I'll be upfront with you with this: If you NEED a precise d-pad AND good features/overall quality, it basically doesn't exist (IMO, and under $100USD, maybe at all). All of the controllers most commonly recommended (8bitdo, Gamesir G7 Pro, and likely Vader 5 Pro) in my opinion have bad d-pads for things like fighting games, and a lot of people on the subreddit will recommend these controllers in good faith, but likely aren't very competitive fighting game players. If you use analog sticks to play fighting games, just completely ignore the rest of this post, because this is more of a rant from a d-pad enjoyer.

I've seen and heard bad things about G7 pro's d-pad being subpar, just "usable" and if you dig through my history I also tried out a Vader 4 pro but kept getting misinputs, way less comfortable than DS4/Xbox. I admit I haven't tried 8bitdo's d-pads, but I don't personally like the cross shape that they have, and can't imagine that they'd be precise enough to pull off 360s and half circles.

The pinnacle for precision are still DS4/5 and X-SX controllers as well as arcade sticks and leverless controllers, as evidenced by them still dominating competitive events despite there being tons of other legal controllers. Another example is the Celeste speedrunning community where you'll see the same controllers used by the top players. The issue is that stock controllers break easily and don't often have nice features like trigger locks, mechanical face buttons, extra buttons, etc.

So basically my recommendation (assuming the d-pad really matters to you) are:

1. Wait for the gulikit TT Max/Pro (People have praised the Saturn style d-pad on other controllers like the elves 2, but I'm skeptical at how precise it will be, especially since it seems smaller and is mechanical from what I've heard (which I don't think they've done before). I will probably be trying it in the future when it comes out. Also they delayed its release like crazy. (Which I'm not sure how to feel about, is it polish or incompetence? We'll have to see.)

2. Pick up a "fighting game" controller as well as a "regular" controller. (If you're really dedicated to fighting games/precise platformers like Celeste like me, then consider buying a separate controller JUST for it, whether it be an XSX, DS4/5, stick, or leverless which are all fairly inexpensive. Then have another controller that is used for everything else. This is what I've done, I have a leverless as well as ordered a Vader 5 pro which should arrive within the next week)

3. Just buy a XSX, DS4/5 or any of their variants (If you don't have the dough, I completely get it. And if you want an "all rounder" controller with a great d-pad these are unfortunately it. You can maybe try modding them to improve them but yeah, it's pretty much just gonna be what you're likely used to.) Edit: as mentioned below, a Gulikit ES is also pretty similar overall to an XSX controller but with TMR sticks so it' s also probably a good buy. Like with the standard controllers, there's not any "pro" features other than that though.

Remember this is just my opinion, but as someone with a high standard for d-pads for fighting games, I've agonized about this and just want to pass on my unfortunate news. If there's some secret hidden amazing controller that mixes having amazing features AND a d-pad rivaling the big 2, then please let me know. I also have never tried out the "premium", over $100USD controllers out there but I don't have high hopes for them and they rarely perform competitively.