Without a controller, your Xbox console is just a console to stream movies and web shows. So, if you need to replace your dead controller or want to have a backup, you need to have the best Xbox controllers by your side at all times.
Controllers have always been a major part of the gaming experience. They allow you to sit back and play in the most comfortable position you’d like, whereas the keyboard and mouse require you to stretch your hands out on the table and move them around. Controllers have a great ergonomic design that fits your hand naturally and doesn’t generate fatigue. They have buttons that are very responsive and satisfactory to use. They also have vibration motors on both sides of the grip to offer feedback based on the action or the environment of the game.
These controllers on our list are not just for Xbox consoles; they can also be used to play games on PC and mobile devices. Pretty much every game that is released on the PC can be played using an Xbox controller on day one, so it’s cross-platform compatible, too.
With all that being said, let’s take a look at the list of the 7 best Xbox controllers our team of experts has curated.
Xbox Wired vs. Wireless Controllers: Which Is Better?
Both of these controllers come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Wired controllers offer the best latency without any input lag and also do not require charging, as they use the USB connection as the power source. But you can only take the controller as far as the cable can go. So, if the USB cable is short, you’ll have to sit close to the console or PC.
With wireless controllers, you are liberated from the cluttered wire environment — no more headaches from trying to manage all those cables! They have a pretty impressive wireless range, which offers the leniency to sit at a healthy distance from the console. If you want to sit on your couch and play, this is a great option. These controllers either use replaceable batteries or rechargeable batteries, so you will need to keep a tab on the battery icon.
So, whether you’re looking for the best Xbox controllers, wireless or wired, your search will come to an end with this article.
7 Best Xbox Controllers in 2025
These are our favorite Xbox controllers that not only feel ergonomically good but are also very responsive for nearly every game. Check them out.
BEST OVERALL
Xbox Core Wireless Gaming Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Hybrid D-pad
3.5mm headphone jack
Custom button mapping
Dedicated “Share” button
Available in multiple colors
Battery lasts up to 40 hours
But…
Low durability
The Xbox Core Wireless Gaming Controller is undoubtedly the best controller you can get. For a long time, gamers have resorted to using this classic as one of the best Xbox controllers for PC and console gaming. It has an ergonomically refined design that feels very comfortable to hold. The controller is made from high-quality plastic material to ensure it feels light in your hands, and indeed, it does feel light. The textured D-pad, bumpers, and triggers let you know exactly where you need to place your fingers for the quickest reactions. It supports both wireless 2.4 and Bluetooth features for wireless gaming, but you can always connect it to the console using a USB-C cable for direct play.
BEST WIRED
PowerA Advantage Wired Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Impulse triggers
Diamon-textured grip
Three lighting modes
3.5mm headphone jack
Officially licensed for Xbox
Available in two color variants
But…
Low durability
The PowerA Advantage Wired Controller is a third-party controller designed specifically for Xbox consoles. It has the same button layout as the Xbox controller, so your hand will naturally feel at home. The two additional remappable buttons give you an advantage over your opponent by using them for quick commands during online gameplay. To take it a step further, you can use the three-way trigger locks that allow you to set the maximum distance of your triggers, enabling faster response time. Its precision-tuned analog sticks and anti-friction rings offer a smooth and controlled gameplay experience. To lighten things up, it has multi-zone RGB lighting around the edge of the controller that is capable of thousands of color combinations.
Best Under $30
8Bitdo Ultimate C 2.4G Wireless Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Low-latency
3.5mm audio jack
Plug-and-play on PC
Officially licensed for Xbox
Calming pastel green color
Available in multiple color variants
But…
The lights are too bright
With a less than $30 asking price, the 8Bitdo Ultimate C 2.4G Wireless Controller can’t get more awesome. It is the lite version of its flagship counterpart, acting as a more budget-friendly option. The design is quite similar to the Xbox controller, with the exception of the handles, which are built more inward but offer the same comfort as the Xbox controller. It also features other functions like rumble vibration, analog triggers, and turbo function. Owing to the 2.4GHz wireless and USB connectivity, you can connect it to Windows (10 and above), Android (version 9.0 and above), Raspberry Pi, and Steam Deck. With just two hours of charging, you could get a decent battery life of up to 25 hours. So, unless you’re running a weekend marathon, that’s more than you’d need.
Best Hall Effect
GameSir Kaleid Wired Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Plug-and-play
Textured handles
3.5mm headphone jack
Officially licensed for Xbox
Tactile microswitch buttons
Includes 3-meter USB Type-C cable
But…
Cluttered software
With its unique transparent body, the GameSir Kaleid Wired Controller is definitely worth adding to your gaming accessory collection. Utilizing the Hall Effect sensing sticks, the controller is highly unlikely to experience any stick drift issues. The Hall Effect analog sticks are meticulously tuned to offer precision control for the best gaming performance. It has four distinct motors — two in the analog sticks and two in the triggers — which can distinguish between different scenarios and deliver feedback that is appropriate to the source. So, if you’re cruising through the jungle or walking in the desert, you’ll feel the difference. It has an RGB lighting feature that can be customized to glow in 16 million colors, which, combined with its transparent body, is one of the coolest-looking controllers out there.
Best Xbox Elite Controller
Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
3.5mm headphone jack
Battery life of up to 40 hours
Available in multiple color variants
Wireless, Bluetooth, and USB Type-C connectivity support
Additional customization options on the Xbox Accessories App
Dedicated “Profile” button to change between three custom profiles
But…
Expensive
Xbox took everything good about the Xbox Core Controller and amped it up with this Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller. The body is made from superior plastic materials, and the textured handles give off a premium feel to the touch. It has four removable triggers that can be mapped to any action in the game. You can fine-tune the tension of the analog sticks and use the trigger locks on the back to decide how far the triggers need to go to generate a response in the game. The wrap-around rubber grips on the thumbsticks ensure you have a firm hold on them. The D-pad can be changed to the old-style D-pad or use the current version based on your needs. Phew! That’s a lot of customization. Good for us, right?
Best Premium Wired
Razer Wolverine V2 Wired Gaming Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Non-slip rubber grips
3.5mm headphone jack
Officially licensed for Xbox
Available in multiple color variants
Two additional remappable bumper buttons at the front
Razer Controller Setup for Xbox app to customize the buttons
But…
Hard-to-use Razer application
Razer, being a top name in the gaming industry, has built this Wolverine V2 Wired Gaming Controller to provide gamers with the ultimate control over their gaming experience. The design promotes a natural hold on the controller, giving you comfort when using it for long periods. It features mecha-tactile buttons and a D-pad that is satisfying and ultra-responsive to the taps every single time. The two slide-lock buttons at the back activate the Hair Trigger mode that cuts the travel distance to fully press the triggers. With its $100 price tag and the features it offers, it is an absolute steal!
Best Modular
PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Gaming Controller
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Why We Love
Four mappable paddles
3.5mm headphone jack
Officially licensed for Xbox
Available in two color variants
Clutch slides to decide the maximum trigger distance
Victrix Control Hub app for customizing the controller
But…
Expensive
The PDP Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Gaming Controller allows you to customize the controller to your heart’s content. It has adopted a modular design with a reversible left module and an interchangeable right module. The right module can be switched between a classic joystick with a four-button layout or with a six-button layout, eliminating the right analog completely. Apart from this, the package also includes four additional analog sticks, three D-pads, and four gates. Its patented clutch triggers add more depth to the experience with its five stop levels and the additional hair trigger feature. Additionally, it has a Dolby Atmos spatial audio feature so that you can hear audio cues from every direction. This is one of the best Xbox controllers with paddles.
Can Xbox Controllers Be Used for PC Gaming?
The Xbox controller is the most preferred controller when it comes to playing games on PC. It is not just because it is ergonomically great, but also because it works with PCs seamlessly without any emulators. This compatibility is largely because Xbox and Windows belong to the same parent company — Microsoft. Whatever games are released on PC, they have all been optimized for Xbox controllers. So, you can’t go wrong with buying them.
How We Chose the Best Xbox Controller
We have a talented team of experts who are well-versed in gaming technology. We reviewed hundreds of products online and streamlined them to just a handful after considering all their features and what the gamers would like. Some of the factors we gave the most importance to were the unique features, price range, and durability of the product. We also considered the reviews on Amazon to see how well the products have met gamers’ expectations.
FAQ
What is the highest-quality Xbox controller?
The Xbox Elite Series 2 is hailed as one of the high-quality controllers on the market.
What Xbox controller do pro gamers use?
The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Gaming Controller is one of the go-to controllers for pro gamers.
What is the fastest Xbox controller?
The Xbox Core Wireless Gaming Controller is the fastest gaming controller, and owing to its wireless connectivity, you’ll experience no lag during gameplay.
What is the most popular controller?
The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Gaming Controller is one of the most popular gaming controllers.
Are Xbox controllers worth it?
If you are a gamer who likes to play using controllers, not just on Xbox consoles but also on PCs, then absolutely yes, controllers are worth it.
Which Xbox Elite controller is better?
The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Gaming Controller is the best one.
Why is the Xbox Elite controller so expensive?
They are expensive because they have additional features like removable triggers and interchangeable buttons.
What is the lightest Xbox controller?
The 8Bitdo Ultimate C is one of the lightest Xbox controllers.
What is the longest-lasting Xbox controller?
The Razer Wolverine V2 Wired Gaming Controller has excellent durability that can last for years.
