This listing explains the all-time and most durable controllers y'all can buy for both PC and Xbox in 2022. I will show pros and cons of each one.

Disclaimer: This commodity DOES NOT contain any affiliated or sponsored link. I am completely neutral and won't earn annihilation if you decide to become one of these controllers.

I think that Xbox controllers are the best choice as well for PC users because they became the standard and work flawlessly in any game.

Of course, y'all tin can play on PC as well with a Switch Pro or Playstation controller, but often y'all volition have to use workarounds, install third-party software, or manually configure each button. Steam is the main exception because there you lot can select the controller yous wish to use, only nowadays our game library is spread out among several platforms.

  • Note: In lodge to select a specific controller on Steam, become to "Settings", then press "Controller", and finally select "General Controller Settings". Here you will exist able to configure Steam for Xbox, Playstation, or Switch Pro controllers.

The onetime Xbox 360 controllers were unbreakable, and as well the Xbox One ones had a long lifespan, but over time their build quality decreased. The number of players with controller issues is higher than in the by, and in that location is no mode to avoid them completely.

I decided to write this listing after testing controllers for nigh an entire twelvemonth.

Related: How to avoid Stick Drift on a controller

Almost durable controllers

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition - Image: Razer

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition - Image: Razer

The Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition and the Xbox Elite Controller Series two are the best picks if you are looking for a tiptop-tier controller, but I warmly recommend the former because it is a lot more reliable. I will talk over in specific all the issues affecting the Aristocracy Series 2 in its own section below.

The ABXY buttons lone are worth the expense - Razer calls them "tactile switches". They are sort of mechanical buttons that provide an amazing tactile feeling.

  • Unfortunately, the colour of the messages tends to fade over time.

  • The master divergence between the Wolverine Ultimate and Tournament Edition'southward ABXY buttons is that the former has very light buttons while the latter has harder ones. Honestly, it depends on your preference, simply I am mostly a fan of the TE.

The Thumbsticks are smooth and easy to use considering they are very broad, but they are not as good as the Xbox ones. Y'all also have extra extended thumbsticks that I recommend on the right side for better accurateness.

Razer provides two swappable D-pads, all the same, they are both average. The Tournament Edition has a way amend ane.

Bumpers and Triggers are ergonomic and easier to employ than standard Xbox controllers, and the grip is good because Razer used a matte paint.

  • Triggers do not look as high quality as the Elite Series 2 ones, but they still feel better for longer game sessions because of the lower tension.

  • Trigger stops piece of work fine.

There are a total of 6 extra buttons - information technology will take some fourth dimension to get used to the top ones. The back paddles are very responsive, and I usually map ABXY on them, while the acme buttons are mostly an extra you may observe useful for specific binds in some games.

  • As a side annotation, I heard that the extra two top buttons are the least reliable part of the controller.

The controller is just wired, and information technology uses micro-USB. This isn't a problem for me, but notation that if the cablevision breaks, finding an official replacement seems a bit difficult. You lot can use any micro-USB cable, however, be sure to buy a very thin one considering Razer fabricated a custom plug-in, then big cables won't fit.

In my opinion, the software is the weakest point, but at the finish of the mean solar day you volition become used to it.

Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition

Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition - Image: Razer

Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition - Image: Razer

All the controllers nowadays can have bug, just it looks similar the Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition is the nigh durable among them all, and with the least amount of potential bug.

  • Note: this controller is very similar to the Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition, so I will oft compare them.

I already talked nigh the astonishing ABXY buttons while explaining the Ultimate Edition, and honestly the TE ones are even better because they experience very strong and clicky.

The Thumbsticks are almost the aforementioned used in the Ultimate, but they feel a bit worse. Moreover, yous don't have an extended thumbstick for the correct side, and every bit they are and then wide, KontrolFreek thumbsticks won't fit on them hands. I suggest taking the Playstation 4 ones and smoothing them a chip in order to non ruin the controller ones.

The D-pad is amazing, and a lot better than the Ultimate Edition one.

Bumpers and Triggers are the same used in the Ultimate, but they can be a bit slippery sometimes because they lack a matte finish. Trigger stops are the aforementioned.

There are a total of four extra buttons, and it will take fourth dimension to get used to them because of their placement. Two of them are located at the elevation, like in the Ultimate Edition, while the remaining two are on the back of the controller.

  • In my opinion, if you lot demand a controller with paddles, you should buy the Ultimate Edition because ii back paddles are non enough to map ABXY.

  • I suggest mapping the left and right thumbsticks on the 2 back paddles of the TE: in this way you volition preserve the sticks more and avoid potential drifting issues.

Cable and Software are the same used for the Ultimate.

Concluding, if yous don't demand the actress paddles of the Ultimate Edition, I warmly recommend buying the Tournament Edition as it is the nigh durable and reliable amidst all the controllers listed in this article.

Xbox Wireless Controller

Xbox Wireless Controller - Image: Microsoft

Xbox Wireless Controller - Image: Microsoft

The standard Xbox controller doesn't require a lot of explanations. I remember information technology is the all-time choice for players who don't demand extra buttons, and I feel comfortable while playing with it.

That said, I want to point out that while the old Xbox controllers were quite reliable in the long run (my 360 and Xbox Ane controllers lasted for almost v years each), these new ones seem to accept a worse build quality.

Depending on your usage, you might not take bug at all and savour it. However, if you are a heavy gamer, issues tend to happen. For case, I experienced stick migrate on one of them later on about 6 months, and another ane had RT trigger problems afterward a few weeks.

Unfortunately, tech isn't as durable as in the past, but do not lose your hopes. Despite all this, the standard Xbox controller is still the most durable one for those who don't need actress buttons, and overall the percent of people having bug with information technology is a LOT lower than those who bought the Elite Series 2.

Top tier only unreliable controller

Xbox Aristocracy Controller Serial 2

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 - Image: Microsoft

Xbox Elite Controller Serial 2 - Epitome: Microsoft

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 would exist the best controller on the market if it wasn't plagued past build quality issues. If y'all ever buy one, I suggest getting an extended warranty as you don't want to send the controller back to Microsoft for a long repair.

  • Common issues: ABXY buttons failure, Stick drift, Bumper and Trigger issues.

The ABXY buttons are standard, the Razer ones are on another level.

The Thumbsticks are very polish and the best ones among all controllers, just it seems they tend to migrate afterwards a few months.

  • Every bit usual, I suggest using the extended thumbsticks on the right side.

  • You lot have several actress sticks, and among them I recommend trying the wide ones considering they are very comfortable.

The D-pad is a chip slippery, but overall is acceptable.

The Bumpers are fine. The Triggers feel better than the standard Xbox controller, and the grip is good considering of the matte paint. The controller has amazing trigger stops with 3 levels of length.

The Elite Series two has the best dorsum paddles among all the controllers I take ever tried. They are tactile, stable, and are placed in a very ergonomic position.

The controller has an integrated bombardment, which is a overnice improver, but I am agape that it will get-go lasting fewer hours over time as information technology can't exist changed.

The software is awesome. You tin edit anything, and there is a push on the controller to switch amidst three profiles.

Budget controllers

PowerA Enhanced, Spectra, and Fusion Pro

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller - Image: PowerA

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller - Paradigm: PowerA

PowerA (all the Xbox controller variants) and PowerA Fusion Pro are budget options for those who want the Xbox and the Elite Series 2 controllers at a cheaper price. Overall, while they experience less sturdy than the original ones, they are usable (the back paddles are subpar), and most of the players will enjoy them.

  • Common issues: Headphone jack non working, Stick drift, Trigger issues, Loose dorsum paddles.

In most cases, the issues start after 3-6 months every bit it seems like these controllers were not made for long-term usage.

As I accept explained before, the lack of reliability is a common issue among about of the controller manufacturers, so I can't actually blame PowerA. I would say that their products are a bit inconsistent, and then depending on your usage y'all might exist fine for a couple of years, or kickoff noticing pocket-sized/large issues after a few months.

PDP

PDP (all the Xbox controller variants) is some other suggested budget controller. I accept no direct experience with it, but from the info I could get their situation is similar to PowerA.

Custom high-tier controllers

I accept not personally tested the following controllers, so I volition explain them briefly based on the info I gathered so far.

Battle Beaver makes custom and quite expensive controllers, and several people merits they are one of the best options for loftier-quality ones (note: outstanding features, but reliability seems average). Honestly, I would have tried ane of their controllers already if they sold pre-fabricated ones on Amazon (for warranty).

Scuff is a very famous brand, and while their controllers are exceptionally expert, it looks like they tend to break virtually as easily as the Xbox Elite Serial 2.

Cheap and solid controller for PC

Logitech F310 and Logitech F710 are old, cheap, just very reliable PC controllers.

I know endless people that bought them over the years, and information technology seems they last equally long as the old Xbox 360 controllers. Overall, I would non suggest them present considering they lack new features, merely if yous can discover them on auction, they aren't a shabby selection equally a backup controller.

Controllers worth mentioning

Razer Wolverine V2

Razer Wolverine V2 - Image: Razer

Razer Wolverine V2 - Image: Razer

The Razer Wolverine V2 is the latest controller made by Razer. I do non recommend information technology because it costs most equally much every bit the Tournament and Ultimate Edition, just it has fewer features and some issues.

  • It has no dorsum buttons.

  • It is hard-wired and with an average quality cablevision, and so if the cable breaks, your controller is dead.

  • There is a pattern flaw due to which yous tin can't press the Bumper and Trigger at the same fourth dimension, or they volition grind against each other.

If Razer fixes the latest two flaws, and lowers the toll, the Wolverine V2 could become a great alternative to the standard Xbox controller.

Thrustmaster ESWAP X PRO Controller

Thrustmaster ESWAP X PRO Controller - Image: Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster ESWAP Ten PRO Controller - Image: Thrustmaster

I have no direct experience with this controller, but I read as much as I could on it because I am genuinely intrigued by their Hot Swap organization. In short, you tin change nearly controller parts, such as Thumbsticks, Triggers, etc. without replacing the whole controller but but a module.

The thought is adept, and it looks like the overall build quality of the controller isn't bad either, but I read about people forced to disconnect and reconnect a role once in a while otherwise it would stop working properly.

Moreover, the back buttons seem uncomfortable, and the controller itself is quite large, and then could exist a better fit for players with big hands.

That said, considering all the controllers have issues nowadays, the Thrustmaster ESWAP Ten PRO looks similar a potential choice because of its solid build, so I suggest giving information technology a endeavor if you are looking for something different from the usual.

Header image: Microsoft

Vincenzo "Skulz" Milella

Vincenzo is an esports writer with seven years of experience. Erstwhile caput editor for Natus Vincere, he has produced content for DreamHack, FACEIT, DOTAFire, 2P, and more. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook .