Best wired controller for PC?

[Jurrunio]

I'm just thinking of getting one since keyboards dont give you linear control (linear keyboards are cool but cost too much). I prefer being wired so I don't have to worry about battery problems, not like a cable bothers me when I play on a laptop within arms reach. Size-wize, the one I've used before on the Xbox 360 (wireless) feels nice, weight dont really matter since I dont think I'll game with it that much.

 

Talking about the Xbox 360 wireless controller, should I buy modules to turn it wired instead? I think it still needs battery power though

 

edit: sometimes I play racing games, so extra points for gyroscope-equipped controllers like the DS4

[Streetguru]

Just now, Jurrunio said:

I'm just thinking of getting one since keyboards dont give you linear control (linear keyboards are cool but cost too much). I prefer being wired so I don't have to worry about

Logitech F310

 

has a switch for direct input mode and x-input mode

[Sorenson]

The best experience I have had is the xbox one controller with a charging station. You can also just connect them with microusb cables. I use to use a wired PS4 controller, but they are a pain to get the button labels correct. 

[Epimetheus]

If you want a premium experience, i think what @Sorenson said is the way to go. Personally i have bought a year ago the Amazon Basics xbox one controller, it's really not bad but the buttons take a bit of being used to, the dpad isn't good and the triggers after long gaming sessions start to make a kinda squeaking sound. Aside from the sound of the triggers though, maybe I had high standards since i have a switch pro controller, which is really good, but lacks the analog triggers. Without mentioning the fact that xbox controllers are bound to have 1000 times better compatibility with pc, every game works right away 

[vanished]

Maybe things have changed in the many years since it was more common to do so, but I don't think of "third party" controllers as being good quality or a good experience (ie, mad catz, logitech etc - anything not playstation, xbox, etc.)

 

The xbox controllers have always been legendary for compatibility and reliability of plug & play, and I think they're quite good for ergonomics too.  Plus, they're simply what most PC games expect in controller mode, so that helps.  I have both and the 360 controller is good, but feels like a toy compared to the xbox one controller.  Another benefit of the one is it can be wireless or wired just put plugging it in or putting in batteries (and having the dongle, or using bluetooth if you get the newer ones)

 

Didn't know the 360 ones were not versatile in the same manner and you got either a wired or wireless one and that's all it could be.  That's unfortunate, but if you are willing to buy mods for it, you can probably just get a whole wired controller.  They were down into the mid $20s when they were still new and being made so I can only assume that on the used market they'll be even cheaper by now.

[Kalm_Traveler]

hard to say - I have used PS4 DS4 controllers, an Xbox One Elite controller, and now a Razer Raiju Ultimate... they're all great. If you like DS4 controllers feel I would just go with one of those personally.

[Envit0]

I suggest to go for xbox one controller Ez pz plug and play and if you want you can use both wireless and wired, quality is great as well

[CreativeName6426]

Just go to Best Buy, and get the cheapest wired Xbox controller, it should work. It's what I do when I want to play with a controller.

 

Edit: It may not work in USB 3.0 or higher. Mine doesn't.

[vanished]

40 minutes ago, J4C0B 4W3S0M3 said:

Just go to Best Buy, and get the cheapest wired Xbox controller, it should work. It's what I do when I want to play with a controller.

 

Edit: It may not work in USB 3.0 or higher. Mine doesn't.

I've always heard legends of peripherals theoretically having issues with USB 3 but never experienced it myself or even heard of anyone else experiencing it until now.  I suspect this has more to do with the hardware and drivers behind the port than it does the controller.  Just out of curiosity, what system is this being used on?  I've also heard whispers through the ages that these problems are potentially left overs from the very early days of USB 3 when it was done with third party chips rather than native support (~2011 or earlier if possible), but due to the aforementioned rarity of these issues have never been able to confirm that.

[alittlepeace]

some fighsticks work out the box for PC too :0 like the mayflash ones

[AndreiArgeanu]

I understand the appeal of xbox controllers but wouldn't the micro USB port wear down and break with time, especially if you use it as a wired controller. 

[vanished]

1 hour ago, AndreiArgeanu said:

I understand the appeal of xbox controllers but wouldn't the micro USB port wear down and break with time, especially if you use it as a wired controller. 

Only if you constantly plug that in and then unplug it again which there's no reason for.

[SenKa]

On 11/8/2019 at 3:39 PM, Ryan_Vickers said:

Maybe things have changed in the many years since it was more common to do so, but I don't think of "third party" controllers as being good quality or a good experience (ie, mad catz, logitech etc - anything not playstation, xbox, etc.)

 

Mad Catz was my go to back in the Gamecube days... I still have my controller from when I played smash on it, was pro for a short little bit and loved that thing...

 

Lowest possible latency *wired* is an XB1 controller per the tests I've seen, but if you have bluetooth as an option the Dualshock 4 will be your best bet. For PC i use an XB1 controller, though my favorite of all time is a Hyperkin Duke.

 

Yes, the Bluetooth Dualshock 4 has lower latency to a PC than the Wired XB1, as well as a wired DS4... I don't know.

[AndreiArgeanu]

On 11/8/2019 at 8:39 PM, Ryan_Vickers said:

Maybe things have changed in the many years since it was more common to do so, but I don't think of "third party" controllers as being good quality or a good experience (ie, mad catz, logitech etc - anything not playstation, xbox, etc.) 

Third party controllers can be great as long as you buy then off a trusted seller. 3rd party controllers usually tend to compete in value. So for example I got a third party wireless controller, of a not very known brand. It costs less than an xbox 360 or xbox one controller but also offers more in return. For example it has a much longer battery life and I rarely charge it, and it has a nice texture of rubberized plastic which offers good grip and feels nice holding it. It has worked well for me in the past year.