The best controllers for Modern Warfare 3 will keep you ahead of the competition and at the top of your game.
As with any game really, the best controllers for Modern Warfare 3 tend to just be the best controllers in general. This extends to being the best controllers for Warzone, and that's because they have swappable profiles, extra buttons, paddles, and adjustable triggers, helping you stay fast and one step ahead of your rivals.
It can be tough to know exactly what to look for though, so we've taken the hard work out of it by putting together a list of the best controllers across various categories based on their features, reviews, general specs, and prices. Here are the best controllers for Modern Warfare 3. Just make sure you read our MW3 walkthrough to get the most out of these excellent gamepads.
Best controllers for Modern Warfare 3 - Quick list
- Razer Wolverine V2 Pro - a well-rounded choice for most people
- Xbox Elite Series 2 - best option for PC
- DualSense Edge - a great pick for PlayStation
- PowerA Fusion Pro 3 - an excellent alternative for Xbox
- PowerA Advantage Controller with Lumectra - best budget controller
Razer Wolverine V2 Pro
Best controller for Modern Warfare 3 overall
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update but subject to change
Why we chose the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro
The Razer Wolverine V2 Pro is an immensely impressive controller that has extra buttons, all of which are remappable, and you can activate 'Hypertrigger' mode to make the back bumpers even more responsive as though you were simply clicking a button on your keyboards.
The thumbstick caps are interchangeable so you can find your perfect fit and improve your accuracy, and the comfort of the controller itself is hard to beat with an ergonomic as well as familiar layout. It's a thing of beauty to behold and to hold.
This particular version also features an eight-way microswitch d-pad, which may not be a necessity for Call of Duty, but the six additional mappable buttons are something to get excited about. You can assign them to commonly used in-game commands to speed up your reactions.
No need to worry about this device dropping out either as its ultra-fast 2.4GHz wireless connection ensures seamless performance that meets and then exceeds the demands of competitive gameplay. Features like these make this Razer device a top pick overall.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- Exceptional in every respect
- It looks pretty good, so will no doubt fit into your setup with ease
Read More: Best monitors for Modern Warfare 3
Xbox Elite Series 2
Best PC controller for Modern Warfare 3
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update but subject to change
Why we chose the Xbox Elite Series 2
The Xbox Elite Series line of controllers only has two entries so far, and it's already one of the best in existence. We're desperately waiting for a third entry, but until then, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is a beast and arguably the best for Modern Warfare 3 on PC. That's because this thing is instantly compatible with Microsoft PCs seeing as the brand makes the Xbox in the first place.
Aside from that though, this controller has uber comfortable grips, paddles on the back that allow you to add more in-game commands to your setup, three profiles you can switch between at will, and you can change the thumbsticks and d-pad paddle to your preference, allowing for more control and precision on the battlefield.
Basically, this thing is whatever you want it to be whenever you want it to be. It's got a staggering battery life as well, meaning you'll end up being more surprised than anything on the rare occasion you have to charge it.
If you want the best controller for Modern Warfare 3, then the Xbox Elite Series 2 is an incredible choice. Just keep an eye out for the potential arrival of the Elite Series 3 down the line if you're after an even bigger upgrade.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- Lovely customization options
- One of the most comfortable controllers to hold
Read More: Best gaming monitors
DualSense Edge
Best PlayStation controller for Modern Warfare 3
- Amazon - $199.00 / £197.50
- Best Buy - $199.99
- PlayStation Direct - $199.99 / £209.99
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update but subject to change
Why we chose the DualSense Edge
Sony's answer to the Xbox Series Elite controller is the DualSense Edge. We're not as keen on the name, but there's no denying its power as highlighted in our review.
Aside from coming in a wide array of colors, this gamepad is nothing short of incredible. One of the reasons for this is that it lets you swap out modules as you want to find the fit that is perfect for your play style and your hands.
It has back buttons that can be configured with ease to make accessing certain in-game commands even quicker, which is a huge boon in FPS titles such as Modern Warfare, and you can change how far you need to push the triggers to activate them. Also, this one has quick-swap profiles, which means you can switch between a sniping setup and an SMG setup with ease without having to manually adjust your settings each time.
It's hugely customizable, wireless, and comfortable to hold. Therefore, it's a pretty unbeatable option to consider if you play Call of Duty on a PS5.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- The best option for PS5, made better by being an official gamepad
- Its swappable profiles make it easy to switch between settings
Read More: Best PS5 accessories
PowerA Fusion Pro 3
Best Xbox controller for Modern Warfare 3
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update but subject to change
Why we chose the PowerA Fusion Pro 3
There's a lot to like about the PowerA Fusion Pro 3, even if it appears fairly unassuming at first glance.
First of all, the PowerA line is a fair bit cheaper than the other options on this list, and we can't ignore that given how expensive life is at the moment.
Secondly, the PowerA Fusion Pro 3 is an incredibly good Xbox controller with dual rumble motors for immersive feedback from the game, a more tactile feel to the triggers, remappable buttons for near-instant access to commonly used commands, and swappable thumbsticks to suit your preference.
It's just really good at what it does, and that's going to make you really good at what you want to do in-game as well, which should be the aim of any of the best controllers for Modern Warfare 3.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- Good price point
- Great rumble features
Read More: Best Xbox Series X accessories
PowerA Advantage Controller with Lumectra
Best budget controller for Modern Warfare 3
- Amazon - $39.88 / £27.99
- PowerA - $44.99
- Sports Direct - £34.99
* prices are accurate at the time of the last update but subject to change
Why we chose the PowerA Advantage Controller with Lumectra
Another PowerA entry here, but this one is even cheaper and yet still offers a ton of amazing features to improve your Call of Duty skills - Budget doesn't mean bad in this instance, as the Advantage Controller with Lumectra works with multiple platforms, features pretty great lighting, and feels good to use as well.
Additionally, you can map two of the buttons to commonly used in-game commands for ease of access, even doing so in the middle of a game if you wish. You can lock the triggers at different heights too, allowing you to fire your weapon far quicker than your opposition if your reactions are up to scratch.
As mentioned, this device has a good feel to it as well. The analog sticks have a special anti-friction ring in each of them to keep them feeling comfortable for hours on end, and you don't have to worry about your thumbs slipping at crucial moments.
Perhaps the only concession is that it's wired, but that just means you won't have to charge it or experience any dropout mid-game. That's definitely worth it considering the price you pay for this excellent PowerA gamepad, rated 7.5/10 by our friends at StealthOptional.
TL;DR - Reasons to buy
- Wonderfully affordable compared to its rivals
- Lovely RGB lights help it look the part
Read More: Best 1440p gaming monitors
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Don't worry if you've got a few questions. We've answered some of the most commonly asked queries below.
Are controllers good for Modern Warfare 3?
They absolutely are. Controllers offer a few advantages over the other options out there. For starters, they're generally a lot more comfortable and a lot easier to use, but you also get things like Aim Assist on controllers that aren't always available on other control methods.
They're particularly great when paired with a console seeing as you can't really set up a keyboard and mouse in quite the same way as you can on a PC. If your controller is wireless too, you can sit back and relax while playing if you want a more chilled-out Modern Warfare 3 session.
What features are key in a controller for Modern Warfare 3?
For most shooters, key features to prioritize include ergonomic design, customizable buttons, and high-quality thumbsticks. An ergonomic design helps ensure a comfortable, extended gaming session without causing hand fatigue. Customizable buttons and paddles allow players to remap controls to suit their preferences, enabling quicker access to essential actions such as shooting, jumping, and crouching, which can significantly enhance reaction times and overall gameplay performance.
Additionally, features like trigger stops and adjustable thumbstick sensitivity are crucial for precision and speed. Trigger stops reduce the travel distance of the triggers, allowing for faster firing, which is essential in fast-paced shooter games. High-quality thumbsticks with adjustable sensitivity provide better control and accuracy, making it easier to aim and move smoothly. Controllers with vibration and haptic feedback can also add to the immersive experience, providing tactile responses to in-game actions.
Are controllers better than a keyboard and mouse for Modern Warfare 3?
This is a trickier question to answer. People who've been playing PC games for a long time using a keyboard and mouse will probably do better when using a keyboard and mouse while gaming. Not only will they be more familiar, but they can often give you great control and precision over in-game movements.
Those who are newer to PC gaming, or just aren't great with KBM will generally do a lot better with a controller though, which is engineered specifically to play video games with and is, therefore, more comfortable and intuitive to use, whereas a keyboard and mouse are designed to type and operate a PC first and foremost.