DualShock 4s hold their value very well. So, if you’re looking to get a PS4 controller cheap it can be a tough time deciding whether to pull the trigger or not on a ‘nearly full-price pad’, particularly as there’s some potential couch co-oping time around the corner this festive season. We’ve scoured all the major retailers to find the best deals to make sure you can spend the pennies wisely, and on the real thing.
The official DualShock 4s are always the ones to aim for: they are reliable, sturdy, well-built and designed and offer a comfortable and ergonomic way to best enjoy the delights of the PS4. However, there is some variation on this, particularly if you are looking for something more specialist that may allow you to change the button layout or functions or a controller for performing complex controls with. These controllers - like the Razer Raiju - are more expensive, but they do offer more options for those looking for more complex controllers or ones aimed at gaining an edge in competition or online play. However, it’s worth noting that we would not recommend buying cheap third-party controllers, or buying second-hand. But with that, let’s find you the best PS4 controller deal you can get right now, just in time for Christmas.
And if you need it, here are some cheap PS4 deals, and the best PS4 Pro deals to cover all things PlayStation in the run up to Christmas.
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Does the PS4 controller work with PC?
Yes, the official PS4 controllers do work with PCs, and they’re pretty easy to set-up. They’re, for us, the best controller you can use for PC gaming, so it’s well worth grabbing one if you prefer gaming with a pad compared to keyboard and mouse. Our sister site, PC Gamer, has an excellent and clear set-up guide right here: How to use a PlayStation 4 pad on PC. We’ve got the best deals on PS4 controllers below.
The official PS4 controller - best prices
This is the original DualShock 4, and it’s incredibly versatile and works with every PS4 and PS4 Pro. The design has been tweaked since the PS4 originally launched to make the thumbsticks more robust and there's now an atrtractive LED bar on the front of the touchpad. Just a word of warning: DualShock4s do NOT come with a USB charging cable, which they need. You should have one from the box of the PS4 console you bought, but, if not, spares are cheap and widely available. Here is a link to the Amazon Basics version, which does the job just fine. The standard DualShock 4 is also available in an enormous range of different colours, patterns and designs now, so you can often select that at checkout.
Official GT Sport Limited Edition controller - best prices
This lovely, subtle GT Sport Limited Edition controller for PS4 is a neat way to show your love for the series, without ruining the excellent design of the standard DualShock. It comes in a nice silver color, and has an understated GT Sport logo on the touchpad. The perfect way to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary.
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God of War Limited Edition controller - best prices
This is a tremendous official controller with the exact same features as the standard DualShock 4, but has all kinds of fancy God of War stylings on it. There’s a rune on the right hand-grip, a game logo on the touchpad, and two-tone colors on the base of the handles. Perfect for anyone looking to create a God of War bundle as a gift - just get the game and the pad. Only problem? It isn't available in the US, and there is very limited stock in the UK.
Razer Raiju - a great PS4 pad for eSports; ideal for shooters
For some, the official PS4 controller isn’t quite good enough. Maybe you’re looking to take part in eSports, or play online in some official tournaments. If this is the case you should consider looking at the Razer Raiju, as it offers a few features that aren’t standard on other pads. It has hair-triggers and sprung face-buttons that are more responsive and snappy than the slightly spongy versions on the official pad. On top of that, the analogue sticks are more responsive too, cutting down on any slight deadzone between pushing the stick and something happening on screen. To be clear, these are incredibly marginal improvements, but they can make all the difference to professional and tournament play. It also has mappable buttons under the pad itself, so you can program certain sequences in, handy if you’re looking to guarantee certain movesets every time you attempt them. The downside is that this is super-pricey.
Works with PC? Yes.
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Nacon Revolution Pro - a more complex pad for a cheaper price. Great for fighting games
If you don’t want to splash over $120 / £120 on a Pro controller, then the Nacon is a nice halfway house between the official DualShock and the Razer Raiju. Just be aware that you get what you pay for, so while the pad is more set-up for eSports than the standard Sony controller - with more sensitive triggers, responsive sticks, and a better d-pad (which makes it ideal for fighting games). The pad is weightier too, much like the Razer, so you’ll need to adjust your grip to get the most out of it.
Works with PC? Yes.
Official Sony Dualshock 4 charging station - best prices
If you don't want wires running between your PS4 console and your sofa, it may be time to invest in one of these PS4 controller charging stations. They plug neatly into a power source, and allow you to charge a couple of pads wherever you choose, regardless of whether or not your console is switched on. A handy piece of kit, and available at a decent price.
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