The best PS5 controllers in 2024

Looking for the best PS5 controllers? Well, you’re in the right place. While the PlayStation 5 comes with the excellent DualSense controller in the box, we’ve tried and tested several alternatives at various price points and to help you pick the perfect new pad.

There’s no denying that the standard DualSense is a big factor in the PS5 being one of the best games consoles ever. But we know that for many gamers, it doesn’t quite cut it. Maybe your current DualSense is suffering from a few scrapes (or, more likely, stick drift) and you’re in need of a replacement to help immerse you into the best PS5 games. Or maybe you want to get a leg-up in some of the best FPS games with a more advanced controller. Whatever your needs, this guide has you covered.

Here are the best PS5 controllers today:

1. Sony DualSense Edge Controller – the ultimate PS5 controller
2. Nacon Revolution 5 Pro – best for comfortable competitive play
3. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro – most buttons and triggers
4. Sony DualSense Wireless Controller – best for most
5. Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller – budget option
6. DarkWalker ShotPad FPS TouchPad – best for FPS games
7. HORI Commander OCTA Tournament Grade Fightpad – best for fighters
8. Thrustmaster F1 Wheel Add-on – best for racing games
9. TCP Pro controller – lightweight and customizable

1. Sony DualSense Edge Controller

Best overall for giving you control and precision.

Sony DualSense Edge specs:

Pros

• Tons of customization options
• High levels of control and precision
• Premium quality

Cons

• Battery life could be longer
• Expensive

This elite PS5 controller from Sony is our top pick as the best PS5 controller for gamers who like to live on the edge, and we found it hard to fault during testing. The standard DualSense controllers included with the PS5 are pretty great on their own, but the latest upgrade with the Edge is optimized for shooter titles and eliminates the need for PS5 players to opt for a third-party alternative.

It boasts features such as function buttons, customizable back triggers with sliders to adjust trigger length and multiple profiles. And, it also offers the features you’ve come to love with the DualSense, including haptics and adaptive triggers.

Unfortunately, it is very expensive considering it’s let down by a shorter battery life than the regular DualSense, meaning you’ll need to charge it after every evening of playing games. While switching off the immersive features like haptics, but for those of you who love playing some of the best RPG games and getting immersed in the worlds, this may be a difficult option to suggest.

That being said, if you like playing competitive games, we found the DualSense Edge to be incredible when playing the best FPS games. Making short bursts with an SMG and not needing to press the triggers all the way down made easy work of any enemies in range, and the back buttons made throwing equipment much easier.

Read our PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge review.

2. Nacon Revolution 5 Pro

Comfiest option for competitive-minded gamers.

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro specs:

Pros:

• Comfortable shape and textured grips
• Hardware and software customization
• Decent battery life
• Hall effect tech to combat stick drift
• Excellent build quality

Cons:

• Back button positioning
• Doesn’t support PS5 features

If any controller is going to give the DualSense Edge a run for its money, it’s Nacon’s Revolution 5 Pro. Not only does it have just as much modularity and customization as the Edge, it just about wins in a comfort contest as well. With a textured, rubberized material on the outside of its chunky grips, the Revolution 5 Pro feels unlike anything else on this list when it’s in your hands (in a good way).

It also boasts a strong battery life if you’re playing wirelessly, has a handy Bluetooth audio transmitter for hooking up wireless earbuds or headsets, and looks pretty sleek as well (especially if you get it in white). Thanks to its clever Hall effect technology, it has also eliminated the biggest, most costly issue with most PS5 controllers: stick drift.

The Revolution 5 Pro comes in at a very similar price point to the DualSense Edge, and in some regions at some retailers can also be a touch cheaper. But, there is one small thing and one big thing to consider when picking between them.

The smaller issue is to do with the location of its back buttons. Instead of protruding out of the back of the controller, they lie flush with the back of the grips. Training your fingers to be in the right place does take some time. The bigger issue is that, like all other third-party controllers, the R5 Pro doesn’t support the PS5’s DualSense features like haptic feedback. If that’s something important to you, then the Edge is probably the one you want. If it isn’t, and you’re willing to train your digits a bit, we really recommend this beautifully-built controller.

Read our Nacon Revolution 5 Pro review here.

3. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro

Best for gamers who want all the buttons.

Razer Wolverine V2 Pro specs:

Pros

• Loads of options for buttons
• Amazing wireless performance

Cons

• Expensive
• Missing some DualSense features

This Razer Pro controller might be more expensive than the DualSense Edge, but the high price is worth it for the host of features that this third-party pad offers. It comes with an ultra-fast 2.4GHz wireless connection USB-A dongle for HyperSpeed and low-latency performance, plus Razer Chroma RGB interactive color patterns and a compatible app for IOS and Android.

Razer has included mecha-tactile action buttons on this pad for ultra-fast actuation, six remappable buttons and interchangeable thumbsticks, as well as an 8-way microswitch d-pad for precise control in fighting games, 4 extra triggers and 2 custom bumpers, and additionally a quickfire HyperTrigger for faster reactions and lightning-quick clicks.

However, for those of you who have come to love the immersive features that the DualSense delivers, the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro is missing out on the haptics and adaptive triggers, which may be great for competitive experiences but not so good for those looking to be immersed within some new PS5 games that are single-player focused.

4. Sony DualSense Wireless Controller

Best option for most PS5 gamers.

Sony DualSense Wireless specs:

Pros

• The standard PS5 controller
• Haptic feedback and other features

Cons

• Short battery life
• No swappable buttons

Here we have the basic PS5 controller that comes included with the console but believe us it is far from basic. If you’re in need of a second controller for your gaming buddy, then why not get another DualSense?

These pads have been created by Sony with features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers which were previously only found in advanced pro controllers. Unfortunately, the battery life isn’t brilliant, and for those of you who can’t have a controller without customizable buttons, you may want to reach into your wallet and spend a bit more on the DualSense Edge or a third-party alternative.

If you can’t decide just yet, make sure to take a look at our guide to everything you need to know about the PS5 controller plus our deep dive into how the DualSense’s adaptive triggers work.

5. Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller

Best value pro controller with amazing features.

Victrix Pro BFG Wireless specs:

Pros

• Customizable modular design
• Ideal for fighting games

Cons

• Large price tag
• No haptic feedback or adaptive triggers

This reasonably priced pad from Victrix is a game-changer (pun intended) for those who want a premium gaming experience. Next to the DualSense Edge, this is one of the best controllers for the PS5 that’s cheaper than the competition. If you happen to also be a PC gamer as well as a console gamer then you’ll love the features of this wireless controller.

It can be used with multiple platforms using a convenient mode switch, as well as a reversible left module to adapt the pad for fighting games and move away from the standard stick configuration. The four mappable back buttons can have up to 3 user-configurable unique profiles for button mapping, plus complete customization via the Victrix Control Hub Customization App. It also boasts multi-position clutch triggers, analog stick gates, and totally interchangeable caps.

However, like other third-party alternatives, the Victrix Pro BFG controller doesn’t have the immersive features that the official DualSense controller offers, despite the expensive price. If that’s a deal breaker for you, then the DualSense Edge might be a better competitive option. 

6. DarkWalker ShotPad FPS TouchPad Game Controller

Best for first-person shooters and multitaskers

DarkWalker ShotPad FPS Touchpad specs:

Pros

• Precise touchpad aiming
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Design takes some getting used to
• No haptic feedback or adaptive triggers
• Limited compatibility

Be one with the dark side with this master touchpad controller from DarkWalker. The only downfall of this gaming pad is that it’s a little complicated to set up and can only be used with games that have support for a keyboard & mouse (you’ll need to check this for each game).

On the bright side, if your favorite games are compatible, you’ll be able to use the large built-in touchpad for aiming instead of a joystick for precision control, plus it has a mass of extra buttons allowing you to aim, jump, and shoot all at the same time.

Unfortunately, while the DarkWalker’s strengths easily give it a place in this list due to its uniqueness, its compatibility is very lacking for most games on the PS5. If you specifically play games like Call of Duty MW3, it may be a great option for having that competitive advantage, but otherwise, you may be better with a standard controller.

7. HORI Commander OCTA Tournament Grade Fightpad

Best for street fighters and super Saiyans

Hori Commander Octa Tournament Grade Fightpad specs:

Pros

• Arcade-style button layout
• Decent price

Cons

• D-pad could be better
• Hollow-feeling build quality

Are you a fan of Tekken? This low-budget wired controller from HORI is designed not only for the PS5 but for serious fighters with the desire to win. It boasts an eight-way joystick, six-button arcade layout, tournament lock functions, micro switch buttons, a headphone jack, and customization options through the compatible app. The best part about this fight pad? It’s even cheaper than the DualSense controller and is the first officially licensed fight pad for the PS5, certified by Sony.

However, the HORI Commander OCTA Tournament Grade Fightpad does come with its fair share of problems. The D-pad, and overall quality of the controller could be a lot better, with a hollow feeling to it. It’s undoubtedly a great budget controller for those of you who love the best fighting games, but for those with a varied pallette, you may want to pick up the DualSense or another third-party controller instead. 

8. Thrustmaster F1 Wheel Add-on

Best for the speedsters, licensed by Ferrari.

Thrustmaster F1 Wheel Add-on specs:

Pros

• Durable metal design
• Realistic Ferrari wheel replica

Cons

• Requires additional Thrustmaster base
• Lacks sturdy hand grips

Do you have a need for speed? This racing wheel by Thrustmaster is an exciting (and expensive) PS5 add-on that’s essential if you’re into racing games.

For a truly immersive arcade experience, this controller is a full-size replica of the Formula 1 Ferrari 2011 racing wheel, but you’ll need a set of pedals and a Thrustmaster wheel servo base to attach it to – it’s compatible with the T500, T300, and TX Racing Wheel Series for interchangeability. It boasts genuine “Push and Pull” shifters and rubber textured grip, plus professional-grade scratched-brushed metal.

9. TCP Pro controller

Best for gamers who like optimized design.

Pros

• Unbeatable levels of customization
• Lightweight and comfortable to hold

Cons

• Can be quite expensive
• Clicksticks could be sturdier

We’ll avoid including a specs table here because as each one is based on the specs provided by the customer, the specs will always be a little different.

This create-your-own controller for the PS5 is brought to you by The Controller People and has a host of features that make it much better than the original DualSense. For example, the pad has cutting-edge design features including click-sticks on the back, an interchangeable analog system, digital triggers that are super fast and resemble clicking a mouse, high-grade grips to avoid sweat slip (gross), and a dexidisk rubber attachment for the d-pad. Convinced yet?

This controller has actually removed the desirable haptic feedback and adaptive trigger functions to cut the weight of the regular DualSense in half for a lighter experience. But if you like those, you may find that you want something like the DualSense Edge for a more customizable experience, while keeping the immersive features.

How do I choose the best PS5 controller?

Finding the best controller for the PS5 is a breeze once you know your preferred gaming style. Play a lot of free shooting games? You’ll want one that allows you to be as accurate and precise as you can with fast clickable triggers that are digital-based as opposed to the traditional type. If you mainly play FIFA, you might benefit from a controller with customizable buttons closer together for faster actions and responses.

If you’re more of an open-world explorer, chances are you’ll be just fine with the standard DualSense controller that the PlayStation 5 comes included with. This controller really shines with games like Horizon Forbidden West and even PlayStation’s own Astro Bot series where you can slingshot Captain Astro using the sensitive touchpad and feel every vibration through haptic feedback.

Ultimately, the controller you choose needs to be reliable and last long enough to keep up with the number of hours you put into gaming each day. If you consider yourself to be a pro gamer then it’s worth investing in a pro controller that can match your speed and energy to optimize your overall performance in a game. Still, for more casual gamers who play solo as opposed to online, it’s all about comfort and the levels of immersion. See our guide to the best PS5 headsets for the ultimate gaming setup paired with your new controller.

Check out our how we test page to find out how we recommend hardware. Got any more questions? Read the FAQs below:

What is the best PS5 controller?

The Sony DualSense Edge is a fantastic PS5 controller – the best you can get. It’s also pretty darn expensive. We recommend it for anyone who has room in their budget, but the other controllers on this list will also do a fine job if you need something cheaper.

What’s the difference between DualShock and DualSense?

The DualShock was a lineup of gamepads for various PlayStation consoles prior to the DualSense’s release. The DualShock was the original controller for the first PlayStation, which was succeeded by the DualShock 2 for PS2, and so on. The last iteration was the DualShock 4, which came with the PS4.

The DualShock has been upgraded with each PlayStation console, keeping the button layout but adding features or changing up the design slightly for optimization. The DualSense is cosmetically almost identical to the DualShock 4, but with immersive features such as haptic feedback or adaptive triggers.

Are there different types of PS5 controllers?

From Sony themselves, you’ve got both the DualSense and the DualSense Edge (the latter of which is the superior model). Outside of that, there’s a long list of third-party models available. It can be harder to know which ones of these you can trust, but rest assured, every controller on this list is worth its salt.

That’s it for our full breakdown of the best PS5 controllers. Many of you reading this, however, may have more than one console sat at home, so be sure to check out our best Xbox controllers and best Nintendo Switch controllers lists for more recommendations.