The best PS5 controllers (including PS5 pro controllers)

Product shots of the best PS5 controllers on a blue background

(Image credit: Future/Sony/HexGaming)

Investing in one of the best PS5 controllers will help you level up in no time and really get the most out of your PlayStation 5, offering advanced features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback for more immersive gameplay.

Although the included DualSense controller is pretty great, there are lots of fantastic alternative Pro controllers and third-party options out there, including the elite DualSense Edge, for a fully customised experience adjusted to how you game.

1. PS5 DualSense Controller

The best PS5 controller overall

Manufacturer: Sony
Features: Haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, speaker, microphone, motion sensors

This is the classic gamepad that comes packaged with PlayStation 5. It apes the console's elegant curved design, and made waves for bringing haptic feedback and adaptive triggers to mainstream gaming. It perfectly fits into your hands and also has motion sensors for new gameplay features and a built-in microphone.

2. PS5 Edge DualSense Controller

The best PS5 controller for gaming pros

Manufacturer: Sony
Features: Haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, speaker, microphone, motion sensors, customisable button mapping

The PS5 DualSense Edge wireless controller is a beefed-up version of the original DualSense. It features customisable controls, customisable software settings, and swappable profiles to meet your pro gaming needs. It has a hefty price tag, but it's worth it if you want to be at the top of your game.

3. HexGaming Rival Pro PS5 Controllers

The best looking PS5 controllers

Manufacturer: HexGaming
Features: 2mm hair triggers, customisable thumb sticks, ergonomic buttons, rubberised grip

HexGaming's range of PS5 Controllers is very stylish and everything can be fully customised from the design to the thumbsticks. Visit the HexGaming site to design your own controller, plus all of he gamepads offer the same features as the official DualSense Wireless Controller, but with your own choice of design.

4. Aim Controllers PS5

The best premium PS5 controller

Manufacturer: Aim Controllers
Features: Adaptive triggers, profile switch, paddles, remap buttons

The Aim Controllers' base is built on Sony's design and tech – so you get adaptive triggers, haptics, etc – but add four customisable paddles to the rear to replace the face buttons. More so, these gamepads have some of the wackiest designs around, including this black and neon paint splattered design.

5. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro

The best PS5 pro controller for gamers who want ALL the buttons

Manufacturer: Razer
Features: 2.4GHz wireless connectivity, remappable buttons, custom bumpers, additional triggers, extra thumbstick caps.

This offering from Razer features HyperSpeed Wireless connectivity, plus an 8-way microswitch D-pad, HyperTriggers, six remappable buttons, and Chroma RGB colours.

6. TCP Pro Controller

The best digital PS5 pro controller

Manufacturer: The Controller People
Features: Digital triggers, Clicksticks, individual D-pad, create your own design

This Pro Controller takes the brave decision to remove the DualSense's adaptive triggers and haptic feedback in exchange for 'clicky' digital triggers and a lighter pad with a longer battery life. Each D-pad button is separate, making it fantastic for 2D fighting games and retro titles. It has small responsive rear paddles too.

7. HORI Fighting Stick Alpha

The best value PS5 fight controller

Manufacturer: HORI
Features: Hayabusa buttons and joystick, official Sony fighting stick, changeable artwork

The HORI Fighting Stick Alpha is an impressive arcade-style, tournament-grade controller with a Hayabusa stick and matte finish, responsive buttons. You can tailor four custom profiles in the companion app and flip open the fight stick to replace its buttons. Built-in audio and mic controls add to the quality, overall.

The best PS5 controllers; a photo of a Thrustmaster steering wheel for PS5

8. Thrustmaster T300 RS - GT Edition Racing Wheel

The best PS5 racing wheel controller

Manufacturer: Thrustmaster
Features: Dual-belt system, 25 watt motor with Force Feedback, quick release wheel, Gran Turismo licensed

This is not only one of the best racing wheels for PS5, but it also comes with Gran Turismo-licensed decals. The wheel has a 25-watt motor connected to a dual-belt drive system for a smooth racing experience with Force Feedback, and its quick-release wheel means you can adapt it to different games, too.

9. Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand (PS5)

The best PS5 controller charger

Manufacturer: Razer
Features: Curved design, matching colours, USB power connectivity

Razer's elegantly designed quick charging stand has a subtle curved design that matches the look of Sony's controller, and Razer has color-matched the stand with the latest DualSense colours and designs. It charges a DualSense in under three hours, and features an overheat protector.

What does DualSense do, exactly?

The PS5 DualSense Wireless Controller is a high-spec gamepad that evolves the technology of previous PlayStation controllers. Inside you can find the below technology:

Haptic feedback: Instead of rumble, which means games can send vibrations around the pad to emote how on-screen action would 'feel'.

Adaptive triggers: These can be tailored to gameplay by developers, which means they can become 'tighter' the faster a car moves or loose when a gun runs out of ammo.

Touchpad: This can be used by players to interact with a game in new ways, to swipe across the pad to solve a puzzle, for example. This is similar to the rear touchpad on the old PS Vita.

Speaker: This brings games to life with unique audio and voice acting coming directly from the controller. Used with the above tech the PS5 DualSense controller can make you feel rain drops and hear them hit the pad.

Are there special editions of the DualSense?

Yes, for some time now Sony has been releasing special editions of its DualSense, like the God of War limited edition pad that can be bought directly from PlayStation.

As well as game specific controllers and the original White variant you can also now choose from a number of unique colours, these are: Cosmic Red, Midnight Black, Nova Pink, Starlight Blue, Galactic Purple and Grey Camoflage.

If you want to design your own PS5 controller you can visit sites such as Custom Controllers and create your own gamepad.

Is there a new PS5 controller?

Yes, Sony has announced its first pro controller for the PS5, called the DualSense Edge. This controller is aimed at gamers who play for longer and need to customise the gamepad to their way of playing as well as to different games. You can replace face buttons and sticks, swap through controller profiles and it features rear paddles, ideal for shooters.

The DualSense Edge is a wireless controller and features a USB braided cable, two standard caps, two high dome caps, two low dome caps, two half dome back buttons, lever back buttons, connector housing and a carrying case. You can find the link for the pad above.

Can I use my PS5 DualSense controller on a PS4?

No. Because the best PS5 controllers, such as the DualSense Wireless controller, have been created to make use of 'next-gen games' with high-spec features such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, these controllers won't work on old consoles.

You can however use a PlayStation 4 controller with your PS5, but the catch is that it can only be used to play PS4 games and won't work on PS5 titles.

TOPICS

Josephine Watson (@JosieWatson) is an experienced tech journalist with experience writing on a variety of topics from pop culture to gaming and even the energy industry. She is the Managing Editor of Lifestyle on CreativeBloq's sister site, TechRadar, overseeing the Lifestyle vertical (Cameras, Home and Wellness) and How-To's, where she can be found writing across multiple channels including computing, software, homes and gaming.

With contributions from

Beth NichollsEcommerce Writer

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