From poorly ported consoles games to action adventures and racing simulators, there are more than a few cases where a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse aren’t necessarily going to be the best input options. It’s easy to swear by a keyboard and mouse where twitchy response and pixel-perfect aim are concerned, but there’s a huge arena where different gaming controllers can have an edge while playing on PC.If you’re playing a fighting game, you may get more satisfaction out of the buttons on a controller, which you can frantically mash. If you’re flying through space in an intense dogfight, holding a thumbstick down to perform a series of loops and turns can be a lot easier than hurriedly throwing your mouse around your desk in an attempt to maneuver smoothly. And, let’s not forget that analog inputs have some advantages over the all-or-nothing, binary controls all over mice and keyboards just try slowing accelerating in a racing game with a keyboard.Beyond traditional gaming controllers, there’s also a host of specialized controllers, like joysticks and fight sticks, that are made to excel in specific types of games. We’ve rounded up the best controllers in a variety of categories, so when a game can benefit more from a controller, you can let your keyboard and mouse take a well-earned break.
If you’re browsing in the UK, click here to find out where you can go to find the best PC controllers.
TL;DR These are the Best PC Controllers:
1. Xbox One Wireless Controller
Best PC Controller
The Xbox One Controller is pretty much the de facto PC game controller. While it requires either a wired USB connection or Microsoft Xbox One Wireless Adapter for Windows, no other gamepad on this list is as fully PC compatible as the Xbox One Controller. In 99% of cases, you won’t have to do any button mapping with games, as most just recognize this controller as if you were playing with an actual Xbox One S or Xbox One X.Aside from its ease of use, the Xbox One is sized well and has good button placement that should make it a good option for most users no matter what sized hands they have. The triggers are also exceptional and it even has a good D-Pad for playing retro games.
2. Logitech F310
Best Budget PC Controller
If you’re a devout keyboard and mouse gamer who only imagines themselves very rarely using a gamepad, the Logitech F310 is a great option. It only costs $15, but it includes everything you need including dual joysticks, bumpers and triggers, four standard face buttons, and even an eight directional D-Pad.Those short, nubby grips don’t make for great ergonomics, but that shouldn’t matter if you’re only picking up a controller for short bursts to drive vehicles in games like Grand Theft Auto V or Battlefield V.
3. Sony DualShock 4
Best Bluetooth PC Controller
The Sony DualShock 4 works beautifully with gaming PC over Bluetooth. While you probably won’t need an extra dongleand if you do, any Bluetooth Adapter will workto connect this controller to your computer, you will need to run an extra bit of software called DS4Windows. Once installed and you’ve done a little button mapping, you’ll be all set.The beauty of using a DualShock 4 with your PC is you not only get the usual gamepad controls, but you can also take advantage of its gyroscopes to add motion controls. You can even choose to add the touchpad into your control scheme if you so choose.
4. Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
Best High-End PC Controller
If you’re after an Xbox controller that doesn’t hold back, then you’ll want the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller (read our review). This model upgrades from the original Elite controller by adding wireless charging using a docking base with pogo pins. The charger can fit conveniently in the controller’s carrying case, where it can even be plugged in.The Xbox Elite Series 2 controller also gets upgraded with support for Bluetooth connections, making it easier than ever to pair with your PC or even smartphones. It also has made the move away from Micro USB to include a USB-C connection instead. Beyond that, it still has swappable analog sticks, multiple D-Pads, and tunable triggers to deliver a gaming experience you can tailor to your own needs.
5. Steam Controller
Bringing the Touchpad to Controllers
The Steam Link might have been another hardware failure from Valve, but the Steam Controller (see our review) is still great. It’s certainly unique among the various PC gamepad as it utilizes two touchpads instead of joysticks. While these two round touch surfaces will act like thumbsticks when swiped, they can also act like a mouse allowing you to click and drag a box over units in an RTS game or place objects in games like The Sims 4.The Steam Controller unique control inputs add a lot of extra functionality to give you more customize how you play PC games. What’s more, you can even download or share control mappings with the Steam community.
6. Razer Wolverine Ultimate
Best PC Controller for FPS Games
While all the controllers so far have focused on bringing console controls to the PC, the Razer Wolverine Ultimate manages to bring some PC control to game controllers. The Razer Wolverine Ultimate features four underside buttons that are designed to act like a sniper button or DPI switch for gaming mice. Depending on which of these bottom buttons are engaged, the controller can increase or decrease the sensitivity of the joysticks for faster camera panning or carefully centering your target.The Wolverine Ultimate also gives gamers an extra pair of bumpers, plus swappable thumbsticks and D-Pads. Perhaps what I like about Razer’s gamepad is it features some of the clickiest buttons I’ve seen on a controller, which makes it feel more like I’m playing with a gaming mouse than a controller.
7. SteelSeries Stratus Duo
Ready to Go Out of the Box
The SteelSeries Stratus Duo (read our review) might seem like a controller made specifically for mobile and VR headsets, but it’s also a solid option for gaming PCs. For $60 this wireless gamepad comes with its own 2.4GHz dongle included and it even has a built-in battery that’s rated for 20 hours of gameplay.WIndows 10 also automatically recognizes the Stratus Duo as an Xbox controller, which means you don’t need to remap any buttons. The only thing this controller lacks is rumble, but if you don’t mind the missing haptic feedback, the SteelSeries Stratus Duo is a great controller you can use with a lot of other devices.
8. 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro
Best PC Controller for Retro Games
Playing retro games basically demands an old-school controller and 8Bitdo is one of the best companies making them these days. The 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro is the company’s best and most well-rounded controller that takes after both the classic SNES and Wii Classic controller. Between the cross-shaped D-Pad and four traditional face buttons, you should feel right at home playing Secret of Mana or any retro game available legally on the PC. Meanwhile, the 8Bitdo Sn30 Pro’s pair of joysticks and triggers will let you play any games from the PlayStation-N64 era as well.9. Switch Pro Controller
Let’s a Go with Nintendo’s Controller
The Switch Pro Controller is one of the best controllers ever made, and now you can bring that greatness to the PC. Like the DualShock 4, getting this controller to work the PC is easy with a wired connection, but going wireless requires a few hoops to jump through.Good news is once you’ve got it paired properly over Bluetooth, Steam will automatically recognize it as an Xbox One controller with all the button mapping done for you. However, if you’re playing games outside of Steam, you’re going to need 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter to make the Switch Pro Controller act like an Xbox One gamepad.
11. PowerA Spectra Enhanced
Best RGB Controller
PowerA may be known more for its budget controllers, but that doesn’t mean you should write them off as cheap and low quality. The PowerA Spectra Enhanced has checked all the right boxes for a PC controller. This is an Xbox-style controller, but in some ways it’s even better than the original Xbox One controller that it manages to cost less than.It has a solid design with a soft-touch finish, and offers RBG lighting around almost all the main front buttons as well as along the edge. There’s no fussing around with needless software either, as the LEDs can be controller with a button on the back. Better still, the PowerA Spectra Enhanced offers a pro feature in the form of two mappable buttons on the bottom that give your middle fingers something to do beyond holding the controller. This gives the controller an advantage over the standard Xbox One controller while it’s cost undercuts the Xbox Elite controllers.
The Spectra Enhanced has a wired connection, which ensures you’ll get the lowest latency and never have to worry about whether the batteries are charged. The braided cable is lengthy, has a robust connnection with the controller, and has an inline release to make sure you don’t accidentally pull your laptop or computer off your desk or media center.
12. Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai
Best PC Fight Stick
If you’re serious about playing fighting games on a gaming PC, a regular game controller isn’t going to do it. To pull off perfect combos and block just in time for parries you’re going to need a fight stick. and there’s nothing better than the Hori Real Arcade Pro V Kai.Created in collaboration between Hori and Capcom the Real Arcade Pro V Kai offers a stylish design and solid build quality, making it a highly-rated choice. You’ll also love its top-notch Hayabusa buttons and joystick for a real arcade feel. You can hit a switch on the arcade stick’s right side to swap between control schemes including turning the joystick into a D-pad or either of the Xbox’s traditional thumbsticks.
13. Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer
Best PC Racing Wheel
PC is pretty much the place to experience simulation racing games. Not only does this platform allow you to connect multiple displays and ultrawide displays for the ultimate immersive experience, but PC is also the place for some very serious (and sometimes seriously obscure) racing games.Of course, you’re going to want a racing wheel to complete your sim racing setup and look no further than the Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer. It looks and feels like a real wheel attached to an actual race car, especially when this peripheral’s 40-watt brushless motor turns on. Force feedback on this racing wheel as you’ll feel the pull of every turn and the shock of every bump with up to 6nm of torque.
Where to Get the Best PC Controller in the UK
It is unsurprising that the Xbox controller tops the list here, but you’ve actually got a couple of options depending on whether your laptop or PC is Bluetooth enabled. If you’ve got Bluetooth to use, you won’t need the PC adapter USB, and can simply pick up an Xbox One controller, or even a PlayStation DualShock 4 to avoid the extra cost. But, if you want to consider all your options, here are the best PC controllers available in the UK. Don’t see the controllers below? Click here.Why Would You Want a PC Controller
While playing PC games with a controller might seem like sacrilege against everything that is right in the church of keyboard and mouse, you shouldn’t care about what other people think about the way you play PC games.After all, PC gaming is just as much about playing games that their best possible quality, experience games at ultrawide and super-wide aspect ratios unobtainable on the consoles, or just having the highest, silkiest frame rate possible.
How you get to play that experience is up to you, and if you’re like us, sometimes you rather just sit back with a controller than constantly lean over your desk’s keyboard and mouse. This can be especially true if you happen to be playing games on a big-screen gaming TV on your couch. While there are lapboards to bring the true PC gaming experience to your living room, controllers are great for keeping things casual and comfortable.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspamMark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
Home>>Fashion>>We all love our mouse and keyboard, but it’s not ideal for all situations. For those of you need a gamepad, so here’s our list of the best PC gaming controllers.
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