What is the most effective controller for PC in 2019? Pads, sticks, and wheels…

Picking the most effective controller for PC gaming isn’t at all times apparent. You might argue you’ve already obtained the most effective combo plumbed into your machine together with your trusty keyboard and mouse, however typically having a particular gaming controller at hand could be vitally helpful and truly change the way in which you strategy a given game.

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

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 options in case you’re trying to peacock with a cool design or simply need a host of various buttons at your thumbs’ disposal. But the most important 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 the most effective 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 top quality flightstick, particularly one with a separate throttle for these BSG Viper-esque, non-Newtonian dogfights. And in case you’re a devoted racer then a steering wheel, with good force-feedback, can shave invaluable seconds off your in-game lap instances. And could even save your life, as I came upon…

What is the most effective controller for computer in 2019?

It is an extremely close-fought battle, however we expect the most effective PC controller is the Xbox One wi-fi pad. It’s extremely well-built, with sensible ergonomics, wonderful triggers, and is at all times dependable. The offset D-pad/thumbstick format may erk the PlayStation devoted, however for our cash we expect it your best option.

But the DualShock Four is an unimaginable pad in its personal proper, with hands-down the most effective, most correct thumbsticks within the enterprise. But in case you’re not bothered about the associated fee, the Xbox One Elite is a the final word gamepad. There are some considerations about sturdiness, however each Jacob and I’ve had ours for years with no issues.

Microsoft introduced an up to date Elite controller throughout its E3 2019 convention: the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. The greatest change with the brand new mannequin is the inclusion of a chargeable battery, a saving grace for all of you on the market who, like me, refuse to purchase single-use batteries in 2019. The Series 2 is about for a November Four launch.

Best controller for computer

Microsoft Xbox One Wireless controller

Approx. $40 | £40

Pros
 3.5mm jack
 Great offset format
 Bluetooth assist

Cons
 AA batteries

The newest wi-fi Xbox One pad is classy. For my cash it’s the most effective PC controller you should purchase 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 total format has barely modified from the very first Xbox One controllers, however contemplating how properly conceived and solidly-built they had been that’s no unhealthy 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 the most effective PC controller on the market.

 

Runner-up

Sony DualShock Four controller

Approx. $43 | £45

Pros
 Analogue stick supremacy
 3.5mm jack
 Bluetooth assist

Cons
 Pricier than Xbox

PC assist 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 means 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 assist it equally although.

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

 

Runner-up

Nintendo Switch Pro controller

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 could 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 top quality pad too, feeling strong and reassuringly sturdy 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.

 

Best high-end controller for computer

Microsoft Xbox One Elite

Approx. $150 | £110

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 stunning controller. Almost every little thing 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% positive that it’s price that hefty a worth premium over the usual Xbox One controller, which is why the Elite isn’t down as our absolute, must-have, greatest PC controller on this take a look at. And when you’re right here, it’s price noting that the brand new and improved Elite controller, the Series 2, is about to launch November 4, which may very well be definitely worth the wait.

 

Runner-up

Nacon Revolution Unlimited

Approx. $179 | £165

Pros
 Great construct high quality
 Asymmetrical format
 Excellent thumbsticks

Cons
 Terrible software program

Many corporations have tried to match the standard of Microsoft’s Xbox One Elite controller, however only a few have managed to nail its combine of significant construct high quality and extremely customisation. But Nacon’s pad succeeds in each and in addition manages to combine each the superb PlayStation thumbsticks and touchpad with the Xbox asymmetrical format.

The solely subject is the software program. It refuses to attach until you’re wired in and a few of it’s wordless iconry is borderline impenetrable. But there are an entire host of customisation choices buried in there in case you actually wish to go deep.

Read our full Nacon Revolution Unlimited review.

 

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

But they’re additionally the costliest pads we’ve checked out to this point. The Golden Dragon model particularly – and you actually are paying over $200 for the privilege of sweating over some faux 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 may have you lined.

 

Runner-up

Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition Chroma

Approx. $116 | £126

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 are able to do higher than that.

It can’t. It’s added in some additional 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 improbable pad, however can’t fairly maintain a candle to the Elite.

Best low cost controller for computer

EasySMX Wireless

Approx. $26 | £16

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 among the finesse of the opposite, costlier pads, and is extra aping the unique Xbox 360 controller than the fashionable Xbox One model, however it’s obtained an honest battery life and the wi-fi connection is strong.

It’s additionally an absolute discount, even when the triggers possibly 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’ll’t actually ask much more than that.

Best PC flightstick

Thrustmaster Warthog

Approx. $457 | £349

Pros
 Satisfying clicky switches
 Chunky (it’s an excellent factor)
 Fantastic throttle motion

Cons
 Expensive

Thrustmaster’s Warthog flightstick is a reproduction of the controllers within the basic A-10 Tankbuster, seemingly hewn from the identical military-grade supplies, and possibly solely barely cheaper than a second-hand airplane. Yes, the Warthog is frighteningly costly, however in case you’re already trying to choose up a devoted flight-sim joystick then you definitely’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 price it while you’re hurtling via an asteroid belt, flipping on a pirate, and lowering 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.

Best PC steering wheel

Fanatec Clubsport

Approx. $1,300 | £1,374

Pros
 Incredible drive suggestions
 Modular
 Precision engineered

Cons
 That worth…

Sooo, yeah… the Fanatec Clubsport setup is the value of a strong gaming PC, however it is usually 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 package is. If you don’t go for one of many pre-configured bundles you’ll must create your personal, selecting and selecting from a really lengthy listing of goodies.

The primary wheel base is identical throughout the board, however then you possibly can match completely 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 the most effective drive suggestions system I’ve ever used, even right down to suggestions from the pedals, too. I’d query why anybody in any respect would even take into account plugging this beautiful little bit of hyper-expensive package into an Xbox One, however for the well-off racing nut the Fanatec Clubsport system has me working out of superlatives.

 

Runner-up

Thrustmaster T300 RS

Approx. $240 | £289

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

Cons
 Logitech supply nice 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 possibility, however it’s nonetheless a improbable wheel nonetheless.

It won’t have the faux-luxury, faux-leather of the G920 or G29 Logitech setups, however by way of its drive suggestions Thrustmaster has nearly obtained them pegged. I do favor the pedals of Logitech, however it’s the racing really feel you need from an excellent 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, if in case you have a bit money to spend the usual Microsoft Xbox One Wireless controller can’t be in any other case beat. With chic design and well-machined development raring to go, Microsoft has the most effective PC controller high two on lock down.

But that doesn’t fully disqualify among the robust competitors. Personal desire can’t be solid apart, and little doubt a few of you on the market favor 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 alternative.

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

And for the budget-conscious of you looking out for the most effective 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.

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