Discover the Ultimate PC Controllers for 2025: Your Essential Buying Guide

The latest iteration of the Xbox controller remains our top recommendation for PC gamers. It’s comfortable and its familiar design integrates perfectly with Windows and the vast library of PC games, just as it does with Xbox. It’s easy to see why this is the preferred controller for so many players.

Compared to previous Xbox controllers, the textured grip on the rear now extends to cover the triggers, offering enhanced control and precision. It also features a hybrid domed D-pad, a design previously exclusive to the high-end Xbox Elite controller.

Additionally, the pad’s iconic shape has been subtly refined, accommodating a wider range of hand shapes and sizes. While these minor adjustments might affect compatibility with certain third-party attachments, its overall balance of quality, features, and price makes this controller exceptionally difficult to beat.

As always, its primary drawback—aside from still using standard thumbsticks and triggers instead of the increasingly common Hall Effect system (which offers greater longevity and resists stick drift)—is its reliance on AA batteries. While this offers the benefit of not depending on a potentially irreplaceable rechargeable battery years down the line, it is less convenient than an integrated rechargeable solution.

For a detailed breakdown, read our Xbox Wireless Controller review.

The EasySMX X05 is an astonishingly good value gamepad, featuring 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth wireless, and USB connections, alongside Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers – all for less than $25. While it does come with a few minor compromises, it stands out as an ideal choice for budget-conscious buyers.

The primary trade-offs include slightly cheap-feeling ABXY buttons and D-pad, and a lack of official console support beyond the Switch. The latter isn’t unusual at this price point but is still worth noting.

Despite a somewhat plasticky, hollow sensation, the controller feels robust and well-built, free from creaks or flex. Crucially, its Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers offer a premium feel far beyond its price tag, making it a genuinely solid controller all around. It’s also surprisingly comfortable, often outperforming its closest rival, the 8bitdo Ultimate C2, which, while having slightly better face buttons and lower input latency, lacks rear paddles.

Battery life is modest but sufficient for a full day of gaming if you disable RGB lighting and rumble. Overall, for under $25, the EasySMX X05 is highly recommended – it’s an excellent value option.

For more detailed insights, check out our full EasySMX X05 review.

Spending over $100 on a gamepad might seem extravagant, but the Elite Series 2 is an undeniably high-quality piece of gaming hardware. Like most premium controllers, its excellence comes from both superior build and advanced features.

Here, the additional features include rear paddles, along with interchangeable faceplates, D-pads, thumbsticks, and rear paddles. The triggers can also be switched between a long-throw analog mode and a short-throw hair trigger mode. While it doesn’t utilize extra microswitches for the latter like the Scuf Valor Pro or Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, it still provides a very fast-feeling trigger response.

Its build quality is enhanced by solid metal rear paddles and D-pads, and the controller features more rubberized grip material than standard Xbox controllers, ensuring a secure hold. You can also fine-tune the thumbsticks with the included tool, and it comes with a charging dock and carry case for its rechargeable battery.

Where it falls slightly short is the absence of microswitch triggers and Hall Effect thumbsticks, meaning it could still develop stick drift, much like any standard controller. Nevertheless, it offers enough compelling features to be a worthwhile upgrade for many PC gamers.

For performance details, check out our Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a seriously premium controller, sporting an equally premium price, but it justifies this with an abundance of extras for its nearly $200 MSRP. Beyond an impressive 1,000Hz polling rate when wired, it features additional back paddles equipped with mouse-style microswitches for an incredibly snappy and fast tactile response.

Extra bumper buttons on the top edge expand your control options, and the triggers can be switched to a short-throw hair trigger mode, again utilizing microswitches for a truly clicky, responsive feel.

Crucially, this controller incorporates Hall Effect thumbsticks, virtually eliminating the risk of stick drift. The stick caps are also interchangeable, allowing you to switch between shorter and longer options for faster movements or enhanced accuracy.

Complete with an included carry case and an integrated rechargeable battery, this controller offers substantial value. However, a notable drawback is its battery life, which is somewhat disappointing at only 10-15 hours if you keep the RGB lighting and haptic feedback active. Disabling these features can extend it to 20 hours.

Ultimately, you’ll likely already know if $200 is a price you’re willing to pay for a controller, but if so, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro delivers a wealth of features for that investment.

For more details, refer to our Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review.

If you desire the top-tier features and performance of a premium controller but aren’t keen on paying over $150 for a wireless model, the Scuf Valor Pro is an excellent choice. It offers the same high build quality and extensive extras as options like the Xbox Elite Controller 2 or Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but by committing to a wired connection, it comes in at under $100.

What features does it offer? You get Hall Effect thumbsticks to prevent stick drift, plus the sticks are interchangeable – the taller, round-topped one is particularly good for FPS accuracy. You also benefit from four additional rear paddle buttons (two of which are removable) and triggers that can effortlessly switch from a smooth analog mode to a rapid button press. It boasts a 1,000Hz polling rate and two audio jack volume controls.

The controller’s faceplate, featuring a lovely soft-touch finish, can also be swapped for various eye-catching alternatives (or your own custom design), while the grips have a durable rubber coating for a secure feel. With Xbox and PC compatibility, this is a versatile controller that provides a very comfortable and familiar shape.

Our Scuf Valor Pro review has more information.

The primary appeal of the Sony DualSense, beyond a preference for the DualShock-style layout, lies in its adaptive triggers and integrated touchpad. These two features significantly enhance physical immersion in games that support them, such as Call of Duty: Cold War, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, and Deathloop.

The DualSense is also an exceptional gamepad in its own right, elevating all the strengths of its predecessor. Its thumbsticks are perfectly positioned, and the entire controller remains comfortable to hold even after hours of use.

However, despite Sony’s gradual expansion into the PC market, platform support remains somewhat limited. Official DualSense drivers are not yet available, meaning you’ll only benefit from the pad’s immersive features in specific titles.

Using the DualSense wirelessly on PC also comes with an additional caveat: for some reason, haptic feedback does not function over Bluetooth, requiring you to tether the controller to your rig with a USB-C cable.

That said, if you prefer symmetrical sticks, the DualSense is a formidable pad with impressive capabilities. As long as you are aware of its minor quirks on PC, this is a high-quality, well-designed controller boasting fantastic adaptive triggers, and its feature set offers good value for the price.

Consult our PlayStation DualSense review for a full breakdown.

If you’re searching for the ultimate Minecraft controller, this Turtle Beach offering has a compelling claim to the title. While any good quality controller will suffice for playing the game, this one’s charming Minecraft-themed design truly sets it apart.

The Turtle Beach PDP Realmz Wireless Controller: Minecraft Diamond Print, to give its full name, features a Steve figurine suspended inside, illuminated by green LED lighting throughout its transparent casing. It’s an incredibly fun and distinctive item.

From a practical standpoint, it’s also a capable device. You get a complete array of Xbox-style controls (it’s compatible with both PC and Xbox), alongside a headphone output, quick-access audio controls, and rear paddles. Inside, a rechargeable battery provides an impressive 40 hours of playtime per charge.

The main downside is that the control quality doesn’t quite align with its price. It feels more like a $50 controller than an $80 one – still decent, but not premium. However, considering you get wireless connectivity, a rechargeable battery, and the delightful Minecraft design for that price, it still represents good value.

For more details, see our Turtle Beach PDP wireless Minecraft controller review.

Do you often find yourself playing a game with Game Pass Ultimate on your PC, then continuing the experience by streaming it to your mobile device when you’re out? With the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra, you can maintain that seamless transition, using the same controller. It features a mobile gaming clip that securely attaches your Android phone (though, unfortunately, it’s not compatible with iPhones). You can even detach the grips for a remarkably compact and portable version of the controller.

The Moga XP-Ultra is fully compatible with Xbox Series X|S, PC, and numerous Bluetooth devices, allowing it to serve as both your primary PC controller and a convenient travel companion.

We particularly appreciate the modularity of the XP-Ultra. Playing retro games with the mini-pad is a joy, and the robust phone mount for cloud gaming is a brilliant addition. The battery life, boasting 40 hours in Bluetooth mode, is also impressive, and for certain games, we absolutely love the D-Pad. While it might not be perfect in every aspect, the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra is arguably the most adaptable and versatile controller we’ve ever used – a true jack-of-all-trades.

Read our PowerA Moga XP-Ultra review for deeper insights.

From Game Pass Ultimate to Steam Link, there’s a rapidly growing array of ways to stream PC games while you’re away from your desktop. If you’re seeking a controller that simplifies playing your favorite PC titles on mobile, we highly recommend the Razer Kishi Mobile.

It’s incredibly easy to use: simply slot your phone into either end, and it connects via USB-C. This direct connection is a refreshing departure from most mobile controllers that rely on Bluetooth, as it completely bypasses the latency issues often associated with wireless gaming. While primarily designed for mobile use, with the correct adapter (specifically a right-angle USB-C connection), you can also use it directly with your PC, providing a versatile single controller solution for all your gaming needs.

Although it lacks native button mapping, you can still customize controls when gaming through platforms like Steam Link, which offers its own remapping options. Overall, it’s a solid piece of hardware that will perfectly suit anyone who loves the flexibility of playing PC games without being tied to their computer.

After years of neglect, the guitar rhythm game market has experienced a vibrant resurgence, with not one, but two premium-quality, multi-system-compatible guitar controllers now available. Between the PDP Riffmaster and the slightly newer CRKD Gibson Les Paul Pro, it’s the latter that currently earns our vote for the best overall.

Our preference for the CRKD controller stems from its fantastic overall design, solid feel (though still somewhat plasticky), and the inclusion of swappable/replaceable parts. Specifically, the neck can be interchanged, allowing you to choose between old-style fret buttons or mechanical switch ones, and eventually upgrade to a neck featuring mini upper frets for performing solo sections of songs when it becomes available.

Other key advantages include its extensive connection options and broad system compatibility, along with a full range of conventional controller inputs, enabling seamless navigation of menus and other game features using a D-pad, face buttons, and more.

A USB dongle with 2.4GHz wireless provides convenient PC support, but you can also play via USB-C or Bluetooth, and the battery life is ample. So, whether you’re shredding to Poison in Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4, or Clone Hero, this controller has you covered, and we anticipate new rhythm games in the future will certainly leverage its capabilities.

What truly elevates this controller, however, are the enhancements in this Pro version. Its mechanical fret switches and haptic feedback strum bar deliver a new level of precise response, combining long durability with minimal noise. No longer will your Guitar Hero sessions be accompanied by the clatter of your controller.

This controller isn’t cheap, with an MSRP of $149.99, but it’s a worthwhile upgrade for dedicated rhythm game enthusiasts seeking a more comfortable, user-friendly, and high-quality specialized controller.

For a full analysis, see our CRKD Gibson Les Paul Blueberry Burst Pro Edition Guitar Controller review.