For many gamers, the choice of which controller to use with the PS4 is already made for them, since the Sony DualShock 4 ships with the system. However, inevitably these devices succumb to countless hours of use, prompting gamers to hunt for the best PS4 controller to replace them. While not as expensive as the PS5's DualSense controller, the DualShock 4 is still a pricey purchase for a last-gen console. Fortunately, there are third-party controllers that offer the same level or better functionality than the official Sony peripheral and cost only a fraction of its price.

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When searching for an alternative to the DualSense 4, buyers should focus on build quality, what customization a controller allows for, and whether wired or wireless connectivity is ideal. Some third-party controllers try to address the shortcomings of the DualShock 4 by offering longer battery life or larger or smaller form factors to accommodate more gamers. Other buyers look for nimble Esports-approved controllers emphasizing customization and button responsiveness over features that add weight like vibration motors. Ranging from $20 to several hundred dollars, among the following choices there is the best PS4 controller for even the fussiest gamer.

Third-party console accessories don't always have the best reputation for craftsmanship, but Nacon's products are an exception to the rule. Carrying a premium price, the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro V3 offers a larger size and more ergonomic shape than the official PS4 DualShock controller. Also, the Revolution Unlimited Pro V3 is far more customizable with a PC app that allows users to create new profiles with different button mappings and settings including dead zone sensitivity and vibration intensity.

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Shipping with a Bluetooth USB receiver, the Revolution Unlimited Pro V3 is compatible with the PS4 and PC. If buyers want to avoid any chance of signal interference, Nacon also supplies them with a 10-foot USB-C cable. Battery life also gives gamers a boost compared to the DualShock 4, with a 1300mAh battery providing up to 7 hours of usage.

The customization with the Revolution Unlimited Pro V3 is not limited to software configuration, since the analog sticks are interchangeable with concave and convex shapes as well as shafts of various diameters. The RGB lighting around the right stick is also adjustable to suit the preferences of each gamer. Overall, the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro V3 is an alternative to the official Sony PS4 controller that's far more customizable with a beefier rechargeable battery, making it the best PS4 controller for anything from sports to FPS titles.

If a PS4 gamer is looking for the reliability and stamina that only a wired controller can provide, the Nacon Wired Compact Controller is a tempting option. The controller has smaller handles than the official DualShock, making it easier for gamers with small or medium-sized hands to hold. There is some added bulkiness in the rest of the controller, but overall, its ergonomics are impressive.

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The Nacon Wired Compact Controller emphasizes what really matters on a PlayStation controller with supersized triangle, circle, square, and X buttons. To compensate for the lack of a wireless connection, the controller has a cord that measures nearly 10 feet. There are also dual vibration motors that feel plenty powerful, yet don't create distracting noise.

This Nacon controller includes a headset jack for communicating during multiplayer matches. Also, the controller has a LED indicator on the front that changes color in the same way as the DualShock light bar. Unfortunately, the lack of a conventional light bar poses problems for PSVR compatibility. Overall, with a more ergonomic profile and easier-to-press face buttons, the Nacon Wired Compact Controller is the best wired PS4 controller available.

The Terios Wireless PS4 Controller demonstrates that alternative wireless controllers to the Sony DualShock 4 can actually offer more features for a lesser price. The main advantages of the Terios controller include additional buttons, both to activate turbo for repeating various commands and rear L3 and R3 buttons. The turbo button option really shines in FPS games, especially when spamming the same action repeatedly becomes tiresome.

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At first glance, the Terios Wireless PS4 controller looks very similar to the official Sony controller, but in fact, has a bulkier profile compared to the DualShock 4 which often draws complaints for its small stature. The added weight along with the substantial grips makes it less likely to slide around hands during critical gameplay moments. Battery life is rated at around 12 hours, which is more than acceptable for a controller in this price range.

Some users have reported increased wireless latency compared to Sony's controller, but in general, the performance of the Terios controller is fairly consistent. The Terios Wireless PS4 controller leads the pack of the best wireless PS4 controllers that are affordable competitors to the DualShock, with some additional buttons and features adding to its value.

When entertaining a large group of friends for an unexpected gathering, sometimes purchasing the most inexpensive controller is sensible. The Wired PS4 Controller is a game controller designed to take full advantage of the PS4's excellent library of titles without costing a fortune. It's compatible not only with the PS4, but also with the PS3 and PC. Users can enjoy a wide variety of platforms using the same controller, whether they're in the living room or at their desks. Keep in mind, if you're considering buying the Wired PS4 Controller, it does not come with a headphone jack or microphone.

One of the best features of the Wired PS4 Controller is the dual vibration motors, which help provide an immersive gaming experience. The controller also has a Turbo button, which allows users to set commonly used actions to Turbo Mode. Turbo mode repeatedly activates the button, up to 50 times per second on the Wired PS4 Controller. This makes the controller an excellent peripheral for FPS games where rapid button presses may be required.

The controller also boasts a long 10-foot cable, making it versatile no matter where in the room you roam. At an extremely budget-friendly price, the Wired PS4 Controller is the best controller for PS4 gamers who are without much spare cash.

The YCCTEAM Wireless Game Controller was created with the user's comfort in mind. Its ergonomic shape fits the hand perfectly, making it easy to grip and control for extended gaming sessions. The handle is also made of non-slip and sweat-proof materials, which help to prevent the controller from slipping during gameplay. Regarding performance, the YCCTEAM controller offers precise control and responsive buttons. The analog sticks and trigger buttons are smooth and responsive, with almost no input lag or drift. The controller also features dual-vibration electronic motors, which provide a realistic and immersive gaming experience by simulating various effects such as explosions or impacts.

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In addition to its performance capabilities, the YCCTEAM controller also offers a wide range of functions, including acceleration/gravity sensors, a touch button, a touchpad, and a built-in LED light and speaker. It's equipped with a six-axis sensor, which adds an extra level of realism to the gameplay. With all of these features and functions, the YCCTEAM controller is a comprehensive and reliable choice for gamers who want a versatile and utility-abundant device. YCCTEAM sells an impressive collection of wallet-friendly console accessories, and its Wireless Game Controller is the best PS4 controller for gamers on a budget.

As a follow-up to the popular NACON Revolution Pro Controller 2, the Revolution 3 Pro is a wired controller that ranks as high as any controller in this price range for customization and response time. Sporting a controller cord length of almost 10 feet, gamers won't feel too restricted compared to wireless options. PS4 gamers who prefer larger triggers and action buttons will approve of the Revolution Pro Controller 3, as well as it being a heavier controller with better grips than the standard PS4 DualShock.

Some gamers who focus on FPS titles prefer an agile lightweight controller while other players prefer a more substantial device. To accommodate both camps, the Revolution 3 Pro has two compartments to add or remove weights. The layout of the controller also is appealing to Xbox gamers, with the asymmetrical placement of the analog sticks.

Like other premium NACON controllers, the Revolution Pro Controller 3 allows for extensive customization through their PC app with profiles and button mappings that are adjustable to suit any type of game. Gamers can also remap most controls to the four shortcut buttons on the controller, though the rear shortcut buttons aren't in the most convenient spot. Despite some shortcomings, as a mid-range option, the NACON Revolution Pro 3 has enough advantages to please the most particular and competitive gamers, ranking it among the best wired PS4 controllers.

Compatible with the PS5, the wireless PDP Victrix Pro BFG is both a future-proof and highly customizable controller for PS4 gamers. The controller is definitely Esports-oriented, stripping out some features of the DualShock 4 controller like vibration and haptic feedback, and making the device lighter than most high-end competitors. Instead, the modular PDP Victrix Pro BFG focuses on allowing gamers to change analog sticks and the D-pad with 14 different components included in the box.

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For some PS4 gamers, the battery life of the official PlayStation controllers just isn't nearly enough. The PDP Victrix Pro BFG offers up to 20 hours of playtime on a single charge, thanks to its internal 2000 mAh battery. Unlike many wireless PS4 controllers, the Victrix Pro also works with the PS5, so it's ready if gamers are ready to upgrade their consoles.

One of the most interesting customizations available for the PDP Victrix Pro BFG is the Fight Pad module which features 6-microswitch buttons sure to please fans of Street Fighter or Tekken. The controller also has 4 remappable back buttons and Clutch Triggers with adjustable stopping points, including a hair-trigger setting. Offering flawless wired or wireless performance, the PDP Victrix Pro BFG is the best controller for PS4 Esports competitors who value responsive buttons and plentiful modular customization options.

Sometimes, whether it's due to quality control concerns or the fact that they ship with consoles, nothing beats a first-party controller. For the past two PlayStation releases, Sony introduced some innovative features with its official controllers that took advantage of the new consoles' capabilities. The multitouch touchpad on the Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller is perfect for swiping actions in games or in the PS4's interface. Unfortunately, Sony never made a pro controller for the PS4 as they did with the DualSense Edge for the PS5, so the DualShock is the pinnacle of first-party PS4 controllers on the market.

RELATED: 5 Reasons The DualShock 4 Is The Best Controller Ever (& 5 Reasons It's Not) Some gamers lament the fact that the DualShock 4 is lighter and smaller than other controllers, but its ergonomic design gives users plenty of ways to grip the device. The agile DualShock 4 suits its precise accelerometer and gyroscope which allows gamers to control the action in games without constantly pressing buttons. The built-in speakers are an underrated feature of the Sony controller, which is especially an advantage for gamers without headsets. Racing games in particular make effective use of the speaker with racing team directors shouting commands right into virtual drivers' faces.

With some additions that make gamers feel more immersed in popular titles, the Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller is the best PS4 controller for buyers who want the confidence of using an official Sony accessory.

For more than 10 years, SCUF Gaming has designed some of the most customizable controllers helping the best Esports competitors raise their game. The Impact Pro is a major investment for an aging console like the PS4, but gaming professionals have yet to entirely abandon the system. This wireless SCUF controller in many ways is a DualShock controller on steroids, maintaining most of the official device's features. However, as the best PS4 controller for gamers constantly tweaking their gear, Impact Pro is modifiable to the point that each gamer can end up with a truly unique peripheral.

Unlike other third-party controllers which are more compact versions of the DualShock, the 8.5-ounce Impact Pro is actually larger but with handles wrapped with performance-level grips. Some Esports-worthy controllers tend to strip out standard features like vibration motors to reduce weight, but the Impact Pro reacts convincingly to explosions.

It would take pages to describe all the customization possible with this premium wireless controller, but the 4 detachable rear paddles are perhaps the most significant improvement over the DualShock. The paddles are remappable to most standard PS4 controls, not using software, but rather with SCUF's unique Electro Magnetic Remapping system. By attaching a magnet to the back of the controller, gamers can quickly reassign paddle commands just by pressing and depressing the relevant buttons.

The Impact Pro features adjustable trigger sensitivity which pays off in FPS games where mouse-click-like sensitivity is desirable. Battery life is nothing special, averaging around 6–8 hours, but understandable considering the full suite of features the controller offers. The SCUF Impact Pro is still available on the company's website with an impressive selection of designs as well as alternate thumbsticks and grips.

One positive aspect of buying a controller for an older game system is that just about every controller design that you can imagine has become a reality. Gamers who can't grip larger peripherals and prefer smaller mice and keyboards know how difficult such a search can be. With the Hori PS4 Mini Wired Gamepad, even children or gamers with the smallest hands are not ignored. All the essential PS4 buttons are included on the Hori Mini, including a shrunken touchpad. However, with limited surface area to work with, there is no lightbar, vibration, motion controls, or headset jack on the bottom of the controller.

At a 40 percent small sizer than the DualSense 4, the Hori Mini is not just a slightly smaller version of a traditional controller. This form factor does away with traditional handles on the bottom of the device, instead relying on a surface that's easy to grip for the youngest gamers. It also makes the controller more portable for taking on family trips. If a gamer isn't a fan of the broken-up D-pad on the DualSense 4, Hori takes a different approach with a traditional one-piece unit that's fairly easy for even larger fingers to operate. Hori didn't compromise on the quality of the analog sticks and face buttons either, as both feel like they can withstand the abuse children often inflict on electronics.

The Hori Mini Wired Gamepad obviously isn't intended for larger hands, but if a gamer is searching for a lightweight bare-bones device, they shouldn't overlook this controller. The gamepad is also well-suited for retro gaming where the modern DualSense 4 features aren't missed. Hori's controller is rather pricey for a basic wired device, as asking prices at retailers have grown since the device first debuted. Even so, the Hori Mini Wired Gamepad is among the top PS4 controllers for smaller gamers.

The goal of the Hori Fighting Commander Octa is to shrink large arcade-style fight pads into a more versatile controller form factor. This wired PS4 controller isn't overly complex, but fighting game fans who prefer mashing buttons instead of pressing triggers will appreciate the 2 extra face buttons. The Fighting Commander Octa also has a toggle switch on its backside, which allows users to switch between PS5, PS4, and PC modes. Even better, Hori employs micro switches in the face buttons, which like mechanical keyboard switches, produce instant satisfying clicking responses to inputs. On the downside, these micro switches are not present on the rest of the controller, which may help to its costs reasonable.

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The Hori Fighting Commander Octa is clearly designed with fighting games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat in mind. Since character movement is more basic with these titles, the controller only has one analog stick along with a single D-pad with adjustable sensitivity. The analog stick is a precise 8-way gate design, making it easier to perform complicated attacks and combos. Also, rumble effects which would quickly become tiresome during intense close combat are absent. Even so, the Fighting Commander Octa is not completely useless with other game genres, and Hori copies much of the DualShock 4 functionality with a headset jack and touchpad.

The HORI companion app works on PCs and allows gamers to edit and store 4 button layouts for fighting games that require slightly different control schemes. Even without a computer, users can reassign buttons and adjust D-pad sensitivity by pressing a combination of buttons on the controller.

One negative worth mentioning is the 10-foot cable, which isn't detachable and lacks the flexibility of a braided cord. Also, despite the use of high-quality button switches, the body of the controller feels rather cheap and fragile. Nevertheless, the Hori Fighting Commander Octa offers everything a fighting game fan would look for in a peripheral and is the best PS4 controller for brawlers.

Is it still worth investing in the PS4?

As the months roll on, fewer games compatible with the Sony PlayStation 4 hit store shelves. Sony has yet to close the book on the PS4 entirely, but with the PS5 now more easily found in stock, rumors continue to swirl about its end of life. As a result, gamers preparing for a PS5 purchase may wonder if It's wise to invest in expensive PS4 peripherals like headsets and controllers. Many PS4 headsets are compatible with the PS5, but the situation is murkier when it comes to controllers.

Even if a PS4 gamer plans to invest in a PS5 at some point in the future, there are many controllers compatible with both systems like the PDP Victrix Pro BFG. A common caveat when using PS4 controllers with the PS5 is the ability to power on the console with just the controller itself. Even so, the incredible functionality of the PDP Victrix Pro BFG more than makes up for this annoyance. Otherwise, without such a serious asking price, there are PS4-only wireless controllers like the Terios Wireless Controller that will serve users well until the time comes for an upgrade.

Regardless of console compatibility, there is no reason why a buyer can't find a PS4 controller that excels in build quality and customization. The NACON Revolution Unlimited Pro V3 is a champion in all of these areas with extensive button-remapping capabilities and a choice of analog sticks that compliment any type of game or play style. With Street Fighter 6 hitting store shelves, PS4 gamers may benefit from a gamepad like the HORI Fighting Commander Octa that has responsive controls and makes button mashing less tiresome

The PlayStation 4 is not going away anytime soon, with used consoles in excellent working condition sold regularly. If you aren't yet compelled to upgrade to a PS5, don't hesitate to purchase one of the best PS4 controllers to enhance your gaming experience today.

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FAQ

Q: Is a third party PS4 controller as reliable as an official Sony controller?

It can vary depending on the brand and model of the third-party controller. Some third-party controllers are known for being just as reliable as official Sony controllers, while others may have more issues with connectivity or button responsiveness. It's important to do your research and read reviews before purchasing a third-party controller.

Q: Will a third-party PS4 controller work with all games on the platform?

In most cases, a third-party PS4 controller should work with all games on the platform. However, it's possible that some games may not be fully compatible with certain third-party controllers. It's always a good idea to check the compatibility of a particular controller with the games you want to play before making a purchase.

Q: Are there any compatibility issues with using a third-party PS4 controller?

There may be some compatibility issues with using a third-party PS4 controller, particularly if the controller is not fully compatible with the console. It's important to check the compatibility of a particular controller with your PS4 before purchasing it. Some third-party controllers may also have issues with certain games or features, such as motion control or vibration feedback.