Guide

Best controllers for the PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch

18.7.2025

Translation: Katherine Martin

A decent controller is a key part of any gamer’s inventory, be it for the PC or a console. The thing is, official controllers aren’t always your best bet. Here are my recommendations.

From the Dualsense to the Elite Series to the Joy-Con, gaming controllers are a dime a dozen. Not only does every console have its own, but the days of PC gamers using just a mouse and keyboard are well and truly over. There are also drastic differences between the official controllers sold by console manufacturers and ones you can buy separately. This article is a roundup of my recommended controllers for the PC, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch. And I didn’t forget Mac and Linux either.

The article will be updated on a regular basis. You’ll find the previous version from 2023 here.

For the PS5: Dualsense Edge

Sony’s pro controller’s called the Dualsense Edge, costs a small fortune and boasts numerous configuration options. Three different sets of analogue sticks are included, depending on whether you prefer an inward or outward curve. Even the length varies. There are two paddles on the back, which, as with the rest of the buttons, can be assigned freely. If they’re in your way, you can take them off.

Sony’s pro controller, the Dualsense Edge, is impressive. The only letdown is the battery.

Two buttons below the analogue sticks let you switch between profiles and adjust audio settings. You can change the button assignments in the PlayStation menu, along with the dead zone or the intensity of the triggers. Trigger depth can be adjusted to three levels via two sliders. This allows you to tailor it to the game you’re playing, be it a racer or shooter.

Sony’s controllers are pretty much the only ones to support both adaptive triggers and the PS5’s complex haptic feedback.

Compatible with: PS5, PC

Pros:

Configurable
Adaptive triggers and haptic feedback
Assignable paddles on the back

Cons:

Expensive
Battery weaker than that of the standard Dualsense controller
Doesn’t have Hall effect or TMR analogue sticks

Game controllers

EUR190,18

Sony DualSense Edge

PS5

Alternative

The PDP Victrix Pro BFG gives you an enormous number of customisation options, both in terms of software and hardware. You’ll have to do without complex haptic feedback though.

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For the PS4: PDP Victrix Pro BFG

In contrast to the PS5, there’s no official Sony pro controller for the PS4. With this in mind, I’ve focused on alternative consoles in this section. The PDP Victrix Pro BFG from Turtle Beach boasts an almost absurd number of configuration options. Just about everything on the controller can be swapped out. It comes with three joysticks, four analogue sticks, two analogue stick gates and a six-button keypad for fighting games. The left module, consisting of the D-pad and analogue stick, can be rotated 180 degrees. If you fancy making any adjustments, you just have to loosen two screws.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a controller with more configuration options than the PDP Victrix Pro BFG.

There are also four freely assignable buttons on the back, which are easy to reach with your middle and ring fingers. You can also increase the triggers’ stroke distance – ideal if you’re into racing games. Alternatively, if you’re looking to gain an advantage in shoot-‘em-up games, you can adjust them to trigger quickly.

The PDP Victrix Pro BFG works via cable or with the wireless dongle supplied.

Compatible with: PS4, PS5, PC

Pros:

Hard to beat on hardware configuration options
Contains a button module for fighting games

Cons:

Slightly rickety triggers
Hall effect analogue sticks cost extra

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Alternative

It may be considerably cheaper, but Sony’s Dualshock 4 is still reliable. Although you can’t customise it, it does come in a wide range of colours.

Sony PS4 Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller (PS4)

Game controllers

EUR76,90

Sony PS4 Dualshock 4 Wireless Controller

PS4

For the Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One: Xbox Elite Series 2

I’d recommend the Elite Series 2 for both the previous and the current Xbox generation. The first version of the high-end Xbox controller was released back in 2015. The Elite Series 2 has various analogue stick sets, which, thanks to magnets, are easy to take off. This also applies to the control pad, which you can replace with a circle if you prefer. It’s easy to remove the four paddles on the back. You can also adjust the triggers to three levels, depending on how far down you’d like to press them. There’s no other controller out there that’s easier to configure than this one.

The Xbox Elite Series 2 has been around for a few years now, but it’s still going strong.

You can do some more fine-tuning or make button adjustments on the PC or Xbox using the software that goes with it.

The Elite has rubber handles, so it’s really comfortable to hold. It’s weighty enough to give you the sense you’ve got a premium product in your hands.

Compatible with: Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Pros:

Very grippy
Numerous hardware and software customisation options
Removable paddles

Cons:

Doesn’t have Hall effect or TMR analogue sticks

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Xbox One X, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S)

Game controllers

EUR164,07

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Xbox One X, PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series S

Alternative

The PDP Victrix Pro BFG, which I’ve already recommended for the PS4, boasts even more configuration options. It’s just that this one’s for the Xbox. In addition to three D-pads, four analogue sticks, four analogue stick gates, you get a six-button module for fighting games. Plus, you can rotate the left controller layout by 180 degrees. Despite being almost the same price as the Elite Series 2, it doesn’t feel as high-quality.

PDP Victrix Pro BFG (PC, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS, Mac)

Game controllers

EUR177,93

PDP Victrix Pro BFG

PC, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Android, iOS, Mac

For the Switch 2: Nintendo Pro Controller 2

If you primarily play the Switch on the TV, you’ll need an additional controller. The Joy-Cons that come included with the second Switch are mostly designed for kids. You deserve better. For example, the Nintendo Pro Controller 2. Compared to the first version of the controller, this one has a genuinely premium feel to it. The analogue sticks in particular move extremely smoothly. Unfortunately, they’re neither TMR nor Hall effect sticks. Aside from the accuracy issues this poses, it also calls the sticks’ durability into question.

Nintendo’s Pro Controller 2 is expensive – and feels that way too.

Nintendo’s considerably improved the D-pad; it doesn’t trigger incorrect inputs anymore. There are also two additional buttons on the back that you can freely assign. It’s just a pity the triggers aren’t analogue, a feature that’s actually a necessity in racing games.

HD Rumble is another major plus point. This allows you to feel the slightest vibrations when you pick up or fire a power-up in Mario Kart World, for example. It’s currently only available on Nintendo’s own controllers.

Compatible with: Switch 1, Switch 2, PC

Pros:

Feels extremely good
Additional buttons on the back
HD Rumble 2

Cons:

No TMR or Hall effect analogue sticks
Triggers aren’t analogue

Game controllers

EUR82,28

Nintendo Pro Controller

Switch 2

Alternative

The 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 is a sensational alternative. Although it’s significantly cheaper, it even comes with a charging dock. On top of this, it has four buttons on the back, analogue Hall effect triggers and TMR analogue sticks.

8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless (Switch, Windows)

Game controllers

EUR69,45

8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless

Switch, Windows

For the Switch: 8Bitdo Ultimate

TMR sensors in the analogue sticks mean you don’t have to worry about Joy-Con drift. This technology’s considered more precise than Hall effect tech, but offers the same advantages. The magnetic tunnel contacts inside don’t wear out as much as the ones used in standard analogue sticks. Tried-and-tested Hall effect technology is still used in the triggers. Plus, the digital D-pad is much more precise than the almost unusable one on Nintendo’s first Pro Controller.

The 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 comes with a charging station.

The 8BitDo app allows you to customise the button layout, vibration strength or the behaviour of the analogue sticks and save them in profiles. You can switch between them using the dedicated button on the front. There are a total of four additional buttons on the back of the controller and next to the triggers.

The 8BitDo comes with a charging dock that also serves as a wireless receiver. And it has Bluetooth.

Compatible with: Switch 1, Switch 2, PC

Pros:

Inexpensive
Charging dock
TMR analogue sticks
Motion controls

Cons:

No HD rumble

Game controllers

EUR69,45

8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless

Switch, Windows

Alternative

The Nintendo Pro Controller has a pathetic D-pad, but features the more sophisticated HD Rumble technology, Amiibo support and an infrared sensor.

Game controllers

EUR61,98

Nintendo Switch Pro Controller

Switch

For Windows PC: Dualsense Edge

Technically, PC gamers could use any controller listed here. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Still, I’d personally recommend the Dualsense Edge. Since most people are likely to connect it via cable, its poor battery performance is no big deal. If you’re going to use it, you’ll have to like the button layout. However, since an increasing number of PlayStation games have started ending up available for PC, it’s worth using the right controller. That way, you’ll be able to enjoy ingenious haptic feedback and adaptive triggers that’d otherwise be exclusive to the PlayStation.

The Sony Dualsense Edge is impressive on the PC too.

It’s worth noting that PlayStation controllers used with a PC occasionally cause problems when used wirelessly. Sometimes they aren’t recognised or the Xbox button layout is used. Having said that, things have improved in the last few years.

Compatible with: PS5, PC

Pros:

Configurable
Adaptive triggers and haptic feedback
Assignable paddles on the back

Cons:

Expensive
Battery only lasts a few hours
No TMR or Hall effect

Game controllers

EUR190,18

Sony DualSense Edge

PS5

Alternative

There are no compatibility problems with the 8Bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless. It’s registered as an Xbox controller. It also has higher-quality TMR analogue sticks and Hall effect triggers. Plus, you could buy four of them for the price of one Dualsense Edge. The PC version is even slightly cheaper than the Switch version.

Game controllers

EUR55,25

8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless

Mac and Linux

Linux is becoming increasingly popular as a gaming platform, not least thanks to SteamOS. The number of native games on Macs is also steadily increasing. However, Linux is doing slightly better on the controller compatibility front. Every controller on this list should work for you, but my recommendation would be the 8Bitdo Ultimate 2. With its competitive price, great features and configuration options, it’s one of the best controllers for Mac and Linux devices.

Game controllers

EUR55,25

8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless

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Philipp Rüegg

Senior Editor

Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.ch

As a child, I wasn't allowed to have any consoles. It was only with the arrival of the family's 486 PC that the magical world of gaming opened up to me. Today, I'm overcompensating accordingly. Only a lack of time and money prevents me from trying out every game there is and decorating my shelf with rare retro consoles.

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