The standard Xbox controller is very well supported by Windows. I personally have been using the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller for about 4 years and I really like it. Answer from aragorn18 on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/steam › best controllers to pair up with pc (mostly for steam games)
r/Steam on Reddit: Best controllers to pair up with PC (mostly for Steam games)
October 14, 2025 -

I mostly plan on using a controller for some fighting games and rpgs once in a while.

I appreciate any and all responses, and the price range shouldn't be an issue, just about getting your money's worth, and the usability and durability of these things.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/gaming › best controllers to use for pc gaming?
r/gaming on Reddit: Best controllers to use for PC gaming?
May 29, 2025 -

I’ve just had a controller die on me while trying out Windblown. Who has good suggestions/recommendations for a Steam compatible controller? Preferably Xbox layout as most games will have that layout by default and some don’t adapt/ recognize your controller layout.

I don’t mind the price as long as it has good quality, but maybe not a 200€ controller.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › actual good wireless controllers for pc?
r/buildapc on Reddit: Actual good wireless controllers for PC?
November 3, 2019 -

Search on Google has every listicle website from IGN to PC gaming to Tom's hardware call Xbox one controller as the best.

While that was true for the 360, the lack of a wireless adaptor easily available means that the wireless depends heavily on your Bluetooth setup.

A second search for Xbox controller Bluetooth leads to a whole slew of support pages on how bad and inconsistent the connectivity is.

Due to the variety of PC setups, it seems that a wireless adaptor must be available to be bought that pairs well with the controller.

Are there any good brands that do this?

Find elsewhere
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › what controller should i buy to play exclusively on pc?
r/buildapc on Reddit: What controller should i buy to play exclusively on PC?
May 6, 2022 -

Title says it all.

EDIT: Thank you so much for all the answers. I think I'll go with an Xbox controller

EDIT 2: To sum it up for people showing up now. The consensus is an Xbox controller is best fit for PC because of the native support.

PS4 also works for PC but it has sub-optimal support. If you need to use it for non-steam games then you need extra software to make it work (DS4Windows) a lot of people use it with no issue so definitely a valid option.

Quite a few suggestions for third party controllers in particular I saw a bunch of suggestions for 8BitDo controllers (probably best fit for retro gaming)

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/controller › best controller for pc
r/Controller on Reddit: Best controller for PC
May 28, 2025 -

Hey guys! I currently use a DualSense (since I have a PS5), but I'm looking for a pro controller now. I use a controller for all games except FPS titles. I've seen a lot of positive feedback about the Vader Pro 4, which costs around $53 here in Brazil. Is it the best option for the price, or are more expensive alternatives like the Turtle Beach Stealth Pivot, DualSense Edge, Xbox Elite Series 2 and etc worth considering? It would be nice if it worked on PS5, but it's not mandatory since I only play exclusive games on it.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/controller › recommend me a high end controller for pc
r/Controller on Reddit: Recommend me a high end controller for pc
November 17, 2024 -

currently using xbox elite series 2 and loved every bit of it.......until the god darn rear rubber grips started peeling in about 1.5 years of use.

i only play single player games rpg/action/etc. i play fps on kb+m.

so my controllers usually last forever. $40 xbox one controller still works fine after 9 years of use.

with the dissapointment of the xbox elite 2, i would like to hear some suggestions from this community.

Looking at high end options, i see scuf, razer wolverine, and the vader with hall effect.

are there other controllers i should be looking at?

price is of no concern, i'm located in the usa. will be for pc.

My main needs are premium feel and latest tech, wireless. doesn't have to be super precise as i do not play anything competitive with a controller. I play mostly diablo 4 these days.

Thank you

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/gaming › best wireless connectivity for pc controllers?
r/gaming on Reddit: Best wireless connectivity for PC controllers?
August 12, 2023 -

My setup is the CPU tower sits on a table adjacent to TV about 9' away from the couch where I and other people sit. I currently have two Xbox controllers and the official Microsoft adapter setup. Both the controllers and adapter I've updated the firmware and drivers, and I've positioned the adapter beneath the TV screen via a 4' extension so there's a clear line of sight. However, the controllers still regularly lose connectivity, often during the middle of gameplay. After troubleshooting, requesting help from Xbox support, I'm convinced this is just a design flaw with the devices and no amount of updating is going to improve it. I'm fully aware using a USB cable on the controllers would be more reliable, but that isn't an option I'm going for.

I was curious if any other wireless controllers from like 8bitDo, Retrobit, Logitech, Razer, or other brands have more reliable wireless connectivity? I assume the 2.4 Ghz dongle options are the best, but I'd be willing to try another model if anyone agrees it doesn't lose signal regularly.

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/controller › best controller for pc gaming as of july 2025
r/Controller on Reddit: Best Controller for PC Gaming as of July 2025
August 2, 2025 -

Hi! I'm looking for a controller that best suits my gaming habit (mainly PC gaming). I'm relatively new to this community, and I really wasn't into technicalities when it comes to controllers for years until recently. Never thought it would be this comprehensive and fun! I have invested time in reading relevant posts here in reddit and spending hours watching informative youtube reviews for me to come up with an informed choice.

My budget range would be 80usd and below. Initially, I was planning to buy DS5, but after learning some technicalities, been considering to choose from among these controllers so far:

  1. Flydigi Vader 4 Pro

  2. 8bitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless

  3. GameSir Cyclone 2

  4. EasySMX X20

Could potentially buy from Amazon or official website and/or local official distributors here in PH.

I don't play competitive gaming just for casual gaming and AAA games without compromising skills and overall gaming experience due to a bad performing controller. Currently using a Logitech F310. I usually play NBA 2k, some FPS, 3rd Person adventure/open world, bit of racing.

Been seeing some comments that Vader 5 might be released this October. Should I just wait for it?

Preferred features: Very good latency, stick precision and durability (been studying and comparing results from gamepadla), but definitely will love those extra sauce like the macros for sure, mechanical buttons and hair trigger locks, and customizable RGB lighting (less important).

If you have any suggestions that you think is better, please drop your comment and maybe some insight on your user experience for comparison.

Thanks!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/buildapc › best controller for pc gaming?
r/buildapc on Reddit: Best controller for pc gaming?
September 11, 2024 -

What controller do you guys use for pc gaming?

I’m guessing the Xbox controller is best since it’s basically just connect and play, heard about this 8bitdo, is that any good?

I don’t mind if it’s wired or wireless , prefer wireless if possible or if wired would need a longer cable

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/gaming › whats the best third party controller?
r/gaming on Reddit: Whats the best third party controller?
July 30, 2024 -

My xbox controller thats no more than 2yrs old already has rlly bad stick drift on the camera stick ):

Whats the best third party controller in terms of comfort and hall effect or whatever thats out there? 8bitdo? New steam controller? Some other brand ive never heard of?

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/controller › what is the best wireless tmr or hall effect controller for pc in 2025?
r/Controller on Reddit: What is the best wireless TMR or Hall Effect controller for PC in 2025?
September 3, 2025 -

Previously, I have used the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller and I really have loved it, but I have blown through 3 controllers in the past 2 years thanks to stick drift and I’m sick of it. I’m looking for a TMR or Hall Effect controller to minimize this issue, but I’m a bit overwhelmed with the options and I could really use your suggestions. Also, while of course I’d rather spend less than more, I am definitely willing to pay more if it means better quality (basically, if a controller is “good” for the price, but a more expensive controller is actually significantly better overall, I’m more than willing to go for the more expensive one…. within reason, of course.)

  • Comfortable Budget: 200 USD

  • Max Budget: 300 USD

  • Country: USA

  • Ways to Purchase: Literally anyway that can get to the USA. (Best Buy or Amazon are the most easily accessible places- but it doesn’t really matter) Must be returnable though, incase I don’t like it.

  • Platforms: PC. Dual compatibility on Xbox would be nice (but not required.)

  • MUST have features: Wireless (I use both wired and wireless, but it needs to be decent at wireless), TMR or Hall Effect (preferably TMR), mouse click triggers (or at least hair triggers), grips (textured or silicone), PC compatibility, Easy set up (I don’t want another nightmare like what I went through with the GameSir Cyclone 2), chargeable battery, low latency/input delay (one of the most important features for me as a competitive player), competitive capabilities

  • PREFERED features (but NOT necessary and NOT dealbreakers by any means): Xbox compatibility, mouse click buttons, silicone grip (as opposed to textured plastic), extra programmable buttons, adjustable / interchangeable thumb sticks and d-pad, quality feeling / weighted (doesn’t feel like it’s filled with air).

  • Main Game Types: Competitive Online Multiplayer Games (Fortnite, COD, etc.), Solo and cooperative RPGs and storyline games (Immortal Fenix Rising, Cyberpunk 2077, Stray, Genshin Impact, The Last of Us, etc).

  • Controllers I’ve been considering (but could use some more insight about and open to any other suggestions that aren’t on this list): Razer Wolverine v3, EasySMX10 Wireless PC, FLYDIGI Vader 4 Pro, EasySMX10 D10, AZERON Gaming Keypad (Though I know it would be expensive and be a significant change)

  • Rejected controllers: GameSir Cyclone 2 (would not connect to my PC no matter what I did), Xbox Elite Series 2 (for reasons stated above)

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Reddit
reddit.com › r/controller › controller for pc with hall effect technology
r/Controller on Reddit: Controller for PC with Hall Effect Technology
August 11, 2024 -

Hi, I'm in the market for a PC controller that features Hall effect technology. One of the main reasons I'm interested in Hall effect sensors is their durability; I've had drift issues with scuff and Xbox Elite controllers in the past within few months of using it.

So far, I've come across a few options:

  1. RAZER WOLVERINE V3 TOURNAMENT EDITION

  2. 8BitDo Ultimate 2.4G or 2C

  3. FLYDIGI Vader 4 Pro

I'm aiming to spend around USD 100 (I am in US) at most. Which of these would you choose? Do you have any other in mind?

Thanks!

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Ok no one else has answered and as an owner of the Xbox elite 1and 2, razer wolverine 2, both of the listed 8bitdo, and the Vader 4 pro I think I can help. The elite for me both had issues. Like bad ones. The elite 1 had drift so I got it exchanged direct from ms and had drift again within 5 months. The elite 2 had weird ass face button non registers all the time. So those were out. The razer was my number two. It’s a hell of a controller that is very customizable and was definitely better than any of my elites but it feels mushy. I don’t like that at all. Now maybe the 3 is better but that’s my thoughts. The 8bitdos feel the same and the Hall effect sticks are really noticeable. The back buttons on the ultimate are my preference as far as that goes but the extra shoulder buttons on the 2c are usable in a pinch. I prefer that I can have multiple profiles on the ultimate and the 2c you can’t nor is there a software for it. I genuinely like both and I don’t think you’d be disappointed with either. As for the Vader 4 pro it’s my fav. After the update I don’t notice the stick latency and I am sure future updates will just make it better. It feels more sturdy than the 8bitdo and I am less worried about it over time as a result. I also love how customizable it is and how I can set it up on a per game basis. It’s great. The downside here is that there was stick latency and dead zones before the update so it’s not just out of the box ready to go like the 8bitdos. As far as latency and all that wireless I have played on all 3 of those back to back and can’t tell. People say you can but I honestly can’t. The difference is a millisecond. Like cmon at this point that’s so small. That said some people do claim to be able to tell so mileage may vary. If I had to pick one I’d pick the Vader but honestly o don’t think you’d be disappointed with any of the options here as imo they are all better than the elite 1 or 2
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If you are a fan of the playstation layout sticks, the 8bitdo pro2 hall effect has been an amazing purchase for me as I'm very picky about my controllers. I have been using PS4 for a very long time for my PC, and I haven't looked back. The sticks feel so much more responsive, and the rumble is actually better than the DS4. As for longevity, I'm not certain yet. I'm sure the hall effect sticks will last a long while but the plastics? I don't know yet.