Kontrol Freek Thumbsticks vs Back Paddles: Which Upgrade Helps Your Aim More?

We pit PS5 controller back paddles against Kontrol Freek thumbsticks to settle the debate on which upgrade truly improves your aim.

Updated 7 Sep 2026 3 min read 6 sections

Between Kontrol Freek style thumbsticks and PS5 controller back paddles, back paddles usually help your aim more in fast shooters, because they let you jump, crouch and reload without taking your right thumb off the aim stick. Taller thumbsticks help in a different way: they make small aim adjustments finer. Below we explain what each upgrade does, who should start with which, and whether it makes sense to run both.

How taller thumbsticks affect your aim

Kontrol Freek is the best known brand of thumbstick extenders, caps that sit on top of the analog sticks and make them taller. A taller stick means your thumb travels further for the same stick movement, so small corrections become easier to control. That helps with tracking a target at range and with fine adjustments.

Aspect	Taller thumbsticks	Stock DualSense sticks
Stick height	Raised, often with a concave or convex top	Standard height
Fine aim control	Easier small adjustments	Less travel per movement
Fast turns	Need more thumb movement	Quicker
Suits	Long range and tracking heavy play	General play

EXknight Kontrol Freeks PS5 controller thumbsticks with enhanced grip — Kontrol freeks ps5$16.99Image from the merchant

The trade off is speed. Big, fast turns take more thumb movement, and some players find the extra height tiring over long sessions. EXknight’s own thumbstick product is a set of height adjustable thumbsticks for the DualSense Edge, so check that it matches your controller before you order.

How PS5 controller back paddles improve your aim

Back paddles sit on the rear of the controller under your middle fingers. You map them to face buttons such as jump, crouch, reload or ping. Your right thumb then never has to leave the aim stick to press those buttons.

EXknight PS5 controller back paddles attachment for rear buttons — Ps5 controller back paddles$25.99Image from the merchant

That matters most in fights where you move and shoot at the same time. With paddles, you can jump or slide while still adjusting your aim, instead of losing your aim for a moment each time. EXknight’s option here is the EXknight LeverBack PS5 paddles.

Key differences: thumbsticks vs back paddles

Aspect	Taller thumbsticks	Back paddles
What it improves	Stick precision	Button access while aiming
Who benefits most	Precision and long range players	Movement heavy players
Fitting	Press on caps	Clip on or shell kit, depending on the product
Learning curve	Adjusting to the new height	Rebuilding button habits

They solve different problems. Thumbsticks make your aim smoother. Paddles keep your aim active while you do everything else.

Can you use both together?

Yes. Paddles sit on the back of the controller and thumbstick caps sit on top of the sticks, so they do not get in each other’s way. Running both gives you finer stick control and the ability to move without lifting your thumb. The downside is cost and a longer adjustment period, since you are changing two habits at once.

Which upgrade to buy first

Start with back paddles if your aim is fine but you lose fights because you cannot move and shoot at once.
Start with taller thumbsticks if your aim feels shaky and tracking a moving target is the problem.
Start with neither if you mostly play games where aim is not central. Adjusting your in game sensitivity and dead zone settings costs nothing and may be enough.

Read the LeverBack paddle attachment listing for how it fits and which buttons it can copy, since that decides how much it can do for you.

What about the official Sony back button?

Sony’s DUALSHOCK 4 Back Button Attachment was made for the PS4 controller, not the standard DualSense. On PS5, Sony’s own route to back buttons is the DualSense Edge. For a standard DualSense, a third party kit like the LeverBack paddles is the usual option. Before you buy, see the current EXknight discount code.

Questions

Do PS5 controller back paddles work with all PS5 games?

Paddles that copy existing buttons generally work in any game, because the game sees a normal button press. Check the listing for how the paddles are mapped.

How long does it take to get used to taller thumbsticks?

It varies from player to player. If you are new to extenders, start with a lower height and move up once your aim feels settled.

Can I use back paddles and Kontrol Freek thumbsticks at the same time?

Yes. Paddles sit on the back of the controller and thumbstick caps sit on the sticks, so they do not interfere with each other.

Which is better for competitive shooters, paddles or thumbsticks?

In games where movement timing decides fights, such as sliding and jump shots, paddles tend to matter more. Thumbsticks help with aim itself. Many competitive players use both.

Do back paddles affect the controller's wireless connection?

Paddle attachments work through the controller itself, so the controller connects to the console as usual. Check the product page for how your kit connects.