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The best Xbox controllers are tested and reviewed based on a number of criteria, including design, feature set and arguably most importantly of all, price. There's rarely a one-size-fits-all Xbox controller, so we endeavor to test each to their strengths, such as options for voice chat or being suited to a particular genre. Either way, it's a fantastic controller that feels great in the hand and is as responsive as you could wish for. It's just painfully pricey with all my chosen greebles.
The Asus ROG Raikiri started 2023 as the controller to watch as it swept up award after award at CES. As the months progressed, some seriously strong gamepads were released, and by the time the ROG Raikiri arrived, it made me question that award-winning reputation I had been excited for. You want something simpler: While robust, the Recon's busy on-board audio controls do lend a slightly convoluted feel to the pad.Scuf doesn't mess around with its controllers, offering some of the best premium pads outside of Sony and Microsoft. And the Instinct Pro is the absolute best Microsoft-focused pad controller should you wish to eschew the two big bois of the console world. But when the Elite Series 2exists in the world, how does anyone else compete in the enthusiast controller space. Design and features: Design-wise, most thing here are identical to its counterpart, but has an Xbox makeover that's aesthetically fitting for the console. It retains the same weight and feature set as its Nintendo Switch counterpart, so all you're really getting here is console compatibility. Sports games are the most obvious, as anyone who has tried to play FIFA using the strange keyboard/mouse control scheme can attest to. But there are other titles, specifically those which were primarily designed for consoles whose control schemes are so unwieldy away from a pad that playing them any other way is a pain.
You want a no-frills gamepad: If you’re after something a bit cheaper or more straightforward, consider pads like the Xbox Wireless Controller or the PowerA Fusion Pro 3.The Thrustmaster eSwap XR is the latest successor to the eSwap X Pro that's also available for Xbox One. However, this model that sports a quite beautiful Forza Horizon 5 livery is an easy controller to recommend if you play a lot of driving and racing games, especially if you don't want to fork out the cash for a proper racing wheel setup. Overall that's an astonishing value, and particularly impressive considering just how good this Xbox One controller feels to use. Some sacrifices have been made by slimming down the previous release (the Turtle Beach Recon Controller). You're dropping rubberized grips and Pro-Aim assist mode, for example. However, the textured plastic still holds your position well and you're still getting particularly pleasing ridges on the shoulder buttons as well. Performance: Another strong feature here, that you won't find on other pads, is the dedicated mic volume switch you'll find at the center bottom of the controller. This is a wonderful addition that saves you from having to dive into your console's settings to adjust your mic's output. The most significant changes in the Series 2 over the Series 1 (which we also loved) include a neat little carrying case that doubles as a portable USB Type-C powered charging station for the controller's new rechargeable battery, which has around 40 hours of juice. Finally, with project XCloud and Apple Arcade bringing some great games to mobile devices, you can easily pair the Series 2 controller via Bluetooth.
Your Xbox One controller can go further than you might think, connecting to gaming tablets, gaming laptops, and gaming PCs. That means there's a whole world waiting for your buttons, and you can put that mouse and keyboard down. Connecting your Xbox One controller via a cable is easy - it's a plug and play affair that works straight out the box. However, if you're after a wireless connection things are a little more complicated.You're on a budget: The Elite Series 2 is the most expensive controller on our list, and outside of sales periods, commands a very high price that won't sit well with everyone. Elsewhere, this is just such a comfortable controller to use in driving games, particularly thanks to the tapered shapes of the triggers that make them nice and easy to hold down for long periods of time. If you have larger hands and like the feel of a taller controller with longer grips, this is for you. Being able to swap out modules mid-game is fantastic, and the controller is only really let down by the fact it's still wired-only. It's style over substance when it comes to the Raikiri Pro. It isn't what I'd call a bad controller, but it certainly doesn't live up to what an Asus Pro controller with these specs could be. That said, the smaller size of this gamepad means it's a great option for both portability and for folks who want a pro controller but find the larger, chunkier pads a bit unwieldy. In smaller hands, those ergonomics might not be so bad, and throwing in a bag to use on your commute every morning with a phone would be super easy.
It’s hard to go wrong with an 8BitDo pad. The 8BitDo Ultimate controller for Nintendo Switch is testament to that. Thankfully, the popular third party manufacturer also has a fantastic option for Xbox owners in the Pro 2 Wired controller. It all depends on personal preference. If your console is set up at a desk, you're probably closer to your screen, so a wired controller won't feel like too much of a tether. But, if you're using one of the best gaming TVs rather than one of the best monitors for Xbox, a wireless controller provides a little more flexibility. How we test the best Xbox controllers Unlike the Duke, the Hyperkin Xenon is a reissued gamepad that’s actually worth using, especially if you have an affinity for the mid-aughts Xbox 360 design. The original 360 controller’s biggest innovation was its intuitive wireless system, which is sadly absent from this wired reincarnation. But hey, at least Hyperkin improved on the Xbox 360 controller’s awful D-pad and included some cool color-matched USB-C cables. One of the dumbest yet most endearing controllers is the Hyperkin Duke. This reissue of the original Xbox pad is a love letter to the salad days of 2001. It’s just not great to use for modern games. Thankfully it comes with a display stand, as it’s more of a collector piece. The original Xbox One Wireless Controller was a staple for PC gaming. With the release of the Xbox Series S/X, we were all curious to see how Xbox improved on an already outstanding gamepad.
If you’re after utmost quality in a controller, and budget isn’t an issue, then your port of call should certainly be the superlative Xbox Elite Controller Series 2. Out of the box, you’ll immediately feel the jump in quality over the standard Xbox Wireless controller. A clean metal finish, texture grips and fantastic feeling buttons and triggers made the Series 2 an utter joy to play with. The controller market is in a great place at the moment. The Xbox One generation sparked a lot of interest in the production of pro controllers that blur the lines between the comfort and ease of gamepads, and the competitive functions of a mouse and keyboard. After Xbox came out with the Elite line, a myriad of choices exploded onto the shelves, and now there are so many great controllers to suit all hand shapes and game genres. Before we break down the explicit benefits of each controller in detail, it's worth noting that many of the options below will serve you as the best PC controllers too. Read more: Best Razer controllers 2022 Best Xbox One Controller: FAQs Which is the best Xbox One controller? However, if you've got a newer model you're all good to go. Hold the Xbox button to power up and then press the Pair button for three seconds. Navigate to your PC's Bluetooth settings and search for a device - once the Xbox logo starts flashing, you'll see the option for Xbox Wireless Controller appear in the menu. Select this option to connect. How we test Xbox One controllers
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