
Instead, we recommend the Switch Pro Controller. They're great on the Switch, but they don't feel quite as solid or have nearly as comfortable directional controls as the Xbox Wireless Controller or DualShock 4. The Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons also connect to your PC, but they require even more wrestling. It's free third-party software that tricks your PC into thinking the DualShock 4 is a much more common (for PCs) Xbox controller, like the Steam configuration mode and 8Bitdo USB adapter do. It even supports 8Bitdo's Ultimate Software for extensive mapping and customization.įinally, for the most roundabout setup, you can use a DualShock 4 through a program called DS4Windows. You can also use the 8Bitdo Wireless USB Adapter, a $20 dongle that connects to your PlayStation gamepad (and many other kinds of controllers) and properly maps it to work in Windows. Steam offers a PlayStation Configuration Support option in its controller settings menu that should get either controller to work like an Xbox gamepad, and even supports button remapping.

The PS4's DualShock 4 and the PS5's DualSense controllers also work with your PC through a USB or Bluetooth connection, at least with most Steam games. If you want to splurge, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is one of our favorite wireless gamepads, though it's also a hefty $180. If you want to use more than one Xbox gamepad, or if you have an early Xbox Wireless Controller without Bluetooth, you can use the $25 Xbox Wireless Adapter to connect up to eight gamepads to your PC at once without dealing with Bluetooth pairing.

If the controller was manufactured in the last five years, it can pair wirelessly with your computer over Bluetooth. Whether it came with the Xbox One or Xbox Series, or you bought it separately, the Xbox Wireless Controller is immediately compatible with any Windows 10 PC as a wired controller just plug it into a USB port and you can start playing with it.


If you don't already have one, though, they're a bit pricey at $60 to $70 each. These controllers have the benefit of rock-solid build quality and reliable PC compatibility (with some software or adapters required for the Nintendo and Sony gamepads). If you have a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One S, managed to find a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, or splurged on a Switch Pro Controller for your Nintendo Switch, you already have a gamepad you can use with your PC. Here are some options to help pick the best one for you. There are countless gamepads and other types of controllers you can hook up to your PC. Best Malware Removal and Protection Software.
