I test game controllers for a living — these are the Black Friday deals I would buy

Save 28% on the DualSense for the PlayStation 5, one of the most advanced controllers ever made. Packed full of features, including haptic feedback and adaptive trigger, this is gamepad will be your best friend for any of the best PS5 games. It's a perfect discount for anyone looking to get a second controller for Player 2.

In a face-off against the Xbox Series X controller, the PS5 mainstay is a little weaker in some aspects, but we thought it was a great fit for the console in our PS5 review.

Until Wednesday, you can grab the Xbox Series X controller while saving $20. It's a nice discount to a controller that prioritises simplicity and comfort over the rival DualSense. Anyone who has played on an Xbox will recognise the classic layout and grip, which makes this a go-to gamepad for long gaming sessions.

PC gamers will also find a lot to like, as the controller is compatible with Windows — this is one of my favorite options for when my keyboard and mouse can't perform, such as in racing games.

Save nearly $40 on the highest performance Xbox controller available. This beast provides adjustable triggers, with hair trigger locks, as well as back paddles for additional button assignments. It also boasts a circular D-Pad, something that will take a while to get used to but make inputs more consistent in fighting games, for example.

We gave it 4.5 stars in our Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review, just about held back from a perfect score due to the high price. This deal just about resolves that problem — while $140 is still a lot for a controller, this is something that anyone taking competitive gaming seriously on the Xbox ought to consider.

Save $20 on the iconic alternative to Nintendo Switch JoyCons, a Pro controller that works brilliantly for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Splatoon 3 or Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. Long sessions using JoyCons can cause some wrist ache, so there is much to like about the Pro controller's more typical format and comfortable grip.

It has the full features you would expect, with the same rumble and motion control technology as a JoyCon. It's perfect for anyone who has picked up a Switch over Black Friday — I personally use this controller alongside the two included JoyCons to cover for extra players for the Switch's various party games.

You can save a sweet 20% the GameSir G7 SE right now, one of the most underrated third-party Xbox controllers out there — worthy of the prestigious Editor's Choice award.

This is an officially licensed Xbox controller, compatible with PC, Xbox Series consoles and Xbox One. It uses both Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, a technology that entirely eliminates stick drift as well as providing greater accuracy. The G7 SE provides similar performance to a $100+ Pro controller, so being able to grab one for less than a standard Xbox Series controller is a fantastic opportunity. I gave the gamepad a well-deserved 4.5 stars in my GameSir G7 SE review.

The G7 is available in lots of colors, with the only catch being that it's wired-only. If you're playing at PC and don't mind another cable to manage, this is a great budget option.

A 20% discount makes this PlayStation-inspired controller one of the best Pro controllers available, offering next-gen thumbstick technology on top of unique swappable face buttons — at the press of a button, you can activate a mechanism that switches between Nintendo and Xbox-style button layouts.

More on the thumbsticks, though — this controller boasts TMR technology, which is essentially an upgraded form of Hall Effect — beyond eliminating drift, this controller consumes less power while feeling even more accurate and responsive in-game. This earnt the controlled the Recommended award in my GameSir Tarantula Pro review.

Sadly, this controller does not work on PS5 — however, if you've ever wanted to bring the DualShock experience to the PC or Switch, this is your best bet.