Best PC controller 2024

This is the latest iteration of the much-applauded Xbox controller, designed by Microsoft for console and PC gaming alike. Its comfortable and intuitive design lends itself just as well to the huge library of games to play on PC as it does to the library on Xbox. It’s easy to understand why this is the go-to controller for so many gamers and as a Microsoft product, there’s easy plug-and-play compatibility with Windows.

Compared to earlier Xbox controllers, the textured grip on the rear has been extended to cover the triggers for extra grip and precision, and there’s now a hybrid domed D-pad which we’ve previously only seen on the high-end Xbox Elite controller.

Additionally, the pad’s iconic shape has been tweaked compared to the original Xbox One pad, meaning it fits a wider range of hand shapes and sizes. However, the slight changes may hinder compatibility with attachments, so keep that in mind.

Read our Xbox Wireless Controller review.

Do you ever find yourself playing something with Game Pass Ultimate, then going out and streaming the game on your mobile as you do? With the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra, you can continue playing with the same controller, as it has a MOBA gaming clip that allows you to attach your Android phone (though sadly not iPhones). It also offers full compatibility with Xbox Series X|S and many smart TVs that you might want to stream through too.

The Ultra-XP is a Bluetooth controller built for all eventualities, then – something echoed by its modular design. In the box, you get an attachable phone mount to turn your handset into a handheld, and it also features detachable grips, reducing the footprint for playing on the go or giving you an option if you prefer the size of old-school controllers.

We really like the modularity offered by the XP-Ultra. Playing retro games with the mini-pad is a blast, and having a sturdy way to mount a phone for cloud gaming is brilliant. The battery life of 40 hours in Bluetooth mode is immense, and, for some games, we love the D-Pad. The most adaptable and versatile controller we’ve ever used, the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra really is a jack of all trades – but you know how that saying ends.

Read our PowerA Moga XP-Ultra review.

There’s a reason the Rainbow Pro 2 earned a 9/10 from us, and it has nothing to do with the RGB lighting. Instead, the Rainbow Pro 2 is easily one of the most surprising controllers on the market right now, taking a rather unassuming Xbox design and ramping the internal hardware up to 11.

Hall Effect triggers and no-dead zone joysticks make for a super responsive controller, while the 1,000 mAh battery vastly outperforms expectations considering the lighting that is included on the controller. The four additional buttons can be reprogrammed using the mobile app via Bluetooth while you’re connected and playing via 2.4GHz wireless for urgent on-the-fly changes.

Like many premium controllers, you can purchase a model of the Rainbow Pro 2 with additional joysticks, an extra d-pad, and a charging dock, but you still won’t pay over $80, while others want you to pay closer to $200. If you can sacrifice a recognizable brand name, the Rainbow Pro 2 is a stellar PC controller.

Read our Big Big Won Rainbow Pro 2 review for more.

Thrustmaster’s Eswap Pro X is a premium gamepad through and through, but its modular design makes it one of the most versatile devices on this list. It’s also a great option for players who prefer PlayStation’s parallel controller layout, as you can easily swap around the d-pad and thumbstick.

Not only are these magnetic modules high quality, but if they do ever wear down, you’ll be able to replace them without becoming a gamepad surgeon. You could even balance substance and style by adding different colors using one of Thrustmaster’s optional kits.

The Eswap Pro X also comes with an impressive 22-button layout, four of which reside on the back of the bad. If you’re a fan of all things clicky, you’ll be pleased to know that the d-pad and face buttons use microswitches, which make all the difference compared to rubber dome membranes.

As for compatibility, the Eswap Pro X’s PC drivers come with Thrustmapper, a configuration suite that allows you to remap the pad and fine-tune sensitivity. In other words, if you’re looking for a thumbstick experience that comes close to the accuracy of a gaming mouse, this gamepad could be what you’re looking for.

Sony’s successor to the Dualshock 4 is a newcomer to the gamepad fold, but it’s already a promising PC controller. It’ll enhance physical immersion in big hits like Call of Duty: Cold War, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, and Deathloop, all of which boast adaptive trigger support.

The DualSense is also just an excellent gamepad, and it elevates everything that made its predecessor great. Its thumbsticks are still superbly comfortable, and it’s still comfortable to use after hours of use.

Sony is slowly branching out on the PC, but support for the platform is lacking. Official DualSense drivers aren’t a thing yet, and you’ll have to stick with specific games to benefit from the pad’s immersive features.

Using the DualSense wirelessly on PC also comes with an additional cord-cutting caveat. For whatever reason, haptic feedback won’t work on the pad over Bluetooth, meaning you’ll have to tether it to your rig using a USB-C cable.

That said, if you’re a fan of parallel sticks, or just Sony shenanigans in general, the DualSense is a killer pad with impressive capabilities. It’s pricey, but when you consider what it offers, it’s potentially a wise investment.

Many of the classics in gaming history were originally on Nintendo consoles and if you’ve got a large collection of retro titles, then this is probably the best controller to play them with.  Nintendo pioneered the d-pad back in 1982, so it’s no surprise that the Switch Pro controller upholds its gamepad legacy

Though made specifically for Switch, the controller has been given its own Steam profile and can be connected to your gaming PC with either a wireless Bluetooth connection or, if you want to get configured in Steam, via a USB-C cable. With a configuration that’s very similar to many historic Nintendo controllers, it’s ideal for revisiting classic games, while remaining well-equipped to handle modern releases too.

There’s something charming about the Switch Pro Controller’s build quality, particularly in terms of its plastics. In the hand, it almost feels like a gamepad from the early 2000s, something that differentiates it from other premium pads on the market. Although some may find the buttons and triggers a little too chunky (especially if you’re used to Xbox controllers), it’s something that’s easy to get used to.

While the pad lacks fancy features like analog triggers, its tactile buttons and comfortable feel make it a winner when it comes to precision-based platformers. It’s also got a whopping 40-hour battery life via Bluetooth, making it one of the best wireless options on the market.

Spending well over $100 on a joypad might seem a bit excessive, but the Elite Series 2 is one seriously beautiful controller. Almost everything about it has been designed to just scream ‘QUALITY!’ in your face. It’s an evolution over the previous version rather than a revolution, but it’s got everything we loved about the original Elite, plus everything the competition has added to their high-end pads to try and compete.

Just like the Eswap Pro X, the Elite Series 2 is equipped with customizable buttons that’ll help you perfectly dial in your palm experience. It’s not quite as hot-swappable as Thurstmaster’s approach, but it offers a different array of options, like changeable stick heights and paddle-style triggers.

It’s a small thing, but the fact Microsoft includes a hard case with the Elite Series 2 speaks volumes. Not only does it give you somewhere to keep your bits and bobs, but it’ll also protect the pad and help it serve your gaming needs long into the future.

If you’re not into additional accessories, you could opt for the Series 2 Core, a cheaper package that only includes the pad and an adjustment tool.

Read the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review.

From Game Pass Ultimate to Steam Link, there’s an increasingly large number of ways for you to stream PC games when you’re away from home. If you’re looking for a controller that will make it easier for you to play your favorite PC games on mobile, then we recommend the Razer Kishi Mobile.

It works easily enough by slotting onto either end of your phone and then connecting via USB-C. Since most mobile controllers connect with Bluetooth, this is a refreshing change, as it doesn’t create the latency problems frequently encountered when going wireless. While typically designed for mobile use, with the right adapter (specifically a right-angle USB-C connection), you can use it directly on your PC too, opening the doors to a world where you have one controller for all occasions.

Although there is no native button mapping, you can still do so if, for example, you’re gaming via Steam Link (which has its own remapping options). Overall, it’s a decent bit of hardware and it’s really going to hit the spot for anyone who likes being able to play PC games without having access to a PC.

Back in the early 2000s, guitar controllers were the big thing and there were loads of games being released that utilized them. However, since around 2010 or so, they’ve kind of fallen into obscurity. A year ago, if you wanted one, you’d struggle to find a new one, but now PDP has come to the rescue with a brand new guitar controller that can be used on both PC and Xbox.

Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4, and Clone Hero are all among the modern games that it can be used with, and we’re sure that there’ll be new rhythm games released in future that take advantage of the hardware too. The difference a guitar controller makes truly cannot be unstated, and using it with Clone Hero opens up the doors to hundreds of hours of use.

The controller is based off the real-life Fender Stratocaster guitar and it feels great to hold. Also, good news for left-handed people: it’s got an ambidextrous design so it can be used however is most comfortable for you. The buttons all feel great while you’re using them too. It’s an impressive piece of hardware.

About the only thing we’d complain about is its lack of Bluetooth. Every time you use it, you’ll have to plug in a dongle, and if you want to use a headset while you play, you have to use its audio jack. If you prefer to use one of the best wireless headsets, you’re out of luck.

It may be expensive, but for fans who loved the age when Guitar Hero and Rock Band were at their peak, it’ll be easy to justify. The same goes for newer fans who are looking to see what all the fuss was about. However if you’re only loosely interested in the genre, it probably won’t be worth it.

Thrustmaster’s Warthog flight stick is a replica of the controllers in the classic A-10 Tankbuster, seemingly hewn from the same military-grade materials, and probably only slightly cheaper than a second-hand plane.

Yes, the Warthog is frighteningly expensive, but if you’re already looking to pick up a controller for the best flying games then you’ve probably got pretty niche tastes – and this is the best way to satisfy them.

The Warthog has been around for a while now, but it’s still the best joystick for PC. It’s pricey but still manages to feel worth it when you’re hurtling through an asteroid belt, flipping on a pirate, and reducing their ship to tiny bits of melty scrap.

That said, we’re still keen to see what Logitech does with the Saitek brand in the future and whether it will offer some serious competition to the Warthog.

The Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One flight stick recreates piloting for gaming enthusiasts. The stick’s ergonomic design effortlessly accommodates a range of flight scenarios, including aerial combat, space exploration, and civilian flights. It is equipped with a handrest on the joystick and a weighted base to ensure comfort and stability during gameplay. It offers plug-and-play functionality and button remapping options on PC.

The T.Flight Hostas One excels in performance. The controller’s dual rudder mechanism allows for precise control. Its versatility extends beyond flight simulators, though compatibility with certain games may vary. The joystick has smooth movements. You can even upgrade your setup with other hardware from the range.

Read our Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS One flight stick review.

Some players say you shouldn’t bring a gamepad to a street fight, and the Nacon Daija Arcade Stick could help you land the finishing blow in all the best fighting games. Developed alongside French esports player Marie-Laure ‘Kayane’ Norindr, precision and functionality are weaved into this stick’s DNA, two qualities that elevate it above other contenders.

Coming in at around $279, the Nacon Daija is far from being the cheapest arcade stick on the market. Weighing 3.4kg, you’ll struggle to forget it’s stowed away in your backpack.

Whether you’re new to tinkering with arcade sticks, or just looking for an easier time, the Nacon Daija has you covered. Its toolless design means you’ll be able to swap out buttons and switches without conflict, and handy diagrams will keep you right if you get in a tangle. On the outside, the Daija boasts a subtle aesthetic, but you can jazz things up by adding custom artwork underneath the stick’s plexiglass overlay.

Check out our Nacon Daija Arcade Stick review.

Turtle Beach built its Velocity One flight controller with Xbox in mind, but it still offers tremendous value for PC players. At this price, you’d expect a lot, and you do indeed get a lot for your money.

The Velocityone features an authentic 180-degree yoke handle rotation that pushes and pulls for ascending and descending respectively, ten programmable buttons, swappable lever handles, and a built-in display you can use to customize virtually everything about this device.

It’s designed specifically for Microsoft Flight Simulator and offers more functionality than most, but still works fine with plenty of other flight games like Star Wars Squadrons and Elite Dangerous.

Like most yokes, it’s quite a bit larger than a joystick and you will need to clear space on your gaming desk to piece it together, but it’s easy to set up, makes gaming feel like an event, and comes to life when the RGB lighting starts to shine.

Unlike conventional models, the parts inside a Hall Effect controller never tough The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro brings the first ever Hall Effect triggers to the market and it’s a welcome sight. Built for performance and longevity, the Rev 5 Pro should see you dominate your opponents for years to come, but the initial price tag may be hard to swallow.

Like any of the best PC controllers should, the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro offers both wired and wireless connections, and an app to completely customize any aspect of the controller, from the trigger sensitivity down to the LED lighting. If you want a controller that adapts to you, rather than the other way around, the Rev 5 Pro is easily that controller, and its Hall Effect implementation puts it ahead of many competitors.

Read our Nacon Revolution 5 Pro review for more.

As one of the best PC steering wheels on the market, the Thrustmaster T818 can provide an unrivaled experience when playing racing games like Forza Horizon 5 or Assetto Corsa Competizione. Although, because of its price, we can understand why some players opt to continue with a conventional controller.

The wheel itself offers up to 1080° of rotation, and with 10N⋅m of torque behind it, it feels very much like turning a real steering wheel. It often comes bundled with Thrustmaster’s T-LCM Pedals, but not always, so make sure you’re not just getting the wheel, as it loses a lot without them.

Either way, this fantastic wheel comes with 25 buttons and seven encoders, and with a modular design that you can add extra bits to (for comfort or control), it’s a magnificent racing wheel.