Best for programmable button support
Asus ROG Raikiri II
5.0 feature score
Highest scored product for this feature based on supporting review evidence.
Best Video Game Controller for programmable button support
programmable button support Decision Dashboard
Safest pick
Logitech G29
5.0 feature score
Balances feature score, supporting reviews, and overall product strength.
Most evidence
8BitDo Pro 3
20 supporting reviews
Has the broadest review evidence for this feature.
Best overall product
GameSir Cyclone 2 Wireless Controller
4.2 overall score
Strongest overall product among items with scored evidence for this feature.
Programmable rear controls are genuinely useful because they can be assigned quickly and moved to important in-game actions without taking a thumb off the sticks.
Pros: face button travel, trigger responsiveness
Cons: Start and Select button design, button label visibility
The wheel offers plenty of assignable controls for vehicle settings, menus, and PC shortcuts. The extra PlayStation buttons and rotary dial are especially useful in games that support custom mapping.
Pros: ergonomics, programmable button support
Cons: hand fatigue over long sessions, wheel noise
Programmable button support was praised for controller-side programming and the shift-layer modifier feature.
Pros: hand fatigue over long sessions, macro support
Cons: compatibility with Xbox, compatibility with PlayStation
Programmable button support was positive, with reviewers praising remappable rear controls and easy programming.
Pros: grip texture, analog stick smoothness
Cons: compatibility with Nintendo Switch, platformer control precision
Two programmable rear inputs give the controller more flexibility than many mobile rivals. They can usually be assigned without needing to interrupt play with an app.
Pros: weight balance, face button responsiveness
Cons: firmware update support, customer support
Wheel buttons can be assigned through G Hub for game-specific functions.
Pros: wired performance, accessibility features
Cons: cable length and quality, shifter and handbrake support
Programmable rear controls are a meaningful extra across several variants, giving faster access to actions and more flexibility than basic first-party layouts.
Pros: analog stick precision, analog stick smoothness
Cons: Switch wake support, Amiibo/NFC support
Four extra programmable inputs add meaningful flexibility for shooters, action games, and macros. The rear locks are particularly useful when extra buttons are not needed.
Pros: hand fatigue over long sessions, charging speed
Cons: compatibility with Xbox, compatibility with PlayStation
Programmable buttons give the Omega much of its pro-controller appeal. The limitation is that PlayStation mode does not unlock every G-key the way PC mode does.
Pros: input lag, consistency across sessions
Cons: charging dock support, 2.4GHz dongle performance
Rear buttons are useful and easy to map on supported platforms, but iOS Bluetooth limitations can leave them unusable.
Pros: d-pad accuracy, analog stick precision
Cons: gyro aiming performance, brand software support
Four programmable extra inputs give the G7 Pro useful flexibility, and lockouts help players avoid accidental presses. Layout preference is subjective, especially for users who would rather have four traditional...
Pros: ease of setup, mobile compatibility
Cons: compatibility with PlayStation, button label visibility
Programmable rear controls are useful and easy for many users, but at least one customer reports being unable to program the extra button at all.
Pros: wireless latency, input lag
Cons: trigger smoothness, analog trigger precision
Four additional inputs provide useful shortcuts without requiring a full pro-controller price. The rear pair are well liked, while L4/R4 reach and assignment restrictions draw more criticism.
Pros: Hall effect stick performance, analog stick smoothness
Cons: cloud gaming compatibility, audio jack quality
Programmable support drew criticism from one reviewer who wanted more useful front-facing aux functions.
Pros: ease of setup, compatibility with PC
Cons: included accessories, programmable button support