Thinking of picking up a PS4 or replacing your old PS4 with a 4K compatible PS4 Pro? Don't forget to pick up an extra controller or two for the couch co-op and local multiplayer experiences the platform has to offer.
We've found six of the best PS4 controllers for a variety of budgets and playstyles. Whether you need something esports-ready, a budget pad you can toss in a drawer, or something a little different to train your fingers, you'll find it here.
DualShock 4 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 - Magma Red DualShock 4 Wireless Controller for PlayStation 4 - Magma Red Buy Now on Amazon $54.99
Sony only makes one official PlayStation 4 controller, and this is it. The DualShock 4 is by no means cheap, but it still falls well short of what some manufacturers are charging for their "professional" pads. Since all PS4 owners get a DualShock 4 with their console, you should already know what to expect from PS4. this controller well done..
This is the revised DualShock 4, which was introduced around the same time as the PS4 Pro and PS4 Slim. It features slightly sturdier thumb pads and the ability to see the DualShock LED through the front of the touchpad.
The official Sony controller is available in a wide range of colors including Magma Red (pictured above), Camouflage Blue and Green, Gran Turismo-branded Silver, and the original Jet Black to match your console. . Sony's DualShock 4 runs on batteries and includes a small charging cable in the box.
Like most of the pad features here, you can also use the DualShock 4 as a PC or Mac controller.
Razer Raiju Pro Wired Gaming Controller for Playstation 4 (Optimized for Esports) Razer Raiju Pro Wired Gaming Controller for Playstation 4 (Optimized for Esports) Buy Now on Amazon
At the higher end of the spectrum is the Razer Raiju, one of the few officially licensed PlayStation 4 controllers. Being officially licensed, it is unlikely that there will be any issues due to future firmware updates if Sony decides to make changes to the PS4's operating system.
The Razer Raiju is an ergonomically designed wired controller, designed with esports in mind. It features four additional programmable buttons:two shields near R2 and L2, and two removable triggers on the bottom of the controller.
You can assign any of these to a button or face direction, which is useful for melee attacks that require you to adjust your grip when clicking R3. The directional pad is made up of four separate buttons, which will please some gamers, but be warned:it's not ideal for fighting games.
The pad is much larger than a standard DualShock 4, meaning it might be better for those with larger hands. The face also includes volume controls, a microphone mute button, and a button to switch between controller profiles. Finally, Razer introduces a 3 meter long detachable USB cable and a carrying case.
NACON Revolution PRO Controller V2 Gamepad PS4 Playstation 4 eSports &Fighting Customizable NACON Revolution PRO Controller V2 Gamepad PS4 Playstation 4 eSports &Fighting Customizable Buy Now On Amazon $139.99
The NACON Revolution Pro V2 is another licensed PS4 controller. As you can see from the button layout above, it looks more like an Xbox controller than a DualShock 4. If you prefer Microsoft's asymmetrical thumbstick placement, the Revolution Pro is a solid choice.
Like the Razer, the NACON was developed with esports in mind. Unlike the Razer, the NACON is quite a bit cheaper. On the back of the controller you'll find four buttons that can be programmed in real time, plus a large adjustable right thumbstick on the front.
The Revolution Pro also includes a proper eight-way directional pad, perfect for rolling moves in fighting games. The triggers and shoulder buttons are better positioned than Sony's own pad, and NACON includes a high quality detachable braided cable with a screw cap. You can even change the feel of the controller using the included weights for a truly customizable experience.
If Sony's dual-stick placement has been holding you back, grab the Revolution Pro and work your way through the best PlayStation 4 exclusives.
PS4 Wired Controller for Playstation 4, Lilyhood Professional USB PS4 Wired Gamepad for Playstation 4/PS4 Slim/PS4 Pro PS4 Wired Controller for Playstation 4, Lilyhood Professional USB PS4 Wired Gamepad for Playstation 4/PS4 Slim/PS4 Pro Buy Now on Amazon $25.99
At the opposite end of the scale you have the cheap pads, like this Lilyhood wired controller. It's about half the price of an official DualShock 4, and it's a suitable budget option for casual multiplayer fun. It's the kind of controller you'd want to have in a drawer, just in case someone walks by.
If you're looking for a controller to use full-time, perhaps while playing an epic game like Red Dead Redemption 2 (using our essential Red Dead Redemption 2 tips while you're at it), this isn't the one for you. . If you want something with great Amazon reviews that offers good value for money and little else, you've come to the right place.
The Lilyhood really is as basic as it gets. It's a wired controller with a 2.1 meter long cable, which means low latency and no batteries to charge. It includes motion controls via a 3-axis gyroscope and accelerometer, so it should work with any PS4 game you throw at it.
Please note that this pad does not include a 3.5mm jack for headphone and microphone input, nor does it include the built-in speaker that is included with the DualShock 4.
PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad Buy Now On Amazon $23.00
And now for something completely different. The HORI Mini PS4 controller is a pad that's 40 percent smaller than the DualShock 4. You might want to ignore it unless you have especially small hands, or if you're specifically looking for something to help emulate that hand-cramp of the era. NES..
Despite its small size, the pad is officially licensed by Sony. It is a wired controller with a 3 meter long cable, providing all the essential PS4 controls. It has been designed for younger players therefore in size making it perfect for playing local games with your kids.
Unfortunately, the HORI Mini doesn't include all the features of the DualShock 4. The capacitive touchpad on the front of the controller is absent (although the touchpad button still works) and there's no 3.5mm jack for headphones and microphones. There's no light bar, no motion controls, no noise, and no speaker.
The result is that it's cheap, comparable to low-end third-party controllers.
SCUF creates highly customizable controllers for PS4, PC and Xbox One. The Impact is a controller that has been designed around the four additional paddles on the back of the controller. According to SCUF, manual placement has been optimized to make better use of these palettes.
Blades can be remapped on the fly. They are designed to allow players to keep their thumbs on the dual sticks while still being able to use the face buttons. If you don't like them, they can be easily removed (although you may want to opt for a different controller if that's the case).
SCUF has also made a name for itself with its incredible array of customization options. This includes control bars that you can change for different heights, as well as a ridiculous number of colors and designer prints to choose from.
You can even build your own controller, with your choice of features and colors.
Collective Minds Strike Pack F.P.S. Dominator Controller Adapter with MODS and Paddles for PS4 Collective Minds Strike Pack F.P.S. Dominator Controller Adapter with MODS and Paddles for PS4 Buy Now on Amazon $39.99
This isn't really a controller, but rather an adapter that adds paddles to your standard Sony DualShock 4. In addition to the programmable paddles, which can be customized on the fly, the adapter also allows you to use hundreds of “mod” combinations.
These allow you to do things like rapid fire, shots, double jumps, and flicks with ease. The adapter plugs directly into your controller and features a 3 meter long wired connection to your console.
Best of all, you can grab the Collective Minds paddle adapter and a genuine DualShock 4 for less than the price of most decent third-party controllers.
Choosing the right controller can give you an edge over the opposition, but it won't necessarily make you a better player. You have to learn to use additional paddles and triggers, and the best setup depends on the game you're playing at the time.
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