Best PC controllers in 2024: the pads I recommend for PC gamers

The best PC controller is a great way to game. While we still love our mouse and keyboard setups for shooters, there are plenty of games designed primarily with controllers in mind. For any of those, you want a proper PC gaming pad.

Many may disagree, but the truth remains: controllers are sometimes the best tool for the job, even in games considered PC classics. Take Elden Ring or The Witcher 3, for example—both have a much simpler control system when played with the best PC controller than a mouse and keyboard. You can bet that the best gaming mouse and the best gaming keyboard will prevail in almost every PC exclusive ever made, but adding a great controller to your inventory will cover the areas where they fall short. 

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is currently our choice for the best PC controller, with the Xbox Core controller backing it up as the best budget pad. It's got plenty of swappable bits and bobs and feels great in your hands. Similarly, like the other controllers we have meticulously tested and ranked below, it also performs well in driving games. Since most keyboards don't offer pressure-sensitive key switches, an analog stick is your best option for accurate movement. 

Curated by
Dave James
Curated by
Dave James

Dave cut his industry teeth writing guides for PlayStation and Xbox magazines a million years ago, and is as well versed in the world of gamepads as he is in the obviously more accurate keyboard and mouse realm. He's also got a penchant for arcade football games, and two small children, and so knows a thing or two about the need for reliable pads that can take some punishment.

The quick list

Recent updates

Updated March 12 to ensure our picks are up-to-date and accurate. They are, but no doubt they'll face stiff competition as we move deeper into 2024.

The best PC controller

The best PC controller

Specifications

Weight: 0.76lbs (345g) (+/-15g)
Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz
Features: 3-step trigger modes, replaceable thumbsticks, paddle switches
Battery: Internal Rechargable Battery (40 Hours)

Reasons to buy

+
 Lots of customization options
+
 Detachable Charging Dock via USB-C 
+
 Bluetooth-enabled (finally)  

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy compared to most controllers
-
Seriously expensive
Buy if...

✅ You want the best gaming controller: The Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller has been around for a while, but to this day it remains our favorite gaming controller. Whether its ergonomics, functionality or its customization options, it's got the lot.

You want seamless operation: If you're an Xbox gamer, a PC gamer, or both, the Elite Series 2 simply works. if anyone knows how to get a Microsoft controller working seamlessly with Windows, it's Microsoft!

Don't buy if...

You're on a budget: While it has dropped in price since it launched, it's still a pricey affair. There are plenty of cheaper options available, though they don't offer the same all-round experience the Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller does.

You want a Hall effect pad: Surely there has to be a Series 3 in the offing and if it doesn't have no-stick-drift Hall effect thumbsticks I'll be stunned. The Series 2 doesn't, however, which is maybe a tough one to take for an expensive pad in 2024.

The Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller remains our pick as best gaming controller, and if you use one more than ten minutes, you'll understand why we have it at the number one spot. Everything about the Series 2 screams luxury. The customization options give you an unparalleled level of control (pun intended) over your gameplay. Being able to tweak all aspects of the controller, like d-pads, shift paddles, and joystick tension, is an absolute godsend.

The most significant changes in the Series 2 over the Series 1 (which we also loved) include a neat little carrying case that doubles as a portable USB Type-C powered  charging station for the controller's new rechargeable battery, which has around 40 hours of juice.

It comes with a bunch of custom bits: 6 thumbsticks, 2 d-pads (cross-shaped and faceted), 4 rear pedals, and one tool for adjustable thumbstick tension.

The Series 1's surprising lack of Bluetooth is something that drew major criticism, but thanks to the Series 2 adopting Bluetooth, you now have a market-leading PC controller and something that’ll pair with a phone to play the Apple Arcade offerings or mess around Xbox streaming. It makes the controller that much more versatile, which is essential given the high price of admission.

The returning hair-trigger locks are still among my favorite things about Elite. For those who haven’t used them, they control how far you need to pull the trigger, so there’s no wasted effort or time in competitive shooters, where milliseconds matter. The four additional back paddles are a neat feature, too and can make for some interesting controller layouts. Never want to take your thumbs off of the thumbsticks? Simply assign the face buttons to the back paddles and you're good to go. In fact, the extreme flexibility of the Series 2 has the additional benefit of making the controller highly accessible, meaning that more people can use it to play PC games.

It is worth noting that having used my Elite Series 2 for years I have had issues with the bumper buttons. But it's also worth noting that it's very easy to set right, too. I've now fixed both of my non-responsive bumpers on two separate occasions, one because of Elden Ring and one because of FC24. Here's how to fix those Series 2 bumper buttons.

Some people might find the more hefty controller a bit jarring at first since it's heavier than the standard Xbox One controller by a few ounces. And while it's nice to swap out the standard d-pad, both the cross and faceted alternative d-pads take some getting used to, especially in fighting games like Dragonball FighterZ or Mortal Kombat 11.

Spending $160 for a controller is a tough sell for most people; that's nearly four times the price of an Xbox One controller, but if you're a serious gamer who values performance and extreme levels of customization, the Series 2 is a no-brainer and worth every penny.

Read our full Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review.

The best budget controller

2. Xbox Core Wireless Controller

The best budget wireless controller

Specifications

Weight: 9.9oz (281g)
Connectivity: Xbox Wireless; Bluetooth
Features: Hybrid D-pad, Textured Grip, Share button
Battery: 2x AA

Reasons to buy

+
Affordable
+
Comfortable
+
Officially supported by most games
+
Share Button

Reasons to avoid

-
Not rechargeable
Buy if...

✅ You're on a budget: The Xbox Core Wireless Controller stands up to the test of time. Its comfort, ergonomics and Bluetooth support mean its still as good a controller as it was when it launched years ago.

Don't buy if...

You want something rechargeable: The Xbox Core Wireless Controller lacks recharging capabilities, meaning you'll need a stock of AA batteries nearby. 

The original Xbox One Wireless Controller was a staple for PC gaming. With the release of the Xbox Series S/X, we were all curious to see how Xbox improved on an already outstanding gamepad.

This controller retains many of the features we loved about the original. It maintains the overall comfortable design and includes texturized rubber grips that provide a great feel in your hands. Similar to its predecessor, it boasts a vastly superior d-pad that you won't hesitate to use in fighting games and platformers, taking inspiration from the Xbox One Elite Series controllers.

You might have noticed a new button in the controller's center—a much-requested Share button that allows you to capture screenshots and gameplay footage without delving too much into the menus. However, honestly, that's a minor aspect when it comes to PC gaming.

We capitalize "Wireless" for a reason—not because the word is a proper noun per se, but because the Xbox Wireless controller leverages Microsoft's wireless protocol called "Xbox Wireless." Though the name could benefit from some creative refinement, you can find comfort in the fact that, since 2016, the Xbox Wireless controller offers much-needed Bluetooth compatibility as well.

On PC, if you don't have Bluetooth, you'll need to purchase a Microsoft Wireless dongle separately to enable your machine to connect to the fast non-Bluetooth protocol.

However, the standard Xbox Wireless pad is such a well-made and reasonably priced piece of hardware that it's challenging to see how other manufacturers can possibly compete with Microsoft's exceptional controller. It will continue to be on our recommended list for a long time to come.

Best gaming laptop | Best gaming monitor |Best gaming headset | Best wireless gaming headset| Best computer speakers | Best capture card

The best customizable controller

The best customizable controller

Specifications

Weight: 9.9oz (280g)
Connectivity: USB Type-C, Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth
Features: Changeable thumbsticks, removable faceplates, paddle switches
Battery: 2x AA

Reasons to buy

+
Great customisation options
+
Feels reassuringly solid in the hand
+
Responsive and accurate

Reasons to avoid

-
Customisation really costs
-
AA batteries, not rechargeable
-
It's just not the Elite...
Buy if...

✅ You want customization options on top of customization options: Whether its the looks of the Scuf Instinct Pro or its buttons, the sheer number of alterations possible here make it the best there is.

✅ You want something built to last: The Scuf offers a  solid, reliable feel. It can take a thrashing, leaving the impression that it's built to last.

Don't buy if...

You want something affordable: At $200 before adding the customization options, the Scuf Instinct Pro is a seriously expensive affair. And at that price, it butts heads with the Elite Series 2, which is a formidable competitor, to say the least.

Scuf doesn't mess around with its controllers, offering some of the best premium pads outside of Sony and Microsoft. And the Instinct Pro is the absolute best Microsoft-focused pad controller should you wish to eschew the two big bois of the console world. But when the Elite Series 2 exists in the world, how does anyone else compete in the enthusiast controller space.

There are more customisation options on offer with the Instinct Pro than with pretty much any other pad you could name. Scuf is offering a huge variety of different cosmetic and physical customisation options from the initial store page. The faceplate options, and the rings around the thumbsticks, are the most obvious, but you also get to pick your choice of actual thumbsticks in terms of length and topper (convex or concave).

There are also options to change the D-pad, button facades, as well as the styling of both the bumpers and the triggers. Interestingly, there is also the option to remove the rumble motors from inside the controller which is something you'll often find the pros end up removing from their tournament controllers, to cut down on the inherent distraction of hand-wobble.

Though that will definitely impact the price—with my own choices I managed to bump the cost up to just shy of $250. But did create a gloriously pink pad without the distraction of rumble packs.

Scuf has at least acknowledged there's little point trying to one-up Microsoft when it comes to the overall design of the Instinct Pro, because it looks physically identical to a standard Xbox Series X/S controller. Obviously aside from the faceplate, rings, and mute button on the front.

The thumbsticks are reassuringly solid and responsive during gaming a session. Hammering the sticks with quick switches of direction in a twitch game haven't had an impact on the pad, and they still feel smooth and accurate when you're in something less fast-paced. The triggers have a pleasing action, too, maybe not quite so deep as the Elite, but still just as accurate.

The rest of the button-feel is robust and reassuringly clicky too, though I would say the hair-trigger mode feels a little too shallow for my tastes. But I can see where some folk might prefer it, so I'm not going to count that as anything more than personal choice, not a negative.

The Scuf Instinct Pro requires AA batteries, like standard Xbox pads, unlike the Elite which houses a lithium ion battery. The ability to swap in a fresh pair of batteries mid-tournament is potentially a selling point, and lithium ion batteries are meant to have a finite shelf life. Though it's not something I've ever experienced with my Elite pad in the past few years of use.

Either way, it's a fantastic controller that feels great in the hand and is as responsive as you could wish for. It's just painfully pricey with all my chosen greebles.

Read our full Scuf Instinct Pro review.

The best Hall effect controller

The best Hall effect controller

Specifications

Weight: 8.7oz (246g)
Connectivity: USB Type-C, Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth
Features: Built-in display, no-drift thumbsticks, tactile microswitches, 10ft (3m) cord
Battery: Internal Rechargable Battery (30 Hours)

Reasons to buy

+
No-drift thumb sticks
+
Customisable without software
+
Tactile microswitches

Reasons to avoid

-
It's big
-
The RGB seems pointless
-
Phone app sucks
Buy if...

✅ You thrash your thumb sticks: The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra boasts no-drift thumb sticks which adds an extra assurance that this is a controller built to survive many a torturous gaming session.

✅ You like the on-controller LCD screen: The Stealth Ultra's in-built LCD screen is actually useful for monitoring and adjusting its various functions. And it can display social media notifications if that is of interest to you.

Don't buy if...

You have an Elite Series 2 already: Buying a new $200 controller is a tough ask if you already have a Microsoft Elite Series 2. The hall effect switches alone aren't enough to justify such an outlay.

If stick drift drives you crazy, look right here. The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra promises to remove that particular blight thanks to its Hall effect thumb sticks. It features friction-less, contact-less sensors, and will never suffer the vagaries of stick drift.

This is a controller that looks and feels like it goes a long way to justifying its steep $200 asking price. It's got an LCD display that's useful for monitoring and adjusting its various functions. And it can display social media notifications if that's of interest to you. Oh, and it's got RGB. Of course.

It's a wireless affair with an inbuilt lithium ion battery, which can be charged via the included USB cable. It connects via 2.4GHz wireless or Bluetooth. Turtle Beach claims the unit can run for up to 30 hours depending on the power mode you use.

Flashy stuff aside, the Stealth Ultra's claim to fame is its sticks and buttons. It features microswitches under the d-pad and face buttons, giving it a mechanical tactility. The concave d-pad isn't swappable, but the microswitches on the Stealth Ultra improve the experience a great deal. It's 'clicky' feel gives it a precision that's often missing from cheaper controllers.

The left and right triggers have adjustable depths, while the two switches on the back of the controller can toggle between a default deep stroke and a much more shallow stroke.

The Stealth Ultra is highly configurable. Assigning functions to the P1-P4 switches in each of the ten onboard profiles is painless, as is adjusting sound settings on a per-profile basis. The latter includes not only mic monitoring and volume, but also some EQ options. To access these functions there's an extra button beneath the usual Xbox share button which toggles the screen between controller use and menu use. 

If you're going to spend the big bucks on a gaming controller and you expect it to take a lot of punishment, Hall effect sticks are where it's at. Sure, it's pricey, but its  big price tag is amply justified, thanks to its no-drift stick technology, brilliant microswitches, paddles, and on-the-fly customization capabilities.

Read our full Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra review.

The best symmetrical controller

5. Sony DualSense Wireless Controller

The best symmetrical controller

Specifications

Weight: 9.9oz (280g)
Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth
Features: Touchpad, haptic triggers
Battery: Li-Ion (6-12 hours)

Reasons to buy

+
Super accurate thumbsticks
+
Adaptive Triggers
+
Haptic Rumble

Reasons to avoid

-
Feature support limited on PC
-
Battery life isn't amazing
Buy if...

✅ You appreciate excellent haptic feedback and adaptive triggers: Sony knows a thing or two about gaming controllers, and even if the Microsoft options feel a little better in many hands, the 'control' part of the DualSense controller remains excellent.

✅ You want something very well built: The PlayStation wouldn't have gotten where it was without a quality controller. You can expect years of use out of a DualSense controller

Don't buy if...

You want seamless PC integration: The DualSense works well if you use it with Steam, but it doesn't deliver the same plug and play functionality of many PC optimized controllers.

The PlayStation 5 DualSense has a "you have to touch it to believe it" quality, thanks to its haptic motors and "Adaptive" triggers, which can provide resistance under your finger. For example, firing a bow can actually feel like firing a bow. The rumble feedback is also the best and most nuanced we have ever experienced in a controller. It truly lives up to the praise it receives.

The downside is that games need to be programmed to take advantage of them, and only a few do. However, Steam already offers full support for the controller, so it's relatively easy to plug in and use like any other gamepad. It is slightly less comfortable than the Xbox Series X controller and not as straightforward to use in non-Steam games. However, if you prefer Sony's analog stick layout or enjoy gyro aiming, this is the controller to go for.

The DualSense does not have official PC drivers, but that is not a major issue, as Steam makes it incredibly easy to use the controller via USB and Bluetooth. The DualSense uses the older DirectInput API instead of the more widely supported XInput, meaning many games may not instantly recognize it. By enabling 'PlayStation Configuration Support' in Steam's controller settings, your controller will work with most games.

The relationship between PC and DualSense is complex. Still, it has become slightly simpler now that we can update the controller firmware directly through our PCs instead of having to connect it to a PS5. Simply download the 'Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller' tool from the official PlayStation site, follow the instructions, plug in your DualSense via a USB cable, and you're ready.

Nevertheless, the PS5 DualSense remains an incredibly well-built controller and is as responsive as one could wish. If you dislike the offset sticks of the standard Xbox layout, this is as about as good as PlayStation gamepads get—there is that ludicrously expensive Edge controller, but that's really not an option on a budget.

Also tested

Controller FAQ

Can you use a console controller on PC?

Is PC gaming better with a controller?

This might seem an utterly offensive question to ask in the annals of PC Gamer, but it remains true that certain PC games are far better played with a controller than the classic keyboard and mouse combo.

Sports games are the most obvious, as anyone who has tried to play FIFA using the strange keyboard/mouse control scheme can attest to. But there are other titles, specifically those which were primarily designed for consoles whose control schemes are so unwieldy away from a pad that playing them any other way is a pain.

For example, you could play Elden Ring without a controller, but using a pad on a PC felt far better.

How we test controllers

Ignore those who seem to think every game is best with a mouse and keyboard. Assassins Creed Valhalla is not best played with a keyboard. Street Fighter 5 is not best played with a keyboard. True, we play most games with a mouse and keyboard, but for PC gamers with ranging tastes, a good controller is a must.

Though I've done some testing with first-person shooters, I've largely ignored the genre. While it may be necessary for console gamers, we're almost always going to use WASD for any kind of shooter. With that in mind, the games I used mainly for testing are the ones mentioned below:

Katana Zero: A game that requires excellent d-pad control and responsive face buttons.

Street Fighter V: I've put a lot of hours into Street Fighter V with both controllers and fight sticks, so I know how it ought to feel. If I can't crush an AI opponent as Ken, something isn't right.

Forza Motorsport: I chose Forza primarily to test the analog sticks, which according to my preferences, need three qualities: springy enough to quickly snap back to center, sensitive and resistant sufficient to make slight steering adjustments, and comfortably contoured. Hence, my thumbs aren't bloody stumps at the end of a few hours.

Dave James
Managing Editor, Hardware

Dave has been gaming since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug on the Colecovision, and code books for the Commodore Vic 20 (Death Race 2000!). He built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16, and finally finished bug-fixing the Cyrix-based system around a year later. When he dropped it out of the window. He first started writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Xbox World many decades ago, then moved onto PC Format full-time, then PC Gamer, TechRadar, and T3 among others. Now he's back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck.