The Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller has all the familiarity of Microsoft’s iconic controller, and remains extremely comfortable for extended gaming sessions. The company redesigned the controller from the inside out, with sculpted surfaces, refined geometry, and a natural fit in your hand that many gamers swear by. This is the most basic model of the Xbox controller, and it’s focused on smooth controls, wide device support, and ease of use over customization.
A hardy additional controller for your Player 2 and more
Microsoft uses sculpted surfaces and refined geometry to create a more comfortable fit in your hand, and added additional texture to the triggers, bumpers, and back case to provide a better grip. The new hybrid D-pad also allows for more precise directional input than previous-gen Xbox controllers, which is especially useful in fighting games, platformers, menu systems, and any application that requires quick directional tap responses.
The connection options give the controller much greater flexibility than older gamepads, which were limited to working with one device unless you bought a separate adapter. The Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth capabilities enable pairing and switching between multiple Xbox devices, Windows, Android, iOS, Fire TV Sticks, smart TVs, and VR headsets without any additional hardware. Additionally, the Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller has a USB-C port for direct connection to a console or PC via cable, and the 3.5mm headphone jack retains support for voice chat and wired audio, allowing the user to choose to go completely wireless if desired.
The layout of the buttons remains mostly the same as the prior version of the Xbox controller, but Microsoft has added one feature that will be helpful once you begin using it. The dedicated Share button enables users to quickly take a screenshot, record a video, or capture a clip without having to navigate the system menu, making the process of capturing a quick moment much less cumbersome. The Xbox Accessories app also lets users customize button mappings, allowing them to set up their own control schemes to suit their style of play.
The Xbox Wireless Gaming Controller offers up to 40 hours of battery life on two AA batteries, or you can purchase an optional rechargeable battery pack. With this gamepad, you get a comfortable design, improved grip, a stronger D-pad, flexible wireless capabilities, a USB-C connector for direct connection to a console or PC via cable, a headset jack, and customizable control options, all in a familiar design. For the discounted price of $43, $22 off the original price of $65, you get a first-party controller with wide compatibility and an above-average discount for arguably the most important piece of gaming equipment besides the console itself.
