I currently use a DualShock 4, and I’m looking for an Xbox layout controller for PC that is ergonomic. I was looking at the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 for its extra buttons and Xbox style, but I’m not sure how ergonomic it is.
Additionally, with the announcement of the Steam Controller (2), I’m waiting for that to release to see what people think as well.
Bonus question: Are there any controllers you have used that feels comfortable or is ergonomic?


I have a Bluetooth Ultimate (keep in mind that 8BitDo makes a wide range of “Ultimate” controllers with extremely-confusingly-similar names, which don’t have the same hardware and have a wide range of prices, so be very careful when buying to ensure that you’re getting what you want; for example, when I bought mine, the “Bluetooth Ultimate” had Hall effect thumbsticks and the “Ultimate” did not. The “Bluetooth Ultimate” didn’t have a Xbox-style face button layout available, just a Nintendo one; you could remap this in software, of course, but the gamepad itself couldn’t do the mapping. Then there’s an “Ultimate C”, and it sounds like also an “Ultimate 2”).
I’m fine with its ergonomics.
But, then…I’m also fine with the ergonomics of a bunch of other gamepads that I have.
My own take is that pretty much all controller ergonomics are fine. The only gamepad I’ve ever used that I’d call outright bad was the original rectangular NES gamepad from the 1980s. These have a hard, squared-off D-pad that will absolutely kill your thumb with enough use.
Probably dishonorable mention goes to a wired Logitech controller dating to the 1990s, and to a lesser extent, a later Logitech controller; these had a D-pad that rolled to the diagonal too easily.
All modern controllers that I’ve used are noticeably more-comfortable for extended use than gamepads from the '80s and '90s.
I’ve owned a wide range of Playstation, Xbox, third-party, etc controllers, not to mention joysticks and other game control devices, and I’ve always been generally pretty happy with the ergonomics. That doesn’t mean that they don’t differ, but it’s pretty doable to adapt to the differences. Symmetric Playstation-style thumbstick layout, asymmetric Xbox-layout. Some are heavier, but nothing enough to really bug me. Nintendo face button layout vs XBox face button layout can be remapped in software. I’ve been able to adapt to different trigger pull force levels. Clicky face buttons that are popular on some new controllers versus no-tactile-feedback buttons. Controller bodies of slightly different size and shape. A new, different controller might feel weird at first, but in general, I’ve found that the brain is pretty good at bridging the differences.
Some have more buttons, and in recent years I’ve had enough bad luck with stick drift that I’ve moved to Hall effect thumbsticks. Some don’t have rumble motors. Some have RGB lights. One could prefer a gamepad over another for various functionality reasons, but…I think that on ergonomics, vendors have pretty much done a good job.