What is the best PC controller? A great gamepad is one of the best ways to enhance your PC gaming, allowing for a more comfortable, reclined gaming style and bringing analog controls that can be essential for racing games, flight sims, and more. We’ve spent hours testing all the buttons, triggers, thumbsticks, and more on dozens of the latest gamepads to find the best controllers, whatever your needs.
Our top choice overall is the humble Xbox Wireless Controller. It works seamlessly with Windows and provides familiar, comfortable controls for a decent price. Plus, it can work with your Xbox as well, if you have one. For high-end controllers, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is our wireless choice and the Scuf Valor Pro our wired option. And if you’re on a budget, go for the EasySMX X05 that includes wireless for under $25.
There are plenty of other options listed below – including the newest entrant, the PS5-compatible Razer Raiju V3 Pro. Also, check out the Also Tested section, which includes controllers we’ve tested that didn’t quite make the top of our list. Plus, you can also read our how to choose and FAQ sections to help you find the right controller.
If you’re looking for joysticks, fight gaming sticks, or racing wheels, you’ll find these in our separate guides to the best joystick, best fight stick, and best racing wheel, but our pick of the best guitar controllers can be found in this guide.
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