9 best controllers for PC: Take your gaming to the next level with these accessories – The Independent
The best controllers for PC aren’t actually designed solely for PCs. Nowadays, the best controllers are Xbox ones that also work with your PC.
Designed in an ergonomic manner and with clearly displayed buttons that are simple to tap, many Xbox controllers are the best device for gaming on your PC for those times when a mouse and keyboard combo aren’t needed. Alternatively, you can use a different games controller with your PC, such as the PlayStation 5’s dualsense controller – although it does offer some limitations.
For those unsure if an Xbox controller is the best option for gaming on your PC, we’ve taken a deeper dive further down into the advantages of using one. We’ve also included some cheaper options than the most premium of controllers so you can spend some time experimenting without spending a fortune.
We’ve looked at nine of the best controllers for PC currently available, including the best wired, budget, and small controllers.
How we tested
We tested each of these controllers over tens and (in some cases) hundreds of hours. We played numerous games including Fortnite, Overwatch, and Forza Horizon 5 to see how well they worked with such popular titles. We also monitored their battery lives in the case of wireless controllers, plus we looked at any other useful features included.
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The best controllers for PC for 2022 are:
- Best overall – Xbox elite controller series 2: £149.99, Xbox.com
- Best Xbox controller for PC – Scuf instinct pro: £209.99, Scufgaming.com
- Best wired controller for PC – Victrix gambit tournament controller: £73.81, Victrixpro.com
- Best wireless controller for PC – Microsoft Xbox controller: £54.99, Microsoft.com
- Best budget controller for PC – Spectra infinity: £33.21, Powera.com
- Best middle range option – PowerA fusion pro 2: £66.44, Powera.com
- Best Xbox alternative – Sony dualsense wireless controller: £59.99, Playstation.com
- Best sound quality – Turtle Beach recon controller: £49.99, Turtlebeach.com
- Best small controller – Nacon Pro compact: £41.63, Nacongaming.com
Xbox elite wireless controller series 2
Best: Overall
Rating: 9/10
- Weight: 500g
- Dimensions: 17.5cm x 17.7cm x 7.3cm
- Features: Adjustable-tension thumbtacks, shorter hair trigger locks, wrap-around rubberised grip
- Connection: Wireless via Bluetooth or wired via USB-C
- Battery life: Up to 40 hours
A weighty controller it may be but the Xbox elite wireless controller series 2 packs in a lot, making it one of the most customisable controllers you could choose. It has thumbtacks you can adjust the height on as well as adjustable hair triggers so you can opt to hold them down a little or a lot depending on your play style. Once you do narrow things down, you can save individual profiles so that you can easily switch methods and games at the tap of a switch.
Comfy to hold thanks to a rubberised grip with extra triggers on the back to ensure you have plenty of buttons to tap as needed, it’s hard to return to a regular controller after this one. A decent battery life and an option to plug it in via a reasonably lengthy charging cable ensures you’ll never need to cast it …….