The Best Controller For PC In 2024

Specs

• Battery: 22 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Back triggers, adjustable trigger sensitivity, customizable macros and button layouts
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, USB-C
• Supported platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, Mac, iOS, Steam Deck (Bluetooth model); PC, Xbox (Wired model)

Affordable, customizable, and ergonomic--it’s hard to beat the 8BitDo Ultimate. 8BitDo's Ultimate Software gives you total control over your experience. You can save up to three unique profiles, remap the pair of excellent back triggers, adjust stick tension, vibration intensity, and trigger sensitively. This type of in-depth customization is usually reserved for far pricier controllers--not a $50 controller. It runs for up to 22 hours on a full charge and comes with a matching charging dock.

One particularly welcome feature goes unseen but is important nonetheless. The analog sticks use Hall Effect technology, an advancement that utilizes magnets to detect movement. This frictionless design prevents wear and tear and the dreaded stick drift.

The 8BitDo Ultimate's high performance coupled with an extremely reasonable price point makes it an easy recommendation. If you want additional functionality, you can pick up the Bluetooth version, which is compatible with Nintendo Switch, for $70. There's also a new three-mode Xbox version that includes upgraded D-pad and bumper buttons that can be used in the controller's 2.4Ghz, Bluetooth, or wired USB-C modes on PC.

Specs

• Battery: 20 hours (or AA batteries)
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Two back buttons, custom layout profiles
• Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
• Supported platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Mac, Android, iOS, Steam Deck (Bluetooth mode); PC, Xbox (Wired model)

The 8BitDo Pro 2 is very similar to the Ultimate, though it lacks some of the extra features like adjustable stick sensitivity and doesn't come with its own charging dock. Still, it's a remarkable controller with a decidedly retro design that makes it a great choice for those who play a lot of classic games or run emulators on their PC. It's also the ideal pick for players who prefer aligned analog sticks and games that play better with D-pad controls.

The Pro 2 includes two back buttons, custom profile switching, and support for Android, Steam Deck, and Switch. The most recent version of the controller updates the design with anti-drift Hall Effect sticks, closing the feature gap between the Pro 2 and Ultimate.

Specs

• Battery: 40 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Four back paddles, swappable thumbstick and D-pad styles, more button mapping options, trigger locks
• Connectivity: Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C
• Supported platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One

It’s pricey, but Microsoft didn’t cut a single corner with the Elite Series 2 (except maybe Hall Effect thumbsticks, but we'll let that slide for now). With an ergonomic design, premium build quality, rubberized grips, swappable components (such as analog sticks and D-pads), four back buttons, trigger locks, and a staggering 40-hour battery life, the Elite Series 2 is the ultimate pro-style controller for PC. If you don’t need all those features or want something a bit more affordable, you can pick up the Elite Series 2 Core for $130, though it lacks back buttons and other customization options. You can purchase third-party components, such as back paddles, separately.

Specs

• Battery: 20 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes, as a separate purchase
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Modular thumbsticks, face buttons, and D-pad; programmable back buttons; adjustable trigger sensitivity.
• Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth); Wired (USB-C)
• Supported platforms: PC, PS5, PS4

The Victrix Pro BFG looks incredibly aggressive, but its inventive design also allows it to be highly modular. Controller modules on each side can be popped out in seconds with the included tool. You can switch from the default offset stick layout to an aligned setting. You can also swap between three different D-pads--the one shown above, eight-way, and traditional cross--and change thumbstick caps to shorter and taller formats. It even comes with a six-button, microswitch fight pad for the right side of the controller. The triggers can be locked at five different pull distances to suit your preference, and there are four, well-placed back triggers. You can remap inputs on the fly and store up to three control profiles.

Though the Pro BFG doesn't feel as premium as the Elite Series 2, it's the best pro-style controller around when it comes to customization. Technically, it's designed for PS5 (and PS4), but it also works wirelessly and wired with PC.

Specs

• Battery: 40 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: None
• Connectivity: Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C
• Supported platforms: PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One

Microsoft made minimal changes to its controller when going from Xbox One to Xbox Series X--but why fix something that isn’t broken? The Xbox Wireless Controller has earned legions of fans over the years, thanks to its simple, no-frills design. Best of all, it’s fully compatible with PC, making it a great choice for folks who want to play on Series X and their computer. It’s also a great option for using Game Pass on PC, as it’ll automatically sync with the software and let you get gaming without mucking around in a bunch of settings menus.

Specs

• Battery: 6-12 hours
• Hall effect sticks: Yes
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: No
• Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth); Wired (USB-C)
• Supported platforms: PS5, PC

While your DualSense controller is a great option for most PC games, it’s the best choice when playing PlayStation ports as these offer support for advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. But regardless of what you’re playing, the DualSense’s ergonomic design and premium materials are hard to beat. Toss in a built-in microphone and 3.5mm jack, and you’ve got a well-rounded gamepad. It’s a bit pricey at $70, but no doubt you’re getting a high-quality controller in return.

Specs

• Battery: 40 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: No
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: Wireless (Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
• Supported platforms: Switch, PC, Android

Finding a comfortable, ergonomic controller is largely up to the discretion of the user, with hand size and personal preference as the main driving factors. But many gamers will likely agree that the Switch Pro Controller is a great option that’s suitable for almost everyone. You won’t find any back buttons or customizable components, but the Switch controller is a well-built Bluetooth controller with excellent battery life (around 40 hours) that’s perfect for most types of games. So if you’re looking to bounce around from battle royales to RPGs and want to make sure your hands are comfy during extended play sessions, put the Switch Pro Controller at the top of your list.

Specs

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Customizable thumbsticks, four back buttons, two top buttons, trigger actuation locks
• Connectivity: USB-C
• Supported platforms: PC, Xbox, PS5

Wireless controllers have become the norm, but that doesn't mean wired pads are outdated. In fact, wired controllers offer more reliable connections with the lowest-possible input latency, and no need to recharge the pad every few hours. Plus, if you play at a desk with your PC close by, a wired connection isn't as much of an issue.

When it comes to wired controllers on PC, our favorite is the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma. It's a good looking device packed with extra features like extra programmable buttons on the back of the controller and adjustable trigger actuation modes. It also feel great to use thanks to its clicky face buttons and microswitch D-pad. As a colorful cherry on top, the Razer Wolverwine V2 Chroma sports RGB lighting--though there's also a non-Chroma version available that's a bit cheaper.

The Wolverine V2 Chroma works with PC and Xbox consoles. If you like the look of the Wolverine V2 Chroma but want a PS5-compatible model, there's the wireless Wolverine V2 Pro that supports PS5 and PC, though it's a hefty bump in price.

Specs

• Battery: Up to 18 hours
• Headphone jack: No
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes
• Pro features: Turbo mode
• Connectivity: Bluetooth (wireless), USB-C (wired)
• Supported platforms: Switch, PC, Android, iOS, Mac

8BitDo clearly knows what it’s doing, as this is the company’s third entry on this list (so far). The SN30 Pro offers many of the same features that make the Ultimate and Pro 2 so compelling--including Hall Effect thumbsticks--but does so with a retro flair not often found on controllers of this caliber.

Inspired by the classic SNES gamepad, you’ll be treated to a nostalgic design that’s married to tons of modern conveniences like a rechargeable battery, USB-C input, Bluetooth support, and support for Switch and Steam Deck along with PC. Its D-pad is also incredibly responsive and designed to prevent accidental inputs, making it a great match for fighting games and beat ‘em ups. And even though it looks like a Super Nintendo controller, the SN30 Pro has all of the inputs you need for modern games, too.

Specs

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: N/A
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: USB
• Supported platforms: PC, PlayStation

We're living in a new fighting game renaissance, and with so many of the best fighting games releasing on PC, it's no surprise there's a bunch of top-quality fight sticks available for the platform. As such, we're calling this category a tie between the Victrix Pro FS and the 8BitDo Arcade Stick, but they're both on this list for different reasons. We'll start with the Victrix Pro FS since it's the option best suited for serious fighting game players who want a full-size option.

The Victrix Pro FS is a robust aluminum fight stick available in two options: The Victrix Pro FS, use uses a traditional arcade-style layout with an eight-directional joystick, and the all-button Victrix Pro FS-12, which replaces the joystick with a button-only configuration style they's become popular in recent years. Both are excellent choices and, aside from the differences in input, offer virtually identical features. Both models feature tactile full-size buttons and are easily moddable. They also sport integrated PS5 touchpads--which, yes, means this is compatible with PS5 and PS4 consoles if you also play on those platforms.

The Victrix Pro FS and FS-12 stand out against our second choice, the more compact and streamlined 8BitDo Arcade Stick, providing an authentic arcade experience and extensive modifiability. You can pick up either version in white or purple chassis options.

Specs

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: N/A
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, USB-C
• Supported platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch; Xbox

As we already mentioned, there are plenty of great PC-compatible fight sticks out there, but the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is one of the best for those looking for a versatile, entry-level option with high-quality parts and enough customization potential to last you a long time.

At just $90, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick offers surprisingly robust functionality despite its more affordable price point compared to other sticks. It features a comfortable-yet-compact size with excellent buttons and joystick, and a cool old-school visual design inspired by retro gaming consoles. It also comes in two versions--one that supports Switch and PC via Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, and USB-C, and another that works with Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

While the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is an excellent choice for casual fighting game players or first-time stick buyers, it also offers modification options like interchangeable buttons and joysticks with support for a wide range of possible components. You can also remap the buttons and assign built-in macros, so advanced players can tweak the controller to their liking.

Specs

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: N/A
• Headphone jack: N/A
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: USB
• Supported platforms: PC

The Logitech G Pro is an expensive PC racing wheel setup, but the price is worth it if you want the best driving virtual experience on your PC.

The Logitech Pro Racing Wheel features a direct drive motor capable of delivering enough torque to simulate the sensation of driving real race cars. The wheel is also loaded with tons of buttons and toggles, including two remappable clutch paddles.

Meanwhile, the Pro Racing Pedal set offers a three-pedal configuration with a load-cell brake that replicates the feel of real car brakes for added realism. The pedals are a separate purchase, but they're practically a requirement, given how much they add to the experience. That's both a positive and a negative since the entire setup will cost you well over $1000. If that's too expensive, we also recommend the Logitech G923 as a more budget-friendly option for newcomers and long-time racing game fans alike.

Specs

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: N/A
• Headphone jack: N/A
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: USB
• Supported platforms: PC

The whole point of a flight stick is to heighten the sense of immersion while playing your favorite flight sims or air combat games, so it the best PC flight stick better look and feel like the real thing--and that's precisely what the Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog offers.

The Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog's design and name are based on the A-10C Warthog attack aircraft used by the US Air Force. The stick has been around for over 10 years at this point, but it is still readily available and regularly tops best-of lists, with good reason. It's a beefy, 14-pound peripheral with a solid metal base and all-metal throttle stick. It also packs almost every input or flight function you could ask for, including hat and flick switches, toggles, buttons, and more. The only missing feature is dedicated Z-axis rotation. That can be easily mapped to one of its many other inputs, however, so it's not a total absence.

Overall, Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog is an excellent flight stick that will make everything from realistic flight sims to interstellar dog fights in zero-g space feel awesome--as long as you can afford it, that is. The controller often sells around the $450 range, which isn't outlandish in the world of flight sticks, but not exactly affordable either. Luckily, Thrustmaster offers several cheaper devices that could be better suited to first-time flyers, such as the T. Flight HOTAS X, One, and 4 models.