If you've ever tried to game on a Mac without a controller, you likely gave up and went to do something else. There's something about the keyboards and accessories you use with your Mac that means they just aren't as good for gaming as those super fancy peripherals that gamers use — and even then, you might not want the learning curve of a mouse and keyboard.
Instead, you'll want one of these, the best game controllers for Mac. They've got sticks, triggers, and buttons, just like the controllers you play Xbox or PlayStation with (in fact, a couple of them are Xbox and PlayStation controllers), and they connect effortlessly with your Mac so you can play games without worrying about fiddly settings menus. If you want to up your game on the best Mac, you can't be without a decent gamepad — here are the best.
Quick List
Best overall
The PlayStation 5 Dualsense is one of the very best controllers you can buy right now, thanks to an excellent control scheme, great rumble functionality, and a super comfortable feel. If you already have a PS5, this is the obvious choice.
Best for Xbox gamers
The Xbox controller has managed to retain its shape for two gaming generations now, as the basic layout and functionality is top-notch. The clickers are super satisfying, the textured grips make it less likely to fall out of the hand and it just looks fantastic.
Best for features
The 8BitDo Ultimate fits into the retro blocky aesthetic of classic Nintendo devices well, except with tons more buttons than an NES controller. It looks fantastic, has great battery life, and feels smooth and small in the hands.
Best mid-range option
Despite being one of the cheapest choices on our list, the GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro lives up to the pro name with Hall Effect sticks giving no drift and excellent connectivity with an included USB dongle.
Best for Apple devices
A longtime favorite for its wide support for Apple devices, impressive battery life and ergonomically friendly build, the SteelSeries Nimbus+ is a great choice for anyone looking to play games on their Mac.
Best on a budget
A sequel to one of 8BitDo's most popular controllers, the SN30 Pro+, the Pro 2 is a versatile controller with lots of programmable options and the option of multiple profiles. We also love the retro design, which looks like a SNES controller that grew legs.
The best gaming controller for Mac: in depth
You can always trust iMore. Our team of Apple experts have years of experience testing all kinds of tech and gadgets, so you can be sure our recommendations and criticisms are accurate and helpful. Find out more about how we test.
The best controller overall
While obviously designed to be used with the PlayStation 5, and many of its best features reserved for Sony's console, it's very easy to use the DualSense with your Mac, either via Bluetooth or wired using USB. If you already own a DualSense, it makes sense to use it with your Mac so you don't need to buy another controller.
It's a very comfortable controller in the hands, with well-placed buttons and sticks that'll be familiar to anyone who's used to PlayStation hardware. One thing to bear in mind, though, is that many games default to a more Xbox-style XYAB button layout when explaining controls, so the PlayStation buttons won't correspond directly with what you're seeing on screen. It isn't a major issue, but it's something to think about.
Also important to note is that the DualSense's feature set when used with the PS5 doesn't simply carry over to Mac. Don't expect games to make use of the built-in speaker, adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.
The DualSense is an excellent controller and one of our favorites to use full stop. It's not the obvious choice for Mac gaming, but it's a great one if you happen to have one sitting under your TV already.
The best controller for Xbox gamers
Like the DualSense, the Xbox Wireless controller wasn't built with Mac gaming in mind (clue's in the name), but it pairs with Apple hardware using Bluetooth, so if you have an Xbox Series X or S and use this controller your console all the time, having it double as a Mac controller makes a lot of sense.
The best thing about this pad is its extremely comfortable design. There's a reason Microsoft has barely touched its controller for several generations now; it's hard to improve on perfection. The rounded edges fit snugly in your palms, and the triggers and bumpers feel great. A lot of Mac games use the XYAB button layout too, making it feel like a natural transition, and you get a sensibly positioned D-pad which is ideal for 2D platformers and older games. The Xbox Wireless Controller comes in a lot of colors too.
The Xbox Wireless Controller doesn't have motion sensors, built-in speakers or adaptive triggers like the DualSense, but Mac games don't tend to support any of those features anyway. At the basics, Microsoft's controller excels.
The best controller for features
The 8BitDo Ultimate is the flagship 8BitDo controller and one of our favorite controllers for gaming on a Mac.
It looks like something of a cross between the Nintendo Switch Pro controller and the Xbox pad, with the same thumbstick layout as the latter Xbox Controllers, and the same XYAB face buttons. It feels great in the hands thanks and features pleasingly clicky buttons.
The 8BitDo Ultimate also excels where connectivity in concerned. You can plug the included dongle straight into a TV or device for the lowest latency (you'll likely need an adapter for some Macs if you want to do this), or connect via Bluetooth in a few seconds. An included charging station ensures you never run out of battery, and if you do have a a mammoth session you can rest assured it won't die on your, returning 20 hours of playtime on a full charge.
The best mid-range controller
The GameSir T4 Cyclone Pro sounds more like a dangerous weapon than a gaming controller, but it's a controller alright, and a surprisingly well-priced one given everything you're getting for your money.
We're talking Hall effect triggers and buttons that all but eliminate the risk of drift, a decidedly Xbox-like design that fits perfectly in the hands, and a low latency mode via the included dongle (even if most Mac gamers are likely to default to Bluetooth). Buttons can also be reprogrammed, though we ran into some issues with that during our testing.
There have built-in motion controls too, but you're likely not going to benefit from them if you're exclusively playing Mac games.
The best controller for battery life
SteelSeries' Nimbus+ has been around for a while now, but the Apple-certified controller remains one of the very best for gaming on Mac, as well as on your iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. The headline feature is probably the rechargeable battery that gives you an impressive 50 hours of battery on a full charge, which won't be beaten by many rival pads.
Other notable features include drift-resistant Hall effect magnetic triggers, clickable joysticks and dedicated navigation buttons. It also feels great in the hands, with SteelSeries opting for a traditional no-frills design. It's not exciting, but it's effective and not lacking in inputs.
Downsides? There's no rumble functionality, and the Nimbus+ is still pretty pricey for what it is. It also only works with Apple devices, which isn't an issue here, but might be for you if you're looking for a more versatile pad.
The best controller on a budget
8BitDo calls its Pro 2 a "modern controller that respects the classics", and that really is the best description. Inspired by the old-school styling to boot up some retro games? You've got a great D-pad, and in the hands it definitely feels like the kind of pad you've have been wielding in the early 90s.
But this is 2024, and the Pro 2 isn't short on modern tech. It connects to your Mac via Bluetooth for one (though wired via USB-C is an option), and lets you create custom control profiles that you can switch to on the fly. The sticks are also Hall effect, which is a bonus at this price.
We should point out, though, that the 8BitDo Ultimate Software, which allows you to customize button mapping, adjust stick and trigger sensitivity, control vibration levels and more, is not supported in Mac mode. But given its low price and compatibility with a range of devices should you want to game elsewhere as well as on your Mac, the 8BitDo Pro 2 is still easy to recommend.
