So I've been using a cheap Logitech remote for a while now, and I've grown tired of its shortcomings, so I'm looking to pick up something better. I'd rather not pay 50 bucks for an official Microsoft one, but at the same time I'll be mainly using it for fighting games so I need it to be accurate. What are people's experiences with knock off brands like rock candy etc?

I don't have any experience with off-brand ones, or with XBox One controllers at all. I do have a few 360 controllers though, and find that they're pretty good.

If you don't specifically require an XBox One controller, you can probably do with an XBox 360 one.

I have a 360 controller right now and it generally serves me well enough. I have heard many times that the Xbox One controller has a significantly improved d-pad, which I can believe if only because the 360 controller's d-pad really isn't very good.

I always used a logitech f310 controller for all my needs when it came to race car to emulators and it did extremely well. I picked up the xbox one controller and eh it has some quirks with very old games and some emulators so I would skip it if you are using it on very old out of date dos box programs and very old emulators. and last is the 360 controller, put it this way, It's the best controller I ever used. wire or wireless, It works with anything I feed it too with no issues at all.

they are really cheap now like what 30 or 20 dollars new for a wired version? so dude do yourself a thing and get one they rock!

the Dpad on the 360 is great for emulator games like sega genesis and snes and platformers on gog.
the xbox one controller does feel good but the Dpad does put stress on the thumb when holding it down for long periods of time.

and 360 controller has a HUGE mod and replacement parts scene so keeping that controller alive for a long long time will be of no issue from what I seen on ebay and amazon.

Using both the latest Xbox One and PS4 controllers here and they are both fine for games that are better played with controllers.
The X1 controller seems to have a power draw (or some bizarre USB configuration) issue - it does not work (correctly) from a USB hub, only when attached directly to the PC.

I currently own a 360 pad, wireless Xbone pad, and a Logitech F310. I also have plenty of experience with the PS3 and PS4 pads, although I'm not sure how well these will work on PC concerning compatibility.

I do NOT recommend the Logitech pad. You get what you pay for. It's okay at best. It feels cheap and stiff, it's all kinds of "clicky" (button press sound) in the wrong way, and the analog sticks have significantly big enough dead zones, which makes it difficult for smooth movement/control. I only still use mine because it, unlike the xbox pads, works natively with my Mac mini.

My favorite by far is the Xbone pad. It doesn't feature the mushy circular thing the 360 pad calls a d-pad instead of having the real deal, and it feels very comfortable in my hands. Microsoft have finally designed a winner. I've also been a big fan of the asymmetrical analog stick design since the Gamecube. To me, that layout just makes much more sense than the PS/Logitech symmetry because it feels more comfortable to use.

As for general knock offs, don't even bother. I've had my share of run-ins with "third party" controllers over the years, and they never fail to disappoint. There's always something off with them.

I am a owner of Xbox 360, Xbox One and DualShock 4 and used all of em for PC gaming, here are my thoughs.

Xbox 360

The main good thing is of course the fact that it hold in your palms very well, the analog sticks take some little force to move so the precise aiming and control takes some effort. The biggest offender here is the D-Pad. It's just badly used thanks to the 8-way direction buttons it uses. When playing a fighting game there is a chance that you will perform a move you didn't want to perform. The controller is cheap when it comes to Wireless one (made specifically for Windows), however the wired one has a 3m cable which has a Plug & Play function. Just connect to your PC even if it was made for console and it will work.

Xbox One

Holding this thing is a little awkward, analog sticks are sensitive in terms of moving them which allows you to aim more accurately. The D-Pad is very great to use and I am glad Microsoft came to their realization that a 4-way direction is just better for anything. The bad side i've seen so far is that, at least in my case, the LB button won't work sometimes after some usage and then there's the price. If you wanna have a wireless one, you will need the Play & Charge and the Adapter which overall costs a lot more. If you find a wired one, just get it instead the length of the cable is the same as 360 one. If not, the Controller + Play & Charge will work as the USB from that thing accepts both power and data (compared to the X360 one).

DualShock 4

Big issue...no native XInput support which means that a majority of games won't support it unless it has DirectInput support, however some games are programmed to accept DS4 button prompts but that's a minority. Unless you are using a third-party setup such as XCE360, Pinnacle Game Profiler or even Xpadder you won't be able to play any game which only supports XInput. As for controller itself is just perfect, the analog sticks are perfectly sensitive, it fits in a palm (Since they are bigger than DS3), has a built in bluetooth allowing you to have a wireless mode if you have a Bluetooth adapter connected and the D-Pad is good for fighting games. The only downside (Besides the one mentioned at the beginning) is that it costs the same as XBONE Controller. Another one is that you need a good microUSB end which won't slip away when it touches (Xbone's Play & Charge cable perfectly fits and won't get detached so easily)

In fact, DS4 works best when you enable the support for it in Steam even though it supports Xbox controllers and generic ones. That way you can set up some XInput buttons or keyboard keys on it, change the light and make use of that touchpad.

Hope this helps.

I don't play fighting games but I think you might need the d-pad? If so - as stated by others - the 360 is not your pad.

I think the X-Box One S pads are now a straight upgrade. The d-pad doesn't suck and the sticks are slightly lighter than on the 360. The bumpers also click fine everywhere and not just on the very outer edges like on the first xbox one pads.

Adding a bit to what Kayx291 said about Dualshock 4 I'd say that input mapper works really well in terms of xinput support and much better than steam config for it. I'd say the only trouble I've encountered is when windows updates ocassionally break it but the developer of input mapper actively puts out solutions for that so it isn't much of an issue.

I have 2 rock candy controllers and can confirm that they work flawlessly with the PC. You just plug them in and they work instantly too - no messing around with drivers or what not.

Is a 360 controller good enough for Prince of Persia (Warrior Within and Two Thrones)? I'm considering to get one in order to finish those games already. At some point.

Darn. I wish you had posted this just a couple hours sooner, as I just went out and bought one.

Edit: Actually, just figured out the d-pad is not the stick but the little four-direction button thingy-majig (technical term). I actually don't use it in my fighting game (except to taunt) so it's not a big deal. Whewph

I used to use cheap controllers myself, I was forced to buy a new one every 2y.

After buying an Xbox 360 Controller I didn't want anything else and has lasted over 5y with no problems, plug and play, resistant and feels great.

Is totally worth $30~50.

I use 8bitdo NES30 Pro which has an XInput mode, among many others.

http://www.8bitdo.com/nes30pro-fc30pro/

So much people bashing the D-pad on the 360 controller. I have to admit the thing is like a sega genesis controller done perfect.