I asked a somewhat similar question last week and got a strong recommendation for the 8BitDo Ultimate Controller.
Yeah, I have one of those and love it. I use it between PC, SteamDeck and Switch all the time
The 8BitDo Ultimate controller 2.4ghz version is the best for the steam deck. They released a cheaper version if you don't need/want the dock. RetroGameCorps has a video comparing all the different versions of this controller since it is a bit confusing.
If you prefer 2D games and primarily use the d-pad then the 8BitDo Pro2 controller is best for this. Note this is only a Bluetooth controller and for fast pace games you will notice some input lag on the steamdeck. I bought a 15ft usb cable to just plug it in and play on the couch. I haven't tried 8BitDo's wireless dingle with it to know if this removes the input lag. I might try that this evening to find out.
If you want the gyro you need the bluetooth version since it emulates being a Switch controller.
Looks like their gyro only works on the Switch
It works in Bluetooth mode for anything that supports the switch pro controller (eg steam)
I love this controller but I find I need to use its phone app to swap the button config from Switch to PC each time I go between, which is annoying. maybe i’m doing it wrong.
The controller supports having three profiles saved to it, are you able to make one of them a switch profile and switch between them?
does it have a mode that enables both gyro and analog triggers? I have a pro+ and you can set it to switch or xbox so you can have gyro or triggers but not both, it's annoying
I got the Gulikit KingKong 2 Pro a little while ago for the hall-effect joysticks and am liking it so far. Haven't used it a bunch with my Deck, but when I did, it worked well. It's $60, though, so maybe too pricey.
I've been using this for around 8 months now on PC and Deck.
The only things I don't like about them are:
Would still definitely recommend though because you're basically getting an Xbox Elite controller for the price of a standard Xbox controller.
Have this one in my cart! Seemed like the best long term investment.
That was my thought. Impossible to say in just a few months, of course, but here's hoping it's legit!
I've used the 8BItDo Pro 2 with the SD and love it very much.
8bitdo is an amazing company. Can't recommend their controllers enough. Browse their website, they have a lot of options at varying prices: https://www.8bitdo.com/
yep I am really happy with the build quality especially on my 8bitdo UWC. Additionally it works out of the box even for linux!!
Just wanted to support this recommendation, some of the best controllers with the best price points on the market.
I fully agree with the 8bitdo recommendation. I have an 8bitdo Pro 2 controller, and I love it. I love that it is easily customizable, I love that I can use it on multiple devices (Quest 2, Nintendo Switch, PC/Deck), I love that it comes with a rechargable battery but can also be used with AA batteries. Build quality feels great and it can often be found for around $30-40.
Pro 2 is my second favorite controller, right below the Steam Deck's built-in controller. It's plugged into my PC at all times. I'm hoping for a model with 2.4g connection at some point. Basically I want the Ultimate's features in the Pro 2's shell.
I use two old Google Stadia controllers (RIP!). When the service shut down, Google reimbursed everyone for their purchases, so the controllers were essentially free to me. They also released a webpage-based service to convert them to Bluetooth instead of WiFi which is super easy to do.
The controllers are great and you can pick them up pretty cheap on eBay etc. now that stadia is closed. They work seamlessly with the deck.
I'm doing the same, have 4 Stadia controllers that I'm using as deck controllers now.
Popped in to mention the great value Stadia controller but glad it’s already been shared.
Works great with the deck from my experience. Not a bad controller either.
As far as I know, the gyro doesn't work in bluetooth mode
I didn't even know it had a gyro... Does the 8bitdo have gyro? And does it work well with the steam deck? I haven't used gyro controls much in general but did find them super helpful for aiming when playing through Half Life 2 again on the deck itself.
I may be wrong, but my understanding is that 8bitdo controllers do have gyro, but specifically for Switch mode. Most of their switch compatible controllers have a relatively easy way to swap to it and connect via Bluetooth. Unfortunately that does mean no analogue triggers though
Since X-Box controllers don't have a gyro, there is no nice way to slip the gyro data in when you're pretending to be one. And X-Box is the standard way for controllers to talk to PCs.
Gyro works just fine on PC with my Dualsense
Steam controllers are nice :)
I really enjoy my 8Bitdo Pro 2. I think that's one of the best controllers for $40-$45. I also have the SN30 Pro that I keep in my bag along with a small USB-C hub so my friends and I can play party games at their house. If you're willing to look at the $80 range, the Ultimate Pro is a really nice controller. You want to make sure you check what it's compatible with, though I can confirm it works on with the Steam Deck as long as the dongle is plugged in.
EDIT: I almost forgot. There is a $30 8Bitdo Ultimate controller. The only real catch is it's wired, but should be a great pick for the price. Kevin Kenson and Wulff Den on YouTube has covered all of these controllers.
I also use the 8bitdo Pro 2, it fits very well in my hands and has the correct joystick layout. The battery life on it is insane compared to a Dualshock 4 (other controller I've used quite a lot and can compare to).
My only issue with it is that I wish the buttons on the bottom weren't useless and could be mapped to something - even the official application does not allow you to send any other keypresses through them than what is standard.
Also works over bluetooth, none of that dongle nonsense.
There are LOADS of better suggestions than this, but I’ve been using the Google Stadia controller after converting it to BT mode and it’s honestly excellent. It’s got Xbox face button labels, but Sony Trigger labels so it’s just like the steam deck default controls. It feels great, rumble is really strong, and it has a pretty good battery!
But other people are suggesting things like 8BitDo ultimate controller and Gulikit KingKong 2 Pro which are probably better and definitely easier to get ahold of.
Also has hall effect sticks unlike the 2.4ghz model.
EDIT: meant to respond to the 8bitdo comment.
Does anyone have any experience with controllers that aren't noisy? When playing in a quiet room, my wife finds the clicky noises from my xbox controller very annoying.
Using a Switch Pro Controller myself. Not exactly cheap if you don't have one or own a Switch but in my opinion not a lot can beat it. A joy to use!
I know you said not ms, but I still use a 360 controller with the wireless adapter. You can get them with an off brand adapter for 30 bucks all in on ebay since they are so old at this point. Best controller feel imo.
I wrote a summary of my experiences with 8BitDo Pro 2 a few weeks ago, it's available on my blog: https://gaming.einval.eu/2023/06/gamepad-review-8bitdo-pro-2/
TL;DR: It's very good for its price, you'd need to invest much more money to get anything slightly better.
i'd recommend the 8bitdo pro2 but it can't enable gyro and analog triggers at the same time, for that reason I mainly use a ps4 controller when docked, you can set it up to enable gyro when pressing L2 so you get better aiming, it works great the 8bitdo controllers would be way better if they had a ps4 mode
Can you plug a USB controller into it? If so I would recommend a Logitech F310 cuz they're cheap, have both x input and direct input, and are durable as hell.
Thanks everyone for their responses! I eventually pulled the trigger on a $29 8bitdo wired/wireless controller!
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