Buy Wireless Pc Controller

This might seem like an utterly offensive question to ask in the annals of PC Gamer, but it remains true that certain PC games are far better played with a controller than with the classic keyboard and mouse combo.

buy wireless pc controller

Ignore those who seem to think every game is best with a mouse and keyboard. Assassins Creed Valhalla is not best played with a keyboard. Street Fighter 5 is not best played with a keyboard. True, we play most games with a mouse and keyboard, but for PC gamers with ranging tastes, a good controller is a must.

The best PC controller is the perfect gaming counterpoint to the classic mouse and keyboard combo. While that is 100% the most accurate setup for shooters, there are plenty of games out there designed primarily with controllers in mind. You can bet the best gaming mouse (opens in new tab) and best gaming keyboard (opens in new tab) will win out in pretty much every PC exclusive ever made, but add a great controller to your inventory and it'll cover a wealth of games.

It's been a tough one, but the best PC controller today is the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (opens in new tab). It'll see you through when you're confronted with Elden Ring's half-assed mouse and keyboard controls (opens in new tab). Similarly to the rest of those we've rigorously and ranked below, it'll keep up with driving games too. Since most keyboards don't offer pressure-sensitive key switches, an analog stick is your best bet for accurate movement. Console ports end up with frustratingly confusing control systems, so joining the best gamepad club is our best advice.

Many will begrudge the fact, but the truth remains: controllers are sometimes the best tool for the job. This is true even for games held to be PC classics. The Witcher 3 (opens in new tab), for example, actually has a far more straightforward control system when played with the best PC controller, as opposed to a mouse and keyboard.

Just think, with the best PC controller, you don't have to hunch over your gaming keyboard. Instead of ruining your posture, you can get into a laid-back gaming session. We've tested boatloads of today's top console controllers and PC controllers to find out which ones are worth cheating on your trusty keyboard and mouse with.

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.

Some people might find the more hefty controller a bit jarring at first since it's heavier than the standard Xbox One controller by a few ounces. And while it's nice to swap out the standard d-pad, both the cross and faceted alternative d-pads take some getting used to especially in fighting games like Dragonball FighterZ or Mortal Kombat 11.

Spending $160 for a controller is a tough sell for most people, that's near four times the price of an Xbox One controller, but if you're a serious gamer who values performance and extreme levels of customization, the Series 2 is a no brainer and worth every penny.

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. But, honestly, that's of minor import when it comes to PC gaming.

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, too.

But the standard Xbox Wireless pad is such a well-made, well-priced bit of kit, it's tough to see how other manufacturers can possibly stand up to Microsoft's mighty controller. And it's going to stick around on our recommended list for a long time to come.

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 XS 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 Spectra would have scored higher, but the lack of any wireless connectivity is a big let down in the days of untethered gaming. Instead, it comes with a 10ft snap-lock detachable micro-USB cable that's a little overkill for playing at a desk, but great if you're using it in the living room.

It's a shame it isn't wireless, but that sweet edge lighting and extra programmable buttons might be a decent compromise for $40, especially if you'd rather not deal with batteries but need a controller to give your little brother.

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Scuf doesn't mess around with its controllers, offering some of the best premium pads outside of Sony and Microsoft. And the Instinct Pro is the absolute best Microsoft-focused pad controller should you wish to eschew the two big bois of the console world. But when the Elite Series 2 (opens in new tab) exists in the world, how does anyone else compete in the enthusiast controller space

There are also options to change the D-pad, button facades, as well as the styling of both the bumpers and the triggers. Interestingly, there is also the option to remove the rumble motors from inside the controller which is something you'll often find the pros end up removing from their tournament controllers, to cut down on the inherent distraction of hand-wobble.

Scuf has at least acknowledged there's little point trying to one-up Microsoft when it comes to the overall design of the Instinct Pro, because it looks physically identical to a standard Xbox Series X/S controller. Obviously aside from the faceplate, rings, and mute button on the front.

Razer's Wolverine Ultimate could very well be the best gamepad available today, save for one critical disqualifying factor: it can't connect to a PC wirelessly. The Xbox-style gamepad offers many of the same luxury features as the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller, like a swappable d-pad and customizable back paddles. It's also nearly the same price, which begs the question: why not just buy one of those instead?

Of course, no Razer product would be complete without a healthy dose of Chroma, the three-headed green snake company's signature brand of RGB lighting. However, rather than integrating it into the existing Synapse 3 app for Windows, Razer decided to develop an app specifically for Xbox One. So if you do plan on using this controller for your PC, bear in mind you'll need a separate app to configure it.

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.

The DualSense doesn't have official PC drivers, but that's not too much of an issue as Steam makes it super-easy to use the controller both via USB and Bluetooth. The DualSense uses the older DirectInput API rather than the more universal XInput, which means that many games won't instantly recognise it. If you enable 'PlayStation Configuration Support' in Steam's controller settings, then your controller will work with most games.

The PC-DualSense relationship is a complicated one, but it's gotten a little bit simpler now that we can update the controller firmware directly through our PCs instead of having to plug it into a PS5. Just download the tool called 'Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller (opens in new tab)' from the official PlayStation site, follow the instructions, plug in your DualSense via a USB cable, and you're away.

Still, the PS5 pad is still an incredibly well-built controller and as responsive as you could wish. And if you hate the offset sticks of the standard Xbox layout then this is as good as PlayStation pads get... until the ultra-expensive Edge drops on our desks, anyway. 041b061a72