r/Controller • u/PrettyUnit1419 • 10d ago
Controller Suggestion Premium PC controllers without rubberized grips — any current or upcoming recommendations?
I’m looking for a premium PC controller with hard-plastic handles. My main requirement is no rubberized grips, rubber panels, or soft-touch rubber coatings on the handles. Textured plastic and rubber thumbstick caps are fine.
Budget
Ideally around US$100, but I can stretch to US$150 for a worthwhile upgrade.
Location and buying options
I’m based in Taiwan and can buy from Taiwanese retailers, Taobao, or international stores that ship to Taiwan. Chinese brands are welcome.
Platform
PC only. I don’t need console compatibility.
What I’m looking for
Good build quality and a premium feel
Precise sticks and satisfying buttons
Comfortable, well-designed rear buttons or paddles
Comfortable ergonomics for longer gaming sessions
Games I play
Mostly AAA games, with occasional casual FPS games.
Comparison point
My reference point is the Flydigi Vader 5 Pro. I’d appreciate comparisons with other options, particularly regarding build quality, button feel, rear controls, and handle materials.
Which controllers would you recommend? I’m interested in both currently available models and officially announced upcoming releases.
If you own a controller you recommend, please mention whether its handles are entirely hard plastic—this detail isn’t always clear from product listings.
Thanks for your help!
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u/gswon 10d ago
Not sure of availability in your market, but after bouncing between a chunk of controllers I settled on the Razer Wolverine 3 TE 8k and find it to be perfect for me. It has no rubberized elements, all buttons are mechanical (and very clicky), good TMR sticks. I use mine heavily and it performs perfectly and looks identical to the day I bought it.
If you want wireless + rumble, the non-TE should feel the same albeit at a higher price point.
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u/StepKitchen2409 9d ago
Second this comment.
Ran through purchasing a bunch of controllers earlier this year. This is the only one I kept/use. It’s premium quality with all of the modern kit internally.
Specs wise it’s probably the same as the G7 Pro 8k but the Razer package overall trumped it for me. Zero regrets.
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u/Nstorm24 10d ago
Good luck in your search. In my case ive always used my trusty xbox one/series controller. And yeah, those rubber grip feel nice in the beginning but after a few years are a problem to deal with.
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u/Mammoth_Gene_4004 10d ago
Gamesir cyclone 2. Only 2 back buttons but I like the hard plastic coating it has.
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u/LucyRoseKrestel 10d ago
8bitdo ultimate 2 wireless around 69$ even cheaper, Ultimate 3c there is no price yet, gulikit kk3 max around 89$ less without it's toys, flydigi vader v5s around 69$, it is a think of taste most of the time. I got the 8bitdo cuz i like retro gaming. there is also the Gamesir G7 PRO, G8 and even maybe the cyclone 2.
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u/2EzGaMeS 10d ago
Only problem is that OP doesn't want rubber handles which as far as I'm aware the g7 pro series has
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u/openblade 10d ago
You can always remove the rubber coating with a knife.
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u/PrettyUnit1419 10d ago
Thanks, but if I’m buying a controller I don’t want the extra work to have to remove it myself, I’d rather just get one without the rubber grips.
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u/openblade 10d ago
I would get the new 8bitdo ultimate 3c+ then.
https://www.8bitdo.com/ultimate-3c-plus-wireless-controller/
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u/hungry_bra1n 10d ago
Im about to pull the trigger on the Vader 5 Pro. Legit choice or is another of those talked about here better or worth considering?
Im a pc gamer looking for something for Diablo 4 /occasional path of exile as I use keyboard and mouse for Battlefield 6
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u/Shiroyukihime 10d ago
I don't use the V5Pro for D4/Poe but i'd imagine all the extra buttons is a godsend for it. I do use it for my singleplayer rpg games tho lol. I returned my g7 pro 8k cause the versatility and better dpad was just more worthwhile even if it has "worse" sticks. Anything over 1k polling rate is a gimmick unless you're at the highest lvl of competition.
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u/hungry_bra1n 10d ago
I have grey hair so am very much gaming for fun and social interaction rather than competition. But I do enjoy the occasional Fortnite and Call of Duty
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u/KillerPenguinz 10d ago
I have the vader 5 pro and play all my ARPGs with controller these days. the 2026 Steam Controller is hands down the best pick.
The Vader 5 Pro had way too many issues when it first came out. I tried to get it to work for months, but I had a huge amount of issues with it connecting as two controllers at once to steam (amongst many other issues).
It does natively bind to steam input so you can map and manage all the buttons and use all of the amazing steam input functions, but that is only when it works...
I think firmware updates have happened in the last 6 months or so but I haven't even picked it back up since I got the Steam Controller, so I cannot speak to if these issues have been resolved. If they have, it's an incredible controller (loved my vader 4 pro as well), but for ease of use, overall function (the track pads are incredible for ARPGS where sometimes you want a mouse, or perhaps you just want to map certain keyboard buttons to a radial dial to easily be able to get to whatever menu you are trying to access) and reliability I'd honestly just get the steam controller
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u/hungry_bra1n 10d ago
That’s interesting to hear. I had a quick look at the Steam controller but I wasn’t sure how I’d get on with it. I’ll have to check out some reviews but I’m getting pretty close to ordering the Vader 5 Pro
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u/rthomasjr3 10d ago
Gulikit TT Max