When looking for a PlayStation 4 controller, consider how and when you’ll play games. Different controllers have various features that can influence your play experience. Anything from battery life to the controller’s shape will affect your enjoyment, and that’s why you should get the best controller for your playstyle. To find the best options, you can read on to see our top PS4 controller picks.

Honestly, it’s hard to beat the original Dualshock 4 when you need something dependable. No matter your playstyle, the large buttons plus the comfortable grip accommodate most hand sizes. These features make it one of the best controllers to have on hand when you want to play with some friends. If you play first-person shooters where movement and aiming are vital, the analog sticks on this controller will grant you better control over your game. The sticks even have divots on the caps to keep your thumb from slipping when a game gets a bit intense.

Even the multimedia-related features improve your gameplay through immersion and enhanced communication. The built-in speaker keeps the sound close to you when you play so that you can hear every auditory signal in your game. You can even connect your headphones for a more immersive experience. With the headphones, coordinating with your team will be easy, making for a far better play experience.

Why we love it:

When you’re always gaming with friends or family, having extra controllers that they can play with is crucial. You don’t want to be alternating controllers or having the others watch while someone else plays. With AUGEX’s PS4 controller bundle, you’ll get two controllers that are fully compatible with your Playstation 4. You can also opt to get another pair and use four controllers for games that allow it. Best of all, they come at a very competitive price.

Each controller has all the features you would expect. They each have 3.5-millimeter jacks that accommodate earphones and headphones with the same size plug. The buttons and analog sticks are sensitive enough to grant you precision control no matter the game. Lastly, the long battery life lets you play for 10 hours straight after only 2.5 hours of charging.

Why we love it:

If you want to spice up your gaming room with something a bit more exciting than the typical black and grays, you should check out YU33’s PS4 controllers. These controllers come in a few flashy colorways that will add a bit of life to your entertainment shelves. Plus, the controllers aren’t just all bark, no bite. They come outfitted with the usual features that you’ve come to expect from quality gaming controllers.

They all have the ever-useful 3.5-millimeter jack, which lets you connect your headphones to the controller. You’ll also get absolute control over your games, thanks to the sensitive action and trigger buttons. Vibration and gyroscope features also provide a more tactile gaming experience. Plus, the long battery life lets you play for hours.

Why we love it:

It’s not a stretch to say that we gamers are a picky bunch, and it’s for a good reason. The more comfortable we are, the more we can focus on our game. With this versatile PS4 controller, you can get as comfy as you want. Since the analog stick heads are interchangeable, you can choose from among four different replacements to fit the demands of your games. Plus, you can individually change the shafts of the sticks for added customizability.

Beyond that, you can choose to play in wired or wireless modes. Meanwhile, the 3.5-millimeter jack lets you plug in headphones that you can use to communicate with your team. Inside the controller, you can add or remove weights to give the controller the feel you want. There are even four shortcut buttons underneath the controller to provide quick access to the face buttons. Plus, these features come in a controller that has a soft surface texture and comfy rubber grips underneath that are perfect for long-term gaming.

Why we love it:

When you play for hours on end, it’s crucial to have a controller that won’t strain your hands. This PS4 controller’s design makes for one of the most comfortable gaming experiences out there. The thick body sits comfortably on your hands so that you can focus on the fight in-game without fighting with the controller. It even has multiple accessible buttons littered around the body to give you a competitive edge.

Each button is fully remappable with Razer’s mobile app, and it doesn’t stop there. The app even allows you to tune the controller’s vibration intensity and even adjust the sensitivity clutch! Plus, you can use this controller with your favorite PC games as well.

Why we love it:

Whether you’re a hardcore, beginner, hobbyist, or professional gamer, nothing but the best PS4 controllers will do. Look no further than the controllers on this list for long hours of comfortable gaming, enhanced gameplay, and a better time overall.

Most PS4 controllers are PC-ready with a bit of configuration. For Bluetooth-ready PCs, the first step is to hold down the Share and PS buttons on your controller to enable connection to other devices. Depending on your operating system, the controller should show up on your computer’s Bluetooth device list as a “Wireless Controller.” Click on this word, and it should work. Using a third-party program should also do the trick if you want to use a wired controller or if your PC doesn’t have Bluetooth enabled.

There’s some truth to turning it off and on again, so that should be the first thing you should try. If that doesn’t work, you should check is the charging cable itself. It’s best to use the charging cord that came with your controller. If the USB cord is fine, check the ports. Some dirt or debris could be lodged inside the cavities, and these could interfere with the current. A gentle blow on both the charging port and the controller’s port could fix the issue. Your last resort is changing the batteries since a broken battery will never charge up.

The PS4’s light can glow with different colors to indicate problems or your controller’s status. A white light means that the controller has no issues and is currently working as intended. A solid orange light means that the controller is resting. This usually happens when the console is updating to minimize power consumption. You’ll want to pay extra attention when the light is pulsing white, solid blue, or red. A pulsating white or solid blue light means that the console is frozen, and you need to troubleshoot the console. If your controller has an ominous blinking red light, the console has overheated and needs to be professionally repaired.

Robbie Jones has been a gamer for over 10 years. What started out as a way to pass some time with his friends turned into a full-blown hobby and obsession, and he’s figured out plenty of ways to use the knowledge for good. Whether it’s reviewing the latest game or accessory or checking out the best chairs and desks, he spends his time consumed by gaming industry news and now he’s here to distill it down and make it easy for everyone (including you) to understand.

The Digital Trends team prides itself in offering expert product recommendations in ways that everyone can understand. Our team of experts is constantly using and reviewing the latest and greatest consumer tech, smart home gadgets, televisions, and so much more to offer insights to help guide your purchasing decision. We have vigorously tested thousands of different products across these categories, and we’ve distilled our lists to bring you the best of the best. If we feel a product does not live up to our expectations, it doesn’t make the list. We are humans though, and realize that not every recommended product will be perfect for everyone, so we do our best to call out important features that may impact your choices. Below our top picks we’ve included additional product information to ensure that you are making the right choice for your unique needs.

The products in this guide have been carefully curated by our team of experts and enthusiasts who understand the value and quality needed for the best options.