LootList

Gaming / Reviews

Review roundup

The best PS5 controllers, in plain English

An extra controller is one of the most-asked-for PS5 gifts. We read the expert tests and boiled them down: what testers liked, what wears out, and who each controller is for.

  • Last reviewed October 19, 2026
  • 7 PS5 controllers
  • 5 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Short on time? Start here

Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best for most people Sony DualSense Wireless Controller $55–$75 Sony's own controller, with the PS5's special rumble and triggers. See details Best upgrade Sony DualSense Edge $180–$200 Back buttons, and sticks you can replace when they wear out. See details Best for tinkerers Victrix Pro BFG $160–$210 Rearrange the sticks and buttons to fit how they play. See details Best for accessibility PlayStation Access Controller $80–$90 Big, movable buttons for players with limited hand movement. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

Start with these before looking at brand names.

Sony's own or another brand?

Sony's DualSense has haptic rumble (detailed vibration you can feel in different spots) and adaptive triggers (triggers that push back, like a bow string). Most other brands skip those to add back buttons and longer battery life.

Stick drift

Over time, regular thumbsticks can wear out and make characters move on their own. That's called stick drift. Hall effect sticks (magnetic sticks) resist it, and the DualSense Edge lets you swap in a new stick when one wears out.

Battery and back buttons

The DualSense lasts about 6 to 10 hours per charge, so a charging stand helps. Back buttons (extra buttons under the grips) let players jump or reload without moving a thumb off the stick, which helps in shooting games.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

ControllerBest forTypical priceMade byBatteryBack buttons?
1. Sony DualSense Wireless Controller Best for most people $55–$75Sony (official)About 6 to 10 hoursNo
2. Sony DualSense Edge Best upgrade $180–$200Sony (official)About 6 hoursYes
3. Victrix Pro BFG Best for tinkerers $160–$210PDP (licensed for PS5)About 20 hoursYes
4. Nacon Revolution 5 Pro Best drift-resistant $160–$200Nacon (licensed for PS5)-Yes
5. PlayStation Access Controller Best for accessibility $80–$90Sony (official)About 9 to 12 hoursNo
6. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro Best battery life $150–$250Razer (licensed for PS5)LongYes
7. Scuf Reflex Pro Best for custom colors $200–$220Scuf (licensed for PS5)-Yes

The 7 best PS5 controllers, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best for most people

Sony DualSense Wireless Controller

  • Sony (official)
  • Wireless or USB-C cable
  • About 6 to 10 hours

$55–$75typical price

The safest pick. Every expert list we read includes it, and TechRadar and Popular Science name it the best PS5 controller overall.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks

Also works on PC. It comes in lots of colors, which makes it an easy gift.

What testers liked

  • Haptic rumble and adaptive triggers make games feel more real.
  • Comfortable and well built.
  • Built-in mic and speaker.
  • Lots of colors, often on sale.

Common complaints

  • Short battery life, about 6 to 10 hours.
  • Sticks can start to drift after heavy use.

Skip it if: They already have one and play competitive shooters. The DualSense Edge (#2) adds back buttons and replaceable sticks.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (5)

Summed up from TechRadar, Stuff, Popular Science, Tom's Guide, Dexerto.

#2Best upgrade

Sony DualSense Edge

  • Sony (official)
  • Wireless or USB-C cable
  • About 6 hours

$180–$200typical price

Sony's pro controller keeps all the PS5 rumble and trigger effects and adds pro features. Stuff names it the best PS5 controller overall.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks: Replaceable sticks

What testers liked

  • Back buttons you can swap and set up.
  • Stick modules you can replace when one wears out.
  • Adjustable trigger stops (shorter trigger pulls for faster shots).
  • Comes with a carrying case.

Common complaints

  • Expensive, about $200.
  • Battery is even shorter than the regular DualSense.
  • Uses regular sticks, not drift-resistant ones.

Testers disagree on: Color. Tom's Guide heard the white version's grips can stain and suggests black. Other testers didn't mention it.

Skip it if: They play casually. The regular DualSense (#1) has the same feel for much less.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (4)

Summed up from Stuff, Popular Science, Tom's Guide, Dexerto.

#3Best for tinkerers

Victrix Pro BFG

  • PDP (licensed for PS5)
  • Wireless or cable
  • About 20 hours

$160–$210typical price

A build-your-own controller. Parts snap in and out, including a fighting-game button pad. TechRadar names it the best premium PS5 controller.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks: Reloaded version

The newer Pro BFG Reloaded adds drift-resistant Hall effect sticks.

What testers liked

  • Swap the stick layout, D-pad and even a six-button fighting pad.
  • Four back buttons.
  • Trigger stops with several settings.
  • Long battery life, about 20 hours.

Common complaints

  • No PS5 haptic rumble or adaptive triggers.
  • Pricey.
  • Setting up buttons and triggers can be tricky, and there's no mic.

Skip it if: They love the PS5's rumble and trigger effects. Pick the DualSense Edge (#2) instead.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (4)

Summed up from TechRadar, Stuff, Popular Science, Dexerto.

#4Best drift-resistant

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro

  • Nacon (licensed for PS5)
  • Wireless or cable

$160–$200typical price

Built to resist stick drift, with magnetic sticks and triggers. Dexerto ranks it the best PS5 controller, and Tom's Guide recommends it.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks

What testers liked

  • Hall effect sticks and triggers that resist drift.
  • Four back buttons and three sets of swappable sticks.
  • Adjustable weights, so you can make it heavier or lighter.
  • Plug a headset in and mix game and chat sound.

Common complaints

  • Rumble doesn't work on PS5.
  • Short D-pad presses, and a little wireless delay.

Skip it if: They want the PS5's rumble effects. The DualSense Edge (#2) has them.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Dexerto, Tom's Guide.

#5Best for accessibility

PlayStation Access Controller

  • Sony (official)
  • Wireless
  • About 9 to 12 hours

$80–$90typical price

Sony's controller for players with physical disabilities. Big buttons and a stick snap on in whatever layout works best. TechRadar, Popular Science and Dexerto all recommend it.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks

Made for players with limited hand or arm movement. It can be paired with a DualSense or a second Access controller.

What testers liked

  • Big, swappable buttons and stick caps.
  • Can be turned to any angle, and saves up to 30 setups.
  • Can be combined with another controller.
  • High-quality parts.

Common complaints

  • Some games need two of them, or one plus a DualSense.
  • Small parts are easy to lose.
  • Costs more than a DualSense.

Skip it if: They don't need accessibility features. The regular DualSense (#1) costs less.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (3)

Summed up from TechRadar, Popular Science, Dexerto.

#6Best battery life

Razer Wolverine V2 Pro

  • Razer (licensed for PS5)
  • Wireless or cable
  • Long

$150–$250typical price

Lots of extra buttons and a long battery. Stuff picks it as the best PS5 controller for battery life, and Dexerto recommends it for larger hands.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks

What testers liked

  • Long battery life.
  • Six extra buttons you can set up.
  • Clicky, mouse-style buttons.
  • Suits larger hands, with an easy app.

Common complaints

  • No PS5 haptic rumble or adaptive triggers.
  • Back buttons are hard to reach.
  • Expensive, with regular sticks that can drift.

Skip it if: They have small hands or want the PS5's trigger effects.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Stuff, Dexerto.

#7Best for custom colors

Scuf Reflex Pro

  • Scuf (licensed for PS5)
  • Wireless or cable

$200–$220typical price

Feels like a DualSense, plus back paddles and lots of custom colors. Stuff picks it as the most customizable PS5 controller, and Dexerto recommends it.

Has

  • PS5 rumble and triggers: check listing
  • Back buttons
  • Drift-resistant sticks

What testers liked

  • Four removable back paddles.
  • Many colors and designs to choose from.
  • Grippy and comfortable, like a DualSense.

Common complaints

  • Expensive, and upgrades add more.
  • The face buttons have no symbols on them.
  • Regular sticks that can drift.

Testers disagree on: Trigger effects. Dexerto lists adjustable trigger resistance. Stuff says it lacks the PS5's haptics and adaptive triggers. Check the listing for the exact model.

Skip it if: You want the best value. The DualSense Edge (#2) costs about the same and has every PS5 feature.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Stuff, Dexerto.

How we pick

More gaming reviews