However, I see in the product specifications page of the console controllers that they also support PC. And the PC controllers sometimes support some of the consoles. The only real difference between controllers, from a technology perspective, is that is some of them support bluetooth/2.4 GHz.

So I have two questions:

If they are already cross-compatible, why even bother having different types?
How should I decide which type of controller I should buy? It should support PC, console-support is not essential.

Note: I am a novice in game controllers but aware of different network stacks.

Edit: Thanks for the amazing response! These are my key takeaways from all the comments

Hall-effect sensors are a must
Default console controllers usually have stick drift
If you need trackpad, take PS5
8bitdo is a reliable brand, as per multiple responses
Most controllers have good support on Linux. But haptic feedback can be a hit/miss as it can be platform/game dependent
There are various connectivity wireless standards. Dongles are the most reliable but you lose a USB port.
Keep track of handsize/comfort and button layout
PS controllers have excellent support on Linux/Steam

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[–] Neon@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago (5 children)

Gonna be quite honest:

The Nintendo Switc Pro Controller is probably the highest quality Controler I've ever had in my hands.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 1 points 2 months ago

Really? Mine is laggy for some reason, and feels mushy. I can see there's a firmware update for it when I connect it to a switch, but it won't update. I hardly ever use it.

[–] Tetsuo@jlai.lu 1 points 2 months ago

I don't share the positive feedback. The directional pad was especially terrible from the get go.

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[–] carl_dungeon@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Ps5 controller is Bluetooth, works for me without any special drivers. Has native support in some games for the haptic triggers and touch pad. It’s a fantastic general purpose unit. The Nintendo switch classic NES controllers are awesome for retro emulation too- also Bluetooth. They make NES/SNES/N64 variants- but really the ps5 will handle all those use cases and feel just fine for any modern gaming.

[–] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Unrelated to the actual question but related to the title: Check if the controller fits your hand size. For example, I don't like the Xbox controller and much prefer the ps4 ones since they fit in my small hands better.

[–] nickiwest@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This.

My husband swears by his Nintendo Pro controller, but he also has historically liked Xbox controllers.

Those options are too large to be comfortable in my hands, so I tend to go for undocked JoyCons and PlayStation controllers because they are better fits for me.

I use a PS4 controller for PC gaming. I definitely wouldn't buy a specific controller for my PC without actually holding a sample in my hands first.

[–] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 2 points 2 months ago

Pro tip: Buy silicone ergonomic grips for your joycons, they’ll stay small but your palms will be able to rest on them instead of floating in the air

[–] Grass@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago

Consoles have used different wireless tech/protocols but mostly use bluetooth now. Bluetooth devices should be able to work on pc but may require extra hassle like non standard protocol and no official drivers if they weren't intended to be used that way. For the ones that do work the main takeaway is no additional dongle if your system already has bluetooth, but there may be addititonal input latency.

2.4ghz is kinda silly naming because bluetooth and wifi are both 2.4ghz, though wifi also has 5ghz, but it usually refers to presumably proprietary protocol over 2.4ghz and uses a usb dongle. It will generally be faster/lower latency but that isn't even guaranteed as the 2.4ghz mentioned never refers to any standard.

The latency difference will only be noticible to cats or birds or something unless the controller tries to pass the headset audio to the pc. Bluetooth audio has a noticable delay compared to most '2.4ghz' options, particularly noticable in rhythm games, games with inputs timed to audio cues, voice chats where everyone else has low latency audio and fast internet, and probably other stuff I'm not personally into.

Deciding your controller comes down to a lot of things. If the means exist in your area, try as many as you can to determine your most comfortable size, shape and layout. Other than that you absolutely must do yourself a favour and get a controller with hall effect sticks. The console companies all love stick drift. Don't be fooled by Sony's replacable stick controller either, the sticks are always out of stock and if you can solder you can get a regular controller and swap to hall effect yourself, both sticks, when drift starts for like $5 CAD vs $25 for 1 that will eventually die in the same way.

But probably just don't give m$ sony or nint your money since they all get drift and I have replaced the battery and charge circuit on 8 separate ps4 controllers and drifting sticks on so so many of every big3 console controller. 8bitdo has a few stick and trigger hall effect controllers which I can mostly recommend, I have the hall stick only version of the ultimate controller and several of their older regular stick controllers. They are noted for their very close replica feel of snes dpad and face buttons but the configuration and firmware update software was windows only last I checked. I also quite like retro fighters controllers but all of their hall effect options are on closed preorder pending fulfillment. There are other highly regarded non big3 brands that I haven't tried that seem to have pretty solid feature set and build quality too.

The used market is also an option. Arrange for testing though, and pass or haggle on drift, charging problems, filth, etc. Ifixit teardown guides for swapping parts or just cleaning the shells and button caps in soapy water with a soft rag. Watch out for devices originally sold with 'soft touch'/'smooth grip'/etc finish as all of them have degraded and become sticky even unopened in box by now.

[–] mox@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

For Linux, I recommend the DualShock 4 (PS4) and DualSense (PS5) controllers. They have native support built into the kernel, so you don't need to install drivers. They're great in Steam, emulators, Wine, and most native linux games. They work in both USB and bluetooth mode. Motion controls work. Touchpad works. Rubmle works. Dead zones are nice and small.

The only features I'm not sure about are the DualSense haptics and adaptive trigger feedback. There was work happening on those when I last looked a couple years ago; I haven't checked recently.

A few people have reported lag with certain bluetooth adapters. I haven't seen it with any of the hardware I've used, but if you encounter it, you can always get a different bluetooth adapter or exchange the controller for some other model.

[–] sumguyonline@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Bought a wired eswap thrustmaster pro. Refuse to use anything else ever again. Been a default controller that came with the console guy for most of my life before that. An actual game changer. Button pushes always register, the joysticks are damned responsive, and it feels quality with internal parts being made of metal. It was pricey, but it was damn worth it.

[–] glitches_brew@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I 100% agree and you didn't even mention the biggest selling point in my eyes. The joysticks are modular so you can swap them out if they ever get drift. The sticks are extremely high quality but drift is inevitable in most scenarios so it's nice to only need to spend $20 instead of $200 for no more drift.

[–] stealth_cookies@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

I've heard nothing but problems about the reliability of these. One streamer for my main game is sponsored by them through their org and occasionally rages about how many they have broken just playing.

[–] pineapplelover@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

I bought some cheap PS and Xbox controller clones on eBay and they all work amazingly well OOTB on Linux

[–] BlackLaZoR@fedia.io 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Have some experience with Xbox controllers and steam controller

First official Xbox One X controller is absolute shit via bluetooth. Proprietary dongle works well, as long as its on windows - getting it to work under linux is a pain.

As far as compatibility goes Xbox 360 Dualshock with 2,4ghz wireless dongle is the best - dongle identifies as wired controller, it works correctly with everything.

Steam controller works with everything except ergonomics is IMO garbage. Dualshock rules in this area

And don't even think about connecting anything via bluetooth to android - bluetooth drivers are broken since android 10, causing massive input lag. Use either wired, or Xbox 360 2,4ghz wireless dongle controller

[–] all-knight-party@fedia.io 2 points 2 months ago

Steam Controller's ergo is great for me. It's absolutely fucking weird compared to anything else, but I like larger grips on controllers since I have long fingers.

[–] raiun@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago

Flydigi Vader 3/4 Pro. Been using one for a couple months. Hands down best controller I have used. Hall effects, trigger locks, rear buttons, mechanical face buttons, glorious d pad. The not so fun is the crap software and joystick defaults. Once you update on pc it is great. Under $100 for either model.

[–] Daxtron2@startrek.website 1 points 2 months ago

I've been really happy with my gamesir g7 se.

[–] Aeryn@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 2 months ago

I game on PC every day, and I always use a controller. I've tried many different controllers over the years, and most of them have had issues right out of the box. Only one controller has been perfect. The razer wolverine v2.

https://www.razer.com/ca-en/console-controllers/razer-wolverine-v2

It is super well built, and has a nice heavy feel that feels great if your hands are slightly larger than average. The thumb sticks are very grippy, have uniform resistance in every direction so you can be super accurate, and have zero stick drift after years of intense gaming. The face buttons have a mouse click feel to them, which I love. I always hated the face buttons on other controllers, including the genuine Xbox Controller, because they felt mushy and have inconsistent press and release.

I've tried 8bitdo, they felt cheap and uncomfortable. I've tried the Xbox Elite Controller, but it had tons of quality issues. I haven't tried Scuf, so I can't comment on that. But this razer controller is by far the best. Once you've used these clicky face buttons, you'll never want to go back to a normal controller.

I highly highly highly recommend it. The only downside is that it's wired, but they have a more expensive version that is wireless.

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