Best Xbox Controllers 2024

Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller

Weight: 10.1 ounces | Rechargeable batteries: Sold separately | Connection: Wireless | Battery life: Varies by battery | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Charging: USB-C | Headset: 3.5 mm

Best for: The basics and more, straight from Microsoft.

Pros:

• Included with every Xbox console
• USB-C charging
• Textured plastic for a better grip

Cons:

• Uses AA batteries
• Lacks additional back paddles

Microsoft put in the work to ensure the Xbox Wireless Controller Carbon Black for Series X|S has just about everything players need—and more. This model has an ergonomic design, textured thumbsticks and triggers, a share button, an eight-directional concave D-pad and responsive face buttons. 

One downside is it uses AA batteries, but you can purchase compatible rechargeable batteries separately and charge them in the controller via its USB-C port. You won’t have any downtime in gameplay, since the controller supports charging while you’re using it or while it’s in standby mode. It may not feature the premium goodies like extra back paddles, but this is the best controller for most people, and anyone who loves Xbox’s previous controllers will feel right at home using this one. 

What our writers say: Gaming expert Christian de Looper says that most people don’t need all the extra features; they need something reliable and comfortable. “The default Xbox controller feels more comfortable and more premium than the majority of much more expensive controllers, and in my anecdotal experience, boasts a huge battery life. I don’t think I’ve replaced the batteries in mine in at least 50 hours of gaming, with decent-quality AA batteries.”

Weight: 9.6 ounces | Connection: Wired | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Headset: 3.5 mm

Best for: Budget gamers who prefer a wired controller with some extra features.

Pros:

• Separate audio controls
• Rear triggers
• Fun color-schemes

Cons:

• Wired connectivity
• Not as premium-feeling as first-party options

Microsoft’s first-party controllers aren’t necessarily cheap, and if you want a solid Xbox controller on a budget, the Turtle Beach React-R is an affordable option. In fact, for some purposes, this controller is actually better than the first-party options. That’s thanks to the built in audio control buttons, which let you mute your microphone and activate the so-called “Superhuman Hearing” feature with the press of a button. Superhuman Hearing basically turns on a compression algorithm to boost quieter in-game sounds, and while it did indeed work, I didn’t love the way it sounded, so I left it turned off most of the time. You, however, may have a different experience, and it’s certainly worth experimenting with. It’s important to note that unfortunately, the audio-specific buttons only work when a wired headset is connected to the controller itself.

Additionally, the controller has rear triggers, which is another helpful feature over the base first-party Xbox controller. These triggers can be mapped to the button combinations that are most helpful to your gaming setup. And, there’s a so-called “D-Pad Shift” button, which lets you map even more controls to the D-Pad, when you hold down the D-Pad Shift button. Really, the controller offers more features than the first-party controller, at a lower price. It doesn’t feel quite as premium, and it’s not as convenient thanks to its wired connectivity—but if you can look past those issues, it’s well worth adding to your gaming setup.

What our writers say: De Looper loved the re-mappable buttons and the versatility that they offered. “Forget about having to learn tons of button combinations here, the React-R makes using and accessing complex combinations easier than ever. Oh, and it also looks really cool, at least in the Purple variant.”

Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma

Weight: 9.5 ounces | Connection: Wired | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Headset: 3.5 mm

Best for: Loyal Razer fans looking for extra features. 

Pros:

• Interchangeable thumbsticks
• Chroma lighting
• Six multi-function buttons

Cons:

• Wired connection
• Expensive

Even though wired controllers are usually lower-cost models, this Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma controller is the exception. This premium design only sports RGB Chroma LED lighting, but it’s also highly customizable—with swappable thumbsticks, a hair trigger mode with stop-switches and six additional multi-function buttons to remap in the app. 

Razer rates its tactile buttons for up to 3 million taps. The buttons provide crisp feedback, as opposed to some of the softer button presses of competitors, and they are satisfying to use for long gaming sessions. This model improves on its predecessor, the Wolverine Ultimate, with more ergonomic and comfortable L-shaped hand grips. Razer offers the Wolverine V2 Chroma in both white and black models, so anyone wishing to forego the darker aesthetic has an option available.

Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra

Weight: 8.7 ounces | Connection: Wireless | Battery life: 30 hours | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Charging: USB-C | Headset: 3.5 mm

Best for: Gamers who want a controller that they can map and customize to their ultra-specific needs.

Pros:

• Highly customizable
• Unique features in display
• Sleek design

Cons:

• Expensive
• Can’t control wireless headsets

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is perhaps the coolest Xbox controller on this list, and it also happens to be the most customizable. It’s not the look of the controller that’s customizable—instead the extras that are. The controller comes with a few different thumbstick grips to get the exact feel you want, and it has four mappable buttons on the back. The triggers can be locked for more immediate response with a simple switch on the back of the controller, too.

The controller even has a display on it, to control a host of settings. At its base level, the screen can be used to control audio settings for headsets plugged into the controller’s headphone jack (unfortunately, it can’t control wireless headsets, even Turtle Beach ones). But, you can dive into a huge selection of settings and features, including things like joystick response, RGB lighting effects and more. You can also connect the controller to your phone to get phone notifications—straight from your Xbox controller. The controller feels premium, has a sleek design and comes with a charging dock that ensures that it’ll never run out of battery—unless you happen to game for longer than 30 hours without placing it on the dock. The dock has a USB port in it that you can use for the dongle that actually connects to the controller. Or, you can put the dock somewhere away from your Xbox, and plug the dongle directly into the console. It’s an expensive controller, but those who want flashy features and customization will find it well worth the cash.

What our writers say: De Looper notes that this is the controller that he uses as his daily device, despite having access to the top pick on the list. “The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra isn’t for everyone, especially given the price, but it’s easily the coolest controller out there, and offers more features and customization tools than anything else.”

Turtle Beach Recon

Weight: 10.6 ounces | Connection: Wired | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Headset: 3.5 mm

Best for: Gamers who want extra shooter-related features to get that competitive edge.

Pros:

• Tons of audio controls
• Adjustable joystick sensitivity setting

Cons:

• Audio settings only work with wired headsets
• Wired option only

The Turtle Beach Recon is the best controller for those who want a few extra shooter-related features. For starters, there’s the Superhuman Hearing feature, which can help elevate sound effects like footsteps and gunfire, with a headset connected to the 3.5 mm port. There’s a host of other audio features too, including dedicated game and chat volume controls, a microphone mute button and a built-in EQ. It’s important to note that the audio-related features only work on headsets connected to the controller’s 3.5 mm port. Additionally, however, it also offers a Pro-Aim Focus Mode that lets you set the sensitivity of the right joystick and two mappable buttons on the back of the controller.

Apart from those unique features, the controller simply works as a great controller. It’s comfortable and well-built, and comes in a range of colors and designs. Unfortunately, it’s wired-only, but if you already use—or don’t mind using—a wired controller, it’s an excellent option.

What our writers say: De Looper notes that the Recon may be a niche controller, but well worth buying for those who mostly or exclusively play shooters and don’t want to shell out for something like the Stealth Ultra. “The additional features that this controller offers, at this price, make it a great investment for shooter fans—especially when it comes to setting joystick sensitivity.”

Xbox Adaptive Controller

Weight: 19.3 ounces | Rechargeable batteries: Yes | Connection: Wireless | Battery life: Up to 25 hours | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Charging: USB-C | Headset connection: 3.5 mm

Best for: Disabled gamers seeking unfettered control. 

Pros:

• Compatible with a wide range of accessibility devices
• Custom button remapping and controller profiles
• Built in collaboration with disability advocates

Cons:

• Not intuitive
• Needs accessories to maximize gameplay

Not everyone can use the standard Xbox Wireless Controller for Series X|S as intended. Enter the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which Microsoft designed in collaboration with disability advocates, including The AbleGamers Charity, The Cerebral Palsy Foundation, SpecialEffect and Warfighter Engaged. The Xbox Adaptive Controller allows those with limited mobility to play games on Xbox or Windows PCs. It’s an accessibility marvel which stands in between the Xbox and a wide range of assistive input devices—including switches, mounts, buttons and joysticks. When Xbox says it wants everyone to enjoy gaming, this controller proves the company means it. 

While the controller has some button inputs, it mostly serves as a unified hub for other external accessibility accessories. Because these are often custom-made and unique for each person, it would be nearly impossible for the Xbox Adaptive Controller to act as the singular input device. In order to allow more gamers to play, it features several 3.5 mm jacks and USB ports for these assistive devices to connect. This isn’t a controller for anyone looking to try something new because they’re bored with the standard Xbox controller. It exists to serve a specific purpose, and it does so incredibly well.

What our testers say: Accessibility tech expert Sherin Shibu and Kayla, a gamer with limited mobility, went hands-on with the Xbox controller. In the review, Shibu writes “For gameplay, because Kayla added attachments—a great customization feature to this device—she was also able to play more games compared to solely using the adaptive controller. ‘Alone, this controller can be used,’ Kayla stated, ‘but with attachments, which you can find basically anywhere, the gaming experience improves, giving players the option to play more games.’”

Logitech G923 Racing Wheel

Weight: 5 pounds (wheel), 6.8 pounds (pedals) | Connection: Wired | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Best for: Immersing yourself in the need for speed.

Pros:

• 900-degree wheel rotation range
• Dual-force feedback motor
• Progressive spring pedals

Cons:

• Only works with racing games
• Costs as much as a console

Nothing compares to the feeling of being behind the wheel and speeding down an open highway. With a regular controller, you don’t get that same sense of immersion pushing the thumbsticks left and right to move the car on screen. With a racing wheel, though, it’s like you’re a part of the action. The Logitech G293 uses advanced technology to ensure that users get the most out of their experience. The wheel itself features dual-motor force feedback that Logitech dubs Trueforce and a closed-loop motor control, allowing players to feel real-time responses and adjusting torque correctly while driving. Its 24-point selection dial puts adjustable traction, torque and brake force directly at your fingertips. The face of the wheel even sports a built-in rev indicator that displays your RPM range in supported games. This is all capped off with a 900-degree wheel rotation range for players to make sharp turns effectively, and it all self-calibrates once you plug it in.

The pedals shine in their own regard by utilizing a progressive spring system that delivers a pressure-sensitive braking experience. No one wants to gently touch the brakes and realize they collapse with no tension. With the Logitech G293, that doesn’t happen. Players have more control in their braking, perfecting for drifting around tight corners. This wheel costs about as much as the Xbox Series S, but it is well worth it if you enjoy racing games. Should you decide you want to spend some extra money, Logitech sells an optional, compatible shifter separately. For racing fans, this is the best option to fully immerse yourself in that need for speed.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller

Weight: 12.2 ounces | Rechargeable batteries: Yes | Connection: Wireless | Battery life: 40 hours | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Charging: USB Type-C | Headset: 3.5mm

Best for: Maximum customization at a premium price.

Pros:

• Short hair trigger locks
• Adjustable-tension thumbsticks
• Saves up to three profiles

Cons:

• Expensive

Microsoft created the ultimate Xbox controller with its Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller, using fan feedback to improve this iteration. It costs a pretty penny, but Microsoft made small quality-of-life changes to improve durability and customization. The Elite Series 2 comes packed with four back paddles, adjustable-tension thumbsticks (complete with the tool to do so), a swappable D-pad, swappable thumbsticks, hair triggers and three custom profiles. The grips are rubberized, for better control.

This controller is also unique because it doesn’t take standard AA batteries like other Xbox controllers do. It has an internal battery back which recharges through the USB-C port. The battery lasts an outstanding 40 hours. There’s little that the Elite Series 2 can’t do, and that’s what makes it the best premium controller on the market right now.

Weight: 7.5 pounds | Connection: Wired | Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Headset: 3.5mm

Best for: Fighting aficionados ready to level-up their game. 

Pros:

• Can swap out top housing for custom artwork 
• App customization
• Key lock mode

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not ideal for most game genres

Far from a traditional Xbox controller, the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha delivers outstanding and agile arcade stick gameplay. It’s certainly not built for every type of game, but it’s perfect for what it’s designed for: fighting games. Players get an arcade stick that boasts easy maintenance and customizability, with custom profiles and the option to change the faceplate for their own artwork.

The Hori Fighting Stick Alpha also features key lock mode to prevent accidentally pressing Menu, View and Share buttons, and it supports up to four profiles. Those looking for audio controls will find those on board, too. Hori’s companion app allows players to customize its settings further. Though the $200 price tag can be off-putting, that’s comparable to other fight sticks worth considering. Looking at the complete package, the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha is a beast.