This list explains the best and most durable controllers you can buy for both PC and Xbox. I will show pros and cons of each one.

Disclaimer: This article DOES NOT contain any affiliated or sponsored link. I am completely neutral and won’t earn anything if you decide to get one of these controllers.

I think that Xbox controllers are the best option also for PC users because they became the standard and work flawlessly in any game.

Of course, you can play on PC also with a Switch Pro or Playstation controller, but often you will have to use workarounds, install third-party software, or manually configure each button. Steam is the main exception because there you can select the controller you wish to use, but nowadays our game library is spread out among several platforms.

Note: In order to select a specific controller on Steam, go to “Settings”, then press “Controller”, and finally select “General Controller Settings”. Here you will be able to configure Steam for Xbox, Playstation, or Switch Pro controllers.

The old Xbox 360 controllers were unbreakable, and also the Xbox One ones had a long lifespan, but over time their build quality decreased. The number of players with controller issues is higher than in the past, and there is no way to avoid them completely.

I decided to write this list after testing controllers for almost an entire year.

Most durable controllers

Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition

The Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition and the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 are the best picks if you are looking for a top-tier controller, but I warmly recommend the former because it is a lot more reliable. I will discuss in specific all the issues affecting the Elite Series 2 in its own section below.

The ABXY buttons alone are worth the expense - Razer calls them “tactile switches”. They are sort of mechanical buttons that provide an amazing tactile feeling.

Unfortunately, the colour of the letters tends to fade over time.
The main difference between the Wolverine Ultimate and Tournament Edition’s ABXY buttons is that the former has very light buttons while the latter has harder ones. Honestly, it depends on your preference, but I am mostly a fan of the TE.

The Thumbsticks are smooth and easy to use because they are very wide, but they are not as good as the Xbox ones. You also have extra extended thumbsticks that I recommend on the right side for better accuracy.

Razer provides two swappable D-pads, however, they are both average. The Tournament Edition has a way better one.

Bumpers and Triggers are ergonomic and easier to use than standard Xbox controllers, and the grip is good because Razer used a matte paint.

Triggers do not look as high quality as the Elite Series 2 ones, but they still feel better for longer game sessions because of the lower tension.
Trigger stops work fine.

There are a total of 6 extra buttons - it will take some time to get used to the top ones. The back paddles are very responsive, and I usually map ABXY on them, while the top buttons are mostly an extra you may find useful for specific binds in some games.

As a side note, I heard that the extra two top buttons are the least reliable part of the controller.

The controller is only wired, and it uses micro-USB. This isn’t a problem for me, but note that if the cable breaks, finding an official replacement seems a bit difficult. You can use any micro-USB cable, however, be sure to buy a very thin one because Razer made a custom plug-in, so big cables won’t fit.

In my opinion, the software is the weakest point, but at the end of the day you will get used to it.

Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition

All the controllers nowadays can have issues, but it looks like the Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition is the most durable among them all, and with the least amount of potential issues.

Note: this controller is very similar to the Razer Wolverine Ultimate Edition, so I will often compare them.

I already talked about the amazing ABXY buttons while explaining the Ultimate Edition, and honestly the TE ones are even better because they feel very strong and clicky.

The Thumbsticks are almost the same used in the Ultimate, but they feel a bit worse. Moreover, you don’t have an extended thumbstick for the right side, and as they are so wide, KontrolFreek thumbsticks won’t fit on them easily. I suggest taking the Playstation 4 ones and smoothing them a bit in order to not ruin the controller ones.

The D-pad is amazing, and a lot better than the Ultimate Edition one.

Bumpers and Triggers are the same used in the Ultimate, but they can be a bit slippery sometimes because they lack a matte finish. Trigger stops are the same.

There are a total of 4 extra buttons, and it will take time to get used to them because of their placement. Two of them are located at the top, like in the Ultimate Edition, while the remaining two are on the back of the controller.

In my opinion, if you need a controller with paddles, you should buy the Ultimate Edition because two back paddles are not enough to map ABXY.
I suggest mapping the left and right thumbsticks on the two back paddles of the TE: in this way you will preserve the sticks more and avoid potential drifting issues.

Cable and Software are the same used for the Ultimate.

Concluding, if you don’t need the extra paddles of the Ultimate Edition, I warmly recommend buying the Tournament Edition as it is the most durable and reliable among all the controllers listed in this article.

Xbox Wireless Controller

The standard Xbox controller doesn’t require a lot of explanations. I think it is the best choice for players who don’t need extra buttons, and I feel comfortable while playing with it.

That said, I want to point out that while the old Xbox controllers were quite reliable in the long run (my 360 and Xbox One controllers lasted for almost 5 years each), these new ones seem to have a worse build quality.

Depending on your usage, you might not have issues at all and enjoy it. However, if you are a heavy gamer, issues tend to happen. For example, I experienced stick drift on one of them after about 6 months, and another one had RT trigger issues after a few weeks.

Unfortunately, tech isn’t as durable as in the past, but do not lose your hopes. Despite all this, the standard Xbox controller is still the most durable one for those who don’t need extra buttons, and overall the percentage of people having problems with it is a LOT lower than those who bought the Elite Series 2.

Top tier but unreliable controller

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2

The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 would be the best controller on the market if it wasn’t plagued by build quality issues. If you ever buy one, I suggest getting an extended warranty as you don’t want to send the controller back to Microsoft for a long repair.

Common issues: ABXY buttons failure, Stick drift, Bumper and Trigger issues.

The ABXY buttons are standard, the Razer ones are on another level.

The Thumbsticks are very smooth and the best ones among all controllers, but it seems they tend to drift after a few months.

As usual, I suggest using the extended thumbsticks on the right side.
You have several extra sticks, and among them I recommend trying the wide ones because they are very comfortable.

The D-pad is a bit slippery, but overall is acceptable.

The Bumpers are fine. The Triggers feel better than the standard Xbox controller, and the grip is good because of the matte paint. The controller has amazing trigger stops with 3 levels of length.

The Elite Series 2 has the best back paddles among all the controllers I have ever tried. They are tactile, stable, and are placed in a very ergonomic position.

The controller has an integrated battery, which is a nice addition, but I am afraid that it will start lasting fewer hours over time as it can’t be changed.

The software is awesome. You can edit anything, and there is a button on the controller to switch among 3 profiles.

Budget controllers

PowerA Enhanced, Spectra, and Fusion Pro

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller - Image: PowerA

PowerA (all the Xbox controller variants) and PowerA Fusion Pro are budget options for those who want the Xbox and the Elite Series 2 controllers at a cheaper price. Overall, while they feel less sturdy than the original ones, they are usable (the back paddles are subpar), and most of the players will enjoy them.

Common issues: Headphone jack not working, Stick drift, Trigger issues, Loose back paddles.

In most cases, the issues start after 3-6 months as it seems like these controllers were not made for long-term usage.

As I have explained before, the lack of reliability is a common issue among most of the controller manufacturers, so I can’t really blame PowerA. I would say that their products are a bit inconsistent, so depending on your usage you might be fine for a couple of years, or start noticing small/big issues after a few months.

PDP

PDP (all the Xbox controller variants) is another suggested budget controller. I have no direct experience with it, but from the info I could get their situation is similar to PowerA.

Custom high-tier controllers

I have not personally tested the following controllers, so I will explain them briefly based on the info I gathered so far.

Battle Beaver makes custom and quite expensive controllers, and several people claim they are one of the best options for high-quality ones (note: outstanding features, but reliability seems average). Honestly, I would have tried one of their controllers already if they sold pre-made ones on Amazon (for warranty).

Scuff is a very famous brand, and while their controllers are exceptionally good, it looks like they tend to break almost as easily as the Xbox Elite Series 2.

Cheap and solid controller for PC

Logitech F310 and Logitech F710 are old, cheap, but very reliable PC controllers.

I know countless people that bought them over the years, and it seems they last as long as the old Xbox 360 controllers. Overall, I would not suggest them nowadays because they lack new features, but if you can find them on sale, they aren’t a shabby option as a backup controller.

Controllers worth mentioning

Razer Wolverine V2

The Razer Wolverine V2 is the latest controller made by Razer. I do not recommend it because it costs almost as much as the Tournament and Ultimate Edition, but it has fewer features and some issues.

It has no back buttons.
It is hard-wired and with an average quality cable, so if the cable breaks, your controller is dead.
There is a design flaw due to which you can’t press the Bumper and Trigger at the same time, or they will grind against each other.

If Razer fixes the latest two flaws, and lowers the price, the Wolverine V2 could become a great alternative to the standard Xbox controller.

Thrustmaster ESWAP X PRO Controller

I have no direct experience with this controller, but I read as much as I could on it because I am genuinely intrigued by their Hot Swap system. In short, you can change most controller parts, such as Thumbsticks, Triggers, etc. without replacing the whole controller but just a module.

The idea is good, and it looks like the overall build quality of the controller isn’t bad either, but I read about people forced to disconnect and reconnect a part once in a while otherwise it would stop working properly.

Moreover, the back buttons seem uncomfortable, and the controller itself is quite big, so could be a better fit for players with big hands.

That said, considering all the controllers have issues nowadays, the Thrustmaster ESWAP X PRO looks like a potential choice because of its solid build, so I suggest giving it a try if you are looking for something different from the usual.

Header image: Microsoft