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Specs:

• Battery: 40 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: None
• Connectivity: Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

No surprise here. The first-party Xbox Wireless Controller is the most obvious choice if you’re looking for a new controller. Slightly revised when the Xbox Series X|S launched, the “Core” model has some nice improvements that make an already great controller even better. It’s a tad smaller, has textured grips and triggers, and swaps the standard D-pad for an eight-way design that’s has a bit more click to it. One of the most notable additions is the Share button, which gives Xbox players an easy way to quickly snap screenshots and record footage.

The Xbox Wireless Controller is available in a wide variety of colors. For the price, you can’t beat it–and it’s not uncommon for this controller to be on sale. The Xbox Wireless Controller remains one of the most comfortable and solid controllers in 2023–across all platforms. All Xbox owners already have at least one, but this is definitely a controller that players wind up owning multiple of. It’s also a superb option for PC and mobile devices via Bluetooth.

Specs:

• Battery: 40 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Four back paddles, swappable thumbstick and D-pad styles, more button mapping options, trigger locks
• Connectivity: Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Though the standard Xbox controller is the “best” due to performance and price, if you want the highest-performing controller with an ultra-premium build, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is the clear winner.

Made with sturdier materials and weighted just enough to give it an unparalleled feel, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is one of those controllers that’s impressive before you even start gaming with it in your hands. It boasts textured hand and trigger grips as well as metal analog sticks and D-pads.

The analog stick caps and D-pads can be swapped on the fly with the included customization kit. Four additional stick caps (domed and different heights) are included in the hardshell carrying case. It comes with an eight-way D-pad and a standard cross model.

Other customization features on the actual controller itself include adjustable stick tension and trigger stops. An included tool lets you alter stick tension to your liking, and switches on the back of the controller allow you to lock triggers at three different pull distances.

Perhaps most importantly, the Elite Series 2 has four removable back paddles that easily snap into place. These are located in just the right spots to make them feel natural to press.

You can use the Xbox Accessories App to remap inputs and save up to three unique controller profiles that can be cycled through on the fly. You can also tinker with rumble intensity in the app and create custom “shift” keys to add even more control inputs.

The controller and all of the spare components are conveniently stored inside the included carrying case. It comes with a USB-C cable that gives the Elite Series 2 an impressive 40 hours of battery life on a full charge.

The Elite Series 2 is roughly three times as expensive as the standard Xbox controller. It may not be worth it unless you are serious about online multiplayer games, but it’s arguably the best controller on the market today (for any platform).

Specs:

• Battery: 30 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Four programmable back buttons; built-in OLED screen and on-control settings menu; trigger stops
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is a slick-looking pro controller with a bunch of great features you won’t see on other gamepads. The main draw is its built-in 1.5-inch OLED screen used to adjust various controller settings on the fly, including button mapping, analog stick sensitivity, headphone EQ mixing, and RGB lighting modes. You can also create up to 10 different control profiles, which is a lot more than most customizable controllers offer. The screen doesn’t use touch controls and instead features a toggle that lets you use the buttons and thumbsticks to navigate the menus. You can even pair the controller to your Android device or iPhone to get notification pop-ups on the screen. As an alternative to the included screen, you can use Turtle Beach’s Control Center 2 app on Xbox or PC to customize your settings.

The Stealth Ultra retains the basic form factor of first-party Xbox controllers, which certainly isn’t a bad thing. It has great ergonomics that make it comfortable to use for lengthy gaming sessions, and the included handle grips are a nice touch. It is, however, lightweight and the shell material isn’t as sturdy. The weighty feel of the Elite Series 2 simply feels more premium.

Where the Stealth Ultra’s build outshines Microsoft’s controller is with the controls themselves. Most of the inputs–face, shoulder, and back buttons as well as the D-pad–utilize microswitches similar to Razer’s Wolverine V2 Chroma. Essentially, they mimic a mouse click, actuating faster and with shorter presses. The analog sticks use Hall Effect sensor technology, which combats stick drift from developing over time. It also has trigger stops, though there are only two settings versus the three found on the Elite Series 2.

Though the controls are superb, what you see is what you get with the Stealth Ultra. Unlike many other pro-style controllers around this price, the Ultra doesn’t have any swappable parts like alternate D-pad or thumbstick styles. To be fair, we haven’t come across a controller with swappable Hall Effect sticks or microswitch D-pads. Considering Hall Effect sensors utilize magnetic fields in order to work, interchangeable sticks–which are often magnetic–may not even be feasible without a modular design.

Either way, the vast software customizations make the Stealth Ultra one of the most impressive and technologically advanced controllers around. That said, it’s also one of the priciest at $200.

The Stealth Ultra supports wireless 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless or wired USB-C connections. It comes with a 10-foot USB-C cable, charging dock, 2.4GHz USB dongle, a hardshell carrying case, and four rubberized thumbstick caps.

Specs:

• Battery: 20 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes, but sold separately
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Modular design, back buttons, adjustable trigger sensitivity, and thumbstick options
• Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wireless; Wired (USB-C)
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

PDP’s Victrix Pro BFG has been one of our favorite controllers on PlayStation, and now that an Xbox version is available, it easily takes this category. The controller comes with multiple modules you can swap to on the fly that change its layout and functionality. You get the standard dual thumbsticks, d-pad, and four face buttons by default, but this can be changed to a six-button layout that’s perfect for fighting games. There are also multiple D-pad options included, and you can modify the thumbsticks with different stick lengths, thumb cap styles, and directional gates. You can even rotate the left stick’s position to have a parallel thumb placement like on a PlayStation controller.

In addition to the modular design, there are other customization options like four programmable back buttons and adjustable trigger sensitivity. While the standard Victrix Pro does not feature Hall Effect sticks, you can purchase an upgrade module separately.

The $180 price tag is high, but it’s worth it. Few controllers offer the depth and breadth of customization that the Victrix Pro BFG provides.

Specs:

• Battery: 20 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Hot-swappable, rotating button and thumbstick modules; Adjustable trigger and thumbstick sensitivity; Customizable D-pad; mini-LED screen; four remappable buttons with up to five profiles.
• Connectivity: Wired USB (Xbox and PC); 2.4GHz Wireless and Bluetooth (PC, Android)
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PC, Android

Modular controllers have become more popular and competitive in recent years, but many of the best options cost $200 or more (sometimes much more). Luckily, Turtle Beach’s Stealth Pivot bucks that trend, offering a comparatively affordable modular gamepad option on Xbox and PC.

Unlike other modular controllers with detachable pieces, the Stealth Pivot features two rotating modules integrated into the gamepad. These modules can be flipped to match different gaming styles, such as a standard Xbox layout for first-person shooters and a six-button fight pad for fighting games. While this limits the number of possible layouts compared to other modular devices, it also makes for a much simpler user experience since you don’t need to keep track of the various modular bits. Everything is already integrated into the controller, and you can swap between the layouts on the fly.

The controller has other customizable elements, too, including adjustable trigger and thumbstick sensitivity, remappable buttons, and a mini-LED for alerts and selecting between button mapping profiles (it supports up to five profiles). While it only supports wired connections on Xbox, PC and mobile users can use it wirelessly with up to 20 hours of battery life.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: Yes
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Two extra rear buttons, remappable inputs, trigger/thumbstick sensitivity, rumble intensity, custom profiles
• Connectivity: USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

8BitDo makes some of the best controllers around, so it was great news when the manufacturer announced it would produce Xbox controllers. The 8BitDo Ultimate is a wired controller with a sleek look and excellent customization features. Its buttons, triggers, and sticks all feel great, and as of the most recent hardware revision, the sticks now feature Hall Effect sensors to prevent joystick drift. Best of all? It’s available for under $50, which makes it a steal considering what you’re getting here.

The 8BitDo Ultimate has two programmable back buttons and can store up to three custom profiles. You can download 8BitDo’s Ultimate software on your Xbox, PC, or smartphone to tweak several settings to get the controller operating the way you like it. You can change thumbstick and trigger sensitivity and adjust the force of the rumble. All of the buttons can be remapped using the software, too. You can cycle through your trio of profiles whenever you want with the press of a button, which makes this wired controller awesome for those who play multiple online games regularly.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Two extra rear buttons, remappable inputs, trigger/thumbstick sensitivity, rumble intensity, custom profiles
• Connectivity:
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

The 8BitDo Pro 2 was the first officially licensed Xbox controller released by the manufacturer. It has the same design as the Pro 2 that has been popular for the Nintendo Switch for years. As such, the analog stick layout mirrors PlayStation’s approach to controllers. If you play fighting games a lot, this stick and D-pad layout may be preferable. It’s also great for retro games or modern side-scrollers that play better with a D-pad. Outside of the reversed position and its retro-inspired form factor, the 8BitDo Pro 2 has the same great features as the 8BitDo Ultimate.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: Two remappable rear buttons, nhanced headset audio
• Connectivity: USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

The Turtle Beach Recon is another affordable pro-style controller that’s worth checking out. This officially licensed controller has a lightweight but sturdy design. Its face buttons look and feel nearly identical to the regular Xbox controllers. While the sticks are a bit looser, they still feel great. The Recon also has a pair of excellent back triggers with textured grips that are located in the perfect spot. The handle grips also offer an improvement on the regular Xbox controller. The D-pad is a bit underwhelming, as it has a rigid feel to it. On the plus side, you get all of the same menu buttons here, including the new Share button.

The main perk of the the Recon is that it has built-in audio features when using a 3.5mm headset (it doesn’t have to be a Turtle Beach headset). Dubbed “Superhuman Hearing,” the audio tech can help you identify the nature of sounds and where they came from in competitive multiplayer games. You also get full control of your game/chat mix, EQ, and other general audio settings directly on the controller.

The Recon plugs into your Xbox via the included USB-C to USB-A cable. Overall, the Recon falls just short of the 8BitDo in terms of feel and performance, but it’s still a solid controller and the audio features are unique for sure.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: USB
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

In addition to Hyperkin’s wide array of retro gaming hardware that lets you play old games easily, it has a few retro-inspired accessories. One of those is the Hyperkin X91, an Xbox Series X controller that’s scrunched down into a SNES-like form factor. Despite the small size of this gamepad, everything you need in a controller is there and it all works surprisingly well. From the analog sticks to the face buttons, the X91 recreates the full controller feel almost perfectly. One downside is that the triggers can feel a bit squishy as opposed to the smooth feel of the triggers on a DualShock or regular Xbox controller.

And if you have a gaming laptop and play on the go often, the X91 is the perfect size for travel. Unfortunately, this controller only works through wired USB. While that means you don’t have to worry about battery life, having a thick cord connected can make it a bit clunky to have around. The form factor may also make it slightly more difficult to be precise with the analog sticks since there isn’t much you can grip to keep the controller steady. However, if you need a small, fully-featured gamepad for less intense games, the X91 is a fine choice.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: N/A
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: None
• Connectivity: USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

If you find yourself playing lots of retro games, platformers, or indie games that require precise D-pad inputs–or you just want playing old games to feel more authentic–then we recommend 8BitDo’s M30. This wired USB controller is designed to look like the classic Sega Genesis controller, sporting a D-pad, six face buttons, and shoulder triggers. However, it’s bulkier than the Sega Genesis pad (in a good way), and a slightly altered shape for more ergonomic handgrips. It also includes Xbox Guide, share, and options buttons found on the normal Xbox controller, as well as a toggle that lets you map left or right thumbstick inputs to the D-pad for navigating menus.

While the lack of thumbsticks will limit its use for most modern games, it would pair well with the Sega Classics collection or Rare Replay, not to mention numerous indie platformers. It’s also great for fighting games, including modern titles like Street Fighter 6, thanks to its six-button layout and lag-free inputs.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: USB
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

The Hyperkin Duke was made purely out of nostalgia for the original launch Xbox controller from way back in 2001–it was this hulking gamepad with oddly shaped and offset face buttons. So there wasn’t much surprise when it was quickly surpassed by the Controller S, which became the standard design moving forward. But if you have larger hands, the Duke might be a better fit.

Hyperkin has made a name for itself by recreating retro gaming experiences through its wide range of hardware, and its Duke controller very much resembles the original Xbox controller in terms of size and button layout, but with a few modern touches. While original Xbox controllers had black/white buttons instead of left/right bumpers, Hyperkin incorporated small bumpers so the Duke would make sense for playing today’s games. The huge logo on the center of the controller is a screen that also acts as the home button–when you power on, the screen displays the old Xbox splash screen. Otherwise, it’s a faithful recreation of the Duke that now works through USB for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.

Specs:

• Battery: 30 hours
• Hall Effect sticks: N/A
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: N/A
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, USB-C
• Supported platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

While fight sticks aren’t required for fighting games–and won’t magically make you a footsie pro–they do make for a more authentic arcade experience, and can even make nailing super moves or combos a little more comfortable. Unfortunately, most good-quality fight sticks are prohibitively expensive, especially for curious newbies looking to try them out.

Luckily, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is an excellent fight stick that costs just a few dollars more than a standard Xbox controller. It features premium buttons with great response time, though you can also swap out the buttons and joysticks with components from other fight sticks, giving it some decent modding potential. It’s also smaller than many other fight sticks, which some players may prefer over the bulkier options out there.

The 8BitDo Arcade Stick supports wireless Bluetooth and 2.4Ghz connections, or you can plug it in via a USB-C cable. It also has a 2.3mm audio jack, so you can plug in a gaming headset or pair of headphones.

Overall, the 8BitDo Arcade Stick is a solid, streamlined fight stick that works great for new fighting game fans and casual players.

Specs:

• Battery: N/A
• Hall Effect sticks: No
• Headphone jack: Yes
• Pro features: None
• Connectivity: USB-C or Lightning port
• Supported platforms: Android, iOS (remote play via Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, PC)

Smartphone controller grips are great. They easily slot onto your Android or iPhone and turn it into a gaming handheld with a similar form factor to a Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck. While there are many such devices out there, our favorite is the Backbone One.

The Backbone One is available in multiple models: the standard version features ABXY button labels and layouts familiar to Xbox players, and a version with PlayStation-style button labels, though both versions work with Xbox games. You can get both versions in either a USB-C model that supports Android and iPhone 15 devices or newer, or a lightning port model that works with older iPhone models. The new Gen 2 Backbone controller also supports phone cases, which is a nice added convenience.

While the standard Backbone One is probably better for Xbox players, the good news is all model are comfortable and feel like premium controllers. The also all work with Xbox remote play, Game Pass Ultimate cloud streaming, and other apps like Amazon Luna, GeForce Now, or remote play from PS5 and Steam. Of course, the backbone One won’t work as a standard controller with your Xbox or other consoles and it lacks features from the standard Xbox pad (not to mention no pro-level features), but the high build quality, comfort, and wide range of support make it our go-to for a dedicate remote play option on a budget–for Xbox or otherwise.