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Before competition like Sony and Microsoft came along, many gamers turned to the PC for alternative options to dominant consoles from companies like Nintendo and Sega. PCs offered better internal hardware than such systems, as well as more capacity for immersive gaming experiences. While gaming consoles were initially focused on arcade-style games, the PC offered adventures like The Oregon Trail in the 1980s, Doom in the 1990s, and World of Warcraft in the 2000s. But as gaming consoles evolved, so did the ways the games were played. With the arrival of the PlayStation and Xbox consoles, the controllers paired with gaming consoles began to evolve as well, including the introduction of wireless options.
This evolution in the gaming landscape has led to wireless controllers now being compatible with just about every gaming platform and system. And while consoles have caught up to and even surpassed the PC in many ways, the PC remains the preferred point of immersion for a lot of gamers. Because of this, many of the best controller brands now make wireless models specifically for use with the PC. Many are fairly mundane and easy to pass by, but some of these modern controls offer features that are essential for any PC setup. With an option for high-level PC gamers, an option for budget-minded beginners, and a few options in between, we’ve selected what we feel are essential wireless gaming controllers for everyday PC enthusiasts.
GameSir G7 Pro
We chose the GameSir G7 Pro as our midrange option among the best Xbox controllers for every budget, but it doesn’t have any kind of exclusive association with the Xbox console. This controller is compatible with a number of devices, and it features both 2.4-gigahertz (GHz) and wired connection options for PC use. One standout feature is that, when used with a PC, the G7 Pro has a 1,000-hertz (Hz) polling rate. The feature reduces lag and optimizes performance for fast-paced, competitive games. The triggers also have dual-mode stops that you can switch between smooth pulls for racing-style games and clicky presses for games that benefit from such feedback.
Some reviewers at Amazon are critical of the G7 Pro’s directional pad (D-pad). This can be an important part of the controller, depending on the types of games you play most. But the G7 Pro is a well-regarded wireless PC controller overall, as it has received over 5,500 customer ratings at Amazon for an average score of 4.3 stars (out of five). In one choice of words or another, several 5-star reviewers consider it the best third-party controller they‘ve come across. Priced at $80, the G7 Pro comes with a couple of additional D-pads, the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle we mentioned above, a USB-C-to-USB-A cable, and a charging station that’s capable of automatically starting and stopping based on the controller’s battery status.
Razer Wolverine V4 Pro
Razer is one of the more premium brands in the gaming world, and that’s reflected in the pricing of the Razer Wolverine V4 Pro. It costs $200, which may be more than an enthusiast wants to spend, but the controller is packed with essential features and designed with longevity in mind. Its thumbsticks use contactless sensors that Razer claims prevent stick drift and the wear and tear that tends to show up over time in cheaper controller options. When paired with a PC, the Wolverine V4 Pro supports up to 8,000 Hz polling, essentially eliminating any potential for input lag between the controller and the game being played.
Whether or not the price tag is too steep for a PC gaming setup is entirely unique to each PC enthusiast. But the Razer Wolverine V4 Pro is highly regarded among PC gamers. It received a 93 out of 100 score in its review at PC Gamer, and Amazon customers have given it a 4.2 overall rating. The Wolverine V4 Pro’s accurate controls are among its most lauded features, with build quality and battery life also standing out. The controller can reach 27 hours of battery life between charges, and it offers a number of ways to customize both the physical buttons and their configurations to your liking.
8BitDo Ultimate 2
8BitDo is a popular budget brand within the gaming space, due in part to some of the mini gadgets for retro game lovers that it makes. But its wireless controllers are made for more complex gaming, with the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 sitting in the middle of the lineup. It’s priced at $80 and comes with several wireless controller essentials, including 2.4 GHz connectivity that provides ultra-low latency (under one millisecond). The Ultimate 2 is also the first 8BitDo controller equipped with TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) joysticks. These are more sensitive than the joysticks 8BitDo uses in some of its other controllers, and they offer more precise movement as well as less power consumption.
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 is a solid option for PC gamers, and it’s even among our selections for the best gaming controllers currently on the market. But for those who may be planning to use it with other gaming platforms, it’s worth noting the controller’s 2.4 GHz connection only works with a PC. Mobile and Mac users are limited to a Bluetooth wireless connection, though this hasn’t necessarily slowed down other users. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 has received an overall rating of 4.5 stars at Amazon, with 91% of reviewers giving the controller a favorable rating. It comes with a charging dock and is the first controller we’ve looked at here that’s available in a wide variety of color options.
8BitDo Ultimate 2C
Sometimes pricing is the most essential feature of all. The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C is an affordable alternative to the aforementioned Ultimate 2C, but also to other midrange wireless controllers on the market. It’s regularly priced at $30, yet it maintains 2.4 GHz connectivity that delivers a 1,000 Hz polling rate when used with a PC. At just 8.6 ounces, it’s particularly light and accommodates longer gaming sessions better than heftier controllers might. And despite 8BitDo’s budget approach to this controller, in its review of the Ultimate 2C, PC Gamer recognizes its premium feel as well as its slim design.
The Ultimate 2C is never going to live up to the standards of professional controllers like the Razer Wolverine V4 Pro, but even midrange options will struggle to do so. For the true PC gaming enthusiast, a budget-minded wireless controller can be an essential part of the setup, especially for those who may just be getting started. The Ultimate 2C is available in a wide variety of color options, and in addition to its already low price, it is often discounted even further on Amazon. Across more than 8,000 purchasers there, the Ultimate 2C has managed a 4.4-star rating. The vast majority of reviewers enjoy the controller despite any limitations that may come with its budget pricing, with 91% giving it a favorable rating.
EasySMX X20
For PC enthusiasts who place a priority on physical customization, the EasySMX X20 is worth looking into. It offers a couple of different adjustable components. One is a two-way lock that allows you to set the travel distance of the triggers. The other is detachable thumbsticks that can be reattached at different angles to change the height for proper gripping. It’s priced at $60, making it a sort of Goldilocks option in terms of combining reasonable pricing and a solid feature set, as it places itself right in the middle of everything else we’ve looked at in various regards. EasySMX has included 2.4 GHz connectivity and a 1,000 Hz polling rate, keeping the X20 in line with other essential wireless gaming controllers in terms of input lag.
Where the X20 doesn’t quite stack up as well is when it comes to battery life. Pro options like the Razer Wolverine V4 Pro can approach 30 hours of use between charges, while even a budget option like the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C can reach 19 hours of life over a 2.4 GHz connection. The EasySMX X20, on the other hand, maxes out at around 10 hours of use between charges, though it’s generally well regarded by users. More than 1,000 customer ratings on EasySMX’s own site leave the X20 with a 4.8-star overall score, while customers at Amazon are slightly more across the board, giving the wireless controller an overall rating of 4.0 stars.
How we selected these essential wireless controllers for PC enthusiasts
Whether a PC gaming enthusiast or a true pro, one of the most essential features in a wireless controller is responsiveness, specifically a lack of input lag. We made speediness the only feature requirement, selecting only controllers that support 2.4-gigahertz wireless connections and setting a polling rate floor of 1,000 hertz. From there, we sought wireless controllers that offered a range of features beyond mere performance. We leaned on our own tech and gaming expertise to narrow down the options. To make our final selections, we looked at hands-on feedback users have provided for various wireless controllers, specifically through verified purchaser reviews and professional reviews at online outlets like PC Gamer.
All of the controllers on this list are available on Amazon, where the devices have earned a minimum overall rating of 4.0 stars out of five from the retailer’s customers. In most cases, those scores are based on thousands of buyer ratings.
