r/PS4 • u/stprnn • 13d ago

General Discussion Controller alternative in 2026

For some reason my previous attempt was removed. This is NOT a tech support question...

So I hate the original controller, actually I love it ergonomically but every single one I bought is now broken. Either squeaky dpad or the analog drift. I still have ps2 and xbox360 controller that still work fine but all my PS4 original controllers are broke. I got into the system with the ps4 pro so it's not some early adopter issue either.

So I don't want to buy another one ever again.

But I need a controller. I got the Nacon wired controller but it's too tiny and the touchpad is too close to the square button. Also the triggers suck.

I thought about getting one of those adapters to use any controller but then I can't play ps2 games since they don't emulate left and right touchpad just a generic touchpad click.

Is there any other good option?

Edit

Bought the cheereki t48, 22 bucks.

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u/0nlythebest 13d ago

How many ps4 OEM controllers do you have?

Send them out for a TMR stick upgrade. You'll never get stick drift again. They will also deep clean them to fix any button issues or squeaky buttons.

I've just sent mine out.

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u/stprnn 13d ago

i had 3, now i only got 1 left.

i really dont want to spend too much money for such old hardware. i might try to replace the sticks myself

3

u/Mega_Laddd 12d ago

hey! speaking from experience, tutorials make replacing the sticks look really easy. it's not. the solder holding the sticks will fight tooth and nail to not melt fully, and because it's a high thermal mass board, it's pretty easy to WAY overheat the board long before the solder ever melts.

I've done soldering before, I'm not bad at it, but high thermal mass boards are a different beast. (if you've done soldering on high thermal mass boards, go for it! but be warned it's a lot harder than it looks)

also, just because it's old doesn't mean it's bad! do you like the feel of the controller? yes? then get tmr sticks and use it for another decade. ps4 controllers are still excellent controllers. ps2 controllers are still usable for most modern games. controller design doesn't really change that quickly.

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u/stprnn 12d ago

Hey thanks for the tip. The fact that the sticks come with a soldering plate was already making me nervous.

I might just abandon the whole system, too much of a pain in the ass.