When considering the essentials, the controller is your most critical accessory, directly influencing both your performance and your overall gaming experience. While the DualSense is already an innovative controller, many gamers seek an even higher level of functionality. That is why we have assembled a comprehensive review of the best PS5 controllers currently available. Let’s discover the perfect controller for your needs. Although the original DualSense is already among the best controllers available, Sony impressed the gaming community by introducing the DualSense Edge, a premium and upgraded version offering numerous new features. This marks a significant milestone for Sony, which previously relied on third-party manufacturers to produce “pro” edition controllers. The DualSense Edge is effectively PlayStation’s answer to the Xbox Elite controller.
Building upon all the features of the standard DualSense—including revolutionary adaptive triggers and haptic feedback—the Edge’s most significant improvements are found in its design and hardware. Enhanced with rounded trigger buttons, a redesigned touchpad, two function buttons positioned below the analog sticks, and a slightly heavier chassis, this controller provides greater comfort and elevates your gameplay experience. The included native software enables impressive versatility by allowing you to remap back buttons, fine-tune the sensitivity and dead zones of the analog sticks, adjust haptic feedback, and modify the adaptive triggers. You can even swap out the analog sticks with various options. Creating separate gaming profiles for different titles and instantly switching between profiles using the function buttons further personalizes your experience. While the DualSense Edge makes notable advancements over its predecessor, it also inherits—and worsens—the most common complaint: limited battery life. With a playtime of only 4–7 hours, the battery can be disappointing, especially considering the $200 price. For many users, especially during long gaming sessions, this is an important factor to consider. Another ongoing concern, dating back to the DualShock 4, is the stick-drift issue. Although the DualSense Edge’s swappable sticks offer some mitigation, a more comprehensive solution—such as using hall-effect sensors—would be welcome. Until then, owners should be mindful of this persistent problem. The SCUF Reflex Pro stands out as one of the best third-party controllers for the PS5. Renowned for producing high-quality, customizable controllers, SCUF once again delivers a feature-rich device. It retains all standard DualSense features, such as haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, while introducing its own set of enhancements.
Although its appearance closely resembles the original DualSense, the SCUF Reflex Pro offers a unique experience. The chassis is upgraded with a more ergonomic grip, and the analog sticks are both textured and swappable for added comfort and control. The controller also provides four removable, re-mappable rear paddles, which are strategically positioned and easily customized for different gameplay functions. The Reflex Pro enables you to create and manage up to three customizable profile settings, catering to various types of games. A button on the rear bumper allows you to seamlessly switch between these profiles, and the built-in LED changes color to indicate the active profile. This feature saves valuable time when transitioning between games, ensuring your preferred settings are always ready. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the Reflex Pro is its custom design capability. If your PS5 features custom faceplates and you want a matching controller, SCUF offers extensive customization options. You can create your own design or choose from a wide selection of popular styles, guaranteeing a controller that perfectly suits your preferences and setup. Despite its strengths, the SCUF Reflex Pro does not allow users to adjust stick sensitivity or dead zones. With a price tag of $230, it also offers only up to 9 hours of battery life—an improvement, but still less than optimal. For gamers who prioritize extended play, this is an important consideration. If the SCUF Reflex Pro does not meet your requirements, the Victrix Pro BFG is another outstanding option. Purpose-built for a wide range of gaming genres, the BFG’s innovative modular design allows you to swap out pads, sticks, and buttons, customizing the controller for any game or playstyle. This adaptability means you can optimize your controller without compromise.
The BFG offers an impressive selection of attachments. You receive both a tall and a short analog stick for enhanced precision, multiple D-pads, a six-button module for fighting games, four remappable back paddles, customizable triggers, several swappable stick gates, three configurable audio and game profiles, and ergonomic rubberized grips on both the front and back. Each accessory is designed to maximize comfort and performance. The Victrix Pro BFG is lightweight, yet retains a reassuring solidity. Its exclusive “Tournament Lock” mode disables system button inputs to prevent accidental interruptions during competitive play, which can be crucial in tournament settings. The controller is fully compatible with PS5, PS4, and PC, and boasts exceptional battery life—up to 20 hours on a single charge, making it stand out for long sessions. The primary drawback of the Victrix Pro BFG is the absence of vibration, haptic feedback, and adaptive triggers. These features are increasingly popular, but not everyone prefers them. Considering the BFG’s highly competitive $180 price and its exceptional versatility, it remains a compelling choice for a wide range of gamers. The HexGaming Rival Pro is HexGaming’s distinctive take on the DualSense controller. While it closely resembles the DualSense visually, the Rival Pro introduces key features that set it apart. With four re-mappable paddle buttons on the back, swappable sticks, and a rubberized chassis for enhanced grip, the $290 Rival Pro offers a tailored gaming experience.
Notably, the Rival Pro provides extensive customization. Like the SCUF Reflex Pro, you can personalize your controller’s design. Additionally, HexGaming lets you customize the analog sticks’ height, grip, and feel to your preferred specifications, and includes replacement sticks for continued performance. The inclusion of customizable analog sticks enables peak in-game performance, and the upgraded “FastShot” trigger buttons are engineered for rapid responsiveness—particularly beneficial for shooter games. Their shortened travel gives a tactile, clicky feel, reducing any possible input delay and providing a competitive edge. It is important to note that the Rival Pro does not support the DualSense’s standard adaptive triggers or haptic feedback. However, FastShot triggers and custom vibration modules offer a worthy alternative for gamers seeking a unique tactile experience. While battery life matches that of the standard DualSense at up to 9 hours, some reviewers have voiced dissatisfaction in this area, so it is worth considering for users requiring longer sessions. Razer, one of the most respected names in gaming, introduced the Wolverine V2 Pro as a compelling PS5 controller alternative. Though designed for PlayStation, it adopts an analog stick layout more commonly found on Nintendo and Xbox controllers. While this may seem unusual for those familiar with the traditional PlayStation layout, it can be a significant advantage for fans of the offset design, offering enhanced comfort for some users.
What truly distinguishes the Wolverine V2 Pro is the extensive number of customizable buttons: four back paddles and two additional buttons located beside the L2 and R2 triggers. Razer’s exclusive Mecha-Tactile Action Buttons provide faster input and a satisfyingly clicky feel, both on the face buttons and D-pad. This ensures crisp feedback and rapid response in gameplay. Further enhancing the controller’s competitive edge, Razer’s innovative HyperTrigger technology allows you to fine-tune trigger sensitivity for ultra-fast actuation—ideal for FPS and racing games. The physical lock beside each trigger lets you adjust the required press depth, closely mirroring the flexibility of the Xbox Elite controllers. This adaptability ensures optimal performance across various game genres. As expected from Razer, the Wolverine V2 Pro includes striking Chroma RGB lighting for a personalized touch. To customize the lighting, map buttons, adjust sensitivity, and set up unique profiles, you can use Razer’s dedicated app, available for both iOS and Android devices. The controller also includes interchangeable stick caps and works seamlessly with PC platforms. One of the Wolverine’s most impressive features is its exceptional battery life, which can last up to 28 hours with RGB lighting turned off. This far surpasses the battery performance of the DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers. Even with RGB lighting enabled, you still get up to 10 hours of use, making it ideal for marathon gaming sessions. However, despite boasting the greatest number of extra buttons, some users may struggle with their positioning, which may feel uncomfortable or less intuitive for certain hand sizes. The controller’s slightly wider build can also contribute to this challenge, so testing the fit is advisable if possible. Additionally, the Wolverine V2 Pro does not offer haptic feedback or adaptive triggers similar to the DualSense. It also lacks built-in speakers and a carrying case, and with only two additional attachments included, its expandability is somewhat limited. For many players, the love for fighting games arises from countless hours spent mastering Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat at local arcades. While traditional arcade cabinets are now rare, the iconic fight stick design lives on as a dedicated accessory for home consoles. For the PS5, the Victrix Pro FS brings authentic arcade action, delivering both nostalgia and unmatched control for fighting game enthusiasts.
The Pro FS is among the most visually striking and well-crafted fight sticks. Its eye-catching RGB lighting and premium Sanwa Denshi buttons provide exceptional responsiveness, tactile feedback, and longevity. While some users may find the buttons overly sensitive, their performance in fast-paced fighting games is outstanding, allowing for precise execution of complex combos. Ergonomically designed, the Pro FS features swappable sticks and buttons for tailored play, and its lightweight build—with removable joystick and cable—makes it highly portable. These practical features, combined with its durable aluminum construction, fully justify its $383.99 price tag for competitive players and enthusiasts. The Thrustmaster T248P is an excellent entry-level racing wheel that incorporates Thrustmaster’s HYBRID DRIVE technology. Featuring a three-pedal set, it is competitively priced at just under $400. When compared to popular options like the Logitech G29/G920, which share a similar price point but use older technology, the T248P offers more features and better value.
The T248’s unique hybrid system combines belt and gear mechanisms to provide realistic force feedback, enhancing immersion. The built-in LCD display on the wheel adds a layer of realism by showing speedometers or other telemetry data in supported games, and offers three profiles to adjust force feedback levels. Its magnetic brake pedals provide reliable performance and variable resistance for a more tailored driving experience. The wheel features an ergonomic leather grip and is equipped with 25 re-mappable buttons for extensive functionality. However, some components, such as the brake pedals and paddle shifters, may not feel as premium, and the force feedback can make the wheel a bit harder to steer for some users. While overall build quality reflects its entry-level positioning, the T248P’s performance and adjustability are strong for its class. Regardless, the Thrustmaster T248P offers exceptional value and represents one of the best racing wheels available at this price point. For those seeking the top-of-the-line experience, consider the T-GT II (also from Thrustmaster) or the Fanatec GT DD Pro, both officially PlayStation-licensed and, in the case of the GT DD Pro, equipped with direct-drive force feedback for unmatched realism.
