Best PC Controller For Gaming 2022 Reviews & Buyer’s Guide

There is no doubt you would want to enjoy gaming sometimes on your PC. As much as gaming on consoles is fun, not everyone can buy them. Some simply prefer using the PCs as compared to consoles.

So, what do you need for enjoying your game?

Of course you have to get the game first, a gaming PC, and most importantly the best PC controller.

It is then important that you get to pick the right controller on the market right now. Some might offer you the best compatibility, while others will have a few issues. It is therefore important to pick the right one today.

Below are some of the top controllers you can use starting now. Check them out to learn more.

Top 10 Best PC Controllers On The Market 2022 Reviews

1 GameSir G3w Wired Gaming PC Controller

Connection: Wired

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 0.42 pounds

Budget friendly – there is no doubt that sometimes you are just looking to save a bit of cash when it comes to gaming. There is nothing wrong with buying cheap PC controllers, so along as they perform just as good. This is one of the top PC controllers that is affordable and still worth buying.

Ease of setup – setting it up should not be a problem. You can do it within a matter of minutes and go on with your gaming. This just shows that sometimes simplicity can go a long way to give you good gaming performance.

Versatility – you can be sure that this controller would be used in various scenarios. You can use it with PC devices. Well, that is the main function you would want to get it. Another application will be using the Android devices. This is where you get to play your Android games using this controller. Make sure that your Android version is 4.0 or later.

Classical layout – having a classical layout is something many will appreciate. This is because the layout is what you are used to when it comes to gaming. You will not have to spend a lot of time trying to learn a new layout. It is the reason more will easily pick one from a store today.

Comfortable – generally, it feels comfortable in the hands. The design and contours make it easy to fit the controller in the hands and go ahead to start playing.

Plug and play – this should be something that most people dream about when buying controllers. This one does not need installation of drivers, as you simply have to plug it in and start gaming.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

2 EasySMX Wireless Game Controller

Connection: wireless

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 11.7 ounces

Offers wide compatibility – anyone who is looking to buy a PC controller wants compatibility. The manufacturer made this model to be the best to use on your PC, PS3, Android, TV box and more. You can see that gaming will be easier all the time you get to use the controller.

For those who will want to game on their Android devices, make sure it has Android 4.0 or later. The device should also support OTG function.

Wireless transmission – of course, many will love that it is a wireless controller. No one wants to be curtailed by the length of the connecting cable. How about the wireless performance? The technology used by the controller ensures smooth gaming with no delays.

You will have up to 10 meters of wireless range. You can now sit anywhere around the room within the range and still game with ease.

Dual vibration – it is always a good feeling when you get the vibration feedback. The model comes with the asymmetric vibrating motors that will give you that experience. Let us say you take a headshot, or collide cars, you always get a feedback.

There is no doubt that with such a feature, you might just feel as if you are in the battlefield.

Ergonomic design – having the right design of a controller helps with comfort always. This controller has a shape that fits in the hands naturally without much trouble. It is the reason you find it being popular right now. There is also the textured rubber around the grips for the best grip. You will also not end up sweating easily and thus gaming should be fun.

Battery powered – for the wireless transmission to work, you have to use batteries. The controller uses 2 pieces of the AA batteries. Such batteries are easily available in various stores at cheap prices.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

3 ZD-V USB Wired Gaming Controller Gamepad

Connection: Wired

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 12 ounces

Budget controller – you never have to spend a lot of money just to get a top product. This is one controller that you will appreciate for its performance and price. For its price, it is one of the cheapest you can buy today. Some people might think cheap controllers are not good, but that opinion might just change today.

Compatibility – one thing is for sure, this controller will easily work with your PC. You will not have to worry about compatibility. The best part is that no need to install drivers. This is because the manufacturer designed it to be plug and play.

Still on compatibility, you can always connect it to the Android devices too. You can imagine how cool it will be playing games on your Android device using this controller.

Versatility – you might have seen that some of the PC controllers would only work for games with direct input mode. Things are better with this one as it supports for multi-mode gaming. This should make it more versatile than other cheaper models you can buy today.

Vibration feedback function – it seems like anyone who would want to get a gaming controller wants this feature. It is the reason even if the controller is cheap, the manufacturer would have included it. That is what you get with this model also. Gaming just got better already.

Wired connection – even if some people would have wished for wireless transmission, there are those who still appreciate USB connection. This connection is known to be reliable and does not have lags or delays as some wireless transmissions would have.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

4 Steam Controller

Connection: Wireless

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 1.2 pounds

Play the steam games now – when it comes to games, you can be sure to be spoilt of choice right now. Various companies are always coming up with new games. The steam games are one of the most liked, but sometimes controllers can be an issue. It is the reason you get this stream controller for such games.

With this controller, you are now in a position to play all those important games you have always wanted.

TV or PC – of course the versatility is always crucial. You might be asking yourself where best could you use this type of controller. Well, there is the option of using it on your PC or even the TV. The type of experience you will get with playing games by using this controller is unforgettable.

New design –  chances are that many people are used to the classic layout, but that does not mean things will never change. This controller looks at things differently so that you have a new experience.

Some of the new features in the model include having dual trackpads, dual-stage triggers, HD haptic feedback, and back grip buttons. All these functionalities are here to make your gaming experience better than before.

Customization – imagine having a PC controller that you can customize. Yes, that is possible with this one. You can fully customize the control schemes. Well, for this to happen you have to visit the manufacturer’s official webpage to do it. Nevertheless, it is a nice addition that most people would want today.

Intuitive use – the design has made it possible to have the input buttons and zones created based on various factors. This will include the frequency of use, the required precision and still the most important of all is ergonomic comfort. You have to feel comfortable using the controller.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

5 Whiteoak Xbox One Controller USB Wired Gamepad

Connection: Wired

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 8.8 ounces

Compatibility – before you can start to say it is only compatible with Xbox One, that is not the case. The manufacturer made it possible for various people to use it on various devices. It is now possible that you can use it on PCs also. If your PC runs on windows, make sure that the windows system is Windows XP or later.

You can always play with it on your Xbox and switch with it to your PC whenever you feel like.

Dual mode connection – this is an important part of gaming on a PC with a controller. This one allows for dual mode connection. Such a feature is crucial so that the gamepad is compatible with various common gaming platforms. You will not have to worry about your gaming anymore with such a controller.

Convenient design – if you can feel the controller sitting properly in the hands, then you can be in a position to say it is the best. Thanks to its convenient and ergonomic design, it is possible for you to love this gamepad. It easily contours to your hands; thus you end up feeling comfortable always.

Full vibration feedback – the model comes with the built-in dual vibration motor. The aim is to give you an entertaining experience when it comes to playing your favorite games. Having the feedback always helps the gamer to stay in control. Still, the vibration feeling is just great.

Our Rating: (4.1 / 5)

6 ZD-N USB Wired Gaming Controller Gamepad for PC

Connection: Wired

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 8.8 ounces

Multi-mode game support – this should be good news for those people who are looking to experience more with their PC controller. The multi-mode game support means that you can use it to play games on various platforms. It is unlike some other models that would not have this feature.

Turbo function – whenever you see the word turbo, all you can think of should be the performance. There is no doubt that is what you will get after pressing the turbo button. This button will help in automating a rapid repeating function. This will help you have a faster response to certain scenes in the game.

JD switch option – this function is important for those who would want to exchange the functions of D-pad and the Left stick while in the Xinput mode. Such as the things that make it easy for someone to see the need for buying such a game controller today. There is no doubt you will love this type of versatility.

Backlight feature – the manufacturer made the model to have a backlight option on the ABXY keypad. You can have the keys lighting up for ease of visibility or just fun. The backlight feature comes with three modes, namely normally on, breathing, and close mode. You can use them as you wish.

Compatibility – having good compatibility is always a good thing that most gamers would want. You will always love such compatibility considering what you get with this one. The model will easily work with the PCs running on Windows, PS3, and Android devices. For the android devices make sure they are running on Android 4.0 to be effective.

Our Rating: (4.1 / 5)

7 Logitech Gamepad F310

Connection: Wired

Vibration: No

Weight: 10.4 ounces

Support for the classics – the model has a design that allows you to play games on different platforms. It could be the current hits or even the classics. This because of the various modes that come with the model. You get the Xinput and DirectInput modes.

These two are the most common game inputs. The best part is that you can switch from one mode to another with just a button.

Easy set up process – there is no doubt you will love the idea that the model is a plug and play gamepad. This means that no need to install drivers. That being said, the manufacturer still offers the option of downloading an optional software. If you feel like it is important, it is only then you can download it.

Familiar layout – this is something most users would want. A familiar layout is something that will work for most users as it is something they are used to. The same goes for the overall shape of the gamepad. It should feel easy playing a game with this controller even if it is for the first time.

Customization is easy – with this model, you can have an easy time setting up your game controller just as you want. Using the Logitech Profile software will help in programing the controls just as they way you would want.

The best part is how you can use the software to program the buttons to mimic the mouse and keyboard commands.

Our Rating: (4.2 / 5)

8 Logitech Gamepad F710

Connection: Wireless

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 14.4 ounces

Wireless connectivity – wireless connection is nothing new and it has been appreciated over the years throughout its existence. In the past, you might have experienced a few lagging issues, but that has changed now. It is possible for you to experience the best performance always with this wireless game controller.

Dual vibration motors – who would not want to have the vibration feedback? If you like the vibration from the gamepads, then you will it when gaming with this model. The dual vibration motors can be customized to work with various scenarios.

Customization – just like in many other Logitech gamepads, it is still possible for you to customize this one. You can customize the controls so that they work just as the way you would want. To make the changes, you will need to download the Profiler software. The software download is easily accessible from the official website of the manufacturer.

Compatibility – no one should have to worry about compatibility. This is because the model has been designed to work with various types of Windows. Anyone who has Windows XP or later should easily use the controller without issues.

Plug and play – if you are just new to such a game controller, worry no more as no drivers are needed. You simply plug and play. You can be gaming in a short time just after you have unboxed this type of controller.

Batteries required – Yes, since it is wireless, you will need batteries to keep the connection alive. The manufacturer recommends the use of the AA batteries. This controller will need two of these batteries. You will be happy to know that the manufacturer will send you the controller with the batteries. For the first few gaming sessions, you will not have to buy the batteries.

Our Rating: (4 / 5)

9 Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Controller for Windows

Connection: Wireless

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 1.17 Pounds

Wireless transmission – we would forget to talk about the type of connectivity it has to offer. For those people who love to enjoy some wireless transmission, then you can always rely on this one. It is a top quality brand where the performance of the wireless transmission is not going to be a problem.

The best part is that the wireless connection is supported up to 30 feet away. You can be anywhere in the room and enjoy gaming with ease.

PC and Xbox 360 compatible – you may want to have a PC controller that can still work with the Xbox 360. That is possible when it comes to this product. You will not have to buy separate controllers for these two deices. Such type of compatibility should save you some money in the end.

Vibration feedback–  anyone who loves gaming would always want a top gamepad to have this feature. You are in luck as this one comes packed with vibration feedback. The aim is that you get to have a better feel of the game. Whenever you hit something, you get feedback which is important for gaming.

Ergonomic – the design without a doubt is made to be easy to use. The manufacturer had to put the ergonomics in mind when making this model. You will always be gaming in total comfort each time when using this controller.

Our Rating: (4.3 / 5)

10 ZD T Gaming Wired Gamepad Controller for PC

Connection: Wired

Vibration: Yes

Weight: 7 ounces

Plug and play feature – for most gamepads today, there are designed to be good when it comes to connectivity. You will not have much trouble when it comes to using this type of gamepad. It does not need the installation of drivers. Once you plug it in, you should be ready to start gaming in no time.

Compatibility – it is easy to start playing games on your PC with this model. You can have an easy time doing so thanks to the compatibility options that come with the model. Other than playing on the PC, you can also play on Android devices. You have to make sure that your android device comes with the OTG function.

Affordable – you are likely to like it even more thanks to its affordability. In most cases, you might find models that are cheap, but not as this one. Just being cheap does not mean it will not work. You will be in a position to enjoy every bit of using it.

Multi-mode – the manufacturer made it to allow for multiple mode usability. You can use it for Xinput and DirectInput game platforms. This in turn helps increase the versatility of the model.

Our Rating: (3.8 / 5)

Best PC Controller Buying Guide

Connection

The connection that you get often varies with the product. The two major connectivity options would be using the wireless connection or USB wired connection.

Choosing between these two at the moment is based on preference. The wired connection is liked as it does not degrade signals or have lagging issues. The con would be when the cable is short and you have to game while seated a bit far from the PC.

The wireless connection on the other hand uses a Nano receiver. The benefits are that you do not have to worry about the cables anymore. Just make sure you pick one with the best receiver. This is because some models might have weak signals thus causing the lag.

Design

It is just great whenever you have a controller that fits in your hand. This comes down to the type of design implemented. It will depend on the manufacturer mostly. You find some trying to introduce some new features to try and make it better. Some get it right while others not so much.

You also have to look at the layout of the gamepad as part of the design. The layout is important to make sure that you end up having an easy or hard time gaming. Some controllers will have the classic layout that users are used to while others might have the newer layouts.

Ease of setup

In general, you want to pick a model that works great and it is also easy to setup. Some models would require that you install some drivers first, while other are just plug and play. In most cases, you will find many users going for the plug and play. It also seems like the manufacturers are also heading in the same direction. You will find many plug and play options at the moment.

Backlight keyboard

The backlight keyboard is another thing you may like having in a gamepad. Having the lighted keys helps a bit with the aesthetics and performance. You will always have an easy time seeing the keys in dark conditions while gaming. Most people tend to dim their lights while gaming for the best experience.

Construction

You want a model that gives you the best construction. In this case, it is about how the controller is built and feels in the hand. Of course it comes down to the type of materials used in the construction. Take the time to check out what the manufacturer has used so that you have an easy time picking the best controller.

It should also feel sturdy and quality in your hands. No one wants to end up with a model that does not deliver on sturdiness. It should be a controller that when you accidentally drop it, it is not the end of it.

Vibration feedback

Whenever you are gaming, having that vibration feedback is important. It helps you feel as if you are part of the game. It is the reason many users would want to get a gamepad with such a features. Since it is an interesting feature, it is possible to find it in many gamepads. You can find that even the cheap ones will have it.

Conclusion

Right now you should have an idea of what makes up for the best gaming controller. You will not have to worry about the performance from the moment you make the right decision. It is crucial that you understand what each model has to offer before making up your mind.

From the list above, at least you will be in a position to sort out the best from those that are just imitations. Your gaming starting today will be different.