Call of Duty is going back to black this year with Black Ops Cold War! The latest instalment in the annual shooter franchise is scheduled for release on November 13 for both Xbox One and PS4.
The game is a direct sequel to the original Black Ops released back in 2010 and will feature the series trademark fast-paced multiplayer as well as the always-popular Zombies mode.
To help you get a competitive edge, and boost your K/D ratio, we've put together our top picks for the best controllers for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, from budget picks to premium options.
READ MORE:Best headsets for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
The main event for less
First things first, there’s no point grabbing a new controller to help you dominate in Black Ops Cold War without getting yourself a copy of the game first.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available to pre-order right now on both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for £64.99 ahead of its November 13 release date.
However, if you want to get your copy for less, then sign up to TopCashback and you can get £15 cashback when you pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War at GAME. Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for a TopCashback account here
- Pre-order Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War on the platform of your choice at GAME
- Once the cashback from the retailer is processed, you’ll see it pop up in your account
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X editions of the game are also available for pre-order, although we don’t currently have release dates for them.
The best mid-range PS4 controller
The Nacon Revolution Ultimate Pro might have a slightly silly name but this suped-up PS4 controller is no joke.
Control is the name of the game here with everything from the length of the thumbsticks to the weight of the controller itself being fully customisable. Even the four buttons on the back can be individually mapped, perfect for aiming down the sights or firing off burst rounds at lightning speeds.
You can set multiple profiles on the controller, tweaking things like the stick sensitivity and the button mapping, and then switch between profiles on the fly thanks to a handy switch located on the controller's spine - ideal if you regularly switch between loadouts.
The sticks are also offset, similar to an Xbox controller, which is handy if Sony’s traditional stick layout isn’t to your taste.
CLICK HERE TO BUY: Nacon Revolution Ultimate Pro - £109.99
The best premium PS4 controller
Razer Raiju Ultimate really does live up to its name, this PS4 controller will help you to take your Call of Duty skills up a level.
Offering just about every feature under the sun the Razer Raiju has interchangeable thumbsticks (plus a swappable D-pad), as well as a quick control panel for more advanced customisation via the Razer app.
Plus, the togglable hair-trigger mode, which significantly increases sensitivity, will give you the competitive advantage you need to top the leaderboard game after game.
It’s certainly pricey, but if you want to give yourself every advantage possible then this controller is a must.
CLICK HERE TO BUY: Razer Raiju Ultimate - £182.40
The best budget PS4 controller
The Nacon Compact controller may be a no-frills option, but it has its advantages. For starters, it does feature a headphone jack at the bottom of the controller, which many budget alternatives lack.
While this is a wired controller some players actually prefer this as it can give you a tactical advantage due to reduced input lag - some pro players only play on wired pads for this very reason.
If you’re after a new controller for Black Ops Cold War and budget is the top concern then you really can’t go wrong with this pick.
CLICK HERE TO BUY: Nacon Wired Compact - £24.99
The best official PS4 controller
If you simply won’t settle for anything but an official controller then Sony makes the decision really easy for you, as the PS4 only has one: The DualShock 4.
It’s certainly not a bad controller now that Sony has refreshed it a couple of times and fixed teething issues such as the peeling rubber on the thumbsticks or the constantly sticking touchpad.
The controller is available in a variety of colours and styles, and while none will give you an extra advantage online, we do think the camo colour seems appropriate for Black Ops Cold War.
CLICK HERE TO BUY: DualShock 4 Green Cammo - £49.99
Best mid-range Xbox One controller
The PowerA Fusion Pro is a great controller option if you’re looking for a competitive edge without breaking the bank.
The wired connection might seem like a turnoff at first, but when you consider it’ll reduce input latency it could be the difference between that round winning kill and defeat.
The four mappable paddles on the back, plus the magnetic impulse triggers are other features that help make this officially-licensed controller stand out from the crowd.
CLICK HERE TO BUY: PowerA Fusion Pro - £79.99
Best premium Xbox One controller
If you find clicking in the thumbsticks for melee kills finicky or using the face buttons to go prone is too cumbersome, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Razer Wolverine Ultimate offers six additional remappable buttons - 2 multi-function bumpers and four multi-function triggers.
The quick control panel allows for remapping on the fly, ideal for switching things up when changing loadout, plus the interchangeable thumbsticks and D-pad mean you have complete control over nearly every aspect of this controller.
The programmable lighting effects are pretty awesome as well, plus this controller is already confirmed to work with the Xbox Series X so it’s an investment worth making.
CLICK HERE TO BUY:Razer Wolverine Ultimate - £140.03
Best budget Xbox One controller
Considering its budget-friendly price the PDP Afterglow is a surprisingly slick controller. It features Prismatic LED lighting that can be set to your favourite colour.
While it’s lacking in the features that more pricey controllers will give you, such as extra buttons or paddles, it does have an audio jack for your headset and the wired connection will help reduce input lag.
It’s an officially-licensed Xbox product as well, which should give you peace of mind that it’ll last you through hundreds of hours of frantic COD multiplayer.
CLICK HERE TO BUY:PDP Afterglow - £24.99
Best official Xbox One controller
The Xbox Elite controller has been topping best Xbox controller list for years, and the Series 2 model is even better with less-flaky rubber and some production kinks ironed out. There’s a reason that finding this controller in-stock can at times be a challenge because it’s a really excellent piece of kit.
From the adjustable-tension thumbsticks for smoother aiming, the mappable back paddles for button customisation and the hair-trigger locks for faster firing, you’ll have a tactical advantage in just about every situation.
This controller can be tricky to get hold of due to its popularity, so snap it up while you have the chance.
CLICK HERE TO BUY: Xbox Elite controller - £159
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