helped you make up your mind if you were looking for a new controller and eased a bit of the stress of having to make comparisons.

We know our users are busy people, that’s why we’ve made sure to include this short roundup section that will help give you an idea of where each of these controllers excels. If you want more information on any of these, simply scroll up to the relevant review.