Whether adding an extra controller or picking up an extra for your friends, there’s no better time to get on some quality gear. The best Xbox controllers are tried-and-true options that work well across genres and even on PC through adapters.
The Xbox Series X controllers are durable and comfortable during long gaming sessions, while the Elite Series 2 has cutting-edge components. Both are now on sale.
Save Money
A new Xbox controller can be an expensive investment. However, there are ways to save money on these accessories. Look for deals on second-hand or refurbished controllers to grab a cheap Xbox One controller. Websites like eBay and second-hand markets regularly feature these controllers at a fraction of their original price. Additionally, retailers like Amazon often offer early prime day discounts on gaming accessories.
Another option is to buy a third-party controller. While these may not have the same build quality as Microsoft’s first-party gamepads, they perform equally well and tend to cost significantly less. Some also include extra features that can make your gameplay more immersive, such as customizable button layouts and swappable paddles.
Save Time
If you require an Xbox controller, whether due to a busted old one or wanting an extra for co-op gaming sessions with friends, now is the time to pick up a good deal. You can find quality controllers starting at $40.
A standard wireless Xbox controller that works with Xbox Series X and S consoles, Windows PCs and Macs via Bluetooth, and some smartphones. This sleek controller has a streamlined design and textured grip that makes for comfortable play, even during lengthy gaming sessions. It also has features like a rechargeable battery (instead of disposable AAs), customizable buttons and analog sticks, extra rear paddle triggers, and a headset jack.
You can customize your controller by creating it in the Xbox Design Lab, which lets you pick a color or pattern that reflects your gaming style. It’s a great way to personalize your gaming experience.
A higher-end Xbox controller with Xbox Series X and S consoles, PCs, Macs, and some Android phones via Bluetooth. It’s loaded with features, including a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 30 hours between charges, programmable buttons that let you remap controls to suit your game, sensitivity adjustments for high-stakes games requiring precise timing, and headphone jacks for voice chat and audio.
Save Space
If you’ve already invested in a new Xbox Series X / S console or want to upgrade the controller that came with your system, you’ll find many deals on the flagship Xbox wireless controller right now. Microsoft’s fancied-up Elite Series 2 controller is a little more expensive but offers a great hand feel and an array of extra features, including programmable buttons, user-swappable sticks, and D-pads. On the other hand, the Xbox Series X / S controller is a more affordable update to a previous-gen controller with an improved grip, a new USB-C port, and a useful Share button for screenshots. The only downside is that it continues to rely on AA batteries, which may require you to keep a box of rechargeables close at hand.
Fortunately, you can save even more money by skipping the Microsoft Xbox controller and going straight for a third-party model. It’s bigger than the 2020 version of Microsoft’s standard controller but has excellent build quality and a comfortable hand feel. Best of all, it works for both Xbox and Windows games and meshes perfectly with the control layout of most PC titles. It also has a long battery life, so you can keep it charged between game sessions.
Save Energy
You don’t want to run out of batteries when using a controller for a long gaming session. It can be a major headache to stop mid-game to recharge. Invest in some high-quality rechargeable batteries. These will charge faster and maintain 70% of their full capacity when they aren’t being used.
You can also save on electricity costs by limiting your controller usage. Lithium-ion batteries drain much faster when used, so charge them at the end of a gaming session and then put them away. Additionally, you can reduce battery consumption by avoiding excessive use of the rumble feature. When a controller is low on power, rumble mode will disable itself to preserve the remaining battery life. It can be a huge drawback in certain game genres, especially if you play competitive shooters. One way to significantly cut your gaming energy consumption is using a headset, which can take the strain off your controller’s battery. There are plenty of options available for Xbox, including wireless headsets that connect to your controller via Bluetooth. Alternatively, you can pick up a wired headset with a standard 3.5mm headphone jack or an Xbox wireless adapter for a PC that will work with Windows 10 computers.
