26/02/2026 6:17 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
0
Hey everyone! I finally pulled the trigger on a new Sony Bravia XR A80L during a recent sale, and honestly, the picture quality is blowing me away. I have mostly been using it for movies and streaming shows so far, but I noticed that the Google TV interface has a lot of cool gaming apps built right in. I really want to start using GeForce Now to play some of my PC library on the big screen without having to move my whole desktop rig into the living room, and I am also curious about trying out PS Remote Play since I have a console in the other room.
The issue I am running into is that my old, cheap off-brand Bluetooth controller is giving me a massive headache. The input lag is pretty noticeable, and half the buttons do not seem to map correctly in the menus. Plus, the ergonomics are just terrible for long sessions. Since Sony TVs run on the Google TV platform, I thought it would be easy to just sync anything, but I am realizing that not all controllers play nice with the specific software on these sets.
I am looking for something that is reliable, feels premium, and ideally has a very straightforward pairing process. I have been looking at a few specific options but I am torn on which way to go:
- The official PS5 DualSense controller (since it is a Sony TV, does it have any special features or better integration?)
- The Xbox Wireless Controller (I hear these are the gold standard for compatibility, but will it work perfectly with the Sony interface?)
- Maybe something from 8BitDo or SteelSeries if they have better battery life or less latency?
I really want to make sure I do not waste money on something that is going to disconnect every twenty minutes or have weird dead zones. Does anyone here use their Sony Smart TV for serious gaming via apps? If so, what are the top recommended gaming controllers you have actually used and loved?
4 Answers
11
26/02/2026 6:47 pm
Totally agree about skipping the cheap stuff, it just isnt worth the lag. If you want the most reliable connection, stick with the Sony DualSense Wireless Controller. Since its a Sony TV, the firmware is literally designed to recognize it instantly. But honestly, the Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller Carbon Black is a very close second because Google TV handles XInput protocols really well. Id stick to these two to avoid any weird disconnects.
3
26/02/2026 7:48 pm
Can confirm
3
27/02/2026 7:29 pm
Building on the earlier suggestion, I really think you should look at some third-party gear that is specifically optimized for Android and cloud gaming! I have been using these for months on my Bravia and they are absolutely amazing for GeForce Now sessions. tbh the reliability is night and day compared to cheap knockoffs.
- 8BitDo Pro 2 Bluetooth Gamepad is incredible because of the hardware switch on the back. You set it to the Android mode and it connects instantly every single time. The reliability is top-tier and the build quality feels fantastic in your hands. Plus, no more mapping issues since the firmware is so solid!
- SteelSeries+Stratus%2B+Wireless+Gaming+Controller&linkCode=osi&tag=5422-20" target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored">SteelSeries Stratus+ Wireless Gaming Controller is another fantastic choice. It is literally built for Android and Google TV devices. It uses a super stable Bluetooth connection that helps a ton with reducing that input lag you are struggling with right now. The battery life is also insane, like 80 hours or something crazy. Honestly, getting the 8BitDo changed everything for me. It feels super premium and having those extra back buttons is a total game changer when you are streaming from your PC. You definitely wont regret the upgrade!
1
26/02/2026 6:17 pm
Nice choice on the A80L! Honestly, that TV is a beast for gaming. I went through a whole trial and error phase with my own Sony set last year. I started with a generic pad I had lying around, but it was a total nightmare with the input lag and the buttons were all swapped around. It basically made cloud gaming unplayable for me. What I learned is that the TV software really prefers the controllers made by the big console manufacturers. Once I switched over to the one I usually use for my console gaming, everything just clicked into place. The pairing was instant and the lag basically vanished. My current setup is so smooth now that I often forget I am even streaming the game instead of playing it locally. Definitely stick to the high-end stuff you probably already recognize; it makes a world of difference.
