The best xbox controller to buy right now
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Loading... - Chloe Lavoie
- 26 May 2022
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YouYou may not realize it, but we’re living in a golden age of gaming controllers. The gamepads on the market now are better quality, more versatile, and more customizable than anything from just a few console generations ago. That includes the plethora of third-party options from the likes of PowerA, Scuf, Nacon, and Turtle Beach, as well as first-party controllers from the console makers. The days of the cheap, “little sibling” controller that looked cool but barely worked are over.
Now, you can choose from a variety of controllers, and if you’re playing across Xbox and Windows PC, the same option works for both. So, let’s say your console of choice is the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. What’s the best option for you? Well, we tested a whole slew of controllers to find the best Xbox controller you can buy.
The standard Xbox Wireless Controller came away as our top choice, which may sound obvious, but it’s the best for a reason — versatility, comfort, and much more. Beyond that, we’ll walk you through some strengths and weaknesses of other controllers worthy of your attention, ranging from premium options like the Xbox Elite Series 2 and Scuf Instinct Pro to some quality budget picks like the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller.
There are, of course, older, discontinued models that are still compatible — as Xbox One controllers are forward compatible with the Xbox Series X / S — but our focus is to guide you through what to buy that’s regularly available right now. We’ve got categories to help steer your purchasing decision and find the right one for you, including highly customizable options that may give you a tiny edge in competitive multiplayer games.
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1. MICROSOFT XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER
THE BEST XBOX CONTROLLER FOR MOST PEOPLE
Okay, I already know what you’re thinking. “The best controller for Xbox is the one that comes with the Xbox?” That may seem like a no-brainer, but I assure you this “standard” controller truly does earn this title as the best option for most Xbox gamers. It may lack some of the extra features that we’ll go over on premium options, but this controller is the distillation of four generations and numerous first-party controllers before it — and it shows.
This is the only affordable wireless option out there, thanks to Microsoft’s proprietary wireless protocol. While some may hate that it comes with AA batteries instead of a built-in rechargeable cell, that also means it’s flexible, allowing for rechargeable AAs or a battery pack. It also works as a wired accessory when paired with a USB-C cable, and user-replaceable batteries mean you’re not stuck with a controller that doesn’t hold its charge after years of use.
But the standard-issue Xbox pad isn’t just great because of its connectivity. The hardware itself is excellent for the controller’s $60 asking price. The sticks, buttons, triggers, and the sunken dish-shaped D-pad all feel impeccably tight, with the latter having a satisfying clickiness to it. If you’re a hardcore fighting game fan, you may be better served by an arcade stick or a controller geared toward that genre — one with an impeccable D-pad like Hori’s Horipad Pro — but the Xbox Wireless Controller is an exceptional jack-of-all-trades.
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The only thing it really lacks compared to pricier options are extra, customizable buttons and software tuning for things like stick sensitivity, though Microsoft does offer cosmetic customization through its Xbox Design Lab, which ranges from $69.99 to $99.94 depending on the configuration. There’s a lot to love about these controllers, whether you make your own or pick out one from the various colors Microsoft continues to offer.
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2. POWERA ENHANCED WIRED CONTROLLER
THE BEST BUDGET CONTROLLER FOR XBOX
If you’re looking for a great controller but you don’t have a lot of money to spend — and you don’t mind a cable — PowerA’s Enhanced Wired Controller offers an impeccable value without sacrificing too much. Its full retail price is $37.99, but some colorways can dip as low as around $26. Speaking of colors, the Enhanced Wired Controller comes in a wide variety of hues and designs, including licensed ones from game franchises like Mass Effect and Fallout. Some of these designs may make you suspect these are cheap, cringe-inducing knockoffs, but the quality of the controller may surprise you when you use it.
First off, let’s get its biggest downside out of the way: it uses a Micro USB connection (gross, I know). You at least get a lengthy, detachable cable with it, but not having a reversible connector is annoying. Thankfully, nothing else about this controller feels so outdated. Its build quality is just fine, and it even has two mappable rear buttons built into the grips — which is great to have at such a cheap price point.
The rest of the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is a whole lot of table stakes, but it executes everything quite well for a ridiculously affordable price. PowerA omitted impulse trigger rumble, but if there’s any feature to cheap out on, I’d say that’s the right choice. On the flip side, the Enhanced Wired Controller comes with a two-year warranty, which is twice as long as pricey options like Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 offer.
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PowerA offers a whole lot of bang-for-your-buck with the Enhanced Wired Controller if you’re on a tight budget. It’s also worth mentioning that if you have a bit more to spend, the PowerA Fusion Pro 2 is another great controller that punches above its weight class. The Fusion Pro 2 looks a bit like an imitator of Microsoft’s Elite Series 2, but its full price of $89.99 usually drops as low as $62.99. This is one to opt for if you’re looking for a premium controller with added features, like four rear paddles and rubberized grips, but you have a budget closer to a standard Xbox controller. Read More...
