Best PC controller 2026

Steam Controller

best PC controller overall

Steam Controller specifications:

The new Steam Controller easily romps to the win as our pick for the best PC controller overall. It's not so much that it offers the best gamepad performance and value, but that it's so incredibly versatile.

The trackpads are its biggest asset, as they unlock the ability to play mouse-focused games much more easily on a gamepad, opening up the option of relaxed, reclined controller gaming with a much wider range of games than usual. They can also be used for easily browsing your desktop and even inputting text easily using an onscreen keyboard.

The inbuilt gyros are also a revelation. Like on a PS5 controller, these let you tilt and pitch the whole controller to help direct your aim. If you're not that accurate with controller thumbsticks, gyro is an amazing way to give you that extra fine-aim ability in certain games.

All this and the Steam Controller is simply a good quality gamepad. It has TMR thumbsticks, a great shape, quality buttons, and plenty of extra rear buttons. It clever magnetic wireless charging dongle is also a brilliant way of ensuring you can keep charged up without having to disconnect your controller mid-game.

If you're a skilled controller user who just wants a premium controller feel, this isn't the one for you. Likewise, it's not for those just seeking a budget option. If, though, you just want one controller that can open up a world of relaxed gamepad gaming without compromising on the types of games you can play, it's a brilliant option. Read our full Steam Controller review for more information.

Xbox Wireless Controller

Best mid-range controller

Xbox Wireless Controller specifications:

The latest iteration of the Xbox controller is a great choice of controller for PC gamers. If you're not fussed about the extra control options on the Steam Controller and just want a quality gamepad, it delivers.

Its design is stylish and comfortable, and it's offers a completely plug and play experience on both PC and Xbox. What's more, 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. These slight changes may hinder compatibility with attachments, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, this controller is hard to beat for its balance of quality, features, and price.

As ever, its biggest drawback, other than it still using standard thumbsticks and triggers, rather than the ever more common Hall Effect system (which lasts longer and shouldn't suffer from stick drift), is the use of AA batteries. In some ways, it's good that you're not dependent on a rechargeable battery that might be hard to replace in a few years time when it stops charging, but for now it's a lot less convenient system than a rechargeable battery. Read our Xbox Wireless Controller review.

EasySMX X05

Best budget wireless PC controller

EasySMX X05 specifications:

The EasySMX X05 is an incredible value gamepad that offers both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth wireless connections (as well as USB) plus Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers all for under $25. Although there are a few compromises to it, it's still an ideal option for most buyers on a budget.

The main compromises here are slightly cheap-feeling ABXY buttons and D-pad and no official console support, other than for the Switch. The latter isn't common at this price but still notable.

It also has a slightly plasticky, hollow feel, but it still feels firm and well made, with no creaks and bend. What's more, its Hall Effect thumbsticks and triggers feel far better than you'd expect for its price - it really is a solid controller all round. It's also more comfortable than you might expect and better than its closest rival the 8bitdo Ultimate C2, though that controller does have slightly better face buttons and input latency, plus it includes rear paddles.

Battery life is not amazing but it'll last a full day of gaming if you turn off the RGB and rumble. As such, overall, for under $25, we can't recommend the EasySMX X05 highly enough. It's a great value option. Read our full EasySMX X05 review for more information.

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Best premium PC controller

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 specifications:

Spending well over $100 on a gamepad might seem a bit excessive, but the Elite Series 2 is one quality piece of gaming gear. Like most other premium controllers, this quality comes in the form of both high-end build and extra features.

Here, the extra features include rear paddles plus the faceplate, D-pad, thumbsticks, and rear paddles are all swappable. The triggers can also switch between long-throw analog mode, and a short-throw hair trigger mode. It doesn't have extra microswitches for he latter mode, unlike the Scuf Valor Pro or Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but you still get a fast-feeling trigger.

Build quality is enhanced by the rear paddles and D-pads being solid metal, plus the controller has more rubberized material around its grips than the standard Xbox controllers, so it's easier to hold on to. You can also adjust the thumbsticks using the included tool, plus a charging dock and carry case are included to charge its rechargeable battery.

Where you do miss out is that along with lacking microswitch triggers, this pad also doesn't use Hall Effect thumbsticks. That means the pad may develop stick drift just like any normal controller. Still, there's enough here to make this a worthy upgrade for many PC gamers. Read the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review.

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

Best Hall Effect premium controller

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro specifications:

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a seriously premium controller with an equally premium price, but it packs in plenty of extras for its nearly $200 MSRP. Along with a high 1,000Hz polling rate when wired, it includes extra back paddles that use mouse-style microswitches for a really snappy, fast feel.

Extra bumper buttons on the top edge add more options plus the triggers can be switched to a short-throw hair trigger mode, and these again use microswitches for a truly clicky, responsive feel.

What's more, this controller uses Hall Effect thumbsticks that should be mean this controller never develops stick drift. The sticks can also have their caps swapped for shorter or longer ones, so you can switch between faster movement or increased accuracy.

With an included carry case and integrated rechargeable battery, there's plenty here that further adds to the value of this controller. However, one notable downside is that battery life isn't amazing, at just 10-15 hours if you keep the RGB lighting and haptic feedback turned on. This can stretch to 20 hours if you turn these features off, though.

Ultimately, you'll probably already known if $200 is a price you're remotely willing to pay for a controller, but if you are the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro delivers a lot for that price. Read our Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review for more.

Scuf Valor Pro

Best wired controller

Scuf Valor Pro specifications:

If you're after the top-tier features and performance of a premium controller but can't face paying over $150 for a wireless option, the Scuf Valor Pro is for you. It offers all the build quality and extras of the likes of the Xbox Elite Controller 2 or Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but by sticking to just a wired connection it comes in at under $100.

What are those features? Well, you get Hall Effect thumbsticks to eliminate stickdrift, plus the sticks can be swapped out - the taller, round-topped one is great for FPS accuracy. You also get four extra rear paddle buttons - two of which can be removed - and triggers that can be switched from a smooth analog mode to a quick button press. It has 1,000Hz polling and two audio jack volume controls too.

The faceplate of the controller, which is finished in a lovely soft-touch finish, can also be swapped out for all sorts of fun-looking alternatives (or your own custom paint job) while the grips have a tough rubber coating for a secure feel. With Xbox and PC compatibility, this is also a versatile controller that brings a very comfortable and familiar shape. Read our Scuf Valor Pro review for more.

PlayStation DualSense

Best PS5 and PC controller

PlayStation DualSense specifications:

The key appealing factor of the Sony DualSense, other than if you just prefer the DualShock-style layour, is its inclusion of adaptive triggers and a touchpad. These two features really enhance the physical immersion in games that support them, such as like Call of Duty: Cold War, Far Cry 6, Metro Exodus, and Deathloop.

The DualSense is also just an excellent gamepad, and it elevates everything that made its predecessor great. Its thumbsticks are superbly positioned, and the whole controller is comfortable to hold after hours of use.

While Sony is slowly branching out on the PC, though, 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 symmetrical sticks, the DualSense is a killer pad with great capabilities. As long as you're aware of its foibles on PC, this is a high-quality, well-designed controller with fantastic adaptive triggers, and the price isn't bad for the feature set either. Read our PlayStation DualSense review.

Razer Raiju V3 Pro

Best high-end PS5 and PC controller

Razer Raiju V3 Pro specifications:

The Razer Raiju V3 Pro is the ultimate controller for those seeking a PlayStation Dual Sense-style layout but with ultra-taught, esports-grade controls and easy PC support.

It's packed with mouse-click-like microswitch buttons that give an incredibly responsive feel, while its TMR thumbsticks provide ultra-smooth motion and will never suffer from stick drift. Four extra back buttons and a pair of extra bumpers also provide loads of options for extra inputs, no matter what grip style you use.

Battery life is also excellent, and this controller is built from hard-wearing PBT plastic so it shouldn't wear to a shine.

However, it's very expensive and quite large - it's quite a lot taller than a DualSense controller. It also lacks Bluetooth, so you can't use it with a Steam Deck, for instance, without also plugging in the cable or USB dongle. I also found the back buttons a little too easy to hit accidentally.

Still, if you are simply after an ultra-responsive PS5 controller, this is the one. Read our full Razer Raiju V3 Pro review for more info.

PDP wireless Minecraft controller

Best Minecraft controller

PDP wireless Minecraft controller specifications:

If you're looking for the perfect Minecraft controller, this Turtle Beach Minecraft controller can make a strong claim to being it. While any good quality controller is great for actually playing the game, the charming Minecraft-themed design of this one really makes it stand out.

The Turtle Beach PDP Realmz Wireless Controller: Minecraft Diamond Print, to give it its full name, includes a Steve figurine suspended inside the controller, along with green LED lighting throughout its otherwise transparent case. It is just such a fun item.

In terms of features, it's a decently practical item too. You get a full array of Xbox-style controllers (it's PC and Xbox compatible) along with a headphone output, quick access audio controls, and rear paddles. Inside there's also a rechargeable battery that can last 40 hours per charge.

The downsides are the quality of the controls aren't quite inline with its price. It feels more like a $50 controller than an $80 one; still decent but not premium. However, you get wireless and a rechargeable battery as well as the fun Minecraft design for that price, so it's still decent value. Read our Turtle Beach PDP wireless Minecraft controller review for more.

PowerA Moga XP-Ultra

Best controller for phones and PC

PowerA Moga XP-Ultra specifications:

Do you ever find yourself playing a game with Game Pass Ultimate, then going out and streaming the game on your mobile? With the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra, you can continue playing with the same controller, as it has a mobile gaming clip that allows you to attach your Android phone (though sadly not iPhones). You can even detach the grips to make for a really compact, more portable version of the controller.

Moga XP-Ultra is fully compatible with Xbox Series X|S, PC, and many Bluetooth devices so it can be both your main PC controller and one to take on the road.

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 also immense, and, for some games, we love the D-Pad. It's not a revolution for a PC controller but it is a great all-in-one option for those serious about their mobile gaming too. Read our PowerA Moga XP-Ultra review.

Razer Kishi Mobile

Best mobile game controller

Razer Kishi Mobile specifications:

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 going to hit the spot for anyone who likes being able to play PC games without having access to a PC.

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Pro

Best guitar controller for PC

CRKD Gibson Les Paul Pro specifications:

After years of neglect, the guitar rhythm game market has seen a resurgence of support, with not one but two premium-quality, multi-system-compatible guitar controllers now available. Of the PDP Riffmaster and slightly newer CRKD Gibson Les Paul Pro, it's the latter that gets our vote for the best overall right now.

The reasons for this include its overall design that looks fantastic, feels solid (if still quite plasticky), and includes swappable/replaceable parts. Specifically, the neck can be swapped out, letting you choice between old-style fret buttons or mechanical switch ones, along with upgrading (when it becomes available) to a neck that includes mini upper frets for performing the solo portions of songs.

Other factors include the wealth connection options and broad system compatibility along with the inclusion of a full range of conventional controller inputs, so you can navigate menus and other game features using a d-pad, face buttons, and more.

A USB dongle with 2.4GHz wireless makes connection for PCs support convenient, but you can play via USB-C or Bluetooth as well, and battery life is plentiful too. So, whether your poison is playing Poison in Fortnite Festival, Rock Band 4, or Clone Hero, this controller has you covered, and we're sure that there'll be new rhythm games released in the future that take advantage of the hardware too.

What really makes this controller so good, though, are the upgrades in this Pro version. Its mechanical fret switches and haptic feedback strum bar bring a new level of precise response with long life and low noise. No longer is a Guitar Hero session accompanied by the din of your clacking controller.

This controller doesn't come cheap, at an MSRP of $149.99, but it's a worthwhile upgrade for anyone still into these games that wants a more comfortable, easier to use, and generally quality dedicated controller. Read our CRKD Gibson Les Paul Blueberry Burst Pro Edition Guitar Controller review.