The best PlayStation 5 controllers to pair with your new-gen console

It's undeniable: The DualSense Edge(opens in a new tab) is the ultimate way to experience PlayStation 5 games. It's their only flagship pro-controller-style product, so anything less would be a massive letdown.

Aside from being super PS5-y, I loved some of the extras that came with the Edge. The carrying case is fantastic — it's durable, houses all the controller's accessories comfortably, and allows for in-case charging. The USB cable lock was a unique piece that I'd never seen before, and reliably kept my charging cord from popping out during gameplay sessions. But by far, my favorite add-ons were the half-dome back buttons (there's also a paddle option if you like those more). Performance and comfort were both great, and the key mapping experience is a breeze thanks to the controller's unique function buttons in conjunction with the PlayStation's onboard interface.

The DualSense Edge is not perfect, though. The battery life is somehow worse than the original DualSense(opens in a new tab), and I was disappointed that there are only two back buttons compared to the industry-standard minimum of four. I appreciate that there's a hair trigger option, but it still takes a little too long to press compared to other controllers. I also couldn't help but notice that the Edge doesn't have that "premium feel" that the Xbox Elite Series 2(opens in a new tab) has. "Cheap" certainly isn't the word I would use, but it definitely felt lighter and lower in build quality than I had hoped.

I don't think it's the best controller overall — that prize goes to the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro(opens in a new tab) — but if you're new to the PlayStation 5 and those adaptive triggers and haptics are something you have yet to experience, this is where you should start.

After testing six different controllers for this roundup, the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro(opens in a new tab) is the new main controller that I'll use for everyday gaming.

While the controller initially feels a little light and plasticky, this actually plays into what makes the Wolverine V2 Pro so great: Its sense of speed. Everything about the controller is "light," including the button feel and response time. It's the first controller I've used that genuinely compares to a PC gaming mouse — each button has a "click" to it that feels great, and results in an effortless press. Like a high-quality mouse, the actuation time from press to response is lightning-quick.

Another thing I loved about this controller was the unique placement of the back buttons: They're placed in the middle of the device as opposed to the sides. Maybe it's just the size of my hands, but my fingers comfortably landed right on the paddles without having to reach or scrunch my fingers up. The two extra bumpers were much appreciated, too, as well as the lengthy battery life.

I'd be remiss not to mention that the Wolverine V2 Pro isn't compatible with the PlayStation 5's haptics and adaptive triggers, which might be a big sacrifice for some people. For me, the trade-off was worth it, but I've had my PS5 since it launched in 2020, so the magic of those features has worn off for me. The only thing I wished was better was the key mapping experience — I didn't love that I had to download an app on my phone to reassign inputs, having to reconnect to it via Bluetooth every time I wanted to make a change.

I'll switch back to the DualSense Edge(opens in a new tab) when I'm playing a game that features can't-miss haptics and adaptive trigger stuff, but for everything else, I'll be using this baby.

I can't recommend against the DualSense(opens in a new tab), mainly because you're going to get one whether you like it or not when you buy a PlayStation 5.

The DualSense is basically the DualSense Edge(opens in a new tab) minus the extras and the steep price tag ($69.99 if you're buying an extra one separately). That means no custom sticks, adjustable triggers, back buttons, etcetera. You'll get everything that was promised when the PS5 launched, though, including Sony's proprietary adaptive triggers and advanced haptic feedback.

The main downside of the DualSense is its lackluster battery life, which is a problem that carried over from the PlayStation 4's DualShock controller(opens in a new tab). It's still better than the DualSense Edge in that department, which is a little confounding, but a win nonetheless. When it comes to overall performance and comfort, I have no complaints.

It's the bare minimum when it comes to choosing a PlayStation 5 controller to stick with, and thankfully, the bare minimum for the PS5 is already fantastic.

In 2022, I would've told you that the SCUF Reflex Pro(opens in a new tab) is the best controller you can get to experience full-featured PlayStation 5 titles. In a post-DualSense-Edge(opens in a new tab) world, though, it's not as special.

That's not to say that the Reflex Pro is a bad option, though. In fact, it's still one that I think you should consider for a few reasons. It's the only third-party option I found that includes Sony's proprietary adaptive trigger tech, and the overall build quality is really solid. I especially loved the performance grip, as well as the placement of the back paddles. The paddles on the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro(opens in a new tab) are more my style, but I liked how the SCUF buttons were set in such a way that I could operate both with just one finger, and I can see how they'd be someone else's first choice. The real star of the show, though, is the opportunity for personalization: You can customize your Reflex Pro to make it uniquely "you," and the amount of design options you can choose from is impressive. The battery life is OK, and overall performance and comfort get an A+ from me.

My qualms with the SCUF Reflex Pro are mainly the price and the decision to leave out a hair trigger option. For that, you'll have to buy the Reflex FPS(opens in a new tab) or add on instant triggers in the SCUF customizer, which means you'll be giving up the adaptive triggers. At this price — $219.99 for a base model and much more for a custom model (mine passed the $300 mark) — a controller like the Reflex Pro should have the same trigger features as the DualSense Edge, which include the adaptive tech and trigger adjustment options.

I'd love to see the next iteration of the Reflex have fully adjustable adaptive triggers to make it more comparable to the DualSense Edge, but for now, I can't recommend it over the Edge. If you care a lot about personalization and making your gear your own, this controller is the way to go, but I'd say that's the only thing it has over Sony's flagship option.

I'm not a professional gamer, and I never will be — you're not going to catch me at an esports tournament anytime soon. But if I was a pro, I'd probably have the PDP Victrix Pro BFG(opens in a new tab) at my side wherever I went.

I was impressed with the PDP's number of button swap options. Using the included screwdriver-like tool, I was able to flip around the placement of the joysticks, d-pad, and face buttons to match my needs. You can even fully remove the face buttons to swap in the Victrix Pro BFG's fight pad configuration. All of that is in addition to the extra thumbstick, gate, and d-pad styles that you can choose from, making this controller a bona fide customization powerhouse. Other highlights include speedy performance, a sturdy grip, and seemingly infinite battery life. It comes with a nice carrying case, too.

It's not all sunshine and roses, though. You won't get the new-gen PS5 features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. The key mapping process was also my least favorite of the controllers I tested, sometimes having to hold down three buttons at one time to get the setup I wanted (it felt like I was playing a game of Twister with my fingers). While I really liked the quick hair trigger release on the back of the device, the triggers themselves felt a little bit on the cheap side, which is tough at $179.99.

That's mostly OK, because the purpose of the PDP Victrix Pro BFG isn't really about the build quality — to me, it's more about speed, versatility, and overall performance. It's the most inexpensive pro-style controller on the list, so I gave it a little extra leeway at times, but I can't fully let it off the hook for its overly light and hollow feel. All in all, though, it's the best tournament controller you're going to get right now.

Don't start scoffing just yet. The DualShock 4(opens in a new tab) isn't a PlayStation 5 controller, but I included it in this roundup because there are certain aspects that make it worth an earnest look.

For starters, it'll keep your wallet happy, as it's the cheapest controller here. It also allows for the opportunity to add on a nifty back button attachment, which is more than you can say for the original base model DualSense(opens in a new tab) (I would consider it a must-have if you're going to go the DualShock route). The attachment has officially been discontinued, seeing as we're well past the PS4 generation, but you can still find them(opens in a new tab) floating around out there for close to the original $19.99 MSRP.

Battery life is notoriously bad, usually clocking in at five to six hours before needing a charge, and you obviously won't be getting any of those PlayStation 5 features or the built-in extras you'll find with a pro-style controller. Comfort and performance both do the trick.

There's a caveat you need to be aware of, too: You can't play PS5 titles with a DualShock 4; only PS4 games that you've downloaded onto your console. It's a big roadblock, but if you're in a pinch and need an extra controller to play a compatible local multiplayer game, having one can really come in clutch.