Number 1. Xbox Wireless Controller

The best Xbox controller for most people

Pros

• Works on a range of device.
• Impulse trigger feel great.
• USB-C port is better for long-term support.
• Premium feel with affordable price.

Cons

• Not rechargeable without add-on.
• Share button is hard to reach.

Microsoft’s 2020 Xbox Wireless Controller improves on a familiar design with minor but significant changes. It costs $60 and comes with the Xbox Series X|S. It also works well on other platforms, including PCs and smartphones. The new design slims down the triggers and adds a dot-texture grip, offering comfort even during prolonged gaming sessions. A new USB-C port replaces the old micro-USB, allowing for quicker communication, and a share button makes capturing in-game moments simple.

The asymmetrical thumbsticks stay in the same configuration with the left stick placed higher than the right one while a redesigned semi circular d pad replaces with a more swaying and efficient movement for use of diverse input related games. Nonetheless, its grippy surface will attract dirt and oil. The Xbox controller does not have such sophisticated gadgets as the adaptive triggers of the DualSense, still it does well concerning responsiveness because of Dynamic Latency Input, especially when working along with the Series X|S consoles.

The controller is powered by two AA batteries, however, for $25 you can purchase a rechargeable shallow battery, this configuration though is a little bit of a disappointment especially compared to Sony’s having it built in. Bluetooth allows connection with PC, Mac, Android and iOS devices with the help of a single touch button for switching over devices. all in all, Microsoft’s latest Xbox controller refines an already solid formula, offering a premium feel and versatile use without inflating the price, though a built-in rechargeable battery would have been a welcome upgrade.

Number 2. Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra

A pricey controller with a built-in display

Pros

• Great RGB lighting.
• Built-in display is actually useful.
• Cool OLED display and RGB lighting.
• 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless options.

Cons

• Poor companion software.
• Feels a bit too light in hand.
• Rear buttons can’t be removed.
• Overly clicky buttons and direction pad.

The Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra, priced at $199, is a feature-packed controller built for Xbox and PC that competes with the Xbox Elite Series 2. Its style is similar to the Elite Series 2’s sleek black and silver look, but it incorporates RGB lighting and a color display for programmable settings. The build incorporates hall-effect joysticks to prevent drift, tactile microswitches for most buttons, and analog triggers with user-defined input.

The magnetic charging dock that is integrated into a carrying case with a USB-A port for wireless dongle storage ensure that it is an all in one solution. The settings are easily accessible using the controller’s built in screen but navigation can become confusing. Turtle Beach’s Control Center 2 app does offer more customization, but comes with a clunky, hard to navigate interface.

While the Elite Ultra isn’t necessarily more tense than the Elite edition, it does offer strong performance especially at speed and precision over precision heavy games thanks to its responsive controls. Although the rings on the joysticks can become gunky and then cause friction, cleaning can fix this problem. The RGB lighting and display drain battery life, reducing it to around 10 hours unless deactivated.

It also has a headset jack and audio adjustments, as well as the “Superhuman Hearing” mode, with sound enhancement only sometimes working. Although its price is high, the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra is accurate and performs exceedingly well, providing a competitive advantage in gaming.

Number 3. Scuf Instinct Pro

an Xbox controller with oodles of customisation options

Pros

• Excellent controller feel throughout.
• Fun to use.
• Sturdy build quality.
• Incredibly comfortable.

Cons

• AA’s still required which may be a hurdle for some.
• Expensive.
• Heavier than a normal controller.

Scuf Instinct Pro is the premium controller built on over a decade of innovation for competitive gamers that crave precision and comfort. It does look like the Xbox Series X|S controller, but the details are where it varies from the crowd—ergonomic design, responsive, customizible paddles. The four rear paddles access without breaking grip contain varying levels of resistance to the gameplay fluidity. The instant triggers act like a mouse click in fast paced games such as Apex Legends. The controller can be switched out with interchangeable thumbsticks and hybrid D-pad for different playstyles or genres.

The Instinct Pro is the company’s first foray into the world of Xbox Series X/S controllers, and with a starting price of £189.99/$199 (and a slew of optional accessories to make the price even higher), it’s somewhat more expensive than Microsoft’s own Elite Controller Series 2. Besides, It offers 30-hour battery life, supports charging docks, and includes a braided USB-C cable. A mute button and headphone connectors complete its design.

Additionally, it has Bluetooth pairing with Xbox, PC, iOS or Android, with easy on-the-fly profile adjustment without any external apps, and three customizable profiles. The Scuf Instinct Pro functions as an all around worth while blend of functionality, customization, comfort and all those things that competitive gamers would never do without!

Number 4. Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

Razer’s First Wireless Xbox Controller Is Fantastic

Pros

• Very solid build.
• Excellent feel with comfortable contours.
• Comfortable and stylish.
• Incredible 1000Hz max polling rate.

Cons

• Few customization options.
• Lacks Bluetooth.
• Not ideal for cozy gaming.

Priced at $199.99, the Wolverine V3 Pro combines competitive gaming performance on Xbox and PC. It comes with Hall sensing thumbsticks that prevent stick drift and extend the life as well. That floating circular d-pad, combined with a tactile, responsive experience, make it the standout feature. Immediate actuation by mechanical face buttons or micro switches make it the top choice for esports players. Six remappable buttons, locks on triggers, and a 3.5mm headset port add to functionality.

Situated in the controller’s build are textured grip, contoured triggers, as well as run of the mill Xbox layout, with the all black design being a bit jarring to some. The wireless polling rate is 250Hz, while the V3 Pro is capable of 1,000Hz wired for faster response time on PC.

If you are looking for a budget option, the Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition, priced at $99.99 is wired only and has the same feature set. Razer’s signature responsiveness is on show in both, but the Pro version also sports RGB lighting and more customization via the Razer Controller app.

The V3 Pro has a 12-13 hour battery life and can hold up for long gaming sessions. In the fight between fighting games and shooters, its premium design and solid feature set make for a fantastic competitive gamer controller, but its premium price may be too much for casual users. If you value gaming performance, the V3 Pro is a good investment in precision.

Number 5. GameSir G7 SE

So close to perfection, even with the cable

Pros

• High quality build.
• Hall Effect triggers and sticks.
• Ergonomic, comfortable design.
• Extremely customizable.

Cons

• Poor Eneba edition.
• Only two extra buttons.
• Wired Only.

If the money is right you’ll find the GameSir G7 SE to be a standout wired controller for $44,99. It gives the original G7 a Hall Effect joystick and trigger upgrades, magnetic sensors replacing the original friction based potentiometers for precision and durability. It eliminates the possibility of stick drift, and does so with up to 5 million cycles of responsiveness, meaning it’s a good, long lasting option for gamers.

Most weight has been centralized at the top where the design is lightweight, what little weight is remaining on the handles feels almost weightless. Still, the build is solid (and even comfortable) with smooth and responsive buttons, even if they’re made of plastic. The ABXY buttons are a retro convex affair with the select and start buttons a little off on placement. The D pad has volume and chat mixer controls, the M button is an ALT key allowing secondary function.

Key to all of that is customization, as sensitivity, rumble strength and more (including the ability to toggle hair triggers) are all tunable through the GameSir Nexus PC app on Windows. The swappable, magnetically attached faceplate also allows for artistic personalization.

While G7 SE is wired, its performance, as well as Hall Effect technology and customization options indeed put it on the top of the list for gamers wanting to make it precise – especially in competitive settings. At a price to performance ratio, it makes for a worthy contender against higher end wireless controllers and signals a shift in the market for affordably priced but high performance accessories.