# PS5 DualSense controller

10 Hacker News commenters recommended PS5 DualSense controller and 6 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 6 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Recommended for its gyro, trackpad, haptics and advanced triggers, and for working on Linux and SteamOS. Critics mention stick wear and rumble glitches.

## Why people recommend it

- Gyro and built-in trackpad (3 comments): "gets you gyro control, which makes for a very nice mouse experience" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45905188)) "Dualsense's main advantage is the built in trackpad and gyroscope" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48686710)) "Lots of great things about it in addition to gyro controls" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47610519))
- Advanced haptics and triggers (2 comments): "the haptics on that would be tough to give up!" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45908527)) "PS5's triggers are the most advanced though" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45908055))
- Works on Linux and SteamOS (2 comments): "DualSense just got wireless rumble support Linux. I think that was the last missing feature!" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48693644)) "You can use also PS4/PS5 or Xbox controllers easily on linux (and thus steamOS) nowadays." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48633242))
- Among the best controllers (2 comments): "The Dual Shock 5(wired) and Dual Shock 4(wireless) were some of the best controller" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46829126)) "it is pretty much flawless" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46315435))

## What people warn about

- Sticks and battery wear out (2 comments): "I had a hell of a time getting out the first analog stick on a DualSense and ended up damaging the PCB." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49576299)) "one of them barely held a charge 2-3 years in" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48805696))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Steam Controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/steam-controller.md): 74 recommend
- [Xbox Wireless Controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox-controller.md): 18 recommend
- [8BitDo controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/8bitdo-controller.md): 13 recommend
- [Sony PS5 controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ps5-controller.md): 7 recommend
- [Nintendo Switch Pro Controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nintendo-switch-pro-controller.md): 7 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sony+DualSense+wireless+controller+PS5&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/accessories/dualsense-wireless-controller/)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "PS5 DualSense controller", https://hackerapproved.com/p/dualsense-controller/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).