Using a controller is a great way to play many games on the PC, and that's a fact. While we still love our mouse and keyboard setups for shooters, plenty of games are designed primarily with controllers in mind. For any of those, you want a proper PC gaming pad.
The GameSir G7 Pro is currently our choice for the best PC controller. It's the perfect blend of features, build quality, and price, and it manages to beat out the pretty superb Xbox Controller at a similar price. If you're looking to spend as little as possible, then the GameSir Nova Lite is the best budget controller, which offers Hall effect thumbsticks at a very reasonable price. Razer's Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC now sits in the best high end spot.
The quick list
The best overall
This little feature-packed beast dethroned the Xbox controller, and for good reason. It offers a great feel, strong connectivity, won't get stick drift, and it's only slightly more expensive than the Microsoft-made controller it beats.
The best budget
You don't need to spend a fortune to get your hands on a great controller. The Nova Lite is as affordable as they come, wireless, and even sports Hall effect thumbsticks as part of the bargain.
The best high end
Razer's latest Wolverine is the best version yet, thanks to the Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, plus some super-clicky face buttons. It's very expensive, but it feels every bit as premium as you'd expect.
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The best wired
Superb build quality, excellent ergonomics, Hall effect thumbsticks, and a whole host of performance-enhancing features make the Scuf Valor Pro a shoo-in for this spot. Hope you don't mind the cable, though.
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.
October 21, 2025: We have updated our list, with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro being replaced by (drum roll please) the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC. If you want a high-end controller right now, this is the one we'd recommend.
October 1, 2025: We've added the Scuf Valor Pro as our new best wired controller pick, as it delivers a host of performance-enhancing features wrapped up in a superb chassis for a somewhat reasonable sum. If you don't mind a cable, it's the wired controller to beat right now.
September 15, 2025: We have cut our list down to four options, and those four options offer the absolute best things a PC gamer playing on a controller could possibly want. Importantly, the GameSir G7 Pro Tri-Mode has dethroned the Xbox controller as the best overall controller, as it's basically an Xbox controller but packed with premium features for almost the same price.
The best overall controller
✅ You want a great controller at a great price: The Gamesir G7 Pro stands up to more expensive controllers in many regards. Its comfort, ergonomics, and Bluetooth support mean it feels like a helluva steal for the cash.
❌ You want something flashy: This is a serious controller in a lot of ways, and it lacks any RGB—which means it won't glow in the dark, but it also won't drain its battery super quickly either.
The best PC controller is the GameSir G7 Pro. It's exceptionally high quality for the money, comfortable, colorful and manages to emulate the excellent feel of the Xbox controller, without any worries of potential stick drift.
It is a tad more expensive than the Xbox controller, but you can't say it doesn't earn that price bump. Its asymmetrical sticks are in the same place, so too are the ABXY buttons. It even has a share button and a big Xbox logo on the top. If it weren't for 'GameSir' being written on the bottom of the front plate, you could easily believe this was shipped straight from Microsoft.
However, this pad is much closer to a pro controller than a standard one. You can take the grips, front plate, and dpad off for replacement with other units, should you want to mix and match, and it even comes with TMR (Tunnel Magnetoresistance) sticks, which means you can say goodbye to stick drift worries for good.
If you're using the G7 Pro on Xbox, you'll need the wired connection, but it has both 2.4 GHz wireless and Bluetooth for PC players and comes with around ten hours of charge from a single top-up. Given that it's bundled with a charging stand, keeping that battery topped up between sessions should be no issue at all.
As well as having TMR sticks, the triggers are Hall effect, which means they won't die on you either. The microswitches on the face buttons and D-pad are lovely and clicky, and it not only comes with paddle buttons on the bottom but also two claw switches on the top. If you like to pre-program a key for quick access, the G7 Pro really does feel like a competitive controller.
This is all helped by the fact that the G7 Pro is super sturdy, despite being a little lighter than the Xbox Wireless Controller. It took a lot to dethrone the Xbox unit as the best overall choice, but the G7 Pro has certainly earned its place at the top of this guide.
Read our full GameSir G7 Pro review.
The best budget controller
✅ You're on a tight budget: The Nova Lite’s central selling point is its excellent price. There are better controllers for more money, but you’re unlikely to get a better value choice in the market.
✅ You want to play on multiple devices: This controller has built-in functions for quickly swapping from one device to another. It even outclasses much more expensive models in just how easy it is to connect to multiple devices in seconds.
❌ You want super strong battery life: At around 10 hours on a single charge, the Nova Lite won’t go dry too early—but it's a poor showing compared to some of our other recommendations.
❌ You're looking for pro features: This controller lacks back paddles, a capture button, and an aux jack, which is a bit of a shame. Still, money had to be saved somewhere, I guess.
The GameSir Nova Lite is the best budget controller for PC gaming, and that's not just because it's cheap. There are plenty of options to choose from in the sub-$30 price range, but few of them have as good a feature set as the Nova Lite.
To start with, you get proper Hall effect thumbsticks, so 'stick drift' won't ever be an issue. Plus, it comes with a low-latency 2.4 GHz dongle, which is far more suitable for faster gaming than the standard Bluetooth connection (which it also supports).
Along with a Type-C USB port for wired use, the Nova Lite's firmware is configured for multiple platforms: PC, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android devices. All of this would be an impressive list in a controller twice the price, so it's especially good to see in something so affordable.
Naturally, some corners have been cut to keep the cost down, so you won't find a 3.5 mm audio jack or any extra buttons, for example. The shoulder buttons are pretty small, and the d-pad is nowhere near as refined as that on the Xbox Wireless controller. Still, it's all very usable, comfortable, and instantly familiar. It's budget, sure, but it doesn't feel like it in all the ways that count.
That being said, the Nova Lite lives somewhat up to its name, being a little over 200 g in weight—but as a result, it doesn't feel as robust as the Sony DualSense, for example. It's also disappointing to note that the rechargeable battery will only last 10 hours or so, at most. That's roughly the same as the DualSense but far less than something like the Xbox Elite Series 2.
But these are minor quibbles when you consider the incredibly small price tag. There are better quality controllers on the market, and ones with more features, but you'll struggle to find anything as good value as the GameSir Nova Lite.
Read our full GameSir Nova Lite review.
The best high end controller
✅ You're a seriously pro gamer: Should you need the very best wireless performance and button responsiveness, and can actually make use of the polling rate, the V3 Pro 8K PC is the pad for you.
✅ You want lots of customisation: With trigger locks, remappable buttons, and Razer Synapse 4, there are plenty of ways to customise the V3 Pro 8K PC
❌ You don't need 8,000 Hz polling: It might not have Hall effect sticks, but you can get the mighty Xbox Elite Series 2 for a lot less.
❌ You want to play on Xbox: The standard V3 Pro works on both Xbox and PC, but the V3 Pro 8K PC only works wirelessly on PC. In exchange, though, you get TMR sticks and a super high polling rate.
The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro is pretty good, but its high price point, awkward buttons, and lack of modern features such as TMR thumbsticks and Hall effect sensors meant it was never destined for a top spot. Well, this was swiftly replaced by the V3 Pro, which has now been replaced by the V3 Pro 8K PC—the current best high-end gaming controller for PCs.
Razer has clearly acted on the criticisms of the V2 Pro because now you're getting TR thumbsticks (say goodbye to stick drift) and even Hall effect triggers, marketed as Pro HyperTriggers.
With a flick of two, reassuringly chonky switches on the rear, both triggers can be switched independently between long-throw, smooth movements or quick-reaction clicky ones. Everything about the triggers and bumper buttons feels positive, and that inspires a lot of confidence in those high-pressure gaming moments.
The buttons on the front are all equally clicky, which is great if you want a positive response from your controller, but less so if you want a quiet night of gaming. Still, all of the controls can be remapped via Razer's software or directly via the device itself, so there's plenty of opportunity to customise things to your liking.
Razer's controller can be used wired or wirelessly, and in the case of the latter, the included HyperSpeed dongle allows for an 8,000 Hz polling rate. Unfortunately, there's no Bluetooth option (which the V2 Pro did have), but at least you get an extra-long USB cable for wired mode and a carry case. That polling rate is arguably too much for a casual gamer, but it's perfect for getting snappy headshots and making high-level plays.
It helps that the build quality of Razer's latest controller is great. Despite being lighter than the standard V3 Pro, it's still a super solid controller, and that carry case will help protect it from any bumps while you're on the move.
At $200, the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC is invariably going to be compared to Microsoft's Elite Series 2. Razer's higher price is justified by the TMR sticks and Hall effect triggers, but it's still an awful lot of money to throw down on a peripheral. Still, it's also one of the best controllers we've used to date, so if you've got the cash, we can confirm it's a helluva gaming device.
Read our full Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC review.
The best wired controller
✅ You're not bothered by a cable: It might be an obvious thing to say, but our best wired controller pick is, err, wired. For some, that's a big deal; for others, no worries at all.
✅ You want excellent switches and impeccable ergonomics: The Scuf Valor Pro feels great in the hands, with superb clicks and clacks in all the right places.
❌ You're on a budget: Given the feature set here, a $100 asking price isn't too teeth-clenching. But you can pick up a great wireless controller with fewer doohickeys for much, much less.
Yes, it's a wired controller in 2025, and yes, you can pick up plenty of great wireless controllers for its $100 price point. But the truth is, the Scuf Valor Pro is so darn good at its job, it has to take the best wired controller spot in this guide.
The Valor Pro does not reinvent the wheel. What it does, however, is refine the wired asymmetric controller recipe to such a point that it makes much of the competition look a little old-fashioned.
Beyond the programmable paddles on the rear that have become a hallmark of many premium, pro-friendly controllers these days, the standard configuration of face buttons and at-an-angle sticks is so well-implemented, it actually stands up to scrutiny against some of the most expensive wireless controllers we've tested.
The sticks, for example, are Hall effect, which means they're immune to stick drift over time. You can also pop the thumbsticks off the top and install differently-sized replacements, complete with a tall "wiggly stick" (our reviewer Jacob's words, not mine) included as part of the package. It's not just the sticks that can be customised, either, as the magnetic faceplate can be popped straight off the front to be replaced by a differently-colored model of your choosing.
The triggers can also be set to a clicky configuration, or a traditional long throw, which is a feature we've enjoyed on many premium wireless controllers like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC above. The bumper buttons extend a fair way around the top of the controller itself, which means they're easy to press with the middle of an index finger while the tip rests on a trigger. It's all very well thought out—but beyond the excellent ergonomic design, it's the feel of the controls that really makes it stand apart.
Those face buttons, for example, are wonderfully clicky in their own right. The back paddles, too, have a clacky quality that makes them a joy to press. In fact, this controller made such an impression on our Jacob, he found himself playing with its controls as something of a fidget toy, even when it wasn't plugged in.
Yes, we're keeping an eye on him. Anyway, the major disadvantage of the Valor Pro is the lack of wireless connectivity, which you've probably already guessed by the fact that it's in the wired section. At the time of review, it was also limited to a 250 Hz wired polling rate, but Scuf has since released a firmware update that boosts it to 1,000 Hz, fixing our other major complaint.
So, it's fast, beautifully well-designed and made, and feels great to game with. Should a cable be of no concern, the Scuf Valor Pro is the wired controller to beat right now, and we can't say fairer than that.
Read our full Scuf Valor Pro review.
Also tested
Controller FAQ
Can you use a console controller on PC?
The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that you might need to perform a little fiddling the first time you set it up—although after that it will just be a case of plugging it in.
How to set up your 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 feels far better. Oh, and for racing games? You really want one of the options above, although of course, you could go all out and get a full-on racing wheel instead.
How we test controllers
Ignore those who seem to think every game is best with a mouse and keyboard. Assassin's 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.
Soulslikes work particularly well on a controller, and we try to test a wide variety of games when we have pads in our hands. Our testing process involves slotting the controller into our day-to-day gaming activities and seeing if it can hold its own against the competition.
This could go from taking a spin around a course in F1 25, to firing off a few million rounds in Borderlands 4, to platforming in Celeste. Testing even involves trying out the controller on games that are generally considered better on mouse and keyboard (the horrors, I know). After all, a good controller doesn't just give a competitive edge in some environments; it adds meaningfully to the way you spend those late nights, when you just need to relax and put your feet up.
