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The Best PlayStation 5 Controllers

We compared eight PlayStation DualSense controllers on owner ratings, expert reviews, and price. The Chroma Teal model has the highest ratings and innovative features.

Updated

The bottom line

The PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller in Chroma Teal (asin B0DHY8DC6R) is our top pick. It has a 4.7/5 rating from nearly 50,000 reviews and is praised for its durability and reliability. The closest alternative is the Starlight Blue model (asin B0FY6Z7K5W), which has similar features and high ratings but is slightly more expensive. For a budget option, the Gray Camouflage model (asin B0FY6YRGRS) offers similar features at a lower price, though it has fewer reviews.

Top pick
PlayStation DualSense Wireless ControllerPlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller $79.00

Best overall DualSense controller

The Chroma Teal model is our top pick due to its high 4.7/5 rating from nearly 50,000 reviews and innovative features. It offers haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a comfortable design. The tradeoff is its higher price at $79.

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Runner-up
PlayStation DualSense Wireless ControllerPlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller $74.95

High-quality alternative

The Starlight Blue model is a close second with similar features and high ratings. It has improved battery life and reduced stick drift compared to older models. The tradeoff is its slightly higher price at $74.95.

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Budget pick
PlayStation DualSense Wireless ControllerPlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller $61.99

Affordable and reliable

The Gray Camouflage model offers similar features at a lower price of $61.99. It has a high 4.6/5 rating from 7043 reviews. The tradeoff is fewer reviews compared to the top picks.

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The field, ranked

  1. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Best overall with high ratings and innovative features. 10.0/10 $79.00 Amazon
  2. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller High-quality alternative with improved battery life. 9.5/10 $74.95 Amazon
  3. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Affordable option with reliable performance. 9.0/10 $61.99 Amazon
  4. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Good build quality but reports of stick drift. 8.5/10 $74.95 Amazon
  5. PlayStation DualSense Controller Reports of battery issues but high-quality build. 8.0/10 $69.95 Amazon
  6. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Cool design but reports of dust sensitivity. 7.5/10 $79.99 Amazon
  7. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Solid build but concerns about box seal. 7.0/10 $67.77 Amazon
  8. PlayStation DualSense Wireless Controller Innovative features but fewer reviews. 6.5/10 $64.38 Amazon

Where the differences show up in daily use

Owners report that the Chroma Teal model offers the best combination of haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, making games more immersive. The Starlight Blue model is also highly rated for its improved battery life and reduced stick drift. The Gray Camouflage model, while more affordable, has fewer reviews but is still reliable for most users.

What owners complain about after buying

Some owners report stick drift in the Midnight Black model after prolonged use. The Chroma Pearl model has had some initial issues with battery leakage, though these seem to be resolved with replacements. The Cosmic Red model is praised for its innovative features but has fewer reviews compared to the top picks.

The also-rans

The Cosmic Red model (asin B0FY6VF3Q5) and the Midnight Black model (asin B0FY6Y9WZT) did not make the top picks due to fewer reviews and reports of stick drift, respectively. The Genshin PS5 controller (asin B0CJTCQRNL) has concerns about the box seal, and the camouflage design model (asin B0CJSY6961) has reports of dust sensitivity.

How this was put together

This guide is built from 80,000+ owner ratings, 10 expert reviews, and price comparisons across eight PlayStation DualSense controllers. We did not test any products hands-on. The evidence is thinnest on the Cosmic Red and Midnight Black models due to fewer reviews and reported issues.