Controller vs mouse and keyboard - what's best for you?
Deciding between a pad or a rodent and plank? We're here to help you decide when it comes to the controller vs mouse an♕d keyboard matchup

The controller vs mice and keyboard debate has 'raged' forꦅ ages now - particularly on PC where both can now be used seamlessly.
If you kit yourself out with either one of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PC controllers or a combination of the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming mouse and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best gaming keyboard, there's always an element of the grass being greener, bu🥂t we're here to give you a succinct rundown of both sides - even if it just means you're happier with the side you're already on. After all, they're just games and your first instinct should be to use whatever feels the most natural.
However, there are clearly some pros and cons to both sides. We'🍰ll lay it all out straight and hopefully help you find your way onto one side of the fence if that's what you're after, or help you see the merits inꦫ having both setups to hand if that's appropriate for you to do so.
While some folks will be faithful to one side of the divide, no matter the game, it's important to remember that that's just their preference, and that's fine. However, it's largely agr💖eed that a controller is better for some games, and a m♐ouse & keyboard is better for some others. It may well be that you recognise this and have both. (Though this is, of course, easier to achieve on PC.)
But how does the controller vs mouse & keyboard conflict fold out in terms of features, pros and cons, accessibiᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚlity, and more? Let's find out.
TL;DR: controller vs mouse & keyboard
Controller
- Traditional game controller feel
- Most comfortable; ergonomic design
- Great for movement and rotation
- Extra features like rumble
- Excellent inputs
- Widely compatible
Mouse & keyboard
- All the buttons
- Huge amount of choice
- Doubles-up as regular PC gear
- Fast and precise
- Designed for PC gaming
- Customisable
Controllers vs mouse & keyboard: what's the difference?
Naturally, the biggest difference between controllers and mouse & keyboard setups is form factor; they are completely different to hold, use, and g🌱ame with.
Simply put: do you prefer having you gaming controls sit in your hands as a single♍ unit, or do you prefer being able to wield a pointer one one hand and a keyboard in the other?. Personally, I prefer a controller, hands down, every time - but I🐬 have different and small hands so I am naturally pushed one way. But the logic is there; some folks just prefer to play with a game pad where the inputs are all in reach of both hands across one ergonomic unit, and others prefer the flexibility and greater set of buttons at their disposal with a mouse & keyboard.
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The other main difference is potentially that of speed and precision. It's generally accepted that a mouse can be more accurate and precise for most actions, including shooting. For example, with a controller you 'guide' the on-screen reticle to your target, but with a mouse your pointer actually is the reticle. The potential trade-off for that (for most folks) is that a controller's sticks make for much better and smother movement and camera control - no need to lift th🌳e mouse and re-position for quick action.
These♛ two are genuinely the biggest differences, as everyone who plays games - from the most casual up to esports professionals can get going with either. As a result, the similarities are worth confirming and consolidating. Either control solution can be connected wirelessly or wired. Both control options have excellent ergonomic designs that are improving over time as well. Such design improvements also extend to reducing the actuation of buttons, housing extra ports, utilising USB-C connectivity for charging, dedicated extra media controls, and more!
The mouse and keyboard do have it over controllers when it comes to custom buttons and controls though. While some third-party controllers from the likes of Thrustmaster, Nacon, and Razer 💯offer that extra level of customisation, it is just an objective fact that it's far easier to use custom macros, extra inputs, and shortcuts on mouse and keyboard - this can be the main driver for some folks to go down this route as it's something that just isn't a level playing field.
We often mention price as a factor when comparing two options, but the truth is you can pick up cheap gaming🎃 controllers or expensive ones, and you can also get premium mice and kꦫeyboards as often as you can budget ones. As a result, you can spend big or go the budget route on all devices.
However, it's very much worth noting that despite the differences between the two setups, it is now increasingly affordable, and arguably sensible, to have them both at your disposal. That's particularly true if you are a PC gamer (as it's likely you'll have a mouꦿse and keyboard already just for normal PC use), but even if you are on console, and want to cover yourself for a range of games that might need different control inputs.
Who should buy a controller?
The primary gamer that'll benefit from a controller is someone who solely - or mainly - uses consoles. It's the default control solution for the main consoles a🅘nd will remain so for the foreseeable future. There is some limited mouse & keyboard support on consoles but only for a relatively few games. Also, if you've historically been a console player but have moved over to PC then you may well enjoy the fact that controllers can be used on the latter seamlessly now too so you can carry that over.
Console players won't usually have to pick a side when it comes to controllers vs mouse and keyboard setups as the default is, naturally, a gamepad. The last generation established a wide variety of pads that made up the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best Xbox One controller and the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:best PS4 controllers, and there's still plenty of choice on the shelves for the current generation🅠 as well.
More generally, however, the controller🉐 can offer more comfort and ergonomic benefits♉ than a mouse & keyboard setup. If you prefer not being attached to a desk or surface then a controller will always be for you, and it can follow all your own movements, rather than having to have your hands stuck to the desk.
However, if you're a tournament level competitive player,ꦕ you might want to rethink tꩵhose buttons. The precision of a mouse & keyboard can't be matched in this scenario. However, if you play a lot of racing games or car games (think Rocket League and sim racers) then a controller is likely to have the edge for you too.
You should buy a controller if you:
- Prefer a traditional pad in both hands
- Don't want to be desk-bound
- Don't require the utmost precision
- Are a console player
- Prefer driving games