The Best Customizable Gaming Controllers in 2024

PC players may have an iron grip on customizable peripherals thanks to their cool mechanical keyboards and custom-built rigs, but even console gamers can play with controllers perfectly suited to their preferences. While custom controllers are still somewhat rare and tend to depend on creative freelancers, there are a growing number of customizable controllers entering the market every year.

From extra remappable buttons to bright and colorful RGB lighting, there are plenty of controller features ripe for customization. These controllers are often a bit more expensive than others, but there is a wide enough range of price points for any player to have a customizable controller added to their gaming setup.

How to Choose the Best Customizable Controllers

By their very nature, customizable controllers have a lot of components and features to consider, which can make the selection process a bit complicated. However, if players know what they’re looking for before they begin shopping, finding the perfect custom controller can be easy. Here are some of the most important things to think about when browsing customizable gaming controllers:

Number of Buttons

Some controllers come with just one extra programmable button, while others come with as many as six. Having extra buttons on the back and top of a controller can be super useful or an absolute nightmare, depending on how much stock a player places in hot-keying functions on their controller.

Wired vs. Wireless

Wired controllers are less expensive on average and never need a change of batteries or time on a charger, though they’re also often made with cheaper materials and the long cord may be inconvenient for some players. Wireless controllers are super convenient on the other hand, though they do need charging and are often some of the most expensive controllers available.

Swappable Parts

Being able to physically change a controller is more than a gimmick at this point, with some controllers offering different joystick heights, thumbstick top, D-pads, and even triggers. For gamers who love to play competitively across multiple genres, getting a controller with physical customizations ready to be made on the fly makes a lot of sense. For everyone else, it really depends on whether their playstyles for different game genres constitute needing extra parts.

Ease of Customizability

Most controllers should allow users to remap the extra buttons on the fly, just using the controller itself. Some controllers can also be remapped and adjusted using an app either on a phone, PC, or a console, and sometimes through any of those three. It’s important to consider whether a customization app is available on the player’s console of choice and whether easy customization is a must-have feature at all.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Customizable Gaming Controllers

Microsoft’s Xbox controllers are hands-down some of the most well-designed gamepads ever made, and their advanced Elite Series 2 controller continues that streak. The controller has an incredibly ergonomic design, featuring grippable texture wrapped around each handle and ease of access to every button without accidental presses. However, the Elite Series 2 goes a step further and offers players the ultimate customization experience too.

Although the joysticks aren’t yet equipped with Hall effect sensors, the triggers are, meaning they’re more responsive and more durable than most other controllers on the market. Plus, with three trigger stop settings, players can game with a true hair-trigger input. Similarly, the four back buttons are perfectly positioned to not interrupt standard play, while the face buttons are just as responsive and intuitive, with the D-pad utilizing a super sensitive disk for precision input.

Customizing Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 is a cinch too, with the controller offering a handful of physical customization options alongside a host of performance features that can be personalized. Players can choose between standard and tall thumbsticks, three different thumbstick caps with varying levels of texture and depth, and standard and multifaceted D-pads. Internally, it’s easy to remap any button to the back ones or to adjust the vibration and sensitivity of the joysticks and triggers. Plus, the Xbox logo light can even be changed to display a different color. The app is easy to access on PC and Xbox, making customization quick and simple. Despite the cost being a bit high, this controller easily earns its place among gaming setups. For most players, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is the best customizable gaming controller available.

The PDP Victrix Pro BFG is a unique controller that’s ready for competition on PC and PS5. One of the main features of the controller is the swappable button layouts, which include a stickless fightpad button panel, an extra tall joystick, and three different D-pads. All the parts and the controller itself are made of high quality parts, with the handles sporting a soft grip on top.

With four back buttons, hotkeying important in-game functions is easy and effective. The buttons are intelligently placed so that they’re tough to accidentally hit, but still convenient to press when needed. The customization app lets players remap buttons, adjust the sensitivity of the joysticks and triggers, and even adjust the audio output to wired headsets. Although some users report having slight lag when gaming on the Playstation, the Victrix Pro is ideal for both PS5 and PC players. With the three available slots for saved layouts, it’s no problem to take this controller back and forth between console and PC gaming.

Along with the unique physical modifications available out of the box, PDP’s Victrix controller has a patented five-position trigger stop, providing players with unmatched precision. With such a wide range of possible layouts available, both inside and out, the PDP Victrix Pro BFG is one of the best wireless customizable controllers to date.

Nintendo users shouldn’t worry about not being able to find any good customizable controllers as the Talk Works controller has come to their rescue. The gaming controller not only looks great but also offers plenty of customization. Moreover, it is pretty affordable and has several immersive features out of the box. The controller has good ergonomics for long sessions and provides a kit of additional buttons and joystick grips to suit individual needs.

Users can swap the thumb grips for smaller or taller grips depending on what they feel is good for them. Moreover, the D-Pad and left joystick are interchangeable, meaning users can interchange their positions to suit their needs. Additionally, there are four paddles at the back, which can be remapped for performing various actions in the game and there is also a six-axis Gyro sensor for more immersion. The build quality is also excellent except that everything is made up of plastic.

SCUF has been leading the charge when it comes to premium customizable controllers, and their SCUF Instinct Pro is one of their best offerings. This wireless controller is compatible with Xbox, PC, and mobile devices, making it ideal for gamers who want more bang for their buck, despite choosing one of the most expensive controllers on the market.

Regardless of its price though, the SCUF Instinct Pro does have a ton of customizability built in. First and foremost, it’s got four back buttons that can be remapped to basically any function. Some users do think two of the buttons are too easy to accidentally hit, but with the textured grips around the handles, many other players won’t have a problem with the back buttons. The joysticks are the other caveats on this controller, with many users saying it’s best to just swap them out with new Hall effect joysticks, as they can develop stick drift somewhat quickly.

On the customizing front, things look great. Users can save up to three profiles for their various layout preferences and the controller comes with swappable thumbsticks for a more tailored experience. The Corsair iCue app allows players to change up the vibration and sensitivity too, plus they can choose between four different colors when buying the controller. While it may be best suited to Xbox and PC players, SCUF’s high-end design makes the Instinct Pro the best premium customizable controller on the market.

Asus recently launched one of its premium offerings in its catalog which has soared in popularity. When the discussion is about customizability, most controllers end up with a bunch of interchangeable buttons or joysticks. Although they are highly appreciated by the gamer community, the absence of app support restrict them significantly. This is where the ROG Raikiri Pro controller comes in, offering the Asus Armoury Crate app support to tweak whatever they want to. From customizing and remapping the front and back buttons to changing the sensitivity of the joysticks, everything is possible.

Moreover, gamers who are serious about their performance can benefit from the trigger locks going from longer pulls to shorter pulls to perform actions quickly. The only problem one might see is the placement of the back buttons, which should have been a little lower. Apart from that, there isn’t anything to complain about, especially when users are getting an OLED display on the top to show the profiles, various settings, and can also display custom images or GIFs.

Significantly more affordable than a lot of the other controllers on this list, the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma uses this compromise to deliver excellent value in the form of a great customizable controller. Featuring an impressive six remappable buttons, four on the back and two on the top, this controller is really the best option for players who love to have a lot of hotkeys handy.

Dual trigger stops offer players hair-trigger settings on the fly, while the Razer Controller Setup for Xbox app is a convenient hub for internal customizations. Not only are there standard customizations available, such as vibration and sensitivity levels, but players can also change the two RGB lighting strips that border the face of the controller. Plus, the controller comes with two extra thumbstick caps that can be effortlessly swapped in.

Players on both Xbox and PC can enjoy this highly customizable wired controller from Razer. Despite being wired, the cord is detachable, making storage a cinch, though setup can be a little tricky. At the end of the day, the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is one of the best customizable wired controllers players can get their hands on.

Customizations can be expensive, but users don’t necessarily need to throw 200 bucks. The Rainbow 2 is all about customizations on a budget and offers distinguished aesthetics through the RGB lighting. The RGB LEDs are at the controller’s circumference and can be controlled via the BigBig Won app, which is available on both Google Play and Apple Store. Being compatible with multiple platforms helps users to use the controller wherever and whenever they wish. The app not only changes the LED modes but also provides the settings to remap the buttons and the sensitivity of the joysticks.

The joysticks feature zero deadzone to make them extremely sensitive to movements for better accuracy. At the back, users will find two additional remappable buttons that can come in handy in various scenarios. The controller also has two extra buttons on the top that further enhance its functionality. Rainbow 2 comes with both Bluetooth and wireless adapter connectivity, with the latter being the most common option due to being bug free.

FAQ

Q: Are custom controllers worth it?

Yes, there are many advantages to having a custom controller. For example, one of the most popular customizations available is the ability to remap functions to two extra back buttons, which can make using abilities in games much more streamlined.

Q: Who has the best custom controllers?

SCUF is currently considered one of the best customizable gaming controller brands available right now. They are very expensive and offer advanced features that not every gamer wants or needs, but they are favored by a number of professional e-sports players.

Q: Are modded controllers bannable?

Yes and no. There are some licensed modded controllers that are allowed to be used by professional gamers, though these do not interfere with the gameplay itself. Other modded controllers that aren’t licensed vary on whether they are able to be used for cheating, in which case they could get the user banned.