The best VR controllers
The virtual world is as fun as your controllers allow. The controllers in your hands are the only things that connect you to your virtual world.
beat the saber
, or simply by navigating through your menu to your mediator app, controllers are essential for any VR experience. Finding your perfect controller is just as important as
find your perfect helmet
.Your virtual headset is as good as your controllers.
We'll cover the best controllers on the market today. From original Oculus Rift Touch controllers to newly released Valve controllers, you'll find exactly what you're looking for. The controllers we'll cover are:
Original Rift Touch Controllers
Rift S Touch controllers (also Oculus Touch)
Vive Controllers
Valve Index Controllers
Vive Cosmos Controllers
PSVR Controllers
Windows Mixed Reality Controllers
Samsung Gear VR Controller
This list will be updated as controllers enter rotation.
1. Original Rift Touch controllers
When the original Oculus Rift came out, this control was on top of the world.
HTC Vive
had their original controllers with the Vive, but they didn't compare to what Oculus did with their virtual hands. easily a winner 3 years ago. But that was a long time ago and we've had plenty of controllers in our hands since then. Let's see how they compare to today's models.
If you've used the original Touch controllers right after using one of the newer controllers from any other VR company, you've probably been pretty disappointed with how they felt. It has nothing to do with controller tracking .Rift sensors are great, but those touch controllers are just a poor representation of your hands in virtual space.They're not perfect for any particular game, and they underperform for
beat the saber
, which is a big problem.
The haptics of this controller are pubescent compared to newer models, although they are used to doing the job. These controllers were great back when they were the hot topic, but the industry has moved on. controllers are great if they're all you have with the Oculus Rift. But if you have another option, take it.
2. Rift S (and Quest) Touch Controller
The latest versions of Touch controllers are also the best. They aren't as flashy as the
Valve controllers
, but they get the job done and more. The versatility of these touch controllers is on par with Valve controllers. I know that might sound like a hot catch, but let's dive into what exactly that means.
Like any controller in VR, it will have more than one purpose. You are going to be able to go from SteamVR games to your Oculus exclusives, and the touch controller will work just fine. The weight of these are light enough for you to play
beat the saber
for a few hours without feeling the burn in your shoulders. You can go from web to web like you're Spider-Man with these controllers without feeling like you're actually holding a controller. There's nothing this controller isn't for. is not good. It is used both for the
Quest
and the
S-fault
, but both have different sensors.
The haptics in these are also much more powerful and precise than the original touch controllers. As you play, you are definitely going to feel the vibrations rumbling through your hand. With the originals, you would often feel like they were just texting with your hand, but the newer controllers feel like they give an actual representation of how you feel in the virtual world.
The new Touch controllers are the best overall controllers on the market right now. Some may argue that Valve controllers have taken the title, but we argue differently.
3. Vive Controllers
When the original
HTC Vive
released in 2016, it felt like a blast with who had the best VR controller on the market. At first glance, Rift controllers were going to win in every argument. Until you try Vive controllers, you'll keep thinking so.
The Vive controller surprises you when you play with it. The ease of holding them and the location of the buttons are things they clearly focused on during development and production. The controllers do a great job of representing your hands in the virtual world (even with the new HTC Vive Focus), but it often feels like they were designed for a specific purpose. The best VR controllers don't have anything specific in mind, they just try to give you a helping hand in the virtual world.
The lack of a grip button on the Vive controller is what hurts this controller the most. When you're in VR, you want to be able to pick up things and throw them. Without it, it's hard to feel fully immersed, and that's something the whole VR community is aiming for. Once Vive can give us a controller that can be a real hand (or hand tracker), they're going to rank last for their VR controller. One advantage of this controller is VR development of accessible apps and games. This controller was set up from the ground up for developers, not gamers, although it works incredibly well with Steam VR.
4. Valve index controller
In the months preceding the
Valve index
being released, many were more excited about the Valve controllers themselves than the headset itself. While there were plenty of people who thought they would be a bust, the controllers turned out fine. Alright, I mean they're some of the best, if not the best, VR controllers on the market right now.
Putting on Valve controllers for the first time is a spiritual experience that I will never forget. It was like Cinderella with her glass slipper, except I am Cinderella and a video game controller is my glass slipper. Anyway , the fit was perfect. It felt like a virtual reality glove. After demoing with them, I was ready for a few Beat Sabers to test out the tracking and feel of the motion controllers. The experience was amazing. This device, like all VR devices we test, was built with Beat Saber, the VR industry's best virtual reality gaming experience.
The haptics of this controller are second to none, the thumbstick doesn't get in the way, and the motion sensors captured my movement perfectly. This controller also included an on-device digital touchpad for scrolling. This VR hardware is perfect for any game SteamVR and VR games. Being able to interact with the virtual world through finger tracking is something I never thought possible until now. This will be dubbed the original Index controller, the best device on the market that a consumer can order. Thank you Valve and Steam for this great product!
5.Vive Cosmos Controller
The Vive Cosmos had a slow start to sales, and part of that was due to the controllers. Not all the blame can be placed on them, but a lot of it goes to the controllers and following up with them. Vive tried to reinvent the wheel here, and it didn't pay off at all. Big companies, including HTC Vive, have shown time and time again that tracking from inside out with sensors works, or from outside with the base stations work fine.
There was no reason to jump into the Cosmos with controllers that are only tracked by light. It didn't work at all, and it showed in early updates. have attempted to fix the problem, but unless there is a major hardware overhaul, we will notice these controllers failing time and time again. For now, we suggest at least toying with the idea of buy original HTC Vive headsets and ride with these controllers.
6.PSVR Controller
The PS controller is the simplest of all the controllers currently available. With the same hardware and some of the same software as the controllers used for motion capture on the PS3 Move, PlayStation has kept things simple with their controller this time around. .All
PSVR Platform
is simple, but the controllers are the best part. They're simply a wand with a cool softball on top.
What the controller lacks in style, it makes up for in performance. The controller is perfect for anything you'll be up against in the virtual world of PlayStation. You may be wondering because the controller doesn't have a Thumbstick, but PSVR games are optimized for the headset and controllers they'll be on, so you won't have to worry about moving around too much. You won't need to whip out your Dualshock controller anytime soon.
PSVR controllers are very average in all but one area. Beat Saber on PSVR with the submerged motion controls is something you don't want to miss. The haptic feedback is there, but also not overwhelming like other controllers. PlayStation Camera is also imperative for the controllers and the immersive experience you're likely to have.
7. Windows Mixed Reality Controllers
These controllers are compatible with any VR headset on Windows, and they're still great for
virtual reality games
.Although not the first option for many people, these controllers still get the job done. .
They're powered by two AAA batteries, which keeps the weight low at all times. you are buying a controller designed for a headset that has never been fully released.
8. Samsung Gear VR Controllers
The Gear VR controller is exclusive to Gear products. This controller is charged via a USB cable, and the battery life is nothing short of impressive. This controller was designed to navigate the simple Gear VR headset, and not much more. There's been a disappointing amount of Gear VR games out there, so this controller hasn't seen any real action yet.
This portable gamepad was designed for one hand, and only one comes with your headset. You can also control your Android mobile smartphone with the controller. Although the controller is not designed for heavy VR games, it still has many uses.Daydream and Daydream View are also compatible with bluetooth controller or bluetooth gamepad for augmented reality.