This paper presents a high performance ZPE(zero-phase-error) speed controller for PMSM(permanent magnet synchronous motor) drives. A comparison study between conventional general purpose speed controller in modern industry fields such as PI, IP and 2-degree of freedom controller presented also. The proposed ZPE speed controller is found suitable for vector controlled PMSM drives in giving the high level of performance while maintaining the excellent response at the time of speed command changing. In MATLAB-based comparative simulation and experiment results with commercial drive system, the proposed method shows a superior control performance compared with the conventional speed controller widely-used.