PlayStation 3 is an old Gaming Console it was first released in 2006 and they continued to be released in slim and Super slim later during the years. Now Sony discontinued making PS3 Consoles and PS3 controllers and so you cannot find Any Brand New Original PS3 controller (DualShock 3) on the market as of 2022. 

All those claiming to be selling Original Brand new PS3 Controllers are trying to scam you. The only way you can get your hands on an Original DualShock 3 controller is to buy a used one. 

These used original DualShock controllers are also rare which only brings us to Third party controllers. There are very good Third party controllers for PlayStation 3 that just work like Original controllers including the dead zones, Rumble, pressure buttons and Sixaxis. Here I will list some good Third party controller that work with PlayStation 3 console.


Note: You can also use Dual shock 4 (PS4) or Dual sense (PS5) controller on PS3.


DualShock 3 controller alternatives



Power A

Power A ps3 wireless controller Third party licensed controller


One of the great things about the Power A controller is that it is officially licensed by Sony. The power A Controller comes in two different types, the wired controller and the wireless controller. 

It has a design of an Xbox controller, so if you prefer the PS3 design over Xbox design get yourself ready to adapt to this third party controller. But if you are already used to the Xbox controller or there are Xbox lovers who would want to experience their Xbox gaming on PS3, I would recommend Power A PS3 controller.

What's good about power A

The buttons on this controller are very responsive and they have nice button presses to them. You won’t have to worry about any hard presses or clicking sounds. 

This controller has no input lag, this means that even if you are in a fast paced game, It will still be able to respond quickly enough without worrying about any delays from your button presses to what happens on the screen.

Now the wireless model is has no internal battery, you will have to put in AAA batteries. I would recommend you get rechargeable ones. 

The Power A PS3 controller is not a battery eater, the AAA batteries will last long enough before you replace them. 

It has this cool feature to save the AAA batteries where it automatically shuts off after a few minutes of inactivity. 

You can get the Power A PS3 wireless controller Here

Note: The power A PS3 controller has no Sixaxis.


Afterglow

Alternative ps3 controller Afterglow PS3 wireless controller


The afterglow PS3 controller is one of my favorites because of it been cheap and works well. 

It is a wireless third party controller that comes with a Bluetooth dongle which you have to connect to your ps3 for the controller to synchronize with your PS3 console.

 The afterglow wireless PS3 controller has two layouts, the one for X box controller and for Ps3 controller so you can choose on which layout you want, it is transparent and has red, green and blue LEDs inside which you can turn off manually behind the controller.

What's Good About the Afterglow Ps3 controller

The afterglow wireless ps3 controller has an internal rechargeable battery that lasts for about 10 hours before you can recharge it again. 

The after glow controller also has Rumble so you can get gaming feedback as you play your Games, you can also turn it off. The afterglow PS3 controller is comfortable to hold and is smooth, this will give you a good gaming experience.


You can get the Power A PS3 wireless controller Here

Note: The afterglow wireless controller has no Sixaxis.


VOYEE PS3 controller

Alternative ps3 controller Voyee PS3 wireless controller
When it comes to third party party controller for PS3 I personally use VOYEE PS3 controller. It is a great controller and has the same feel as the DualShock 3 controller. 

The VOYEE PS3 controller is a wireless controller and you just synchronize it like you would with the dualshock 3 controller. The PS button is replaced by the P3 button but works just like the PS botton on the DualShock 3.

What's Good About the VOYEE PS3 controller

The VOYEE PS3 controller controller is a wireless controller with an internal battery that lasts between 4-6 depending on the game you are playing. 

One thing I love about the VOYEE PS3 controller is it has Sixaxis. You can also use this third party controller in recovery mode which is a good feature as most the third party controllers or DS3 counterfeits won't work in recovery mode. 

The VOYEE PS3 controller has Rumble and has little to no dead zones.

You can get VOYEE PS3 wireless controller Here.


Logitech F310 Controller

                             Alternative ps3 controller Logitech F310 PS3 wireless controller

The Logitech F310 controller is a wired controller that works with most platforms including the PlayStation 3. 

It has no special setup all you have to do is connect the cable to your PS3 usb output port and you are ready to go. The Logitech F310 controller has Rumble and I didn't notice the any dead zones if they are there then they must be little.

The Logitech F310 has no Sixaxis, No pressure buttons and has no PS button. you won't be able to quit Games once loaded or visit the XMB.

You can get the Logitech F310 controller here.


Can I use the DualShock 4 controller on my PS3?

Yes you can use the DualShock 4 controller on the PS3 console though with limited functions. Other functions will not be working like Sixaxis PS button and wireless if you are on Version 4.82 and below.

You can get the PS4 controller here.




How do I connect the DualShock 4 controller to my PS3?

There are three ways you can connect your Dual Shock 4 Controller to your PS3 console;
  • USB cable
  • Bluetooth
  • Wingman Dongle (Adds Sixaxis, PS button and Pressure buttons on L2 and R2)

USB cable

You can connect your USB micro B cable to the DualShock 4 controller and the PlayStation 3 console and press the PS button on your DualShock 4 controller. 

This will synchronize your controller but it will work only as a wired controller so when you disconnect the USB cable it will stop working.

Note: The DualShock 4 controller doesn't turn on when it is synced and is limited to some functions such as Sixaxis, pressure buttons and the PS button

Bluetooth

To synchronize your DualShock 4 controller with your PlayStation 3 console using Bluetooth you will need to be on Version 4.82 or above. 

So before we continue with syncing your DualShock 4 controller to your PS3 console wirelessly, check to see if you are on version 4.82 or above. If you have done so, follow these steps below to sync your controller with the console
  1. Navigate to Settings column on your PS3.
  2. Select Accessory settings.
  3. Select manage Bluetooth Devices (this should bring up all the Bluetooth devices synced with your console).
  4. Now Press and hold the share button and the PS button on your dual shock 4 controller simultaneously until the controller starts blinking.
  5. Now select register a device on your console for it to search for new Bluetooth Devices.
  6. Select the dual shock 4 controller.
Congratulation you have now synced your DualShock 4 controller with the PlayStation 3 console.

Note: The controller when connected this way does not have some functions like Sixaxis or Pressure buttons on L2/R2

Wingman XE Dongle

The wingman XE is a converter which makes it possible to connect the Dual Shock 4 and Dual Sense controller to the PlayStation 3 console. 

If you use the wingman XE to synchronize the DualShock 4 or dual sense  to the ps3 console you will get some functions such as Sixaxis, Pressing the PS button and pressure buttons.

Note: with the wingman XE the dual shock 4 and Dual Sense work in Recovery Mode as well


Can I use the DualSense controller on PS3?

Yes you can connect the DualSense controller to your PS3 using the Wingman XE dongle and you will have Sixaxis, PS button and Pressure buttons on L2 and R2.

You can get the DualSense controller Here.



Can an Xbox controller work on PS3?

Yes, Both the Xbox 360 controller and the Elite controller will work with the PS3 but only in wired mode. You will need the Wingman converter to connect the Xbox Controller to the PS3 for it to work.

Note: It will work with Limited functions so you wont have functions like Sixaxis, pressing the PS button etc.


Conclusion

As you can see most of the third party controller don't support some functions such as the sixaxis, pressure buttons etc. 

I would recommend the VOYEE PS3 controller as it has some good features, but I think the DualShock 4 controller plus Wingman XE converter would be a good combo despite booting the console from the PS button, the DualShock 4 controller would be my best option.