For most gamers, selecting out the very best PS5 controller is easy. The customary Sony DualSense controller launched genuinely spectacular new-gen options when it launched alongside the console just a few years in the past, which builders are nonetheless discovering novel methods to make use of. It’s a mark above the everyday gamepads we’ve seen previously, and excellent for exhibiting simply what the PS5 can do.
TL;DR – These are the very best PS5 controllers
If you need a little bit one thing additional, although, there’s no scarcity of alternative. When on the lookout for the very best controller, it’s value contemplating precisely what you need it for. Fans of aggressive shooters or preventing video games will doubtless profit from ‘professional’ controllers, with their glut of additional buttons and rear paddles that prevent valuable seconds in multiplayer fights. If that’s not you, contemplate which controllers enhance on the DualSense’s meager battery life, or supply larger customization.
Don’t skimp on construct high quality, although. A cursory look throughout the web will reveal a whole lot of gamepads from all however unknown third-party producers. They would possibly make good spares, however do you actually need to be taking part in your sparkly new-gen console with a glorified lump of plastic? Luckily, we have examined a bunch, bringing you the highest seven PS5 controllers.
1. Sony DualSense
Best PS5 controller
DualSense PS5 Controller
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB-C
Max Battery Life
~15 hours
Haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers
Shocking, proper? The finest PS5 controller is the one which comes packaged with the console. It could appear apparent, however the DualSense isn’t simply an ordinary first-party gamepad. It’s heaped with options that make it the perfect PS5 controller for many gamers and a genuinely spectacular new-gen gamepad in its personal proper.
The DualSense’s bespoke haptic suggestions, which helps extra versatile and tactile vibration, has already been used to nice impact by builders – as anybody who’s felt the dapples of falling rain throughout their fingers in Returnal or pulses of rumble throughout cinematic bouts in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 will inform you. And when you’ve had a go on the adaptive triggers that change resistance in response to gameplay, you’ll wrestle to choose up a controller with out them.
It helps, in fact, that the {hardware} is excellent. Buttons and bumpers journey easily, and the entire gamepad’s constructed with precisely the type of premium really feel and end you’d anticipate from official Sony {hardware}. Problems of stick drift (a difficulty frequent to just about all first-party gamepads) and mediocre battery life apart, the DualSense is an excellent controller that neatly demonstrates what the PS5 is able to and in addition works nice as a Steam Deck controller. It helps that it is available in at an inexpensive worth too, so you’ll be able to spend your financial savings on some nice recreation offers.
2. Sony DualSense Edge
Best PS5 Pro controller
DualSense Edge
74
Take customizations to a different degree with this controller, providing interchangeable again buttons and sticks together with tons of different useful options.
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB-C
Max Battery Life
~10 hours
Underwhelming battery life
Sony’s professional PS5 controller, the DualSense Edge is the souped-up superior sibling to the DualSense. It packs a bunch of options that gamers of aggressive multiplayer video games will discover significantly helpful: on the again are two paddles (positioned inside comfy attain of your index and center finger), the tops of the analog sticks may be swapped out for taller or shorter heights, and the triggers may be set to journey in brief strokes, helpful for twitchy shooters, to lengthy strokes that make full use of their adaptive performance.
Every button is remappable and the analog stick deadzones may be adjusted. Though extra spectacular is how simply these customized settings may be modified. A fast maintain of the added Function buttons will allow you to cycle by means of your 4 customized mapping profiles, or modify them on the fly. Better but, the analog stick modules may be totally eliminated and changed, that means any attainable future stick drift gained’t render the controller a glorified paper weight.
Don’t anticipate a lot from the DualSense Edge’s battery, although. It’s even worse than the unique DualSense, and solely manages round 10 hours earlier than needing a cost – even much less should you’re taking part in a recreation that makes full use of haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers..
3. Victrix Pro BFG
Best customizable PS5 controller
PDP Victrix Pro BFG
15
Customizable controller that includes a modular design that permits you to swap across the structure and even includes a combat pad module.
Connectivity
2.4GHz wi-fi, USB-C
No haptic suggestions or adaptive triggers
If you need most customization, you’ll need to try the Victrix Pro BFG. Its modular design lets you prepare its face buttons within the conventional PlayStation structure, the off-set Xbox association, or take away one half fully to make room for a combat pad. Add to {that a} beneficiant 5 ranges of set off changes, 4 significantly well-placed remappable again buttons, a clutch of alternate stick caps and gates, and even the useful choice to remap profiles simply utilizing button shortcuts (when you’ve dedicated them to reminiscence), and the DualSense Edge seems to be a little bit lean by comparability.
It’s designed at the start for aggressive gamers of preventing video games and shooters who need to tailor their gamepad simply so, and a Tournament Lock characteristic handily deactivates the system buttons to keep away from any unintentional presses. But this isn’t a new-gen controller by any means. It lacks adaptive triggers and doesn’t characteristic rumble of any form, not to mention haptic suggestions. The Victrix Pro BFG is solely for many who desire a aggressive edge.
4. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Wireless
Best PS5 controller for battery life
Razer Wolverine V2 Pro
57
Go for this pro-level controller if you’d like snappy and responsive off-set analog sticks, Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons, and a protracted battery life.
Connectivity
2.4GHz wi-fi, USB-C
No haptic suggestions or adaptive triggers
Don’t be fooled by the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro’s ugly rectangular form, this third-party controller has just a few spectacular methods up its sleeve. The predominant one being an enormous battery that lasted for near 30 hours earlier than needing a cost once we turned off the controller’s RGB lighting results. That’s no imply feat, and much superior to the battery lifetime of Sony’s customary DualSense.
Elsewhere, two additional bumpers have been squeezed between the same old shoulder buttons.They aren’t almost as odd to succeed in for as they could first appear and may be remapped together with the 4 rear paddles positioned down the backbone of the controller – though these paddles are sadly a little bit of a stretch. On the entrance, in the meantime, a mute microphone button has been positioned within the heart, and has us questioning why extra controllers haven’t adopted this useful shortcut.
You would possibly like its Xbox-style uneven button structure, however the Wolverine V2 Pro additionally differs from the PlayStation rubric in a much less welcome approach. It doesn’t characteristic adaptive triggers or haptic suggestions, simply customary vibration. That’s one thing to contemplate should you play a whole lot of Sony video games that always put these options to good use.
5. Scuf Reflex Pro
Best PS5 controller for choosy gamers
Scuf Reflex Pro
11
Gamepad providing adaptive triggers and correct rumble just like the DualSense alongside additional options like 4 manually programmable paddles on the again.
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB-C
Let’s be actual right here: There’s little cause to purchase the Scuf Reflex Pro now that the DualSense Edge exists. With the identical primary design and construct high quality of the DualSense however with fewer customizable parts, non-replaceable analog sticks, and nothing in the best way of adjustable set off sensitivity or remappable buttons, the Reflex Pro does little to justify the additional $10 you’ll spend over Sony’s personal professional controller. Oh, and it doesn’t assist haptic suggestions.
The gamepad’s two attracts, nonetheless, are its rear paddles and customized skins. The Reflex Pro has 4 paddles on its again moderately than the DualSense Edge’s two, that are properly spaced to hover at your fingertips with out taking on an excessive amount of room. Plus, you should purchase it in a bunch of nifty colorways and preset design patterns if you wish to add a little bit of visible aptitude.
It’s comfy, solidly constructed, and does most of what you’d anticipate a professional controller to do. But, with the DualSense Edge beating it on worth and providing many additional options, the Scuf Reflex Pro is actually solely serving these determined for 4 rear paddles and optionally available colour schemes.
6. Nacon Revolution 5 Pro
Best PS5 controller to keep away from stick drift
Nacon Revolution 5 Pro
9
Hall impact sensors in its analog sticks guarantee stick drift isn’t an issue with this high-end controller.
Connectivity
Bluetooth, USB-C
Hall impact sensors that keep away from stick drift
Well-textured, grippy design
No haptic suggestions or adaptive triggers
The standout characteristic of the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro is its immunity to stay drift – an irritating mechanical fault whereby a controller will register inputs that aren’t being made by the participant. Depending on the severity of the issue, it will probably render a controller all however unusable, and has develop into a specific sticking level amongst some PS5 gamers who’ve complained of their DualSense controllers shortly falling foul.
The Revolution 5 Pro avoids the issue altogether. The nifty Hall impact sensors in its analog sticks, which use magnetic fields to detect inputs moderately than bodily contact factors that threat carrying down with time, aren’t inclined to stay drift, so you’ll be able to relaxation simple that your fancy new controller gained’t be rendered an costly paper weight anytime quickly.
Of course, $199 is a hefty worth to pay for peace of thoughts over a {hardware} difficulty that producers ought to already be doing extra to deal with. But the Revolution 5 Pro nearly justifies its price ticket with the same old glut of professional controller add-ons: a variety of alternate analog stick sizes and heads, two rear buttons, that admittedly really feel a contact too delicate to my fingers, and set off locks. It’s all fairly customary, if made barely extra premium by the gamepad’s properly textured, grippy end. The controller additionally omits haptic suggestions and adaptive triggers, though that is likely to be a small worth to pay should you’ve been burnt by the DualSense’s uncooperative sticks previously.
7. Victrix Pro Arcade FS
Best PS5 combat stick
Victrix Pro Arcade FS
48
Sanwa Denshi buttons and a exact joystick reside in a sturdy aluminum body prepared for gaming on the PS5, PS4, or PC.
Pro controllers don’t get far more premium than this. Victrix has made no compromises with the Pro Arcade FS, designing a combat stick that’s lag free, customizable, and event prepared. The eight face buttons and joystick are all Sanwa parts – one of many extra well-liked change producers amongst combat stick aficionados – that really feel properly responsive with a slight, audible click on.
Even the combat stick’s smaller touches, just like the mild slope on its entrance face that lets you comfortably relaxation your wrist, nudges the Pro Arcade FS above its rivals. And its rounded aluminum end is sleeker than the chunky plastic containers of different flight sticks with out being overly heavy – at solely 3.4kg, this can be a pretty mild field.
If you actually need to go to city, you’ll be able to open the underside of the gadget to swap in new switches and joysticks. But even out of the field, this can be a combat stick a rung above its rivals. The PlayStation-first design, together with a string of operate and menu buttons that lets you simply work together with the console’s menus, is simply the cherry on high on among the finest combat sticks.
How to Choose a PS5 Controller
The finest PS5 accent you should purchase is a superb controller, and earlier than setting out in your search, you need to set a finances, as strong choices vary in worth from about $50 to $300. Going for cheaper controllers might imply you lose out on sure options, be it wi-fi connectivity, additional controls, or customizability. But even the Sony DualSense, the lowest-priced of our picks, nonetheless delivers adaptive triggers and haptic suggestions for $70.
After setting a finances, you could determine on the design of your controller. Do you want a conventional PlayStation structure or the off-set analog sticks of Xbox? Some controllers even allow you to swap across the structure relying in your recreation or temper, just like the Victrix Pro BFG. Wireless or wired? Another massive query, however so long as the controller has a USB dongle to fit into your console or wire to tether to the PS5, it is best to have an gratifying gaming expertise. Of course, you’ll be able to’t neglect construct high quality, ergonomics, and grip, so the gamepad have to be sturdy whereas resting comfortably and firmly in your fingers with easy-to-reach controls.
Many PS5 controllers are loaded with additional options; some is likely to be well worth the splurge, whereas others aren’t, and the selection is yours. Extra again paddles, swappable sticks, customizability, and RGB lighting may be good and presumably offer you a leg up on opponents, however it should enhance the price of your controller, except you rating an important PlayStation deal on one. Luckily, lots of the finest PS5 controllers pair with PC and even work as a cellphone controller, so you’ll be able to take advantage of your funding.
Beyond conventional gamepads, you may additionally need to contemplate the finest racing wheels, combat sticks, and joysticks for a extra immersive expertise taking part in driving, preventing, and flying video games.
How We Picked the Best PS5 Controllers
I examined each PS5 controller on this checklist myself. I used the controllers to play a number of video games on the PS5, placing every one by means of the ringer for lengthy sufficient to check out their bespoke options, battery life and the standard of their building. I additionally assessed them by their meant design, and thought of what sort of participant they had been made for.
I picked these PS5 controllers as they go well with a variety of wants. Most gamers will get on simply superb with Sony’s customary DualSense controller. It’s a more-than-capable gamepad and a pleasure to make use of. But others – significantly gamers who desire a aggressive edge in on-line shooters and preventing video games – will wring rather a lot from additional customization choices and buttons.
PlayStation 5 Controller FAQ
What PlayStation 5 controller doesn’t drift?
Most PS5 controllers are susceptible to stick drift. The drawback normally happens when the potentiometers of their analog sticks are worn down. Some controllers get round this by dropping potentiometers in favor of magnetic Hall impact sensors that aren’t as liable to put on and tear. The Nacon Revolution 5 Pro is one gamepad that makes use of Hall impact sensors, so gained’t drift.
How do I repair stick drift on PS5?
If your controller is drifting as a result of the potentiometers inside its analog sticks have worn down by means of use or a producing fault, there’s little you are able to do. DualSense controllers offered by retailers include one or two years of guarantee, relying in your area. If your gamepad continues to be below guarantee, contact Sony a few restore. Or, if grime is likely to be inflicting the issue, attempt cleansing the sting of the analog stick’s base to take away any particles.
Does the PS5 controller have a headphone jack?
Yes, the DualSense controller has a 3.5mm audio jack at its base that among the finest PS5 gaming headsets or a pair of headphones may be plugged into. Most different third-party PS5 controllers additionally characteristic a headphone jack.
Callum Bains is a contract tech contributor and author for IGN, with work seen on MSN, Yahoo and extra.
