The DualSense game controller just went on sale

Counterpoint: I’m using my original PS5 controller right now and have had no drift in nearly three years.

Not saying it doesn’t happen, but I also don’t think the controllers are fragile.

I think all the major controllers use Alps sticks, which (sadly) are susceptible to stick drift. I wonder if you got a bad batch, though. My 5-year-old DualShock sticks are steady unless I turn the dead zones down to almost zero. And I haven't even bothered calibrating them.

As an Xbox owner since the OG in the early 2000s, I'd almost suggest against an Xbox One / Series controller too. I know the Xbox One is fairly old now, but it's the first one I had to get a new controller for due to stick drift. Original controller that came with it has the right stick set to full sky mode, completely unusable. The replacement has right stick drift as well, only slightly to the left at the moment. Manageable, but annoying. I would almost suggest a wired 360 controller (if you can find one these days). I'm an adult gamer, only user, and not hard on controllers, but maybe I've just had bad luck with my controllers.

I think after a certain model number they fixed most of the stick drift issues or at least made the controllers more reliable. I think it was around when the horizon forbidden West bundle came out, they had a new model number and then they released the colored versions of the controllers. I have two dualsense controllers that have been beaten to shit by children and they don't have stick drift, one of which is a camo controller and the other is a white controller from a horizon bundle. I also have an edge controller for myself, but I bought that for the peace of mind mostly.

First party controllers generally are leagues behind third party options these days if you ask me.

I think a certain controller model was more susceptible to stick drift than others. I think it was after the horizon forbidden West bundle where they started selling newer controller models with more reliable sticks. Both of my ps5 controllers have been dropped, thrown, played after and while eating by children and they're still fine. I have also have a dualsense edge controller for myself though so I don't really care what the kids do to their controllers. Grand total of 3 controllers and none of them have drift.

I will also counter and say I have played well over a thousand hours between trackmania and rocket league at fairly high levels since 2020 when I got the controller and it is still doing great. Those games beat controllers up

The dual sense is a great controller, but you're right. It is not immune to stick drift. Have you considered replacing your sticks with hall effect sticks? When my current black one starts to drift, I'll probably just replace my sticks and maybe drop a new battery in it. Otherwise, it's been my favorite controller.

The early ones had a battery life problem, but I believe they fixed that a year or two ago. Upgrading your firmware might help, if you haven't already.

I think it depends on your computer's Bluetooth module. I haven't noticed an input lag problem with my DualShock on either of two computers, but some people with different hardware have reported lag until they switched to a different Bluetooth dongle.

YMMV, though. I have no experience with Rocket League.

I don't like playing with Bluetooth controllers. It's not necessarily the amount of input latency but the inconsistency of it.

For having fun with friends Bluetooth is fine, but if possible go for a cable instead.

That said, there's the XBox Wireless Dongle which uses the same protocol as an XBox. The latency is minimal like a cable, and it does support up to 8 XBox Wireless Controller.

Sadly the Linux support isn't perfect but the xone kernel driver sees regular development.

https://github.com/medusalix/xone