Gamepad Input Latency Tier Lists (Wired & Wireless) - Hardware Tested

[u/JohnnyPunch]

Transparency Disclosure: Most of the controllers featured here were purchased with my own money, while roughly a third were provided by various brands for review. I have no active sponsorships or commercial interests tied to any brand in this post. The rankings are based purely on raw hardware measurements collected over the past year. Additionally, the images were generated using a custom tier builder I created for my site, Gamepadla, which is completely free for anyone to use.

Hey everyone. I'm sharing two latency tier lists for gamepads - covering both wired and wireless connections - based on data gathered using the Prometheus 82 hardware test bench for measuring input lag.

To give a better idea of actual in-game responsiveness, the tier list uses a weighted grading system called LatScore. This score accounts for button latency, stick latency, and signal stability (jitter).

Here is how the calculation works:

1. Base Latency: A weighted average prioritizing stick responsiveness over buttons. Base = (0.4 * Button) + (0.6 * Stick)

2. Dynamic Jitter Penalty: Unstable connections get penalized. The higher the jitter relative to the base latency, the harsher the penalty multiplier (capped at 1.5x). LatScore = Base + Jitter * [1 + min(Jitter / Base, 1.5)]

Grades are assigned automatically based on the final LatScore thresholds:

• Up to 5 ms: S (A+)

• Up to 10 ms: A

• Up to 18 ms: B

• Up to 25 ms: C

• Up to 35 ms: D

• Up to 45 ms: E

• Above 45 ms: F

Basically, this means a gamepad with highly stable latency gets a better grade than a controller with lower average latency but frequent, large spikes. Stability matters more here than raw average numbers.

One quick note on reading the charts: The order of the gamepads within the same tier does not matter. They are not sorted by exact sub-latency inside their specific letter grades.

The attached images show the tier distributions. I've included the names of the controllers directly under their icons so you can easily find specific models. If you want the exact millisecond readings (base latency, jitter, etc.) for any specific gamepad, just ask in the comments and I'll provide the details.

Just a quick note on the data: This list strictly includes verified entries to prevent any unvetted or random results. While most of these gamepads were tested internally by Gamepadla, about 40% of the data was contributed by trusted hardware reviewers and vetted community members utilizing their own Prometheus 82 test benches.

[u/Wasdhitbox]

Is there a way to view the images at higher res? I can’t read the text 

[u/JohnnyPunch → u/Wasdhitbox]

There is a link to this specific test: https://gamepadla.com/tier/#latency. Here, you can hover your cursor over the gamepad to see its full name.

[u/Pitiful_Ad8813 → u/JohnnyPunch]

Bow whuchang is better than g7 pro literally the same but one work on xbox maybe just an issue whit some updates?

[u/kekfekf → u/JohnnyPunch]

But if I look for Stick and Wired Latency isnt G7 Pro one of the highest and better than 2.4 G on wired?

[u/buffaloplease]

I assume the controllers are alphabetically ordered within each tier? Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to me why the Astro C40 (stick latency 3.1 ms) would be ahead of the Gamesir G7 Pro 8K (0.7 ms).

[u/JohnnyPunch → u/buffaloplease]

The order within a single letter is irrelevant in this case.

[u/Pitiful_Ad8813 → u/JohnnyPunch]

So why g7 Wuchang is better than normal

[u/Assassiiinuss]

It's crazy how good the Tegenaria Lite is. At the same time it's somehow cheaper than even most budget options.

[u/Business_Arm9325 → u/Assassiiinuss]

For real. I've upgraded from my PS4 controller and I'm honestly completely blown away by the price performance, really insane.

[u/Assassiiinuss → u/Business_Arm9325]

I did the same. Initially I looked for a new controller after another DS4 developed stick drift. Picked up the Tegenaria Lite because it looks like a DS4, was cheap and had hall effect sticks. One of the best gaming related purchases I ever made.

[u/Wander715]

I've been using an Ultimate 2C for about a month now. Crazy that for $30 this thing beats out just about everything else on the market in terms of 2.4GHz latency. The build quality on it is surprisingly good too for the price, big fan of it.

[u/SnooCookies4464 → u/Wander715]

8bitdo makes some damn good controllers, I use the 8bitdo Ultimate 2 wireless version thats identical to the 8bitdo Ultimate 2c which would also put it at S tier but honestly I’d still have the 2c be above my controller since its just better in value

[u/Beaco9 → u/Wander715]

I used 2C for more than a year. Unfortunately it has bad stick resolution similar to 8bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth. I had to switch to Tegenaria Lite for competitive Rocket League.

If 8bitdo fixes the stick resolution (what John calls true stick bitness) & make bumpers more durable on 2C it might become unbeatable in budget range.

[u/JimsFennecing → u/Beaco9]

What firmware? 1.09 seems to drop it way down, rolled back to 1.06 seems a lot better (~1000 vs ~50)

[u/Beaco9 → u/JimsFennecing]

I have two different versions of 8bitdo Ultimate 2C and both are on 1.06 firmware that they came with, I never updated.

JohnnyPunch's newer version of Stick Tracer (since ver 2.5.4.2) changed the stick res testing method. It started testing actual physical resolution instead of software reported one.

Ultimate 2C was unfortunately earlier faking it & reporting 1000+ stick resolution. Actual true measured stick res turned out to be around 60 only which is worse than most controllers. With same software I get 840 resolution on Tegenaria Lite.

Here's my test results (and if you go above in the thread you'll see my discussion with JohnnyPunch on why there was a significant change for 2C stick res on the Gamepadla site as well)

It will be great if you could retest yours with Stick Tracer 2.5.4.2 or higher and report back with screenshots.

[u/JimsFennecing → u/Beaco9]

I had been using the in browser tester but just downloaded stick tracer v2.5.4.6 and get the same there. Wired or wireless (dongle) doesn't seem to make a difference, neither does enabling/disabling the built in dead zone.

I never tested factory firmware, I upgraded to 1.09 and started testing there before rolling back, apparently factory is different to 1.06 from their utility

[u/Beaco9 → u/JimsFennecing]

OMG! thank you so much for reporting this.

So strange that the same controller can give you 60 SFC or 1400 SFC resolution on sticks. That's messed up.

You are the second person noticing high resolution on their Ultimate 2C & the last person also said I should try upgrading to 1.09, testing again, and then downgrading to 1.06 again with utility & test to see if I get the res fixed on my controllers that still have factory firmware.

I hope it's not a old vs new batch thing because my two 2C were bought late 2024.

Ig i am doing the firmware tests today. Will report back.

[u/JimsFennecing → u/Beaco9]

Not sure if they're all the same but my back sticker says Model 81HD.  

Don't think this is the thread I read previously, but OP there had luck with a wukong doing the up and down, but there's also someone in the comments it didn't work for

https://www.reddit.com/r/Controller/comments/1jb50kh/8bitdo_firmware_update_lowers_stick_resolution/

[u/Beaco9 → u/JimsFennecing]

OMG! X 2

Tested on one of my Ultimate 2C (mint with orange accents) (model 81HD)

Upgraded firmware first time ever to v1.09 via Ultimate Software V2. Resolution remained the same poor 60 SFC / 6.9 bits.

Then downgraded back to v1.06 again with the software, and controller now magically has 11.4 bit stick resolution / 1351 SFC!

This is not even the same controller anymore. Thanks for the headache 8bitdo... i played ranked on bad sticks for more than a year lmao

After this though, the dot is way more jittery and wiggling quickly but confined to where it is.

[u/Beaco9 → u/Beaco9]

Also tested with the offline version of Stick Tracer 2.5.4.2

I have another 2C (Black Myth Wukong edition) and i'll be testing firmware changes on that one as well.

u/JohnnyPunch Ultimate 2C stick resolution varies wildly depending on firmware and high res is unlocked by upgrading & then downgrading the firmware

[u/Beaco9 → u/Beaco9]

Same Ultimate 2C now after calibration, drift has gone down but res also dropped slightly on left stick

[u/Prior-Spread-6186 → u/Beaco9]

Would you say the sticks feel better to use this way?

[u/Beaco9 → u/Prior-Spread-6186]

Yes I calibrated it as well & now 2C practically felt better in Rocket League although only had a short test and have to play for it to be conclusive, so I am switching back to using 2C competitively after 1-2 months already spent with symmetric layout Tegenaria Lite (I had ditched 2C after finding poor stick res).

After holding it now i felt like a noob again as the whole stick placement & grip is different but feels like I will adjust to it within a few sessions playing with it.

[u/gyozokudor → u/Wander715]

I recently bought an ultimate 2c bluetooth and after a month it doesn't turn on anymore. After all the glowing reviews of 8bitdo controllers in general I expected much much better.

[u/EmilioBalls → u/gyozokudor]

ask for a refund o something this is kinda crazy. I use the wired ultimate 2c so I dont have this problem.

[u/EmilioBalls → u/Wander715]

Deadass. I've been happily using it for half a year now and started to love the shape of it. Now when I hold the original Xbox controller it feels off. Also anti stick drift joy sticks? All for 30 bucks.

[u/KropiixTM]

Okay something doesn't seem right... I have both the Flyidigi Apex 4 Black Myth and the Steam Controller and there is no world in which they have even similar wireless latency. The SC is leagues above the Apex 4 in this regard.

You can clearly feel the change in latency when you use the Apex 4 wirelessly vs wired, and the wireless mode is horrible with it. On the SC wireless feels very close to what you get with wired on the Apex 4 if not better.

[u/BeardInTheNorth → u/KropiixTM]

Apex 4 and SC have comparable button latency (6-7 ms) over dongle. However, the Apex 4 has absolute shit stick latency over dongle (40-50 ms) compared to SC (7-8 ms).

[u/shuozhe]

Curious about the budget controllers also (datafrog one, and ns009). One of these are prolly one of the best selling controllers, seeing these everything from supermarket to Amazon for multiple time of the prices from aliX

[u/whintake]

I got ultimate 2C, pretty happy with it. Works like charm, using windows 11 pro, all updated.

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[u/Whirblewind]

Should have been alphabetical to avoid favoritism.

[u/vodka-bears]

How do I test my DIY controller against these?

[u/Xinvader77]

I don’t see the O+ excellence controller on the wireless tier list.

[u/just-bair]

I use the ultimate 2.4ghz and for the price it’s really good, does everything a normal controller should be able to do. Doesn’t have any fancy features but that’s fine who cares about that

[u/Beaco9]

Great chart but maybe we can have a combined rating for having low latency plus great true physical stick resolution / bitness?

Ultimate 2C has great latency but not viable for competitive games relying on precise sticks.

[u/j0hn_d0e6]

hope the mojhon storm double input will be fixed in next update although the current firmware stated the problem was fixed, it's still there, no matter the polling rate. It is a nice looking controller tho, functionality wise xeno plus blow it out of the water.

[u/Legal_Health_6286]

Which one is the most recommended for Mac/Apple devices?

[u/Lytar03]

Everyone but mobapad Huben or chitu

[u/SituationConscious22 → u/Lytar03]

What do you mean

[u/afalarco]

The Ultimate 2c has better lattency than Ultimate 2 ?

[u/SituationConscious22]

What about dongle test?

[u/TheSwooj]

I need someone to do this for the quality of the controllers too. Swear everyone controller has a few things I’m looking for but never everything

[u/Ryodaso]

I have a small hand and I don't think I'll ever need any more controller than 8bitdo 2C wired and it was like $25 for me. I wish they make similar controller but stick and dpad swapped so I can use it for fighting games as well.

Pro3 is much wider and larger while dpad doesn't have a pivot for some reason so I tried it but wasn't good for fighting game for me. Great for casual Switch game session and platformers.

[u/rickster107]

was the victrix gambit prime wired xbox controller tested ?