Finest Oculus Quest 2 Controller Options 2021

Oculus Quest 2 Controller Xbox Playstation Switch Mouse SteamSource: Nick Sutrich / Android Central

best
Oculus Quest 2 controller alternatives
Android Central
2021

The Oculus Quest 2 comes with some pretty amazing controllers known simply as the Oculus Touch. While these controllers work perfectly for many VR games – especially games that involve moving around – some games make more sense with a traditional gamepad or something more specialized like a HOTAS flight stick. Some early PC VR games work best using third party controllers for Oculus Quest 2, while some of the best PC VR games like Star Wars: Squadrons are ideally designed for HOTAS. Do you want to branch out for your next gaming experience? These are the best Oculus Quest 2 controller alternatives for any situation.

Overall best: Xbox Core Controller

The compatibility you get with an Xbox Core Controller really can’t be beat. The Xbox Core Controller is the controller that came with the Xbox Series X | S is included and has a Bluetooth connection that can be perfectly combined with your Oculus Quest 2 or your gaming PC. Microsoft’s Xbox controllers define how a great traditional controller should work and feel, and any game that supports a traditional controller will work perfectly with that one.

This means that some Bluetooth controllers on Quest 2 won’t have any key mapping issues or other weird issues. Since it’s Bluetooth, it will also pair with your phone or gaming PC, although some gaming PCs may require the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows if they don’t have a built-in Bluetooth connection. Controllers like this work best with lots of sideloaded titles in Quest 2, while playing PC games with Quest is the perfect way to create a bit of personal space or keep little eyes out while playing games with mature ratings.

Advantages:

  • Excellent compatibility
  • Easy bluetooth pairing
  • Super comfortable

Disadvantage:

  • An additional adapter may be required for some PCs

Overall best

Xbox Core Controller White

Xbox Core Controller

Can’t beat it

The Xbox Core Controller is the next generation controller from Microsoft, but works perfectly with all traditionally controlled games and can be easily paired with the Oculus Quest 2 or a gaming PC.

Best value: SteelSeries Stratus Duo

The SteelSeries controller is slightly cheaper than the Xbox Core controller but has the same buttons and great Bluetooth connectivity that works perfectly with your Quest 2 or gaming PC (or even your phone). This one actually comes with a USB adapter for the PC, which means you don’t have to buy an additional one if your PC – unlike the Xbox Core Controller – doesn’t have Bluetooth. This is an even better value than the originally proposed price.

The ergonomics of the SteelSeries Stratus Duo controller appear to mimic the original Xbox Controller S in some ways, but it features the double joystick placement of a PlayStation controller as well as a more traditional, cross-shaped D-pad. If you prefer the PlayStation joystick placement or just want to save some batter, SteelSeries is a fantastic choice.

Advantages:

  • Less expensive
  • Comes with a USB WiFi adapter
  • Easy bluetooth pairing

Disadvantage:

  • Not quite as ergonomic as an Xbox controller
  • Some quality control issues have been reported

Best value

SteelSeries Stratus Duo

SteelSeries Stratus Duo

Save the world (and some batter)

SteelSeries Stratus Duo costs less than Xbox or PlayStation controllers and even comes with a wireless USB dongle for added compatibility.

Best HOTAS: Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS

If you’ve played Star Wars Squadrons with your gaming PC and an Oculus Quest 2, you know that using a joystick to precisely maneuver your ship in space can be a bit difficult. What better way to recreate the actual cockpit of a Star Wars spaceship than having your own flying stick and thrust? A handy throttle, or HOTAS, is a near-perfect way to not only feel like you’re actually flying in the cockpit of a ship, but also to have far better control of your movements.

Currently, no HOTAS can be paired directly with a Quest 2. There aren’t currently any Quest 2 games that would support one anyway. That said, if you want to pick up this HOTAS, you will need to plug it into your gaming PC that you are using Quest 2 to play PC VR games on.

The Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS is fantastic value for money that separates the throttle from the joystick and gives you a more ergonomic way of playing and adjusting for your own setup. If you really want to give it your all, an updated version can be found on the Amazon page that includes separate pedals.

Advantages:

  • Separate throttle and control stick for better ergonomics
  • Solid construction
  • Lots of buttons

Disadvantage:

  • No wireless option
  • Expensive
  • Must be connected to a PC

Best HOTAS

Thrustmaster T16000m Hotas

Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS

Full throttle

The Thrustmaster T.16000M FCS HOTAS has a separate throttle and joystick that will help you achieve better ergonomics and better immersion.

Best Value HOTAS: Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X Flight Stick

Sometimes you just want a simple setup that doesn’t cost a lot of money. In that case, the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS x Flight Stick might be the perfect product. It costs a fair bit less than the Thrustmaster T.16000M and offers everything in a molded plastic case. This is the flying stick, which is pushed together in a package, each with a cable for plugging in.

As with any HOTAS, just remember that you need to plug it into the USB port on your gaming PC and play PC VR games with Quest 2. This will not connect or pair with your Quest 2. So it’s important to know this before going all-in. Two of the most popular games that a HOTAS can be used with are Star Wars Squadrons and Microsoft Flight Simulator. However, there are a few other VR ready titles that support these incredibly impressive controllers as well.

Advantages:

  • Cheaper than many HOTAS
  • One body design keeps things simple
  • Quality construction

Disadvantage:

  • No wireless option
  • Requires a PC to connect

Best value HOTAS

Thrustmaster T flight Hotas

Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick

Take it

This single body flying stick and thrust HOTAS keep your setup simple and help you fly more accurately.

No controller required: your hands

You may laugh at it, but it’s really a great experience to use your hands in VR – if it works, that is. Oculus Quest and Oculus Quest 2 can track both hands in the VR room thanks to the four cameras outside the headset. Hand tracking is best used for navigating the menus and official Oculus Entertainment apps. However, the best hand tracking games for Quest 2 will give you a unique experience, even if there are only a few games that support this feature.

While hand tracking is obviously free and offers the most complete way to interact with things in VR, there are a few things to keep in mind. First of all, you should make sure that you are in a brightly lit room so the cameras can see your hands. Second, know that hand tracking isn’t the most accurate thing in the world, and you are likely to encounter several situations where Quest 2 has a hard time understanding what you are trying to do. If you’re okay with a bit of jerking, give the hand chase a shot. If for no other reason it’s a fun way to see what the future of VR could be as tracking improves in future headsets.

Advantages:

  • Nothing to buy
  • I don’t have to top up
  • Super immersive

Disadvantage:

  • Tracking is not always reliable
  • Make sure you have bright lighting in a room
  • Limited number of experiences

No controller required

Oculus Quest 2 hand tracking range

Your hands

It’s all built in

The Oculus Quest 2 lets you track your hands in the VR section for easy menu navigation, watching movies, and even some bespoke hand tracking games.

Bottom line

The Oculus Quest 2 is designed to be played instantly without anything else, but there’s no doubt about the value accessories can add to the package. As with the Xbox Core Controller, alternative controllers make it easier to play classic VR titles without motion controller support. You’ll also find this is a great way to play classic games through emulators – which can be side-loaded on Quest – or when you’re playing traditional games on a giant virtual monitor with software like Virtual Desktop.

Flight simulation fans will surely want to take a good HOTAS with them for an even more immersive experience as you feel like you are actually sitting in the cockpit of an airplane or your favorite Star Wars ship. Remember that all games require a gaming PC and any games they support will run on a gaming PC.

After all, it’s the hand-only experiences provided by the four cameras on the front of an Oculus Quest or Oculus Quest 2. Oddly enough, your hands can actually become controllers with these platforms and whatever title they support, so you don’t even have to remember to charge those controllers for a one-of-a-kind VR experience.

Credits – The team that worked on this guide

Author:

Nicholas Sutrich Nick started out with DOS and NES and uses these fond memories of floppy disks and tapes to inspire his opinion on modern technology. Regardless of whether it’s VR, smart home devices or something else, it beeps and roars, he’s been writing about it since 2011.

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