Ergonomics also includes size. Xbox reduced the size of its controllers a few years back, and I was blown away by how drastic the difference in comfort was, despite the change not really being that visible. If you’re shopping for a new controller, take some time to check the size and also the weight, as a heavy controller will generally be less comfortable to hold for longer sessions.
Gaming controllers, by default, will come with a basic set of buttons and features. At a minimum, to enjoy most titles, you’ll want a decent set of sticks, triggers, and buttons for input, as well as a D-pad. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless. I was drawn to the Wolverine series because I play a lot of first-person shooters. The V2 and V3 have an extra shoulder button on each side, and the new V3 comes with four paddles under the controller.
In theory, the latter ensures I never have to take my thumbs off the sticks during a gunfight. But even in less intense games, extra buttons, especially remappable ones, are handy. I love the Fallout franchise, for instance, and the A button on the right-hand side shoulder makes picking up items and interactions in titles like this much smoother.
My V2 and V3 also come with hair triggers, switches that reduce the travel time of the triggers to make shooting easier. Of course, if you’re looking for a nice colorful controller to play Stardew Valley , that probably isn’t of much interest. But the point is that you should definitely be looking for a controller with at least a few extras to spice up your gaming. Does it have any modular parts that can be swapped or customized? Does it have RGB lighting? The Turtle Beach Victrix Pro is a great example of a modular controller where nearly every physical aspect is customizable. You can change the design and feel of the sticks, or even swap out the buttons to your liking.
A final word should go to the hallowed Hall Effect or TMR thumbstick technology. If you want a decent amount of durability and to avoid dreaded stick drift, it is worth investing a bit more in a controller with upgraded stick tech beyond bog-standard potentiometers. I won’t go into detail on the pros and cons of Hall Effect vs TMR, but know that both use magnets, instead of the resistive film found on most common gaming controllers, which will inevitably wear out over time. Hall Effect sticks are an upgrade to the Wolverine V3 that I’m really pleased with, and it might mean I never have to buy another controller again.
So there you have it. PC gaming controllers are a vast and complicated environment, but that also means there’s a lot to offer for everyone. With a vast array of options, you also don’t need to break the bank for a good controller, with many good third-party options costing less than $50.
Still, remember you can always buy a standard-issue Xbox or PS5 controller to get you started. After all, there’s a reason those designs haven’t changed substantially in years, and a reason why so many third-party alternatives follow their designs.
Stephen is Tom's Hardware's News Editor with almost a decade of industry experience covering technology, having worked at TechRadar, iMore, and even Apple over the years. He has covered the world of consumer tech from nearly every angle, including supply chain rumors, patents, and litigation, and more. When he's not at work, he loves reading about history and playing video games. ","collapsible":{"enabled":true,"maxHeight":250,"readMoreText":"Read more","readLessText":"Read less"}}), "https://slice.vanilla.futurecdn.net/13-4-13/js/authorBio.js"); } else { console.error('%c FTE ','background: #9306F9; color: #ffffff','no lazy slice hydration function available'); } Stephen Warwick Social Links Navigation News Editor Stephen is Tom's Hardware's News Editor with almost a decade of industry experience covering technology, having worked at TechRadar, iMore, and even Apple over the years. He has covered the world of consumer tech from nearly every angle, including supply chain rumors, patents, and litigation, and more. When he's not at work, he loves reading about history and playing video games.
Key considerations
- Investor positioning can change fast
- Volatility remains possible near catalysts
- Macro rates and liquidity can dominate flows
Reference reading
- https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/SPONSORED_LINK_URL
- https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/i-stuck-with-the-same-pc-controller-brand-for-four-years-heres-what-to-look-for-in-your-next-gamepad#main
- https://www.tomshardware.com
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