There’s way more than one type of official PS4 controller. Did you know there are at least 20 varieties of PS4 DualShock 4? Most of us may still have the plain black one that ships with the standard PS4, but the iconic gamepad comes in a whole stack of flavours.
How about the translucent “Crystal” or the Last of Us Part II special edition with game insignia stamped into the casing?
What’s our point in bringing these up?
The DualShock 4 is still our first recommendation whenever someone asks about what they should replace an original PS4 controller with, when the old one starts acting up. They aren’t cheap, but they are great.
However, today we will also look at some of the best alternatives.
Some are a lot smaller, handy for the kids or for a portable pad you can stash in a bag. Others are much higher-end PS4 controllers, with advanced features like mappable buttons and variable resistance triggers. Sure, you won’t see a third-party PS4 pad mimic the brand new features of the DualSense controller for PS5, but you can get some that are more like the brilliant Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller.
Here are our favourite PS4 controllers.
1. Sony DualShock 4 Wireless Controller
The original
Reasons to buy
+Great look and feel+Built-in speaker+Highly sensitive motion sensors
Reasons to avoid
–At times feels a little too light–Track pad has deficiencies
The trusty DualShock 4 is always our first recommendation when we’re asked about replacement PS4 controllers.
The DualShock 4 is perfect for its purpose: sleek, small and wireless. Not to mention the built in speaker, varying light bar colors, touch pad and motion detection that enhance play.
This need not be a cop-out option either. You don’t have to make do with the plain old black style shipped with the console. Jazz things up a bit with a red, blue, gold or green camo DualShock 4.
You can attach a gaming headset or headphones to the controller easily too (unlike the Xbox One pad). However, battery life can be a pain. The controller holds charge for around four to eight hours. Frequent top-ups are required so you might want to buy a charge dock, particularly as they use microUSB charging.
Many of us have already moved onto USB-C for our phones, so there are fewer suitable cables lying about the house. Read more about Sony’s official charging station in our best PS4 accessories round-up.
We find the DualShock 4 is a great PS4 controller for someone who just simply wants to get on with playing and isn’t fussed about the customization available in some of the third-party pads below.
Check out our full DualShock 4 controller review.
2. Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro Controller
Customization for the serious gamer
Reasons to buy
+Truly ergonomic+Plentiful customization options+High-quality build
Reasons to avoid
–Button mapping not obvious–Can’t amend profiles on PS4
If you are a PS4 player, but prefer the design of the Xbox One controller, the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro Controller might be a better fit for you. Like the Vantage Controller, the Revolution Pro is built for gamers (more specifically esports) with a directional pad that can move eight ways – instead of four – alongside four shortcut buttons.
However, it’s not quite as complicated to operate as the Vantage, nor is it as expensive.
If you want a PS4 controller with a few extra bells and whistles, but not an overwhelming amount, and prefer a chunkier controller that is a bit more resilient, the Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro Controller could be for you.
Check out our full Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro Controller review.
3. SCUF Vantage Controller
A mostly advantageous (and expensive) modular PS4 controller
Reasons to buy
+Feels great to hold+Modular elements work well+Audio touchpad adds convenience+Customizable aesthetics
Reasons to avoid
–Analog sticks can become stuck–Cross d-pad is too rigid–Dicey R1 and L1–Sax buttons can be difficult to press
If you want your PS4 controller to have a bit more bite, and are more specific about your controller’s performance, the SCUF Vantage Controller is a great option.
Built with gamers in mind, this fully customizable PS4 controller boasts enhanced grip, remappable paddles on the back, side action buttons and an audio touch bar.
Those rear paddles are similar to those of the Xbox Elite Controller. You program them using a switch on the bottom, and flick them with an extended index finger. It’s a different way to play, but offers something the DualShock 4 does not.
Essentially the Vantage controller is built so you can play more comfortably for longer. But unless you know how to optimize its abilities, maybe it’s best to stick to a more straightforward PS4 controller.
Especially because the Vantage Controller is much more expensive than your average DualShock 4.
Check out our full SCUF Vantage Controller review.
4. Razer Raiju Ultimate Wireless PS4 Controller
Go ultimate
Reasons to buy
+Incredibly sturdy and durable+Responsive mechanical buttons+Reliable wired connectivity+Chroma lighting integration
Reasons to avoid
–Annoying latency–D-pad options feel cheap–Limited availability
The Razer Raiju Ultimate Wireless PS4 Controller is more suited to seasoned gamers and pros, allowing advanced customization via the Razer mobile app – that includes remapping and adjusting sensitivity.
This is one of the smartest PS4 gamepads around.
If that’s not enough customization for you, you can also make use of interchangeable thumbsticks, the built-in quick control panel, and Hair Trigger Mode – allowing you to be more trigger-happy than ever before.
Much like the other pro controllers on this list, the Raiju Ultimate is chunkier than the DualShock making it more suitable for those who prefer the Xbox One controller style.
When it launched the controller had an issue with latency when used wireless. This was improved, if not entirely fixed, with a firmware update.
The Raiju Ultimate is a fantastic PS4 controller, but it’s not exactly cheap. Make sure you will make use of advanced customizations before investing – but if you harness the controller’s capabilities then you’ll find your gameplay experience all that much smoother.
Check out our full Razer Raiju Ultimate review.
5. Mini Wired Gamepad
It’s not exactly a DualShock – but it’s cheaper
Reasons to buy
+40% smaller than the DualShock 4+Great for kids
Reasons to avoid
–Limited amount of games it is compatible with
Looking for a PS4 controller for a young person in your house? The Hori Mini Wired Gamepad is a good fit for smaller hands.
The Mini Wired looks like a retro controller. It is plug-n-play with 10ft cable (no pulling the console off the stand) and it’s 40% smaller than the DualShock 4. The grip is minimal as a result, but that’s a good fit if you want a small pad to stash in a bag.
However, there is no light bar, stereo headset jack, speaker, dual motors, or motion sensor – it’s a much more streamlined alternative to the DualShock 4. And that means a few games won’t work with it.
According to Sony, the Mini Wired Gamepad is compatible with “most” PS4 games. We’re reading that as the less complicated ones, so don’t fire up Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and expect the controller to be able to hack it – not that children should be playing it anyway.
The Mini Wired Gamepad is $30 (around £23/AU$38) from Sony affiliated retailers.
6. Nacon Asymmetric Wireless Controller
For those who prefer the Xbox One controller
Reasons to buy
+Suited to those who prefer Xbox controllers+Works on PS4 and PC+Comfortable and well built
Reasons to avoid
–USB Bluetooth receiver needed for wireless–No motion sensor or built-in speaker–Slight delay
The Nacon Asymmetric Wireless Controller is a comfortable controller that brings the Xbox One gamepad experience to PS4 (and PC) players. It’s robust and well-made, with a chunkier design than the DualShock 4.
Its name tells you the main selling point: the Nacon Asymmetric Wireless Controller has offset analogue sticks, like an Xbox One controller.
It may be a better choice for those who have dexterity issues or simply prefer a bigger controller due to its bigger buttons and triggers.
However, there are a few performance issues to take into account. We noticed some grating lag at review, and there are no motion sensors inside. The light bar and speaker are missing too, features important for some games. It’s a good choice if you want a second pad to use for some specific dual-stick titles.
Check out our full Nacon Asymmetric Wireless Controller review.