The best PC controller for gaming in 2023 – Dexerto

Looking for the best PC controller for gaming in 2023? There are a handful of brand-new options that you should absolutely consider before anything else.

The PC is pretty much an open playground for controllers. Most support USB, with plenty of Bluetooth options available. Even 8BitDo is starting to bring in 2.4GHz with their new ‘Ultimate’ controller. While a new generation of Pro controllers begin to release, you might want to check out our latest picks on the best controller that you can get your hands on today.

Platform games or smaller indie titles like Cult of the Lamb or Stray might fare better when being played with a controller, rather than the trusty mouse and keyboard.

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Having a controller also just allows you to sink deep into a chair, getting lost in a session of Monster Hunter. It prevents you from hunching over at all times like an office worker, or a writer tapping out an article on the best PC controllers.

Here’s the thing, you just need to ask yourself what you want out of a controller. Do you want Nintendo’s patented directional pad? Or even something a whole host of different buttons? Whatever you need that the traditional controller can’t give you, or even need something that’s a bit more universal, there’s a wealth of options to choose from.

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Contents

1. Xbox Elite Controller Series 2: The best overall PC controller

Microsoft

Look, you don’t really have to think too hard outside of the box if you want to get the best PC controller, the Xbox Elite Controller series 2 has pretty much everything that you could want out of a game controller, and then some. Sure, it’s expensive, but it also has oodles of customizable functions like a robust trigger-stop function, paddles, a replaceable D-pad, and sticks, and all come with a USB-C charging dock, in addition to actually being wireless, with a built-in battery.

It will natively work, so you don’t have to mess around, and the build quality is remarkable. For someone who wants just about every feature under the sun, this is definitely the controller you should go for.

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Key Specs

• Connectivity: USB-C, Wireless (Bluetooth & 2.4 Ghz) 
• Battery life: 40-hour
• Weight: 345g (+/- 15g) when using paddles and default D-pad
• Features: Four paddles, two D-Pads, Thumbstick adjustment tool, trigger stop function, remappable buttons, 3.5mm audio jack, charging dock
• Price: $179.99 / £159.99

Pluses

• Premium designs and quality
• Three onboard profiles
• Unparalleled customization

Minuses

• Very expensive
• Users have reported that build-quality deteriorates over time

Alternative: Victrix Pro BFG

Dexerto

The Victrix Pro BFG is an excellent alternative for those who want slightly more functionality out of their controller than the Xbox Elite Series 2 offers. You can swap around its stick placements, and even turn it into a bona-fide fighting game controller, too.

It’s also cross-compatible with the PS5, meaning that you will also be able to take the controller and use it on console, too. It’s one of the best-built controllers that we’ve ever tested, so be sure to take a look at our full review.

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2. 8Bitdo Ultimate Controller: The best wireless PC controller

Dexerto

8BitDo has been around for a while now, and we think that their latest Ultimate Controller is one of the best pads you can buy, namely because it uses hall-sensing analog sticks, and also comes with a charging dock. It works with Nintendo Switch, PCs, and anything that supports 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, too.

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You also get two extra buttons on the back, in addition to heaps of macro functions that will make this controller one of the best ones you can buy. Coming in at around $70, it’s really difficult to beat the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller on value pretty much anywhere else. Be sure to check out our review for more.

Key specs

• Connectivity: USB-C, Wireless (Bluetooth), 2.4Ghz
• Battery life: 30 hours
• Weight: 330g
• Features: Hall-sensing analog sticks, back buttons, programmable macro, included charging dock
• Price: $69.99 / £59.99

Pluses

• Hall-sensing analog sticks from Gulikit
• Included charging dock
• Quick connections

Minuses

• Switch layout buttons on PC might be confusing

Alternative pick: Gulikit King Kong Pro 2

Gulikit

Now, you might be wondering who the hell Gulikit actually is, or why the King Kong Pro is ranked highly on this list while being a relatively unassuming pad that looks a lot like an Xbox controller. Well, Gulikit actually has patents for groundbreaking technology in the form of hall-sensing analog sticks, in addition to tactile face buttons.

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In practice, the hall-sensing technology means that this controller blows everything else out of the market in terms of reliability, and accuracy on the analog sticks themselves. Most of the controllers on this list will use an ALPS analog stick, which is prone to degradation and stick drift. However, Gulikit’s King Kong Pro 2 controller uses its own tech, which makes for an unbelievably accurate stick, that will never, ever drift. On top of that, the accuracy of the sticks is unparalleled.

The buttons are also tactile and feel great, with a nice rubberized grip, wireless capabilities, and native X-Input support, this is the best basic PC controller. Really, we would have put this at the top of the list if it had a couple of more features like paddles or trigger-stop functionality.  Also, you can use it on Nintendo Switch without a hitch.

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3. PowerA Fusion Pro 2: The best wired PC controller

Dexerto

If you are looking for a controller that has exceptional features for a budget price, and don’t want the hassle of having to recharge your battery all the time, then the PowerA Fusion Pro 2 is the pick for you. It has many of the features that are boasted on the Elite Series 2 controller while having a much more competitive price point. It isn’t without its caveats, however.

But, if you are after a fully-featured controller that ticks all of the boxes for functionality while also coming in at a budget price, and wired up for tournament use, you could do much worse than the PowerA Fusion Pro 2. Be sure to read our review for all the details.

Key specs

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• Connectivity: USB-C
• Weight: 370g
• Features: Four paddles, replaceable sticks, magnetic faceplate, trigger lock
• Price: $89.99 / £79.99

Pluses

• Feature-rich
• Comes with tonnes of optional extras

Minuses

• Build quality could be better
• Extremely heavy for a wired controller

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4. Xbox Series Controller: The best budget wireless controller

Microsoft

Look, you really can’t go wrong with the Xbox Series controller for use on the PC, it can connect via Bluetooth or 2.4Ghz if you have a wireless receiver. Alternatively, you can also use it wired. Unfortunately, the big kicker for this is that Microsoft sells a rechargeable battery for the controller separately. But, that also means that you won’t throw it into a pile of waste when the batteries inevitably wear out from use.

This is the default controller, it works well, feels even nicer than the Xbox One controller, and you’ll be able to make it work with just about everything. It’s a no-frills, straightforward experience.

Key specs

• Connectivity: USB-C
• Weight: 280g
• Features: Textured grip, dedicated share button
• Price: $59.99 / £54.99

Pluses

• Feels great in use
• No-frills, straightforward experience

Minuses

• No included wireless battery

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5. PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller: The best budget wired controller

PowerA

The PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller might look basic on appearances, but has a few handy features not seen on Microsoft’s default option, including two remappable paddles which may come in handy for all manner of games, like Elden Ring, where you’d be able to bind your run button over to a paddle so you’re not doing some weird claw grip.

Additionally, while the controller might be wired, there’s a detachable cable, where you’re not going to have to worry about frayed wires later down the line. The included wire appears to be fairly standard, but for this price, you really can’t ask for much more than what you get.

Key specs

• Connectivity: USB-C to USB-A
• Weight: 208g
• Features: Two remappable paddles, detachable wired cable
• Price: $37.99 / £34.99

Pluses

• Remappable paddles are a boon
• Fun colorways

Minuses

• Build quality can be hit or miss

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Should you use a controller for PC gaming?

While keyboard and mouse are more than enough for most PC games, some more console-focussed ports and titles simply feel much better while using a controller. Older ports of console titles might also require a controller, so you should definitely use a controller for PC gaming in some titles.

All you have to do is address this by picking up a controller of your choice. It really is a game-changer, and with native Xinput support on Windows, controller support has come a long way since the days of Games for Windows Live.

What makes a good game controller?

The main elements to look for when getting yourself a brand-new PC controller are the quality of the buttons, triggers, and sticks. They should be the main things that you look for ahead of anything else. A controller is no good is the buttons are mushy, the triggers don’t feel good and the sticks wobble all over the shop.

You should also look at the controller’s features, does it support X-Input? Does it have support for multiple consoles? Does it have features like additional paddles or macros? These are all important factors that you need to take into consideration when you pick up a brand-new game controller.

Why is my controller drifting?

Usually, most manufacturers use a stick from a company named ALPS. These sticks use something named a potentiometer, which measures and reports a position to your controller.

There is a physical element inside a potentiometer named a wiper that reads the voltage and therefore the position of your stick. The issue arises when these physical elements break down, thus creating the issue of drift. The wiper can alter the voltage readings if damaged, and therefore the reporting becomes inconsistent, making your controller drift. Additionally, other elements like dust or other elements can cause the stick to drift.

The only way around this is to use something named a hall-sensing stick, which relies on magnetism, instead of a physical potentiometer that wears over time, causing drift issues. Every controller, except for the Gulikit King Kong Pro 2 controller, and the Dreamcast controller from twenty years ago can suffer from stick drift.

The only way around this is to replace the stick itself. No amount of software solutions, as we saw in the Nacon Revolution X Pro, will manage to fix it.

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