The stock controller for the PlayStation 4 is very good, but it’s not for everyone. Fortunately, there are a lot of options out there that offer a different experience, whether you’re a competitive gamer, have kids who want to play, or just want to sharpen up your experience. Pick up one of these options if you’re looking for something to change up your play.
Familiar form
Scuf Impact
Scuf controllers are used by a large portion of the pro-gamers who play on console, and the Impact is the company’s latest and greatest effort for the PS4. The basic shape is the same as the regular PlayStation DualShock 4, but the grips are longer and the whole thing is less angular.
$150 at Scuf Gaming
The forefather
Sony DualShock 4
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? The DualShock 4 is the standard controller that comes in the box and therefore, comes with the design we’ve come to expect. If you like it already but wish it were a little more interesting, Sony has a range of different colors available.
$47 at Amazon
Asymmetrical goodness
Nacon Revolution V2
Some folks love PS4 but wish the controller was more like the Xbox One’s with it’s offset analog sticks. Many find this layout more ergonomic, which makes the Nacon Revolution V2 a great option to try. It’s wired, so you can’t sit too far away from the console, but the shape and layout are pretty similar to what you’d find with the Xbox. And its use of USB-C means you can add it to your modern electronics collection without having to add more wires.
$130 at Amazon
Classic compact
Hori Mini Wired Gamepad
Need a solid controller for younger, smaller hands that doesn’t cost a lot? Or maybe you’re a traveling PS4 gamer that needs something compact. That’s where the excellent Hori Mini Wired Gamepad comes in. As the name implies, this is a wired controller. The touchpad is missing, which is OK, but there’s a button in place for when you might need it.
$25 at Amazon
Hello Xbox layout
Hori Onyx
If you’re a PS4 gamer but you’ve always prefered the style and feel of an Xbox controller, I have great news for you. The Hori Onyx controller gives you all the same functionality of a PS4 controller in a different form. You get a wider and beefier grip with offset analog sticks, so you get the same sensation playing on your PS4 as you would on your Xbox.
$60 at Amazon
Fight Night
HORI Fighting Commander
One of the only controllers specificially designed for fighting games, the HORI Fighting Commander places the R1 and R2 buttons on the same side of the pad as the regular face buttons in a configuration that’s perfect for pulling off combos in your favorite fighting games. It ditches the analog sticks to give you more room to put those combos in, and extra features like an R/L toggle and a programmable Turbo button ensure you can use it comfortably with any fighter.
$41 at Amazon
As you can see, there’s no shortage of options for great PlayStation 4 controllers. Everything listed here will offer a very enjoyable gaming experience no matter your choice of genre. We especially want to highlight the Scuf Impact. Cheap is about the only thing you can’t call it, but what you get for the unsettling price tag is a controller that’ll give you the range of motion you need, all the while improving your mechanical ability with its rear-facing paddle buttons, tunable triggers, and interchangeable analog sticks.
