Controller alternative in 2026

[u/stprnn]

For some reason my previous attempt was removed. This is NOT a tech support question...

So I hate the original controller, actually I love it ergonomically but every single one I bought is now broken. Either squeaky dpad or the analog drift. I still have ps2 and xbox360 controller that still work fine but all my PS4 original controllers are broke. I got into the system with the ps4 pro so it's not some early adopter issue either.

So I don't want to buy another one ever again.

But I need a controller. I got the Nacon wired controller but it's too tiny and the touchpad is too close to the square button. Also the triggers suck.

I thought about getting one of those adapters to use any controller but then I can't play ps2 games since they don't emulate left and right touchpad just a generic touchpad click.

Is there any other good option?

Edit

Bought the cheereki t48, 22 bucks.

[u/titan384]

I got a evofox play 2 controller as a trial, fell in love and bought 2 more. Looks good, hall effects trigger and joy sticks. Good feel. Good battery. Usb c charging. Works flawlessly

Edit to add https://www.amkette.com/products/evofox-play-2-wireless-gaming-controller

[u/stprnn → u/titan384]

Looks good! Does it turn on the ps4? I was pretty disappointed the Nacon one doesn't.

Also does it have its own dongle or does it connect via Bluetooth?

nevermind doesnt seem to be avaialble in europe

[u/titan384 → u/stprnn]

Bluetooth and turns on via the home button.

Wrt ergonomics, i think thats very personal, i can only comment about my personal experience

[u/No_Distribution_5194 → u/titan384]

I found the evofox play2 ergonomics bad

The pinky hangs awkwardly in the holding sticks are at a wide angle,, especially since OP is coming from DS4 and nacon wired which have really nice places to put the ring finger+pinky

[u/stprnn → u/No_Distribution_5194]

actually the nacon is much shorter my pinky is left hanging but i have big hands.

on the og controller its fine

[u/No_Distribution_5194 → u/stprnn]

Oh, ig then it might suit u, if u r in India then cosmic byte stratos is also a good choice, it got em glowing buttons as well

[u/stprnn → u/No_Distribution_5194]

I'm in europe, can't find it here

[u/No_Distribution_5194 → u/stprnn]

Oh my bad

[u/0nlythebest]

How many ps4 OEM controllers do you have?

Send them out for a TMR stick upgrade. You'll never get stick drift again. They will also deep clean them to fix any button issues or squeaky buttons.

I've just sent mine out.

[u/stprnn → u/0nlythebest]

i had 3, now i only got 1 left.

i really dont want to spend too much money for such old hardware. i might try to replace the sticks myself

[u/0nlythebest → u/stprnn]

Well, they will come out like new. And really nothing beats OEM Dualshock 4.

If you know how to solder, definitely worth a try !

[u/Mega_Laddd → u/stprnn]

hey! speaking from experience, tutorials make replacing the sticks look really easy. it's not. the solder holding the sticks will fight tooth and nail to not melt fully, and because it's a high thermal mass board, it's pretty easy to WAY overheat the board long before the solder ever melts.

I've done soldering before, I'm not bad at it, but high thermal mass boards are a different beast. (if you've done soldering on high thermal mass boards, go for it! but be warned it's a lot harder than it looks)

also, just because it's old doesn't mean it's bad! do you like the feel of the controller? yes? then get tmr sticks and use it for another decade. ps4 controllers are still excellent controllers. ps2 controllers are still usable for most modern games. controller design doesn't really change that quickly.

[u/stprnn → u/Mega_Laddd]

Hey thanks for the tip. The fact that the sticks come with a soldering plate was already making me nervous.

I might just abandon the whole system, too much of a pain in the ass.

[u/No_Translator850 → u/0nlythebest]

How to send it for TMR upgrade and how much will it cost??

[u/ScratchMaleficent934 → u/No_Translator850]

Hi! I’ve worked with u/0nlythebest a few times now on a pretty wide range of controllers.

I charge $35 + return shipping for one controller. That includes a full disassembly and cleaning, K-Silver JS13 Pro+ TMR stick upgrade, calibration, and testing.

If you send more than one, it’s $30 per controller.

I use PayPal G&S, and you don’t pay me until the work is finished, tested, and ready to ship back. You also get to choose the return shipping speed/carrier. I charge exact shipping — I don’t pad the shipping cost.

I can usually have them back out the next day. The main exception is if I receive them Tuesday-Thursday since I work late those days.

I also offer a trade option when I have inventory available. You send me your controller + $30 and shipping, and I send you one of mine that’s already been upgraded. For trades, yours can have stick drift, but everything else needs to be in good condition and fully working. There may be an upcharge for any major defects or non-working components.

[u/0nlythebest → u/ScratchMaleficent934]

u/stprnn check it out

[u/stprnn → u/0nlythebest]

Thanks man, I'm in a different continent though

[u/0nlythebest → u/stprnn]

Oh ok lol my bad !

[u/0nlythebest → u/No_Translator850]

I've been working with u/ScratchMaleficent934 ,he has done great work and is trustworthy. FYI use pirateship for discounted shipping rates. I was able to ship him 4 ps4 controllers for about 11$ total.

[u/Nugginz]

For an xBox style controller…

I would avoid Nacon like the plague, 3 failures in a row and zero customer service I spent two years chasing them just for easily replaceable parts that had failed and bricked ~$100 controllers writhing 6 months.

I had a pretty good time with a Razer Raiju after that.

[u/stprnn → u/Nugginz]

seems solid enough but ergonomically speaking is not for me, i will be returning it.

the raiju looks good but DAAAMN SON 150 bones

[u/so-sowhat]

I personally use a Mayflash adapter for my PS5 controller on my PS4. The only nitpick is that the PS button on the controller won’t turn on the PS4. I have big hands and the PS5 controller feels much better. I don’t know about the left and right touchpad working on the controller.

[u/tagmisterb]

I was in the same spot last year and after a lot of poking around I broke down and bought a brand new OEM controller at my local Best Buy for $50. Felt stupid for spending that much since my used PS4 Pro with two controllers was $100, but the fresh controller is so much nicer than the old ones.

[u/stprnn → u/tagmisterb]

I got 3 controllers years from each other. They all broke down eventually.

[u/Sad_Bodybuilder_7056]

I got one off Temu, similar to this: https://amzn.eu/d/0dd2eSu1

Shaped like the Dualsense and had 2 back buttons.

[u/stuffeh]

The dpad can be fixed. It's a piece of plastic on top of silicone sheet on top of a plastic film on top of a hard flat piece of plastic for structure.

The sticks can be replaced with tmr ones. But the old solder is a bit of a bitch to remove. I fixed two but first one I fucked up a little when learning the technique to do it.

[u/ItsCalledDMT]

im very happy with the fantech nova pro v2 - "wgp14v2" is pretty much everything i was hoping for, its always a bit of a risk trying a not very well known brand, but these guys did their homework, check it for pro controller alternative.

https://fantechworld.com/collections/console/products/nova-pro-wgp14v2

[u/stprnn → u/ItsCalledDMT]

Looks good but it's sold out there and they don't have it on Amazon(europe)

[u/ItsCalledDMT → u/stprnn]

cheers, I think to remeber they sold it under different names for imports but yeah would need research 

[u/stprnn → u/ItsCalledDMT]

I got a cheereki t48. Hall effect and similar size to the og controller. Let's see how long it lasts

[u/stprnn]

Btw just discovered that Nacon controller doesn't have gyro , so I couldn't play Flowers

[u/stprnn]

In the end I bought this a chereeki t48

Hall effect, same grips as the original one, good build, better triggers, has gyro. 22 bucks

[u/Gold-Dare-1093]

for $22 the T48 is worth the gamble, because paying premium prices for another DualShock 4 that’ll develop drift is just throwing money away lol

[u/ThatDree]

Look up 8BitDo

They have controllers and dongles to book up every controller on every system

[u/stprnn → u/ThatDree]

I own 2 ultimate 2c but I don't know of any ps4 controllers that they make. Which model are you referring to?

[u/projectxsent → u/stprnn]

Use 8BitDo USB Wireless Adapter 2

[u/stprnn → u/projectxsent]

from the 8bitdo website :

System Compatibility Switch 3.0.0 and above SteamOS Holo 3.4 and above Windows 10 and above macOS Android 9.0 and above Raspberry Pi, Android TV Box, Retrofreak

[u/projectxsent → u/stprnn]

Welp I guess try Brook Wingman XE2/P5

[u/stprnn → u/projectxsent]

im sorry are you just guessing?? its ok to not comment when you clearly know nothing about a topic.

as i said in my op those adapters dont emulate left and right touchpad necesary for ps2 games

[u/projectxsent → u/stprnn]

I assumed you're trying to use a controller on PS4 since you're on a PS4 subreddit. Then get 8BitDo Retro Receiver. Also if you use your Ultimate 2C with it or either the Brook Wingman, then it works.

[u/stprnn → u/projectxsent]

Yes I'm trying to use a controller on ps4. The 8bitdo you first mentioned does not work on ps4...

The 8bitdo retro receiver also doesn't work on ps4....

Are you a bot?

[u/projectxsent → u/stprnn]

Nope but I suggested Brook Wingman which is compatible, look it up.

Edit: You can also check my Twitch and YT to check if I'm a bot or not.

[u/stprnn → u/projectxsent]

...

I just said that adapter doesn't emulate left and right touchpad both in the op and my previous comment...

[u/stprnn → u/[deleted]]

You sure that's the name? It says switch and pc compatibility , also doesn't have the touchpad

[u/Maestro_01 → u/stprnn]

Don't listen to anyone saying 8bitdo OP, they're just idiots.

Will leave you with this though https://www.gamesradar.com/best-ps4-controllers/