Top 5 Best PC Gaming Controllers in 2025 

Playing a lot of PC games with a controller is fantastic. Even though we still enjoy shooters with mouse and keyboard setups, many games are made primarily with controllers in mind. You need a good PC gaming pad for any of those.

Right now, the Xbox Wireless Controller is our top pick for a PC controller. Over the years, Microsoft has refined the design to achieve the ideal balance of features, build quality, and cost. The GameSir Nova Lite is the greatest budget controller if you want to spend as little money as possible because it provides Hall effect thumbsticks at a very affordable price.

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Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

Top 5 Best PC Gaming Controllers in 2025 

1.Xbox Wireless Controller

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The best overall controller for the PC is the Xbox Wireless Controller. It’s exceptionally high quality for the money, comfortable, colourful and frequently discounted. What more could you need in a pad?

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. Clearly, it’s fantastic.

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.

\ The much-needed Share button, which lets you take screenshots and record gameplay without going too far into the menus, is a new button in the center of the controller that you may have noticed. In all honesty, though, that is a small part of PC gaming.

The reason we capitalize “Wireless” is not because it is a proper noun in and of itself, but rather because the Xbox Wireless Controller makes use of Microsoft’s “Xbox Wireless” wireless protocol. Even though the name could use some imaginative polish, you can take solace in the fact that the Xbox Wireless Controller has been providing much-needed Bluetooth compatibility since 2016.

In order to connect your computer to the quick non-Bluetooth protocol, you will need to buy a Microsoft Wireless dongle separately if your computer does not have Bluetooth.


However, it’s difficult to see how other manufacturers could compete with Microsoft’s outstanding controller given how well-made and affordable the standard Xbox Wireless pad is. Of course, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 has many more features, but if you only need the essentials and don’t want to spend a lot of money, this is the place to be.There is little doubt that this controller will remain on our list of recommended controllers for many years to come.

2.Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

It is undoubtedly expensive, but the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is about as high-end as it gets. In our testing, we were pleasantly surprised to find that this feature is much more than just a gimmick. It is a visually appealing gamepad with a futuristic color screen. The screen is the kind of innovation that makes you question how you ever managed to live without it, as it allows you to quickly remap your button inputs without the need for external software. Bright RGB lighting is also available down the grips, which greatly contributes to the almost sci-fi look.

The box includes a sturdy carrying case and a practical charging stand, just like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. The color display makes it easier to make sure that everything is always topped off by showing your current battery level whether you are docked or using it. With a variety of EQ settings and convenient access to options to adjust your current audio levels, the screen is also ideal for headset users.

The Turtle Beach Ultra’s incredibly satisfying mechanical buttons are among our favorite features. When the action picks up, they are very responsive and produce a nice click sound when pressed. Four rear buttons on the controller can be mapped to other button inputs or unique software features like the pro aim focus mode, as is to be expected from a high-end controller. This is also one of the more robust items on this list because of the Hall effect thumbsticks.

Of course, not everyone will be able to afford its high price tag. The Xbox Wireless Controller or the GameSir T4 Kaleid are better options if you’re on a tight budget; the latter still has appealing features like Hall effect thumbsticks and remappable rear buttons.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, an extremely expensive Xbox gamepad with a tiny full-color display for adjusting settings, reading messages, and allocating additional inputs while playing, is one of the most aesthetically stunning controllers available. For people who frequently play online with friends, it also offers the ability to easily change audio levels on the fly, which is revolutionary.

Superior RGB lighting and high-quality materials are also advantages of the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra. The Hall effect thumbsticks should help keep the controller functioning without drift for many years to come, and the tactile mechanical switches are a true pleasure to use in everything from first-person shooter (FPS) games to fighting games.

The Turtle Beach Control Center 2 software is the controller’s greatest flaw, despite the fact that the absence of replaceable thumbsticks is a minor inconvenience (the rubber thumbstick caps that come with the device don’t provide quite the same versatility). It needs a lot of work because it is unattractive and glitchy on both PCs and mobile devices.

3.GameSir T4 Kaleid

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

One of the greatest low-cost PC controllers available right now is the GameSir T4 Kaleid. It has a number of special features in addition to a degree of comfort that is on par with some of the more well-known brands on our list. You can tell by looking at the GameSir T4 Kaleid that this isn’t your typical low-cost PC controller. With its translucent design and RGB lighting, this style may not be for everyone, but it certainly makes it stand out.

The controller’s performance in our tests, where we observed the responsive joysticks and satisfying buttons, also impressed us. It should come as no surprise that this controller can only be used with wired play, given its lower price point. Fortunately, using this with your current setup shouldn’t be too difficult because the cable is 2 meters (7 feet) long overall.

Other advantages of the GameSir T4 Kaleid over other controllers in this price range include the T4k desktop app, which lets you program and map the controller’s buttons to your liking, and a contemporary USB-C connection.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much console compatibility here. Consider looking into the Xbox Wireless Controller (for Xbox users) or the DualSense (for PS5 users) if you want to play games on both a console and a PC.

For its comparatively low asking price, the GameSir T4 Kaleid is a controller with an unexpectedly high feature set. And not just because of its eye-catching RGB lighting and design. Additionally, there are two mappable back buttons that can be assigned using the desktop T4k application.

If you play on a PC, this is yet another reason why I suggest the T4 Kaleid. With its extensive feature set, the T4k app allows you to customize everything from button assignments to the RGB pattern.You may be surprised to learn that the T4 Kaleid has a hair trigger mode. Since there are no on-board switches, unlike the HyperX Clutch Gladiate or the Xbox Elite Series 2, it is not immediately noticeable. Nonetheless, the mode is toggleable within the application, enabling you to quickly activate trigger inputs. It’s a bit of a roundabout approach, but it’s probably a way for GameSir to keep costs down and save on components. Overall, it was a pretty wise move.

Because of the app’s customization capabilities, the T4 Kaleid is an excellent gaming controller. As previously stated, the controller is robust and will withstand significant wear and tear over time thanks to its hall effect analog sticks and microswitch-powered face buttons. Additionally, the app allows users to customize the dual rumble motors, which add a powerful layer of immersion.

4.Thrustmaster eSwap X2

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

The Thrustmaster eSwap X2 has a flexible modular design that lets you mix and match parts as you like, just like some other items on this list. By merely removing the modules from their magnetic sockets, it is easy to configure it to either an asymmetrical or symmetrical layout. The controller has a sophisticated black and gold design and is loaded with appropriately high-end parts, such as a responsive D-pad and a very satisfying set of tactile buttons.

In addition to the four rear buttons, there are trigger locks. Our testing revealed that these rear buttons’ round shape made them occasionally difficult to press, though your experience may differ. Other than that, the controller works with any game that supports a standard Xbox controller and connects to your PC using the USB-C cable that comes with it. Thrustmaster offers a large selection of modules that work with this controller if you want even more customization. These include D-pads and thumbsticks that alternate, as well as modules with additional buttons designed for the best fighting games.

With only minor improvements, the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 controller offers the same level of quality as the original eSwap X Pro gamepad. Rather than being a complete overhaul, these improvements and enhancements are more like adjustments to the quality of life.

Nearly all of these, which impact the kind of wired connectivity, button enhancements, and improved performance, are welcome. They are also extremely safe moves, though. A part of me wishes Thrustmaster had been a bit more daring with this update, but there is also merit to the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” that also applies here because, in my opinion (based on my reviews for our sister publication GamesRadar), the previous version of eSwap X Pro was great and appealed to both pro and competitive players.

The original Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro and the X2 share nearly the same overall design. It still feels substantial and heavy in the hands, much like a chunky gamepad.It weighs 10.5 ounces (300 grams), which is slightly less than the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (12.2 ounces (345 grams). The X2’s overall dimensions, which measure 6.3in / 160mm x 4.7in / 120mm x 2.4in / 60mm (WxDxH), make it slightly smaller than the Elite Series 2, despite the fact that the shapes are slightly different. In spite of this, people with smaller hands will need more time to get used to it because it feels very chunky. This shouldn’t deter those people, though, as I have small hands and use this controller with great pleasure and ease. It just requires a small adjustment to the way you use your fingers to control the controller and the necessary change to muscle memory.

5.DualSense

Last update on 2025-03-01 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.

In addition to being a superb PS5 controller, the DualSense is also ideal for PC. The immersive experience that haptic feedback and adaptive triggers bring to games that support them makes the USB-C connection necessary to use them worthwhile.

Unlike the Xbox asymmetric sticks, the DualSense is a PC controller that anyone accustomed to a symmetric layout will recognize right away. In addition to its incredibly ergonomic design, it comes with a touchpad that resembles a laptop and can be used in compatible games for extra functionality. Steam’s Big Picture Mode’s custom controller mapping features make it incredibly simple to use on a PC, whether plugged in or connected via Bluetooth.

One of the greatest controllers Sony has ever produced, the DualSense gives users an even more engaging experience with the system thanks to some amazing features that were absent from earlier iterations. Even after the DualSense Edge was introduced, the standard controller version is still among the best available.

Finally providing PlayStation owners with a controller that can compete with Xbox’s offerings, the DualSense is a pleasantly more robust beast than its predecessor and surpasses the PS4’s DualShock 4 in every way. Naturally, discussing the PS5 controller without bringing up its game-changing feature—haptic feedback—would be a mistake.

The DualSense is a surprisingly attractive controller in person, eschewing the PS4’s all-black grungey design in favor of a sleek white body with matte black analog sticks. Aside from the share and start buttons being switched, you might think this was just a larger version of the previous model, even though it has a new home button with the PlayStation emblem and the previously mentioned built-in microphone (along with a convenient mute button).

But if you look more closely, you can see that the DualShock 4’s chassis has been extended in every way. With thicker and longer handles, Sony has incorporated the majority of the controller’s length into its grips this time, creating the most comfortable PS controller to date. Speaking of the grip, these long handles are now textured as well, giving your fingers a pleasant tactile experience.

This newly textured grip also means that your controller will stay firm – even if you happen to get into a particularly sweat-inducing multiplayer session. In a fan-pleasing touch, if you look closely at these little textured symbols that make up the DualSense’s grip, you’ll discover that each side is made up of a tiny collection of the PS face button symbols.

How to connect and use controllers on PC

With so many competitors for the top PC controllers these days, pairing, connecting, and using them with your setup isn’t always easy. This is particularly true when examining the controllers of other consoles that you may already own or be familiar with. Fortunately, we have every tool you might require for those important console controllers.

For those who prefer an asymmetrical controller, we have instructions on how to use an Xbox One controller on PC, how to use an Xbox Series X controller on PC (spoilers: it’s similar to the former), and how to use a Switch Pro controller on PC. For PlayStation pad users, we have instructions on how to use a DualSense or DualShock 4 on PC.

Best PC controllers – FAQs

What controller do pro PC players use?

Players who like to take their game to the next level, particularly in online multiplayer environments, may opt for a controller for more advanced features, assuming they’re not already playing with a keyboard and mouse. Gamepads like the Victrix Pro BFG or the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra offer useful features in this regard, but do command higher price tags as a result. Similarly, pro players may opt for more specialist kit like a racing wheel or a fight stick like the Nacon Daija for more specific genre needs.

Is it possible to use a Nintendo Switch or PS5 controller on PC?

The short answer is yes! While Nintendo doesn’t advertise its Nintendo Switch Pro Controller as PC compatible, you are able to hook it up to your PC as Steam offers compatibility for the controller. Similarly, both the DualSense and DualSense Edge for PS5 will work on PC, and even offer their bespoke haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for compatible titles.