More Than Just a Wrist Rest — Why Your Controller Matters Too

If you’ve purchased a wrist rest for your gaming setup, you obviously care about your health and the ergonomics of your favorite hobby. For the best results, though, you must take things a step further—your controller is just as crucial, if not more so. Whether you’re using your keyboard and a gaming mouse or a separate controller, the best gaming controller for your needs will be one that protects your hands and wrists while gaming. 

You won’t always be using your wrist rest. 

You know that moment. You get so into your game that you’re moving around as you play. Who knows—what if it improves your skill in your favorite PC game? Improved gameplay or not, this movement will, unfortunately, have a downside. If you’re picking up your controller or moving your mouse too frantically, chances are you aren’t utilizing that wrist rest. This is a critical factor in why finding the best game controller is just as important as adding a wrist rest to your setup. If you could only choose one upgrade, finding the best PC controller is undoubtedly the more important addition to make. 

You may risk long-term conditions.

After an especially intense gaming session, you expect your hands, wrists, fingers, and even your shoulders to be sore. However, this discomfort won’t always be of a temporary sort. With long-term gaming, either as a hobby or on a professional level, you‘ll find you’re at higher risk of health issues like carpal tunnel or repetitive strain injury. Whether you’re repeatedly hitting the trigger on your Xbox controller or using the analog stick to run through virtual fields, your hands can take a beating while you play, with symptoms that last much longer than your Bluetooth accessories’ battery life. 

Pain & discomfort can impact your gameplay. 

If health concerns aren’t enough to convince you that the best gamers can only thrive with a great controller, the effect of discomfort or injury on your in-game functionality might. If you’re struggling with pain in your wrist or stiffness in your fingers, you’ll struggle to navigate the d-pad or jostle the thumbstick to beat the final boss or be chosen as that round’s MVP. The best controller, then, will be one that minimizes that pain and perhaps other inconveniences, like sweaty palms while you play. 

Follow tips to diminish discomfort.

All this being said, these risks don’t mean you can’t keep beating the latest Call of Duty release. With the best controller for your needs and some changes to your gaming efforts, you can join the ranks of the world’s best gamers while playing pain-free. 

When choosing your controller, remember that you’ll have this in your hand for quite some time during a gaming session—comfort is just as crucial as compatibility with your console, button layout, and whatever other features you’re using to make the right choice. Consider seeking out a controller with long, textured handles for improved grip, increased comfort, and better gameplay. 

Beyond your controller, pay attention to factors like your posture and how this can affect your gaming abilities and health more generally. While playing, be sure to take frequent, regular breaks to give your body a chance to rest. If you do find yourself struggling with hand or wrist pain, treat it and see a doctor if the issue persists. And, of course, keep using that wrist rest. 

Your choice of a comfortable controller isn’t the only factor that impacts your gaming comfort, yet it’s undoubtedly one of the most crucial. On the one hand, it can impact your health directly; on the other, your ability to play is a good reason to upgrade on its own. Paired with rest, medical care, and proper posture, your ideal controller can join your wrist rest in making your gaming setup healthier and more fun.