THE BEST Controllers

This USB peripheral controls frequently-used features in creative applications. Its mix of programmable buttons, a D-pad, knobs, and a scroll wheel complement your mouse, trackpad, or tablet. It works with a wide variety of Mac and Windows apps, including Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Final Cut, Premiere, and more.

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming service lets you play more than 100 Xbox games on Android devices. To get the most out of mobile gaming, you need a proper controller. Nacon will offer two designs – the tablet-style MG-X, and the MG-X Pro, which looks like a stretched-out Xbox controller. Both models drop in early 2021.

The guys behind the excellent Loupedeck+ photo/video console are back with a controller for live streamers. Loupedeck Live offers integration into streaming tools like Twitch, Streamlabs, and OBS Studio for quick source switching, on-the-fly replay recording, and the ability to customize its buttons based on your workflow.

Love to play arcade games on your PC, but don’t have room on your desk for a big controller? Thnikk’s Fightboard is a compact keyboard designed just for gaming. It features low-profile Kailh Choc switches, with eight remappable keys and RGB LED lighting. It can also be used with some consoles using adapters.

After bringing a distressed, 20-year-old PSone console back to life, Odd Tinkering figured he’d need a controller to go with. Watch as he takes a nasty, yellowed old DualShock controller and miraculously makes it look good as new after a piece-by-piece disassembly, a soap scrub, and a hydrogen peroxide bath under UV light.

Cheddar shares the origins of the controllers of the N64, and the Xbox and PlayStation series to point out how their designs were not based on ergonomics alone. Sometimes, management or technological constraints led to these familiar forms.

Sensel’s versatile multi-touch panel can be used as a custom controller for just about any creative tool. Swap out tactile overlays for musical performance, video editing, music production, typing, and more – or create your own custom interfaces using the bundled software. Sold with one overlay, or in a special musician’s bundle.

Like a real harmonica, Lekholm’s musical tech senses its player’s breathing both in and out, but it outputs those modulations as MIDI signals for controlling synthesizers. The example performance is Cole Porter’s You’d Be So Nice to Come Home to, using a Yamaha VL70-m acoustic sound module.

The Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is even more comfortable, durable and customizable than its predecessor. It has a profile switch button, the option to program a button to act as a Shift key to map more commands, and an internal battery that lasts up to 40h per charge.

SCUF Gaming’s pro Xbox One controller is customizable. It comes with two pairs of thumb sticks, four programmable and removable paddles, adjustable triggers, and a battery that lasts up to 30h per charge. You can also order faceplates and thumbsticks in different colors.

You may not have heard of Pwnage, but their ALTIER Pro 3360 optical gaming mouse can keep up with the big boys. Its sensor can track up to 12,000 dpi, it has 7 programmable buttons, and RGB lighting. Save an extra 15% in The Awesomer Shop with code WEEKEND15 through 5/29/19.

Retro-Bit’s Tribute64 is a modern take on the Nintendo 64 controller. The third handle is gone, and the D-pad and analog stick have been switched places. It also has dual Z-triggers and a centered Start button. It comes in Nintendo 64 and USB variants.

PDP’s Faceoff Deluxe+ controller for the Nintendo Switch has a built-in headset and headphone jack. Aside from listening to in-game audio, it will support voice chat, starting with Fortnite. It also has a swappable faceplate. Drops 05/2019 for $30.

Like the Phantom Black controller, Microsoft’s latest controller features a semi-translucent shell, which allows you to see the components inside. It has a textured grip, remappable buttons, and wireless connectivity. Compatible with all Xbox One consoles and Windows 10.

SteelSeries’ Stratus Duo is a multi-platform wireless controller. It can connect to Android devices as well as standalone virtual reality headsets via Bluetooth. It also connects to Windows PCs via 2.4 Ghz wireless and a USB dongle. It lasts up to 20h per charge.

Alt Lab Controllers’ Smash Stick is an arcade controller with an ergonomic button layout. It also uses Sanwa buttons that have been modified to have a cushion for less stress on the hands. It’s compatible with the PC, Wii, Wii U, Gamecube and the Switch.

Nyko’s Dualies are alternatives to the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Con controllers. Their main feature is their ergonomic grip, but they also have rumble feedback, a turbo feature and two swappable thumb caps with different heights.

Astro’s high-end controller for the PS4 adapts to your way of gaming. It features a couple of swappable sticks and d-pads, and you can switch the positions of the left stick and the d-pad as well. It also has two programmable buttons and can work wired or wireless.

8Bitdo’s N30 Pro 2 is a full-sized Bluetooth controller that works with Windows, MacOS and Android devices, as well as the Nintendo Switch and the Raspberry Pi. It has an analog d-pad, clickable thumbsticks, motion controls and vibration.

The Xbox One X is will soon be available in a clean all-white color as part of a Fallout 76 bundle. It also comes with a matching white controller, but if you want the Elite to match, good news. The Elite is now available in robot white as well.

Razer has overhauled its high-end PS4 controller. The Raiju Ultimate features an RGB light strip, swappable d-pads and thumbsticks, four programmable buttons, and a switch for toggling between Wired, Bluetooth, or PC Bluetooth connection.

PowerA’s new Enhanced Wired Xbox One Controllers for the Xbox One gives you programmable buttons without breaking the bank. They have two remmapable buttons on the underside and the familiar Xbox One controller shape and layout. Also at GameStop.

8Bitdo recently unveiled a variety of Bluetooth controllers, including this keychain-sized upgrade to their Zero Bluetooth controller. The Zero 2 comes in several Game Boy-themed colors and will work with Windows PCs, iOS and Android devices, and the Nintendo Switch.

SCUF’s Vantage is a customizable controller for the PS4. Available in wired and Bluetooth variants, the controller has side buttons and four detachable paddles that you can remap. It also has adjustable thumbsticks, removable vibration motors and two kinds of d-pads.

The Xbox Adaptive Controller is a plug-and-play Xbox One and Windows 10 controller for gamers with limited mobility. It has two large programmable buttons, a large d-pad, two USB ports, and 19 3.5mm inputs for plugging in adaptive switches. Drops 2018 for $100.

Joué is an incredibly versatile MIDI controller, thanks to its swappable modules. The modules’ buttons are made of soft and elastic material that responds to pressure very nicely. There are eight modules to choose from, some familiar and some quite unorthodox.