These gaming controllers have an edge while playing on a gaming PC.
By Kevin Lee, Danielle Abraham
For all-around performance, the Xbox Core Controller is our choice for the best PC controller of 2023. But we’ve found other great options, from budget to high-end, ready to play the best PC games. Jump to detailed looks at our picks for best PC controllers or check the list below:
When playing on a gaming PC, there are more than a few cases where a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse aren't the best input options. Different controllers can give you an edge in everything from poorly ported console games to action adventures and racing simulators. Luckily, there are a wealth of PC controllers that we’ve reviewed and researched, and you’ll find our ten favorites below – and click here to find them in the UK.
1. The Best PC Controllers
Xbox Core Controller
Best PC Controller
Xbox Core Controller
Enjoy the familiar Xbox layout on an ergonomic controller with remappable buttons, a tactile D-pad, and ample connectivity options.
If you’re searching for a controller with a quality design and ample flexibility in how you use it to game on your PC, theXbox Core Controller is a solid place to start. Microsoft has created an ergonomic controller that’s easy to hold onto thanks to added grip on the side, rear, and triggers. Of course, it has a familiar Xbox layout, while the majority of its buttons are remappable, and the D-Pad is even more tactile than the Xbox One iteration.
There’s plenty of versatility in connecting the Xbox Core Controller to your PC with a wired USB-C to eliminate input lag and Bluetooth as a wireless alternative. There’s also a low-latency wireless option available if you have an Xbox Wireless adapter for PC. It even includes a 3.5mm jack for your headset, limiting the number of wires running between you and your PC. However, it’s powered by AA batteries, which seems a bit archaic for 2023.
2. PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller
Best Budget PC Controller
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller
Grab this wired gamepad to save money while still getting all the inputs you need, plus vibration motors and two small buttons on its underside for shortcuts.
The PowerA Enhanced wired controller is a strong option, ditching wireless connectivity in order to hit a low price point under $40—and it’s often on sale for much less. Sure, you won’t get Bluetooth to get in some action on your gaming phone, but the removable Micro USB works great with your PC right out of the box. And since you’re tethered to your computer, you’ll never need to worry about finding batteries in your junk drawer every few months.
The controller itself doesn't stray too far from the shape and feel of Microsoft's own Xbox controller, though it’s slightly lighter, lacks those rubberized grips, and is a tad bit flimsier. However, you get two vibration motors to feel the action and all the buttons you need for your games. It even takes a page out of the Xbox Elite Controller's book: on the underside of the PowerA Enhanced controller, you'll find two small buttons that can serve as shortcuts to face buttons.
3. Logitech F310
Best Ultra Cheap PC Controller
Logitech F310
An ultra-cheap wired controller that delivers dual joysticks, a D-pad, bumpers, triggers, and buttons—some of which are programmable.
Are you a devout keyboard and mouse gamer who imagines yourself rarely using a gamepad? The Logitech F310 is the perfect option for you, as it only costs around $20, but it includes everything you need for your occasional cravings to use a controller. This option delivers dual joysticks, bumpers and triggers, four standard face buttons, and an eight-directional D-Pad, while ten buttons are programmable to customize the gamepad to your needs.
Now, is the Logitech F310 something you’ll want to be using all the time? Probably not, as its short, nubby grips don't make for excellent ergonomics, and the joysticks aren’t 100 percent accurate. But that shouldn't matter for short bursts, and the controller will make your life significantly easier when driving vehicles in games like Grand Theft Auto V or Battlefield 2042. It’s also strictly wired, connecting via USB, though it’s plug-and-play and delivers low input lag for the fastest possible actions.
4. Turtle Beach Recon Controller
Best Wired PC Controller
Turtle Beach Recon Controller
Take on all the action in this feature-packed wired gamepad featuring audio customizability, on-the-fly button remapping, and texturized grips.
The plug-and-play nature of the Turtle Beach Recon Controller is perfect for anyone looking to add a wired controller to their PC. It connects via a detachable USB-A cord, and there’s even a headset port on the controller, helping to limit the wires cluttering your PC setup. Turtle Beach takes it further by including their Super Human Hearing to enhance subtle audio cues and audio controls for volume, game and chat mix, and mic monitoring, all on the gamepad itself.
You’ll get quickly up to speed in games with the familiar X-box style layout of the Turtle Beach Recon Controller, so you’re all set for Xbox Game Pass games and the wide assortment of titles available on Steam. Two back paddles are on the gamepad for quick actions, while on-the-fly button remapping is also available with four different profiles preloaded on the Recon, which you can reconfigure to your liking. Finally, the textured finishes on most controls and rubberized grips make for a secure handhold.
5. Sony DualSense Controller
Best Bluetooth PC Controller
Sony DualSense Controller
The DualSense is comfortable to grip and offers impressive haptics and adaptive triggers for more immersion in the action.
See it on Best Buy
The Sony DualSense Controller makes it simple to connect to your PC using Bluetooth, which means it’ll also be a solid option as a phone controller for mobile gaming. However, if you’re looking for a more stable connection with less latency, you can always plug it in via a USB-C for a wired option. And unlike the Xbox Core, when you use it wirelessly, you get a rechargeable battery, though the battery life leaves much to be desired.
The Sony DualSense changes the aesthetics of the DualShock, making for a sleeker, easier-to-grip gamepad that still offers a similar control scheme and symmetrical analog sticks. Steam support is on the controller, while advanced haptics and adaptive triggers work on PC using a wired connection. With more PlayStation-exclusive games ending up not so exclusive thanks to PC ports, full DualSense functionality on PC makes for the best way to play those games.
6. Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
Best High-End PC Controller
Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
Get ample customizability on this high-end controller with a swappable controls, tunable triggers, extra rear paddles, and fully remappable buttons.
See it on Newegg
If you're after a controller that offers the familiar Xbox design but amps up its capability, you can’t go wrong with the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. This model features four rear paddles that can have their own actions or change the function of the face buttons, while all of the buttons on the gamepad are remappable. The D-pad, back paddles, and analog sticks are also all magnetically swappable, and you still get the tunable triggers we loved on the original Elite.
The Elite Series 2 controller adds the rechargeable battery that the Xbox Core controller lacks and lasts an impressive 40 hours on each charge. In addition to Xbox Wireless, if you’ve got an adapter, there’s Bluetooth, making it easy to pair with your PC or smartphone. You’re good to go when you’d rather have a low-latency wired connection, too, with a USB-C available.
7. 8Bitdo Pro 2
Best PC Controller for Retro Game
8Bitdo Pro 2
Get a retro aesthetic and modern sensibility on this controller that has customizable profiles that you can swap on the fly.
With retro looks and modern functionality, the 8BitDo Pro 2 is an awesome option for playing classic games on PC — and new games, too. The face of the 8BitDo Pro 2 gives you the sense of using a classic SNES controller, but the experience should be exponentially better thanks to a modern ergonomic design, quality buttons, and vibration. It also supports a range of platforms and can connect to your PC over a wired USB-C or Bluetooth for 20 hours.
On the 8BitDo Pro 2, you’ll find standard Nintendo-style controls, though you can remap the buttons to match in-game controls. Meanwhile, you get PlayStation-style symmetrical analog sticks and two back paddles that let you keep your thumbs on the sticks. Customization also allows you to do any necessary button remapping, swap sticks behavior and axes, or adjust the trigger actuation depth, and there are even motion controls.
8. Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
Best PC Fight Stick
Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
The Xbox layout of this fight stick, which has eight well-spaced buttons and a sensitive joystick that can be modded out, makes it ideal for Xbox or PC.
If you play a good deal of arcade or fighting games, you've got a case to pick up a fight stick for their large precise joystick and quickly actuating buttons. And for PC, the Hori Fighting Stick Alphais a standout option, offering all the same buttons as an Xbox controller and a simple wired connection. If you’re worried about cable clutter from your PC to its components, the fight stick even lets you connect a gaming headset with controls on board to mute your mic and turn audio on.
The Hori Fighting Stick Alpha is also ready to take to tournaments without the worry of accidentally getting disqualified, thanks to a Key Lock mode. Modders also get a lot from this stick, as the case and faceplate can both be easily opened to swap out components or artwork. Of course, if you don't want to mod, you'll enjoy the high-quality Hori Hayabusa eight-direction joystick, eight well-spaced buttons, and top-notch switches and levers that come stock.
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These gaming controllers have an edge while playing on a gaming PC.
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