Maybe I've become rougher or clumsier over the last decade or so, but I can't remember analog stick drift being a huge worry of mine until I started chewing through DualSense controllers. I've got both a PS5 and a gaming PC, so for a while it made sense to use the DualSense for both, until I realised how fragile the bloody things are. Seriously, expect to replace one every 12 months, and at AU$119 a pop, the costs rack up.
So I've been pretty keen on PC gamepads with Hall effect sticks of late, which are basically drift-free thanks to relying on sensors and magnetic fields rather than the wear- and dust-prone potentiometers found in most mainstream modern controllers. At this point, I'm a bit puzzled as to why every manufacturer doesn't adopt this technology, given the widespread outrage stick-drift has provoked. It's probably only a matter of time before they do.
But, for now, if you want a Hall effect gamepad there's a lot to choose from, and as part of Amazon's Big Deal Days there are a couple of bargains you should probably consider. My favourite Hall effect controller is the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra , but that's a pricey piece of kit. If you're keen for something cheaper, both 8BitDo and GameSir have some great controllers that won't hit you with that sinking (or drifting) feeling halfway through a session.
I'd probably recommend the GameSir Nova Lite wireless above all else, because it ranks number two on our list of the best controllers for PC gaming . It supports Bl.