There is no "best controller" for fighing games. I play on hitbox and hate fight sticks, I have a friend who swears by fight sticks and hates hitbox. Before hitbox, I played on pad. It's going to come down to what is most comfortable for you. You may need to try a few hour before finding the one best for you

Hori makes fight pads, the Fighting Commander controllers are slightly stripped down for fighting games.

there's also a ps4/5 shaped one from Razer called Raion Fightpad

both under 90$ and the Hori pad is less than 50$

Since you seemed curious in your last sentence, here’s the pitch from Stick Land: I personally opt for arcade stick because I find them more comfortable (idk Playing on pad just kills my thumbs, and I grew up a pc gamer instead of console). But if you’re used to pad, no real reason to switch to stick other than curiosity. IF you ever want to try arcade stick out, Mayflash sticks aren’t ridiculously expensive, can be used for multiple platforms, and can be upgraded with better parts later if you end up liking the feel. The Mayflash sticks are kinda ugly though lol

I mostly just use the dual shock 4.

The answer is obviously the Nintendo Power Glove. Come on people...

There's three primary types of controllers: standard controller pad like what you use to play anything else (think Playstation or XBox controller), the classic style arcade stick, and leverless which replaces the arcade stick with directional buttons.

An example of each below. I'm not recommending these specific ones, but trying to show what you might be looking for in each:

Controller Pad

Leverless

Arcade Stick

Once you decide which one you're looking for, you might want to head over to r/fightstick for more advice. Be sure to include your budget. Despite sub's name, they discuss all fighting game controllers.

i use the 8bitdo Sega Saturn controller

What does he play with currently? I think that’s the most important thing to know before any recommendations

My recommendation is to not do this, unfortunately. It's a lot like gifting a woodworker a new drill. He probably already has what he wants and if he wants an upgrade it's targeting a specific feature. You would need more information to pull this off.

Not that your thoughtfulness is lost in me. It's a very nice thought, it's just a lot to bite off and chew.

here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqENqtnk7dk

I ordered mine as soon as possible it was available online years ago, still functioning I love this hitbox

I want this so bad, but it’s impossible to get in EU without paying excessive import costs.

It looks very good and well designed.

Was there a deal on it? Good find!

Hooooly shit, looks awesome!

Beautiful controller!

Only pro pad players i have seen NOT using the DS4 are Smug (Xbox 360), Snakeeyez (either Madkatz Fight pad or Hori FC, not sure) and Luffy (PS1) Everyone else seems pretty content with the DS4.

There are so many fight pads out there now, the latest is "Razer Raion" which is a pad specifically made for fighting games. DS4 is fine though.

I love the fc. Dpad is much more comfortable than the ds4 imo and having all six buttons on the face is amazing. Super easy to throw/vskill/vtrigger without binds too

i use ds4 it's great.

I use a Ps2 controller, works great if you don't like charge or negative edge

The 8bit do arcade stick works ok (one intended for switch and windows looks like a nes console), but I had to update firmware on mine, not sure if new bought ones come with the switch 2 firmware by default

I plugged my Haute42 S16 and T16 in in Switch mode and they worked no problem, didn't even need a firmware update. Now I just need to double-dip for SF6.

8bitdo M30 for me.

You can make your own fight stick with these following methods 

https://www.amazon.com/SJ-JX-Joystick-Controller-Raspberry/dp/B08D9MK745/ref=mp_s_a_1_4_maf_1?crid=XRV0ENR33HMD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Df4UZoqWn_iSi2P1_5kCUtFBFYOuSrxcqKtLv0TPM2D_XtsAxs2F1hqCOCj5ZHPtygbP0NcUkvhANzLaG3DV1HyT4n-FPSJWtvEstm1Cu-X8OBG2K9cRgtL2iXPtC2DpVtxnysEo1qdKZAG-1TCHV75BrL4UORQKj-H4qZhvZVGMTknON50J3yVqFV9qr5vrtEdbeuidmvrX1Su8mttn6Q.kFiUInwQFx88sOuIi1bQcCQ0oNpQLhY40pju0vPpJeY&dib_tag=se&keywords=encoder+board+for+Nintendo+switch&qid=1744545683&sprefix=encoder+board+for+nintendo+switch+%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-4

Encoder pcb board 

https://www.amazon.com/EG-STARTS-Ellipse-Joystick-Handles/dp/B07QRRLCKD/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=2RV4MJLWQGYGB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zxpnXgVCU7P87IfF4gfJdhxrIC49-XRYT7nFg9XeAagpKKlF5q0J9azNsHfUZe5MRgi77IKQEIC6JA_VJguSjs8_XVcjg7EzZnX8BbxWYK5U7pImvDi_lAZoC_BKimArs26lCd0phy0XD1v8yFZUuzzJ_IZyu6VGUl07IgNbfvyKT2fIHxKe5n5PZhM5Ti94LdFgVYJcUs8Tbgk8JBWS5A.E3jfrf_IGheVLDBHdnIahEZFc652L2iGFehg_rsIkVA&dib_tag=se&keywords=eg+starts+arcade+kit&qid=1744545760&sprefix=eg+starts%2Caps%2C161&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

Buttons and joystick kit 

Then you'll need an enclosure  / housing 

Hori Rap V is compatible with switch. I always use this one for my switch.

Both hori rap or the mayflashes are great sticks and fun to customise at a later date so all great investments.

Playing with stick is just more fun

Mayflash f500/f700 are low price and work with switch. Good sticks which are easily upgradeable

Failing this you can get a mayflash magic ns adapter and use any existing stick/ controller with your switch.

If you want to make a stick. Cheapest pcb option is no doubt a raspberry pico using gp2040 ce. Literally only costs a couple pounds.

Fightstick until I die! Having your whole hand on buttons is something I can’t go back from. Although the new control scheme for 6 could change that need. The hori pads are pretty solid though.

You should really consider adding the new Hori Octa and the Betop thorne to your Review.

The Octa has become my daily driver with the Thorne coming in at close second.

Really the two best out there currently!

Xbox series x controller d-pad is king

What's the best way to connect ds4 to PC

I've played SFV competitively using the Hori Fighting Commander. I had several of them because it tended to lose precision on the d-pad; but when it was properly functioning, it was the best overall controller for me. So I just got a new one after the previous one got bad.

I NEVER adapted to the PS4 Dualshock. The face buttons are too far apart for me, the shoulder buttons are too far from the rest, it just didn't sit "right" in my hand (medium sized hand, able to play the guitar, for comparison). I tried fighting sticks (RAP V Silent, Panthera), but could never really adapt to it. So I stuck with the Fighting Commander, which was great.

Now I got an Xbox Series X and the SF6 demo and I gotta say... It's by far the best controller I've used. Not only the buttons are close enough to be pressed together if needed (and separate enough to be pressed by themselves, obviously), the shoulder buttons also have great travel time, even the trigger, if you press it by the base (not the tip). The d-pad is clicky, responsive, precise and sturdy, does not seem like it could break anytime like the Hori. And even the left stick, which in PlayStation is not the best input choice, works perfectly well, except for dashes.

...so I guess I'll be sticking to the Xbox Series controller now. No need to buy extra pads.

C16S is quite awesome. I'm not buying any new controllers for a long time. Only problem now is I can't decide what art I want to put in it.

Can you map either bottom pill to a different button so you can have jump on left bottom bill and dash on right bottom?

I really like to so far, my only grip with them is that the far right pill button is a little too downward. I use it for DI and have trained myself to move my ring finger to move over to hit the upper right button on other controllers, because it is a little easier than commanding my pinky to bend itself. They chose to make the button symmetrical with the left side one and it does look nice, but the point of a pill button is to be the mid point of the standard 2 right buttons imo, and right now it is basically just positioned like a lower one that goes even further down. Probably just a personal thing for me. Getting used to just using my pinky would probably be optimal anyways, where it is very ergonomic.

I have a Mavercade 04MX which this one was modeled after, and it's honestly the best. Super comfortable to use with the split layout too. This one just needs a little more split, but I'm sure it's better than standard layout. Great product. DOIO has one too. It feels super intuitive in my hands.

I use an 8bitdo Xbox/PC leverless. It's my first ever, after not playing any FGs for probably 10 years. It's really, really great, and I don't think I can ever go back to a stick.

If you're already great at keyboard, i suggest all-buttons.

The stick is fun, but you'll have to learn how to walk again basically.

With some exceptions, it's hard to top a leverless when it comes to efficiency of inputs. If you come only from keyboards and dpads, going leverless would also likely be more intuitive than picking up a joystick.

Joysticks are certainly more fun though, imo.

Stick for fun, leverless for sweating

Stick, no question. So much more fun.

Leverless if you want to retain familiarity with keyboard.

Stick if you want the arcade experience.

That's about it.