1d ago

What Gamepad do you recommend?

I'm looking for a set of gamepads to play local co-op games with my fiance. A while back I purchased an Xbox Elite controller expecting it to be sturdy since, it's Microsoft's premium controller targeted at both Xbox and PC. Shortly later, my bumper broke which appears to be because the bumpers are just a piece of plastic being bent over and over. It looks like they ported this same defect over to the Xbox Elite 2 controller without fixing it and at this point, I'm done.

I was looking at Sony controllers, I'm a little worried about there compatibility with PC (Windows and Linux) and also the fact that I have large hands.

Scuff also came up, but their prices are pretty high and IDkK how durable they are.

What do you suggest?

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In my opinion, it doesn't really matter, just get a controller with a stick layout you like, and make sure that it uses hall effect sticks, as they don't wear down, unlike traditional potentiometer-based sticks. The Sony DualSense Edge is pretty nice and uses hall effect sticks, but it's expensive. Here's a list with many more controllers with hall effect sticks, I'm sure you'll find something that's more affordable: https://www.hlplanet.com/controller-hall-effect-joystick/

You can't beat a good old Xbox 360 controller

Features and reliability are my metrics.
Dualsense Edge is the best feature-wise, imo. Costs too much though. But you can replace sticks that wear out.
Next up for me would be a Dualsense modded with hall effect sticks. These are great.
Best budget pick is the latest 8bitdo pad with hall effect. I think one of them is only 30 bucks, avoids the stick drift and should last a long time.

I've been using the Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition for years, after wearing out a regular Xbox controller and returning the Xbox Elite controller because I didn't like the design. It's held up well. Looks like the latest version has hall effect sticks too.

8BitDo Ultimate has been working great for me, look for one of the ones with hall effect sticks
- 8BitDo Ultimate user here also, they're amazing, and mines the hall effect. Worth it.

8BitDo Pro 2 is fantastic, best pad I've ever used.
- It's certainly great for d-pad centric games, especially vintage games, but the sticks are a little small for shooters and other 3D games.
  
  I play Splatoon on it, never felt like there was anything wrong with the sticks.

I'll be the guy who suggests the unusual options, then:
a steam controller; they take some getting used to, but they have some really nice quality of life features that nothing else has (mouse control via the joystick pads, and the paddles on the back!) and are ideal for bigger hands as it's nice and chunky. They're built specifically for PC use, so the support is as good as it gets. I think they don't feel as "premium" as they're quite lightweight plastic as opposed to the heavy metal of e.g. Xbox elite
the Nintendo Switch Pro controller; this one wins on the durability front imo, all Nintendo's stuff is built to survive children, so they do a lot of drop testing, pouring drinks over it, basically all those fun things kids like to do to your expensive toys

I've had an Xbox One controller for years with no issues, though I've never tried it under Linux.
People like the 8bitdo controllers, but I would check the platform support before buying one. I've never used one myself.
- Mine is picked up as a generic Xbox controller on Linux Mint, works a treat. Haven't tried the back buttons as I don't use them, YMMV.

PS5 Dualsense controller has worked like a dream for me. It's lasted longer than my Series X controller already, and I have no issues with using it due to Steam Input. Plus, some games even take full advantage of the features it has, like adaptive triggers and HD rumble.
I would go find a display where you can hold a controller, or play a friend's PS5 first just to make sure, but I think that Sony solved their issues with the large-handed crowd with the Dualsense. The form factor is extremely comfortable, and something about the weight of it just feels so right.
Plus, the touchpad works like a mousepad, so any games where I can use the controller during gameplay but for some reason need a mouse to navigate menus are a complete non-issue now. In fact, many times I can launch whatever I want to play and play it without picking up anything other than my Dualsense.
That said, there is a caveat: The Bluetooth compatibility may not be too great. I haven't tried to use it much, but I think I remember experiencing a few issues with that. Got a 10ft braided USB-USBC cable though, and that's eliminated my issue.
I'm running Pop!_OS, and was expecting problems while using it, but the compatibility is so much better than even the PS4 controller. Don't waste time with tools like DSX - it really does just work out of the box.

Dual sense, hands down. Will be nr 2 if they re-release the steam controller.
Edit: On linux, works perfect, can't tell on Win.
- Yeah looks like Sony is the way to go. Very happy about native Linux support

I don't know which brands and models specifically are good, but I would look for controllers labeled with hall effect. It makes a controller much more resistant to stick drift, although it doesn't say anything else about any other quality or durability (such as your bumper issue)
- I'll look for this but haven't actually ever experienced it apart from super cheap gamepads

I've been using a Gamesir Kaleid T4 for wired PC gaming and it's been a solid controller so far. I'm not a competitive player and 99% play single player. The hall effect sticks and triggers are quite nice, beyond reliable after my last controller decided that the right stick's left and right were now diagonals.
Also, comfortably affordable at <$50.

gulikit kk3

its pricey but the dualsense edge is my favorite controller of all time.
symmetrical sticks are better for retro games (dpad position is more comfortable) and modern games (easier to claw grip the dpad to change items while moving for example).
back buttons are surprisingly useful for every genre. i have dodge bound to the same back button no matter what game or genre im playing.
hair triggers are great for soulslikes and other action games that dont require analog triggers.
- I probably would have tried it, but from all I've read, the battery life is garbage, so that's a no from me dawg.

My favorite is still the Dualshock 3. Works mostly out of the box in Linux (you need to tweak a setting in the bluez config as of somewhat recently). I haven’t tried making them work on Windows in well over 10 years but from what I can see Steam has special support for them, otherwise you need a standalone driver. Can’t say anything to how comfortable they’d be with your hands however :P
- Yeah the duelshocks look nice. A little pricy but Sony seems to make nice, durable things. I'm happy with my headphones which pushes me towards these

I have been happy with the Sony controllers. They're comfortable, have relatively small dead zones, and are still working well after more than a few years of use. Both the DualShock 4 v2 and the DualSense are supported by Steam Input, can be used on Windows, and have native support (from Sony!) in the Linux kernel.
- Very happy about native Linux support, that might be my deciding factor :)

My favorites are definitely the Xbox Elite controllers, but like you said, they got garbage build quality. First Elite had the same bumper problem, returned it, next one had the same issue. Elite 2 was the same, I think.
The Dualshock 4 and Dualsense worked without any problems for me on Windows (Steam). But my first Dualsense also had a problem after about half a year (returned it), and my current one has shut itself off occasionally while playing. I also just can't get used to the symbols on the face button and like the Xbox ABXY more. If I can change it in a game, I'll always set it to the Xbox variant.
I'm currently back to the 8bitdo Ultimate, which had some issues early on (I think connectivity), but it got some firmware updates and has been fine so far.
- I love the elites shape and button layout but again, they seem to break a lot for such a "premium" product. I'll take a look at 8bitdo, hadn't heard of them :)

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