Some gamers may cry sacrilege at the theme of a PC controller but , for those who love a bit of gaming while lay back on the sofa , it ’s essential . Here are the good you’re able to get correctly now .
There is a wide chain of mountains of controllers available to microcomputer gamers from simple , portable models to work out peripheral equipment made for those who play at a professional stage .
To see the very best option on the market , the squad here at Trusted Reviews has tested a handful of controllers around today . The very best have made it onto this list , earning their place for build character , connectivity , serviceability , quilt and any intriguing additional feature onboard .
The bombastic selection of gamer controllers on the market means that there ’s plenty of elbow room for mishaps and excellency . Those who have used both types will eff that these peripheral can make a huge difference when it come down to getting those last few wins as a game runs down to the wire .
You may fancy a PC gaming controller for certain occasions but , if you still like the idea of keeping a great keyboard and mouse combo around , we ’ve tested a range of those too . Check out theBest Gaming KeyboardandBest Gaming Mouseafter you ’ve found your ideal PC controller .
Best PC game controllers at a glance
SQUIRREL_ANCHOR_LIST
Xbox Elite Controller 2
Pros
Cons
Scuf Instinct Pro Controller
DualSense Edge
Thrustmaster eSwap X 2 Pro
Trusted Score
If you want the best PC biz controller on the market and do n’t take care pay a fleck spare , then theXbox Elite Controller 2is the one to get . It ’s the second generation of Microsoft ’s prescribed eSports gamepad , succeed the Xbox One Elite we tested many moons ago . During examination we retrieve it proffer the best commixture of features and note value for money presently uncommitted .
Wireless functioning is fantabulous , specially if your microcomputer has the Xbox Wireless functionality built in , which most pre - builds from Alienware and the like now do . If you do n’t , then you may buy an optional radio dongle separately at most technical school store , giving you a rock - solid wireless link . base on our experience , we ’d exhaustively commend the dongle if your personal computer does n’t support Xbox Wireless as the connection is much more reliable than Bluetooth .
The rubberised pads let you get a solid grip , and we can confirm build calibre is first-class . eSports players will also revel the added programmable ascendancy , which let in boat paddle inputs at the back and trigger controls that let you position the rearward triggers to one of three propulsion points . This can put up a real competitive advantage in reaction - based game , with the firm setting really saving our living inElden Ringon more than one occasion during examination .
The 40 - hour barrage fire living we see refresh the pad and the relaxation of its USB - C level port made the Xbox Elite Controller 2 an light testimonial . The only thin downside is that its higher - than - average Leontyne Price means it is n’t the good option for Thomas Kyd or more casual gamers .
Reviewer : Jade KingFull review : Xbox Elite 2 Controller Review
If you want an eSports controller that can take a lot of punishment and still deliver excellent performance then theScuf Instinct Prois the best personal computer game controller option we ’ve test that ’s still on the market . It ’s compatible with the Xbox Wireless banner , which in our testing is far more reliable than Bluetooth .
Off the cricket bat , it offers all the functionality you ’d expect from a pro comptroller . There are programmable back paddle , a choice of vaulted or concave ovolo stick at three different heights , and lockable triggers . For more adventuresome gamers you may also change its brass home plate to match your personal way . We personally thought the purple one our review unit came with was a small loud , but the option will be welcomed by multitude who favour thing like RGB lighting .
Performance is excellent with the pad feeling every fleck as comfortable to contain as its Xbox rival . But what really set it apart was its build quality , helping to free the fact it ’s more expensive than the official Elite 2
During testing , the Scuf proved to be one of the tough gamepads we ’ve ever try . Accidentally sending it fly down a flight of hardwood step when taking it down to the living way , the pad suffered no noticeable damage whatsoever . As a resolution , we ’d urge it wholeheartedly to any PC gamer prone to rage throws on the market for a tough , eSports - quick digs that ’ll last .
Reviewer : Reece BithreyFull recap : Scuf Instinct Pro Controller Review
If you could look past its relatively high price point , theDualSense Edgeis an splendid steal for any hardcore gamers who on a regular basis leap between a PS5 and a microcomputer .
palpate a shade like Sony ’s answer to the Xbox elect control , the DualSense Edge offers a gross ton of customisation to match a soul ’s favourite playstyle , but it ’s build upon the unbelievable foundations set out by the standard DualSense restrainer .
On top of the DualSense ’s salient haptic feedback , which extend a far more comprehensive layer of oscillation that better mimics the legal action and more subtle consequence happening onscreen , the Edge has port for swappable buttons on the back . These rear - facing clitoris can be customize to gibe with whichever action you please , such as spry weapon swapping .
It ’s also potential to detach the parallel peg from the accountant and swap them out with more rounded variants , the the likes of of which hearken back to the definitive PS2 control .
The DualSense Edge also comes with a traveling face and a longsighted USB - A to USB - 100 cable which make it soft to shoot down on the go and to take it with you from one location to another . When take the action mechanism to the PS5 , you could even set dead zones to make your aim more precise – a true game - auto-changer for first - individual hit man .
The only issue with the DualSense Edge , given its price breaker point , is that it can only really be recommended to gamers who be after on realize the most of all the features it has to offer . nonchalant gamers will get on just fine with the standard DualSense controller , specially as you may grease one’s palms several of them for the same damage as the Edge .
Reviewer : Gemma RylesFull reassessment : DualSense Edge Review
f there ’s anyone out there look to recreate the flexibleness that a keyboard and mouse can offer but in accountant form then theThrustmaster eSwap X 2 Prois your good wager . compare to the other options sport on this listing , the X 2 Pro has customisation at the centre of its innovation .
For fledgling , the X 2 Pro offers gamers the ability to swap out and swap in thumbsticks and D - Pads where they see fit . For instance , using the control ’s magnetic system you may simply take out the D - Pad and swap it with the left over thumbstick , create a layout that feels far more kin to what you ’ll find on aPS5 DualSense comptroller .
While you have a few options to mould with in the box seat , you’re able to purchase additional mod with different pattern that can contribute some unique flair to your controller , making it more your own in the process .
There are also a smattering of remappable back button which certainly come in ready to hand for tight paced action games like God of War , where you need to trade between different weapons apace without wring your hand into an uncomfortable shape .
As a last cherry on top , you could even lock the actuation of the triggers , yield you the chance to dish up out some damage promptly without postulate to urge on down all the way . This can change the lunar time period of events in first - soul gun for hire , with our reader noting that it made a big conflict when playing Call of Duty .
For all its modular prowess however , there is one area where the eSwap X 2 Pro feel incredibly date stamp and that ’s in its insistence on using a wired connection . Much like premature offering in the eSwap serial , there are no wireless capability to be found on the X 2 Pro , and while the plug - in - and - play nature of it all does allow you to get set up up quickly , it should have been an option and not the nonremittal , particularly collapse that there are wads of wireless control that are far cheaper .
Reviewer : Reece BithreyFull review : Thrustmaster eSwap X 2 Pro Review
Test Data
Full Specs
This depends on which controller and personal computer you use . To connect to a PC wirelessly both the controller and PC will call for to support either Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless . If the PC does n’t support these then you will likely need a USB dongle to connect the control wirelessly . Some gamepads also come bundled with proprietary 2.4GHz wireless dongles in a bidding to offer beneficial wireless performance than received Bluetooth .
This depends on the controller in interrogation . The late gen DualSense work with the PS5 and Xbox comptroller obviously work with Xbox console . For third - party support from the likes of Razer , Scuf and Astro you involve to check the specific control ’ spec sail .
