Which game controllers are worth buying?
If you’re picking up a game console like the Xbox One X or PlayStation 4 Pro this holiday season, congratulations: You already have a great controller for your new system. Traditionally, third-party gamepads have always been a bit subpar, the kind of thing you buy cheap and pawn off on an unsuspecting younger sibling at playtime. But what if you want to game on your mobile device (or an Apple TV)? Or what if you’re looking for an edge in your favorite console title? We’ve taken a look at the available controllers out there to find the best one for your needs, no matter which system you prefer.
Best controller for the PlayStation 4
Sony DualShock 4
The shape of the PlayStation controller hasn’t changed much since the original system came out over two decades ago, and for good reason. The button configuration is easy to learn, and the overall shape feels good in hand. The DualShock 4 added a few features, like a touchscreen and a speaker, but the real reason to keep this as your primary PS4 pad is that small refinements have made it better to hold, including comfortable concave thumbsticks and well-spaced shoulder buttons that give your fingers plenty of places to rest. It also works with the PS3 so gamers still living with their older system can toss their DualShock 3. In our PlayStation 4 review, we called the DualShock 4 “the best game controller that the company’s ever created,” but even PC players will find an ideal gamepad for their favorite games, thanks to its native Steam support.
Best controllers for Windows and the Xbox One
Microsoft Xbox One Wireless Controller
Even if it isn’t as much of a leap over the previous generation as the DualShock 4 was, the Xbox One controller still improves on a winning formula. The sticks are designed to keep your thumbs in place, the triggers are quieter and the rear controls vibrate. We found that the only real step backwards at the controller’s launch were its stiff shoulder pads. Luckily, the revision that debuted with 2016’s Xbox One S refined it further, with rounded seams and clickier shoulder buttons. And PC gamers also get to enjoy the redesign, thanks to the addition of Bluetooth compatibility.
Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller
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