You might not understand it, however we’re dwelling in a golden age of gaming controllers. The gamepads in the marketplace now are higher high quality, extra versatile, and extra customizable than something from only a few console generations in the past. That contains the plethora of third-party choices from the likes of PowerA, Scuf, Nacon, and Turtle Beach, in addition to first-party controllers from the console makers. The days of a budget, “little sibling” controller that seemed cool however barely labored are over.

Now, you may select from a wide range of controllers, and should you’re enjoying throughout Xbox and Windows PC, the identical choice works for each. So, let’s say your console of selection is the Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S. What’s the most suitable choice for you? Well, we examined an entire slew of controllers to search out the most effective Xbox controller you should buy.

The customary Xbox Wireless Controller got here away as our best choice, which can sound apparent, nevertheless it’s the most effective for a cause — versatility, consolation, and far more. Beyond that, we’ll stroll you thru some strengths and weaknesses of different controllers worthy of your consideration, starting from premium choices just like the Xbox Elite Series 2 and Scuf Instinct Pro to some high quality finances picks just like the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller.

There are, after all, older, discontinued fashions which can be nonetheless appropriate — as Xbox One controllers are ahead appropriate with the Xbox Series X / S — however our focus is to information you thru what to purchase that’s often accessible proper now. We’ve obtained classes to assist steer your buying choice and discover the appropriate one for you, together with customizable choices which will provide you with a tiny edge in aggressive multiplayer video games. Plus, with Amazon Prime Day developing on July 12 and thirteenth, it’s seemingly many of those controllers might go on sale.

1. Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller

The greatest Xbox controller for most individuals

Okay, I already know what you’re pondering. “The best controller for Xbox is the one that comes with the Xbox?” That might look like a no brainer, however I guarantee you this “standard” controller really does earn this title as the most suitable choice for many Xbox avid gamers. It might lack a number of the additional options that we’ll go over on premium choices, however this controller is the distillation of 4 generations and quite a few first-party controllers earlier than it — and it reveals.

This is the one inexpensive wi-fi choice on the market, because of Microsoft’s proprietary wi-fi protocol. While some might hate that it comes with AA batteries as a substitute of a built-in rechargeable cell, that additionally means it’s versatile, permitting for rechargeable AAs or a battery pack. It additionally works as a wired accent when paired with a USB-C cable, and user-replaceable batteries imply you’re not caught with a controller that doesn’t maintain its cost after years of use.

Xbox Wireless Controller

The official Xbox Wireless Controller has a devoted share button for saving clips and screenshots and sharing them on-line, Bluetooth assist, and a USB-C port for charging up Microsoft’s play-and-charge rechargeable battery.

But the standard-issue Xbox pad isn’t simply nice due to its connectivity. The {hardware} itself is superb for the controller’s $60 asking worth. The sticks, buttons, triggers, and the sunken dish-shaped D-pad all really feel impeccably tight, with the latter having a satisfying clickiness to it. If you’re a hardcore combating sport fan, it’s possible you’ll be higher served by an arcade stick or a controller geared towards that style — one with an impeccable D-pad like Hori’s Horipad Pro — however the Xbox Wireless Controller is an distinctive jack-of-all-trades.

The solely factor it actually lacks in comparison with pricier choices are additional, customizable buttons and software program tuning for issues like stick sensitivity, although Microsoft does provide beauty customization by way of its Xbox Design Lab, which ranges from $69.99 to $99.94 relying on the configuration. There’s lots to like about these controllers, whether or not you make your individual or select one from the assorted colours Microsoft continues to supply.

2. PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller

The greatest finances controller for Xbox

If you’re in search of a fantastic controller however you don’t have some huge cash to spend — and also you don’t thoughts a cable — PowerA’s Enhanced Wired Controller affords an impeccable worth with out sacrificing an excessive amount of. Its full retail worth is $37.99, however some colorways can dip as little as round $25. Speaking of colours, the Enhanced Wired Controller is available in all kinds of hues and designs, together with licensed ones from sport franchises like Mass Effect and Fallout. Some of those designs might make you believe you studied these are low-cost, cringe-inducing knockoffs, however the high quality of the controller might shock you while you use it.

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller

The PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is a budget-minded wired controller for Xbox and PC that connects through Micro USB and options two customizable buttons on its rear. It’s supplied in many alternative colours and licensed designs.

First off, let’s get its largest draw back out of the best way: it makes use of a Micro USB connection (gross, I do know). You not less than get a prolonged, removable cable with it, however not having a reversible connector is annoying. Thankfully, nothing else about this controller feels so outdated. Its construct high quality is simply advantageous, and it even has two mappable rear buttons constructed into the grips — which is nice to have at such an inexpensive worth level.

The remainder of the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is an entire lot of desk stakes, nevertheless it executes all the things fairly properly for a ridiculously inexpensive worth. PowerA omitted impulse set off rumble, but when there’s any characteristic to low-cost out on, I’d say that’s the appropriate selection. On the flip aspect, the Enhanced Wired Controller comes with a two-year guarantee, which is twice so long as dear choices like Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 provide.

PowerA affords an entire lot of bang-for-your-buck with the Enhanced Wired Controller should you’re on a good finances. It’s additionally price mentioning that if in case you have a bit extra to spend, the PowerA Fusion Pro 2 is one other nice controller that punches above its weight class. The Fusion Pro 2 seems a bit like an imitator of Microsoft’s Elite Series 2, however its full worth of $89.99 normally drops as little as $62.99. This is one to go for should you’re in search of a premium controller with added options, like 4 rear paddles and rubberized grips, however you might have a finances nearer to a normal Xbox controller.

PowerA Fusion Pro 2

The PowerA Fusion Pro is an inexpensive various to the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. It comes with swappable sticks, mappable rear paddle buttons, friction rings, and a zip-up case. This wired controller additionally has a 3.5mm jack for taking part in with headphones and connects through USB-C.

The greatest premium controller for Xbox

The Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is Microsoft’s fancied-up, premium model of the inventory controller. It’s additionally older, having been launched a yr earlier than the Xbox Series X / S consoles arrived. So whereas it does sport a USB-C port and wi-fi assist, it lacks the handy Share button discovered on the most recent Xbox Wireless Controller. However, it makes up for that in droves with distinctive construct high quality, additional buttons, user-swappable sticks and D-pad, and many customization.

If you decide up an Xbox Elite controller, you immediately acknowledge the standard of supplies put into it. Where the usual controller makes use of an unassuming plastic construct, the Elite mixes increased high quality plastic with rubberized grips and bits of steel. Combine this with its built-in rechargeable battery, and the Elite is noticeably heavier than its lower-cost brethren. It additionally comes packaged with a charging dock and zip-up case with passthrough charging.

Xbox Elite Series 2

The Xbox Elite Series 2 is definitely one in all our favourite controllers at The Verge. It’s an enchancment on the already wonderful Elite Controller, with deep customization, non-compulsory rear paddle buttons, and a swappable D-pad and analog sticks that permit you to tailor its format to fit your play fashion.

As wonderful because the match and end are, the important thing parts which will provide you with a aggressive edge are the hair-trigger locks and rear paddle buttons. In idea, the hair set off will get photographs off sooner when enjoying shooters, and the rear paddles permit you to leap, crouch, reload, and many others., with out taking your thumb off the appropriate stick for aiming. However, utilizing that many buttons on the again of the controller positively takes some adjustment. You have to coach new muscle reminiscence, and because it requires dexterity with extra fingers, they’re not for everybody.

These premium options come at a steep price, too. The Elite Series 2 is often priced at $179.99, and despite the fact that it continuously drops to $139.99, it’s nonetheless greater than twice as costly as an everyday Xbox controller. You have to essentially need its additional options and person customization, and should you’re not utilizing its rear paddles or the software program changes for stick sensitivity, you’re not getting your cash’s price.

You should additionally remember that the Elite has a little bit of a popularity for lackluster high quality management, with horror tales from customers about going by way of a number of replacements below guarantee. Microsoft prolonged the controller’s guarantee from 90-days to a yr in late 2020 to assist handle considerations, however shopping for an Elite Series 2 should really feel like a barely dangerous proposition. However, while you land that good sequence — switching to your pistol and touchdown a headshot with a fast pop-pop of the hair set off whereas your thumbs keep firmly planted on the sticks — it may possibly really feel price it.

4. Scuf Instinct Pro

An even pricier runner-up to the Elite

The Scuf Instinct Pro finds itself in a little bit of a bizarre spot, because it’s the one wi-fi choice from a 3rd social gathering, nevertheless it’s by far the costliest Xbox controller round (it begins at $199.99). The one I examined clocked in at $263.91 with a particular faceplate and added coloration accents. That’s greater than the Xbox Series S often sells for, which is a complete console. Still, you’re in for a deal with should you’re okay with spending that form of cash, because the Instinct Pro is arguably higher than Microsoft’s Elite in some very particular methods — primarily, its consolation and implementation of rear buttons and hair triggers.

Scuf Instinct Pro

Scuf’s Instinct Pro is its top-tier controller for Xbox consoles and PC. It is the one third-party wi-fi choice round, and for its very excessive worth, you get rubberized grips, built-in mappable rear paddle buttons, hair-trigger locks, swappable sticks, and user-configurable cosmetics.

The Instinct Pro has very distinctive rear buttons, and I really favor them. Instead of paddles, there are 4 rocker-like buttons constructed into the controller’s physique that you simply push towards or away out of your hand with a center finger. It nonetheless requires coaching your mind a bit to get accustomed to it, however I discovered them extra intuitive.

Rear buttons apart, the Scuf’s different huge characteristic is its hair triggers, which have the quickest response of all of the controllers examined right here. Just flick a swap on the again, and the left and proper triggers really feel such as you’re clicking a mouse — it’s extremely satisfying. The hair triggers, rear buttons, and the superb textured grip materials on the controller’s underside go an extended technique to make this controller a pleasure to make use of.

The Instinct Pro looks like Scuf primarily hot-rodded a inventory Xbox controller, however like several boutique merchandise, it comes with an enormous price. Meanwhile, it nonetheless makes use of AA batteries and lacks software program customization, in order a lot as I take pleasure in utilizing it, I’d solely advise getting one should you’re tremendous obsessed with its very particular qualities otherwise you completely love the colourful accents and magnetically swappable faceplates on Scuf’s configurator.

5. Nacon Revolution X

The greatest customizable controller

RIG’s Nacon Revolution X could also be worthy of an award for horrible naming, however its actual strengths are in its deep customization. If you’re the sort that likes to endlessly tinker with numerous detailed settings, that is the controller for you. Normally priced at $99.99, the wired Revolution X and its added options don’t come low-cost, however the worth is slightly fairer when you think about the competitors it squares up in opposition to.

When you first decide up the Revolution X, it appears very unassuming — and borderline low-cost. While it’s not a looker, it’s a type follows perform kind of controller. It’s comfortable to make use of, and its 4 rear buttons constructed into the grips are giant and properly contoured. The actual stars of this present, nonetheless, are the analog sticks and their software program customizations, in addition to the expansive customized choices for different inside workings of the controller.

Nacon Revolution X

The RIG Nacon Revolution X is a wired controller for Xbox consoles and Windows PCs that provides a slew of detailed software program customization choices. It’s additionally obtained 4 customizable rear buttons, adjustable sticks, and non-compulsory weights to insert into the grips to provide it extra heft.

While different user-customizable controllers have three person profiles you may swap between on the fly, the Revolution X has 4 — plus a “classic” mode with primary settings and a hoop of RGB gentle round the appropriate stick with remind you what mode you’re in. The software program app just isn’t probably the most user-friendly, however the controls go very in-depth. Thankfully, there are useful beginning factors with presets for arcade combating video games, racing, FPS video games, and even sniping. It makes it a lot simpler to know when you might have examples for various genres of video games. Add the power to customise and remap each button on the controller, in addition to a Dolby Atmos for Headphones app license, and also you’ve obtained numerous customization choices.

The customization doesn’t cease with software program, audio, or lighting, nonetheless. The Revolution X comes with ring spacers to regulate the vary of the analog sticks, too, in addition to a collection of small weights starting from 10g to 16g, which you’ll insert into its grips to provide them an extra quantity of heft.

Adding up all these options, you see why the Nacon is such a fantastic controller for tinkering. It took me time to heat as much as it, however upon setting it up the best way I most popular, it made for a really compelling controller in a wide range of sport varieties.

The greatest controller for shooters

Turtle Beach is understood for its headsets, so it is smart that its Recon wired controller options some strong audio controls. Its strengths actually come into focus when enjoying first-person shooters, the place its Superhuman Hearing mode tweaks the audio of any wired headset to attract out footsteps and distant gunfire within the combine. At its common worth of round $60, and as soon as promoting as little as $29.99, the Recon is a reasonably inexpensive technique to acquire a slight aggressive edge in multiplayer video games with out spending properly over $100 on a controller.

This pad isn’t going to win any magnificence contests because of all these awkward buttons positioned smack-dab in the midst of its brow, however every one has a sound objective. There are 4 ranges of microphone monitoring, general sport quantity controls, sport chat quantity combine, 4 EQ presets, 4 programmable modes for mapping the 2 rear buttons, and 4 ranges of non-compulsory right-stick sensitivity changes. That final characteristic, dubbed Pro Aim by Turtle Beach, lowers the sensitivity of the appropriate analog stick when you maintain the right-hand rear button, permitting for very small actions like sniping, although it’s a bit clumsy to make use of.

Turtle Beach Recon Controller

Turtle Beach’s Recon Controller is a USB-C wired gamepad that provides a substantial amount of audio tweaking for wired headsets. Its Superhuman Hearing mode attracts out footsteps and gunfire within the combine, and the 2 rear buttons assist make it nice for FPS video games.

Learning to make use of all these controls might sound daunting, however the controller’s quick-start guide makes it simpler. Superhuman Hearing may be very useful for shooters and value utilizing extensively for video games like Halo Infinite — simply remember that it’s going to muddy up the soundtrack slightly, so it’s possible you’ll need to depart it off throughout story-driven, single-player video games.

Audio controls apart, the Recon lacks fancy options like hair triggers and swappable thumbsticks, and the D-pad seems like the usual Xbox Wireless Controller however pales as compared. The controller’s plastic construct feels low-cost, however the rubbery grips redeem it with a pleasant and cozy really feel. As for the sticks, triggers, and extra rear buttons, all of them really feel tight and snappy. Combine that with Superhuman Hearing, and also you’ve obtained a fantastic recipe for shooters. The Recon has a little bit of a studying curve, however should you play ranked matches and worth a reasonably priced wired controller with additional buttons and useful audio capabilities, you may’t go fallacious right here.

Other controllers price realizing about

• Razer’s Wolverine V2 Chroma is a feast for the ears and eyes, because of very clicky buttons and a strip of RGB lighting alongside the grips. It has extra customizable buttons than some other controller (six complete), although their positioning requires reaching, and it’s a dear controller.
• Briefly talked about above, the Horipad Pro has among the best D-pads round. It additionally affords numerous software program customization at an inexpensive worth, however its shoulder buttons are a bit stiff.
• The Nacon Pro Compact Controller has a number of the Revolution X’s wonderful software program customization at a much lower price. It’s additionally one of many smallest choices round, although the ergonomics might really feel hit and miss relying in your hand dimension.
• One of the dumbest but most lovable controllers is the Hyperkin Duke. This reissue of the unique Xbox pad is a love letter to the salad days of 2001. It’s simply not nice to make use of for contemporary video games. Thankfully it comes with a show stand, because it’s extra of a collector piece.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge