The best PC controller in 2023

Grab one of the best PC controllers for when your keyboard and mouse simply won’t do.

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The best PC controller is probably a mouse and keyboard, though there are oodles of games out there designed primarily with controllers in mind. It’s not always the case, and you can bet the best gaming mouse(opens in new tab) and best gaming keyboard(opens in new tab) combo will win out in most instances, but add a great controller to the mix and you’ve got the vast majority of games covered.

When youre looking to play certain games, such as Elden Ring with its half-assed mouse and keyboard controls(opens in new tab), a controller is your best bet. With driving games too, most keyboards don’t offer pressure-sensitive key switches, so an analog stick is your best bet for accurate movement. A bunch of games that are console ports end up with frustratingly confusing control systems, so joining the best gamepad club is our best advice.

Best PC controller

1. Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Weight: 0.76lbs (345g) (+/-15g)

Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz

Features: 3-step trigger modes, replaceable thumbsticks, paddle switches

Battery: Internal Rechargable Battery (40 Hours)

If you use the Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller for more than ten minutes, you’ll understand why we have it at the number one spot. Everything about the Series 2 screams luxury. The near-endless customization options give you an unparalleled level of control (pun intended) over your gameplay. Being able to tweak all aspects of the controller, like d-pads, shift paddles, and joystick tension, is an absolute godsend.

The most significant changes in the Series 2 over the Series 1 (which we also loved) include a neat little carrying case that doubles as a portable USB Type-C powered  charging station for the controller’s new rechargeable battery, which has around 40 hours of juice. Finally, with project Xcloud and Apple Arcade bringing some great games to mobile devices, you can easily pair the Series 2 controller via Bluetooth.

It comes with a bunch of custom bits: 6 thumbsticks, 2 d-pads (cross-shaped and faceted) 4 rear pedals and one tool for adjustable thumbstick tension.

2. PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced

Weight: 13.4oz (380g)

Connectivity: micro USB

Features: LED edge-lighting, 3-way trigger locks

Battery: N/A

PowerA’s Spectra Infinity Enhanced wired controller is a step up over the Spectra Enhanced we used to rate in this guide. The latest version has more similarities to the Xbox Series X|S controller, not too surprising since the Spectra is an official Xbox license product, though it has notably more bright lights. It’s a pretty swanky controller nowadays, considering its budget price.

I compared the Spectra and an official Xbox One controller while playing all the usual suspects like Call of Duty: Warzone and Mortal Kombat 11, and found that the joysticks are almost the same amount of tension and even the face buttons had similar feel when you pressed down on them. 

The button layout is nearly identical to an Xbox One controller, even down to the same texturized rubber on the joysticks, and the two extra programmable buttons in the back of the controller are well placed right around the grip. They’re reachable via your ring-fingers, so you don’t have to change your grip when playing. The 3-way trigger locks are great for competitive shooters, but although it’s a nice feature, they didn’t feel all that different regardless of where you set the lock, unlike the Series 2. 

3. Xbox Core Wireless Controller

Weight: 9.9oz (281g)

Connectivity: Xbox Wireless; Bluetooth

Features: Hybrid D-pad, Textured Grip, Share button

Battery: 2x AA

The original Xbox One Wireless Controller was a staple for PC gaming. With the Xbox Series S/X(opens in new tab) release, we were all curious to see how Xbox improved on an already killer gamepad.

This controller retains a lot of what we loved about the original. Keeping it very comfortable overall design with texturized rubber grips makes you feel extremely great in your hands. Much like the original, it boasts a vastly superior d-pad that you won’t dread using in fighting games and platformers, taking cues from the Xbox One Elite Series controllers. You might have noticed a new button in the center of the controller; a much-requested Share button now lets you capture screenshots and gameplay footage without diving too much into the menus.

We capitalize Wireless for a reason, not because the word is a proper noun per sé, but because the Xbox Wireless controller of late leverages Microsoft’s wireless protocol it calls “Xbox Wireless.” Though the name could benefit from some creative workshopping, you can take solace in the fact that, after 2016, the Xbox Wireless controller graces us with a much-needed helping of Bluetooth compatibility. And now it’s practically standard fare for console transplants deterred by the learning curve mouse and keyboard gaming presents.

4. Sony DualSense Wireless Controller

Weight: 9.9oz (280g)

Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth

Features: Touchpad, haptic triggers

Battery: Li-Ion (6-12 hours)

The PlayStation 5(opens in new tab) DualSense has a “you have to touch it to believe it” quality thanks to its new haptic motors and “Adaptive” triggers, which can offer resistance under your finger. Firing a bow can actually feel like firing a bow, for example. The rumble is also easily the best and most nuanced we’ve ever felt in a controller. It really is as good as people say.

The bad news: the DualSense’s most advanced features don’t work in PC games yet, since games will need to be programmed to take advantage of them. But Steam already offers full support for the controller, so it’s at least a breeze to plug in and use like any other pad. It’s a hair less comfortable than the Xbox Series X controller, and not as simple to use in non-Steam games, but if you prefer Sony’s analog stick layout or love gyro aiming, this is the one to get.

And maybe someday we’ll see PC games take advantage of those new triggers and haptics, too.