Best PS4 Controller In 2022
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Loading... - Angelina Etulo
- 22 Jun 2022
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The PS4 is technically outdated tech at this point, but most major game releases still find their way to the PlayStation 4 in addition to the PS5--at least for now. Plus, if you're playing PS4 games on PS5, you can save some cash by picking up extra PlayStation 4 controllers for multiplayer. Additionally, the DualShock 4 and other PS4 controllers are still wonderful options for gaming on PC or mobile devices. With that said, we've rounded up the best PS4 controllers in 2022.
The first-party DualShock 4 still remains one of the best PS4 controller options for its affordable price, wide range of colors, and familiar, comfortable fit. It's proven to be one of the most popular and reliable controllers for experiencing all the best PS4 games--especially since all it takes is the push of a button to share incredible moments like a hilarious glitch or beating a Bloodborne boss without getting touched. But the DualShock 4 isn't the only PS4 controller worth considering.
The DualShock 4 is a great pad, but when you look at what Microsoft has done with the best Xbox controllers, it can feel a little disappointing not having an official PS4 Elite controller on par with the Elite Series 2. Sony did release a back-button accessory last year that maps two of the DualShock 4's buttons and lets you keep your thumbs on the analog sticks when you want to crouch, jump, reload, or anything in between, but it doesn't bridge the gap entirely. However, there's no shortage of third-party PS4 controllers that offer unique features for enhancing your gaming experience, with excellent options available from Scuf, Razer, and more.
If you've managed to snag a PS5, make sure to check out our roundups of the best PS5 controllers and best PS5 accessories. We also have lists covering the best PlayStation gaming headsets and the best keyboard and mouse combos for PlayStation.
Editor's Note: Some of the controllers on this list are hard to find in new condition. Since new PS4 controllers aren't being manufactured, stock is low across the board. You may have to settle for a preowned controller. That said, you can still get multiple DualShock 4 color options in brand-new condition.
Best PS4 controller
DualShock 4
The Good:
· Excellent ergonomics
· Great sticks
· Withstand the test of time
The Bad:
· Short battery life
· Difficult to find in stock in 2022
The DualShock 4 is a fantastic gamepad that improves on the classic DualShock form factor in all the right ways. The grips on the official Sony controller feel great, the triggers are satisfying to pull, and the Share button makes it easy to save and share screenshots and videos of your best gaming moments. The one downside is that the battery life can feel a little short, requiring you to charge it daily with a micro USB cable if you're playing a game for long sessions. Despite that, the DualShock 4 works very well when it comes to playing every single game on the system. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find some DualShock 4 colors in stock at list price in 2022, as focus shifts to the first-party DualSense.
Best PS4 fight pad
Razer Raion
The Good:
· Fantastic D-pad
· Incredible buttons bridge the gap between controller and fight stick
· Multiple switches add functionality for L3, R3, and both analog sticks
The Bad:
· Only suitable for very specific types of games
The Razer Raion is a fight pad, which means it's optimized for fighting games. It might be strange to buy a gaming controller without an analog stick, but if you're looking for an excellent way to play fighting games without dropping a huge sum of money on a full stick, then the Raion is an excellent option. This wired controller features a great, clicky D-pad and buttons that resemble a fight stick as opposed to a regular controller, with an extra button in each row of buttons. It's also pretty light, so it's comfortable holding it with one hand and tapping the buttons, piano-style. Thankfully, it also includes digital buttons for every DualShock 4 shoulder button and trigger if you prefer using those.
With the Raion, you don't need to switch to a fully-featured controller for things like character customization within your favorite fighting games. It features a switch that lets you map the D-pad to the left and right analog sticks, making it possible to do everything you need on the PS4. Of course, the lack of real analog sticks and triggers makes it nigh impossible to play most games on the console, but if you're customizing a character or just viewing in-game models, then this switch makes it easy to do so--a separate switch also lets you turn the L1 and L2 buttons into L3 and R3.
It's not for every kind of a gamer, but if you're in the market for a fight pad, then it's hard to beat the Raion. It's comfortable and performed well in every fighting game I played, from NetherRealm fighters like Mortal Kombat 11 and Injustice 2 to Capcom's Street Fighter V and Bandai Namco's Tekken 7. At half the price of Razer's Panthera Evo fight stick, it's a very attractive controller for fighting game fans. Once you get used to it, you probably won't miss the lack of a thumbstick.
Best triggers, great for competition
Scuf Infinity4PS Pro
The Good:
· Retains the DualShock 4 shape and button layout
· Textured grip makes pad even more comfortable to hold
· Customizable trigger system allows for very different experiences
· EMR key makes remapping back paddles easy
The Bad:
· Similar battery life to the DualShock 4
· Only two back paddles
· Fairly expensive
The Scuf Infinity4PS Pro is perfect for anyone who likes the DualShock 4's shape and design but wants a little extra customization and utility on top of the form of the official controller. The Infinifty4PS Pro features textured grips, interchangeable thumbsticks, and programmable back paddles--the latter makes use of a magnetic "EMR" key that you simply place on the back of the controller and then press the buttons you wish to remap to the paddles. These delightful features are all par for the course for a Scuf controller, but it's the different types of customizable triggers that make the Infinity4PS Pro so special. The basic triggers are similar to the standard DualShock 4's, while the Trigger Control System offers trigger stops, adjustable hair triggers, and covers for the trigger buttons and extenders. These, of course, come at an increased cost, but these features are beloved by fans of shooters.
Scuf also offers digital tap triggers. These turn the shoulder buttons and triggers into buttons that resemble a PC gaming mouse, clicking just like one as you take aim and fire at the enemy. It feels incredible and is extremely useful when using single-fire weapons like marksman rifles or pistols, though it worked great for automatic weapons as well. These triggers are some of the best I've ever used, but they're specifically designed with shooters in mind and don't feature any analog input like the standard trigger system. This makes them hard to use for games that rely on gradual trigger presses, like Gran Turismo Sport and Trials Rising, so it's important to think about what type of games you play before purchasing this costly controller.
