Best PC controller 2019 (February)

What’s one of the best PC controller you possibly can plug into your gaming rig? You might argue you’ve already obtained one of the best combo plumbed into your machine while you’ve obtained a trusty keyboard and mouse. But, typically (and solely typically) having a selected gaming controller handy may be fairly helpful.

Whether it’s an amazing wired or wi-fi pad, an official or third-party machine, having a well-built, comfy controller can actually make the distinction to your game. So it’s essential you make the proper selection.

We’ve checked out the official Microsoft Xbox One and Elite pads, in addition to the superb Sony DualShock controller. But the likes of Scuf and Razer are all making first rate alternate options for those who’re trying to peacock with a cool design or simply need a host of various buttons at your thumbs’ disposal.

But the largest gamepad choice is about whether or not you favour the Xbox’s offset thumbstick design or the symmetrical PlayStation format. There are die-hard followers in both camp, however for our cash the offset design offers you one of the best stability between management and easy accessibility to the buttons.

But there are particular controllers for different game genres too. A flight or space-based sim actually calls for a high quality flightstick, particularly one with a separate throttle for these BSG Viper-esque, non-Newtonian dogfights. And for those who’re a devoted racer then a steering wheel, with good force-feedback, can shave priceless seconds off your in-game lap occasions. And might even save your life, as I discovered…

The finest PC controllers are:

Check out one of the best PC controller costs at Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Winner: Best PC controller

Microsoft Xbox One Wireless

Approx. $36 | £40

Pros
 3.5mm jack
 Great offset format
 Bluetooth help

Cons
 AA batteries

The newest wi-fi Xbox One pad is classy. For my cash it’s one of the best PC controller you should buy proper now. There could also be a rising rank of PC avid gamers lining up behind Sony’s DualShock Four because the go-to gamepad, however the ever-so-slightly redesigned Xbox One pad’s obtained all of it.

The general format has barely modified from the very first Xbox One controllers, however contemplating how properly conceived and solidly-built they have been that’s no dangerous factor. The stability of the pad within the paw is great and curved grip’s comfy and properly machined. The Xbox One wi-fi controller is a superbly, ergonomically designed piece of peripheral {hardware} and it’s robust to see the way it’s going to be bettered. For now it’s completely one of the best PC controller on the market.

Runner-up

Sony DualShock 4

Approx. $47 | £54

Pros
 Analogue stick supremacy
 3.5mm jack
 Bluetooth help

Cons
 Pricier than Xbox

PC help for the PlayStation’s DualShock Four pad is rising, each from avid gamers and from a technological perspective. Valve has up to date Steam to permit full configuration of the DS4 in the identical manner you possibly can mess with the (frankly garbage, sure it’s… sure it’s) Steam controller. That doesn’t, nevertheless, imply all Steam games will help it equally although.

I nonetheless desire the Xbox pad’s offset format, and people set off buttons are horrible, however the precise analogue sticks themselves are arms down one of the best round. If solely we might get an Xbox pad with the DS4’s sticks. Time to get modding…

 

Runner-up

Nintendo Switch Pro

Approx. $57 | £55

Pros
 Fantastic battery life
 Incredibly well-built
 USB-C and Bluetooth

Cons
 Lacks analogue triggers

The Nintendo Switch Pro has been made particularly for the diminutive console, however has been given its personal Steam profile and may be linked to your gaming PC with both a wi-fi Bluetooth connection or, if you wish to get configured in Steam, by way of a USB-C cable.

And it’s a high quality pad too, feeling strong and reassuringly strong within the hand. The thumbsticks really feel good and the buttons satisfying. It’s additionally obtained an unprecedented 40-hour battery life by way of Bluetooth too. Unfortunately it does undergo for being designed for the Switch as a result of it lacks correct analogue triggers, one thing that’s essential for a rising variety of games, and is completely important in any arcade racer that isn’t Mario Kart.

 

Winner: Best high-end PC controller

Microsoft Xbox One Elite

Approx. $159 | £106

Pros
 All the paddles
 Adjustable
 High high quality

Cons
 Expensive

I imply, yeah, spending this a lot on a joypad may appear fairly loopy, however the Elite is one severely lovely controller. Almost all the pieces about it has been designed to only scream ‘QUALITY!’ in your face.

 

It’s superbly constructed, impressively responsive, and extremely versatile too. But I’m nonetheless not 100% certain that it’s value that hefty a worth premium over the usual Xbox One controller, which is why the Elite isn’t down as our absolute, must-have, finest PC controller on this check. Money-being-no-object although, it will be the Elite each time, however it’s so many money.

Runner-up

Scuf Gaming Impact

Approx. £130

Pros
 Paddle-palooza
 Customisable
 Best of Xbox and PlayStation

Cons
 Not fairly on par with the Elite

Scuf Gaming does a complete host of significant gaming controllers, in each Xbox One and Playstation 4 trim. That means it’s going to join both by way of the Microsoft wi-fi dongle or Bluetooth. But you do additionally get a complete bunch of paddle switches on each the Impact and the Infinity 1 controllers. They’re strong, and require fairly a little bit of pressure to actuate, however which means you received’t find yourself hitting them accidentally. And additionally they are available designer threads too. Shiny.

But they’re additionally the costliest pads we’ve checked out thus far. The Golden Dragon model particularly – and you actually are paying over $200 for the privilege of sweating over some pretend dragon scales. The fancy colors and the paddles switches are the one issues which mark these controllers out from the competitors. But if you wish to peacock together with your pad, then Scuf could have you lined.

Runner-up

Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition Chroma

Approx. $110 | £109

Pros
 Clicky as heck
 RGB!
 Plenty of added performance

Cons
 Not fairly on par with the Elite

The Cult of Razer… from its Texas compound… has clearly taken one take a look at the Xbox One Elite controller and stated, we will do higher than that.

It can’t. It’s added in some further microswitched buttons to the Wolverine, some adjustable hair-triggers, dropped in a pair of pseudo paddle switches on the underside of the pad and stored it in any other case very clear. It’s a incredible pad, however can’t fairly maintain a candle to the Elite.

Winner: Best low cost PC controller

EasySMX Wireless

Approx. $28 | £18

Pros
 Cheap
 Wireless
 Solid format

Cons
 Triggers really feel low cost

The EasySMX Wireless is proof optimistic you don’t must lay our a fortune to get a well-built PC gaming controller. Sure, it’s dropping a few of the finesse of the opposite, costlier pads, and is extra aping the unique Xbox 360 controller than the trendy Xbox One model, nevertheless it’s obtained an honest battery life and the wi-fi connection is strong.

It’s additionally an absolute discount, even when the triggers perhaps don’t really feel fairly as accomplised as you may want them to be. But it’s nonetheless a strong, dependable controller that doesn’t value the earth, and you may’t actually ask much more than that.

Winner: Best PC flightstick

Thrustmaster Warthog

Approx. $470 | £349

Pros
 Satisfying clicky switches
 Chunky (it’s a great factor)
 Fantastic throttle motion

Cons
 Expensive

Thrustmaster’s Warthog flightstick is a reproduction of the controllers within the traditional A-10 Tankbuster, seemingly hewn from the identical military-grade supplies, and doubtless solely barely cheaper than a second-hand aircraft. Yes, the Warthog is frighteningly costly, however for those who’re already trying to choose up a devoted flight-sim joystick you then’ve in all probability obtained fairly area of interest tastes – and that is one of the best ways to fulfill them.

 

The Warthog has been round for some time now, however I’ve nonetheless seen no different flightstick come near the sensation I get when utilizing it. It’s some huge cash, however nonetheless manages to really feel value it while you’re hurtling by means of an asteroid belt, flipping on a pirate, and decreasing their ship to tiny bits of melty scrap. That stated, I’m nonetheless eager to see what Logitech does with the Saitek model sooner or later, then we might see some actual flightstick-y competitors.

Winner: Best PC steering wheel

Fanatec Clubsport

Approx. $1,300 | £1,374

Pros
 Incredible pressure suggestions
 Modular
 Precision engineered

Cons
 That worth…

Sooo, yeah… the Fanatec Clubsport setup is the worth of a robust gaming PC, however it’s also the stuff of gaming peripheral desires. NSFW desires. I imply, that is critical tech pr0n stuff proper right here, and it’s all down to only how superbly designed, created, and completed the Clubsport equipment is. If you don’t go for one of many pre-configured bundles you’ll must create your individual, selecting and selecting from a really lengthy listing of goodies.

The essential wheel base is similar throughout the board, however then you possibly can match totally different steering wheels, gearshifts, and pedals to the combo. And they’re all constructed out of strong lumps of steel and precision engineered parts. The Fanatec system has hands-down one of the best pressure suggestions system I’ve ever used, even all the way down to suggestions from the pedals, too. I might query why anybody in any respect would even contemplate plugging this gorgeous little bit of hyper-expensive equipment into an Xbox One, however for the well-off racing nut the Fanatec Clubsport system has me working out of superlatives.

Runner-up

Thrustmaster T300RS

Approx. $346 | £299

Pros
 Less than the price of a automotive
 Solid pressure suggestions
 Fantastic wheel

Cons
 Logitech provide nice alternate options

When it involves the extra realistically-priced racing wheels it’s a toss-up between Thrustmaster and Logitech. The T300RS isn’t Thrustmaster’s costliest choice, however it’s nonetheless a incredible wheel nonetheless.

It won’t have the faux-luxury, faux-leather of the G920 or G29 Logitech setups, however when it comes to its pressure suggestions Thrustmaster has nearly obtained them pegged. I do desire the pedals of Logitech, nevertheless it’s the racing really feel you need from a great wheel and that’s why the T300RS crosses the end line simply forward of them.

So there you could have it. Microsoft’s Elite Controller is the very pinnacle of PC controller goodness. But, in case you have a bit of money to spend the usual Microsoft Xbox One Wireless controller can’t be in any other case beat. With elegant design and well-machined development raring to go, Microsoft has one of the best PC controller high two on lock down.

But that doesn’t utterly disqualify a few of the robust competitors. Personal desire can’t be forged apart, and little doubt a few of you on the market desire the parallel thumbstick design of the Dualshock 4. We’re additionally well-aware of a vocal dozen or so avid gamers who even choose the Steam controller as their weapon of selection.

Immersive setup: Grab the best gaming monitor

“It just takes some time to get used to,” or so they are saying – with misplaced confidence, may I add. They’re clearly mistaken and are largely attempting to justify their buy, and the hours they’ve put into ‘perfecting’ their profiles. Those individuals are typically finest averted…

And for the budget-conscious of you looking out for one of the best low cost PC controller, it doesn’t get significantly better than the Easy SMX wi-fi. While it might not have the flashy lights of the Razer peripherals or the performance of the Elite, you simply can’t beat the strong development and easy plug and play performance that the Easy SMX affords up for just a bit dosh.