We’re a bunch of nerds and avid video game lovers. We want to everyone, whether they be children or adults, to enjoy their favorite games with the most comfortable controllers possible.
Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad
Our pick
$25 at Amazon
Pros
- Cheaper
- Appealing color
- Longer cord
- Perfect for children
Cons
- Weighs slightly more
- Missing a few features found on the DualShock 4 controller
The Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad is the perfect fit for younger gamers. It features every button they need in a small form factor at a modest price.
Hori Wired Controller Light
Unnecessary
$40 at Amazon
Pros
- Perfect for children
- More color variety
Cons
- More expensive
- Slightly shorter cord
- Missing a few features found on the DualShock 4 controller
The Hori Wired Controller Light is aesthetically and functionally the same as the Mini Wired Gamepad, but you’re paying a steeper price for essentially the same product.
What’s the difference?
Here’s the strange part about these two controllers: Though they are marketed as separate products, they are effectively the same thing, right down to even being manufactured by the same company. The differences you will see are purely cosmetic or in their prices.
| Price | $25 | $40 |
| Package dimensions | 7 x 2.5 x 6 inches | 5.9 x 3.8 x 2.8 inches |
| Manufacturer | Hori | Hori |
| Wired | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 11.2 ounces | 9.9 ounces |
| Color | Blue | Varies |
| Cord length | 10 feet | 9.8 feet |
| Light bar | No | No |
| Motion sensor | No | No |
| Speaker | No | No |
What these features mean to you
While a few of these features are self-explanatory, you may not understand what some of them mean, like the motion sensor or light bar, so we’ll help break down the purposes they serve on a controller and their importance.
Package dimensions
Don’t be fooled by the apparent differences in their package dimensions. Though the Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad does have a larger package, both controllers are roughly the same size; 40% smaller than your standard DualShock 4 controller.
Available colors
If you’re looking for color variety, you unfortunately won’t find it with the Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad. This controller only comes in blue, which admittedly is still an appealing color. The Hori Wired Controller Light, on the other hand, comes in colors like red, blue, and black, though the most common is white.
Light bar, motion sensor, and speaker
I’m throwing these all into one category as these are a few of the more advanced features on a DualShock 4 controller that are not found on either of the above mini controllers. Certain PlayStation 4 games utilize the light bar and motion sensor on a controller in their gameplay. For example, a game like Until Dawn will challenge you to hold the controller’s light bar within a small frame and keep it as still as possible to remain undetected in the game. For other games, the light bar just serves as a cosmetic feature that changes color depending on actions that you take. The speaker on the controller is also another way to deliver smaller audio bits, but it does not serve as a replacement for your actual television or monitor speakers.
For what it’s worth, these features are not needed in most games. If you’re buying this controller for a child, they likely won’t even notice their absence.
The bottom line
Because they have more similarities than differences, you ought to go with the cheapest one. It makes no sense to pay more for effectively the same product. The Sony PlayStation 4 Wired Gamepad is officially licensed and comes at a reasonable price.
Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad
The best option
$25 at Amazon
Cheap and reliable
The DualShock 4 controller can be difficult for children to use effectively. The Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad solves this problem wonderfully.
Hori Wired Controller Light
Too expensive
$40 at Amazon
Higher costs for nothing
It looks nearly identical to the Sony PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad, but it comes at a higher cost. You can give this controller a pass unless you absolutely want a color other than blue.
