If you have an Xbox Series X|S console, then you may want to at least consider what the best controllers are going to be for your own personal setup. Maybe for you, that’s the new Xbox wireless controller that comes in the box. But maybe you prefer something with more features that was designed to give you an edge.
There are quite a few different controllers out there for the Xbox Series X|S. Mostly because the controllers that worked for the Xbox One also work for the new generation of consoles. We’ve decided to round up a list of the best controllers for the Xbox Series X|S to help make your search easier.
That is if you’re looking for a new controller in the first place. Keep in mind that the standard controller is perfectly fine, and we’re actually pretty fond of it ourselves. But it’s not the only option. So these are the best Xbox Series X|S controllers you can get your hands on. It’s also worth noting that most Xbox controllers will work for more than just Xbox consoles. They also work for Windows PCs, and some will work for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. Some will even work on a mac if that’s the platform you play games on.
Keep in mind that not all of these controllers will work for everyone, which is why we’ve separated them out by groups. All of that being said, if you’re shopping for a new Xbox controller, we have you covered.
The Best Xbox Controller For Most People: Xbox Core Wireless Controller
The Xbox Core Wireless controller is the tried and true controller for Xbox gamers. It’s also going to be the best for most people because most people don’t need anything special. We can resonate with that because sometimes, you just need something that works well and is made well. The Xbox Wireless Controller is certainly both of those things. What we like most about is the familiar feel. It hasn’t changed much since the Xbox One days. Microsoft really only changed a few things. All of which were for the better.
The overall design, for the most part, is the same. The controller is the same shape. So if you liked how the Xbox One controller felt in your hands, this will feel the same. However, Microsoft did change a few things as we mentioned. The new controller (which came out alongside the Xbox Series X|S consoles) has a share button for sharing screenshots and video clips. One press and you can share both.
It’s very simple and much more straightforward. Which is great. The controller’s hand grips also now have a slightly textured back which helps with gripping the controller. These aren’t rubberized or anything, but there are some small ridges as opposed to just slick plastic. This same kind of texture can be found on the triggers. The standard Xbox Wireless Controller is fairly lightweight, and it doesn’t cost a whole lot so it’s affordable.
Battery life is also decent. Additionally, you can choose to stick with swapping out AA batteries. There is an optional rechargeable battery pack, however. There are a ton of color options as well. All-in-all, it’s a solid Xbox controller that works well and even works across different platforms.
The Best Xbox Controller Overall: Elite Series 2
The Elite Series 2 is Microsoft’s second offering in the pro controller space and while there are dozens of pro controller options out there for Xbox, Microsoft’s official offering stands above the rest overall. From the rubberized hand grips to the adjustable tension in the joysticks, the Elite Series 2 gives you plenty of ways to customize how the controller feels.
On top of this, you can swap between an 8-way or 4-way d-pad, and you get locking triggers in addition to four back paddles. Speaking of the locking triggers (officially called hair trigger locks), these are shorter than on the first Elite Series controller so you get an even faster trigger pull. This is a HUGE advantage in shooter games. The rubberized grips are also wrap-around for full hand coverage. This is another aspect that can help in shooter games because the grips will help if or when your hands start to get sweaty from longer/intense play sessions.
The controller features different thumbstick styles and paddle button styles as well. And, you can access exclusive button-mapping options for your controls inside the app. This is the true endgame controller for anyone who wants a premium option with lots of customization. It also doesn’t hurt that Microsoft now sells parts to repair these if something breaks. Which is a big boon for owners.
Best Third-Party Pro Controller: SCUF Instinct Pro
When it comes to pro controllers for the Xbox, specifically controllers that don’t come from Microsoft, there are none better than the SCUF Instinct Pro. Not even SCUF’s new Valor Pro controller can hold a candle to this beast overall. There are several reasons why this is the best third-party pro option, but the main reason is the triggers. SCUF’s instant triggers are unmatched when it comes to feel and function.
When the company says instant, it means instant. As soon as you lock those triggers into place, the trigger pull is as fast and short as a mouse click. I have tried several different pro controllers for both Xbox and PlayStation platforms, from varying brands, and none seem to come quite as close to that mouse click feel as SCUF. If you play a lot of shooter games, heck even if you like shorter trigger pulls for your action games like Black Myth: Wukong and Elden Ring, these are amazing.
The other really nice thing about the SCUF Instinct Pro is the interchangeable face plates. This is purely an aesthetic thing but it’s an awesome aesthetic thing. I have a few different face plates for mine. Most of which are different solid colors. My favorite, though, is the cherry blossom design which is what you see above. SCUF offers a TON of other options too. And you can buy most of these separately as add-ons. So you can swap to a new plate whenever you want as they just attach via magnets.
You get four back buttons you can map controls to as well, and it’s possible to store up to three different profiles on this controller. So you can easily switch between different sets of controls based on the game. These profiles are designated by their own unique LED color as well, so it’s pretty easy to tell which profile you’re using. Of course, you have the standard Xbox controller features. Including the share button, 3.5mm audio compatibility for headsets, a mute button, and the 8-way d-pad.
SCUF takes things a little further by giving you additional thumbstick options too. The SCUF Instinct Pro is pricey, but it’s very worth it. However, there is one thing worth mentioning that you want to consider if you’re thinking about going with this controller. It doesn’t have Hall Effect Joysticks. If you’re concerned with that, the SCUF Valor Pro does offer those, and it’s also on this list.
Best Controller For Fighting Games: PDP Victrix Pro BFG
If fighting games are your favorite type of game to play, then you absolutely want the Victrix Pro BFG controller from PDP. Why? Because it has swappable button modules and one of those modules is a six-button layout made for fighting games. Then when you’re done playing a fighting game you can swap the module back to a regular layout. It’s quite remarkable and a great value add compared to other pro controllers out there for Xbox.
Now this might not be the only controller that does this now but it’s the only one we’ve seen, and tested. And it works great. There are lots of other awesome features on this controller as well. For example, you have the locking triggers and mappable back buttons. On top of that, this controller comes with support for Dolby Atmos, and it has a lifetime subscription to the Dolby app. So all you have to do to enjoy Dolby Atmos sound in your games is plug a headset into the controller.
Additionally, you can change out the thumbsticks, the d-pad, and the gates. This comes with a low-latency dongle as well for pairing to Xbox or PC, but it can be used over Bluetooth also. So if you want to use it for mobile devices, you can. Or, you can skip the wireless connection altogether and plug the controller in with the included USB-C cable. And to top it all off, PDP even packages everything inside a nice hard shell case. This will help protect the controller during travel so it doesn’t get bumped around.
Another little bonus is the case gives you a place to store all those little extras so you don’t lose them. It’s a win-win. All of that being said, we wouldn’t recommend this controller unless you like fighting games. It’s a great controller for other types of games too. But it shines with fighting games, and since there really aren’t many other (if any) options that let you swap in a fighting module, this is the go-to. If you don’t play fighting games, there are better options on this list.
Best Wired Pro Controller: SCUF Valor Pro
SCUF just launched the Valor Pro controller this month and already it’s won us over. Not only is it affordable, but it has all the hallmarks of what we love about the SCUF Instinct Pro. Save for the wireless connection. That being said, you may not like wireless controllers. They do have the potential to increase input latency, so if you want to avoid all that, just plug the controller in. And if you’re just going to play with the controller plugged in, you might as well go with something like this.
The reason why we’d suggest this over the Instinct Pro is the price. This one starts at $99.99 which is a lot less expensive than the Instinct Pro. However, it still has the locking instant triggers you can engage or disengage. As well as support for multiple saved profiles, and re-mappable back buttons.
What this controller has that the Instinct Pro doesn’t are the adjustable volume controls down at the bottom. If you’re playing with your headset plugged into the controller, you can adjust the volume and mic volume with these controls. This might seem small. But, this way you don’t have to take your hands off the controller to fiddle with volume on your headset.
Another huge benefit is that the Valor Pro has Hall Effect joysticks. These are going to be nearly drift-proof which is a massive benefit over the Instinct Pro. I haven’t personally had any issues with stick drift on my Instinct Pro, but I do have it on my SCUF Reflex FPS for PS5, and let me tell you, it’s no fun to deal with when playing any sort of game that requires high precision.
That won’t really be an issue with this controller because the risk is more or less removed. So if you’re worried about stick drift, or you just want a great pro controller that costs around $100, the SCUF Valor Pro is the controller for you. Keep in mind, that SCUF does offer a lot of customization options for it, and this will increase the price. But ultimately, it’ll still be less money than the Instinct Pro.
Best Wired Standard Controller: PowerA Wired Controller
We’re not going to beat around the bush, this is our pick for the best wired standard controller because of the price. However, that doesn’t mean it’s of lesser quality. PowerA makes great controllers and for a standard controller, this one is hard to beat. It comes with a fairly lengthy cable which means you can easily stretch it across the living room to play on the couches or chairs that are further away. Specifically, the cable is 10 feet long. So unless your couch is an ocean away from the console, this will do just fine.
Plus, this thing is $29.99 at its normal price. Amazon even has it on sale (at the time of writing) for $26.99 which makes it a steal. There aren’t really many special features to speak of since it isn’t a pro controller. You get everything you need to play on Xbox consoles or PC.
It’s also pretty lightweight which is very nice, and it has dual rumble motors for haptic feedback. In fact, the triggers even give haptic feedback using those motors. This will only work in certain games though. The controller is compatible with a PowerA HQ app for calibration and testing too, and this app is available on Windows or directly on the Xbox console. Plus, the controller comes in a few different colors.
Best Xbox Controller For Speed: Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro is an excellent pro controller for Xbox and it has one major benefit over any of the others, and that’s Razer’s Mecha Tactile action buttons. These use the same micro switches that are used in Razer’s gaming mice. So they’re super clicky and they have a very, very short travel time. They don’t feel spongey either which is a pretty nice bonus.
Razer says this controller supports a 1,000Hz polling rate when it’s plugged in. So if you play games competitively, even if not professionally at tournaments, this is going to be a big advantage. You can also opt to use Razer’s Hyperspeed Wireless dongle that runs on a 2.4GHz connection. This is low-latency, but it won’t have as high of a polling rate as when the controller is wired. So choose what works best for you.
Razer has also improved on the Hyper Triggers. These now have much more of a mouse click-style feel than Razer’s past iterations of it. And it’s potentially the closest we’ve seen on any pro controller when compared to the SCUF Instinct Pro and Reflex FPS. The only other ones we like almost as much are the triggers on the DualSense Edge. Because the ones on the Wolverine V3 Pro are just about as good as that, this is a huge improvement in our book. In fact, they might be slightly better.
Another big improvement is the inclusion of Hall Effect joysticks. Again, this is an instant bonus for anyone, especially if you’ve dealt with stick drift before. Not to mention, you can choose between taller and shorter thumbstick caps.
Best Controller With Force Feedback Triggers: Flydigi Apex 4
The one big drawback with this controller is that it doesn’t officially support Xbox consoles. It might never get that official support, or even currently work at all without some sort of fiddling with software. That being said, since Xbox games can be played on your PC and on your phone through the Xbox app and through cloud gaming on mobile, we’re including this controller on the list for that reason alone.
It also happens to be the best controller that works with Xbox games and offers force feedback on the triggers. It’s not the only controller that does this. However, it is the one option that seems to feel as close to what Sony has done with the DualSense as possible. Those haptic triggers are absolutely amazing. As they add a level of immersion to games that we didn’t know was possible. Flydigi has sort of mimicked this with the Apex 4 and quite honestly it’s really cool.
It is worth mentioning of course, that the force feedback may not work in every single game. For Sony’s controller, this had to be added in by the developers. With that said, it’s very cool here when it works. You can also use the PC app for this controller to customize a ton of different stuff from the joysticks to the triggers. Speaking of the joysticks, you can adjust the tension on them here just like with the Elite Series 2. Another neat bonus is that this supports wired and wireless 1,000Hz polling rates.
So if you like speed for your controller inputs, this offers it. It’s a shame that it doesn’t support Xbox consoles. But, if you have a PC and carry-over to play your Xbox games on it, then this controller is pretty awesome.
Best Budget Xbox Controller: GameSir G7 SE
All of the controllers on this list are great, but not all of them are affordable. If you want something that is both affordable and offers some extra pro-like features, look no further than the G7 SE from GameSir.
This is a wired controller so it’s a little easier on the wallet. The reason is, that it doesn’t have all the wireless tech that generally pushes the price tag up. However, it does feature some nice pro functionality. This starts with the remappable back buttons. These can come in handy for lots of different things and different game types. I tend to use them for my dodges and blocks in games like Elden Ring. Or for jumping and sliding in Call of Duty. You’d be surprised how much of an advantage you get when mapping those controls.
In doing it this way, you don’t have to remove your thumbs from the joysticks. So you can turn and aim at the same time. It’s great. The GameSir G7 SE also has Hall Effect sticks. And you know what that means by now. No issues with stick drift.
It also works with Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC. It supports Steam Big Picture mode as well, and you should be able to use it with the Steam Deck if you have a USB-A to USB-C adapter. Lastly, this controller is $39.99. That’s a price we can get behind.
2025-02-27 15:09:14