The Best Wired Controllers in 2023

Wired controllers, while not as popular as wireless controllers, surprisingly offer many advantages to games that have become more clear in recent years. The reasons boil down to 2 primary factors: Price and Functionality. Wired controllers tend to be cheaper and have fewer compatibility issues because they discount the need for a wireless adapter or connectivity. They also happen to offer invariably better input latency and do not have to deal with interference that some controllers might have to thanks to overcrowded transmission bands.

Simply put, a wired controller is relatively inexpensive and simpler to handle than a wireless one, and given that some professionals, who generally do not have pricing constraints when it comes to their weapon of choice, sometimes favor running their controllers in wired mode, it seems to be a mainstay for gaming until wireless controllers are just as good in terms of latency (some do come incredibly close). Other perks are also in play. For one, you do not have to worry about losing your controller or making sure it has adequate charge.

When choosing a wired controller, consider these factors:

• Compatibility: What console or platform do I want to use this controller on?
• Budget: What is the price range I am looking to spend on a controller?
• Aesthetics: What do I want my controller to look like?
• Build Quality / Ergonomics: What materials should my controller be made from?
• Button Layout: What games do I want to play with this controller?

Game Rant’s picks for the Best Wired Controllers

PowerA’s Enhanced wired controller is truly one of the greatest controllers ever. With different wired controllers for Xbox and Switch available, this third-party wired controller is one of the few brands officially licensed by Microsoft and Nintendo.

The PowerA Enhanced wired controller earns that privilege by providing players with a super reliable gamepad. The design is made to prevent drifting and withstand thousands of trigger presses without squeaking or coming loose. Plus, there’s an extremely wide variety of styles available to meet every want and need, from sweeping extra-textured grips to specific character designs. Even though players have to choose between PowerA controllers for Xbox and wired PowerA controllers for the Switch, both are compatible with PC, further stretching the value of this fairly affordable option.

The Logitech F310 makes no assumptions about what it intends to deliver while remaining mindful of the price bracket it tends to. It is a no-frills controller that gets the job done and is excellent for the cost. Usually available for $20 or less, this budget wired controller offers a shape reminiscent of retro game controllers, with a completely reprogrammable D-Pad and button layout that allows it to be used with pretty much any modern PC game that supports controllers natively.

It offers excellent value for money, although we do have some gripes, like the lack of a detachable USB cord as well as some users accusing it of poorer build quality. The price point it does however compete at makes it one of the better-built controllers for the money – and replacements are cheap: You could get as many as 4 wired controllers for a standard wireless controller for the same system, making it an acceptable tradeoff in our opinion.

HORI’s predicament with its take on what a Nintendo Switch wired controller should look like is that it comes ridiculously close to the Nintendo Switch Pro wireless controller. That however is no mean feat given that the Switch Pro Wireless is currently our pick for the best wireless Nintendo Switch controller, and a close contender for the best budget controller in the market.

The HORIPAD wired controller costs a fraction of what the Switch Pro controller does, trading away NFC, motion control, and vibration but more than making up for it with a dedicated Turbo button and a detachable D-pad allowing more control and easier operation for professional players looking for that extra edge in competitive gaming. There are gripes about it being slightly larger than the Switch Pro Wireless controller, but we believe it is a tradeoff that favors the HORIPAD overall.

All in all, the HORIPAD is a wired controller worth considering for both Nintendo Switch and PC (despite needing some workarounds for PC play) as an inexpensive, but well-built controller that performs comparably to its excellent wireless counterpart from Nintendo itself.

PowerA’s Spectra Infinity is our candidate for the best Xbox wired controller, and it was a contender for the best overall controller, too. Backed by a 2-year warranty, it works with the last generation Xbox One as well as the Series S & X lineup and PCs out of the box.

With 3-way trigger locks that can be quickly adjusted, it does offer massive value to competitive gamers, as well as to those looking to eke out a bit more out of their existing gameplay styles. Also, unlike some of its competitors, the PowerA Spectra Infinity wired controller has dual-motor-based vibration. This allows it to offer haptic force feedback beyond that of some other wired Xbox controller options, which tend to either skip it altogether or have measly offerings in this department.

While there is room for improvement – The RGB profiles are limited and do not impress in some cases, the PowerA Spectra Infinity is a well-rounded contender – and in our opinion winner for the best wired Xbox controller.

The HORI PlayStation 5 Fighting Commander OCTA is a PlayStation-centric controller that offers a premium wired experience for those of us who do not like DualSense’s shortcomings as a fightpad at its current price point. That is not to say that it doesn’t have its quirks – build quality complaints and a somewhat unstable PC mode at times, but overall, the good significantly outweighs the bad for this pro-grade controller that sacrifices an analog stick for a more fightpad-centric design.

Additional buttons are always welcome, but the OCTA has a different take here: It pushes the R1 and R2 onto the front surface of the controller itself, making it one of the best retro-grade controllers currently available on the PlayStation product line. The ability to customize the controller down to sensitivity via the bundled companion app does add considerable value as the controller will inevitably age over time; Alternatively, it could be used to set profiles for different games such as Tekken, and Street Fighter.

All in, the HORI PlayStation 5 Fighting Commander OCTA is not everyone’s cup of tea, nor is it professing to be such. It does however fill the void on the PlayStation by offering an affordable and stellar retro-grade controller that goes beyond the basics of competing with a fightstick for the fighting genre. And based on personal experience, controllers like these take a heavy beating if they are fighting centric which means it is built to last, even if the build quality could do with a minor overhaul at its price point.

HyperX’s newest wired controller packs a surprising punch, considering its low cost. It’s an excellent choice for PC gameplay due to its responsive and durable hardware. Additionally, the Clutch Gladiate offers strong vibration haptics, tactile buttons, and joysticks that are unlikely to drift anytime soon. The extra reprogrammable buttons are easy to use and trigger stops offer more opportunities to enhance gameplay during competitive matches. This mid-range wired PC controller is great for competitive play overall, and it can also be used with the Xbox to continue the fun on console.

The long cord is uniquely designed to be easily folded away when playing at a PC desk, without struggling to reach console players on the couch. The reprogrammable buttons can still be changed on the fly when playing on console, allowing players to cater their controller to different games across platforms. While it isn’t perfect on the Xbox, it is still one of the best wired PC controllers available, especially at such an affordable price.

Although this controller’s use case is severely limited to fighting games, it’s highly affordable and reliable. The F500 fighting stick supports consoles like Xbox Series X/S and handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. It comes with an acrylic panel, a joystick, eight buttons, a cabinet for storing the USB cable, and more.

Aside from the USB port which connects to the console, the F500 also gets a headset port, a button for muting the mic, and a vibration wrist strap port. Sold separately, the MAYFLASH plug-and-play wrist strap is designed to help you feel the rumble of your favorite fighting game. Buyer reviews praise the F500 for delivering great value, despite being a budget product.

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How to Choose the Best Wired Controller for You

While wired controllers do have their perks, they compete in an increasingly competitive controller market where technology improvements have pushed wireless controllers such as the Xbox Elite Series 2 within a stone’s throw of the latency gains being touted on wired units even as they buff up on battery timings as well as phone applications to tweak their performance. In the end, it is a fight between price and functionality versus convenience, even as wireless controllers inch ever closer to eventually replacing the need for a wired controller altogether. Until we are there, however, there is an understandable market for wired controllers and users who prefer them over their wireless counterparts.

Compatibility

As with most tech products’ compatibility is the number one concern for controllers. Just because the controller is wired and has a typical USB port that most consoles have, doesn’t mean they are compatible with each other. Most of the time, this is more of a problem for console gamers than it is for PC users, but it is good to check before purchasing, regardless of what platform you plan to use it on.

Keep in mind if you want to stick to a lower budget picking up a controller that is compatible with multiple systems will save you from buying controllers for each console you have.

Budget

Speaking of budget, how much you want to spend on a controller is also vital to pick out a new wired controller. Typically, wired controllers are cheaper than wireless ones, but that doesn’t mean you can’t choose one that costs a pretty penny.

Before starting your search, determine how much you want to spend on a controller and then go from there. But be willing to adjust your budget slightly as you search so you aren’t potentially missing out on an excellent controller if it is $5 over your budget range.

Aesthetics

Finally, the aesthetics of the controller. In the grand scheme of things, the looks of a controller don’t determine how good the performance is or how good of a gamer you are, but a good-looking controller, especially one that shares the aesthetic of your set-up, can affect how you feel about the controller overall.

Even though a lot of controllers still fall into the black-on-black design, there are so many skins or covers you can get for controllers to really personalize it to you and your liking.

Build Quality / Ergonomics

When shopping for a new wired controller, it’s important to consider its build quality. If the controller is made with durable materials, it stands a strong chance of being around for a long time. Besides, it’s possible for you to drop the controller either accidentally or out of frustration. In both situations, a well-built controller is more likely to withstand the impact of a drop.

Aside from this, it’s recommended that you check out the ergonomics of a preferred controller. If it looks comfortable in your hands, then it’s the one.

Button Layout

This refers to the way the buttons on a game controller are arranged. This varies among companies with each opting for a unique style. Ideally, each controller’s button layout intends to optimize one’s gaming experience. As such, it’s necessary to consider the genre of games you play before buying a controller.

For instance, regular controllers can handle fighting games quite right. However, those who want the best experience are better off with a fight stick instead.

More: The Best Mobile Gaming Controllers In 2023

FAQ

Q: Are wired controllers better than wireless controllers?

Yes and No. Not all controllers are created equal but wired controllers generally tend be easier to locate, do not need frequent recharging or AA batteries to sustain themselves and have better input latency, making them a top choice for professional gamers and enthusiasts. They do however make a tradeoff when it comes to wireless connectivity which can also be considered lesser flexibility.

Q: Can I use my wireless controller in wired mode?

Most wireless controllers do have a wireless mode, generally enabled by using their charging cable. There are no real consequences of using these in wired mode.

Q: Are Wired Controllers Cheaper Than Wireless Controllers?

Overwhelmingly, yes. But there are cheap wireless controllers also available that compete with wired controllers at similar price points.

Q: Do wired controllers work better on PC?

Technically, yes. Wired controllers traditionally have lower latency than their wireless counterparts, although with some budget options this will not be true. However, on average it is true that wired controllers communicate more quickly with a PC than wireless controllers. While the difference is just milliseconds long, sometimes those milliseconds matter just enough for a change.

Q: Can wireless controllers be wired?

Yes, some wireless controllers have optional cords that can attach directly to PC and console. Typically, these cords are provided as an alternative power source in case of dead batteries.