Best PC Controller
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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PC gaming offers unmatched flexibility, and while keyboard and mouse dominate many genres, controllers are a must for platformers, racing games, and sports titles. A quality PC controller can elevate your gaming experience with better comfort and control. Available in various designs—some modeled after popular consoles and others tailored specifically for PC—choosing the right one comes down to comfort, button layout, and compatibility with your favorite games. Durability is also key, especially for long gaming sessions. After testing a range of models, we’ve found the best PC controllers that deliver comfort, responsiveness, and compatibility across different gaming styles and budgets.
Luna Controller
We think the Luna Controller is a solid choice for cloud gaming fans who want a versatile, low-latency gamepad.
We think the Luna Controller is a solid choice for cloud gaming fans who want a versatile, low-latency gamepad.
We’ve spent hours testing the Luna Controller, and it’s clear Amazon put some thought into this cloud gaming peripheral. The controller feels good in our hands, with a layout that’s familiar to anyone who’s used an Xbox controller. The offset thumbsticks and responsive buttons made our gaming sessions comfortable, even during long play periods.
One feature that stood out to us was the Cloud Direct technology. When we used it with Luna, the controller connected straight to Amazon’s servers. This gave us noticeably less input lag compared to standard Bluetooth controllers. We could react faster in action games and felt more in control overall.
We like how versatile the Luna Controller is. We easily switched between playing on our Fire TV, laptop, and phone. The ability to pause on one device and pick up where we left off on another was handy. It also works as a standard Bluetooth controller, which adds to its value. The Alexa integration for launching games on Fire devices is a neat touch, though we didn’t find ourselves using it much.
EasySMX X15 Wireless Controller
We think the EasySMX X15 is a solid budget-friendly option for PC gamers seeking a versatile wireless controller with some premium features.
We think the EasySMX X15 is a solid budget-friendly option for PC gamers seeking a versatile wireless controller with some premium features.
The EasySMX X15 surprised us with its comfort during extended gaming sessions. Its ergonomic design felt good in our hands, and we didn’t experience fatigue even after hours of play. The controller’s build quality is decent for its price point, with responsive buttons and a nice textured grip.
We were impressed by the hall effect joysticks and triggers. They gave us smooth, accurate control in racing games and first-person shooters. The customizable back buttons were handy for mapping frequently used controls. We liked being able to program them for different games.
The RGB lighting is a fun touch. We enjoyed cycling through the colors, though we sometimes turned it off to save battery. Speaking of which, the 20-hour battery life lived up to its promise. We only had to charge it once during a week of regular gaming.
One quirk we noticed was the always-on dongle light. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it might bother some users. The ABXY button swap function took some getting used to as well. While it’s meant to help with different game layouts, we found it a bit confusing at first.
GameSir G7 SE Xbox Controller
We think the GameSir G7 SE is a top choice for PC and Xbox gamers seeking a reliable, feature-packed controller at a great price.
We think the GameSir G7 SE is a top choice for PC and Xbox gamers seeking a reliable, feature-packed controller at a great price.
The GameSir G7 SE surprised us with its quality and features. When we first picked it up, we noticed it was a bit lighter than the official Xbox controller. This took some getting used to, but we grew to like the feel after a few gaming sessions.
We really liked the Hall effect joysticks. They felt smooth and precise, and we didn’t notice any drift issues during our testing. The triggers also use Hall effect sensors, which gave us great control in racing and shooter games.
The back buttons are a nice touch. We mapped them to different functions in various games, which helped us react faster in intense moments. The vibration motors gave good feedback, adding to our gaming fun.
One thing to note is that it’s a wired controller. This wasn’t a big deal for us when using it with a PC, but it might be less handy for console gaming from the couch. The cord is long and sturdy, though, so we didn’t feel too limited.
We found the 3.5mm audio jack useful for plugging in headsets. It worked well, with clear sound and no lag. The grip texture felt nice and kept our hands from slipping during long play sessions.
Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
We think the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a top-tier wireless controller for serious gamers on Xbox and PC, despite its high price.
We think the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a top-tier wireless controller for serious gamers on Xbox and PC, despite its high price.
When we got our hands on the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, we were impressed by its build quality. The controller feels solid and the buttons have a nice, clicky response. We liked the rubberized grips, which kept the controller secure during intense gaming sessions.
The customizable back paddles and triggers are a standout feature. We found them easy to reach and program. They gave us an edge in fast-paced games where quick reactions matter. The Hall Effect thumbsticks felt smooth and precise, with no noticeable deadzone.
We tested the wireless performance and noticed virtually no lag. The battery life was good, lasting through several long gaming sessions. While it’s pricey, we think the Wolverine V3 Pro is worth considering for competitive gamers who want a controller with pro-level features.
PowerA Xbox Controller
We recommend this affordable wired controller for Xbox and PC gamers looking for a solid budget option.
We recommend this affordable wired controller for Xbox and PC gamers looking for a solid budget option.
We’ve spent hours testing the PowerA Wired Controller, and it’s a great value for the price. The 10-foot USB-C cable gives plenty of reach, so we didn’t feel tied down while gaming. Its layout matches the official Xbox controller, making it easy to pick up and play.
The controller feels good in our hands. It’s lightweight but still sturdy. We like the textured grips that keep it from slipping during intense gaming sessions. The buttons and sticks are responsive, though not quite as precise as pricier options.
We noticed the rumble motors aren’t as strong as official Xbox controllers, but they still add nice feedback. The 3.5mm headphone jack works, but audio quality isn’t amazing. For the price though, it’s hard to complain. This controller is a solid choice for casual gamers or as a backup option.
Logitech F310 Gamepad
We think the Logitech F310 is a solid budget-friendly choice for PC gamers seeking a reliable wired controller.
We think the Logitech F310 is a solid budget-friendly choice for PC gamers seeking a reliable wired controller.
We’ve spent many hours testing the Logitech F310, and it’s clear why this gamepad remains popular. Its layout feels natural, mimicking console controllers we’re used to. This made jumping into PC games a breeze.
The F310’s wide compatibility impressed us. We tried it with new releases and old classics, and it worked seamlessly. The plug-and-play USB connection got us gaming quickly on Windows and even ChromeOS.
We liked the customization options. The 10 programmable buttons and 8-way D-pad let us tailor controls to our liking. This came in handy for games that didn’t have ideal default mappings.
The controller’s build feels sturdy enough, though not premium. Its smaller size was comfortable for most of our team, but those with larger hands found it a bit cramped after long sessions.
While we missed wireless freedom, the wired connection meant no battery worries or lag. For its price, we found the F310 offers good value for casual PC gamers wanting console-style control.
EasySMX Wireless PC Controller
We think this affordable wireless controller is a solid choice for PC gamers looking for a versatile gamepad with customizable features.
We think this affordable wireless controller is a solid choice for PC gamers looking for a versatile gamepad with customizable features.
We’ve spent a lot of time testing the EasySMX Wireless Gaming Controller, and we’re impressed by its features for the price. The controller feels comfortable in our hands during long gaming sessions. We like that it can be used wirelessly or wired, giving us flexibility in how we play.
The programmable buttons on the back are a nice touch. We found them helpful for mapping frequently used actions in games. The adjustable vibration and LED lighting add to the gaming experience, though we wish the lights could be turned off to save battery.
Speaking of battery, we got about 14 hours of playtime on a single charge. That’s plenty for most gaming sessions. The 2.4GHz wireless connection worked well for us, with no noticeable lag or interference issues.
We did notice it takes some time to get used to the button layout if you’re coming from an Xbox or PlayStation controller. The build quality also feels a bit less premium than those controllers, but that’s expected at this price point.
SCUF Instinct Pro Xbox Controller
We think the SCUF Instinct Pro is a top-notch choice for serious Xbox and PC gamers looking to up their game.
We think the SCUF Instinct Pro is a top-notch choice for serious Xbox and PC gamers looking to up their game.
We’ve spent hours testing the SCUF Instinct Pro, and it’s clear this controller means business. The first thing we noticed was how it felt in our hands. The non-slip grip is a game-changer for long gaming sessions. We didn’t have to worry about sweaty palms causing us to lose control.
The back paddles are a standout feature. We mapped them to different actions and found ourselves reacting faster in shooters. It took some getting used to, but once we did, we wondered how we ever played without them. The instant triggers were another plus, letting us fire quicker in FPS games.
We loved being able to switch between three different paddle configurations on the fly. This came in handy when jumping between game genres. The interchangeable thumbsticks also let us fine-tune our aim.
While we enjoyed using the SCUF Instinct Pro, it’s not perfect. The price tag is steep, which might put off casual gamers. We also read some reviews mentioning button sticking issues, though we didn’t run into this problem ourselves.
Overall, if you’re serious about gaming and don’t mind spending extra for quality, we think the SCUF Instinct Pro is worth checking out. Just be ready for a bit of a learning curve as you get used to all its features.
Manba One Interactive Controller
We recommend the Manba One for its versatile compatibility and customizable features at a reasonable price point.
We recommend the Manba One for its versatile compatibility and customizable features at a reasonable price point.
The Manba One caught our eye with its 2-inch interactive screen. We found it really handy for tweaking settings without needing extra software. It was nice to adjust vibration, button mapping, and joystick sensitivity right on the controller.
We tested it across several platforms. It worked great with our Switch, PC, and even our phones. The wireless adapter for PC use was a nice touch. We did miss being able to use it with our Xbox and PS5, though.
The Hall effect joysticks and triggers felt smooth and precise. We noticed less stick drift compared to other controllers we’ve used. The back paddles were fun to play with, and we liked being able to set up macros for complex moves.
8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller
We think this controller is a top choice for PC gamers looking for a versatile and high-quality gamepad.
We think this controller is a top choice for PC gamers looking for a versatile and high-quality gamepad.
We’ve spent a lot of time testing the 8Bitdo Ultimate Wireless Controller, and it’s quickly become one of our favorites. The first thing we noticed was how good it feels in our hands. The plastic is smooth and nice to touch, and all the buttons have a satisfying click when pressed.
The Hall Effect joysticks are a standout feature. They’re super smooth and precise, which really helps in games that need exact movements. We also love the back paddle buttons – they’re easy to reach and can be set up to do different things in different games.
One thing to note is that this controller is a bit smaller than some others, like the Xbox controller. For us, it was fine, but if you have big hands, you might find it a bit cramped. The setup was pretty easy for us, but we’ve heard some folks had a bit of trouble at first.
We really like the charging dock that comes with the controller. It’s handy and looks nice on our desk. The battery life is great too – we got about 15 hours of play time before needing to charge it again.
The controller works with lots of different systems – we’ve used it with our PC, Android phone, and even our friend’s Steam Deck. It’s nice to have one controller that works with so many things.
Buying Guide
When choosing a PC controller, there are several key factors to consider. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best option for your needs.
Compatibility
Make sure the controller works with your system. Look for:
- PC compatibility
- Wired or wireless connection
- Driver support
Comfort and Ergonomics
A comfortable controller is crucial for long gaming sessions. Consider:
- Size and weight
- Button layout
- Grip texture
Button Quality
Good buttons can make or break your gaming experience. Check for:
- Responsiveness
- Durability
- Customization options
Extra Features
Some controllers offer bonus features that may enhance your gaming:
- Programmable buttons
- Vibration feedback
- Adjustable triggers
Price
Set a budget that fits your needs. Remember that higher prices don’t always mean better quality.
Warranty and Support
A good warranty can protect your investment. Look into:
- Length of coverage
- Customer support options
- Return policy
By keeping these factors in mind, we can help you find a controller that fits your gaming style and budget. Take your time to compare options and read user reviews before making a decision.