Looking for a new Xbox controller? Paul’s got you covered with 7 of the best Xbox controllers you can buy right now. Whether it’s an affordable replacement or an extra controller for multiplayer, or a professional grade premium controller with customizable buttons, there’s a controller for every type of gamer. And every one of these controllers is compatible with PC, with many also working on Mac, iOS, Android and more.
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0:00 - The Best Xbox (and PC) Controllers 0:25 - Best Budget Xbox Controller 1:14 - Best Overall Xbox Controller 2:25 - Best Premium Xbox Controller 3:43 - Best Wired Xbox Controller 4:31 - Best Xbox Controller for Competition 5:37 - Most Customizable Xbox Controller 6:57 - Best Mobile Xbox Controller 8:42 - How To Pick The Right Xbox Controller
This video provides a comprehensive guide to the best Xbox controllers available, catering to different needs such as budget constraints, professional competitive play, high customization, and mobile gaming. The presenter reviews seven top picks, highlighting their unique features, compatibility with PC and other devices, and pricing.
Looking for a new Xbox controller?
Whether you need a budget pick
to replace the one that you rage quit with too many times,
want the ultimate customization,
or after competitive play,
I've got seven of the best first
and third-party Xbox controllers that you can buy today.
And if you didn't know,
all these controllers also work with PC,
but a lot of them also have support
for Mac, mobile devices, and a lot more.
You'll find the best deals for everything that I'm sharing
linked down below, so let's get into it.
My budget pick for Xbox controllers
is the Gamesir G7 SE Xbox Wire Controller.
For $45, and frequently on sale for around $35,
you get a real quality Xbox controller here
with a lot of features that you normally wouldn't find
at this price point.
It has Hall Effect triggers and analog sticks,
as well as an extra pair of customizable buttons
on the underside of the controller.
And since it ditches a battery,
the Gamesir G7 is super lightweight,
which could be a big plus for longer gaming sessions.
It also comes in some really eye-catching colors,
and the faceplate is actually magnetic and swappable.
You can also change out the analog sticks.
So this is also one of the most customizable
budget Xbox controllers.
The Gamesir G7 SE Xbox Wire Controller
proves that you can get a great controller
without breaking the bank.
Sometimes you don't wanna mess with success.
For most people, the best overall Xbox controller
is still the standard Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller.
There's a good reason this design
and hasn't really changed that much
since the original Xbox One.
It's comfortable, it's built like a tank,
and thanks to its Bluetooth and 2.4 gigahertz connections,
it works with just about everything.
Xbox, PC, Mac, iOS, Android, and even most new smart TVs.
The latest version goes for about $70,
but frequently goes on sale for under 50.
It has a hybrid D-pad for easier diagonal inputs
and comes in more styles than ever.
There are eight standard colors,
tons of special editions like this transparent
Pulse Cipher that I have here,
and you can even customize your very own design
with the Xbox Design Lab.
The controller takes two AA batteries,
but if you want, you can add rechargeable batteries
so that you can swap them in and out more quickly,
but I think going with the Play and Charge Kit
is the way to go because you can just play over USB-C
and charge at the same time.
Of course, you can always just plug this in directly
and play with a wire connection
if the controller is ever dead
or you just want a direct connection to your device.
This may not have all the bells and whistles
like my other picks here,
but this really is the gold standard
for Xbox wireless controllers.
All right, so Microsoft practically invented
the premium controller with the original Elite Series,
so it's not surprising that the Xbox Elite Series 2
is still one of the best Xbox controllers
that you can buy today.
From its clicky buttons to its adjustable analog sticks
to the metal D-pad,
the Elite Series 2 just feels high-end overall.
The rubbery textured grips are a pleasure to hold
and it's solid without feeling too heavy.
And if you spring for the $60 Complete Pack,
you get a case, charging pedestal,
as well as paddle buttons that you can install
in a number of different configurations,
alternate analog sticks, and a cross-style D-pad
that you can all quickly install and swap out
with a satisfying magnetic snap.
With the Xbox Accessories app on your Xbox or your PC,
you can customize almost every single part
of the Elite Series 2.
Fully remap any of the buttons,
adjust the analog sensitivity,
or even change the color and brightness of the Xbox logo.
You can store up to three profiles on this controller,
taking your tweaks with you wherever you play.
For around $150, the Series Elite 2
has the same great compatibility
as the standard Xbox wireless controller,
and it comes in some exciting colors,
including red, white, or blue.
It's my choice for the best premium Xbox controller.
Sometimes you don't wanna worry about charging batteries
or syncing to your devices,
which is why I recommend the PowerA Fusion Pro 4
as the best Xbox wired controller.
It's got a great grippy texture and comfortable design,
and it's packed with a ton of features.
We're talking Hall Effect analog sticks,
customizable back buttons,
and even three-way trigger locks,
which you won't find on the more affordable GameSir G7 SE.
You can also adjust the height of the analog sticks
with PowerA's unique Quick Twist Tech.
Try saying that three times fast.
Choosing between three different height levels.
No need to keep track of swappable sticks,
which I absolutely love.
And for $80, you get a really solidly built controller
with a 10-foot braided USB-C cable.
And when you don't need wireless connectivity,
the PowerA Fusion Pro wired controller is the perfect choice.
If you're looking for an Xbox controller
for competition-level play,
then you have to check out the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro.
Razer built the Wolverine to be tournament-ready,
which includes adding extra-clicky mouse switches
in the buttons, ultra-fast hyper-triggers,
and the highest possible polling rates.
250 hertz wirelessly,
or whenever you're connected to an Xbox,
or 1,000 hertz when you're plugged into a PC.
It's even got these two extra shoulder buttons
that are perfect for players who play claw grip.
The build quality is very premium, too.
Hall-effect thumbsticks
and high-end textured plastic throughout,
and four underside paddle buttons.
Plus, you get a case with alternate thumbsticks,
depending on if you prefer playing with concave
or convex caps.
The buttons and thumbsticks can also be calibrated
and customized with the available controller setup app,
which is on PC and Xbox.
One thing to note, though,
this $200 controller relies on its 2.4 gigahertz USB Type-A
dongle for wireless connectivity, so no Bluetooth.
It's only compatible with Xbox and PC.
But for competitive play,
the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro will not let you down.
What if your Xbox controller could look and feel
a little bit more like a PlayStation controller?
How about a setup for fighting games?
The Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded
is the most customizable Xbox controller
and can easily be adapted to your play style.
Designed with button attachments
that you can easily swap out and rotate,
few controllers come this close to being as customizable.
You can easily switch
to PlayStation-style thumbstick symmetry,
and if you're picky about your D-pads like I am,
it comes with three.
You'll even find an extra-clicky six-button module fight pad.
Add in its four remappable buttons on the underside
and five different stages of trigger locks,
and there's very little that you can't change
about this controller.
The included software also lets you calibrate
the analog sticks and buttons
and even its microphone's EQ setting
when using it with a 3.5-millimeter audio jack.
And when it comes to connectivity,
you've got your choice of Bluetooth
and an ultra-low-latency mode with its USB transmitter
or, of course, USB wired.
On top of all that customization,
this is also a really premium controller.
The triggers and analog sticks are Hall-Effect,
the texture grips are really solid,
and every attachment is neatly organized
in the included carrying case.
Yes, this is a little bit pricey at around $200,
but when it comes to customizability and build quality,
the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is hard to beat.
Remember, this is an Xbox Now.
At least, that's what Microsoft keeps telling us.
With Xbox Game Pass Cloud Streaming
and NVIDIA GeForce Now,
you can easily take your Xbox and PC games,
along with their cloud saves,
wherever you go,
so long as you have a good internet connection.
I've actually got an entire video
sharing the top cloud streaming services
that you can get,
along with some great tips
that you can check out right now.
But to get the best experience with your phone or tablet,
you'll still need a solid mobile controller.
For the most versatility with your mobile devices,
I recommend the Razer Kishi V3 Pro.
It's compatible with USB-C iPhone, Android,
and even fits iPad Mini and tablets up to eight inches,
which I'd argue is the perfect size
for playing your games on the go.
You can also just directly plug this into your PC
and use this as a wire controller if you ever need.
Besides that, one of the reasons I like this so much
is that its build quality and ergonomics
are some of the closest to a real Xbox controller,
compared to the other mobile controllers
that I've tested in the past.
The thumbsticks are swappable
and use tunnel magnetic resonance,
which is supposed to be even less prone
to drift than Hall Effect.
The triggers are only Hall Effect,
but they're specifically designed to be nearly silent.
It has two mouse click buttons on the back
and two claw grip bumpers as well at the top.
This also offers USB-C pass-through charging
and a 3.5 millimeter jack for your wired headphones.
Together, that makes the $150 Kishi V3 Pro my pick
for the best mobile Xbox controller.
But just like all the other Xbox controllers
I've shared today,
the number of mobile-specific controllers
have exploded in just the last year alone.
And I have a dedicated mobile controller buying guide
dropping that you can check out.
Still not sure which controller is right for you.
First, consider where you game most.
Wired controllers can make a lot of sense
if you're sitting closer to your console
or you're at a desk.
But if you're playing further away,
you're probably better off with a wireless controller
so that you don't trip over cables.
That said, wired controllers are still gonna be
a really great choice if you're on a tighter budget
or want something a little bit lighter.
Depending on the games that you play most
or your style of play,
some of these controllers also offer
really unique customization or pro features
which could be worth the extra premium,
but be prepared to pay at least $150.
While most of these controllers are also compatible
with your phones and tablets,
if you primarily play on the go,
a mobile-first controller probably makes most sense
since they also grip your devices at the same time.
Finally, a lot of these controllers
are really good at different things.
Keep in mind that an Xbox can pair
up to eight controllers simultaneously
for your local multiplayer games.
And if you have a bunch of different gaming setups
or different types of games that you like to play,
it never hurts to have a couple
different controllers on hand.
Whichever Xbox controller you do end up going with,
you're going to have a really great gaming experience.
Don't forget to check out the best deals
for everything linked below.
But if there's a controller that you love
or think that I should check out for next time,
let me know in the comments.
If this video helped you out,
make sure to subscribe for more buying guides
and you can follow me to see
what other cool tech I'm reviewing.
Until the next one, I'll catch you later.