Best PC controller 2025

The latest iteration of the Xbox controller remains the most obvious controller recommendation for PC gamers. It’s comfortable and its familiar design lends itself well to both the huge library of games on PC as it does on Xbox. It’s easy to understand why this is the go-to controller for so many gamers and, as a Microsoft product, there’s easy plug-and-play compatibility with Windows.

Compared to earlier Xbox controllers, the textured grip on the rear has been extended to cover the triggers for extra grip and precision, and there’s now a hybrid domed D-pad which we’ve previously only seen on the high-end Xbox Elite controller.

Additionally, the pad’s iconic shape has been tweaked compared to the original Xbox One pad, meaning it fits a wider range of hand shapes and sizes. These slight changes may hinder compatibility with attachments, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, this controller is hard to beat for its balance of quality, features, and price.

As ever, its biggest drawback, other than it still using standard thumbsticks and triggers, rather than the ever more common Hall Effect system (which lasts longer and shouldn’t suffer from stick drift) is the use of AA batteries. In some ways it’s good that you’re not dependent on a rechargeable battery that might be hard to replace in a few years time when it stops charging, but for now it’s a lot less convenient system than a rechargeable battery.

Read our Xbox Wireless Controller review.

The EasySMX X05 is an incredible value gamepad that offers both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth wireless connections (as well as USB) plus Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers all for under $25. Although there are a few compromises to it, it’s still an ideal option for most buyers on a budget.

The main compromises here are slightly cheap-feeling ABXY buttons and D-pad and no official console support, other than for the Switch. The latter isn’t common at this price but still notable.

It also has a slightly plasticky, hollow feel, but it still feels firm and well made, with no creaks and bend. What’s more, its Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers feel far better than you’d expect for its price – it really is a solid controller all round. It’s also more comfortable than you might expect and better than its closest rival the 8bitdo Ultimate C2, though that controller does have slightly better face buttons and input latency, plus it includes rear paddles.

Battery life is not amazing but it’ll last a full day of gaming if you turn off the RGB and rumble. As such, overall, for under $25, we can’t recommend the EasySMX X05 highly enough. It’s a great value option.

Read our full EasySMX X05 review for more information.

Spending well over $100 on a gamepad might seem a bit excessive, but the Elite Series 2 is one quality piece of gaming gear. Like most other premium controllers, this quality comes in the form of both high-end build and extra features.

Here, the extra features include rear paddles plus the faceplate, D-pad, thumbsticks, and rear paddles are all swappable. The triggers can also switch between long-throw analog mode, and a short-throw hair trigger mode. It doesn’t have extra microswitches for he latter mode, unlike the Scuf Valor Pro or Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but you still get a fast-feeling trigger.

Build quality is enhanced by the rear paddles and D-pads being solid metal, plus the controller has more rubberized material around its grips than the standard Xbox controllers, so it’s easier to hold on to. You can also adjust the thumbsticks using the included tool, plus a charging dock and carry case are included to charge its rechargeable battery.

Where you do miss out is that along with lacking microswitch triggers, this pad also doesn’t use Hall Effect thumbsticks. That means the pad may develop stick drift just like any normal controller. Still, there’s enough here to make this a worthy upgrade for many PC gamers.

Read the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a seriously premium controller with an equally premium price, but it packs in plenty of extras for its nearly $200 MSRP. Along with a high 1,000Hz polling rate when wired, it includes extra back paddles that use mouse-style microswitches for a really snappy, fast feel.

Extra bumper buttons on the top edge add more options plus the triggers can be switched to a short-throw hair trigger mode, and these again use microswitches for a truly clicky, responsive feel.

What’s more, this controller uses Hall Effect thumbsticks that should be mean this controller never develops stick drift. The sticks can also have their caps swapped for shorter or longer ones, so you can switch between faster movement or increased accuracy.

With an included carry case and integrated rechargeable battery, there’s plenty here that further adds to the value of this controller. However, one notable downside is that battery life isn’t amazing, at just 10-15 hours if you keep the RGB lighting and haptic feedback turned on. This can stretch to 20 hours if you turn these features off, though.

Ultimately, you’ll probably already known if $200 is a price you’re remotely willing to pay for a controller, but if you are the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro delivers a lot for that price.

Read our Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review for more.

If you’re after the top-tier features and performance of a premium controller but can’t face paying over $150 for a wireless option, the Scuf Valor Pro is for you. It offers all the build quality and extras of the likes of the Xbox Elite Controller 2 or Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but by sticking to just a wired connection it comes in at under $100.

What are those features? Well, you get Hall Effect thumbsticks to eliminate stickdrift, plus the sticks can be swapped out – the taller, round-topped one is great for FPS accuracy. You also get four extra rear paddle buttons – two of which can be removed – and triggers that can be switched from a smooth analog mode to a quick button press. It has 1,000Hz polling and two audio jack volume controls too.

The faceplate of the controller, which is finished in a lovely soft-touch finish, can also be swapped out for all sorts of fun-looking alternatives (or your own custom paint job) while the grips have a tough rubber coating for a secure feel. With Xbox and PC compatibility, this is also a versatile controller that brings a very comfortable and familiar shape.

Read our Scuf Valor Pro review for more.

There’s a reason the Rainbow Pro 2 earned a 9/10 from us, and it has nothing to do with the RGB lighting. Instead, the Rainbow Pro 2 is easily one of the most surprising controllers on the market right now, taking a rather unassuming Xbox design and ramping the internal hardware up to 11.

Hall Effect triggers and no-dead zone joysticks make for a super responsive controller, while the 1,000 mAh battery vastly outperforms expectations considering the lighting that is included on the controller. The four additional buttons can be reprogrammed using the mobile app via Bluetooth, for urgent on-the-fly changes.

Like many premium controllers, you can purchase a model of the Rainbow Pro 2 with additional joysticks, an extra d-pad, and a charging dock, but you still won’t pay over $80, while others want you to pay closer to $200. If you can sacrifice a recognizable brand name, the Rainbow Pro 2 is a stellar PC controller.

Read our Big Big Won Rainbow Pro 2 review for more.

Do you ever find yourself playing a game with Game Pass Ultimate, then going out and streaming the game on your mobile? With the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra, you can continue playing with the same controller, as it has a mobile gaming clip that allows you to attach your Android phone (though sadly not iPhones). You can even detach the grips to make for a really compact, more portable version of the controller.

Moga XP-Ultra is fully compatible with Xbox Series X|S, PC, and many Bluetooth devices so it can be both your main PC controller and one to take on the road.

We really like the modularity offered by the XP-Ultra. Playing retro games with the mini-pad is a blast, and having a sturdy way to mount a phone for cloud gaming is brilliant. The battery life of 40 hours in Bluetooth mode is also immense, and, for some games, we love the D-Pad. The most adaptable and versatile controller we’ve ever used, the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra really is a jack of all trades – but you know how that saying ends.

Read our PowerA Moga XP-Ultra review.

The key appealing factor of the Sony DualSense, other than if you just prefer the DualShock-style layour, is its inclusion of adaptive triggers and a touchpad. These two features really enhance the physical immersion in games that support them, such as like Call of Duty: Cold War, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, and Deathloop.

The DualSense is also just an excellent gamepad, and it elevates everything that made its predecessor great. Its thumbsticks are superbly positioned, and the whole controller is comfortable to hold after hours of use.

While Sony is slowly branching out on the PC, though, support for the platform is lacking. Official DualSense drivers aren’t a thing yet, and you’ll have to stick with specific games to benefit from the pad’s immersive features.

Using the DualSense wirelessly on PC also comes with an additional cord-cutting caveat. For whatever reason, haptic feedback won’t work on the pad over Bluetooth, meaning you’ll have to tether it to your rig using a USB-C cable.

That said, if you’re a fan of symmetrical sticks, the DualSense is a killer pad with great capabilities. As long as you’re aware of its foibles on PC, this is a high-quality, well-designed controller with fantastic adaptive triggers, and the price isn’t bad for the feature set either.

Read our PlayStation DualSense review.

Many of the classics in gaming history were originally on Nintendo consoles and if you’ve got a large collection of retro titles, then this is probably the best controller to play them with.  Nintendo pioneered the d-pad back in 1982, so it’s no surprise that the Switch Pro controller upholds its gamepad legacy

Though made specifically for Switch, the controller has been given its own Steam profile and can be connected to your gaming PC with a wireless Bluetooth connection or a USB-C cable. With a configuration that’s very similar to many historic Nintendo controllers, it’s ideal for revisiting classic games, while remaining well-equipped to handle modern releases too.

There’s something charming about the Switch Pro Controller’s build quality, particularly in terms of its plastics. On the other hand, it almost feels like a gamepad from the early 2000s, something that differentiates it from other premium pads on the market. Although some may find the buttons and triggers a little too chunky (especially if you’re used to Xbox controllers), you can get used to them quickly. The Switch Pro is also well-built and feels comfortable in your hand.

While the pad lacks fancy features like analog triggers, its tactile buttons and comfortable feel make it a winner when it comes to precision-based platformers. It’s also got a whopping 40-hour battery life via Bluetooth, making it one of the best wireless options on the market.

Read our Nintendo Switch Pro controller review.

The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro was the first ever Hall Effect trigger controller and it remains a solid choice for a premium controller.

Like any of the best PC controllers should, the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro offers both wired and wireless connections, and an app to completely customize any aspect of the controller, from the trigger sensitivity down to the LED lighting. If you want a controller that adapts to you, rather than the other way around, the Rev 5 Pro is easily that controller, and its Hall Effect implementation puts it ahead of many competitors.

Read our Nacon Revolution 5 Pro review for more.

If you’re looking for the perfect Minecraft controller, this Turtle Beach Minecraft controller can make a strong claim to being it. While any good quality controller is great for actually playing the game, the charming Minecraft-themed design of this one really makes it stand out.

The Turtle Beach PDP Realmz Wireless Controller: Minecraft Diamond Print, to give it its full name, includes a Steve figurine suspended inside the controller, along with green LED lighting throughout its otherwise transparent case. It is just such a fun item.

In terms of features, it’s a decently practical item too. You get a full array of Xbox-style controllers (it’s PC and Xbox compatible) along with a headphone output, quick access audio controls, and rear paddles. Inside there’s also a rechargeable battery that can last 40 hours per charge.

The downsides are the quality of the controls aren’t quite inline with its price. It feels more like a $50 controller than an $80 one; still decent but not premium. However, you get wireless and a rechargeable battery as well as the fun Minecraft design for that price, so it’s still decent value.

Read our Turtle Beach PDP wireless Minecraft controller review for more.

From Game Pass Ultimate to Steam Link, there’s an increasingly large number of ways for you to stream PC games when you’re away from home. If you’re looking for a controller that will make it easier for you to play your favorite PC games on mobile, then we recommend the Razer Kishi Mobile.

It works easily enough by slotting onto either end of your phone and then connecting via USB-C. Since most mobile controllers connect with Bluetooth, this is a refreshing change, as it doesn’t create the latency problems frequently encountered when going wireless. While typically designed for mobile use, with the right adapter (specifically a right-angle USB-C connection), you can use it directly on your PC too, opening the doors to a world where you have one controller for all occasions.

Although there is no native button mapping, you can still do so if, for example, you’re gaming via Steam Link (which has its own remapping options). Overall, it’s a decent bit of hardware and it’s going to hit the spot for anyone who likes being able to play PC games without having access to a PC.

Back in the early 2000s, guitar controllers were the big thing and there were loads of games being released that utilized them. However, since around 2010 or so, they’ve kind of fallen into obscurity. A year ago, if you wanted one, you’d struggle to find a new one, but now PDP has come to the rescue with a brand new guitar controller that can be used on both PC and Xbox.

Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4, and Clone Hero are all among the modern games that it can be used with, and we’re sure that there’ll be new rhythm games released in the future that take advantage of the hardware too. The difference a guitar controller makes truly cannot be unstated, and using it with Clone Hero opens up the doors to hundreds of hours of use.

The controller is based on the real-life Fender Stratocaster guitar and it feels great to hold. Also, good news for left-handed people: it’s got an ambidextrous design so it can be used however is most comfortable for you. The buttons all feel great while you’re using them too. It’s an impressive piece of hardware.

About the only thing we’d complain about is its lack of Bluetooth. Every time you use it, you’ll have to plug in a dongle, and if you want to use a headset while you play, you have to use its audio jack. If you prefer to use one of the best wireless headsets, you’re out of luck.

It may be expensive, but for fans who loved the age when Guitar Hero and Rock Band were at their peak, it’ll be easy to justify. The same goes for newer fans who are looking to see what all the fuss was about. However, if you’re only loosely interested in the genre, it probably won’t be worth it.

Read our PDP Riffmaster review.