- 9.00/10 1. Premium pick: Piranha Performance Chrome Gold PS4 Controller
- 9.20/10 2. Editors choice: Sony DualShock 4
- 8.80/10 3. Best value: GEEKLIN Wireless Controller
- 8.60/10 4. PICTEK PS4 Controller
- 9.20/10 5. TopACE PS4 Controller
- 7.40/10 6. ROTTAY Wired PS4 Controller
- 8.00/10 7. TERIOS Wireless Controller
The PlayStation 4 has a great range of games and an equally impressive range of controllers for playing them.
Whether you're looking for something more affordable than the official controller, or you want to splash out for a more luxurious model, there are plenty of options for you to choose from.
Here are the best PS4 controllers available today.
If you're on the hunt for something even better than the official PS4 controller, the Piranha Performance Chrome Gold PS4 Controller is your best choice. Piranha Performance takes Sony's DualShock 4 controllers and modifies them to look amazing.
As a result, when you buy one of these controllers, you get all the functionality and reliability of an official product while also having that unique flair that comes with purchasing a third-party model.
Of course, for this product model to be profitable, the controllers have to be sold at a higher price than Sony's own. However, if you're looking for a premium controller either for yourself or a loved one, it's worth the extra money!
- Chrome Gold shell and available in 13 other colors
- Uses the Sony DualShock controller as a base
- Brand: Piranha
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: 6 hours, rechargeable
- Connectivity: Wireless, wired
- Headset Support: Yes
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: No
- Durable and familiar design
- Comfortable to hold
- Supports all standard DualShock features
- Aesthetic changes only, no added features compared to DualShock controller
The Sony DualShock 4 is the official controller for the PlayStation 4. As such, it's a perfect choice if you don't want to gamble with third-party controllers. Suppose you're concerned that an unofficial controller won't have Bluetooth compatibility or work on PC. In that case, you're better off getting the official one to make absolutely sure it has all the features you need.
The primary sticking point with the DualShock 4 is the price. Third-party manufacturers offer alternatives at a much lower cost, which leaves the official controller looking like an unnecessary expense. However, given that it integrates seamlessly with the PlayStation 4, it might be worth the investment.
- Sony's official PlayStation 4 controller
- Comes in a wide range of colors
- Can be used in wireless or wired mode
- Brand: Sony
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: 6 hours, rechargeable
- Connectivity: Wireless, wired
- Headset Support: Yes
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: No
- Can be used for PC and mobile gaming
- Low response time
- More expensive than alternatives
- Controller colors and designs aren't as interesting as third-party options
The GEEKLIN Wireless Controller isn't the cheapest controller on the market, but it does give you the best bang for your buck. It contains all the much-wanted features that the official controller has, such as a gyroscope, touchpad, and vibration.
However, despite its already-great price, the GEEKLIN controller also innovates. On the back of the controller, where your fingers usually rest, are L3 and R3 buttons. These buttons act the same as when you push the analog sticks in but are a lot easier to push.
On top of all this, the controller itself feels very well-made. It's just the right weight, and the plastic doesn't feel brittle or cheap. You might even mistake this for the DualShock 4 at first!
- L3 and R3 buttons on the back
- Features a gyroscope and touchpad
- Brand: GEEKLIN
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: 4 hours, rechargeable
- Connectivity: Wireless, wired
- Headset Support: Yes
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: Yes
- Affordable when compared to the alternatives
- Premium-feel at affrodable price
- Short, four-hour battery life
Many third-party controllers tend to only work correctly with a PS4, and on PC if you're lucky. The PICTEK PS4 Controller, however, can work with PS4, PS3, PC, and Android devices. You'll need a USB cable to play on an Android device, but the option is there!
This controller also has a turbo button, which many controllers don't have. This rapidly inputs a specific button press over and over, so you can continuously perform an action without wearing out your thumbs.
This model comes equipped with DualShock-standard features, like vibration, a touchpad, and a 3.5mm jack for wired headsets.
- Works with PS4, PS3, PC, and Android
- Features a turbo button
- Fully-functional touchpad
- Brand: PICTEK
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: 16 hours, rechargeable
- Connectivity: Wireless, wired
- Headset Support: Yes
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: Yes
- Features pleasing backlights on the face buttons
- Better battery life than the DualShock controller
- Comfortable to hold
- Buttons are initially quite hard, but break in over time
Often, when you buy a third-party controller, it doesn't come with every single feature on the official controller. For example, a controller may feel good to play games with but won't have a touchpad. Some of the more feature-packed controllers still miss details such as the gyroscope in the PS4 controller.
The TopACE PS4 Controller, however, does not have this problem. You name it, it has it; a gyroscope, touchpad, HD vibration, and a Share button. All this comes at a price point that's quite a bit less than the official controller.
However, this controller doesn't stop there. It does have some handy features not found on official controllers, such as a no-slip grip on the sides and a larger battery. As such, this is the best controller that's one-to-one with the official product but without the high price tag.
- Has a built-in gyroscope
- Features anti-slip grips on the sides
- Brand: TopACE
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: 10 hours, rechargeable
- Connectivity: Wireless, wired
- Headset Support: Yes
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: No
- Near-identical to the official product
- Nicely textured anti-grip on the handles and sticks
- Can't perform precise movements in FPS games
If you don't mind sacrificing a few features for a great price, try the ROTTAY Wired Controller. As the name suggests, it has no wireless functionality and has to be plugged into the console directly. It also doesn't have a gyro, a touchpad, or an audio jack.
However, if you don't mind excluding these features, there's a lot to love. The 6.5-foot cable is longer than the DualShock's USB cord, making it perfect for stretching all the way to the couch. Its stylish buttons and sleek design make it very aesthetically pleasing.
Finally, the ROTTAY controller is one of the cheapest on the market. For the same price as an official controller, you can buy multiples of the ROTTAY. This makes it an excellent choice for expanding a controller collection for friends and family to play along, all without breaking the bank.
- 6.5-foot cable
- Integrated light bar
- Brand: ROTTAY
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: No
- Connectivity: Wired
- Headset Support: No
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: No
- Affordable price
- Unique, wired designs
- No audio jack
- Sticks aren't very sensitive
If you're after the sleekest controller on the market, it's hard to beat the TERIOS controller. It uses a modern, smooth design in different colors, so you can choose the one that calls to you the most. It also has additional buttons for easier gameplay, such as L3 and R3 buttons on the back.
Its ergonomic design and materials make it a comfy fit within your hands.
The TERIOS can connect wirelessly, but it has a spotty performance. As such, this controller is best used when you wire it directly into the console. Despite this, its competitive price makes this controller a solid choice for those on a budget.
- Features L3 and R3 buttons on the back
- Comes in four colors
- Brand: TERIOS
- Platform: PlayStation 4
- Battery: 4 hours, rechargeable
- Connectivity: Wireless, wired
- Headset Support: No
- Programmable: No
- Extra Buttons: No
- Feels comfortable to hold
- Unique and aesthetically-pleasing designs
- Inconsistent wireless performance
FAQ
Q: Why Are PS4 Controllers so Expensive?
You'll notice that the official PS4 controller comes in at a higher price than most third-party offerings. This is due to a combination of factors.
First, some third-party controllers will skimp on the features that a regular PS4 controller would have.
Also, PS4 controllers are built to last a long time. Third-party controllers may only last one or two years, but a PS4 controller can keep going for much longer. As such, while PS4 controllers are pricier, they'll likely stick around for years to come.
Q: How Many Controllers Do You Need for the PS4?
The PS4 requires one controller per player. If you intend for only one person to play on the PS4, then one controller will do just fine. However, as soon as you want to play multiplayer games and add more people, you need to get a controller for each player.
This is why third-party controllers are so appealing to people. If you have a bunch of friends or family who want to play along with you, buying many official controllers can get pricey. However, getting third-party controllers helps save a lot of money.
Q: Are Knock-Off PS4 Controllers Good?
As with other electronics, you'll find variable quality among third-party PS4 controllers. Some models closely emulate the official controller, but others may feel cheap, lack features, or break after a short period.
As such, it's important to research the third-party controllers before purchase. You should consider whether it has the features you want, if it comes with vibration, and if there is a touchpad included. It's also worth checking out user reviews to see how the controller fares in the real world.
