Buying a controller by the end of this year. Which one to buy?

I've used a Logitech F310 for years, no issues yet!

I've been using 360/One controllers since the release of the xbox 360 and never had a problem with them.

I can suggest Speedlink controllers.I own Speedlink Torrid and quite recently got myself Speedlink Xeox.
Xeox looks freakin amazing to me, has particulary accurate and sensitive triggers and really comfy analogs.
Both models are really good in my opinion, but if you are lookin' for somewhat decent triggers then Xeox will do just great.

Edit:Both models have D-input and X-input. However Torrid has annoying "hold home button for 3 seconds" switch and Xeox has a physical switch on the backside.

View attached image.

I had the 360 one , it's really good but the cable is the problem... if it starts to fail , bye bye controller , I would take xboxone or a dual shock , because if the cable fails it's a USB one, so you can buy it almost everywhere and cheaper than to buy a new controller(this is a "future" tip...). I'm using dualshock 4 and it works very well for me , but I recommend the xbox one better.

I have both Logitech F710 and F310 for co-op games. Thery're great :)

I got a 360 controller without actually looking at alternatives, and so far every single game with a slight controller support had no problem with it. Looks like Microsoft really worked on making sure it's the best controller for PC.
On Linux you need a separate driver, or the LT axis will be on the same axis as the left analog stick which makes a really weird experience. It's probably lazy manufacturing that's fixed by a quick workaround in the Windows driver, but needs 3rd party drivers on Linux.
I'd get the One controller though, looks a lot more comfortable, especially with the battery pack in the 360 sticking out on the bottom... Also, it looks backwards compatible and in my country it's the same price sometimes even cheaper. I even saw a Logitech controller go for a bigger price than that, which I find really weird...

One problem with 360 Wireless controllers is that batteries start acting out after a while and the controller keeps shutting down (the connection to the battery goes really thin). My controller doesn't have big problems with that, but my cousin has 2 and one of them is unusable because of that.

xbox 360, or Dual shock 4 if u want remote mouse + long range bluetooth play.
i use DS4 so i voted for it

Still using my old DS2 with an adapter to play some games.
Most controller-support games works well with Xbox 360 controllers, and I guess issues of it happened before have been resolved for these years, so an Xbox 360 controller will be my choice if my old DS2 dies.

Hardcore gaming
Scuf Infinity
Xbox One Elite
Scuf Hybrid

Casual gaming
Xbox One
Xbox 360

Dualshock or Logitech are not bad, I am just not very fond of them. Too small.

In any case I would also buy some thumbsticks, it greatly improves the experience. Probably mid-rise:
http://www.kontrolfreek.com/thumbsticks/fps-freek-cqcx.html/

Some controllers also don't have a good grip like xbox 360. These are awesome:
http://www.kontrolfreek.com/grips/kontrolfreek-grips.html/

360 wired controller >>>>> all

you should definitely consider getting an Xbox Elite Controller

Is it worth it to buy an Xbox controller even though I don't have the console?

Totally worth it. I got a wireless one for Xbox360 and I don't have any console. There are a lot of games on PC that you can use it for and those without native support can be used anyway with Xpadder. If you play fighting games or other games with a friend (local coop) you can have 1 controller for 1 player and the keyboard + mouse for the other.
Now I don't now if the Xbone controller is better, at least the D-pad is supposed to be better but I can't say.

I am thinking about getting steam controller , anyone had experince with it?

Bump for Xbox One controller

First choice would be Dualshock4, gives you all the buttons/sticks of xbox360 plus a mouse TouchPad, plus a way better dpad for non-analog games. Using software like ds4windows it'll emulate the xbox360 or any other device and works great with everything. I got mine on sale for $30 USD

My other first choice :) would be xbox 360 wireless, it has no mouse and the dpad absolutely blows (if you prefer using the analog stick for digital games, it won't matter to you anyway) , but i find the weight/size to be just about perfect and it works with every game which has controller support without having to mess around. I don't like how the analog sticks are asymmetrical but I'm used to it.

I really think you can't go wrong with either of them! But if you like to use the dpad at all I'd get the DS4. Otherwise it's down to personal preference. I personally use both (ds4 at my computer, x360 at my TV with steam link). I also have a Steam controller that i never touch, except to turn on the steam link ...

By the end of the years there is going to be better controllers... just saying

It's time to leave the ancient 360 gamepad in the past, get a DualShock 4, you only need to install an additional driver and it will make everything recognize it as 360 except it's way better.

Except if you want to use it on a console too, I guess it is to play your Steam games, then... it is logical to buy the Steam one and everybody agree to say that it is the greatest one !

Xbox One S controller, no contest. Comes out mid-August IIRC.

xbox 360, go for it ^

I personally recomend you the Xbox One controller for a simple reason:

The Xbox 360 controller is very nice and cheaper, but relies on its cable, if the cable starts to fail, you are done with the controller, I have lost a couple of controllers in a relatively short period of time because of this issue. The Xbox One controller uses a separate micro USB cable. If it fails someday (unlikely to happen soon), you just change it for another micro USB cable (wich are really cheap), and the controller is just good as new. Same benefit with the Dual Shock 4 controller, but you need an emulator to use it on Steam (InputMapper).

At the very least you should have a 360/One controller in your arsenal.

I was looking for something a bit old school with a good dpad and came across the HORI Fighting Commander. It's a PS4 controller but has a switch for xinput on PC. Gonna order one from Japan.

Voted for Xbox 360 controller because it's the only one I've used lol
Edit: I've played on a console with Dual Shock controller before too but I didn't like it too much since I had an Xbox 360 and that was my console of choice.

Have another vote towards F710 but that comes with its own reasons:

1. Never got my hands around to try Xbox controllers(none of my friends got a Xbox to begin with).
2. I'm used to Dual Shock design
3. Was recommended by my ex.

So from my experience:

1. My hands get tired after 7-8h gaming session
2. The 2k mAh rechargeable batteries last for 20-25hours before the controller start being less responsive(so always have 2 pairs of batteries.
3. Yet to have trouble with compatibility.
4. Sadly cant comment on the sticks quality since I prefer to use the Dpad to move in both 2D and 3D games.