Most gamepads, even if they are meant for their respective game console, work on PC. Not only can you play games with them, but you can also assign buttons to perform tasks in various home theater applications and big picture modes!
Living room keyboards also rock traditional wireless keyboards and mice. Once you try one for your home theater, you might never go back to a traditional setup again.
Want to know which gamepad and living room keyboard is the best for you? Read on to find your favorite way to control your HTPC.
Table of Contents
Gamepads
Our Favorite: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
The Elite Series 2 controller is probably the most luxurious controller I have ever used.
The first elite variation came in around $500. This update is a clear upgrade and cheaper. But still expensive.
Xbox One Wireless Controller
The Xbox wireless controller has proven to be a reliable replacement for the Xbox 360 wireless controller.
Sony DualSense Wireless Controller
The PlayStation 5 DualSense controller has great quality but a limited feature set on PCs.
DualShock 4 Wireless Controller
The PlayStation 4 DualShock controller is preferred by most gamers and works pretty well on PC.
Razer Wolverine Ultimate
The Razer Wolverine Ultimate controller feels great in hand and offers swappable thumbsticks and D-pad.
Honorable Mention: Razer Wolverine V2
The Razer Wolverine V2 gaming controller has the build quality to endure heavy usage. It, unfortunately, has issues with some customization options on PC.
HORIPAD Pro
The HORIPAD Pro is a great customizable controller built for fighting game fans.
Living Room Keyboards
Our Favorite: Logitech K830 Living Room Keyboard
The Logitech K830 illuminated living room keyboard and touchpad kicks serious butt. It feels great and allows you to control your TV in the dark from a decent 10 meter (33 feet) distance.
Logitech K400 Plus Touch Keyboard
The Logitech K400 Plus Wireless Touch TV Keyboard offers a more economical option for living room TV control. It works pretty well for those on a budget.
Microsoft Wireless All-In-One Media Keyboard
The Microsoft Wireless All-In-One Media Keyboard (N9Z-00001) works well if you want to stay in the Microsoft ecosystem. Yes, that includes Xbox as well!
Corsair K83 Wireless Keyboard
The Corsair K83 Wireless Keyboard is not recommended. We’re linking it here so you can take a look and compare it to other offerings. The build quality, although looking nice, is just not there due to quality control. The keys and touchpad are hit or miss and the wireless connection can be a problem.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking for a gamepad, the Microsoft Elite V2 wireless controller will serve you well. If you are looking for a living room keyboard, the Logitech K830 works really well.
None of these options are terribly expensive, especially compared to other home theater devices. Feel free to buy a different backup one so you can truly see which one is the best for your setup!
