Best PC Gamepads & Standard Controllers of 2026
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PC gamepads and standard controllers are essential tools for any gamer looking to enhance their gaming experience. Gamepads come in various shapes and sizes, with different button layouts and features to suit different gaming genres. They offer precise control and comfort during extended gaming sessions, and many come with customizable settings to personalize the gaming experience. Standard controllers, on the other hand, are familiar to most gamers, and offer a more traditional gaming experience. They are compatible with most PC games and offer a plug-and-play experience. Whether you prefer a gamepad or a standard controller, both are must-have accessories for any PC gamer.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 PC Gamepads & Standard Controllers
Official Luna Wireless Controller
The Official Luna Wireless Controller is designed for Amazon's cloud gaming service, Luna, but also works across various devices such as Windows, Mac, Fire TV, Fire tablet, iPhone, iPad, Chromebook, and Android devices. With seamless screen switching, you can pause your game on one device and pick it up on another. You can connect via WiFi, Bluetooth, or USB cord. It is built for gaming with offset thumbsticks, easy-access bumpers, precise triggers, responsive action buttons, and a 4-way directional pad. You can also launch games with Alexa by pressing the mic button and giving voice commands.
GameSir G7 SE Wired Controller
The GameSir G7 SE Controller is a versatile gaming gamepad that offers precise control and a customizable experience. With its Hall Joysticks and Hall trigger, you can enjoy a comfortable feel, long life, and enhanced gaming accuracy. The USB wired connection provides plug-and-play convenience, allowing for easy setup and instant gaming without the need for additional drivers. The controller also includes 2 custom back keys, eliminating false triggers and enhancing your gaming experience. With its pulse type vibration trigger motor and asymmetric vibration grip motor, you can immerse yourself in the gameplay with tactile feedback. Additionally, the controller is equipped with a 3.5mm audio interface for seamless connection with gaming headsets and an ergonomic grip with ultra-fine laser engraved texture for comfortable and non-slip gaming sessions.
8Bitdo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller
The 8Bitdo Wireless Controller is designed for seamless gaming on Windows and Android devices. With a 1000Hz polling rate, it ensures quick response times, enhancing your gaming experience. The Hall Effect joysticks and triggers provide smooth and precise control, perfect for those intense gaming sessions. You can easily customize button mapping without needing additional software, allowing you to tailor the controller to your play style. Plus, the extra bumpers add versatility, giving you more options for in-game commands. This controller is built for performance and convenience, making it a great choice for gamers.
VOYEE Wireless Controllers
The VOYEE Wireless Pro Controller is a versatile gaming controller compatible with Switch, Switch Lite, Switch OLED, Windows, iOS, and Android devices. It features a vibrant RGB lightening bolt style pattern with 9 colors, making it visually appealing in the dark. The controller offers 4 adjustable light modes, including solid lights, breathing lights, RGB strobe LED light, and LED off. With a quick 3-4 hour charge time, it provides a runtime of 10-15 hours. Additionally, the VOYEE Wireless Pro Controller supports one-key pairing and wake-up functionality, making it easy to connect to your console or device. It also includes programmable buttons and turbo mode, allowing for simplified complex skill operations. The built-in 6-axis gyro sensor enhances your gaming experience, particularly in sports games. The controller offers 4-level vibration feedback and a comfortable rubberized satin finish. Overall, the VOYEE Wireless Pro Controller is a reliable and feature-packed gaming controller for a variety of platforms.
EasySMX X15 Controller
The EasySMX X15 Controller offers a captivating RGB lighting design that enhances your gaming experience. The hall effect joysticks and triggers ensure precise and smooth movement in-game. With a long-lasting battery life of up to 20 hours, you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions. This versatile controller is compatible with PC, Switch, iOS, and Android, providing seamless connectivity. Additionally, the customizable back keys allow you to personalize trigger combos for enhanced gaming convenience.
8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 offers highly responsive TMR joysticks that give you precise control and long-lasting performance, making your gaming smoother and more accurate. Its exclusive 8Speed wireless technology ensures a strong and stable 2.4GHz connection with ultra-low delay, so you won’t experience frustrating lag during gameplay. You can easily switch between two types of triggers—linear Hall Effect for smooth, gradual input, or tactile triggers for quick, responsive action—letting you customize the feel based on your game. Plus, the controller supports a super-fast 1000Hz polling rate, which means your inputs are registered almost instantly whether you’re wired or wireless, giving you an edge in fast-paced games.
Razer Tartarus v2 Gaming Keypad
The Razer Tartarus v2 Gaming Keypad features high-performance mecha-membrane switches, 32 programmable keys, and customizable Chroma RGB lighting. The thumbpad provides improved movement controls for console-oriented players and a more ergonomic experience. Fully programmable macros allow for all keys and keypress combinations to be remapped to execute complex commands. The keypad also supports Razer Chroma, which fully syncs with popular games, Razer hardware, Philips Hue, and gear from 30 plus partners; supports 16.8 million colors on individually backlit keys.
GameSir Nova Lite 2 Wireless Controller
The GameSir Nova Lite 2 offers versatile connectivity with support for Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices through Bluetooth, wired, or wireless dongle options, making it easy for you to game on multiple platforms without hassle. Its Hall Effect joysticks provide smooth and precise control with improved recentering and reduced drift, enhancing your gameplay accuracy. The controller features adjustable triggers that let you switch between short and long pulls, perfect for customizing your response time in different games. Plus, with a 1000Hz polling rate, your commands register almost instantly, reducing input lag and giving you an edge in fast-paced competitive play.
GameSir G7 SE Wired Xbox Controller
The GameSir G7 SE Controller offers broad compatibility, working smoothly with Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One consoles, and Windows 10 or newer PCs, including Steam. This means you can use one controller for multiple gaming setups without hassle. Its Hall effect joysticks and triggers provide precise and durable control, helping you play with better accuracy and comfort. The wired USB connection is plug-and-play, so you can start gaming immediately without installing any drivers. Plus, with two customizable back buttons, you can tailor the controller to your play style, avoiding accidental inputs and gaining an edge in your games.
GameSir Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller
The GameSir Cyclone 2 Controller is designed to work smoothly across multiple platforms including Switch, PC, iOS, and Android, giving you the freedom to play on your preferred device with ease. It offers three connection options—wireless dongle, wired, and Bluetooth—so you can choose the most convenient setup for your gaming style. The advanced Mag-Res TMR joysticks provide precise and stable control with less power use, making your gameplay more accurate and responsive. Plus, the controller’s face buttons are built to last, handling up to 5 million clicks for long-term durability and quick, precise responses during intense gaming sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use any controller on Xbox Game Pass PC?
While it is recommended to use an Xbox Wireless Controller connected via Bluetooth or USB cable for Xbox games with cloud gaming, many other types of wired and Bluetooth controllers can also work.
2. How do I get my controller to work on Game Pass PC?
To get your controller to work on Game Pass PC, turn on the controller, hold the Pair button, open the Start panel on your computer, go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices, and toggle the Bluetooth option on.
3. Can I use a PS4 controller on Game Pass PC?
Yes, you can use a PS4 DualShock 4 controller to play Xbox games on PC by pairing it with your computer using a third-party program like DS4Windows.
4. Do you need an Xbox controller for Game Pass on PC?
Not all Xbox Game Pass games officially support keyboard and mouse, but you can make it work with a good setup. You can check the list of games that officially support keyboard and mouse on the Xbox Game Pass website.
5. Why won't my PS5 controller work on PC Game Pass?
To use your PS5 controller on PC Game Pass, you need to download and install the Xbox controller driver from the Microsoft Store and connect your PS5 controller to your PC via a USB cable.
6. Why won't my PC game recognize my controller?
If your PC game doesn't recognize your controller, try restarting the controller and plugging it into a different USB port. In some cases, incompatible or defective USB devices can interfere with wireless signals.
7. Can you use a controller with Game Pass?
Yes, you can use a controller with Game Pass. Connecting an Xbox controller to your PC is easy, whether it's wired or wireless.
8. How to use Game Pass without a controller?
If you don't have a controller, you can use the Xbox Game Pass app on your mobile device and play games with touch controls. Simply open the app, scroll down to Play with touch, and select Show all.
9. Can you use a PS5 controller on Xbox Game Pass PC?
Yes, you can use a PlayStation 5 controller on Xbox Game Pass PC. Launch the Xbox Game Pass PC app, and the controller should be detected and ready to use.
During our pc gamepads & standard controller research, we found 17 pc gamepads & standard controller products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 270,838 customer reviews through our big data system to write the pc gamepads & standard controllers list. We found that most customers choose pc gamepads & standard controllers with an average price of $41.85.
The pc gamepads & standard controllers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of pc gamepads & standard controllers, including GameSir, 8Bitdo, VOYEE, EasySMX, Razer. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.
James Ryan is a young writer with a degree in journalism. He’s well-versed in topics such as literature, video games, and gaming devices. In his free time, he enjoys editing, playing games, exercising and photography.