The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player

GameSir may not be a household name, but the brand has been slowly claiming more spots on this list, thanks to feature-packed and high-quality controllers at excellent price points. The G7 Pro is no different, with an attractive white and semitranslucent look, sky-high polling rate, and magnetic TMR joysticks. It feels a little heavy in hand, but makes up for it with every feature you could imagine, from adjustable trigger locks to customizable rear buttons.

The G7 Pro includes a charging dock, USB dongle, swappable D-pads, and a cable guard at the top in case you need to plug in. While the USB wireless connection for Windows work excellently, you'll have to use the wired connection for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and Bluetooth for Android. That makes this a particularly good choice for desktop PC gamers who want a wireless option without sacrificing on performance.

The standard PS5 controller is already a beast, but the DualSense Edge takes it up several notches. It comes with a set of alternate control sticks of varying heights, which allow you to get more precision when accuracy is important. The L2 and R2 triggers have physical switches that adjust their actuation point so you can activate the button with less pressure.

On the rear, there's space for two additional paddles, which you can customize with any button you prefer. I find this particularly useful for playing games like Overwatch 2, where minimizing how much I have to move my fingers between buttons matters more. You can even set up custom profiles for different games. A pair of Function buttons just below the control sticks are used for shortcuts to swap profiles without digging through settings. The only thing to dislike is its price tag, but you get a lot for your money. –Simon Hill

For the most serious PlayStation 5 owners who also play on their computer, I recommend checking out the Razer Raiju V3 Pro. It has a super premium feel in hand, with the latest in magnetic TMR joysticks. It has everything you'd want for tuning into a competitive mindset, like adjustable triggers, back buttons with the same switches as Razer mice, and a low latency 2.4GHz connection.

The big miss here is that you don't get the haptic feedback or vibration of any kind, which is great for both weight and serious performance, but means casual gamers miss out on the very cool integration only found on the DualSense controllers. –Simon Hill

Microsoft's Elite Wireless Series 2 controller fills a similar role to Sony's DualSense Edge. It provides a ton more customizability for the discerning gamer. It has swappable control sticks with different heights for better precision. You can also adjust the tension of the control sticks if you, like me, tend to use way more force on your sticks than necessary. The D-pad has a slick, metal dish-style cover, but you can also swap it for a more traditional four-way D-pad cover if you prefer the old ways.

On the rear, you'll find tension switches for the two triggers. I usually prefer a longer actuation point, to prevent accidental button presses, but you can make it much shorter if you'd rather fire faster with less effort. There are also four slots for rear paddles, each of which can be customized to whichever button you prefer. It's also one of the few official Xbox controllers with a rechargeable battery. Microsoft still prefers using AA batteries, but for a controller this expensive, it's nice not to need a separate accessory to recharge. –Simon Hill

First-party controllers are often quite good. They're usually well-built, feel comfortable, and do everything a controller should do. Still, it's rare for a first-party controller to feel as great as the Switch Pro Controller. It's responsive enough for long Donkey Kong Banana sessions, and sturdy enough that I'm happy to hand it off to a niece or nephew for some Mario Kart.

Nintendo made just a few small changes to the formula with the release of the Pro Controller 2 alongside the Switch 2, enough to make it worth picking these up if you're buying new. If you already have the original pro controller, and it isn't suffering from stick drift, there isn't any reason to upgrade. It does work with some other systems, but I wouldn't recommend it for dedicated play on just a PC.

Budget-Friendly Alternative: Given how minor the updates are, you can often find the original Pro Controller heavily discounted, which is great if you're just trying to fill out your set of four and won't be using them all the time. –Simon Hill

The GameSir G7 SE sports sensitive and drift-resistant hall effect sticks, customizable rear buttons, and swappable faceplates. With few frills and a focus on performance, this wallet-friendly controller has an audience of devout followers online for good reason.

The only real downside here is that the G7 SE doesn't sport any kind of wireless support, so you'll have to stay within wire's distance of anything you're plugged into. That makes this an excellent choice for desk-locked PC gamers looking for a simple, superb controller.

If you want to play games on your phone—either locally or via a streaming subscription—you're gonna need way more buttons than your phone has. That's where the Backbone One comes into play. This sliding controller expands to fit (almost) any phone, even some still in their phone case. It plugs in via USB-C or Lightning connector (make sure you get the right model for your phone!), so there's no frustrating input lag or connectivity issues. There's a standard version that has a basic button layout, but you can also grab a PlayStation model that uses the platform's classic shape keys. There's no functional or price difference between the two, but the PlayStation model is objectively a little cooler. –Simon Hill

The Xbox Adaptive Controller is designed to offer a wide variety of options for gamers who may not be able to comfortably use a traditional gamepad. It essentially deconstructs all the inputs in a gamepad and lays them out in a way so anyone can create a controller layout that works for them.

Games are for everyone, and this controller offers an easier way for anyone to play Xbox and PC games. The Adaptive Controller is just the base station, though. You can also plug in buttons, switches, or foot pedals to customize your setup. –Simon Hill

Sony’s palm-sized, turtle-shaped Access controller (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is a welcome addition to adaptive gaming. This customizable kit has swappable buttons, adjustable stick length and caps, and expandable inputs (four 3.5-mm ports), so folks can add compatible accessories.

The Access controller can be used flat on a table or tray, in your lap, or attached to an AMPS pattern mount. You can create up to 30 custom control profiles on your PS5 and store three on the Access controller itself (there’s a dedicated button for switching). It lacks Remote Play support, a touchpad, and haptics, but our reviewer mostly liked it, saying, “The Access Controller’s ingenuity solved my issues and opened gaming back up for me.” –Simon Hill