Cheap controllers | The best of 2022

What could be worse than inviting a friend over and finding yourself without a second controller to play together? Probably in the life of a gamer a few other things and here in fact a second controller is always useful in these situations, but also in many others. Very common situations, to which you can easily get ready by equipping yourself with one of the best cheap controllers on the market.

For example, just think about when you forget to charge your main joystick, finding it with just a few second before starting to play. Unfortunately, buying a second controller is certainly not an indifferent expense, given that the original gamepads for the main game consoles often come to cost even more than 50 euros. That's why we've compiled for you the list of the best budget controllers on the market, whatever your favorite gaming platform.

Before diving into the best budget controllers you can buy nowadays, we would also like to point out to you what are our buying guides dedicated to wireless gaming headsets and cheap gaming chairs, to always have a top station.

Best Cheap Controllers

Nacon Compact Controller - Best for PlayStation PowerA wired controller - Best for Xbox PowerA wired controller - Best for Nintendo Switch Zexrow - Best for PC 8Bitdo Zero2 - The best alternative

Nacon Compact Controller - The best for PlayStation

If you are looking for the best cheap PS4 controllers to come to your rescue, the Nacon Compact Controllers are sure to come. This is a series of very high quality gamepads, which will certainly not make you regret the classic PS4 controllers. Successful design, 3-meter cable, jack input and equipped with the share, options and PS buttons: the Nacon Compact are affordable controllers of all respect, perfect for any PS4. Finally, to make everything even more interesting is a large number of different colors, able to satisfy practically every taste. What more could you want?

»View Nacon Compact Controller on Amazon

» View Nacon Compact Controller on eBay

PowerA wired controller - The best for Xbox

In case you need a good cheap Xbox controller, PowerA, a high quality wired product with official Microsoft license, is right for you. In addition to the classic keys, the PowerA also has two additional programmable buttons on the back, a very remarkable feature for a product sold at a budget price. Let's face it: can you really resist this beautiful design dedicated to that Cuphead masterpiece? PS: in case you want something more traditional, this great budget controller is also available in classic black and white colors.

»View PowerA wired controller on Amazon

» View PowerA wired controller on eBay

PowerA wired controller - The best for Nintendo Switch

The best cheap controllers for Nintendo Switch are called PowerA, which is a series of very good quality gamepads sold at a very low price. In addition to being officially licensed by Nintendo, these products feature an ergonomic design, a detachable three-meter usb cable, and most importantly, a large number of different prints. To play economically and in style.

»View PowerA wired controller on Amazon

» View PowerA wired controller on eBay

Zexrow - Best for PC

Although the PC has historically been the realm of the mouse and keyboard coupled, in some games a good joystick can always be useful. Therefore, as the best budget controller for PC we recommend the Zexcrow, a device that is very reminiscent of the unforgettable Xbox 360 gamepad, emulating its quality at a very low price. In case this solution does not convince you, we remind you that most of the other economic controllers recommended in this article are also compatible on PC, although they have recommended them for other gaming platforms. When we say spoiled for choice.

»See Zexrow on Amazon

8BitDo Zero2 - The best alternative

You feel particularly alternative or you want a cheap controller that is very comfortable to carry around ? In this case, the 8Bitdo Zero2 is definitely the one for you, a beautiful mini device compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC and Android designed to play in total freedom and particularly recommended for indie games. A unique product, with an irresistible design, weighing only 20 grams and characterized by a very low price: the 8Bitdo Zero2 is a real gem.

»View 8BitDo Zero2 on Amazon

» View 8BitDo Zero2 on eBay

How to choose the best cheap controllers

When you find yourself buying a economic controller you need to have very clear in mind how you will most likely find in your hands after the purchase a product that is valid, but which in any case fails to achieve the same quality as the standard controllers for the various gaming platforms. Precisely for this reason it is good and right to get information as much as possible, in order to obtain the highest possible quality / price ratio.

Type of connection

One of the main things to keep in consideration before buying an inexpensive controller is that relating to the type of connection. Wireless or wired: both have their pros and cons, but it is good to consider how the first is more difficult to find in a product at a reduced price and how without adequate quality the wireless connection risks "giving away" some bad joke. too much. Not to be forgotten is how a wireless controller needs to be recharged from time to time. In short, if you want a cheap wireless controller, read the various reviews even more carefully.

Ergonomics

Very important in choosing a controller, that is a device that we will be asked to use for several hours without interruption, is certainly to take ergonomics into great consideration. Avoiding minor annoyances during and after use must in fact be a priority and it is precisely for this reason that we have included in this list of the best cheap controllers on the market only devices with good ergonomics.

Compatibility

It is very important not to underestimate the compatibility of the various cheap controllers. Although certain products are marketed only for certain gaming platforms, they are proven to be compatible with others and, almost always, even with PCs. A deeper look at user descriptions and feedback could therefore save you several euros.

Analog arrangement

One of the discussions that has been going on for the longest time within the videogame community is certainly that relating to the arrangement of analogs on a controller. Better arranged symmetrically, such as in PS5's DualSense, or asymmetrically, as per the Xbox tradition? Unfortunately, there is no perfect answer for everyone and for this reason we have decided with the products recommended in this list to satisfy as many palates as possible.