Best Video Game Controller for back button usefulness

back button usefulness Decision Dashboard

Best for back button usefulness

Asus ROG Raikiri II

4.9 feature score

Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.

Safest pick

PowerA Advantage Wireless

4.7 feature score

Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.

Most evidence

Turtle Beach Rematch

11 supporting reviews

Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.

See ranked products
#1 Asus ROG Raikiri II
4.9

The rear buttons can keep thumbs on the sticks and move common actions under the fingers, which testers found genuinely useful for faster play.

Pros: face button travel, trigger responsiveness

Cons: Start and Select button design, button label visibility

#2 PowerA Advantage Wireless
4.7

The rear controls are generally seen as genuinely useful for faster inputs and quick access, especially when remapped for demanding games.

Pros: wireless latency, input lag

Cons: trigger smoothness, analog trigger precision

#3 GameSir G8 Plus MFi
4.7

Programmable rear controls add meaningful shortcuts and can provide a real advantage in shooters.

Pros: d-pad accuracy, analog stick precision

Cons: gyro aiming performance, brand software support

#4 GameSir Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller
4.7

Back buttons were useful in specific games, improving comfort and control when mapped to movement or weapon actions.

Pros: hand fatigue over long sessions, macro support

Cons: compatibility with Xbox, compatibility with PlayStation

#5 Scuf Omega PS5 Controller
4.6

Rear paddles are often considered genuinely useful for keeping thumbs on the sticks in shooters and competitive games. Their value is strongest once the user has adapted to the layout.

Pros: input lag, consistency across sessions

Cons: charging dock support, 2.4GHz dongle performance

#6 Scuf Valor Pro Wireless Controller
4.5

Back button usefulness was a strong point, especially for keeping thumbs on sticks and reducing accidental inputs in shooters.

Pros: grip texture, analog stick smoothness

Cons: compatibility with Nintendo Switch, platformer control precision

#7 GameSir G8 Galileo
4.5

The rear buttons are useful for jumping, attacks, emulator shortcuts, and other actions that keep the thumbs on the sticks. Their value depends on whether the player actually uses extra...

Pros: weight balance, face button responsiveness

Cons: firmware update support, customer support

#8 GameSir G7 Pro 8K
4.4

The lockable rear controls help keep thumbs on the sticks and can be disabled to prevent accidental presses. Most reviewers find them valuable for shooters and action games.

Pros: hand fatigue over long sessions, charging speed

Cons: compatibility with Xbox, compatibility with PlayStation

#9 Turtle Beach Rematch
4.1

The rear controls are broadly useful for remapping and competitive play, though several Switch reviewers found limited need for them in typical Nintendo games.

Pros: analog stick precision, analog stick smoothness

Cons: Switch wake support, Amiibo/NFC support

#10 8BitDo Pro 3
4.1

Rear buttons are useful for sprinting, skills, emulator shortcuts, and other actions that would otherwise require leaving the sticks. They are one of the controller's strongest modern additions.

Pros: Hall effect stick performance, analog stick smoothness

Cons: cloud gaming compatibility, audio jack quality

#11 GameSir G7 Pro
3.8

Extra rear controls are useful for actions such as reload, crouch, melee, and shifting while keeping thumbs on the sticks. Lock switches are repeatedly praised for preventing accidental presses when...

Pros: ease of setup, mobile compatibility

Cons: compatibility with PlayStation, button label visibility