Although gaming on the Mac is not as popular as it is on the PC, some excellent titles are still available. In certain circumstances, keyboard and mouse will suffice, but if you want to jump into local co-op play or want to dive into immerse gaming sessions, then getting yourself the best game controller for Mac is mandatory.
Another convenience the game controller brings is that you may relax on your couch while playing your game. The design of game controllers is worth noting. You will almost certainly lose the enjoyment if you aren’t comfortable with your controller. No matter how skilled you are at a game, having the best gamepad helps a lot.
However, given the availability of Mac game controller options, finding the most suitable one for yourself can be challenging. If you’re having difficulties with this, have a look at the seven best game controllers for Mac that we’ve compiled in our list.
- 1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – Best Game Controller for Mac for Switch Owners
- 2. Amazon Luna Controller – Best Game Controller for Mac for Alexa Cloud Gaming
- 3. SteelSeries Nimbus Plus – Best Game Controller for Mac for Mobile Gamers
- 4. 8Bitdo Pro 2 – Best Game Controller for Mac for Retro Lovers
- 5. Xbox Core Wireless Controller – Best Game Controller for Mac for Big Hands
- 6. 8Bitdo Zero 2 – Best Game Controller for Mac for Traveling
- 7. Playstation DualSense – Best Game Controller for Mac for PS5 Owners
1. Nintendo Switch Pro Controller – Best Game Controller for Mac for Switch Owners
The Switch Pro Controller is one of the greatest controllers ever made, and now you can use it on your Mac. This controller connects to the Mac very quickly with a USB-C connection or Bluetooth.
Nintendo has kept things simple with the conventional Xbox-style asymmetric design for analog stick placement. If you’re one of those gamers who consider a heavy controller to be a sign of quality, you’ll be pleased with the Switch Pro Controller’s weight. There are no strange hollow plastic noises when you tap your way around the chassis, and button pushes don’t make any awful loud clicks.
The official Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is the best game controller for Mac to buy to enhance your gameplay experience on both your Mac and Switch. This is an excellent investment if you’re playing a lengthier game like Zelda: Breath of the Wild on your Switch and some chill games like Stardew Valley on your Mac.
Pros:
- Solid build quality
- Analogs feel very nice
- Built in battery has a long battery life
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only single color option
Seeven Score: 5.5 / 7
Link: Amazon
2. Amazon Luna Controller – Best Game Controller for Mac for Alexa Cloud Gaming
Some of the success of the Amazon Luna cloud gaming service may be attributed to the amazing Amazon Luna Controller designed particularly for Amazon Luna. The controller is a well-made and comfortable Bluetooth gamepad, but its true benefit is its independent Wi-Fi connection, which lowers input lag significantly while playing Luna games.
The Luna Controller is fantastic, and it looks and feels quite similar to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. It is a solid black controller with two analog sticks offset in an Xbox-style configuration and A/B/X/Y face buttons organized in an Xbox-style layout. The sticks, face buttons, and triggers all feel solid and well-made, albeit the plus-shaped directional pad is more squishy than clicky.
The build quality is fairly close to that of the Xbox Wireless Controller. Its rubberized hand grips, as well as the soft, rubber-tipped analog sticks, are extremely comfortable to hold. All of the buttons and analog sticks are responsive and strong, but not overly so. The Amazon Luna Controller app can link the Luna Controller with a variety of devices, including phones and tablets, in addition to Bluetooth pairing. There’s also a microphone hotkey, as well as home, action, and menu buttons, for using Alexa’s push-to-talk feature.
If you plan to use Amazon Luna on your Mac, then this is the best game controller you can get.
Pros:
- Solid build quality
- Separate Wi-Fi connection and amazing features to be used in Amazon Luna
- Can charge rechargable batteries via USB-C
- Supports almost all platforms
Cons:
- No color options
- Plastic seams can be felt
Seeven Score: 5.5 / 7
Link: Amazon
3. SteelSeries Nimbus Plus – Best Game Controller for Mac for Mobile Gamers
SteelSeries’ newest Apple-only gamepad accomplishes a number of goals: It features an excellent design, well-made inputs, and a long battery life. As a result, while the Nimbus Plus can be the best game controller for Mac if you also plan to play some games on your iPhone.
The Nimbus Plus has a rather generic appearance. The design appears to be hell-bent on separating the PlayStation and Xbox controller styles: The bumpers and triggers are designated in PlayStation style while the buttons are styled with Xbox letters. The huge handles and the broad body resembles the Xbox Controler, yet the symmetrical thumbsticks say they belong to PlayStation.
SteelSeries ditched the AA batteries in favor of the Lightning for the Nimbus Plus. This is fantastic news for mobile users because it now boasts a 50-hour battery life and the option to charge through Lightning. This eliminates the need for a separate charging wire for your controller. It does, however, have a major flaw: it comes with a phone mount that doesn’t do a great job of holding large iPhones in place.
Pros:
- Very long battery life
- Fast charging via Lightning port
- Excellent comfort and ergonomics
- Included phone clip is good for mobile gaming
Cons:
- Expensive
- Only works with Apple devices
Seeven Score: 6 / 7
Link: Amazon
4. 8Bitdo Pro 2 – Best Game Controller for Mac for Retro Lovers
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is the combination of a retro design with the capabilities of advanced technology. The design itself makes it the best game controller for Mac if you are a fan of retro styles. The 8BitDo Pro 2 will make you feel like you are using a classic controller, but owing to a contemporary ergonomic design, excellent buttons, and a lot more, you will have a far better experience.
The 8BitDo Pro 2 is compatible with the Mac through Bluetooth for up to 20 hours of wireless play or by USB-C for wired play. A standard Nintendo control scheme is included, but the buttons may be remapped to correspond to in-game controls. Moreover, you have symmetrical analog sticks similar to those found on PlayStation controllers. Motion controls are also supported by the 8BitDo Pro 2.
Then there’s the customization, which lets you remap any buttons, replace stick behavior and axis, and even change the trigger actuation. There are also two rear paddles to keep your thumbs on the analog sticks while playing.
Pros:
- Offers great customization of buttons
- Retro design with advanced features
- Great build quality
- Compatible with almost all platforms
Cons:
- Glitches if you use the control while its charging
- Can feel small in big hands
Seeven Score: 7 / 7
Link: Amazon
5. Xbox Core Wireless Controller – Best Game Controller for Mac for Big Hands
For gaming, the original Xbox One Wireless Controller was a must-have. The excitement in the community to see how Xbox improved on an already fantastic gamepad with the debut of the Xbox Series S/X was too high.
With the recent updates, you can use the Xbox Core controller with your Mac in a plug & play fashion. Once it’s up and running, you’ll enjoy one of the greatest controller experiences for Mac games.
The entire design is incredibly comfortable, and the texturized rubber grips feel amazing in your hands. It has an improved d-pad, similar to the original that you won’t mind using in fighting games and platformers. The controller has a good size, is not too hefty, and the bumpers and triggers are nice and substantial.
This is the best game controller for Mac for those who have a big hand. Moreover, with the numerous color and design options to pick from, you can make sure to find the best design for yourself. If, for some reason, existing designs are not good for you, you can even customize and order your own controller!
Pros:
- Excellent build quality
- Feels comfortable especially in big hands
- A lot of color and design options
- Compatible with almost all platforms
Cons:
- Lack of button customization
Seeven Score: 6.5 / 7
Link: Amazon
6. 8Bitdo Zero 2 – Best Game Controller for Mac for Traveling
8BitDo is a gaming accessory company that specializes in accurate and responsive controllers and accessories for a broad range of systems. Many of them look like vintage controllers like the Super NES, but the firm has also made a controller that is ideal for traveling.
The 8BitDo Zero 2 is a little, no-frills controller that’s ideal for playing retro-style games on the road. Despite its small size, it does not have a cheap feel. The shell is composed of a strong plastic that feels sturdy in hand. Also, you can get wristbands to make it harder to lose them.
Aside from its size, the Zero 2 is a highly practical device; the buttons are all extremely robust and fast, the D-pad is excellent, and the build quality is excellent for such a little device. The one tiny drawback is that the L and R buttons are both a little too resistant, requiring a lot more force than you would expect to elicit a response.
This is the best game controller for Mac if you travel a lot and want to have an option to enjoy short gaming breaks in between your travels.
Pros:
- Rechargable battery
- Durable build
- Extremely compact and comfortable
Cons:
- No USB-C
- Short battery life
Seeven Score: 5 / 7
Link: Amazon
7. Playstation DualSense – Best Game Controller for Mac for PS5 Owners
Sony’s DualShock 4 controller was fantastic, and thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you didn’t have to put effort into connecting it to your Mac. The Sony DualSense Controller now comes with an update. The new controller has a dramatically different look from the original, but it retains the same control system for those who like asymmetrical configuration for the analog sticks.
On the Mac, support for the DualSense controller might be even greater than it was for the DualShock 4. Steam has already taken steps to support the controller, and it is feasible that the touchpad, sophisticated haptics, and adaptive triggers will be supported on Mac as well.
At first appearance, the PS5 controller appears to be nothing more than a future remake of the DualShock 4. The DualSense is a surprisingly gorgeous controller in the flesh, ditching the PS4’s all-black grungey design in favor of a smooth white body complemented by matte black analog sticks. There’s also a great deal of attention to detail here. The rear of the controller has a textured grip made up of small PlayStation shapes. You’d never know until you looked closely, but it’s the small elements that contribute to the controller’s greatness.
Aside from its innovative features, the DualSense seems like a controller designed for ease of use. Not only is it more comfortable than the DualShock 4, but it also features a built-in microphone, a satisfyingly robust D-pad, and no glare-emitting light to disrupt your game. While the touchpad and headphone jack are practically identical to the last model, the Micro USB charging cable has been replaced with a more contemporary USB C port.
This is by far the best game controller for Mac you can use if you also have a PS5. Even if you don’t have a PS5, this might be the most comfortable controller out there!
Pros:
- Extremeley accurate controls
- Very solid build quality
- Really comfortable design
- Plug & Play
Cons:
- Expensive
- Battery life is a bit short
- Feature support is limited on Mac
Seeven Score: 7 / 7
Link: Amazon
And that’s it; these are the seven best game controllers for Mac you can buy. Hope this list helped you to pick the correct game controller to enjoy your games on Mac. Don’t forget to check our list of the best gaming glasses if you want to make sure your eyes stay pain-free during your gaming sessions!
