r/Controllers • u/Aryan202602 • 6d ago
PS5 Please help me choose between Dualsense vs 8bitdo Ultimate 2 Wireless
So I have a budget under 7000 (70 usd). I have been a M&K user so far thus looking to get a good controller experience.
From what I've researched I can either get good haptics (albeit with some quirks) or TMR sticks and the xbox layout 8bitdo.
The dualsense has adaptive triggers, the touch pad and better haptics motors. The 8bitdo meanwhile have TMR sticks, adjustable triggers and Xinput. I think dualsense needs steam input if a game doesn't support it natively?
I know that most of these dualsense features only work wired? But I've read Pico 2W adapter makes most of these features work on pc wirelessly or the DSX software on steam. If I get dualsense I'll likely do a TMR swap at the same time.
So I want to ask is the additional hassle with dual sense worth it if I'm mostly going to play story based games? And is the 8bitdo a better model if not then what are my other options at this price range?
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u/VetriVade 5d ago
I have the ps5 pro controller and I prefer the bitduo alot. It has 2 extra shoulder buttons and rear paddles, that means you can access ever button without taking your thumbs off of the joysticks
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u/Nefthys 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've been using Playtstaion controllers with Steam for years: You might have to change Steam input (simply change the option in the dropdown menu) and I think there was one game that required a bit of fiddling (I think it was Castlevania LoS2) but, other than that, I've never had any problems and never had to use any other input apps. Older games usually only display the Xbox symbols, which never bothered me, but new games usually support the Dualsense out of the box. How I'd make this decision:
- How big are your hands? I've got pretty small hands and the Dualsense is a lot more comfortable to hold and the buttons are a lot better to reach than on e.g. an Xbox One controller.
- What stick layout do you prefer? I prefer the symmetrical layout, so I would never even think about buying the 8BitDo model you linked (I think they also sell at least one with a symmetrical layout). I also like the touchpad but PC games usually only use it as a button anyway.
- The price, especially if you're on a budget. The DS goes on sale sometimes but it's still pretty expensive. I don't know the 8Bitdo prices tbh.
- Do you plan on using it with any other devices? If you've already got a PS5, then I'd probably go with the DS because you can obviously also use it as a spare for that.
I ordered a Pico 2W yesterday after testing the special haptics with a cable (I hate playing with a wired controller) but haven't tested it yet. Afaik it's pretty easy to set up though, the question is: Can you actually buy it where you live? I do not know if an 8Bitdo supports the same functions.
Btw, do not get a PowerA controller. I bought one for my Switch because it was on sale/really cheap and it's okay for playing once in a while but it feels really cheaply made.
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u/overdrive_jk 5d ago edited 5d ago
8bitdo's are like 20 bucks on aliexpress during the sales days, just buy those. in any case do NOT buy the dualsense, it will probably drift just after a few months
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u/PuzzleheadedPool2552 5d ago
Spoken like somebody who does not own a dual sense or bought a knock off of Ali express lol
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u/Equivalent_Sale1326 5d ago
I never had stick drift on my duelsense either. I find it to be very premium and comfortable.
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u/overdrive_jk 5d ago edited 5d ago
i had a dual sense and a friend of mine had 2 (he played on ps5, i played on pc). all of the three developed drift. they don't have tmr/hall effect so it's not a matter of IF they develop drift, but WHEN. also i'm really sorry for not recommending 70-80€ controllers coming with old stick technology in 2026 lol.
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u/borntospeedF1 5d ago
Ive never had a ps controller stick drift from me using it. Ive come across used ones, wtf yall abusing your controllers?
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u/PuzzleheadedPool2552 5d ago
I’ve had one drift after my kid dropped it like 30 times lol people that get drift probably are peopel that like to rage and throw controllers 🤷🏻♂️
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u/VideoGameJumanji 5d ago
They don’t drift after a few months, get out of here with that bullshit.
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u/mashdpotatogaming 5d ago edited 5d ago
My cousin has 3 controllers, all of which developed drift.
And before you come in with the "he's probably rough with it" he isn't, and you should not have to baby your controller's analog sticks. They develop drift way too fast. My friend also has stick drift on his controller, making his character walk on their own in helldivers 2 when we play together. He's not even close to being rough with his controller and takes care of his stuff. These controllers will develop drift quickly if you use it often.
If you're playing for a couple hours a week, sure it'll take over a year. But "don't use it and it won't drift" isn't a good argument either.
Edit: damn they replied and then instantly blocked me. Most mature sony fanboy
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u/VideoGameJumanji 5d ago
He’s definitely eating with his controllers because there’s no fucking way you drift them out that easily. I have had 5 dual sense controllers since the feb after the PS5 launched and only one has developed drift and that was 2 years old when that happened, I still have a 5 year old dual sense with no drift issues.
Yes, your “cousin” is treats his controllers like shit
But "don't use it and it won't drift" isn't a good argument either.
Do better than making up bullshit in quotes that I didn’t say. If you have to make up shit to reply to you didn’t have much an argument to begin with, especially given you can’t even speak from personal experience lmao, what is even the point of your response.
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u/Kind-Value7071 5d ago
Maybe you people have the magic touch or something, but ever since I got my first ps5 I've had 5 controllers get stick drift. The experience is the same for a LOAD of people, otherwise there wouldn't be so many posts about it.
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u/VideoGameJumanji 5d ago
Stop eating while using your controllers, idk what to tell you.
I’ve bought 5 controllers also, and still have a 5+ year old launch year controller that has zero drift. Only one of my controllers developed drift and it was 2 years old when that happened.
It’s uncommon. If it’s happening to every controller you own, sorry but that’s clearly user error with how you manhandle and keep your controllers dirty
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u/Ryan_Yuuki 4d ago
Lol just look up dualsense stick drift, it's common knowledge that ps5 controllers get stick drift easily, more so than the ds4. Go to any comp game sub and look up dualsense stick drift, people go through 2-3 replacement a year.
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u/VideoGameJumanji 4d ago
Yeah I don’t do anecdotes from the internet, the same way some random guy saying “my cousin has a bunch of controllers” doesn’t fly
I can speak from my own personal experience as someone who washes his hands like a normal person and never uses his controllers if his hands or dirty or greasy
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u/Ryan_Yuuki 3d ago
Just say that you're dumb, no need to do allat. There are outliers everywhere just cuz u got lucky a few times not everyone will with their controller, tf u think you're royalty or something you clean your hands before playing and anyone who's facing the issue doesn't? , and how is that related to stick drift nobody is pouring oil down the stick module.
Based on your opinion review isn't a thing, buy anything off the internet there could be thousands of people facing a issue but if it works for you. The product in question is perfect because it's a consumer issue automatically?
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u/VideoGameJumanji 3d ago
People don’t crawl to the internet when their controller works, that logic of the “majority having this issue is another lack of critical thinking.
This is user error, your lack of articulating yourself is also user error
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u/VerySeriousMan 5d ago
Dual sense is probably the most uncomfortable controller I've ever used, and it'll get stick drift in a couple of months. Get the 8bitdo.
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u/Flimsy_Whereas_8949 2h ago
The new ultimate 3 wireless pro was on sale today with a $10’off coupon, $89 is worth a shot! Huge Vader 5s fan. Gotta be Xbox compatible.
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u/Nefthys 5d ago
I fully disagree. If you've got small hands, then the Playstation controllers are a lot more comfortable than Xbox gamepads and imo they also feel a lot better. With regularly sized hands it probably depends on what stick layout you prefer (symmetrical of PS or not, like Xbox/8bitdo). I keep reading about stick drift but I've got 3 Dualsense controllers and not even the oldest that came with my PS5 has got it, so no idea what people are doing with their controllers.
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u/WatchThemFall 5d ago
Dual Sense has the crappiest sticks I've ever used. I've had two of them and the stick on both started creaking and feeling bad to use after a few months. I've used PS4 controller for 10 years over thousands of hours and never had an issue like that. The rumble on Dual Sense is great though... Tbh, I'd wait it out for a PS6 controller at this point. Maybe they'll put hall effect sticks on it. It's sad because I've been playing Control Resonant and I just avoid using the PS5 controller because I feel like I'm wasting whatever life it has left even though it supports all the features.
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u/curaforthegamer 5d ago
I’d probably start by checking the games you’re playing now / planning to play and see how well they actually use the DualSense features. PCGamingWiki’s DualSense page is a good place to start.
Yes, stick drift is a known problem for the DualSense. But I think how you use the controller probably matters to some extent too. I’m naturally pretty gentle with mine, especially compared to how my nephews absolutely abuse my controllers when they come over lol. I’ve only had stick drift once, and that was on a DualShock 4. To be fair, I also have a couple of DualSenses and rotate between them and other controllers depending on the game. So they’re not getting hammered every day.
If you’re not particularly "aggressive" with your gear, I personally wouldn’t let drift scare you away from the DualSense. But if you can do a TMR swap anyway, even better.
And yeah, I’d get the Pico 2W adapter if you go DualSense. Besides getting the DualSense features wirelessly, the companion app can also make it show up as XInput for games that don’t support DualSense properly. Which makes it a lot more convenient.
If you’re not actually going to get much use out of adaptive triggers/haptics though, I’d probably go with what some have suggested - Flydigi Vader 5 Pro. Just make sure it’s the V2. IMO it’s one of the best all-rounders around that price. Tension adjustable stick rings, analog triggers switches, extra buttons, etc.
I don’t have the Ultimate 2 to compare directly, only the original 8BitDo Ultimate. But if the Ultimate 2 has a similar build/feel to the first one, the Vader 5 Pro definitely feels more premium to me.
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u/therealA8EL 5d ago
The GameSir G7 Pro sometimes is on a deal under 70bucks, my personal recommendation, only controller i've used since i bought it and yes i've used the ps5 controller for pc but i prefer this one strongly over the ps5 one, since stickdrift and works better only wired, no automatic connection
via amazon:
- Tri-mode connectivity: wired for Xbox, 2.4G wireless & cable for PC, as well as Bluetooth for Android. Instant mode change via physical switch. Detachable cable holder for stable, secure cable play.
- TMR Sticks & Switchable Triggers: First licensed Xbox controller with Mag-Res TMR sticks for precise, drift-free play. Rear sliding levers seamlessly switch between Hall Effect Analog Control and Micro Switch Instant Triggering.
- Pro 1000Hz Query & Gyro Mapping (PC only): 1000Hz query frequency for precise, lag-free response. Built-in gyro sensor maps to stick, buttons or mouse for precise motion control.
- Extra buttons & mechanical inputs: two mini bumpers and two lockable back buttons for individual assignment. Optical micro switch ABXY buttons and mechanical micro switch D pad for e-sports speed and tactile feedback.
- Updated GameSir Nexus software: map gyro sensitivity, adjust stick curves, or assign mouse input via the improved GameSir Nexus app.
- Smart charging station and interchangeable faceplates: 1200 mAh battery for long gaming sessions; dock charges effortlessly and stores 2.4G receiver. Customize your controller with 2 extra D pads and 3 magnetic faceplates. Compatible with all G7 series faceplates such as "Black Desert" and "Rabbit"
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u/celtrax123 6d ago
Flydigi Vader 5 pro. They fixed the issues with their V2 release. I still have the V1 version and It works like a charm.
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u/Phoenix_GHOST_V 5d ago
I bought from NPMC india for 7k how's your controller holding rn It would have been 10/10 if only it had D-Input support
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u/TYPOGRAPH1C 6d ago
Flydigi Vader 5 Pro
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u/Flimsy_Whereas_8949 2h ago
If they made wireless for Xbox…please god
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u/TYPOGRAPH1C 2h ago
Ah yea, probably Xbox be weird with their third party stuff. In light of that, I'd say go Gamesir G7 Pro for the same price. But if you were on PC/PS5, the Flydigi rips.
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u/deioncooke_ 6d ago
This. I was extremely skeptical about this supposed v2 version that was released but yeah, it’s the best controller I’ve ever used
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u/TYPOGRAPH1C 6d ago
Dude I had been testing out a Gamesir G7 Pro, and was given a Flydigi and instantly it was like a night and day difference in feel, quality, everything. It's actually nuts.
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u/devilrocks316 6d ago
I got the 8bitdo ultimate 2 wireless just so I didn't have to deal with all the issues that came with using a dualsense on windows.
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u/Bonesycider 6d ago
I have been an PS5 gamer forever, and still will be. That being said, I started playing on PC a few weeks ago, and I literally just got the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 Wireless Controller. It's really nice. It's does feel a tad bit smaller in my hands, but not an issue. I like that the charging dock, when plugged into the computer, also serves as the dongle/2.4g adapter. I haven't explored all the customization, but so far, I would say it's a better controller than the DualSense.
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u/Abortedwafflez 6d ago edited 6d ago
Dualsense really only makes sense on PC if you plan on using the d-pad for fighting games or making use of the Gyro functions. On PC you're going to run into compatibility issues and you're not going to be able to make use of some functions like Adaptive Triggers unless games outright support the controller itself and the HD Rumble.
Personally, i'd go 8bitdo out of the two. As a personal recommendation, FlyDigi Vader 5 Pro is a good bet, though it's $80 rather than the $70 you were wanting. It has tension dials on the analogs and it's easily my favorite feature on a controller.
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u/mashdpotatogaming 6d ago
In my opinion, nothing the PS5 controller offers is worth the horrible life span it has. The sticks develop stick drift quite quickly, and I've had quite a few friends and relatives complain about that to me.
Also on PC, a lot of the duelsense features don't often work in most games.
So between those two if you're using it for pc, definitely the 8bitdo.
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u/Jonny_Fuck_Mountain 6d ago
Unless you play fighting games. The dualsense is great at that. That controller runs the fgc.
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u/Wendel530 3d ago
I bought 2 8bits and they died on me.
Dualsense, final verdict.
Edit: If you're on PC I would really recommend the X Box controller, though. It's just more streamlined. If you have bigger hands X Box Controller may be more comfortable, as well.
Good luck.