PS5 controllers are a special piece of technology thanks to enhanced features like the adaptive triggers, and the best options build on that by adding useful extras. That said, everyone’s taste is probably a little different when it comes to games. Therefore, not everyone will feel that there is one best option that will suit everyone’s needs when it comes to the best PS5 controllers.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best PS5 controllers you can buy right now to play with on the new console. If you have one or are getting one soon. You can also use PS5 controllers with platforms such as Android and PC. So even if you don’t have a PS5 yet, these are still great options for games elsewhere.
Keep in mind that more PS5 controllers will eventually hit the market in the future. So this list can be populated even more when those options appear.
The best PS5 controllers you can buy right now
Below is a summary of the controllers we’ve chosen for this list. Complete with prices and links for where to buy. Below the summary is a brief description of each controller along with pricing and buying links.
Sony Dual Sense
The classic. The tried-and-true DualSense is the standard controller you get with the PS5, and it’s a great option if you don’t want or need extra features. It’s comfortable for all-day gaming and is one of the best PS5 controllers for its simplicity compared to some of the other options. Thanks to the adaptive triggers and advanced haptics, games come to life in a way you’ve probably never felt before.
It’s also now available in a variety of colors, so you can tailor your experience a little more to your favourite. This is also one of the most affordable PS5 controllers you’ll find on this list. While you’ll get one with a PS5, it doesn’t hurt to have a spare so you can always keep one charged.
SCUF reflex FPS
- Price: Starting at $259.99
- Where to buy: SCUF
Are you ready to improve your favorite FPS games on PS5? Then you need the SCUF Reflex FPS. This is the DualSense modified with some extras that will take your shooting game to a new level. With the Reflex’s FPS model, you lose the adaptive triggers and the haptics. Instead of the adaptive triggers, SCUF has implemented the Instant Triggers that feel like a short mouse click for faster firing time.
And with the haptics, SCUF has removed them so vibrations don’t get in the way of your accuracy. You also get the performance grip and the four removable rear paddles that can be reassigned. It’s pricey, but worth it if you play shooters on PS5.
HEX Gaming Rival Ultimate
- Price: Starting at $199.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
Similar to the SCUF Reflex series, the HEX Gaming Rival Ultimate is a modified DualSense that adds things like hair triggers for mouse-click-like trigger pulls, rear grips, re-applied rear paddles, and interchangeable thumbsticks with different heights and ergonomic thumb grip to design.
You can also get this controller without the hair triggers, so you keep the adaptive triggering feature that Sony designed. And you can customize it with different colors and styles to make it more unique.
We’ve used it in quite a few gaming sessions for games like Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0, and Battlefield 2042. And it’s great at those kinds of games. Though we prefer the regular DualSense for games that really take advantage of the adaptive triggers and advanced haptics.
Sony Dual Shock 4
If you play a lot of backward compatible titles on your PS5, you can’t go wrong with the DualShock 4. This is still one of the best gaming controllers ever made and that makes it a great option for all pS4 titles on PS5.
And there’s such a big list of color options that it can sometimes make your head spin when you’re trying to pick one. While it doesn’t offer any special trigger functions or extra buttons or paddles on the back, it’s a solid controller that’s comfortable and just plain good to hold.
SCUF Reflex Pro
- Price: Starting at $229.99
- Where to buy: SCUF
The SCUF Reflex Pro is the one to go for if you want the removable paddles on the back but don’t want to get rid of the adaptive triggers or haptics. While you could easily use this in FPS games, we think the FPS model is better for that. While this is the option for any other game.
It’s essentially the same as the FPS model in every way, but retains the adaptive triggers and haptics. It also starts at a slightly lower price, so you save money by going with this model. That is if you don’t want the direct triggers.
Also, all three SCUF Reflex models support the interchangeable faceplates if you want to tweak the style department a bit. Finally, you get three custom controller profiles that you can switch between with a single button press. This way your settings for your favorite games will be saved. This also comes on all three Reflex models.
Evil Controllers Custom PS5 controller
Rounding out this list is a custom controller from Evil Controllers. This starts at a lower price than the other modded controllers. But it can go much higher due to the number of custom features you can select. From the color and style of the faceplate, buttons and d-pad to the rear buttons and tactile triggers.
What we like about this option compared to the SCUF and HEX Gaming controllers is that the rear buttons sit on the controller’s grips. The other two have your back buttons shaped like paddles and sit higher up. The shift buttons on the Evil Controllers are just a little easier to press with where they sit.
You can even select features like thumbstick tension, rapid-fire mods, and macros. The price gets a little wild when you add in all that stuff. But it’s definitely a cool controller for those who have the cash to spend and want these extras for the PS5 gaming experience.
Evil Controllers Custom PS5 controller
PDP Victrix Pro BFG
- Price: $179.99
- Where to buy: Amazon
There are many good things about PDP’s Victrix Pro BFG. For starters, this controller is modular. So you can swap the button modules for others according to your own preference. You can also change the orientation of the d-pad/thumbstick module so that the thumbsticks are off-center, more like an Xbox controller. If that’s the configuration you prefer.
There’s even a fightpad module for those who play fighting games with a controller. And because everything is held in place with screws, you can easily swap things out when you don’t want to use the fightpad anymore. In addition to modularity, the Victrix Pro BFG also has multi-position clutch triggers. These are similar to what you would get on the SCUF Reflex FPS model.
But they offer a little more versatility because they can be put in different positions. The controller also offers a powerful grip, assignable back buttons and profiles, so you can quickly switch between preferences for different games. It can be used wirelessly or with the included cable, and it comes in a really nice zippered carrying case for travel. Hands down one of the best PS5 controllers money can buy and one of our favourites.
Razer Wolverine V2 Pro
Razer’s Wolverine V2 Pro is one of the latest pro-style controllers to come out for the PS5, and it has a lot to offer those looking for a premium controller with more features. For starters, it has an 8-way microswitch dpad that feels clicky and hyper-sensitive. The four action buttons also utilize Razer’s mecha tactile switches. Also make them super clickable. Both are highlights for the Wolverine V2 Pro. But it only gets better.
Like the Reflex, Victrix PDP Pro, Hex Gaming Rival Elite and others, the Wolverine V2 Pro has direct triggers. Though Razer calls them HyperTriggers. The result is the same though. A trigger with a faster pull similar to a mouse click. Unlike that of the Reflex and Hex Gaming options, the Wolverine V2 Pro allows you to switch between the HyperTriggers and a normal trigger pull. In addition, the controller features a powerful grip and a low-latency connection. Or plug it in via USB-C and play wired.
There are of course some negatives. The controller costs $250, so it’s not cheap. In addition, you give up the adaptive triggers and the haptic feedback of the DualSense. All in all, though, a really solid PS5 controller if you want something versatile for regular and more competitive gameplay.