From poorly ported console games to action adventures and racing simulators, there are more than a few cases where a gaming keyboard and gaming mouse aren't the best input options for PC games. 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 a gaming PC.
If you're playing a fighting game, you may get more satisfaction out of the buttons on a controller or fight stick, which you can frantically mash. When 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 slowly accelerating in a racing game with a keyboard.
So, when you’re ready to give your mouse and keyboard a well-earned break, we've rounded up the best controllers in a variety of categories. Take a look below – and click here to find them in the UK.
TL;DR – These are the Best PC Controllers:
- Xbox Core Controller
- PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller
- Logitech F310
- Turtle Beach Recon Controller
- Sony DualSense Controller
- Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
- SteelSeries Stratus+
- 8Bitdo Pro 2
- Switch Pro Controller
- Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma
- Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
- Gran Turismo DD Pro
Xbox Core Controller
Best PC Controller
If you’re searching for a controller with a quality design and ample flexibility in how you use it to game on your PC, the Xbox 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. The controller 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.
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller
Best Budget PC Controller
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.
Logitech F310
Best Ultra Cheap PC Controller
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 $15, 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.
Turtle Beach Recon Controller
Best Wired PC Controller
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.
Sony DualSense Controller
Best Bluetooth PC Controller
The Sony DualSense Controller makes it simple to connect to your PC using Bluetooth, which means it’ll also be a solid option 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.
Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller
Best High-End PC Controller
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.
SteelSeries Stratus+
Best PC Controller for Chromebooks
Chromebooks are often overlooked as a gaming device option since Chrome OS is not the best for gaming, but these machines are particularly capable where cloud gaming is concerned. And when you’re ready to get your game on, your perfect partner is the SteelSeries Stratus+ designed for Andriod and Chromebook devices, ensuring fuss-free support. You get a Bluetooth LE connection to enjoy 90 hours of wireless play on each charge or a USB-C for a wired option.
This upgraded version of SteelSeries Stratus Duo offers a familiar layout blending the stylings of Xbox controllers and Sony’s DualShock, so you’ll quickly get the hang of the Stratus+. The Hall effect magnetic sensors provide a great feel on the triggers to ensure precision and consistency, giving you an advantage in shooters, while the ALPS thumbsticks offer maximum control. And perhaps best of all, you can snag it for only $60, but it’s often on sale for less.
8Bitdo Pro 2
Best PC Controller for Retro Game
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.
Switch Pro Controller
Let's a Go with Nintendo's Controller
The Switch Pro Controller is one of the best controllers out there, and you can bring that greatness to the PC. It's ergonomically designed and ready to rest comfortably in your hand for hours, while the layout is similar to that of Xbox controllers, so it’s easy to get the hang of playing on it. You get big face buttons, tactile triggers and joysticks, and a D-pad for some retro gaming, and all these components are super responsive, making it a great alternative to the Xbox Core controller.
The Switch Pro easily connects to your PC via a wired connection, but going wireless requires jumping through a few hoops. The good news is once you've paired it 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'll need the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter to make the Switch Pro Controller act like an Xbox One gamepad.
Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma
Best RGB PC Controller
The Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is a slick wired controller with exceptional capabilities, and you can take advantage of that consistent power supply. That’s because this gamepad offers Razer’s signature RGB lighting subtly along the edge of the gamepad, letting you add some flair to your gameplay without becoming overly distracting. Those lights can even respond to information coming in from certain games, or you have plenty of other effects to really express yourself.
RGB lighting aside, the Wolverine V2 Chroma is one beast of a gamepad, featuring Razer’s mecha-tactile switches for the action buttons and D-Pad, so you won’t get a squishy feel from the controls. The responsive sticks come with swappable caps, while four buttons on the underside, a pair of extra shoulder buttons, and hair-trigger locks provide ample flexibility in how you play. And the controller is built for Xbox, so most will appreciate its familiar layout.
Hori Fighting Stick Alpha
Best PC Fight Stick
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 Alpha is 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.
Gran Turismo DD Pro
Best PC Racing Wheel
PCs are the place to experience simulation racing games, letting play some very serious—and sometimes seriously obscure—racing games, and you can also connect multiple displays and ultrawide screens. For an even more immersive experience, you need a racing wheel, and Fanatec’s Gran Turismo DD Pro is what professional racers and enthusiast sim racers use. As the name might suggest, the direct drive wheels connect a large motor directly to the steering wheel for much better control and force feedback.
If you’re looking for performance, the Gran Turismo DD Pro delivers, giving you a whopping 5Nm of torque from the Gran Turismo DD Pro, but it can go up to 8Nm with the separate 180 Boost Kit. You’re bound to feel the pull of every turn and the shock of every bump, making your wrists hurt after a short circuit. The wheel features an easy-to-use interface with familiar controls, unique 5-way directional sticks, and RevLED, while a steel two-pedal set completes this epic PC racing wheel.
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.
Best PC Controller FAQ
Can You Use Console Controllers on PC?
The short answer to this question is yes. Most of the best PC controllers are just console controllers that you connect you your PC. Figuring out how to connect them to your computer is where it starts to get a little tricky. Take a look at our guides to connecting a PS5 controller to PC and pairing an Xbox controller to PC for help getting started.
Are Controllers Better Than a Mouse and Keyboard for PC Gaming?
In short, not necessarily. While playing PC games with a controller might seem 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.
How to Choose the Best PC Controller
Choosing the best PC controller is a lot like choosing the best console controller for you. It all depends on preference. If you like the configuration of Xbox controllers over the best PS5 controllers, then you're going to want to a classic Xbox controller. If you're looking for something more customizable, you'll want to go with a custom controller like the Xbox Elite Series. And, if you just really like the feel of the Switch Pro controller, you can go with that too. There are plenty of options available!
Kevin Lee is IGN's SEO Updates Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam
