The best Xbox controller to buy right now

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You whitethorn not recognize it, but we’re surviving successful a aureate property of gaming controllers. The gamepads connected nan marketplace now are higher quality, much versatile, and much customizable than thing from conscionable a fewer console generations ago. If you’re gaming connected an Xbox Series X aliases Series S (or a Windows PC), you now person a plethora of awesome third-party options from nan likes of PowerA, Scuf, Nacon, and Turtle Beach, arsenic good arsenic high-quality first-party controllers. The days of nan inexpensive “little sibling” controller that looked cool but hardly worked are over.

I’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 beryllium unsurprising that nan modular Xbox Wireless Controller is nan champion Xbox controller for most. It makes a awesome PC controller, too.

But while nan de facto Xbox gamepad strikes nan correct equilibrium of quality, comfort, versatility, and price, location are respective alternatives worthy cross-shopping if you person circumstantial needs — ranging from high-end options for illustration nan Xbox Elite Series 2 and Scuf Instinct Pro to value fund picks for illustration nan PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller.

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 “standard” controller genuinely does gain this title arsenic nan champion action for astir Xbox gamers. It whitethorn deficiency immoderate of nan other features that we’ll spell complete connected premium options, but this controller is nan distillation of 4 generations and galore first-party controllers earlier it — and it shows.

This is nan only affordable wireless Xbox controller retired there, acknowledgment to Microsoft’s proprietary protocol. While immoderate whitethorn dislike that it comes pinch AA batteries alternatively of a built-in rechargeable cell, that besides intends it’s flexible, allowing for rechargeable AAs aliases a artillery pack. It besides useful arsenic a wired accessory pinch a USB-C cable, and user-replaceable batteries mean you’re not stuck pinch a controller that doesn’t clasp its complaint aft years of use.

But nan standard-issue Xbox pad isn’t conscionable awesome because of its connectivity. The hardware itself is fantabulous for nan controller’s $60 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 whitethorn beryllium amended served by an arcade instrumentality aliases a controller geared toward that genre — 1 pinch an impeccable D-pad for illustration Hori’s Horipad Pro — but nan Xbox Wireless Controller is an exceptional 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, though Microsoft does connection cosmetic customization done its Xbox Design Lab, which ranges from $69.99 to $99.94 depending connected nan configuration. There’s a batch to emotion astir these controllers, whether you make your ain aliases prime retired 1 from nan various colors Microsoft continues to offer.

The champion inexpensive Xbox controller

Connectivity: Wired / Connector type: Micro USB / Mappable rear buttons: Two / Software customization: No / Power: Wired

If you’re looking for a awesome controller but you don’t person a batch of money to walk — and you don’t mind a cablegram — PowerA’s Enhanced Wired Controller offers an impeccable worth without sacrificing excessively much. Its afloat unit value is $37.99, but immoderate colour schemes tin dip arsenic debased arsenic astir $25. Speaking of colors, nan Enhanced Wired Controller comes successful a wide assortment of hues and designs, including licensed ones from crippled franchises for illustration Mass Effect and Fallout. Some of these designs whitethorn make you fishy these are cheap, cringe-inducing knockoffs, but nan value of nan controller whitethorn astonishment you erstwhile you usage it.

First off, let’s get its biggest downside retired of nan way: it uses a Micro USB relationship (gross, I know). You astatine slightest get a lengthy, detachable cablegram pinch it, but not having a reversible connector is annoying. Thankfully, thing other astir this controller feels truthful outdated. Its build value is conscionable fine, and it moreover has 2 mappable rear buttons built into nan grips — which is awesome to person astatine specified a debased price.

The remainder of nan PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is simply a full batch of array stakes, but it executes everything rather good for a ridiculously affordable price. There’s nary impulse trigger rumble, but if there’s immoderate characteristic to inexpensive retired on, I’d opportunity that’s nan correct choice. On nan flip side, nan Enhanced Wired Controller comes pinch a two-year warranty, which is doubly arsenic agelong arsenic pricey options for illustration Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 offer.

PowerA offers a full batch of bang for your subordinate pinch nan Enhanced Wired Controller if you’re connected a tight budget. It besides sells nan Advantage Wired Controller, which is fundamentally a newer type of nan Enhanced Wired Controller pinch USB-C and hair-trigger lockouts. The Advantage could beryllium a shoo-in to dethrone nan Enhanced Wired arsenic nan champion fund controller, but astatine $37.99, it can’t yet lucifer nan Enhanced Wired’s near-perpetually discounted value of astir $25.

If you person Elite controller tastes but a modular controller budget, nan PowerA Fusion Pro 3 is simply a good replacement if you don’t mind that it’s wired. It looks a spot for illustration nan Microsoft Elite Series 2, complete pinch 4 rear buttons, trigger lockouts, and rubberized grips, but costs overmuch less. The Fusion Pro 3 is importantly lighter than its predecessor, positive it has a much compact lawsuit and is $10 cheaper — offering rather nan worth for $79.99 (especially if it starts going connected sale). The older Fusion Pro 2 is still fine, particularly if you for illustration detachable rear paddles to built-in buttons, but astatine this point, it’s only worthy it for that penchant aliases if it’s heavy discounted.

The champion premium 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 fancied-up, premium type of nan banal controller. It’s besides older, having been released a twelvemonth earlier nan Xbox Series X / S consoles arrived. So while it does athletics a USB-C larboard and wireless support, it lacks nan convenient Share fastener recovered connected nan latest Xbox Wireless Controller. However, it makes up for that successful droves pinch exceptional build quality, other buttons, user-swappable sticks and D-pad, and tons of customization.

If you prime up an Xbox Elite controller, you instantly admit nan value of materials put into it. Where nan modular controller uses an unassuming integrative build, nan Elite mixes higher-quality integrative pinch rubberized grips and bits of metal. Combine this pinch its built-in rechargeable battery, and nan Elite is noticeably heavier than its cheaper brethren. It besides comes pinch a charging dock and zip-up lawsuit pinch passthrough charging.

As fantabulous arsenic nan fresh and decorativeness are, nan cardinal components that whitethorn springiness you a competitory separator are nan hair-trigger locks and rear paddle buttons. In theory, nan hairsbreadth trigger gets shots disconnected faster erstwhile playing shooters, and nan rear paddles let you to jump, crouch, reload, etc., without taking your thumb disconnected nan correct instrumentality for aiming. However, utilizing that galore buttons connected nan backmost of nan controller decidedly takes immoderate adjustment. You person to train caller musculus memory, and since it requires dexterity pinch much fingers, they’re not for everyone.

These premium features travel astatine a steep cost, too. The Elite Series 2 is usually priced astatine $179.99, and moreover though it occasionally drops arsenic debased arsenic $139.99, it’s still much than doubly arsenic costly arsenic a regular Xbox controller. You person to really want its other features and personification customization, and if you’re not utilizing its rear paddles aliases nan package adjustments for instrumentality sensitivity, you’re not getting your money’s worth. (And if you want to customize nan colors, you’re looking astatine $209.99 for nan Design Lab “Elite Package.”)

Microsoft besides has a stripped-down Elite Series 2 “Core” version pinch an MSRP of $129.99, which is nan aforesaid controller successful white-and-black, red-and-black, aliases blue-and-black finishes without nan rear paddles, accessory charging case, aliases other instrumentality toppers and D-pad. You tin get each of those successful a $30 accessories pack, which turns nan Elite Series 2 Core backmost into a modular Elite Series 2 and really makes it a somewhat amended woody if nan afloat package isn’t connected sale.

You must besides beryllium alert that nan Elite has a spot of a estimation for lackluster value control, pinch scary stories from users astir going done aggregate replacements nether warranty. Microsoft extended nan controller’s warranty from 90 days to a year successful precocious 2020 to thief reside concerns, but buying an Elite Series 2 whitethorn still consciousness for illustration a somewhat risky proposition. However, erstwhile you nail that cleanable series — switching to your pistol and landing a headshot pinch a speedy pop-pop of nan hairsbreadth trigger while your thumbs enactment firmly planted connected nan sticks — it tin consciousness worthy it.

A formidable replacement to nan Elite

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

The Scuf Instinct Pro finds itself successful a spot of a weird spot, arsenic it’s nan only wireless action from a 3rd party, but it’s by acold nan astir costly Xbox controller astir (it starts astatine $199.99). The 1 I tested clocked successful astatine $263.91 pinch a typical faceplate and added colour accents. That’s much than nan Xbox Series S occasionally sells for, which is an full console. Still, you’re successful for a dainty if you’re okay pinch spending that benignant of money, arsenic nan Instinct Pro is arguably amended than Microsoft’s Elite successful immoderate very circumstantial ways — primarily, its comfortableness and implementation of rear buttons and hairsbreadth triggers.

The Instinct Pro has very unsocial rear buttons, and I really for illustration them. Instead of paddles, location are 4 rocker-like buttons built into nan controller’s assemblage that you push toward aliases distant from your manus pinch a mediate finger. It still requires training your encephalon a spot to get accustomed to it, but I recovered them much intuitive.

Rear buttons aside, nan Scuf’s different large characteristic is its hairsbreadth triggers, which person nan quickest consequence of each nan controllers tested here. Just flick a move connected nan back, and nan near and correct triggers consciousness for illustration you’re clicking a rodent — it’s incredibly satisfying. The hairsbreadth triggers, rear buttons, and nan fantabulous textured grip worldly connected nan controller’s underside make this controller a joyousness to use.

The Instinct Pro feels for illustration Scuf fundamentally hot-rodded a banal Xbox controller, but for illustration immoderate boutique item, it comes pinch a monolithic cost. Meanwhile, it still uses AA batteries and lacks package customization, truthful arsenic overmuch arsenic I bask utilizing it, I’d only counsel getting 1 if you’re ace passionate astir its very circumstantial qualities aliases you perfectly emotion nan colorful accents and magnetically swappable faceplates connected Scuf’s configurator.

The champion customizable controller

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

RIG’s Nacon Revolution X whitethorn beryllium worthy of an grant for unspeakable naming, but its existent strengths are successful its heavy customization. If you’re nan type that likes to endlessly tinker pinch tons of elaborate settings, this is nan controller for you. Normally priced astatine $99.99, nan wired Revolution X and its added features don’t travel cheap, but nan value is simply a small fairer erstwhile you see nan title it squares up against.

When you first prime up nan Revolution X, it seems very unassuming — and borderline cheap. While it’s not a looker, it’s a form-follows-function type of controller. It’s comfy to use, and its 4 rear buttons built into nan grips are ample and nicely contoured. The existent stars of this show, however, are nan analog sticks and their package customizations, arsenic good arsenic nan expansive civilization options for different soul workings of nan controller.

While different user-customizable controllers person 3 personification profiles you tin switch betwixt connected nan fly, nan Revolution X has 4 — positive a “classic” mode pinch basal settings and a ringing of RGB ray astir nan correct instrumentality to punctual you what mode you’re in. The package app is not nan astir user-friendly, but nan controls spell very in-depth. Thankfully, location are adjuvant starting points pinch presets for arcade fighting games, racing, FPS games, and moreover sniping, which makes nan options overmuch easier to understand. Add nan expertise to customize and remap each fastener connected nan controller, arsenic good arsenic a Dolby Atmos for Headphones app license, and you’ve sewage a batch of customization options.

The customization doesn’t extremity pinch software, audio, aliases lighting, however. The Revolution X comes pinch ringing spacers to set nan scope of nan analog sticks, too, arsenic good arsenic a bid of mini weights ranging from 10g to 16g, which you tin insert into its grips to springiness them an further magnitude of heft.

Adding up each these features, you spot why nan Nacon is specified a awesome controller for tinkering. It took maine clip to lukewarm up to it, but upon mounting it up nan measurement I preferred, it made for a very compelling controller successful a assortment of crippled types.

The champion controller for shooters

Connectivity: Wired / Connector type: USB-C / Mappable rear buttons: Two / Software customization: No / Power: Wired

Turtle Beach is known for its headsets, truthful it makes consciousness that its Recon wired controller features immoderate robust audio controls. Its strengths really travel into attraction erstwhile playing first-person shooters, wherever its Superhuman Hearing mode tweaks nan audio of immoderate wired headset to tie retired footsteps and distant gunfire successful nan mix. At its regular value of astir $60, and erstwhile trading arsenic debased arsenic $39.95, nan Recon is simply a reasonably affordable measurement to summation a flimsy competitory separator successful multiplayer games without spending good complete $100 connected a controller.

This pad isn’t going to triumph immoderate beauty contests acknowledgment to each those awkward buttons located smack-dab successful nan mediate of its forehead, but each 1 has a valid purpose. There are 4 levels of microphone monitoring, wide crippled measurement controls, crippled chat measurement mix, 4 EQ presets, 4 programmable modes for mapping nan 2 rear buttons, and 4 levels of optional right-stick sensitivity adjustments. That past feature, dubbed Pro Aim by Turtle Beach, lowers nan sensitivity of nan correct analog instrumentality while you clasp nan right-hand rear button, allowing for very mini movements for illustration sniping, though it’s a spot clumsy to use.

Learning to usage each these controls whitethorn sound daunting, but nan controller’s quick-start guide makes it easier. Superhuman Hearing is very adjuvant for shooters and worthy utilizing extensively for games for illustration Halo Infinite — conscionable beryllium alert that it’s going to muddy up nan soundtrack a little, truthful you whitethorn want to time off it disconnected during story-driven, single-player games.

Audio controls aside, nan Recon lacks fancy features for illustration hairsbreadth triggers and swappable thumbsticks, and nan D-pad looks for illustration nan modular Xbox Wireless Controller but pales successful comparison. The controller’s integrative build feels cheap, but nan rubbery grips redeem it pinch a bully and comfy feel. As for nan sticks, triggers, and further rear buttons, they each consciousness tight and snappy. Combine that pinch Superhuman Hearing, and you’ve sewage a awesome look for shooters. The Recon has a spot of a learning curve, but if you play classed matches and worth a reasonably priced wired controller pinch other buttons and adjuvant audio functions, you can’t spell incorrect here.

Other controllers worthy knowing about

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

Update, July 15th: Adjusted pricing and specifications connected respective caller controllers, including nan Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra. Quentyn Kennemer besides contributed to this post.