The 3 Best PC Gaming Controllers of 2025

Wireless controllers

The PowerA OPS V1 feels cheaper in quality than the controllers we recommend, and we found multiple users reporting issues with the trigger locks, as well as joystick drift in the similar (but more expensive) PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller it launched with in August 2024.

The D-pad and center buttons on the GameSir Nova Lite are mushy, the rear triggers travel too far, and the L1/R1 bumpers oscillate between feeling sticky and being clicky for no apparent reason.

While my PC recognized both the GameSir Cyclone 2 and GameSir Super Nova when paired via Bluetooth, neither controller worked or registered any inputs in Bluetooth mode. We’ve also found a concerning amount of users reporting issues with connectivity, longevity, and reliability for both controllers.

The wireless connection on the Asus ROG Raikiri Pro consistently cut out every few seconds in our testing, the back paddles are awkward to reach, and it doesn’t feel comfortable in small hands.

The GameSir G8+ is a mobile gaming controller that pairs to your device over Bluetooth. But the layout feels tailored more for people with small hands, and in our testing, it randomly switched between Xbox and PlayStation control schemes mid-game on iOS — and other users have reported similar issues.

Sony’s DualSense wireless controller feels great, but it can be hit or miss in its compatibility with Windows and games outside of Steam. It’s a good PC controller if you already own a PS5, but there’s no reason to spend this much if you’re buying a controller specifically for a PC.

The Sony DualSense Edge, the pro version of the standard PS5 controller, is a nice option for PlayStation owners. But the symbols on PlayStation’s buttons deviate from the traditional ABXY layout used in most PC games, which can be a headache to translate when you’re learning new games. We’ve also seen limited but consistent reports of some people experiencing problems with or failure of the controller’s back paddles.

We’ve seen numerous reports of reliability problems with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, and Wirecutter staffers have experienced these problems firsthand. If you’re determined to spend a lot on a controller like the DualSense Edge or the Xbox Elite Series 2, you should probably spring for added warranty coverage.

The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller can connect to a PC over Bluetooth or USB-C, but the ABXY buttons aren’t laid out the same way as on an Xbox controller — A and B are reversed, as are X and Y — which could create some confusion in games that expect an Xbox-style button layout. Steam offers a setting to easily swap the layout from Nintendo to Xbox, but if you play games through other platforms, you’ll need to use software like x360ce to configure it. It also lacks a headset jack.

We dismissed the PowerA OPS v3 Pro because multiple owners reported issues with joystick drift since it launched in August 2024.

The Nintendo-oriented layout of the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth isn’t ideal for PC gaming, and those looking for a controller for the Switch are better off with Nintendo’s official Pro controller. When we tested the Ultimate Bluetooth, the B button kept sticking down, and the small bumpers weren’t as pleasant to press.

8Bitdo’s SF30/SN30 Pro is an SNES-style retro gamepad updated with the joysticks, triggers, and vibration motors that modern controllers include. But there’s a reason that modern controllers have handles, as the SF30/SN30 Pro is uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time. The buttons and sticks are all pretty close together, increasing the risk of cramping, and people with sweaty hands may have trouble holding on to it.

We spent multiple days testing two samples of the PowerA Moga XP-Ultra, and both were frustrating to connect and impossible to use. When we managed to pair one controller successfully, it recognized only two buttons at best. And the other sample refused to stay powered on for more than a second, though we had charged it overnight, and the LED showed a full battery.

Wired controllers

The SCUF Valor Pro costs the same as our upgrade pick at the time of this writing, but its buttons are mushier, and the back paddles feel harder to reach than the other pro controller we recommend.

We were unable to power on the GameSir G7 HE, and none of our other cables would fit into the sunken USB port on the top of the controller, which barred us from confirming whether the issue was due to the cable or the controller itself.

The Razer Kishi Ultra is convenient if you want a portable, mobile gaming controller that can also be used for PC gaming. It’s great for mobile games, but it’s expensive, it doesn’t work if your phone has a case, and it only works with a wired connection for PCs.

We liked the wired PDP AfterGlow Wave, and we considered it as a pick for this guide. It’s a good-looking controller that feels lightweight and comfortable to hold, it has two mappable rear paddles, and it includes onboard volume and chat controls. But we found a concerning number of reviews expressing complaints about PDP’s poor customer service and lack of response to broken controllers and warranty claims.

The HyperX Clutch Tanto is too tiny even for adults with small hands, and we disliked the heavy resistance of the triggers.

The build quality of the HyperX Clutch Gladiate isn’t great. Some buttons and triggers felt gummy in our tests, while others were clicky and precise. The joysticks also have ridged edges that some people might like for grip, but we found it scratchy on our skin.

Some of the triggers and buttons on the PowerA Advantage Wired Controller with Lumectra felt sticky and imprecise. If you have your eye on this model, we suggest looking at PowerA’s similar Spectra Infinity Enhanced controller, which offers onboard chat and volume controls, rear paddles, and RGB lighting for the same price. We liked the Spectra when we tested it, but it isn’t as sturdy as our top pick, and its triggers felt rattly.

Hori’s Nintendo Switch Horipad is similar to the Switch Pro Controller, but it’s wired and costs around a third as much. Like the Switch Pro Controller, it works well enough with Steam’s Nintendo Switch gamepad support, but it lacks vibration. It isn’t quite as comfortable as the Switch Pro Controller, and its mushy, removable D-pad is much less satisfying than those on our other picks.

The ZD-V+ has a DualShock-style layout, but its glossy finish and light weight make it feel cheap in the hand, it lacks a headset jack, and its vibration motor is weak. It’s also incompatible with actual game consoles.

Britt H. Young contributed additional reporting. This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.