


For those who haven’t used them, they control how far you need to pull the trigger, so there’s no wasted effort or time in competitive shooters, where milliseconds matter. The four additional back paddles are a neat feature too and can make for some interesting controller layouts. The returning hair-trigger locks are still among one of my favorite things about the Elite. It makes the controller that much more versatile, which is essential given the high price of admission. The Series 1's surprising lack of Bluetooth is something that drew major criticism, but thanks to the Series 2 adopting Bluetooth, you now have a market-leading PC controller and something that’ll pair with a phone to play the Apple Arcade offerings or mess around Xbox streaming. It comes with a bunch of custom bits: 6 thumbsticks, 2 d-pads (cross-shaped and faceted) 4 rear pedals and one tool for adjustable thumbstick tension. You now have a market-leading PC controller and something that’ll pair with a phone. Finally, with project XCloud and Apple Arcade bringing some great games to mobile devices, you can easily pair the Series 2 controller via Bluetooth. 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. 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. It's also a great option if you need pressure sensitive triggers, which your mouse can't deliver.

Instead of ruining your posture, you can get into a laid-back gaming session. Just think, with the best PC controller, you don't have to hunch over your gaming keyboard. The Witcher 3, for example, actually has a far more straightforward control system when played with the best PC controller, as opposed to a mouse and keyboard. This is true even for games held to be PC classics. Many will begrudge the fact, but the truth remains: controllers are sometimes the best tool for the job. Console ports end up with frustratingly confusing control systems, so joining the best gamepad club is our best advice. Since most keyboards don't offer pressure-sensitive key switches, an analog stick is your best bet for accurate movement. Similarly to the rest of those we've rigorously and ranked below, it'll keep up with driving games too. It'll see you through when you're confronted with Elden Ring's half-assed mouse and keyboard controls. It's been a tough one, but the best PC controller today is the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.
