The Best Xbox Controller To Buy Right Now

We unrecorded successful a aureate property of controllers. The gamepads connected nan marketplace now are of higher quality, much versatile, and much customizable than thing from moreover 1 console procreation ago. If you play games connected an Xbox Series X aliases Series S (or a Windows PC), you person nan unenviable task of choosing betwixt respective high-quality controllers from Microsoft arsenic good arsenic a plethora of awesome options from nan likes of 8BitDo, PowerA, Razer, Scuf, Nacon, and Turtle Beach. Some of them person drift-proof Hall effect aliases TMR-based joysticks for improved longevity, yet each of them are bully for 1 logic aliases another. The days of nan inexpensive “little sibling” controller that looked cool, but hardly worked, are over.

We’ve spent a ton of clip playing each kinds of games (first-person shooters, fighters, third-person action-adventure, racing, indie roguelikes, etc.) to trial a wide swath of Xbox controllers, and it whitethorn not beryllium a astonishment that nan standard, comparatively inexpensive Xbox Wireless Controller is nan champion action for astir folks. It makes for a awesome PC and Steam Deck controller, too. The default Xbox gamepad strikes nan correct equilibrium of quality, comfort, versatility, and price, but location are respective alternatives worthy considering.

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The champion Xbox controller for astir people

Connectivity: Xbox wireless, Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: No / Software customization: No / Power: AA batteries aliases add-on rechargeable

Okay, I already cognize what you’re thinking. “The champion controller for Xbox is nan 1 that comes pinch nan Xbox?” That whitethorn look for illustration a no-brainer, but this modular controller genuinely does gain this title arsenic nan best. It lacks immoderate extras recovered connected pricier options, but this controller is nan distillation of each that has made nan past 20 years of Xbox gamepads great, and it shows.

Thanks to Microsoft’s proprietary wireless protocol, this is nan only affordable wireless Xbox controller retired there. (Third-party wireless options person been trickling retired successful caller years, but they’re mostly astatine nan precocious end.) While immoderate dislike nan modular Xbox wireless controller for its usage of AA batteries alternatively of a built-in rechargeable cell, that besides intends it’s flexible, allowing for rechargeable AAs aliases a artillery pack. And user-replaceable batteries mean you’re not stuck pinch a controller that doesn’t clasp its complaint aft years of use. It besides useful complete a USB-C wired connection.

But nan standard-issue Xbox pad isn’t conscionable awesome because of its varied connectivity. The hardware itself is fantabulous for nan controller’s $65 (and often less) asking price. The sticks, buttons, triggers, and nan sunken dish-shaped D-pad each consciousness impeccably tight, pinch nan second having a satisfying clickiness to it. If you’re a hardcore fighting crippled fan, you’ll astir apt beryllium champion served by a dedicated conflict instrumentality aliases a controller geared toward that genre — 1 pinch a superb D-pad for illustration Hori’s Horipad Pro — but nan Xbox Wireless Controller is different an bonzer jack-of-all-trades.

The only things it really lacks compared to pricier options are extra, customizable buttons and package tuning for things for illustration instrumentality sensitivity (button remapping is available), though Microsoft does connection cosmetic customization done its Xbox Design Lab, which bumps nan value from $69.99 to $109.93 depending connected nan configuration. There’s a batch to emotion astir these controllers, whether you make your ain aliases prime 1 from nan galore colors Microsoft offers.

The champion inexpensive Xbox controller

Connectivity: Wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Two / Software customization: Yes / Power: Wired

The 8BitDo Ultimate Wired Controller for Xbox is simply a awesome fund exemplary that typically retails for $44.99 but tin often beryllium recovered for arsenic small arsenic $29.99. The style is reminiscent of Nintendo’s Switch Pro Controller, only a spot smaller, pinch hints of Xbox power and a curvaceous creation that feels awesome to hold.

On nan hardware front, nan Ultimate Wired Controller features Hall effect sticks pinch satisfying tension. It besides uses Hall effect triggers pinch dedicated vibration motors, though it lacks trigger stops, dissimilar our erstwhile fund pick, nan PowerA Advantage Wired. Its D-pad, look buttons, and bumpers are bully and clicky, too, contempt being smaller than we’d typically like. It has 2 rear paddles, remappable buttons, and nan expertise to prevention up to 3 profiles, which you tin move betwixt connected nan alert utilizing a dedicated button. There’s moreover a built-in shut up move for audio, which isn’t communal connected cheaper controllers. You tin download nan 8BitDo Ultimate Software X app connected PC aliases Xbox to afloat customize this controller.

The 8BitDo Ultimate Wired useful arsenic a wired controller pinch your PC, but if you for illustration wireless connectivity, nan institution besides makes a three-mode wireless version pinch support for some Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless (via a dongle). The wireless type is simply a spot much expensive, however, and it’s still constricted to wired connectivity connected Xbox consoles.

The champion “pro” Xbox controller

Connectivity: Xbox wireless, Bluetooth, wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Up to 4 / Software customization: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is Microsoft’s fanciest controller, and it’s sewage a batch of bully extras, for illustration amended build quality, other buttons, user-swappable sticks and D-pad, a built-in rechargeable battery, and loads of package customization. Where nan modular Xbox controller is constructed wholly of unassuming plastic, nan Elite mixes higher value soft-touch plastic, rubberized grips, and metallic touches for a superior fresh and finish. This makes it heftier than nan banal controller, and arsenic a result, it conscionable feels nicer successful your hands. It besides comes pinch a charging dock and zip-up lawsuit pinch passthrough charging, completing a really bully package for $199.99 (or sometimes less, if it’s connected sale).

There’s besides nan stripped-down Elite Series 2 “Core” version pinch an MSRP of $149.99, which ditches nan add-ons but is arsenic customizable. You tin bargain them separately successful a $59.99 accessories pack, but you’ll extremity up paying much that way, barring income aliases discounts.

A pricey controller for illustration an Xbox Elite is simply a spot of a splurge purchase. Most of america are not competing astatine e-sports levels that require its high-end features. Nevertheless, it’s nosy to usage thing that feels nicer, offers ways to custom-tailor it to your liking, and possibly gives you a flimsy competitory separator acknowledgment to features for illustration hairsbreadth triggers and removable rear paddles. In theory, you whitethorn beryllium capable to get shots disconnected faster successful an online shooter pinch nan hairsbreadth triggers, and you tin representation nan paddles to functions for illustration jump, crouch, reload, etc., while keeping your thumb connected nan correct stick. You could thatch yourself claw grip to execute nan second pinch moreover a inexpensive wired controller, sure, but it conscionable won’t consciousness arsenic cool aliases easy arsenic erstwhile utilizing an Elite.

While nan Elite is still a awesome controller successful 2025, you should support successful mind that it’s been astir since 2019 and a Series 3 revision is emotion agelong overdue. The Series 2 besides has a spot of a estimation for lackluster value power — pinch scary stories from users astir going done aggregate replacements nether warranty. Microsoft extended nan controller’s warranty from 90 days to a twelvemonth successful precocious 2020 to thief reside concerns, but buying an Elite Series 2 whitethorn still consciousness for illustration a somewhat risky proposition. It besides predates nan current-gen implementation of a dedicated Share button, and its potentiometer-based sticks tally nan consequence of stick drift aft semipermanent usage (something 3rd parties are addressing pinch controllers that usage drift-free Hall effect sticks, dissimilar each 3 large console manufacturers). 

Even so, nan Elite 2 remains by acold nan astir well-rounded action for a step-up Xbox controller — acknowledgment successful ample portion to its awesome build and expansive package experience. If each these caveats springiness you pause, though, location is different promising option.

Read our Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 review.

A formidable replacement to nan Elite

Connectivity: Wireless USB dongle (Xbox / PC), wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Four / Software customization: Yes / Power: Built-in rechargeable

At $199.99, Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro controller is arsenic costly (or more, depending connected disposable deals) than nan Elite Series 2, but it’s worthy nan costs if you want a high-end controller pinch drift-free sticks. Not only is nan V3 Pro Razer’s first foray into utilizing Hall effect sticks, it’s nan company’s first afloat wireless Xbox gamepad. It besides sports immoderate of nan champion hair-trigger lockouts around, yielding a mouse-like click usually recovered connected moreover pricier Scuf controllers (a erstwhile high-ranking prime of ours).

Other than that, nan V3 Pro is akin to nan erstwhile V2 Pro, pinch six remappable buttons — 4 rear paddles successful new, angled orientations and 2 other enarthrosis buttons — and immoderate RGB lighting. The buttons and D-pad still person that satisfying micro-switch tactility and audible clickiness for illustration nan previous-gen V2 Pro, but nan RGB lighting is much subtle this clip around.

The Wolverine V3 Pro’s biggest shortcomings compared to Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 are its more basal package customization, its deficiency of Bluetooth, and nan truth that it needs a USB dongle to activity wirelessly. The V3 Pro is different nan amended prime if you tin warrant its precocious price, which, dissimilar nan Series 2, is seldom subjected to discounts. Luckily, if you can’t, there’s besides nan $99.99 Wolverine V3 Pro Tournament Edition that has a astir identical group of features successful a wired configuration.

Other Xbox controllers we tested

• The Scuf Valor Pro is nan company’s first Xbox controller pinch Hall effect sticks, arsenic good arsenic its cheapest at $109.99. It’s wired but different builds admirably connected nan instauration laid by nan Scuf Instinct Pro, which retails for $229.99 and was erstwhile our apical third-party pro-style controller. Scuf emulates Microsoft’s winning ergonomics while implementing redesigned remappable rear buttons (two are removable) and enarthrosis bumpers that are much comfortable to reach. It besides has trigger stops that nutrient a satisfying click pinch adjacent to nary recreation erstwhile pressed. The D-pad produces a likewise satisfying click, 1 we for illustration complete nan softer tactile consciousness of nan Instinct. The Valor Pro is not nan astir breathtaking controller connected paper, but it’s a coagulated action for Scuf religious aliases anyone who wants much durable analog sticks. Read our hands-on impressions.
• If you’re a instrumentality of competitory shooters, Turtle Beach controllers for illustration the Recon ($59.99) and React-R ($39.99) person respective audio features that mightiness travel successful handy. The company’s fanciest option, nan Stealth Ultra, is simply a $219.99 wireless exemplary pinch Hall effect sticks that’s an fantabulous prime overall. That being said, we still for illustration nan Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, arsenic nan built-in customization surface connected nan Stealth Ultra is clunky to usage and nan ergonomics don’t consciousness astir arsenic bully arsenic that of nan V3 Pro.
• Turtle Beach besides offers the Stealth Pivot ($139.99), which lets you quickly switch nan analog sticks for other look buttons by swiveling nan plates around. It’s neat but yet niche, arsenic it’s chiefly meant for fighting games and retro titles. That characteristic necessitates a chassis that’s noticeably bigger than astir controllers, too, which whitethorn beryllium a downer if you already struggle pinch wrapping your digits astir standard-sized controllers.
• We precocious tested PowerA’s newest pro-style Xbox controllers, including nan Fusion Pro 4 Wired ($74.99) and PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless ($159.99). They’re modular fare for pro-style controllers these days, pinch height-adjustable Hall effect sticks, 4 remappable rear buttons, three-way trigger locks, and onboard measurement controls. They’re similar, but nan Pro Wireless has 4 trippy Lumectra lighting zones that respond to your fastener presses. Both controllers are satisfying to usage and a clear measurement up from PowerA’s older products successful position of wide quality, but they yet don’t guidelines retired overmuch astatine these value points.
• Nacon’s Revolution X ($25.90) remains 1 of nan astir customizable wired controllers you tin get (it moreover has removable weights successful its handles), and its package is astir arsenic expansive arsenic Microsoft’s first-party app.
• As mentioned above, nan Horipad Pro ($49.99) has 1 of nan champion D-pads around. It besides offers a batch of package customization astatine an affordable price, but its enarthrosis buttons are a spot stiff.
• If you’re nan nostalgic type, nan Hyperkin Duke ($89.99), DuchesS ($49.99), and Xenon ($49.99) are religious wired recreations of Xbox gamepads from Microsoft’s first 2 console generations. They’re benignant of dumb but endearing (especially nan chunky Duke), but they’re unsocial collector pieces you tin besides usage connected modern games.
• The wired GameSir G7 SE is different fund prime pinch drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and USB-C connectivity, 1 that tin typically beryllium recovered for $44.99. Like 8BitDo’s controllers, it neglects trigger stops, but it’s 1 of nan only options pinch dedicated switches for disabling nan rear buttons. GameSir has besides since introduced nan $49.99 G7 HE, which features much durable buttons and a tactile move D-pad.

What’s coming next?

• The title to cleanable Xbox controllers hasn’t yet reached a conclusion. Manufacturers proceed updating their lineup pinch newer, much durable analog sticks and triggers, while immoderate research pinch gimmicks. Case successful point: nan upcoming Hyperkin Competitor, announced astatine CES successful January and scheduled to get later successful 2025. The wired gamepad’s creation is unashamedly inspired by nan PlayStation 5’s DualSense controllers, complete pinch glassy buttons and a non-contiguous D-pad.
• In April, Nacon released nan Revolution X Unlimited, a $199.99 controller pinch Hall effect sticks and triggers, a replaceable D-pad and joysticks, and up to 10 hours of artillery life. The gamepad connects to Xbox consoles utilizing a 2.4GHz wireless wave (via a dongle), but it besides supports Bluetooth erstwhile connecting to Android devices. It besides features a built-in display, allowing you to easy remap buttons and different functions, arsenic good arsenic nan expertise to link to your console aliases Windows PC pinch a USB cable.

Update, July 23rd: Updated to bespeak existent pricing / readiness and respective caller controllers, including GameSir’s G7 HE and nan Nacon Revolution X Unlimited. Brandt Ranj besides contributed to this post.