Best controllers for F1 23

By purchasing the best controller for F1 23, you're ensuring you're in the premier position to outperform your competition on the track. Whether you're tackling an offline career or taking your skills online, a top gamepad can definitely give you the edge.

Therefore, much like our list of the best wheels for F1, we've compiled some of the best controllers for racing around based on price, reviews, and, most important of all, their features to tackle F1 23 with ease both now, and for F1 24 once it arrives next month (pre-order it now so you're ready for the new season)

We're mostly looking for controllers that come with additional buttons, multiple thumbstick options, and adjustable back bumpers to help bridge the performance gap between a gamepad and a racing wheel. That said, one is not necessarily better than the other (something we touch on later), as it all comes down to personal preference when choosing between a racing wheel and a controller.

So, if you happen to be in the market for a top gamepad now the F1 season starts in real life, we've got you covered. From the excellent DualSense Edge to the budge-friendly PowerA Enhanced, let's take a closer look at some of the best controllers for F1 23 right here...

Best controllers for F1 23

1. PlayStation DualSense Edge - top pick for PS5 players
2. Xbox Elite Series 2 - a great alternative for Xbox
3. Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro - best contender for the PS4
4. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro - an excellent option for PC gameplay
5. PowerA Enhanced - the best budget choice

Credit: Sony

1. PlayStation DualSense Edge

Best PS5 controller for F1 23

We're kicking things off with the DualSense Edge, the top-of-the-range official gamepad for the PS5. Built by Sony, it's packed with some amazing features that can help give you the edge on the track.

Firstly, it comes with three types of thumbsticks, these being high, low, and half-dome. This is designed to keep you comfortable whilst gaming, without sacrificing grip. For F1 23, in particular, the different stick heights may also help increase your turning precision, as minor adjustments can become easier once you find a stick height that suits you.

Moreover, the stick modules themselves are replaceable for longevity, plus you get mappable back buttons to assign to some of your most-used in-game controls for quick and easy access.

Finally, one of the best features this controller has to offer for racing is its adjustable trigger lengths. You can manually set the travel distance of both the left and right bumper, meaning you can reduce how long it takes to hit full throttle or brake, thus making it a particularly great gamepad for racing.

Read More: Best deals on sim racing equipment

Credit: Microsoft

2. Xbox Elite Series 2

Best Xbox controller for F1 23

Like the DualSense Edge, the Elite Series 2 is the official top-tier gamepad for Xbox as it boasts some of the most advanced controller technology and features around.

For instance, its back bumpers are completely customizable. You can adjust the pressure resistance to reduce the time it takes to brake and hit full throttle. This may help you brake later into corners, and get your car's power down on the exit.

Furthermore, you can alter the stiffness of the thumbsticks with the supplied tool, which is primarily designed to improve precision when playing FPS games. However, adjusting the tension can also help with accuracy and steering performance in racing games like F1 23.

Additional features include its rubberized grip for comfort, 40-hour battery life, and three profiles to make switching between your custom racing setup and standard gaming settings, for example, that bit easier. All in all, a true powerhouse of the controller world.

Read More: Best racing seats for F1 23

Credit: Nacon

3. Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro

Best PS4 controller for F1 23

The Nacon Revolution Unlimited Pro has been featured in several of our lists before as we believe it has all the attributes a controller needs to take your racing to the next level.

Its thumbsticks, for instance, are completely interchangeable. You get a choice of either concave or convex heads, and a set of shafts with varying diameters. All of this is to give you the sensitivity and precision you need for the game you're playing. In this instance, your best bet is to go with a setup that allows for minor steering adjustments to avoid overcompensating into corners.

You can further customize your setup via the additional software, and save your settings as profiles for ease of access. In the software, you can alter the button mapping, including the additional back controls, left and right stick response curve, stick and axis inversion, dead zone sensitivity for each trigger, and vibration intensity, thus giving you complete control over your racing setup.

On the whole, this Nacon device is one we'd highly recommend checking out if you're console of choice is the PS4, or if you play your racing games on a PC. Speaking of which...

Read More: Best monitors for F1 23

Credit: Razer

4. Razer Wolverine V2 Pro

Best PC controller for F1 23

Although designed primarily for the PS5, we think the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro is up there as one of the best controllers for PC gameplay on the market.

It offers both a wired and wireless connection depending on your setup, with wireless connectivity supported by a HyperSpeed connection that shouldn't dip out or give any delays at crucial moments during your races.

Moreover, it comes with six remappable multi-function buttons, two additional thumbstick caps (concave and convex), and Razer's own HyperTrigger stops which, as mentioned before, can help you brake later and get the power down when needed.

It also features a visually impressive Chroma lighting system. While this may not necessarily improve your lap times, it can certainly help your controller look the part in and amongst your racing setup.

Read More: Best racing wheel stands for F1 23

Credit: PowerA

5. PowerA Enhanced

Best budget controller for F1 23

So far, we've run through some fairly premium gamepads. However, the PowerA Enhanced comes in as a great budget option to consider if you don't want to break the bank on a new controller.

Despite being slightly cheaper than some of our previous entries, you still get a selection of useful features for racing. For example, you have two mappable buttons on the back, ergonomically placed for quick access. For example, you can assign one to your DRS to ensure you're instantly opening that rear wing once the window opens.

It is worth mentioning as well that it's a wired device. While you may not necessarily get the freedom of a wireless gamepad, its USB pairing will ensure a consistent connection.

So, if it's a budget gamepad you're on the hunt for, make sure you consider this PowerA device.

Read More: Best monitors for racing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Don't worry if you stumble across any questions during your search. We've answered some of the most commonly asked queries below.

Is a controller or racing wheel better for F1 23?

Choosing between a controller and a racing wheel is tricky as the answer won't be the same for everyone. It all comes down to personal preference and what you feel comfortable using.

While a wheel may seem the preferred and quicker option as it's used by most professionals, there are some esports racers out there who champion the gamepad - check out Louis Welch for an example.

It's been argued in the past that it was easier to get your car's power down using a gamepad, but a controller lacked the steering performance needed for corner-heavy tracks like Monaco.

Nowadays though, the performance gap between a racing wheel and a controller seems bigger than ever. For most people, you'll likely shave valuable milliseconds off your lap times using a wheel, and the additional feedback they provide can add a ton of extra realism.

It's worth reiterating though that this won't necessarily be the case for everyone, especially as a racing wheel takes some getting used to. Not only that, a controller offers far more versatility away from the racing action. So, if you're more of a casual F1 fan, a controller might be the best option for you.

How much should you spend on a controller for F1 23?

Again, there's no definitive answer to this question as it all depends on how much you're willing to invest in a gamepad for F1 23, or simply for gaming in general.

If you're a more casual gamer, then you may not necessarily reap all the benefits a more premium controller has to offer. For instance, you're probably used to the familiarity of a standard gamepad, so adding in extra buttons and adjustable thumbsticks, for example, may not help you improve if you're not racing regularly.

However, we'd argue there are many advantages to spending a bit extra to obtain some of the aforementioned features. Additional buttons mean you can map some of your most used controls to them for ease of access, and adjustable thumbsticks may give you more precision during sharp turns.

Ultimately, the decision on how much to spend is all yours though. Our one piece of advice is just to make sure you're purchasing something you can afford, and, remember, you can always upgrade your gamepad to a more expensive bit of kit down the line.

Should you clean your controller?

Yes, it is a good idea to clean your gaming controller regularly. Over time, dirt, oil, sweat, and other debris can accumulate on the surface of the controller, which can not only affect its appearance but also its performance. For example, the buttons may become sticky or unresponsive, or the thumbsticks may lose their grip.

To clean your gaming controller, you can use a soft cloth or microfibre towel. Be sure to avoid getting moisture in any openings, such as the ports or buttons, as this could damage the internal components.

It's also a good idea to clean your gaming controller after any particularly intense gaming sessions or if you've been using it for an extended period. By taking good care of your gaming controller, you can help ensure that it continues to function properly and lasts as long as possible.