Best PC Game Controller 2023: The top three picks

Introduction

Looking to buy the best PC game controller possible so you can play PC games from the comfort of your sofa?

Here to help you find the right pad for your specific needs, we’ve created this guide detailing the best game controllers we’ve reviewed for PC players.

Every pad on this list has been thoroughly tested by our team of experts to gauge the most important things you need to look out for. These include build quality, connection stability/latency, usability and of course if they’re comfy to hold for prolonged periods.

There are a multitude of game pads on the market, from experience, we can promise you that not all game controllers are created equal. Trust us when we say that certain controllers can make a real difference during competitive matches, with bespoke extra inputs making it quick and easy to create a control scheme specific to your play style.

And if you’re not a fan of controllers, then it’s also worth checking out our Best Gaming Keyboard and Best Gaming Mouse lists.

Best PC game controllers at a glance

How we test

Find out more about how we test PC games controllers

Every PC controller we test is used by the reviewer as their main game pad for at least a week. During that time we’ll test it on a variety of different types of games ranging from FPS shooters to aRPGs and racing games.

We’ll test both wired and wireless connectivity to ensure there’s no latency or issues that may impede your gaming experience. In these instances we’ll also check the pad’s battery life, measuring how much playtime they offer before needing to be charged.

Where applicable, we’ll also test how customisable they are and how easy their custom controls are to programme. From there we check their ergonomics and build quality to gauge if they’ll survive the odd accidental drop or rage throw. 

Xbox Elite Controller 2

The best PC controller for hardcore gamers

Trusted Score

Pros

• Xbox Elite Controller 2
• Attachments provide endless amounts of customisation
• Comfortable to play for extended play sessions
• Fantastic battery life
• Works on a number of platforms and devices

Cons

• Small parts of the device lack a premium feel
• D-pad still isn’t the best in the business

If you want the best PC game controller on the market and don’t mind paying a bit extra, then the Xbox Elite Controller 2 is the one to get. It’s the second generation of Microsoft’s official eSports game pad, succeeding the Xbox One Elite we tested many moons ago. During testing we found it offers the best mix of features and value for money currently available.

Wireless performance is excellent, especially if your PC has the Xbox Wireless functionality built in, which most pre-builds from Alienware and the like now do. If you don’t, then you can buy optional wireless dongle separately at most tech stores, giving you a rock-solid wireless connection. Based on our experience, we’d thoroughly recommend the dongle if your PC doesn’t support Xbox Wireless as the connection is much more reliable than Bluetooth.

The rubberised pads let you get a solid grip, and we can confirm build quality is excellent. eSports players will also enjoy the added programmable controls, which include paddle inputs at the back and trigger controls that let you set the rear triggers to one of three actuation points. This can offer a real competitive advantage in reaction-based games, with the fastest setting genuinely saving our lives in Elden Ring on more than one occasion during testing.

The 40-hour battery life we encountered reviewing the pad and ease of its USB-C charging port made the Xbox Elite Controller 2 an easy recommendation. The only slight downside is that its higher-than-average price means it isn’t the best option for kids, or more casual gamers.

Reviewer: Jade King
Full review: Xbox Elite 2 Controller Review

Scuf Instinct Pro Controller

The best built PC games controller

Trusted Score

Pros

• Incredibly comfortable
• Highly customisable
• Sturdy build quality
• Fun to use

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavier than a normal controller

If you want an eSports controller that can take a lot of punishment and still deliver excellent performance then the Scuf Instinct Pro is the best PC game controller options we’ve tested that’s still on the market. It’s compatible with the Xbox Wireless standard, which in our testing is far more reliable than Bluetooth.

Off the bat, it offers all the functionality you’d expect from a pro controller. There are programmable back paddles, a choice of domed or concave thumb sticks at three different heights, and lockable triggers. For more adventurous gamers you can also change its face plate to match your personal style. We personally thought the purple one our review unit came with was a little gaudy, but the option will be welcome to people who favour things like RGB lighting.

Performance is excellent with the pad feeling every bit as comfortable to hold as its Xbox rival. But what really set it apart was its build quality, helping to justify the fact it’s more expensive than the official Elite 2

During testing, the Scuf proved to be one of the toughest game pads we’ve ever tested. Accidentally sending it flying down a flight of hardwood stairs when taking it down to the living room, the pad suffered no noticeable damage whatsoever. As a result, we’d recommend it wholeheartedly to any PC gamer prone to rage throws on the market for a rugged, eSports-ready pad that’ll last.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Scuf Instinct Pro Controller Review

DualSense Edge

The best option if you already have a PS5

Trusted Score

Pros

• More personalisation options than ever
• Replaceable stick modules
• Function buttons on the front and rear
• Comes with a sturdy carrying case

Cons

• Extremely expensive
• Poor battery compared to the DualSense

If you can look past its comparatively high price point, the DualSense Edge is an excellent buy for any hardcore gamers who regularly jump between a PS5 and a PC.

Feeling a tad like Sony’s answer to the Xbox Elite controller, the DualSense Edge offers a ton of customisation to match a person’s preferred playstyle, but it’s built upon the incredible foundations set out by the standard DualSense controller.

On top of the DualSense’s outstanding haptic feedback, which offers a far more comprehensive level of vibration that better mimics the action and more subtle moments happening onscreen, the Edge has ports for swappable buttons on the back. These rear-facing buttons can be customised to correspond with whichever action you please, such as quick weapon swapping.

It’s also possible to detach the analogue sticks from the controller and swap them out with more rounded variants, the likes of which hark back to the classic PS2 controller.

The DualSense Edge also comes with a travel case and a long USB-A to USB-C cable which makes it easy to charge on the go and to take it with you from one location to another. When taking the action to the PS5, you can even set dead zones to make your aiming more precise – a true gamechanger for first person shooters.

The only issue with the DualSense Edge, given its price point, is that it can only really be recommended to gamers who plan on making the most of all the features it has to offer. Casual gamers will get on just fine with the standard DualSense controller, particularly as you can buy several of them for the same price as the Edge.

Reviewer: Gemma Ryles
Full review: DualSense Edge Review

FAQs

Do you need a dongle to connect a gamepad to a PC?

This depends on which controller and PC you use. To connect to a PC wirelessly both the controller and PC will need to support either Bluetooth or Xbox Wireless. If the PC doesn’t support these then you will likely need a USB dongle to connect the controller wirelessly.

Some gamepads also come bundled with proprietary 2.4GHz wireless dongles in a bid to offer better wireless performance than standard Bluetooth.

Do PC controllers work with games consoles?

This depends on the controller in question. The latest gen DualSense works with the PS5 and Xbox controllers obviously work with Xbox consoles. For third-party support from the likes of Razer, Scuf and Astro you need to check the specific controllers’ spec sheet.

Specs

You can see a breakdown of each gamepads specs in the table below.

‹

UK RRP

USA RRP

EU RRP

CA RRP

AUD RRP

Manufacturer

Weight

ASIN

Ports

Connectivity

Switch Type

Number of Macro Keys

Platforms

Xbox Elite Controller 2

£160

$180

–

–

–

Microsoft

345 G

B07SFKTLZM

–

–

–

–

–

Scuf Instinct Pro Controller

£189.99

–

–

–

–

SCUF Gaming

–

–

Xbox Headphone Adapter, 3.5mm jack, Micro USB

Bluetooth

Mechanical

0

–

DualSense Edge

£209.99

$199.99

€239.99

CA$269

AU$339.95

Sony

–

–

–

–

–

–

PS5

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