Finish him! TOP 5 Wireless Gamepads for PC

It's hard to compete with Sony, Microsoft and Logitech in their field, so manufacturers of second-tier gamepads have to attract potential buyers in their own way. In the case of the iPega PG-9078, this is multiplatform and an attractive price tag.

Let's start with the omnivore PG-9078: it is able to work with smartphones, tablets and TV boxes based on Android, with smartphones and tablets based on iOS and Windows PCs. The manipulator is connected to computers not only via Bluetooth, but also via a wire that connects to the microUSB of the gamepad. To work with smartphones, there is a special mount included that holds the handset over the gamepad as in NVIDIA Shield . The main thing is that the diagonal of the screen does not exceed5.5" otherwise, the mounting width may not be enough. Although, by the standards of today's frameless smartphones, this is not so much.

In terms of usability, Chinese gamepads are a pure lottery. Even in the line of one company, there may be bad, good and even excellent copies. iPega ate the dog in this case, and in the case of PG-9078, if not in the bullseye, then somewhere very close. The sticks are smooth, with a clear orientation in space, the triggers / shifters are pressed easily and smoothly, and the gamepad itself lies comfortably in your hands. In the latter case, thanks to the time-tested design (hello, Dual Shock) and the base made of corrugated plastic, which does not allow the gamepad to slide in the heat of battles. Of course, it does not reach the convenience of DualShock 4, but even approaching its level is already a success.

Against the background of all the above, you can only scold the wireless connection. The pairing is elementary, the communication is confident, but sometimes for some reason the gamepad refuses to see any particular device. And it doesn't matter if it's a tablet or a laptop. But this is well compensated by the price, iPega PG-9078 will cost about 2 times cheaper Sony DualShock 4 V2 Price from 840 up to 3 780 ₴ or Logitech Wireless Gamepad F710 Price from 1 799 up to 3 495 ₴.

In terms of design, it will not be possible to tell something new. The format with two "horns", a pair of symmetrical sticks and 4 side shifters turned out to be incredibly successful and is rightfully considered a classic. Therefore, it has not changed much over the entire availability of the PlayStation console and has become the most copied gamepad in history. If you go to the gamepads section, then 8 out of 10 models will somehow repeat the branded outlines of the DualShock.

Among the additional functions, the manufacturer provides a 2-touch touchpad, which replaces the Start and Select buttons and is used as an additional control in some games. The presence of a special Share button allows you to share videos and photos taken during the game with friends on social networks. The user can also change the brightness of the LED backlight, which shows the serial number of the gamepad in the game and signals a low charge level. Well, do not forget about a separate headphone output — this is a very useful thing if, for example, the household is sleeping.

Separately, I would like to note the sticks — they are damn comfortable and responsive, the finger fits like a glove and does not jump off during feints or a sharp change in the direction of running. It's not for nothing that the lion's share of players use DualShock at FIFA tournaments. Plus, unlike the first version of Sony DualShock 4 Price from 1 411 up to 2 299 ₴, the second one is covered with a relief material, thanks to which the gamepad is more comfortable in your hands.

However, when using games not from Steam and other official stores, most likely you will have to tinker with installing additional crutches like InputMapper. However, the programme itself is easy to set up and with it the gamepad turns into a full-fledged device from Sony PlayStation 4 . On the one hand, as a bonus, you will get a touch trackpad that can control the mouse cursor, on the other hand, not everyone will want to mess with installing and configuring additional software.

In terms of design, the F710 completely repeats PlayStation gamepads — a pair of symmetrical sticks, a D-pad with arrows, 4 side shifters and a main unit with four buttons. The main difference is that the main buttons are not marked with geometric shapes like DualShock, but with coloured letters "ABXY" like Xbox. Since most PC games are focused specifically on Xbox, you don't have to rush to find the right button when a prompt like "press X, then A" appears on the screen.

The main feature of Logitech controllers is the simultaneous support of XInput and DirectInput modes. In the first case, the system defines F710 as Microsoft Xbox One Wireless Controller for Windows with a standard layout, in the second as a Rumblepad with the ability to reprogram buttons for yourself. In the latter case, the gamepad can be tightened to control third-party applications, for example, use it as a MIDI controller in music software. You can switch modes using a special mechanical lever on the case.

The main weakness of the F710 is ergonomics. The responsiveness of the sticks is not impressive, despite the fact that now they can move along a perfectly circular trajectory. Accuracy with small deviations is low, and the finger on top does not sit quite comfortably and gets tired faster. Especially in games like FIFA, where you have to constantly twist both sticks. Well, analogue triggers/shifters are a bit tight. This is a plus to durability, but a minus to convenience. For example, in racing, where most of the time you need to press the trigger to the floor, your fingers get tired faster than when playing with Xbox and PS controllers. Therefore, be sure to try the gamepad before buying.

Another big difference from the offspring of Sony and Microsoft is in nutrition. The Logitech F710 uses regular AA batteries instead of a battery. It is their quality that determines how much charge the gamepad will have.

PC players have a huge selection of controllers from companies like Logitech, Razer or Microsoft with Sony. Recently, the list will be replenished with the Pro controller from the console Nintendo Switch Price from 9 107 up to 18 152 ₴, which, as it turned out, has native PC support. Moreover, without any tricks or installing additional software, it works with modern computers (including Steam Big Picture mode) and instantly picks up Bluetooth communication.

In terms of design, the Switch Pro Controller does not differ much from Sony and Microsoft gamepads. There are two analogue sticks on board, a D-pad unit with arrows, four front buttons, four shoulder buttons (shifters) and several navigation keys in the centre. The main difference lies in the little things — it is larger than the Dualshock, a special membrane is installed in the centre of the D-pad, which eliminates simultaneous clicks on the opposite arrows, and one of the sticks is short, like the Xbox.

In general, the Switch Pro Controller fits comfortably in your hands, plastic and rubberized handles do not slip even after hours of battles with friends in Mortal Kombat or FIFA, and the overall level of convenience is even higher than that of Sony and Microsoft gamepads. At least, this is what people who own all three consoles say. Plus, the built-in battery holds up to 40 hours and this is a serious factor for buying. But we did not deliver audio or support for wireless headphones. Given the considerable price, this is a noticeable omission.

A few years after the console went on retail sale Microsoft Xbox One X , Microsoft has released an unusual version of the console, which received the subtitle Elite in the title. And a little later, separately from the console, an "elite" gamepad aimed at athletes also went on sale. In terms of connecting to a PC, it's still the same simple gamepad. We connect, wait until Windows detects the gamepad and downloads the drivers.. That's it, now you can go wet monsters, conquer race tracks or beat friends in Injustice.

And now let's see what Microsoft has changed compared to the original controller. First of all, these are sticks. Due to the changed way of sliding, they are now smoother and more flexible. Tactile sensations are much more pleasant. Plus, they are now replaceable and three pairs can be found in the package at once. Moreover, all the sticks are different, one pair of standard height, the second is slightly higher, the third is more like DualShock sticks in shape. In order not to lose them, a special storage case is provided with the gamepad.

Secondly, 4 removable petal buttons appeared on the inside of the gamepad, which protrude above the textured surface like butterfly wings. You could see something similar in the Steam controller. By default, these additional four knobs duplicate the functions of the A/B/X/Y buttons, but they can be reconfigured for themselves.

Thirdly, the D-pad, which was showered with so many curses at the time of the Xbox 360, came close to the perfect of convenience. And as an additional option, instead of the standard crosspiece, you can install a special rounded crosspiece (sorry for the oxymoron) with faceted sides. Well, as a nice bonus, it became possible to adjust the amplitude of the movement of side triggers / shifters.

In general, Microsoft has finally turned out to be an excellent controller in all respects, but you will have to pay as much as $ 150 for such a pleasure. This is almost three times more than a standard gamepad from Microsoft or Sony.