by Are you looking for a good controller for PC gaming? Then this is the guide for you. We have selected the best hand control for PC 2022 in different categories, so that you can find one that suits you.
A big advantage of a computer is that most hand controls on the market can be used for a PC, regardless of whether they are basically developed for Playstation, Xbox or Switch. Therefore, there are many models to choose from and with this best in test, we want to help you make your choice easier in the hunt for a game controller.
Below you will find a flexible overview of our top list, followed by a buying guide.
Overview
1. Xbox Wireless Controller Gen 9
Best hand control for PC 2022
- Well-built control that fits perfectly in the hands
- Possibility to re-map buttons
- New D-pad for better precision and comfort
- Rugged surface for a nice and good grip
- Available in several stylish colors
2. 8Bitdo Pro 2 Gamepad
Best hand control for PC 2022 – Options
- Cool retro control, connects directly via Bluetooth
- Incredibly customizable – Change in app & computer
- Texture on the handles for even better grip
- Two programmable extra buttons underneath
- For PC, Steam, Mac, Switch & Android
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Best premium hand control for PC 2022
- One of the most advanced hand controls
- Very flexible, adjust the box just for you
- Haptic feedback and precise triggers
- Rubber grip for best grip
- A separate adapter is required for connection to a PC
Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows
4. Nacon Revolution Pro Controller Unlimited
Best premium hand control for PC 2022 – Options
- Awesome comfortable fit and feeling in the hand
- Almost all buttons can be re-mapped
- Four extra buttons at the back
- Adjust b.la. dead zones, vibrations & response
- Increase / decrease volume and mutea mic directly on the box
5. Logitech F310
Best cheap hand control for PC 2022
- Simple and affordable budget control
- Rubber grip on the sides
- Steam compatible
- Programmable buttons
- 1.8 meter cable
6. PDP Wired Controller
Best Cheap Hand Control for PC 2022 – Options
- Affordable and cheap control
- Formally similar to Xbox original, stable & well built
- Re-map buttons, change dead zones etc.
- Can be used for both PC and Xbox
- Available in several designs, b.la. transparent
To select hand control for PC
Even if you get better at many games with a gaming mouse and keyboard , there are actually a lot of games where a controller can be better and more fun to use. For games such as FIFA, UFC, Rocket League or various arcade games, a game control can be used to advantage, therefore many gamers supplement their setup with just one control.
To give you a better idea of what makes the difference between different controllers for PC and what makes them cheap or expensive, we will go through some important parts. Also to keep in mind when you look for a new hand control is that they can be called different at different retailers, it can include hand control, box, game control, gaming controller, game pad or simply control.
Note that if you have an Xbox controller at home, all of their original PC models will work using a wireless adapter purchased separately.
Wireless hand control or with cable
So, what can be the difference between controllers for PC and what makes them cheap and expensive respectively? For starters, the controls can be either wireless or wired to your computer. Wireless controls are much more popular and common, although they usually have a slightly higher price tag. It is easier to play without a cable that is in the way, however, the disadvantage is that wireless boxes need to be charged.
Grip on the control
The very grip of a game controller is becoming increasingly important and something that manufacturers focus a lot on nowadays. The controls should be ergonomic and comfortable to use, so that they feel good in the hands when playing.
Something that we have seen in more and more cans in recent times is that they have a rough surface , to be able to offer an even better grip in especially intensive gaming where hand sweat can occur.
Cheap controls are generally simpler built and their grip is usually not as comfortable as more expensive models.
The number of buttons and functions
The number of buttons and different functions differ between expensive and cheap controls. On more lavish models, there are usually more buttons at the back , which gives greater freedom of choice in the games and allows the box to be adapted for different types of games.
It is of course optimal for the gamer who varies and plays different games, but also for those who like to play more seriously and possibly compete.
The image below shows the Xbox Elite Series 2 below, which has more buttons underneath than a standard control.
Designer & colors on the hand control
Many hand controls are available in several designs , Xbox original control is available, for example, in stylish colors such as white, black, blue, red and yellow. Among third-party manufacturers, you can usually find even more cool designs.
If you have several children who are going to play on the console and they want their own hand controls, different colors on the controls are a flexible way to distinguish whose control is whose .
With that said, we take and dive into our best in test!
Best hand control PC 2022
1. Xbox Wireless Controller Gen 9
Best hand control for PC 2022
- Connection: Wireless (Xbox Wireless & Bluetooth)
- Button to save clips: Yes
- Battery life: About 40 hours
- Headphone jack: Yes
Generation 9 of Xbox wireless control was developed in connection with the release of the latest consoles Xbox Series X and S, the control is also a top choice for gaming on PC . Microsoft / Xbox has managed to hone an already popular and fantastic control and made it even better.
Just like previous versions, this hand control has a large and comfortable grip that is well balanced in the hand. One of the novelties of this version is that the surface where you hold your hands has been given a texture , to give an even better grip during intense games. The same texture is now also available on all the rear buttons L1, L2, R1 and R2.
Another novelty is that the D-pad has been given a more cup-shaped shape that fits the thumb much better. This means that it is more comfortable and easier to control via the D-pad.
To connect this controller to a PC, you need the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows , which can be found with the package price together with the controller at many stores.
2. 8BitDo Pro 2 Gamepad
Best hand control for PC 2022 – Options
- Connection: Wireless (Bluetooth)
- Screenshot button: Yes
- Battery life: Approx. 20 hours, rechargeable
- Headphone jack: No.
8BitDo Pro 2 Gamepad is an incredibly flexible and cool hand control with a retro feel. It is very customizable and allows you to create a controller that suits your games. In addition to PC, it is compatible with Mac, Steam, Switch and Android. At the back, you can easily switch between the different platforms.
In the hand, this box is reminiscent of the DualShock 4 control from PlayStation, with the same type of set of buttons and levers. On the lower part of the handles there is a texture , which gives extra good grip. At the bottom there are also two extra buttons as shown above, which can be programmed to any button press.
As mentioned, the box is very flexible and can be easily modified in the 8BitDo Ultimate Software , which is available both on a computer and as an app for iOS and Android. You can, among other things, adjust how the levers respond , how far down L2 and R2 should react, change vibration levels and create macros .
8BitDo Pro 2 Gamepad offers the ability to save up to three profiles with different settings and you can easily switch between these with the button between the levers. It should be added that there are three profiles per platform in addition, so you can e.g. have three profiles for PC and three for Android.
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
Best premium hand control for PC 2022
- Connection: Wireless (Xbox Wireless & Bluetooth)
- Button to save clips: Yes
- Battery life: About 40 hours
- Headphone jack: Yes
Elite Series 2 is one of the most advanced controllers on the market today and is designed for serious gamers. This is a control that offers enormous flexibility and gives you the opportunity to shape your own hand control according to taste, liking and game.
The control feels solid and stable in the hand and gives a high quality impression . Furthermore, it has a rubberized surface where you hold your hands, which gives a really nice grip with good grip.
Among the many features that the Elite Series 2 has, we want to highlight haptic feedback , which means that the box reproduces what happens in the games with the help of various vibration motors, something that really enhances the gaming experience. Another great feature is that the buttons at the back are built to be extra sensitive , which means that they respond immediately to button presses. A big advantage in e.g. various FPS and sports games.
As we touched on, the control is very flexible, below we list some examples of how:
- The majority of the buttons can be re-mapped (change what they should do)
- Extra toads on the back that can be used for any button press
- Joysticks and pads can be replaced
- You can save different profiles for different types of games.
Elite Series 2 also comes with a built-in battery , it is charged via the included USB-C cable.
Note that the separate Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows 10 adapter needs to be purchased to connect the controller to a computer.
4. Nacon Revolution Pro Controller Unlimited
Best premium hand control for PC 2022 – Options
- Connection: Wireless (Bluetooth)
- Button to save clips: Yes
- Charging: USB-C
- Headphone jack: Yes
The Nacon Revolution Pro Controller Unlimited wireless is a premium control developed for the serious gamer , who wants full control and great freedom of choice. The game controller is well-built and comfortable to hold , in size it is similar to the PS5 controller.
The box is incredibly flexible and full of customization options , we find, among other things, mapping of basically all buttons, adjustment of the lever response , dead zones for L2 / R2 and vibration adjustment . In addition, you can save profiles of button settings for different games, which we think is incredibly flexible and gives an advantage in multiplayer games.
On the back are buttons for, among other things, raising / lowering the volume, mute a connected mic and select which preset profile to use. There are also four extra buttons that can be mapped to anything.
Nacon Revolution Pro Controller Unlimited is connected via a USB dongle in the PC and it is also suitable for Playstation consoles.
5. Logitech F310
Best cheap hand control for PC 2022
- Connection: Cable (1.8 meters)
- Button to save clips: No.
- Charging: N / A
- Headphone jack: No.
The F310 game controller from the well-known Logitech is an affordable controller in the budget category. It is flexible and easy to use and is also Steam compatible.
The control has a nice grip with rubber on the sides which gives extra grip. Furthermore, the buttons and levers are easy to reach.
The F310 has programmable buttons and is easy to configure.
An all-round box that fits well with all types of games , such as car games, shooting games or sports games.
6. PDP Wired Controller
Best Cheap Hand Control for PC 2022 – Options
- Connection: Cable
- Button to save clips: Yes
- Battery life: N / A
- Headphone jack: Yes
PDP Wired Controller is an affordable and inexpensive hand control with a nice design . It is a perfect choice for you who may not play as often or to have it as a guest control , because you do not have to think about it being charged all the time.
The control is officially licensed by Xbox and in terms of form, it has many similarities to the original control, with the same ergonomic and comfortable shape and flexibility in the hand.
Functionally, you can, for example, re-map the buttons and adjust dead zones. Furthermore, it is possible to change the volume directly on the box and to save clips with the split button.
PDP Wired Controller is available in several cool designs, above transparent variant with LED lighting we think is really cool.
Summary of best hand control for PC 2022
For many games, it can be both more fun and better to play with a hand control than a mouse and keyboard, so many choose to also have a game control in their gaming setup.
There are many good controllers on the gaming market today and as a PC gamer you have the advantage that you can usually choose between many Xbox controls, Switch controls and Playstation controls, as most models are intended for one of the consoles and PC.
What should a good hand control be then? Well, it should be ergonomic and comfortable to use, so you can play for as long as you want. Furthermore, it must be well-built and of good quality , so that it lasts. It is also an advantage if the control is flexible with functions such as mapping buttons.
