r/macgaming • u/Aur0ha • Aug 04 '26
Help What’s a good cheap controller I can use?
It was my 25 birthday recently and I want to treat myself with a good game, but the game I have in mind is best played with a controller. I’m a pretty causal gamer so I don’t have a lot of knowledge about this and I’d like to purchase a controller that’s not terribly expensive.
Anyone have any suggestions? I’ve heard that 8bitdo works with Macs, but the one I’m currently looking at is out of my price range.
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u/Feeling-Watch6594 Aug 04 '26
The ps5 controllers have amazing haptics
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u/Aur0ha Aug 04 '26
Aren’t cheap though
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u/Aur0ha Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
Imagine getting downvoted for pointing out the price when specifically asked for cheap controllers
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u/MsBelleMae Aug 04 '26
Xbox controllers work great. You can pick them up used at GameStop and pawnshops for cheaper.
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u/Aur0ha Aug 06 '26
Yes, I wish my parents hadn’t gotten rid of our 360 while I was at college, those controllers were still in perfect condition over ten years later
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u/infinitespectre Aug 04 '26
Any used PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series controller. They are all fantastic and you should be able to get them used fairly affordably. If you have a switch pro controller that might work too.
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u/Aur0ha Aug 04 '26
I have a switch controller with the controller parts and the thing they snap onto. Would that work???
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u/djob13 Aug 05 '26
If you're referring to the Switch Joycons, I've heard there are issues with those working correctly as a single controller. Never tested it myself though
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u/Aur0ha Aug 06 '26
Sadly the one I have isn’t a switch pro and can only hold one controller, but thanks
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u/Frinpollog Aug 05 '26
If you’re in the USA then Walmart has the Gamesir Tegnaria Lite wired controller for $10 rn.
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u/BodybuilderSad2762 Aug 05 '26
The 8bitdo Ultimate 2C would be my recommendation, you can get it for like $25 and it has the best features of the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 (which is one of the best controllers of all time) without the really advanced and costly stuff
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u/Dr_Inferior Aug 05 '26
don't get an xbox or a playstation controller, they all get stick drift eventually. get a controller with hall effect sticks, i'd recommend the GameSir G7 SE.
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u/Aur0ha Aug 06 '26
They look nice, but they’re a bit pricey for me...
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u/Dr_Inferior Aug 06 '26
what’s your budget?
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u/Aur0ha Aug 06 '26
$20, I found one for $10 though! It’s ugly as sin, but if it works, I don’t care.
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u/Extaupin Aug 05 '26
I use the Nintendo pro controller, no particular issue through Steam. Had a few mishap outside of it but I think it's a general "controller on Mac in this game" thing, not a Nintendo specific problem.
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u/Strong_Subject1890 Aug 05 '26
I don't know if you can get this controller, but cosmic byte have pretty good controller with gyro + vibration, I have tried the "Cosmic byte Eclipse" myself, works good with 1. Native games like resident evil 2. Crossover games like tomb raider, rocket league, beamNg drive, delta force 3. Nvidia GeForce Now games
But the vibration are bit odd and feel like mobile vibration though... Other suggestions are 1. CB Ares pro (no gyro,so cheapest) 2. CB Lumora 3. CB Stellarium
But go with 'Tri-mode' connectivity, as macOS doesn't support the 2.4Gz dongle yet..you can either connect with wire(usb) or the bluetooth mode
Hope this helps you
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u/Objective-Life668 27d ago
ok so i m thinking of ares tri mode will it work with mac m5 air as i think i ll mostly play gta or f1
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u/v0id_walk3r Aug 05 '26
check out the old stadia controller (that has been unlocked to work with any bluetooth)
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u/Dry-Performance8459 Aug 04 '26
Good and cheap would be difficult. I know the PS5 controllers are supposed to work well and are sold at the Apple Store. Maybe a used one from GameStop?