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| © Provided by GamesRadar |
By Aaron Potter, GamesRadar
Maybe you’ve worn the rubber off your current PS4 controller’s thumbsticks, have always hated the way the standard Dualshock 4’s triggers feel, or simply are seeking a better way to play like a pro. Whatever your reasoning, we’ve combed through all the possibilities to round up only the best PS4 controllers worth your consideration, as it's one of the most essential PS4 accessories.
Of course, most players will have become quite acquainted with Sony’s official Dualshock 4 controller in the years since PS4’s release, but just because it’s official doesn’t mean it’s ideal for, say, tournament play or professional Twitch streamers. The below list features a healthy mix of the best PS4 controllers suited to all manner of purposes and occasions. What’s more, all are listed at the lowest available price to help you pick up your preferred PS4 controller cheap and save a bit of money.
When weighing up which PS4 controller is best for you it’s worth bearing in mind its functionality, comfort, battery life, and overall design. Luckily, we’re about to cover all these factors in-depth in our breakdown of the best PS4 controllers you can buy in 2019. You should be able to grab some of these cheap in the PS4 Black Friday sales.
Of course, most players will have become quite acquainted with Sony’s official Dualshock 4 controller in the years since PS4’s release, but just because it’s official doesn’t mean it’s ideal for, say, tournament play or professional Twitch streamers. The below list features a healthy mix of the best PS4 controllers suited to all manner of purposes and occasions. What’s more, all are listed at the lowest available price to help you pick up your preferred PS4 controller cheap and save a bit of money.
When weighing up which PS4 controller is best for you it’s worth bearing in mind its functionality, comfort, battery life, and overall design. Luckily, we’re about to cover all these factors in-depth in our breakdown of the best PS4 controllers you can buy in 2019. You should be able to grab some of these cheap in the PS4 Black Friday sales.
Best PS4 Controllers
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| © Provided by GamesRadar |
1. Sony DualShock 4
The best traditional PS4 controller
Classic design
Seamless connection
Ergonomic to hold
Symmetrical analogue sticks
It should go without saying, but one of the best PS4 controllers is actually the one you get right out of the box: the Dualshock 4. A faithful continuation of previous Dualshock controller designs, this fourth iteration also sprinkled in a couple new features that has since become synonymous with the PS4 console itself. The central touchpad, for example, makes bringing up the map in most games a breeze, and sharing out captured screenshots and recordings can be done instantly thanks to the dedicated Share button that replaces the previous select button.
Design-wise, the Dualshock 4 controller also doesn’t disappoint. It’s beefy and rigid to cope with a fair amount of harsh button mashing, but equally slim enough that holding it never becomes uncomfortable. Typically, the Dualshock 4 will last for up to 8 hours following a full charge, which mightn’t be the most generous but is enough to see you through those extended play sessions. Picking up a Dualshock 4 controller brand new also means you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to patterns and colour. Those not wanting to opt for standard Jet Black can pick from Wave Blue, Glacier White and even Sunset Orange. There’s plenty of reasons to love the Dualshock 4, easily rendering it one of the best PS4 controllers.
Classic design
Seamless connection
Ergonomic to hold
Symmetrical analogue sticks
It should go without saying, but one of the best PS4 controllers is actually the one you get right out of the box: the Dualshock 4. A faithful continuation of previous Dualshock controller designs, this fourth iteration also sprinkled in a couple new features that has since become synonymous with the PS4 console itself. The central touchpad, for example, makes bringing up the map in most games a breeze, and sharing out captured screenshots and recordings can be done instantly thanks to the dedicated Share button that replaces the previous select button.
Design-wise, the Dualshock 4 controller also doesn’t disappoint. It’s beefy and rigid to cope with a fair amount of harsh button mashing, but equally slim enough that holding it never becomes uncomfortable. Typically, the Dualshock 4 will last for up to 8 hours following a full charge, which mightn’t be the most generous but is enough to see you through those extended play sessions. Picking up a Dualshock 4 controller brand new also means you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to patterns and colour. Those not wanting to opt for standard Jet Black can pick from Wave Blue, Glacier White and even Sunset Orange. There’s plenty of reasons to love the Dualshock 4, easily rendering it one of the best PS4 controllers.
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| © Provided by GamesRadar (Image credit: Nacon) |
2. Nacon Revolution Unlimited
The best wireless custom PS4 controller
Highly customisable
A nice weight to it
True 8-way D-pad
Software takes time to learn
You can always rely on Nacon for great build quality, but in the Nacon Revolution Unlimited the third-party accessories specialist has outdone itself. What makes it one of the best PS4 controllers is its incredibly flexible functionality, which offers gamers the ability to do such things as play wired or wirelessly, tweak the controller’s joystick using the interchangeable heads provided, and map their preferred controls to no less than 4 configurable shortcut buttons. Add in a true 8-way D-pad and the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro PS4 controller is every professional eSports player’s dream.
The most notable way the Nacon Revolution Unlimited differs from what most PS4 players are used to is its analogue stick placement. No longer are they situated directly apart from each other in symmetrical fashion, instead opting for the classic offset design you’d likely find when playing Xbox One. This is a massive boon for players that find this setup more natural to interact with. While not game-changing by any means, another nice touch is Nacon Revolution Unlimited’s inclusion of LED lighting indicators, which supplants the standard Dualshock 4’s lightbar to let players know that status of important in-game factors (like health) and easily notify you whenever power is low.
Highly customisable
A nice weight to it
True 8-way D-pad
Software takes time to learn
You can always rely on Nacon for great build quality, but in the Nacon Revolution Unlimited the third-party accessories specialist has outdone itself. What makes it one of the best PS4 controllers is its incredibly flexible functionality, which offers gamers the ability to do such things as play wired or wirelessly, tweak the controller’s joystick using the interchangeable heads provided, and map their preferred controls to no less than 4 configurable shortcut buttons. Add in a true 8-way D-pad and the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro PS4 controller is every professional eSports player’s dream.
The most notable way the Nacon Revolution Unlimited differs from what most PS4 players are used to is its analogue stick placement. No longer are they situated directly apart from each other in symmetrical fashion, instead opting for the classic offset design you’d likely find when playing Xbox One. This is a massive boon for players that find this setup more natural to interact with. While not game-changing by any means, another nice touch is Nacon Revolution Unlimited’s inclusion of LED lighting indicators, which supplants the standard Dualshock 4’s lightbar to let players know that status of important in-game factors (like health) and easily notify you whenever power is low.
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| © Provided by GamesRadar Razer Raiju Tournament ps4 controller prices |
3. Razer Raiju Tournament
The best programmable eSports PS4 controller
Ergonomic design and premium feel
Tactile button feedback
Easy accompanying app
On the expensive side
PS4 players looking for a competitive edge should absolutely consider the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition controller, which pitches itself squarely as a premium eSports solution. Not only does it boast a nice weight and build quality to help relay that premium feel, but it also offers players a suite of programmable options thanks to the corresponding Razer app. Just simply sync the app to the controller via Bluetooth and away you go, able to tweak the function of each button however you see fit and even set the level of rumble on either side of the gamepad. In terms of the best PS4 controllers for sheer versatility, the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition certainly earns its place.
The Razer Raiju Tournament Edition succeeds from a pure design perspective too, again different from the traditional Dualshock 4 by featuring offset analogue sticks and face buttons that deliver extremely tactile feedback. Still, the design also represents the best of both worlds, as evidenced by the split D-pad and emphasis on the central touchpad, which is bordered by RGB lighting to really add some pizzazz. Striking this balance between eSports equipped yet practical renders the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition as one of the best PS4 controllers around.
Ergonomic design and premium feel
Tactile button feedback
Easy accompanying app
On the expensive side
PS4 players looking for a competitive edge should absolutely consider the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition controller, which pitches itself squarely as a premium eSports solution. Not only does it boast a nice weight and build quality to help relay that premium feel, but it also offers players a suite of programmable options thanks to the corresponding Razer app. Just simply sync the app to the controller via Bluetooth and away you go, able to tweak the function of each button however you see fit and even set the level of rumble on either side of the gamepad. In terms of the best PS4 controllers for sheer versatility, the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition certainly earns its place.
The Razer Raiju Tournament Edition succeeds from a pure design perspective too, again different from the traditional Dualshock 4 by featuring offset analogue sticks and face buttons that deliver extremely tactile feedback. Still, the design also represents the best of both worlds, as evidenced by the split D-pad and emphasis on the central touchpad, which is bordered by RGB lighting to really add some pizzazz. Striking this balance between eSports equipped yet practical renders the Razer Raiju Tournament Edition as one of the best PS4 controllers around.
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| © Provided by GamesRadar (Image credit: Sony) |
4. Nacon Asymmetrical Wireless
Best PS4 controller with asymmetrical thumbsticks
Extremely comfortable
Elements of PS4 and Xbox One mixed
Asymmetrical sticks
Requires USB dongle
Other entries on this list may try and distance themselves from the classic Dualshock 4 design, but in its Asymmetrical Wireless Controller Nacon has opted to keep things familiar – bar one notable exception. You see, in this design Nacon has affectionately recognised the appeal the Dualshock 4 offers so many players via its ergonomic design, with the only real major difference being that the gamepad’s analogue sticks are, you guessed it, asymmetrical. This is particularly useful for those that find the traditional PS4 controller layout oddly off-putting but aren’t looking to throw the baby out with the bath water entirely, so to speak.
It makes our list of the best PS4 controllers largely because of how it fills this admittedly niche gap so well, all while still retaining the convenience that comes through wireless play and functionating almost identically to the traditional Dualshock 4. The Nacon Asymmetrical Wireless Controller might be a little plumber than its direct influence, but even that gives it a satisfying sense of heft any devout PS4 player will come to appreciate. It also helps that the controller features a price that’s competitive when compared to other third-party PS4 gamepad options, solidifying Nacon’s mix of Dualshock 4 with just a splash of Xbox One controller as a reliable design.
Extremely comfortable
Elements of PS4 and Xbox One mixed
Asymmetrical sticks
Requires USB dongle
Other entries on this list may try and distance themselves from the classic Dualshock 4 design, but in its Asymmetrical Wireless Controller Nacon has opted to keep things familiar – bar one notable exception. You see, in this design Nacon has affectionately recognised the appeal the Dualshock 4 offers so many players via its ergonomic design, with the only real major difference being that the gamepad’s analogue sticks are, you guessed it, asymmetrical. This is particularly useful for those that find the traditional PS4 controller layout oddly off-putting but aren’t looking to throw the baby out with the bath water entirely, so to speak.
It makes our list of the best PS4 controllers largely because of how it fills this admittedly niche gap so well, all while still retaining the convenience that comes through wireless play and functionating almost identically to the traditional Dualshock 4. The Nacon Asymmetrical Wireless Controller might be a little plumber than its direct influence, but even that gives it a satisfying sense of heft any devout PS4 player will come to appreciate. It also helps that the controller features a price that’s competitive when compared to other third-party PS4 gamepad options, solidifying Nacon’s mix of Dualshock 4 with just a splash of Xbox One controller as a reliable design.
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| © Provided by GamesRadar (Image credit: Thrustmaster) |
5. Thrustmaster eSwap Pro
Best PS4 controller for fast customisation
Simple and easy module swapping
Tactile button feedback
Great build quality
Unusual aesthetic design
Despite being primarily known for developing some of the best racing wheel peripherals around, Thrustmaster’s first true attempt at supplanting the Dualshock 4 controller is also one of the best. A lot of this is down to how it handles customisation, which works by letting players swap out different button modules depending on their functional or aesthetic preferences. There’s also a suite of extra configurable buttons located on the eSwap Pro’s back plate – perfect for tournament players craving a competitive edge. There are four of them in total, and rather than opt for the traditional paddles you see with most eSports controllers, Thrustmaster’s take better resemble face buttons and are therefore harder to mistakenly press.
After tweaking around with the eSwap Pro’s modules enough to find your perfect layout, it’s easy and comfortable to settle in for extended play sessions. Button presses, for example, deliver a tactile feel and a satisfying sense of feedback as any eSports-centric controller should, while the textured grips either side of the gamepad always ensure you can maintain a handle on things during the heat of competitive play. Better still, those grips, much like the analogue sticks and D-pad, can be entirely switch out for an alternative option. Only the best PS4 controllers offer such flexibility, and the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro is one of them.
Simple and easy module swapping
Tactile button feedback
Great build quality
Unusual aesthetic design
Despite being primarily known for developing some of the best racing wheel peripherals around, Thrustmaster’s first true attempt at supplanting the Dualshock 4 controller is also one of the best. A lot of this is down to how it handles customisation, which works by letting players swap out different button modules depending on their functional or aesthetic preferences. There’s also a suite of extra configurable buttons located on the eSwap Pro’s back plate – perfect for tournament players craving a competitive edge. There are four of them in total, and rather than opt for the traditional paddles you see with most eSports controllers, Thrustmaster’s take better resemble face buttons and are therefore harder to mistakenly press.
After tweaking around with the eSwap Pro’s modules enough to find your perfect layout, it’s easy and comfortable to settle in for extended play sessions. Button presses, for example, deliver a tactile feel and a satisfying sense of feedback as any eSports-centric controller should, while the textured grips either side of the gamepad always ensure you can maintain a handle on things during the heat of competitive play. Better still, those grips, much like the analogue sticks and D-pad, can be entirely switch out for an alternative option. Only the best PS4 controllers offer such flexibility, and the Thrustmaster eSwap Pro is one of them.
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