I currently use a usb adapter with a PS2 controller, it has worked well so far. However I wanted to do away with cables and get vibration back (something the windows drive doesn't recognize with the adapter I use). Currently I'm between the following:

Logitech F710 - The cheapest and comes with a dongle, so it's pretty much plug and play.

Dualshock 4 - Since I'm use to the Playstation design it seems like a good choice, and has a bonus of not using batteries, also has the touchpad for an extra input. This is one of the more expensive options, I need to get a bluetooth adapter (or the official playstion adapter, but it's pretty expensive). And I need to use extra software, although Steam now supports it.

Xbox One controller - Also expensive, but has the advantage of being plug and play. I need to also get a bluetooth adapter or get the official dongle (which will up the price tag somewhat).

Currently I'm leaning towards the logitech for the price tag, but if I could use a cheap bluetooth dongle with the xbox one or the DS4, I would much prefer them, since they seem to be much more comfortable.

What's your advice?

Thanks for the help :)

ps: I read somewhere I could plug headphones to either the Xbox One controller or the DS4, instead of having to have them connected to the laptop. But that I had to use the official dongles, otherwise it wouldn't work, is that true?

Currently i feel the best option 4 wat u 1 is the Logitech F710 as u r looking 4 a controller with vibration, years back they had a wired version called F510 but unfortunately it was discontinued 4 some strange reason.

The gd thing with F710 is that it supports both XInput & DirectInput which will allow u play a variety of games from past to present. Another plus 4 u is that is has the familiar layout like PS2/DS4 controllers unlike Xbox & Steam controllers.

Oh, it also works with Android TVs. Lastly, i feel Logitech products hv pretty decent build quality & durability so i think this wld be ur best bet. Hope this helps u make up ur mind. :)

P.S: Not too sure abt the headphones jack on Xbox One or DS4 as i dun use them so can't help u there.

Just a heads up, there seems to be a problem with the Xbox One controller on Windows 10 on certain games when connected via Bluetooth.

Certain games get massive frame drops or even have their FPS halved when i connect the controller using Bluetooth. Doesn't happen if i connect the controller wired. From what i understand it's a problem Microsoft is gonna have to fix by updating something (controller or Bluetooth on W10 idk).

Apparently from what i've read this problem doesn't exist if you connect wirelessly using the $25 dongle they sell for it. I believe the dongle uses a proprietary wireless connection & not Bluetooth. So it does seem to be a problem with how this controller connects via Bluetooth in Windows 10.

One of the games i've encountered FPS issues in, for reference, was Risen 3 from GOG.

I read the Logitech F710 has connection issues. Do you know if it's true? I recently read that the Xbox One controller doesn't work via bluetooth in Windows 8.1, only Windows 10. So the only way I can use it is with the official dongle. Which will up the price quite a bit.

I dun hv the Logitech F710 so i can't be sure thereis any connection issues but based on my experience using Logitech products i feel they r pretty reliable & durable so even if there happens 2 be a connection issue it can probably be solved thru their support online.

The below r some suggestions from a tech support @ Logitech i found online regarding any connection issue:
• Try plugging the receiver directly into a USB 2.0 port on your computer.
• Try using the Connection Utility () to manually pair your gamepad with the receiver.
• Try installing the Logitech Gaming Software for your gamepad as an Administrator.

Hope these info helps. :)

I would recommend to stay away from that as far as possible. It often loses connection regardless of how far away it is from the receiver, the triggers require a lot of pressure to press (for me it was becoming a problem after about 15 minutes of playing), and most importantly, it has a huge, unfixable dead zone in XInput mode, so any game that requires some precision will be problematic. The last issue can be fixed in DirectInput mode by increasing sensitivity in Logitech Profiler, but for DirectInput an older RumblePad 2 is a much better option.

I'm tending for DS4, not only I can use the DS4Windows or the x360ce to emulate xbox controller, but it has the touchpad and the gyroscope. Meaning I can use tilting to emulate a driving wheel or a flight joystick, while not the same, I should be able to play arcade flight games like Incoming and Star Wars Rogue squadron better than using the analogs.

I've had a F710 for almost a decade and an xbox controller for a few years. They're both working great for me.

I use the F710 for emulators and games that don't support x input. I've always found it works for mouse and keyboard games quite well, but I don't play games that require too much precision. As far as connection issues, I've experienced input lag when the dongle is more than about 2 metres from the controller (or if the batteries start to go low). The vibration is pretty damn weak too, I can barely feel it most of the time.

I use the xbox controller for more modern games that support x input. The only issue I've had with is it will blink at you to tell you the batteries are low before it loses connection, but it starts doing that WAY too early for me (I have about an hour before it actually loses connection). I've never tested it's effective connection distance as the dongle is never more than 1 metre from the controller. Also, there is definitely NO headphone jack on this controller, maybe you need some adapter or something?

My advice would be to hold the controller you plan to buy. I've found that how the contoller feels in your hand is far more important than the other stuff (you can get around most of the other inconviences with a bit of effort). Honestly I'd still be using the F710 for everything, but the left stick location on the xbox contoller feels better for me.

I recommend an Xbox 360 controller, I've been using one for the last 10 years and it's still pretty awesome. No connection issues with the official receiver plus vibration works even though I always have it off.