Best PS5 controllers in 2025 for competitive gaming, customisation, and comfort
You get a controller with your PS5, but it's handy to have an extra one for your mates
When you bought your PlayStation 5, it came with one official Sony PS5 controller and that undoubtedly felt like enough. Then your mate came over and you wanted to play some couch-based multiplayer and you realised that you need one of our list of the best PS5 controllers. Need a headset as well? Check out our guide to the best gaming headset.
These days, you can spend $200/£200 on a PS5 controller if you want. We’re not automatically saying to do so but by investing that much, you often get more advanced controls with extra paddles or feedback, and you tend to be able to choose almost exactly how you want it to look. Even avid solo players may find such a premium controller enhancing their playing ability. Alternatively, you may prefer a cheap third-party solution to delegate to your friend, child, or second player in your life, but you don’t want to pick a lemon.
Whatever your plan, we’ve picked out the best PS5 controllers you can buy right now, including cheaper options, premium picks, and ones for particular scenarios like racing games.
Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Quick list: what is the best PS5 controller?
We think the Sony DualSense Controller (buy now) will more than suffice for most players. It’s a huge improvement over past Sony efforts. Its adaptive triggers are great for making you feel more in control of the action while combining it with haptic feedback means you can feel exactly what’s unfolding in-game. It also has smaller advantages like a mute button and a comfy build that will keep all hands happy.
The Sony DualSense Edge Controller (buy now) is a more high-end version of the regular DualSense controller, making it the best buy if performance is a priority. You can customise function buttons under the control sticks, and you benefit from two back button attachments. It’s also a little heavier and more premium.
The Scuf Reflex Pro (buy now) is expensive yet highly customisable, meaning it should be the only controller you need for a long time to come. It’s possible to spend a lot of time changing colour schemes and adjusting early every element imaginable on the controller. With removable and remappable paddles, you have extra functionality at your fingertips with an extra comfy non-slip grip helping out during tense moments.
The Victrix ProCon BFG (buy now) has so much to love while being better priced than much of the competition. It has a neat modular design so you can set up all its attachments just as you need it. That can mean a taller analogue stick, different D-Pads or even a flight pad module with extra face buttons. It also has four back buttons which are great for certain commands.
The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro (buy now) offers better battery life than most and a sizeable build that feels good in your hands, providing you can reach for everything. There are some rather nice RGB lighting effects too!
The Thrustmaster T248 (buy now) feels incredibly satisfying once you’ve got used to it. Three types of force feedback throws you into the action while there are magnetic paddle shifters for working your way up (or down) the gears.
The best PS5 controllers you can buy today:
Best PS5 controller for most people
1. Sony DualSense Controller
Stuff Verdict
Elegant yet effective, the Sony DualSense Controller will suit most players thanks to it offering the essentials.
Pros
- Advanced haptics and adaptive triggers for immersive gameplay
- Comfortable ergonomic design with a built-in mic and speaker
Cons
- Battery life is relatively short (~7–10 hours)
- Adaptive triggers can wear out over time with heavy use
| Sony DualSense Controller specs | |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless / USB-C |
| Buttons | 15 |
| Weight | 282g |
The Sony DualSense Controller is an uncomplicated controller because it doesn’t have anything to prove. You already have one bundled with your PS5 but a second one is ideal when gaming with others. It feels great in your hands with an ergonomic design that suits all hand sizes. Everything about the Sony DualSense Controller feels sleek and premium too but it’s the new features that stand out most. There’s now haptic feedback which is a superior form of vibration than we’ve seen before. It feels more visceral and more realistic than a simple rumble.
There are also tactile adaptive triggers that you can squeeze down on to feel in more control, whether you’re web-slinging or taking a tricky corner in a racing game. Battery life has never been a Playstation controller’s strong point but other than that, the Sony DualSense Controller is perfect for the majority of needs and budgets.
Best PS5 controller overall
2. Sony DualSense Edge Controller
Stuff Verdict
More premium with some excellent ergonomic back buttons, the Sony DualSense Edge Controller is a classy device despite some issues.
Pros
- Customisable back buttons and swappable thumbsticks
- Adjustable trigger stops for faster inputs
Cons
- Expensive compared to other premium controllers
- Shorter battery life than the standard DualSense
| Sony DualSense Edge Controller specs | |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless / USB-C |
| Buttons | 17 |
| Weight | 300g |
The Sony DualSense Edge Controller should be the controller to beat all controllers given it’s made by Sony. It’s certainly a more high-end version of the regular DualSense controller. It has all the advantages you expect along with useful software integration so you can fine-tune the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback to your liking. You can also customise function buttons under the control sticks, as well as benefit from two back button attachments. It’s also a little heavier so it feels more high-end, while still feeling comfy in your hands.
That’s all certainly very appealing but there are third-party solutions with more customisation options as well as better battery life.
Ultimately, the Sony DualSense Edge Controller could have gone further but if you appreciate having the official article every time, you’ll still like how well this works. It’ll also appeal if you find too many triggers intimidating or confusing.
- Read more: Sony DualSense Edge Controller review
Best customisable PS5 controller
3. Scuf Reflex Pro
Stuff Verdict
Full of great features, customisation options, and more, the Scuf Reflex Pro is the ultimate controller but it costs a fortune.
Pros
- Four remappable back paddles for custom controls
- Textured grip for better handling during long sessions
Cons
- Pricey for a third-party controllerm controllers
- No support for haptic feedback or adaptive triggers
| Scuf Reflex Pro specs | |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless / USB-C |
| Buttons | 19 |
| Weight | 300g |
The Scuf Reflex Pro is the controller we grab first but it’s a heck of an investment to make. The most personal a controller can feel, the Scuf Reflex Pro offers a vast amount of customisation options as you can change the colours of every single element of the controller from the thumbtacks to the triggers. It comes with four removable and remappable rear paddles so you can get things set up just how you need them to be, giving you the potential edge while playing.
There are three on-board configuration profile options so you won’t need to worry about remapping all the time if you frequently play the same few games. There are interchangeable thumbsticks too, thereby suiting every hand and grip. Potentially more comfortable than even the official model, the Scuf Reflex Pro is a force to be reckoned with but one that can be very expensive as you make more adjustments.
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Best PS5 controller for multiplayer
4. Victrix ProCon BFG
Stuff Verdict
More affordable than most with plenty of customisation options, if the Victrix Pro BFG had haptics, it could be even better.
Pros
- Modular design with interchangeable button layouts
- Excellent battery life for wireless play
Cons
- No haptic feedback or adaptive triggers
- Bulkier than standard PlayStation controllers
| Victrix ProCon BFG specs | |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless / USB-C |
| Buttons | Up to 20 |
| Weight | 298g |
We’ll get the bad news out of the way — the Victrix Pro BFG doesn’t have a vibration pack in it. That means you’re missing out on any kind of feedback, let alone haptic feedback. We’re frustrated too as the Victrix Pro BFG has so much to love while being better priced than much of the competition. It has a neat modular design so you can set up all its attachments just as you need it. That can mean a taller analogue stick, different D-Pads or even a flight pad module with extra face buttons. It also has four back buttons which are great for certain commands.
The downside is its frustrating lack of rumble function. It’s strange going back to a world without haptic feedback or even a rumble or two. It’s also a bit on the light side so it feels less satisfying in your hands.
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Best PS5 controller for battery life
5. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro
Stuff Verdict
Having so many buttons is great, but the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro misses out on vibration and a more accurate design.
Pros
- Mecha-tactile buttons for a faster, more responsive feel
- Six remappable buttons for extra customisation
Cons
- No haptic feedback or adaptive triggers
- Wired-only on PC, limiting flexibility
| Razer Wolverine V2 Pro specs | |
|---|---|
| Connection | Wireless / USB-C |
| Buttons | 21 |
| Weight | 279g |
More buttons are better, right? The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro certainly gives you plenty of functionality with a handful of extra buttons compared to the competition. The extra triggers are useful even if its buttons rarely feel as satisfying as others. Also, the back buttons can be awkward to reach for given they’re quite high up the controller. It all feels a bit third-party controller from old, even though it has great functionality.
Better news comes from the wide thumbsticks that benefit anyone with larger hands. It also offers better battery life than most and a sizeable build that feels good in your hands, providing you can reach for everything. There are some rather nice RGB lighting effects too if you’re that way inclined. We just wish it felt a bit more comfortable. Besides being hefty on smaller hands, the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro’s controls really don’t feel as premium as the price tag would suggest.
Best PS5 racing wheel
6. Thrustmaster T248
Stuff Verdict
The Thrustmaster T248 might only be any good for racing games but it’s a truly exceptional experience.
Pros
- Hybrid force feedback for realistic driving sensations
- Built-in display with telemetry information
Cons
- Pedals feel less premium compared to the wheel itself
- No direct support for haptic feedback on PS5 games
| Thrustmaster T248 specs | |
|---|---|
| Connection | USB |
| Buttons | 25 |
| Weight | 2.7kg |
If you love to play racing games like Gran Turismo 7, a controller doesn’t really cut it. You need the Thrustmaster T248 steering wheel. It feels incredibly satisfying once you’ve got used to it. Three types of force feedback throws you into the action while there are magnetic paddle shifters for working your way up (or down) the gears. Pedals are also included so you don’t have to rely on pressing a button although there are 25 action buttons in all.
It’s likely you’ll need to spend a day mastering things, setting up the customised buttons, and learning how to use the built-in display, but you won’t go back to the usual way of playing. It feels far more realistic this way, giving you a real sense of speed and progression. For those certain occasions, the Thrustmaster T248 suits your needs wonderfully even if you may not use it every day.
Jennifier Allen
