Wondering what the best controller for the PS4 is? Well it just so happens that Sony made it, because the classic controller that comes with the console is about as well rounded as it can get. The balance of quality, price, and perfect compatibility with PlayStation games is enough to make it the winner. But, that's not to say there aren't other controllers that may prove to be better for you or that can stand out as a superior option in specific games.
You'll find racing wheels can give you a profoundly improved experience in driving games, and the same can be said of fight sticks in many fighting games. Some controllers' unique shapes can also improve your experience, as they may be a better fit for your hands, giving you long-term comfort that the standard controller might not offer.
And, if you're looking ahead to the PlayStation 5, you can take some comfort in knowing that current PS4 controllers will work with the new console. However, Sony has confirmed that they'll only work with PlayStation 4 games, so you'll need new controllers to play PlayStation 5 games. That said, most PlayStation 4 controllers also make great options for PC gaming. So, if you're still looking to pick up a new controller, these are the best you can get.
TL;DR – These are the Best PS4 Controllers:
1. Sony DualShock 4
Best PS4 Controller
Sony may have let Microsoft take the lead in the controller design contest for a little while, but when it introduced the DualShock 4, it had a winner on its hand. The DualShock 4 moved the controller's design forward in a way Sony hadn't really done with the PS2 or PS3 controllers. Though the DualShock 4 may now be superseded by the DualSense controller for the PS5, that doesn't mean that his old stalwart doesn't still have its place. Whether you're still playing on a PS4 or playing backward-compatible games on the PS5, the DualShock 4 controller is up to the task.
It's thick, rounded grips offer a favorable hold even for larger hands. The triggers on the DualShock 4 have plenty of surface area and offer just enough resistance without making your fingers get sore. Thanks to Bluetooth support, the DualShock 4 also works just as well as a phone controller without needing any extra accessories.
2. Nacon Revolution Pro 3
Best Third-Party PS4 Controller
Sony makes great controllers for its platforms, but it’s not the only company that does so. Nacon has a strong reputation for building quality controllers, and that’s on full display with the Nacon Revolution Pro 3. This controller will be right at home in gamers’ hands, especially for former Xbox 360 gamers who turned when they saw the amazing slew of platform exclusive titles that were coming to the PS4 because this controller has the offset analog sticks of the Xbox controllers.
The Nacon Revolution Pro 3 runs on a wired connection, but it uses USB-C, so you won’t have to find an old and feeble micro USB cable to rely on, and you’ll get the reduced input latency a wired connection offers. The controller has optional weights that can go into the handles of the controller to let you get your desired feel and even an RGB LED ring around the right joystick for some stylish flair. But, where the ‘Pro’ in the name really comes in is in the rear buttons nestled into the handles, providing you with shortcuts that won’t require you to take your thumbs off the analog sticks.
3. Horipad FPS Plus
Best Xbox-Style PS4 Controller
As marvelous as the DualShock 4 design is, that control layout just isn’t quite right for some of us. Having to reach all the way over to use the left thumbstick — which, let’s honest, we’re using a hell of a lot more than the D-Pad — can get to be a strain. The right thumbstick placement is OK, since we switch between it and the action buttons enough. Fortunately, Hori saw the problem and offered up the Horipad FPS Plus.
As the name suggests, this controller is well geared for FPS games as it uses the Xbox-style, asymmetrical thumbstick layout. So if like many other gamers, you switched from Xbox to PlayStation 4 during the last generation, this controller will let your hands feel a bit more at home. You’ll still get all the controls you need for PlayStation 4 games, of course, plus Hori has built in a Turbo function. There’s even a special “Target” button on the back-side that you can use to drop your aim sensitivity for fine precision or map to a frequently used control — a quick melee, perhaps.
4. Hori Fighting Commander
Best PS4 Fighting Controller
The Hori Fighting Commander is a wired controller for those of you who specialize in 2D fighting games. It offers a wider design than the standard controller along with the necessary six-button layout. This puts your standard thumb buttons alongside R1 and R2 for some solid thumb mashing action, though you still get R1, R2, L1, and L2 on the shoulders as well.
Since the Hori Fighting Commander only has a D-Pad, it also includes a toggle so you can switch it to function as the left or right analog stick as well. And, thanks to a lengthy, 10-foot cable, you'll be able to take this controller with you to tournaments.
5. Razer Panthera Evo Arcade Stick
Best PS4 Fight Stick
Fight pads and regular controllers are good for fighting games, but nothing quite beats a tried and true arcade fight stick. Firstly you can get a lot more precision out of a stick that's meant to be maneuvered by your whole hand rather than just your thumb. Likewise, a fight stick puts all the buttons at your literal fingertips, so you never have to move your thumb from one action to the next.
The Razer Panthera Evo was our particular favorite fight stick for the PS4 simply because it was built from the ground up for the system. On the face of the arcade stick you get a PS4 touchpad that perfectly mirrors all the functionality of a traditional DualShock 4. Of course, it helps that Razer built one hell of a fight stick with a perfectly responsive lever and buttons.
6. Logitech G923
Best PS4 Racing Wheel
If you want to play a lot of racing games on your PS4, then you’re going to want a racing wheel. For the PS4, the Logitech G923 (read our review) is the one to get. At $400, it’s not cheap, but it’s not nearly as expensive as some of its competing racing wheels. For the price, you’re getting a strong wheel and a complete package with pedals.
The Logitech G923 can come geared up for the PS4 specifically (just make sure you don’t get the Xbox model that goes by the same name), so you’ll find all the controls you need to interface with your console. And, it’s compatible with the PlayStation 5 if you’re planning a future upgrade. The heart of the controls is the 10.24-inch wheel, which consists of a brushed metal with a leather wrap. The wheel offers a 900-degree rotation range to give you fine control over your steering. And, Logitech is using a new Trueforce technology which adds a vibration motor on top of the geared force feedback motor, so you’ll get a feel for not just the road but also the engine revving under the hood.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
