Beste ps4 controller: Best PS4 controllers in 2023

The best PC controller in 2023

Grab the best PC controller and game from the comfort of your couch.
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The best PC controller is the perfect gaming counterpoint to the classic mouse and keyboard combo. While that is 100% the most accurate setup for shooters, there are plenty of games out there designed primarily with controllers in mind. It’s not always the case, and you can bet the best gaming mouse and best gaming keyboard combo will win out in pretty much every PC exclusive ever made, but add a great controller to the mix and you’ve got the vast majority of games covered.

When you’re looking to play certain more arcade-y games, such as Elden Ring with its half-assed mouse and keyboard controls , a controller is your best bet. With driving games too, most keyboards don’t offer pressure-sensitive key switches, so an analog stick is your best bet for accurate movement. A bunch of games that are console ports end up with frustratingly confusing control systems, so joining the best gamepad club is our best advice.

Many will begrudge the fact, but the truth remains: controllers are sometimes the best tool for the job. This is true even for games held to be PC classics. 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.

Just think, with the best PC controller, you don’t have to hunch over your gaming keyboard. Instead of ruining your posture, you can get into a laid-back gaming session. 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. 

Best PC controller

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(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Microsoft)(Image credit: Microsoft)(Image credit: Microsoft)(Image credit: Microsoft)(Image credit: Microsoft)

1.

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

The best wireless gaming controller

Specifications

Weight: 0.76lbs (345g) (+/-15g)

Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz

Features: 3-step trigger modes, replaceable thumbsticks, paddle switches

Battery: Internal Rechargable Battery (40 Hours)

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

 Lots of customization options

+

 Detachable Charging Dock via USB-C 

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 Bluetooth-enabled (finally)  

Reasons to avoid

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Heavy compared to most controllers

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Seriously expensive

If you use the Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller for more than ten minutes, you’ll understand why we have it at the number one spot. Everything about the Series 2 screams luxury. The near-endless customization options give you an unparalleled level of control (pun intended) over your gameplay. Being able to tweak all aspects of the controller, like d-pads, shift paddles, and joystick tension, is an absolute godsend.

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. Finally, with project XCloud and Apple Arcade bringing some great games to mobile devices, you can easily pair the Series 2 controller via Bluetooth.

You now have a market-leading PC controller and something that’ll pair with a phone.

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.

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 makes the controller that much more versatile, which is essential given the high price of admission.

The returning hair-trigger locks are still among one of my favorite things about the Elite. 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. Never want to take your thumbs off of the thumbsticks? Simply assign the face buttons to the back paddles and you’re good to go. In fact, the extreme flexibility of the Series 2 has the additional benefit of making the controller highly accessible, meaning that more people can use it to play PC games.

Some people might find the more hefty controller a bit jarring at first since it’s heavier than the standard Xbox One controller by a few ounces. And while it’s nice to swap out the standard d-pad, both the cross and faceted alternative d-pads take some getting used to especially in fighting games like Dragonball FighterZ or Mortal Kombat 11.

Spending $160 for a controller is a tough sell for most people, that’s near four times the price of an Xbox One controller, but if you’re a serious gamer who values performance and extreme levels of customization, the Series 2 is a no brainer and worth every penny. 

Read our full Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review .

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2. PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced

Best budget PC controller

Specifications

Weight: 13.4oz (380g)

Connectivity: micro USB

Features: LED edge-lighting, 3-way trigger locks

Battery: N/A

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Great button feel 

+

Matches Xbox Series X|S controller

+

Good price 

+

Improved lighting over previous model

Reasons to avoid

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No wireless support

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Trigger locks are sub-par

PowerA’s Spectra Infinity Enhanced wired controller is a step up over the Spectra Enhanced we used to rate in this guide. The latest version has more similarities to the Xbox Series X|S controller, not too surprising since the Spectra is an official Xbox license product, though it has notably more bright lights. It’s a pretty swanky controller nowadays, considering its budget price.

I compared the Spectra and an official Xbox One controller while playing all the usual suspects like Call of Duty: Warzone and Mortal Kombat 11, and found that the joysticks are almost the same amount of tension and even the face buttons had similar feel when you pressed down on them. 

The lack of any wireless connectivity is a big let down in the days of untethered gaming.

The button layout is nearly identical to an Xbox One controller, even down to the same texturized rubber on the joysticks, and the two extra programmable buttons in the back of the controller are well placed right around the grip. They’re reachable via your ring-fingers, so you don’t have to change your grip when playing. The 3-way trigger locks are great for competitive shooters, but although it’s a nice feature, they didn’t feel all that different regardless of where you set the lock, unlike the Series 2. 

The Spectra would have scored higher, but the lack of any wireless connectivity is a big let down in the days of untethered gaming. Instead, it comes with a 10ft snap-lock detachable micro-USB cable that’s a little overkill for playing at a desk, but great if you’re using it in the living room.

It’s a shame it isn’t wireless, but that sweet edge lighting and extra programmable buttons might be a decent compromise for $40, especially if you’d rather not deal with batteries but need a controller to give your little brother.

Read the full PowerA Spectra Enhanced (non-Infinity) review .

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(Image credit: Xbox)(Image credit: Xbox)

3. Xbox Core Wireless Controller

The most reliable game pad

Specifications

Weight: 9.9oz (281g)

Connectivity: Xbox Wireless; Bluetooth

Features: Hybrid D-pad, Textured Grip, Share button

Battery: 2x AA

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Affordable

+

Comfortable

+

Officially supported by most games

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Share Button

Reasons to avoid

—

Not rechargeable

The original Xbox One Wireless Controller was a staple for PC gaming. With the Xbox Series S/X release, we were all curious to see how Xbox improved on an already killer gamepad. 

This controller retains a lot of what we loved about the original. Keeping it very comfortable overall design with texturized rubber grips makes you feel extremely great in your hands. Much like the original, it boasts a vastly superior d-pad that you won’t dread using in fighting games and platformers, taking cues from the Xbox One Elite Series controllers. 

The Xbox Wireless controller graces us with a much-needed helping of Bluetooth compatibility

You might have noticed a new button in the center of the controller; a much-requested Share button now lets you capture screenshots and gameplay footage without diving too much into the menus. But, honestly, that’s of minor import when it comes to PC gaming.

We capitalize Wireless for a reason, not because the word is a proper noun per sé, but because the Xbox Wireless controller of late leverages Microsoft’s wireless protocol it calls «Xbox Wireless. » Though the name could benefit from some creative workshopping, you can take solace in the fact that, after 2016, the Xbox Wireless controller graces us with a much-needed helping of Bluetooth compatibility, too. 

Otherwise, on PC, you’re going to have to put your hand in your pocket again to pick up a Microsoft Wireless dongle to give your machine access to the speedy non-Bluetooth protocol.

But the standard Xbox Wireless pad is such a well-made, well-priced bit of kit, it’s tough to see how other manufacturers can possibly stand up to Microsoft’s mighty controller. And it’s going to stick around on our recommended list for a long time to come.

Best gaming laptop | Best gaming monitor |Best gaming headset | Best wireless gaming headset | Best computer speakers | Best capture card

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(Image credit: Sony)(Image credit: Sony)

4. Sony DualSense Wireless Controller

The most impressive game pad around

Specifications

Weight: 9. 9oz (280g)

Connectivity: USB Type-C, Bluetooth

Features: Touchpad, haptic triggers

Battery: Li-Ion (6-12 hours)

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Super accurate thumbsticks

+

Adaptive Triggers

+

Haptic Rumble

Reasons to avoid

—

Feature support limited on PC

—

Battery life isn’t amazing

The PlayStation 5 DualSense has a «you have to touch it to believe it» quality thanks to its new haptic motors and «Adaptive» triggers, which can offer resistance under your finger. Firing a bow can actually feel like firing a bow, for example. The rumble is also easily the best and most nuanced we’ve ever felt in a controller. It really is as good as people say.

The bad news: the DualSense’s most advanced features don’t work in PC games yet, since games will need to be programmed to take advantage of them. But Steam already offers full support for the controller, so it’s at least a breeze to plug in and use like any other pad. It’s a hair less comfortable than the Xbox Series X controller, and not as simple to use in non-Steam games, but if you prefer Sony’s analog stick layout or love gyro aiming, this is the one to get.

Steam makes it super-easy to use the controller both via USB and Bluetooth.

And maybe someday we’ll see PC games take advantage of those new triggers and haptics, too.

The DualSense doesn’t have official PC drivers, but that’s not too much of an issue as Steam makes it super-easy to use the controller both via USB and Bluetooth. The DualSense uses the older DirectInput API rather than the more universal XInput, which means that many games won’t instantly recognise it. If you enable ‘PlayStation Configuration Support’ in Steam’s controller settings, then your controller will work with most games.

The PC-DualSense relationship is a complicated one, but it’s gotten a little bit simpler now that we can update the controller firmware directly through our PCs instead of having to plug it into a PS5. Just download the tool called ‘Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller ‘ from the official PlayStation site, follow the instructions, plug in your DualSense via a USB cable, and you’re away.

Still, the PS5 pad is still an incredibly well-built controller and as responsive as you could wish. And if you hate the offset sticks of the standard Xbox layout then this is as good as PlayStation pads get… until the ultra-expensive Edge drops on our desks, anyway.

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5. Scuf Instinct Pro

The best alt-pad outside of Microsoft and Sony

Specifications

Weight: 9.9oz (280g)

Connectivity: USB Type-C, Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth

Features: Changeable thumbsticks, removable faceplates, paddle switches

Battery: 2x AA

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Great customisation options

+

Feels reassuringly solid in the hand

+

Responsive and accurate

Reasons to avoid

—

Customisation really costs

—

AA batteries, not rechargeable

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It’s just not the Elite. ..

Scuf doesn’t mess around with its controllers, offering some of the best premium pads outside of Sony and Microsoft. And the Instinct Pro is the absolute best Microsoft-focused pad controller should you wish to eschew the two big bois of the console world. But when the Elite Series 2  exists in the world, how does anyone else compete in the enthusiast controller space

There are more customisation options on offer with the Instinct Pro than with pretty much any other pad you could name. Scuf is offering a huge variety of different cosmetic and physical customisation options from the initial store page. The faceplate options, and the rings around the thumbsticks, are the most obvious, but you also get to pick your choice of actual thumbsticks in terms of length and topper (convex or concave).

Scuf has at least acknowledged there’s little point trying to one-up Microsoft when it comes to the overall design of the Instinct Pro.

There are also options to change the D-pad, button facades, as well as the styling of both the bumpers and the triggers. Interestingly, there is also the option to remove the rumble motors from inside the controller which is something you’ll often find the pros end up removing from their tournament controllers, to cut down on the inherent distraction of hand-wobble.

Though that will definitely impact the price—with my own choices I managed to bump the cost up to just shy of $250. But did create a gloriously pink pad without the distraction of rumble packs.

Scuf has at least acknowledged there’s little point trying to one-up Microsoft when it comes to the overall design of the Instinct Pro, because it looks physically identical to a standard Xbox Series X/S controller. Obviously aside from the faceplate, rings, and mute button on the front.

The thumbsticks are reassuringly solid and responsive during gaming a session. Hammering the sticks with quick switches of direction in a twitch game haven’t had an impact on the pad, and they still feel smooth and accurate when you’re in something less fast-paced. The triggers have a pleasing action, too, maybe not quite so deep as the Elite, but still just as accurate.

The rest of the button-feel is robust and reassuringly clicky too, though I would say the hair-trigger mode feels a little too shallow for my tastes. But I can see where some folk might prefer it, so I’m not going to count that as anything more than personal choice, not a negative.

The Scuf Instinct Pro requires AA batteries, like standard Xbox pads, unlike the Elite which houses a lithium ion battery. The ability to swap in a fresh pair of batteries mid-tournament is potentially a selling point, and lithium ion batteries are meant to have a finite shelf life. Though it’s not something I’ve ever experienced with my Elite pad in the past few years of use.

Either way, it’s a fantastic controller that feels great in the hand and is as responsive as you could wish for. It’s just painfully pricey with all my chosen greebles.

Read our full Scuf Instinct Pro review .

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(Image credit: Razer)(Image credit: Razer)

6. Razer Wolverine Ultimate

Clicky with a side of Chroma

Specifications

Weight: 9.6oz (272g)

Connectivity: USB wired

Features: 10ft (3m) cord

Battery: N/A

Today’s Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Swappable sticks and D-pad

+

Loud, satisfying face buttons

Reasons to avoid

—

Expensive for a wired controller

—

Needs a separate app to configure

Razer’s Wolverine Ultimate could very well be the best gamepad available today, save for one critical disqualifying factor: it can’t connect to a PC wirelessly. The Xbox-style gamepad offers many of the same luxury features as the Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller, like a swappable d-pad and customizable back paddles. It’s also nearly the same price, which begs the question: why not just buy one of those instead? 

Well, it’s not for everyone, but the Wolverine Ultimate does have its fair share of unique, downright enticing features. For starters, the face buttons—the ones labeled A, B, X, and Y—click like mouse buttons. This seemingly minuscule detail makes a world of difference. It’s like using nothing but membrane keyboards your whole life and then making a move to mechanical switches. So while the enclosed 10-foot braided micro USB cable takes some getting used to, tactile button presses are a worthy trade-off.

Of course, no Razer product would be complete without a healthy dose of Chroma, the three-headed green snake company’s signature brand of RGB lighting. However, rather than integrating it into the existing Synapse 3 app for Windows, Razer decided to develop an app specifically for Xbox One. So if you do plan on using this controller for your PC, bear in mind you’ll need a separate app to configure it.

Best controller for PC FAQ

Can you use a console controller on PC?

The short answer is yes. The slightly longer answer is that you might need to perform a little fiddling the first time you set it up—although after that it will just be a case of plugging it in.  

How to set up your controller on PC:

• PS5 controller on PC
• PS4 controller on PC
• PS3 controller on PC
• Nintendo Switch Pro controller on PC
• Xbox One controller on PC

Is PC gaming better with a controller?

This might seem like an utterly offensive question to ask in the annals of PC Gamer, but it remains true that certain PC games are far better played with a controller than with the classic keyboard and mouse combo.

Sports games are the most obvious, as anyone who has tried to play FIFA using the strange keyboard/mouse control scheme can attest to. But there are other titles, specifically those which were primarily designed for consoles whose control schemes are so unwieldy away from a pad that playing them any other way is a pain.

You could play Witcher 2 without a controller, for example, but it actually felt far better using a pad on PC.

How do we test controllers?

Ignore those who seem to think every game is best with a mouse and keyboard. Assassins Creed Valhalla is not best played with a keyboard. Street Fighter 5 is not best played with a keyboard. True, we play most games with a mouse and keyboard, but for PC gamers with ranging tastes, a good controller is a must.

Though I’ve done some testing with first-person shooters, I’ve largely ignored the genre. While it may be necessary for console gamers, we’re almost always going to use WASD for any kind of shooter. With that in mind, the games I used mainly for testing are the ones mentioned below:

Katana Zero: A game that requires excellent d-pad control and responsive face buttons.

Street Fighter V: I’ve put a lot of hours into Street Fighter V with both controllers and fight sticks, so I know how it ought to feel. If I can’t crush an AI opponent as Ken, something isn’t right.

Forza Motorsport: I chose Forza primarily to test the analog sticks, which according to my preferences, need three qualities: springy enough to quickly snap back to center, sensitive and resistant sufficient to make slight steering adjustments, and comfortably contoured. Hence, my thumbs aren’t bloody stumps at the end of a few hours.

Round up of today’s best deals

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless

£139.95

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Microsoft Xbox Series X controller

£49.99

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Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense Wireless

£59.99

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See all prices

Scuf Instinct Pro

£209

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See all prices

Reduced Price

Razer Wolverine Ultimate

£159. 99

£143

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Dave has been gaming since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug on the Colecovision, and code books for the Commodore Vic 20 (Death Race 2000!). He built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16, and finally finished bug-fixing the Cyrix-based system around a year later. When he dropped it out of the window. He first started writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Xbox World many decades ago, then moved onto PC Format full-time, then PC Gamer, TechRadar, and T3 among others. Now he’s back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck.

Top picks for PS4, PS5, Xbox, and PC

Finding the best controller for racing can be tricky at times, especially with the wide variety of devices to choose from making it hard to know how much you need to spend or what features to look out for.

Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of our top picks based on price, user reviews, and any features that make these top gamepads stand out from the crowd.

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While there is some debate over whether a wheel is best for racing, we appreciate that a controller still remains the device of choice for many sim racing fans out there.

In fact, controllers are perhaps better suited than ever for racing. Take the upcoming DualSense Edge, for example, which comes with adjustable joysticks and adaptive triggers to give you greater precision and control on the track.

So, if you’re looking for a PlayStation controller that’s available now, like the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro, or an Xbox gamepad, like this Xbox Elite Series 2, we’ve got everything you need right here.

We’ve also answered some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding controllers to help you figure out which is the right device to upgrade your setup. For now, though, let’s dive into our list…

Best controller for racing

• Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro
• PowerA FUSION Pro 2
• Xbox Elite Series 2
• Razer Wolverine Ultimate
• Logitech F310

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• PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller

Best PlayStation controller for racing – Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro

Credit: Nacon

Brand: Nacon | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Compatibility: PC, PS4

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We’ve previously featured the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro in our list of the best controllers for F1 22 as we feel it has all the attributes to take your racing to the next level.

For example, it comes with replaceable joysticks and four shortcut buttons that should provide more precision and control over your high-speed vehicles.

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Moreover, it features an ergonomic design and Bluetooth connectivity so you can lay back and relax whilst racing around your favourite Gran Turismo circuit for example.

Ultimately, we feel this Nacon device is well worth considering, especially if you game on a PlayStation console.

Best Xbox controller for racing – PowerA FUSION Pro 2

Credit: PowerA

Brand: PowerA | Connectivity: USB | Compatibility: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

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For Xbox gamers, this PowerA FUSION Pro 2 may be better suited for your racing needs.

It comes with PowerA’s mappable pro pack, featuring four programmable buttons which you can quickly customise mid-race, plus dual rumble motors and magnetic impulse triggers for added feedback from the race track.

Furthermore, you get adjustable thumbsticks that can be switched from short, tall, and even convex-capped sticks to suit your racing preference to maximise your control.

It’s also worth noting the wired connectivity should provide you with zero latency to accurately capture your subtle racing adjustments during wheel-to-wheel action, and is another reason why it makes our list as one of the best.

Best PC controller for racing — Xbox Elite Series 2

Credit: Xbox

Brand: Xbox | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Compatibility: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

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As Microsoft are behind both Xbox and the majority of PC software, it makes sense to feature the Xbox Elite Series 2 as it offers a plug-in-and-play experience, ready for you to dive straight into the action.

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Xbox boasts it has made this controller using some of the most advanced controller technology around. For instance, you get shifter-like bumpers where you can adjust their pressure resistance to help you brake later into corners for a more aggressive racing style.

Additionally, with the supplied tool, you can alter the stiffness of the joysticks which should help with the precision of your turning, so you can hit every apex with ease.

All in all, this Xbox looks to be a real powerhouse of a controller, especially for PC gaming, hence why it also features in our list of the best controller for GT7 and FH5.

However, keep an eye out for the rumoured arrival of the Xbox Elite Series 3 in the future, which looks to be a serious bit of kit for both gaming and racing.

Best premium controller for racing — Razer Wolverine Ultimate

Credit: Razer

Brand: Razer | Connectivity: USB | Compatibility: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X

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If you’re serious about racing games, then it may be worth spending that little bit more to get a real showstopping device like this Razer Wolverine Ultimate.

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What we like about this controller is that it comes with a slew of extra buttons, including remappable multi-function bumpers, four multi-function triggers, and a quick control panel for faster access to some of your most-used controls.

Like with the previous entries, this gamepad also includes interchangeable thumbsticks, plus two interchangeable D-Pads so you can optimise the configuration to suit your racing style and for when you’re switching to other titles such as Warzone or Fortnite.

Ultimately, we feel the Wolverine Ultimate is a good option to consider if you’re on the hunt for a premium bit of kit.

Best budget controller for racing — Logitech F310

Credit: Logitech

Brand: Logitech | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Compatibility: PC

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From a high-end device to a cheaper alternative, this Logitech F310 could be one to contemplate if you’re a slightly more casual racer.

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In terms of the design, it’s more akin to a PS4 controller, so should suit those who prefer the PlayStation layout, and is also slightly smaller than most modern controllers which should be ideal if you’re not a huge fan of the bulkier designs.

On the whole, this aesthetically charming budget controller includes all the necessary features for you to race with.

So, if you’re not using one of Logitech’s best racing wheels for PS5 or Xbox, why not give this relatively inexpensive controller a try instead?

Best official controller for racing — PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller

Credit: Sony

Brand: Sony | Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB | Compatibility: PS5, PC

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While custom, pro controllers can be great, sometimes sticking with the original is best which is why the PS5 DualSense controller remains a popular choice.

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With the PS5 DualSense you get haptic feedback and adaptive triggers which should help bring your racing games experience to life.

Furthermore, you get an ergonomic grip with a slightly rough texture designed to improve your grip, particularly when in a tense battle for first place.

It’s also worth noting that it comes with a built-in mic which is great for when you want to kick back and race with your friends online.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

When it comes to finding the right controller for gaming, there are usually a few questions that pop up, but we’re here to answer some of the more common queries.

How much should I spend on a controller for racing?

This really depends on your budget and what you’re looking to get out of a controller for racing games.

You can pick up a relatively inexpensive third-party controller in the traditional layouts popularised by Xbox and PlayStation, however, you may miss out on some useful features like remappable buttons that can take your ability to the next level.

A pro controller will likely be a bit more expensive, but they all typically come with adjustable bumpers, buttons, and joysticks which can give you more control, accuracy, and precision whilst racing.

How long does a wireless controller last?

The answer to this question will vary from controller to controller and on how often you use the gamepad

When it comes to the official PlayStation controllers though, a DualSense PS4 device is said to last somewhere up to 8 hours on a single charge.

The PS5 controller goes one better with a battery life ranging from around 9 to 15 hours.

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At the top end of the scale, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is quoted as having up to a 40-hour battery life which is perfect for multiple racing sessions.

Most third-party wireless devices should fall within this range as well, so you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of racing with whichever controller you choose for your setup.

Are all controllers compatible with PC?

Most officially licensed Xbox controllers are immediately compatible with Windows PCs as Microsoft is the manufacturer behind them both.

Unfortunately, PlayStation controllers will likely require additional software or adapters in order to plug in and play.

However, if you play your racing games through Steam, then you can connect a PS5 DualSense by going to Steam > Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings and selecting PlayStation configuration when you plug in your device.

Is a controller better for racing than a wheel?

In our opinion, there’s more to gain from using a wheel for racing games than a controller, especially once you get used to the mechanics.

This is due, in part, to the added control and realism you get from a wheel for racing with the addition of Force Feedback or Direct Drive device.

You also get a ton of extra information through these additional simulation techniques. If you want to find out more, check out our guides on Force Feedback and Direct Drive right here.

Having said that, a controller offers a greater degree of versatility away from racing, so you may find picking up a great gamepad more useful if you’re a more casual sim gamer.

Can you use a PS5 controller on PS4?

You can’t just plug in and plag the PS4 with a PS5 controller. However, there is a workaround if you’re desperate to use the latest DualShock device on PS4.

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This approach requires a PC or laptop to connect your controller to.

Simply connect your device to your PC when you’re ready to play on your PS4, then the Remote Play app should launch on your PC once you start your console.

Simply follow the in-app instructions to connect the PC to the PS4 console and you should be good to go.

Read More: Best budget racing equipment — Our top picks

Are PS5 controllers compatible with PS4?

There are several reasons why you might be wondering if your PS5 controller will work on your PS4, and we’re here to provide you with the answers.

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The DualSense Controller for PlayStation 5 is a popular controller among those who have managed to get their hands on a limited edition system.

While reports of joystick misalignment are becoming more common, the overall positive response to the DualSense outweighs the negative. As a result, some players have purchased the DualSense controller on their own, intending to use it for PC gaming even if they don’t have a PlayStation 5.

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There are other circumstances in which PS5 controller and PS4 console compatibility would also be beneficial, such as if you still want to play certain games or access saved games on PS4 even after upgrading to PS5, or just need an extra controller when a friend comes.

So, is it possible to use the PlayStation 5 controller to control the PlayStation 4 or not?

Can I use a PS5 controller on my PS4?

Unfortunately, the PlayStation 5 controller is not technically compatible with the PlayStation 4 console, but there is an easy workaround if you have a PC that uses the Remote Play app.

Reasonable use of PlayStation Remote Play is used as a workaround. It also requires a PC or laptop as an intermediary, as well as a USB cable to connect the PS5 controller to the PC. Luckily, the cord that came with the controller works great.

If you want to play on PS4 using the PS5 DualSense Controller, the Remote Play software on the PC must be running as a proxy. To connect your PC to your PS4 console, you just need to follow a few simple instructions on the app.

The PS4 can then be remote controlled using the PS5 DualSense controller connected to the PC via USB once the connection is established. This method can be used to play any PS4 game the user has. Of course, disc games will need to be physically inserted into the system.

Are there any drawbacks to using the remote playback method?

However, there are a few things to keep in mind when using this technique. To eliminate any input lag between PC and PS4 console, you will need a high speed internet connection.

Another disadvantage is that when playing PS4 games, the full functionality of the DualSense controller is not available. Only current generation PS5 games use adjustable gamepad triggers and haptic feedback.

However, PlayStation players can use the remote play technique to use their fancy new controller and get better battery life than with a PS4 controller using this workaround.

Sony DualSense Controller Overview

If you’re thinking about buying a PlayStation 5 in the near future, or even a DualSense controller for use on PC or Remote Play, here’s a brief overview of the controller so you know exactly what to expect from it:

DualSense shape, size and aesthetics

The

DualSense has a reasonably comparable design to the DualShock 4, but includes some significant adjustments to the equation, both major and minor.

While the look hasn’t changed much — 6.25 x 4.22 x 2.47 inches (WDH) vs. 6.22 x 3.94 x 2.44 on the DualShock 4 — it now has longer, bulkier grips that fit better in your hands as you need to hold more of the controller.

It weighs 282 grams, which is much more than the 4 grams of the DualShock 215. However, this weight is well balanced, resulting in a more pleasant feel and gaming experience.

The PS4 light bar has been eliminated and the micro-USB charging port has been replaced with a USB-C port that can charge quickly and is bi-directional for easy plug installation.

Battery life isn’t much longer than the PS4’s DualShock controller, but you’ll be able to play for over 10 hours before you need to tether yourself to the console.

DualSense functions

The

DualSense is Sony’s best controller to date, regardless of the extra features. Its larger chassis makes it more comfortable to use for extended periods of time. Its buttons are more pleasant and tactile.

Although the textured handle is small, it is enough to keep your hands in place even when they get sweaty. Even if he couldn’t do anything new, it would be a significant improvement.

But, of course, he also accomplishes many new amazing feats. As mentioned earlier, the new haptic feedback and adaptive trigger resistance together provide the DualSense with a physical response that can be used in a variety of ways.

The Astro Game Room, which acts as a showcase for DualSense, demonstrates various ways to use tactile sensations and adaptive triggers to improve immersion and provide natural feedback in games.

In just about any environment you’re in, haptic feedback will make you feel like you’re really there, with more feel as objects get closer and louder, as well as pan left and right to give you a great sense of direction.

This is no longer just a vibration in the presence of shots; it is much more difficult.

DualSense Audio Features

Basically, the microphone is a great equalizer as it ensures that every PS5 player with DualSense has access to it. In fact, the built-in microphone will be enough just in case, but it will not replace a decent headset.

The

microphone can effectively pick up your voice without bringing the controller closer to your face, which is great, but it can also pick up any background sounds.

However, the main issue is that when using the controller’s microphone, incoming conversation audio from other players is routed through the DualSense’s internal speaker. Game noise can make it difficult to hear teammates, even if the microphone can comfortably hear the user.

When your spouse is vacuuming your headset cord (I know I should use wireless), this speaker/mic is a good fallback, but you’ll still want the most reasonably priced headsets.

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Jake McAvoy

Jake is a professional copywriter, journalist, and longtime tech aficionado. It covers KnowYourMobile news and user guides.

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How to use DualShock 4 on PC : GameZ=

The Playstation 4’s DualShock 4 controller wasn’t made for PC, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming one of our favorite PC gaming controllers. It fits nicely in your hands and retains the classic DualShock shape with joysticks and triggers better suited to today’s shooters and action games. Unfortunately, using a PS4 controller on a PC is not as easy as connecting an Xbox controller. This is because PS4 uses a generic driver called «DirectInput» instead of the now popular XInput that Xbox controllers use.

It takes a bit more work to get the DualShock 4 to work on your PC in all your games, but Steam, the PC community, and the official (but optional) Bluetooth dongle make it pretty easy.

If you’re most interested in using a controller on Steam, the good news is that built-in Steam support makes it as convenient as an Xbox controller.

First, we’ll show you how to set up your PS4 controller on your PC using a USB cable or Bluetooth. If you want to play games, which isn’t on Steam, with DualShock 4, head on over to our detailed guide to getting your PS4 controller to work using the open source tool called DS4Windows.

How to set up a DualShock 4 on a PC

What you need

Hardware

• Dualshock 4 and micro-USB cable
• Optional Bluetooth Dualshock 4 USB wireless adapter
• 0005

  Open Settings then Controller Settings and you should see your controller listed. You can click «Settings» to adjust several settings such as «Rumble» and light bar color, and click «Calibration» to fine-tune the joysticks. One important tip: Check the box next to «PlayStation Configuration Support» if you want to be able to do more controller customization on a per-game basis.

  To access this setting, load the game in Big Picture mode, then press the PlayStation button on the controller. You’ll see this screen where you can customize the controller however you like — even play with the gyro sensor!

  INSTALLATION

  Installation instructions

  Please note that if you are just playing Steam games, you do not need the following instructions . Simply plug in your controller, open Steam and go to Settings > Controller Settings to set it up. If you want to use the DualShock 4 for games other than Steam, go ahead.

  1. Download the above software starting from Microsoft .NET Framework. If you are using Windows 7, then install the Xbox 360 controller driver. This driver is included with Windows 8 and 10.

  2. Important step: Connect your Dualshock 4 to your computer using the micro-USB cable. (If you run into any problems, try using a USB 2.0 port instead of a USB 3.0 port. DualShock 4s are weird.) Now we can get DS4Windows to do its thing.

  Bluetooth Setup Note: If you want to use the DualShock 4 wirelessly, take the time to plug in the USB wireless adapter and pair it with the controller. Just hold down the small share button and the center round button at the same time until the controller light flashes, then press the end of the adapter until it flashes. When both are flashing, they will automatically pair after a few seconds.

  3. If you only want to use your DualShock 4 to play games through Steam, congratulations, you’re officially done! Steam added native support for Dualshock 4 in 2016, so when you’re connected or plugged in, you’re good to go. Go to the Steam menu > Settings > Controller to set up your controller.

  Be sure to pair or connect the controller before opening Steam or any Steam games, otherwise your controller may not be recognized. If you experience any connection issues, closing and reopening Steam should do the trick.

  Read on to learn how to use DS4Windows to use your controller with games outside of Steam.

  4. Download the latest DS4Windows .zip file, save it in a new folder, and extract its contents using 7-Zip or any other file archiver you prefer. You will see two applications: DS4Updater and DS4Windows. You already have the latest version installed, so you can ignore the update program for now.

  5. Open DS4Windows and you will see the Controllers tab. This tab displays connected controllers. Since you already have a controller connected (or connected via Bluetooth), it should be listed here. If not, close DS4Windows, reconnect the controller, then open DS4Windows again. Don’t worry about your controller ID; we won’t need it.

  6. Click the Settings tab in DS4Windows to configure several settings. Make sure 9 is installed0003 Hide DS4 controller checkbox . This will prevent DS4Windows from conflicting with the default controller settings for any game. For the same reason, ensure that Use Xinput Ports is set to 1.

  Once DS4 is installed, Windows will appear as an icon on the taskbar. In the Settings tab, you can also set it to run on startup or stay active in the background. You can also update DS4Windows directly from this tab by clicking Check for Updates Now in the bottom left corner. Above you will see Controller/Driver Setting. If you run into any problems, open this installation and follow the instructions to install the missing drivers.

  GAME WITH DS4WINDOWS

  DS4Windows works by reading your DualShock 4 as if it were an Xbox 360 controller. By default, it offers a great universal button setup. So, now that it’s installed, your DualShock 4 should behave like an Xbox 360 controller, meaning it will work with any Xinput-enabled game, that is, almost all modern PC games that support gamepads. This also means that you won’t get the correct default Square/Cross/Triangle/Circle button icons in most games. However, in some games you have this option. Look for it in the settings.

  You don’t need to remap anything, but if you want to change some buttons or adjust the sensitivity without relying on in-game settings, you can. Open the Profiles tab in DS4Windows. I don’t recommend creating a profile from scratch, but if you really want to, click «Create» to run it. Otherwise, select the DualShock 4 profile and click Edit.

  This screen looks complicated, but it’s actually quite simple. Let’s say you want to swap bumpers and triggers. First find L1/R1 and L2/R2 on the scroll wheel under Controls or simply click them on the virtual controller. You want to swap L1 with L2 and R1 with R2, so start by pressing L2.

  This opens another awesome yet simple page. Just press the button whose role you want to be L2 — in this case L1. Voila, your left trigger will now act as your left bumper. Repeat this process with other triggers and buffers to complete the change and prevent duplication. You can save this button setting as a separate profile and switch between profiles in the Controllers tab.

  BLUETOOTH

  How to connect a PS4 controller via Bluetooth

  If you have followed the Bluetooth setup steps above, you will be able to use your controller wirelessly. Luckily, you don’t have to plug in the controller every time you want to use it. Until you disconnect the adapter, it will retain the last connection, so you can simply press the PlayStation center button on your controller to reconnect it.