Using controllers for PC gaming is an excellent option for games. While a keyboard and mouse can still be the top option for many, gaming controllers hold their own in a lot of ways. For one, they can provide you with more of a lean-back experience because you can literally lean back and play. Provided you have a chair or something to sit on that allows for it.
This alone is probably the number one reason to use controllers for PC gaming if you hold comfort in high regard. Some players even find controllers to be more accurate. And if that’s you, you’ll want to pick from the best controllers for PC gaming to ensure you’re making the most of it.
We’ve rounded up some of the best controllers to use for PC gaming to make choosing one that much easier. Chances are you may even have one that already works if you own a gaming console. If you don’t though, or you want an extra, here are some of your best options.
The Best Controllers For PC Gaming
| Controller | Cost | Where To Buy |
| 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired Controller | $44.52 | Amazon |
| DualShock 4 | From $59.99 | Amazon |
| Nintendo Switch Pro Controller | $69.99 | Amazon |
| Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller | From $47.99 | Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, Target, Microsoft |
| DualSense | From $69 | Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, Target |
| HyperX Clutch Wireless | $49.99 | Amazon |
| SCUF Instinct Pro | $229.99 | Amazon |
| HexGaming Edge | $169.99 | Amazon (currently unavailable) |
| Razer Wolverine Ultimate | $104.85 | Amazon, GameStop, Razer |
| PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox | From $29.88 | Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy |
8BitDo Pro 2 Wired Controller
- Price: $44.52
- Where To Buy: Amazon
A great wired option for PC gaming controllers is the Pro 2 from 8BitDo. It’s fairly compact so it should work for most players, has additional, remappable buttons on the back, and it includes the new share button from the Xbox Series X|S wireless controllers.
What makes things even better is this is on sale for under $40. So you’re getting a really good controller for pretty darn cheap.
DualShock 4
- Price: From $59.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon
You can’t go wrong with the DualShock 4 controller. Since this is from Sony’s last generation console, it’s compatible with loads of games on PC. In fact, support for it is baked into Steam and is usable with most games there.
You can use it wired or wireless, and it’s even compatible with mobile for games that have controller support. All around this is one of the best controllers for PC gaming just because it’s comfortable and lightweight enough for long play sessions.
The cherry on top is that it comes in loads of color options too.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
- Price: $69.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon
Sure this is a wireless controller for the Switch. But you can actually use it with PC too. If your main gaming platforms are Switch and PC, then this is definitely a good buy. Since you can easily pair it with both and get more use out of it.
There’s no extra buttons or enhancements here, but it’s a well-rounded comfortable gaming controller and that’s what matters.
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller
The new wireless controller for Xbox from Microsoft is essentially the same controller as before. But with a few minor upgrades. First, it feels lighter than the older ones. But it also comes with textured surfaces on the backs of the controller grips. So it should help prevent slipping from sweaty hands.
It also now has a share button for easy screenshot captures. It’s compatible with Windows 10 PCs, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and mobile devices. And it comes in tons of colors. So you can more or less personalize it.
Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller
DualSense
Sony really knocked it out of the park with the DualSense controller. You’ll naturally get most of the benefits when using this with the PS5 itself. But it is also compatible with PC and mobile. So you can use it there too.
As a controller for PC, it just feels great in the hands. And should have longer battery life than that of the DualShock 4. Even if only by a little bit. For use with PS5, it has the adaptive triggers, and the improved haptics. You just can’t beat it.
HyperX Clutch Wireless
- Price: $49.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon
We’ve been using this recently for both PC and mobile and it works great for both. Especially since you have three ways you can connect it to a PC. Either through Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, or you can plug it in with a USB cable to get a wired experience and not have to worry about battery life. Design-wise it’s set up like an Xbox controller so it should feel pretty familiar to anyone who’s used to using an Xbox controller for most of their gaming.
There’s no remappable paddles or anything like that so the controller is fairly standard. You do however have a turbo button and some textured grips on the sides of the hand grips. Which is a nice touch to help avoid slippage.
SCUF Instinct Pro
- Price: $229.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon
If you also play on PC and Xbox, then you probably want to at least consider the SCUF Instinct Pro. It offers a lot of what you’ll get from other SCUF controllers, but with quite a few improvements. For example, it can store up to three different profiles on the onboard memory for a customized control setup for different games. And you can swap between them on the fly with a button right on the front.
It also has the customizable, adjustable triggers, back paddle buttons, a wide array of customization options for the design, wireless and wired connectivity options, plus instant triggers. The instant triggers are a real game changer as they can go from feeling like a regular trigger press to the quick and precise click of a mouse.
There’s also a high-performance grip on the back. SCUF isn’t playing around when it comes to its controllers. And you shouldn’t be either. Unless it’s when you’re actually playing games.
HexGaming Edge
- Price: $169.99
- Where To Buy: Amazon (Currently Unavailable)
HexGaming makes one of our favorite PS5 controllers with the Rival – a third-party DualSense controller that has remappable paddles on the back and options for hair triggers that act like a mouse click for faster firing in FPS titles.
The Edge from HexGaming is similar and one of its two options for PS4 controllers. And like the DualShock 4 this one is compatible with PC because after all, it is a PS4 controller. There’s four remappable paddles on the back, as well as a ton of customization options for the design. Some of the options even have textured hand grips.
Additionally HexGaming packs in 6 different thumb stick options for you so you can find the best fit for your own personal playstyle.
Razer Wolverine Ultimate
What we really like about the Razer Wolverine is all the customization. In addition to the standard buttons like the bumpers and triggers, d-pad, thumb sticks, and ABXY buttons, the Wolverine Ultimate has 6 macro buttons that you can remap. There are two on top and four on the back.
There’s also an interchangeable thumb stick and d-pad, and a suite of controls at the bottom of the controller for managing mic mute, volume and more. This is also a wired controller so there should be no latency like a wireless option. It’s not as new as the Wolverine V2 Chroma but it does have a couple more customization options and it’s about $30 less.
PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox
Rounding out this list is another super affordable option with the PowerA Enhanced Wired controller for Xbox. At under $30 (this is a sale price), it’s hard to ignore what PowerA is offering here. But don’t let the low price fool you. This is a formidable option for games and one of the best controllers you’ll find for PC gaming at this price.
The design is nearly identical to an Xbox wireless controller, plus it comes in tons of color options, and it even has a few extra buttons on the back. Which you can of course remap to your liking. One of our favorite features though is the volume dial at the bottom for adjusting game volume and chat audio if you’re using a wired headset plugged in to the controller’s 3.5mm headset jack.
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