Best PS4 controller: Ultimate DualShock 4 beaters

published 4 January 2022

If like many people in the world, you have yet to get a PS5, then don't fret: upgrading your PlayStation 4 controller will make you feel a little bit better.

We're huge fans of the official DualShock 4 PS4 controller, but even we have to admit there are some reasons to look elsewhere for the best PS4 controller.

For a start, there's no official Elite controller like the Xbox One's, but other companies do make pads with extra buttons and customisable features.

Or perhaps you just want one with a design closer to the Xbox gamepad design, or a controller the kids can use without struggling to reach the buttons.

Here are some of the best PS4 controllers you'll find. While none of them are a patch on what Sony has done with the PlayStation Sense controller for the PS5 - which is an absolute wonder of technology - these will help your PS4 gaming, until you are ready to upgrade.

Oh, and it's worth noting that Sony’s PS Remote Play app means that you can stream your PlayStation game playing to an iOS device. Sony recently revealed that you can now use the PS5 controller to control your games. So if you are ever thinking about upgrading then it's good to know that you won't need to use the best PS4 controller to play your iOS streamed PS5 games going forward.

Next, read up on the best PS4 games
PS5 review: a stunning console with a fantastic controller

Best PS4 controller

The Razer Raiju was one of the early ultra-high quality third-party PS4 pads. Razer has now updated it for 2019. And it has two key appeals.First, the shape is closer to an Xbox One pad’s than that of the DualShock 4. The buttons also use mechanical triggers, which gives you a much more precise and click feel (and sound) than a DualShock 4. The controls are super-sensitive, which may not appeal to everyone. But few casual gamers will want to spend this much on a pad anyway. Right?

Consider a Hori Gamepad Mini if you don’t trust kids, compete with snotty hands and lack of respect for anything you own, with your DualShock 4 pads. It’s around half the price of Sony’s own pad, and smaller too.You get all the basic controls of the standard PS4 pad, but none of the frills. There’s no wireless, no motion controls or light bar, no vibration feedback or touchpad. However, it’ll still control almost all games, and feels solid for a lower-cost third-party pad.

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Andrew Williams has written about tech for a decade. He has written for a stack of magazines and websites including Wired, TrustedReviews, TechRadar and Stuff.