Using controllers for PC gaming is an excellent option for games. While a keyboard and mouse may still be the best option for many, game controllers hold their own in many ways. First, they can give you a more laid-back experience because you can literally sit back and play. Provided you have a chair or something else to sit on that allows it.
This alone is probably the main reason to use controllers for PC gaming if you value comfort. Some players find controllers even more accurate. And if that’s you, you’ll want to choose from the best controllers for PC gaming to make sure you’re getting the best out of them.
We’ve rounded up some of the best controllers to use for PC gaming to make choosing a controller that much easier. Chances are you even have one that already works if you own a gaming console. If you don’t, or if you want an extra one, here are some of your best options.
The best controllers for PC gaming
8BitDo Pro 2 wired controller
- Price: $44.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
A great wired option for PC gaming controllers is the Pro 2 from 8BitDo. It’s fairly compact so should work for most players, has extra re-mapable buttons on the back and includes the new share button from the Xbox Series X|S wireless controllers.
What makes it even better is that this retails for less than $40. So you’re getting a really good controller for pretty cheap.
DualShock4
- Price: Starting at $59.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
You can’t go wrong with the DualShock 4 controller. Since this is Sony’s last generation console, it is compatible with loads of games on PC. Support for it is even baked into Steam and is usable with most games there.
You can use it wired or wireless, and it’s even compatible with mobile for games that have controller support. Overall, this is one of the best controllers for PC gaming just because it’s comfortable and light enough for long gaming sessions.
The icing on the cake is that it also comes in numerous color options.
Nintendo Switch Pro controller
- Price: $69
- Where to buy: Amazon
Of course, this is a wireless controller for the Switch. But you can actually use it with PC as well. If your main gaming platforms are Switch and PC then this is definitely a good buy. Because you can easily pair it with both and get more out of it.
There are no extra buttons or improvements here, but it’s a well-rounded, comfortable gaming controller and that’s what matters.
Nintendo Switch Pro controller
Xbox Series X|S wireless controller
Microsoft’s new wireless controller for Xbox is essentially the same controller as before. But with a few minor upgrades. First, it feels lighter than the older one. But it also comes with textured surfaces on the back of the controller grips. So it should help prevent slipping due to sweaty hands.
It also now has a share button for easy screenshots. It is compatible with PCs running Windows 10, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and mobile devices. And it comes in tons of colors. So you can kind of personalize it.
Xbox Series X|S wireless controller
DualSense
Sony really knocked it out of the park with the DualSense controller. You will of course get the most benefits if you use this with the PS5 itself. But it is also compatible with PC and mobile. So you can use it there too.
As a controller for PC, it simply feels great in the hand. And should have longer battery life than that of the DualShock 4. If only a little bit. For use with PS5, it has the adaptive triggers and the improved haptics. You just can’t beat it.
HyperX link wirelessly
- Price: $49.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
We’ve recently been using this for both PC and mobile and it works great for both. Especially since you can connect to a PC in three ways. Either via Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, or you can connect it with a USB cable for a wired experience and not worry about battery life. Design-wise, it’s set up like an Xbox controller, so it should feel fairly familiar to anyone used to using an Xbox controller for the majority of their gaming.
There are no remappable paddles or anything like that, so the controller is pretty standard. You do, however, have a turbo button and some textured grips on the sides of the handles. That’s a nice touch to prevent slipping.
SCUF Instinct Pro
- Price: $229.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
If you also play on PC and Xbox, you’ll probably want to at least consider the SCUF Instinct Pro. It offers much of what you get from other SCUF controllers, but with quite a few improvements. For example, it can store up to three different profiles in its onboard memory for custom control configuration for different games. And you can switch between them in an instant with a button on the front.
It also has the customizable adjustable triggers, back paddle buttons, a wide range of design customization options, wireless and wired connectivity options, plus direct triggers. The instant triggers are a real game changer as they can go from feeling like a normal trigger press to the quick and precise click of a mouse.
There is also a high-quality grip on the back. SCUF doesn’t play with its controllers. And neither should you be. Unless it’s when you actually play games.
Razer Wolverine Ultimate
What we really like about the Razer Wolverine is all the customization. In addition to the standard buttons such as the bumpers and triggers, d-pad, thumbsticks and ABXY buttons, the Wolverine Ultimate has 6 macro buttons that you can remap. There are two on the top and four on the back.
There’s also an interchangeable thumbstick and d-pad, and a range of controls on the underside of the controller for managing mic mute, volume and more. This is also a wired controller so there shouldn’t be any latency like with a wireless option. It’s not as new as the Wolverine V2 Chroma, but it does have a few more customization options and it’s about $30 less.
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox
Rounding out this list is another super affordable option with the PowerA Enhanced Wired controller for Xbox. At less than $30 (this is a retail price), it’s hard to ignore what PowerA is offering here. But don’t let the low price fool you. This is a formidable option for games and one of the best controllers you can find for PC gaming at this price point.
The design is almost identical to an Xbox wireless controller, plus it comes in plenty of color options and even has a few extra buttons on the back. Which you can of course arrange according to your own wishes. One of our favorite features, though, is the volume rocker at the bottom for adjusting game volume and chat audio if you’re using a wired headset plugged into the controller’s 3.5mm headset jack.
