Over the years, Sony has reinvented its advanced official controllers from different generations of PlayStation, so that alongside the PS4, you will find the DualShock 4 with an advanced design.
Even so, that does
not mean that there is no room for improvement, which is why today it is
possible to find a complete ecosystem of PlayStation 4 controllers manufactured
by third-party brands that bring some distinction and innovation to Sony.
Either because you
want to have a high-end platform to play in tournaments, or to access some
extra cheap control designed for the smallest of the house, below you can find
a guide with the best DualShock models.
Remember that you can
use your official DualShock 4 controller together with your PC computer, as
well as with your Mac computer. In fact, most of the third-party controllers
will work that we discuss here, they will also serve to connect them to the PC and
play on other platforms .
You can also consult
a complete list of the best games for PS4 this year,
with which you can put your new controller to the test. We also have a
special on the best accessories for your PS5.
The best controllers for the PS4 of 2021
PlayStation DualShock 4
·
£ 44.99
Although Microsoft
has also carried out variants of its controls on its Xbox One, Sony seems to
have remained more faithful to the functionality of its controller, to the
point that its current DualShock 4 has hardly had any notable innovations
except its pad area.
Once again, this is
further proof that the company has a good enough control in its hands that it
does not need constant adjustments, revisions or modifications associated with
its ergonomics.
The aesthetics are
classic PlayStation and, at first glance, you might think that the
functionality is also basically the same, with the standard keypad, the D-pad
touchpad, the analog pushbuttons, as well as the levers and triggers.
You will also find
the rear light bar and the touch panel, as well as the sharing button and
options. It works wirelessly, is charged by standard micro USB cable, and
offers quite satisfactory battery life.
However, there are
more aspects to consider under its structure. There are motion controls
(although not all games take advantage of it), a lightbar that changes color to
match in-game events, and the touchpad that also functions as a button.
Newer versions of the
controller (since 2016) also make the light bar slightly visible through the
touch panel, rather than confining it to the back of the controller, so that
the player is also aware of its start up.
The updated DualShock
4 isn't a big enough upgrade to warrant your purchase, but if you need to
replace a broken controller, or want to get a second for multiplayer, there are
plenty of reasons to get the official one.
It is cheaper than most of the competition. Now it comes in a decent color gamut, and as you may already know, it works really well.
Razer Raiju Ultimate
·
£ 199.99
With the arrival of
the Raiju Ultimate , Razer has added the possibility of
wireless control compared to the traditional previous model, in addition to slightly
simplifying the design, which has led to it being a more expensive solution.
There are good
reasons for that, to be fair. The Raiju Ultimate is inspired by
Microsoft's Xbox Elite controller, pretending to offer the best in all its
fields.
It ships with a
heavy-duty carrying case, interchangeable joysticks and D-pad, and a choice of
both wired and Bluetooth gaming, with a switch on the back for quick switching
between modes (including a Bluetooth option for PC).
The whole feeling is
as premium as the Xbox Elite controller. For aesthetics, it is completely
black, loses blue tones, and has improved mechanical buttons that feel
satisfactorily tactile in operation.
Unlike most other
controllers, you cannot reprogram those that use the pad itself, for which you
will have to use your mobile application with which you can create and save
multiple different game profiles.
That app is also used
for Ultimate's most unique feature: support for Razer's Chroma lighting
effects, which run in a small strip that appears around the touchpad.
You can use the app
to link certain colors and effects to specific profiles, with the usual set of
animations and color cycling options found in other Razer products.
One small issue we
observed is that the audio does not work when you use the pad via Bluetooth
connectivity, even if the headphones are connected. So your only headphone
option is a high-end set like Razer's Thresher that connects directly to the
console, not through the controller.
If you already have one or are going to acquire it, make sure to carry out the latest firmware update with which you can solve certain problems detected in previous versions. For the rest, you will have one of the best controllers that you can use with your PS4.
Astro C40 TR
· £ 189.99
The Astro
C40 TR is another high-level controller designed for those more
professional users who demand the latest technology to attend tournaments,
either on PS4 or on PC platforms.
The build quality is
excellent, with a combination of material in its brushed finishes that offers a
clean design with great grip, far from the bright and flashy color aspects that
you can find in other competitive controls.
The C40 TR is modular
so you can change the analog stick and D-Pad to your liking, perfect for those
who prefer the asymmetrical look of the Xbox One controller. It also has the
ability to change the analog stick ,
opting for a concave or convex finish. depending on the level of control
required.
All accessories are
provided in an included travel case along with the necessary tools to carry out
the changes, as well as elements with which to customize the peripheral.
Triggers are another
prominent area when it comes to the C40 TR, offering slight resistance for
better control, and there are also built-in trigger stops designed for use in
first-person games.
Unlike the cheaper
controller options available this year, these stops can be enabled or disabled
via a switch on the controller, making it a great option for all games, not
just shooter .
Parameterization,
along with a handful of other customizable settings, including the ability to
adjust analog stick sensitivity ,
you'll find using the Astro PC configuration software.
The C40 TR allows you
to store settings, perfect for those mid-session game changes. Of course,
it offers the possibility of playing wired or through a wireless connection to
eliminate possible latencies.
It's nice to have
this option, especially when other tournament-centric controllers are ditching
wireless connectivity altogether. If you are looking for a discreet
professional controller full of functionality, the Astro C40 TR is your great
option.
