Even on PC, most people play Call of Duty on a controller. There's been much debate about the strength of a controller over a mouse and keyboard, and even at the very highest level, players are on controllers.
In such a fast-paced shooter, having the right equipment not only keeps you competitive but can also give you the edge.
There is no controller like this anywhere else right now. Fashioned like an Xbox controller, so it's comfortable, this is packed with tech. TMR sticks, mouse-click buttons and triggers, four paddles, and two claw buttons are matched with a class-leading 8,000 Hz polling rate. This is the unfair advantage you're looking for.
Right now, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is about the best controller you can get for Xbox, and it's perfect for competitive games. With four rear paddles, two claw buttons up top you can customize, hall effect sticks, a durable build, and wireless connectivity, it's everything the keen Call of Duty player could need.
The GameSir G7 Pro is one of the lesser-known, but extremely positively received controllers for those looking to step up from a standard Xbox controller. For not much more than a standard Xbox controller, you get TMR sticks, Hall Effect triggers, a 1,000 Hz polling rate on PC, and four additional, customizable buttons. Oh, and a charging dock, which is absolutely fantastic.
If you're a PS5 player, then this is the controller to get. Better still, you can switch between PS5 and PC, and on the latter, take advantage of a much increased 2,000 Hz polling rate. It has the same customization options as the Wolverine controllers, TMR sticks, and the PS5 layout that many top gamers were crying out for.
GameSir is absolutely killing it in the budget space, and the G7 HE is absolutely the controller to get for $50 and below. It's comfortable and durable, albeit only available wired, but it also boasts Hall Effect sticks and triggers, as well as a pair of rear paddles. It'll last longer and be more accurate than a standard Xbox controller, as well as giving you some extra features.
You can't talk Call of Duty without mentioning Scuf, and the Valor Pro is a blend of pro-features with a more affordable price. Four customizable paddles on the rear, Hall Effect sticks and triggers, micro switch buttons, trigger stops, and Xbox and PC compatibility. You even have swappable faceplates, if you want to spruce it up a little, but it is only available wired.
Reviews
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- Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC review
- Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review
- GameSir G7 Pro review
- Razer Raiju V3 Pro review
- GameSir G7 HE review
- Scuf Valor Pro review
A good controller can change the game
I would argue that more than any other shooter, your controller really makes a difference in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Even in the PvE modes, Endgame and Zombies, the pace is so fast, you need accuracy, reliability, and ideally, extra buttons, so your thumbs can keep focusing on aiming.
On a tech front, don't buy a controller in 2025 and beyond if it doesn't have at least Hall Effect sticks. TMR sticks are the latest evolution, and they're a little better, but both will avoid the dreaded stick drift and accurately record your movements.
Razer's latest pro controllers, the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K PC and Raiju V3 Pro, both have TMR sticks, but you don't have to spend $200. The GameSir G7 Pro is less than half the price, but still has the tech.
A topic gaining more traction of late is polling rate, but it only applies to folks playing on PC. On Xbox and PS5, the polling rate of any controller is capped at 250 Hz. On PC, there's theoretically no cap, with the leader right now the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, with a class-leading 8,000 Hz polling rate.
To have a good competitive experience, you want at least 1,000 Hz on PC, which you can get from every controller featured here. GameSir, Scuf, and the Xbox version of the Wolverine V3 Pro all have 1,000 Hz polling on PC. The Razer Raiju V3 Pro tops out at 2,000.
FAQ
Can you use an Xbox controller on PC to play Black Ops 7?
All controllers that are compatible with the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles can be used to play games like Black Ops 7 on PC.
What is polling rate and why does it matter?
Simply put, the polling rate of the controller is the number of times every second it communicates with the PC or console. So 1,000 Hz controllers will communicate with a PC 1,000 times every second. The higher the number, the more communication, and the better the accuracy and response.
Are Hall Effect or TMR thumbsticks better?
Hall Effect and TMR sticks are both an upgrade over regular analog one. Both are more accurate and resistant to Stick Drift. However, TMR is newer and considered better since it is more precise, requires less power, and works with higher polling rates.
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