Best PS4 Accessories

The PS4 is at its end of life now that you can freely purchase a PS5, so you need to grab the best PS4 accessories while you still can, like our favorite controller, the DualShock 4 Controller. Jump to a detailed look at the best PS4 accessories, or check the list below:

TL;DR – These are the Best PS4 Accessories:

• DualShock 4 Controller – Best Controller
• DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment – Best Controller Upgrade
• PDP Gaming Ultra Slim Charging System – Best Controller Charger
• Sony Pulse 3D Headset – Best Gaming Headset
• Victrix Pro FS – Best Fight Stick
• Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel – Best Racing Wheel
• AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA – Best Capture Card
• Samsung 870 QVO 2TB – Best SSD
• WD_Black P50 Game Drive – Best External Hard Drive
• PlayStation VR – Best VR Headset

We’ve found great PS4 accessories, from headphones and controllers to immerse you in the action to other peripherals that make your system much easier to use. Best of all, many of these picks work with gaming PCs and PS5. You can check out our guide on how to pair PS4 controllers to a PC for more info about connectivity.

Best PS4 Accessories

1. DualShock 4

The Best PS4 Controller

• See it on Best Buy

Sony wasn’t resting on its laurels when it made the DualShock 4 controller. While Sony’s controller design hadn’t seen much change in the previous generations, Sony actually went about making the DualShock 4 more ergonomic with thicker grips and it added in some advanced motion sensors and a touchpad. The result is a controller that can challenge Microsoft’s hegemony in the controller space. And, since none of Microsoft’s controllers work on the PS4, that naturally leaves the DualShock 4 as the winner here.

The DualShock 4 is plainly the best PS4 controller, but it doesn’t earn that title for nothing. The triggers are nicely rounded for long-term comfort, and the symmetrical layout will prove more comfortable to use for some. Though the DualShock 4’s battery may not offer crazy longevity, it’s easy enough to recharge over a micro USB cable – compare that to the original Xbox One controller, which used AA batteries. And, the DualShock 4 conveniently works with other devices thanks to its Bluetooth connectivity. So, even if you make the move to the PS5 and DualSense controller, you’ll still be able to get some use out of your DualShock 4. It’ works as an excellent PC controller if you want to also use it for PC games.

2. DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment

Best Controller Upgrade

The DualShock 4 is a great starting point for any gamer, but those who want to really excel in competitive games may find they want something to give them an edge. The DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment may be just the tool. This accessory seats itself on the back of the DualShock 4 and provides an extra two buttons that can be used to duplicate other controls.

So, say you want to continue to have control of your movement and aim at all times. This means you need to have your thumbs on the two analog sticks at all times. Now you can’t really make use of the four face buttons or D-Pad while you’re moving and aiming. The two back buttons added by this attachment give you access to key controls while allowing you to keep your thumbs in place on the analog sticks. Now, whether you want to jump, throw a grenade, pop a heal, or toggle an ability, you can map two of those controls to the back buttons while keeping your character moving and your sites on target all at the same time.

3. PDP Gaming Ultra Slim Charging System

Best PS4 Controller Charger

• See it on Walmart

One of the DualShock 4’s biggest pitfalls is its short eight-hour battery life. While that’s enough play time to get you through a hearty chunk of Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers or several matches of Apex Legends, remembering to plug in the micro USB cable to charge your controller gets pretty old. If you find recharging your DualShock 4 to be a real chore, why not invest in the PDP Gaming Ultra Slim Charging System?

For under $30 bucks, this recharging cradle makes things so much simpler. Unlike having to push the controllers down onto a cradle every time, the PDP Gaming Ultra Slim Charging System comes with two charging adapters you slip onto the controller, so all you have to do is put it on the tray and you’re good to go. The PDP Gaming Ultra Slim Charging System even allows you to recharge two DualShock 4 controllers at the same time.

4. Sony Pulse 3D Wireless Headset

The Best PS4 Gaming Headset

PlayStation 4 owners are in luck as the Sony Pulse 3D headset that Sony made for the PS5 is actually compatible with the PS4 as well. This wireless headset is surprisingly affordable at $99, which already gives it a strong start. Knowing that it’ll also keep working for you if you upgrade to a PS5 in the future also doesn’t hurt. The headset’s large ear cushions and suspension headband also shouldn’t hurt.

The Sony Pulse 3D may not deliver the same Tempest 3D surround sound experience on the PS4 as it does on the PS5, but it’s still providing low-latency, wireless connectivity. It has a 3.5mm port for wired backup (which you can also use for PSVR), but you should get plenty of time playing wirelessly with the 12-hour battery life. The headset has two hidden microphones to handle your online voice chat as well, making it an effective, all-in-one option. It’s one of the best PlayStation headsets available now.

5. Victrix Pro FS

The Best PS4 Fight Stick

While most standard PS4 controllers play well with Mortal Kombat 11 and other fighting games, nothing quite beats a full-fledged fight stick. You get more precision out of a stick that’s meant to be maneuvered by your whole hand rather than just your thumb, and the Victrix Pro FS is the best fight stick you can find for the PS4. It also works great with the PS5.

The Victrix Pro FS is a tank. It’s built on sturdy metal chassis that immediately makes it stand out from the crowd, not to mention the purple glow that emanates from each side. Aside from the metal frame, you’ll find all quality Sanwa parts, from the eight front buttons to the stick. There are plenty of options for customizations too with programmable buttons and an easy access door for component tinkering. You can easily make this fight stick your own, but it does come with a heftier price tag.

6. Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel

Best PS4 Racing Wheel

• See it on Best Buy

If you’re ready to hit the pavement in your favorite racing games, the Thrustmaster T248 Racing Wheel will get you speeding past the finish line in no time. This racing wheel is not the cheapest out there, but its impressive performance and versatility make it a sound investment. It’s not only compatible with the PS4, but also the PS5 and PC. This wheel is perfect if you’re not ready to invest in a whole new gaming system yet but want your accessories to be equipped to work with it when you do.

The Thrustmaster T248 comes ready to perform thanks to its dynamic force feedback. With a hybrid belt drive system, you will get a more realistic driving experience. The three different types of force feedback featured on this wheel allow for more customization based on your gaming preferences. Plus, the leather-wrapped wheel offers a wide array of buttons giving you plenty of options when assigning controls in games, and the built-in dashboard display allows you to control wheel settings manually or see important game stats, like lap times and RPMs. Finally, the magnetic paddle shifters and pedals offer excellent precision that will last through even your most intense gaming sessions.

7. AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA

The Best PS4 Capture Card

The PS4 Pro’s built-in recording features are pretty robust, but the console can only capture gameplay at 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second (fps)—or 720p 30fps on the PS4 Slim. If you want to start a YouTube or Twitch Channel with the best footage possible, you should look into a personal video recorder (PVR) or capture card like the AVerMedia Live Gamer ULTRA.

Despite its small size, it can record at up to 4K and 60fps, and since it isn’t taxing your system, you can continue to play at the same Ultra HD resolution too. Now, the PS4 Pro (or most gaming PCs) likely won’t be outputting such a high-res image at 60fps, but a PVR this good can help futureproof your setup for the PS5 when you eventually upgrade. If you find yourself playing and uploading at a more pedestrian 1080p and 60 fps, you might be interested in the even smaller and more affordable AVerMedia Live Gamer Mini.

8. Samsung 870 QVO 2TB

The Best PS4 Storage Upgrade

Let’s face it – the hard drive that originally came in your PS4 is some dated tech. It’s probably packed and not exactly fast. But, you can upgrade to better internal storage fairly easily. You can see just how easily in our PS4 hard drive upgrade guide. The best option for upgrading is the Samsung 870 QVO 2TB SSD. This drive will give you a whole new level of speed while offering tons of storage space for the game library you keep filling up thanks to the best game deals. Best of all, the Samsung 870 QVO doesn’t cost nearly as much as SSDs you’ve probably seen in the past.

The Samsung 870 QVO manages lower prices for its capacities by using QLC flash. There are some trade-offs to speed and longevity, but those won’t be much of an issue for this drive when it’s installed in a PS4. Since the drive will spend most of its time being read from, it’s unlikely you’ll run into slowdowns or a pre-mature drive failure. The drive may even outlast your PS4, and then you can take it out and use it as extra storage for a gaming PC or even a PS5.

9. WD_Black P50 Game Drive

The Best PS4 External Hard Drive

It’s the absolute worst when you run out of room in your gaming library and have to re-download games. Sometimes you just want to jump quickly back into the action. That’s where an external SSD can come in handy. With the WD_Black P50 Game Drive, you’ll be able to use a single USB connection to run the drive with your PS4, and it boasts read speeds of 2,000MB/s. This means booting up a large game or loading a new level won’t leave you with tons of downtime.

We recommend you grab the WD_Black P50 Game Drive with a 1TB capacity. This should offer plenty of storage for some games and a bit of other data, but if you’re looking to store your entire gaming library, you can jump all the way up to 4TB. And, when you decide to upgrade to a PS5, you can easily play your PS4 games off of this external drive, leaving more room on your internal PS5 SSD for the new crop of games.

10. PSVR

The Best (and Only) PS4 VR Headset

To be honest, choosing the best VR headset for the PS4 isn’t hard when the PlayStation VR is the only one that actually works with the console—or any console, given the Xbox One doesn’t support Microsoft’s own Windows Mixed Reality headsets. To get the full-bodied VR experience, you’ll need a PlayStation Camera as well as a pair of PlayStation Move Controllers to enable motion control, but this package offers everything you need.

This device has been discontinued, as the PSVR 2 is now available, though it only works with the PS5. It’s up to you whether its worth spending on the older tech to play some of the best PSVR games available only on the PS4 such as Astro Bot and Moss.

PS4 Accessories FAQ

Do PS4 Accessories Work With the PS5?

If you’re planning on upgrading to a PS5, you’re likely wondering whether or not your PS4 accessories will be compatible with the newer PlayStation console. While not all PS4 accessories are going to be compatible with the PS5, most will. You can reuse your Dualshock 4 controllers on the PS5 and even the PSVR remains compatible with the PS5.

Can You Use a PS5 Controller on PS4?

If you happened to purchase a PS5 controller instead of a PS4 controller, you can still play your PS4 games with it. To do so you will need to use the PS Remote Play app on your PC or smartphone and then connect your controller to that device. There are also a few different adapters you can purchase to make this connection possible.

Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam

Mark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark