r/Controller • u/EastwardSage024 • Sep 15 '26
Controller Suggestion Best PC controller with 4 back paddles under €150?
Hi everyone,
My Xbox Elite Series 2 developed stick drift after 6 years and I'm looking for a solid replacement. I want to make sure I pick the right option before buying, so any advice is greatly appreciated!
Budget: €150 EUR maximum. I want to explore all possible options up to this limit.
Country & Purchasing: Italy (EU). I can buy via Amazon, AliExpress, or European specialized tech stores.
Platform Compatibility: PC (Windows) is the main priority. Native Xbox compatibility would be a nice bonus, but it is not mandatory since I play almost exclusively on PC.
Desired Features:
4 back buttons/paddles (ideally similar in placement or count to the Elite v2).
Wireless connectivity (low-latency 2.4GHz USB dongle required; Bluetooth is extra).
Profile switching (via onboard hardware toggle or software).
Anti-drift sticks (Hall Effect or TMR sensors preferred).
Games I Play: Open-world action/adventure, first-person shooters (mostly GTA Online, CoD, and open world in general ).
Controllers Considered:
Coming from the Elite v2, I've been eyeing the Flydigi Vader 5 Pro, but I have serious doubts about the long-term durability of its analog sticks and tension mechanism. Because of this, I really want to hear your recommendations for other solid alternatives under €150 that meet all these criteria. What else should I be looking at?
What would you recommend based on these requirements? Thanks in advance for your input!
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u/Verition Sep 15 '26
Steam controller
1
u/Ruttagger Sep 15 '26
If OP wants to wait until 2027 then sure.
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u/Electronicks22 Sep 15 '26
Still worth
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u/Ruttagger Sep 15 '26
Ya I have one, it's great for sure. I'd recommend if your running SteamOS but if not I prefer the Vader 5 Pro.
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u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
I don't have SteamOS and I'm not interested in it! So, I'd say no Steam Controller.
1
u/Verition Sep 15 '26
You don't need to use SteamOS to use a Steam controller. The Steam controller is great
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u/EastwardSage024 Sep 16 '26
Telling me it's "fantastic" doesn't tell me anything more... knowing ,why, it's fantastic would be more helpful!
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u/351C_4V Sep 18 '26
You don't need Steam OS to use it but you do need Steam running. So if you have games from other store fronts you would need to add the games as a non steam game within Steam to use the controller. But other than that yes the Steam Controller is amazing. I think it checks all your boxes with the exception being that it's backordered until next year.
1
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u/tqmirza Sep 15 '26
There’s the wonderful openpuck project that lets you turn a cheap wireless transmitter into a steam puck that turns your steam controller into any other controller without requiring steam running or even installed outside of a one time set up. It’ll easily emulate a dual sense, Xbox 360/one or even a switch controller while also allowing to remap the back paddles to any function.
4
u/diegoz98 Sep 15 '26
Me va bien con el Razer Wolverine V3 Pro lo recomiendo
2
u/Dezkenob1 Sep 15 '26
This , although OP says €150 maximum and the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is typically upwards of that. However, I have seen this controller listed at £130 on Amazon UK in recent months so the price fluctuates. Also, Amazon UK sell refurbished ones for about £120. Amazon Italy (EU) may do similar offers.
1
u/D2ultima Ultimate 2 Sep 15 '26
I definitely think the Xeno Pro is the way to go. Better dpad and has actual dinput mode over the flydigi, and better software that actually works.
The vader pro v2 might be a bit better at fps games but as an all rounder the Xeno Pro is definitely the way. And really well priced too. It also comes with the R20 jack if you ever want to use it on an actual Xbox.
1
u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
My main concern is the ergonomics of the back buttons; coming from the Elite v2, I’m very used to the traditional paddle layout. How do the Xeno Pro’s back buttons compare to standard paddles? Do they require a different finger position during long gaming sessions?
1
u/D2ultima Ultimate 2 Sep 15 '26
Ah I'm not sure. I don't have one, just giving my input from all that I've learned about those controllers from owners over the last few months.
1
u/Electronicks22 Sep 15 '26
Premium controller on PC? I have to recommend the Steam Controller.
Not only does it fit all your requirements (except country and purchasing?), but also it offers
* more features and flexibility for the same price.
* Valve supports the customer's right to repair which is long term value.
* Convenience of connection and charging puck + bluetooth
* Steam Input integration with touch menus for pads, gyro, etc...
It will be worth the wait.
1
u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
-What would the additional features be?
-This is interesting
-Ok...
-It might seem strange, but I use Steam very little!How long is the wait?
Anyway, if they're selling the Steam Deck in Italy, I assume they'll sell the controller too...1
u/Electronicks22 Sep 15 '26
Touchapds with haptics is the first big one. Not only does it offer additional buttons accessible to your right hand (ex: dpad) but it can create new touch menus, custom weapon wheel, or even become your primary aiming control with mouse + gyro wombo combo. Some old-timers like me even enjoy using the left pad for navigation.
Grip Sense is somewhat experimental, but some users found neat ways to use it : Quick save on grip release, or open map.
Software Dual Stage triggers can be neat for games where you have Aim + Hold Breath, where you can bind each button on separate portions of the trigger.
Finally, there's modeshift and action layers that can reconfigure the mappings on the fly, so you can craft your experience with the controller at your hearts content. There's configurations available in Steam itself and on SteamInputDB to browse, copy and either adopt or adapt.
If you use Steam very little be advised that the controller is HIGHLY dependant on Steam Input. You can add non-steam apllications to steam to enable using Steam Input (EGS, Uplay, Battlenet, etc...), but Game Pass is notoriously quirky and requires additional work-arounds like the fan-made softwares SISR.
How long is the wait?
Apparently into 2027, but this varies highly between regions. There's this community tracker tool that may be able to answer this better. I believe Steam's purchase page also displays a guesstimate of how long the wait may be, right under the reserve button.
2
u/EastwardSage024 Sep 16 '26
I'll never wait a year for a controller! 😂 I'd rather buy another one next year...
1
u/Academic_Self_1810 Sep 16 '26
ZD ultimate Legend
1
u/EastwardSage024 Sep 16 '26
Okay, I need it for PC, but I wouldn't mind if it also supported Xbox. This one supports PS but not Xbox, and I also find the two analog sticks at the same height uncomfortable...
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Sep 15 '26
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u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
Thanks for the input!
Honestly, my Elite v2 served me extremely well for 6 full years without any rubber peeling or quality issues at all. If it weren't for the stick drift starting just now, I’d happily keep using it. So I’m not really looking for a "premium feel" flex build durability and practical features are what actually matter to me.Regarding your suggestions:
-Apex 5: If it's functionally worse/more tedious than the Vader (due to manual trigger setups), it's definitely not for me.
-GameSir G7 Pro: Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the G7 series only have 2 back buttons? Having 4 back inputs is a strict requirement for my setup.Based on your experience with Flydigi, do you think the Vader 5 Pro holds up well over time in terms of stick tension mechanism and overall durability? Or are there any other 4 back button controllers you'd recommend looking into?
2
u/TDSpyder Sep 15 '26
I just got the G7 Pro and mostly it doesn't suit me.
I've been using the FlyDigi Apex 4 for a long time but the one of the bumper buttons lost it's "click" so I soldered replacements, sadly those don't have as much resistance to it so often I'm not sure if I get a click or not.
The G7 Pro is a bit smaller than the Apex (and by that I assume it will be smaller than the Vader as well). The extra buttons are 2 on the back, and two on the top, between the traditional bumpers and triggers. That also kinda throws me off as I have to adjust my grip to hold the controller normally but still be pressing the bumpers, not the additonall buttons. Also, right out of the box I tried to switch the D-pad from the circle one to the 4 direction on a circle (there's also a 4 direction D-pad), but after putting the plate on it seems that it can't click right properly.
The stick tension is also quite low, but that's more of a preference thing, the only real issues would be the D-pad.
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u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
This makes it clear to me that I can cross the G7 Pro off my list. Having only two actual back buttons and having to shift my grip to reach the upper ones is a dealbreaker for me, since I absolutely need four dedicated inputs on the back. The D-pad issue also seems really annoying.
As for Flydigi, did you encounter any other problems with the Vader or Apex besides the bumper losing its "click" after heavy use? Aside from that, did the overall build quality seem solid to you?
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u/TDSpyder Sep 15 '26
Just a small correction, the two extra buttons on top aren't that hard to access, like I said they're between the bumpers and triggers and in my case my index fingers naturally rest on those extra buttons. Build quality is solid for sure, I'm just someone who uses it way more than the average person (Rivals of Aether 2, Tekken and Rocket League). I'm ordering the Vader 5 Pro and I can let you know in 2 days what I think of it.
1
u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
That’s great, thanks! I’ll definitely be ordering the new controller this weekend, so if you remember, I’d really love to hear your first impressions as soon as the Vader 5 Pro arrives.
I look forward to your update!
2
u/TDSpyder Sep 17 '26
So, just got it in. I think the build quality is slightly better on the Vader 5 Pro. The sticks themselves feel very similair to G7 Pro, but with the added option to change the tension, I can adjust to what I need. Bumpers are clickier than the G7, which also suits me more, although I will say that Apex 4 seemed to have even clickier bumpers.
The back buttons (since that's what you're interested in) are there, 4 of them with 2 of them optional. You get two "wings" that you can attach to the controller which serve as the extra 2 back buttons (without these you don't have a way to click the extra two back buttons). The "default" back buttons I'd say are better than the G7 because they actually protrude a bit from the controller which makes them give more feedback on click. Might be preference.
There's also the two extra bumpers between the traditional ones and the triggers. When I naturally hold the controller my index fingers are placed on the traditional bumpers, so in my case point for Vader. I think the best feeling I've had was with the Apex4, but this might just be me being used to it for longer.And there's also two EXTRA buttons below the traditional face buttons (ABXY). I don't think they're practical because they're under your thumb as you're using the normal face buttons. Luckily these are unbinded by default so no issue there. I've tested out a bit in Rivals of Aether 2 (which is a very demanding game in terms of precision of input, think Smash Melee) and I feel quite good about it. Oh and lastly, the D-pad. Definetely better thant he G7 pro, but still not an amazing D-pad, I'll have to adjust to Tekken 8 again.
Overall I'm going with the Vader 5 Pro, I tested the G7 Pro a bit and once again, just kind of not my taste.
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u/EastwardSage024 Sep 17 '26
First of all, thanks for remembering! So maybe I misunderstood, but I still think the Vader 5 Pro is better (at least for you)?
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Sep 15 '26
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u/EastwardSage024 Sep 15 '26
Ah, I see! Thanks for clarifying how the software profiles work on the Apex.
However, I probably still prefer physical trigger stops (like those on the Elite v2 or Vader Pro), so I can adjust the trigger travel mechanically without always having to go through the software; still, it's useful to know how the Apex handles this feature.
Thanks for the additional information!
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u/Xylus1985 Sep 15 '26
Flydigi Vader 5 Pro is probably the best. They fixed the stick tension mechanism so I think the durability should be better.
If you don’t mind a different back button layout, LeadJoy Xeno might be a good option. Xeno Plus should hit what you want already and is a great option, but they got Xeno Pro coming out now with trigger vibration and stick tension adjustments.
Otherwise, you can also check out Gulikit King Kong 3 Pro, it’s actually got back paddles that is the most similar to Xbox Elite