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For many PC gamers, the best PC controller for gaming offers a much more viable way of enjoying certain genres of games in comparison to the traditional keyboard and mouse. Simply put, you’re going to struggle pulling off full combos in fighting games or taking pole position in the latest racers when restricted to digital inputs just to name a few examples.
Some gamers will prefer to use the best PC controller for gaming for a multitude of different reasons. Some people may just prefer the familiarity as they transition from console to PC, or for others it may be the best way for them to maximize their performance.
The market is stocked full wired and wireless options, with some gamepads featuring mechanical microswitches and Esports-centric feature sets to suit any preference and budget from all the established names. Below you’ll find our top picks for the best PC controllers available in 2022 that we’ve put together through testing ourselves and from extensive research. A lot of us on the GamesRadar hardware team use these controllers ourselves so we know which are worth your hard-earned money.
However, if you’re after more options, we recommend checking out our best Xbox One controller and best Xbox Series X controller guides, too, for native compatibility on those consoles.
The best PC controllers 2022
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1. Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro
The best and most accessible PC controller
Specifications
Wireless: NoPowered by: USBBattery life: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Bigger than average build +Great weight +Different D-pads are viable
Reasons to avoid
-Always plugged in
We recently reviewed this controller and praised it for its accessibility options. That goes hand-in-hand with the build quality – being a larger than average gamepad with a suitably heavier, more substantial, feel. Similar to the Razer Wolverine line, it’s wired, but this approach means that there is zero latency in the response time; perfect for those gaming sessions where milliseconds matter.
It’s in the surplus of extra buttons – including the phenomenal feeling triggers and the four on the face – that elevate this controller above its similarly priced competition. There are many customisation options due to the modular components, making it easy to adjust the controller as needed when switching games. It also means you are able to chose between a symmetrical or asymmetrical style depending on what you prefer.
If you’ve been waiting on a great feeling modular controller that finally allows you to swap the positions of the D-pad and left analog stick at will, as well as offering customisation and extra inputs, then this is the one.
Read more: Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro review
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2. Turtle Beach Recon Controller
The best affordable PC controller
Specifications
Wireless: NoPowered by: USBBattery life: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Comfortable D-pad +Tactile feel +Outstanding audio control
Reasons to avoid
-It’s light in the hand
There’s a lot of impressive features that this $60 Xbox controller has that gamepads twice its price point don’t. For a start, there’s a whole host of audio options available through the dedicated audio bar atop the dashboard button.
Through this menu, you can toggle things such as what Turtle Beach calls ‘superhuman hearing’ which isolates and amplifies subtle noises that would have otherwise been washed out in the chaos, such as gunfire and footsteps. In our testing, we found that this audio boost worked well to help us focus in the few games we tested it out on where the music could drown out such sound effects; Katana Zero, Hotline Miami, and Sonic Mania. That’s just scratching the surface of what the Turtle Beach Recon Controller provides from a purely audio perspective, though you will need a wired gaming headset. We tested the EQ and the four different levels of audio intensity and found the results were more than pleasing through a Razer Kraken Tournament Edition headset.
Sound aside, the two most interesting features relate to the physicality of gameplay; ‘Pro Aim’ mode and button remapping. The former is a form of sensitivity reduction that can be manually set to four different levels of force to suit the situation, with the 4th setting (highest) offering a restricted amount of stick movement for more precise inputs; it works surprisingly well. The button remapping refers to the two buttons on the back of the controller which can be programmed to cycle through four different profiles for different configurations of resistance and audio settings. This means that you spend less time desperately wading through the options and have your desired setup for any given in-game moment.
Read more: Turtle Beach Recon Controller review
3. Xbox Wireless Controller
The best PC controller for most people
Specifications
Wireless: YesPowered by: AA batteriesBattery life: Depends on your AAs/battery packs
Reasons to buy
+Works both wired and wireless+Native compatibility+Improved feel in the hand
Reasons to avoid
-Very similar to the Xbox One gamepad-Still uses batteries
It should be of little surprise to anyone that the latest revision of the Xbox gamepad lands so high on our list for its performance and comfortable feel. Couple that with the fact that it works natively on PC – just plug it in or link up via Bluetooth – and it’s ready to go with no further messing around.
The new additions this time around, though distinctively minor, are the inclusions of USB-C charging – much faster than Micro-USB (if you use a rechargeable pack at least) – as well as the ‘hybrid’ D-pad which takes its cues from another much more expensive Xbox model that we’ll get to later. There’s also a share button – as was found on the DualShock 4 – which does exactly the same thing; create and share photos and video clips to upload to social media; something which offers limited functionality for use on PC.
There’s a reason why not much has changed in eight years – when the Xbox One controller launched – and it’s because it was already damn near perfect. If you want to go even further back, it’s only really been iterative since the Xbox 360’s gamepad back in 2005 – because it all just works exceedingly well and continues to be the go-to pad for PC, balancing performance and value.
Read more: Our impressions of the Xbox Series X controller
4. PlayStation DualSense
The best Xbox alternative PC controller
Specifications
Wireless: YesPowered by: Lithium-ion internal packBattery life: 4-8 hours
Reasons to buy
+Amazing build quality +Satisfying buttons and triggers +Excellent rumble and haptics (if supported)+Upgrade over Dualshock 4
Reasons to avoid
-Low battery life
Sony’s newest controller sees the biggest departure from the DualShock brand in, well – ever. For a start, it’s not only the first PlayStation controller to forgo the moniker, but it deviates both in design and ergonomic feel almost wholesale – a change that was made for the better in our opinion.
As mentioned above, getting this controller to work on your PC has never been easier. Gone is the need to run third-party drivers like the ever-popular DS4Windows. Instead, boot up Big Picture, configure the controller with the PlayStation pre-set and you’re away.
The biggest drawback to the Dualsense on PC is that those all-impressive haptic feedback rumble motors aren’t configured to run at their full potential on the platform – if this omission is a deal-breaker for you – you may want to turn your attention to a different entry on our list.
Vibrating aside, one thing is for sure: this is a very well-made and comfy controller that serves as an excellent, symmetrical alternative for an Xbox gamepad.
Read more: DualSense PS5 controller review
5. Xbox Elite 2 Controller
The best top-of-the-line PC controller
Specifications
Wireless: YesPowered by: Lithium-ion internal packBattery life: 30-40 hours
Reasons to buy
+Unparalleled customization +Incredible build quality +Wired or wireless use
Reasons to avoid
-Very pricey
Here’s where things start to get serious – with a price tag to match no less. I’ll preface this by saying that this gamepad is, at heart, a mega-charged edition of the standard Xbox Series X controller.
Included in the box are replacement thumbstick heads, a classic cross-design D-pad, and tools to tailor the feel of the controller to your liking – with physical adjustments to almost every part of the controller. Also to note, the extended 40-hour battery life – akin to the Switch Pro controller – a good 8-hour bump up from the Xbox Series X gamepad’s lifespan between charges.
The Elite 2 does justify its asking price through its premium features but at the end of the day, these features and this price will not suit everyone’s needs or budget. If are on the look out for a high end controller and do have the money to splash out then this could definitely be considered the best controller for you.
Read more: Xbox Elite 2 controller review
6. Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller
Esports customization for less
Specifications
Wireless: NoPowered by: USBBattery life: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Great weight and build quality +Stellar physical tweaking options +Reprogrammable buttons
Reasons to avoid
-It’s not wireless-The software isn’t ideal
The Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller is one of the studier gamepads we’ve had our hands on recently, and it has exceptional build quality and a satisfying weight to it. Its suite of adjustability and customization options (both physically and through software) offers functionality comparable to high-end Esports controllers (like the Xbox Elite 2) for a fraction of their asking price.
You not only benefit from being able to swap out thumbstick heads, or adding or subtracting movement from your analog sticks but there is also the option to restrict trigger feedback too which can prove instrumental in certain competitive game genres. On the audio front, it’s also nice to see Dolby Atmos present and accounted for, and while your tweaking options are a little on the thin side, the sound that comes through the Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller (through all the headsets tested) was suitably impressive.
Read more: Nacon Revolution X Pro Controller review
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7. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
The PC controller with a great battery life
Specifications
Wireless: YesPowered by: Lithium-ion internal packBattery life: Approximately 40 hours
Reasons to buy
+40-hour battery life +Weighty feel+Simple connection
Reasons to avoid
-Expensive for what it is
The best part of this controller is definitely the battery life on offer here. Most people will be used to the average lifespan of gamepads – such as the DualShock 4 lasting between 4-8 hours with moderate use. Whereas the Nintendo Switch Pro controller can last up to 40 hours on just a single 6 hour charge! The difference here is astounding and can be reason enough for many to get their hands on this controller.
If you’ve had hands-on experience with the ill-fated Wii U pro controller, then the look and feel should be somewhat familiar to you. We found the weight and sturdiness of this gamepad to be comfortable enough over long periods of time. It should be noted, it’s a touch heavier than both Sony and Microsoft’s current generation offerings, but that dissipated quickly.
It is another asymmetrical controller, which is something worth noting if you’re on the look out for that familiar PlayStation feel.
Read more: Nintendo Switch Pro controller review
8. Razer Wolverine V2
The best affordable Esports PC Controller
Specifications
Wireless : NoPowered by: USBBattery life: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Clicky buttons +Rugged feel +Responsive feedback
Reasons to avoid
-Wire doesn’t detach
If you’ve been in the market for a solid E-sports gamepad – but didn’t want to spend in excess of $150 – then you should find that the V2 proves its metal from the offset. Tweaking and tinkering really is the name of the game with this modular controller; especially for its ‘mecha’ tactile buttons – which were satisfyingly clicky in our testing – and the adjustable sensitivity of the two analog sticks.
It is wired, however, something that may not gel with those looking to sit a decent distance away. If you play a lot of fighting games with a pad – as I do – you should feel right at home with the options afforded to you. At just a touch over the MSRP of the standard Xbox gamepad, it’s worth a second look if these features are appealing to you.
Read more: best Razer controller
How we test PC controllers
In brief, every controller that we have had our hands on is used in a series of different video games to accommodate for most genres. This means that we’ll test the responsiveness of the sticks, face buttons, bumpers, triggers, and any other additional features found on the unit. If a controller is wired or relies on rechargeable batteries, then the duration of the lifespan is tested, too. The same can be said for any specialist software, such as drivers, that may be included with the gamepad as well.
For more on how we test controllers at GamesRadar+ check out our full article, and for something more representative of our holistic approach to the latest gear, check out our Hardware Policy.
Looking for more ways to enhance your gaming setup? Definitely check out your control alternatives with the the best gaming keyboards and best gaming mouse candidates. And maybe it’s time to upgrade to one of the best gaming desks or best gaming chairs. If your PC is getting on a bit, take a look at our guides on the best gaming laptops and best gaming PC.
