Microsoft Xbox Wireless Controller (Series X|S)

[VSG]

Microsoft's first-party native support of their Xbox brand has had them bring out relevant hardware and software on Windows as well. The Xbox controller is synonymous with PC gaming today, and we take a look at the latest Xbox wireless controller to compare to previous-generation controllers and the competition.

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[P4-630]

I'm still using my wireless xbox360 controller, bought in 2014....
No Xbox accessories app or active Xbox ID needed...

 

[QUANTUMPHYSICS]

The Xbox One's controller is literally the WORST controller I've ever owned.

The Controller itself is comfortable and functional, but the reliability was TERRIBLE. I had to replace it SEVERAL times. Triggers fail, sticks drift, etc.

I don't know if I want the XBox SX controller.

 

[P4-630]

In the past it was always Plug 'n Play, I don't need Xbox accessories app and I don't want an active Xbox ID when I just use it for PC.

 

[Aretak]

The Xbox One's controller is literally the WORST controller I've ever owned.

The Controller itself is comfortable and functional, but the reliability was TERRIBLE. I had to replace it SEVERAL times. Triggers fail, sticks drift, etc.

I don't know if I want the XBox SX controller.

All modern controllers seem to be built out of the cheapest materials possible so that they break easily and you have to buy a new one. I have controllers from the 90s (like my original DualShock) that still work flawlessly despite young me not doing anything to take care of them, yet every Xbone controller I've owned has developed stick drift. I haven't had a DualSense yet, but I've seen tons of complaints about the build quality of those too, and the Switch's drift issues are a meme at this point. Even the Xbox Elite controllers seem to have a myriad of common issues, despite their cost. It's embarrassing.

 

[robb]

Why in the hell does it require a wired connection for a firmware update? The damn controller doesn't even come with a wire does it?

The Xbox One's controller is literally the WORST controller I've ever owned.

The Controller itself is comfortable and functional, but the reliability was TERRIBLE. I had to replace it SEVERAL times. Triggers fail, sticks drift, etc.

I don't know if I want the XBox SX controller.

I've never had one single freaking issue with my Xbox One controller in the four years that I've had it. Every game that works with a controller works perfectly fine just like my Xbox 360 controller before that did. I bought the wireless adapter from Microsoft plugged it in to sync the controller and never done a damn thing since that.

 

[EzioAs]

All modern controllers seem to be built out of the cheapest materials possible so that they break easily and you have to buy a new one. I have controllers from the 90s (like my original DualShock) that still work flawlessly despite young me not doing anything to take care of them, yet every Xbone controller I've owned has developed stick drift. I haven't had a DualSense yet, but I've seen tons of complaints about the build quality of those too, and the Switch's drift issues are a meme at this point. Even the Xbox Elite controllers seem to have a myriad of common issues, despite their cost. It's embarrassing.

The people who have issues will of course voice their concerns louder than most. I've had two Xbox One controller (sold one to a friend and one still being used by myself) over the years. Never any problem. I did replace the thumbsticks just a couple weeks ago because the rubber grips were starting to came off but that's just normal wear and tear and an can be fixed easily by buying a pair of grips or buying a pair of thumbsticks.

Why in the hell does it require a wired connection for a firmware update? The damn controller doesn't even come with a wire does it?

Not really an issue considering the plethora of USB Type-C cables available around most people who would be the potential buyer. I mean, it would be great if they could do OTA firmware update (which can be done), but it is what it is.

 

[KrazedOmega]

I had to buy the Xbox Wireless adapter when I bought my controller since I don't have Bluetooth. What a nightmare. What should have been "just plug it in and it works" turned into almost an hour of searching and watching Youtube to finally find drivers that worked. The drivers are supposed to be built into Windows 10 but that's a load of crap. The controller refused to connect until I finally got working ones installed.

EDIT: Also, with the Xbox Wireless adapter you do not need to plug the controller into a wired connection to update the firmware with the Xbox Accessories app.

 

[Easy Rhino]

Does anyone know if you can have two of these connected to your PC over bluetooth at the same time? I assume this model does not come with a bluetooth dongle ?

 

[INSTG8R]

Love my Elite V1 and just this week I treated it to the BT dongle and the charge pack. This is literally the first time I’ve had a wireless peripheral(okay I guess my Quest 2 counts).
I’ve always owned PS’s but can’t deny how great the Xbox controller is.

 

[GoldenX]

Lack of motion support is a negative for me. No Switch emulation with it.

 

[isvelte]

I bought my xbox one controller that includes the dongle, and it was only 15$ more than the controller only option. I think its worth it if you wanna use the headphone jack.

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

I've had my Xbox 360 Wireless controller for six years now. The left analog sticks have rashes after scratching with the collar, the rubber coating on both sticks has worn off a little, there's slight intermittent drift that can be somewhat circumvented by deadzone settings and I'm still not comfortable with the battery placement affecting my grip. But my god will I never buy any modern controller. I've never heard any Xbox One or later variants living past one or two years among my acquaintances. Only some early Xbox One controllers when one friend bought XB1 back in 2014.

Luckily there's bunch of unopened Xbox 360 controllers floating in our market. So I may be safe for another decade or so.

In the past it was always Plug 'n Play, I don't need Xbox accessories app and I don't want an active Xbox ID when I just use it for PC.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the app is only for customizing and shit. If you want plug and play, don't download and install the app I guess.

 

[Hossein Almet]

I have quite a few games that don't support keyboard and mouse, but after reading this review I'm still don't which controller to buy, eg there is no comparison with the Razer and Steel Series Ones.

 

[VSG]

I have quite a few games that don't support keyboard and mouse, but after reading this review I'm still don't which controller to buy, eg there is no comparison with the Razer and Steel Series Ones.

Can't do much if I don't have any of those, especially with Razer being terrible at marketing and PR here. The rep keeps promising and apologizing but ultimately nothing is actually sent.

 

[GeorgeMan]

I had to buy the Xbox Wireless adapter when I bought my controller since I don't have Bluetooth. What a nightmare. What should have been "just plug it in and it works" turned into almost an hour of searching and watching Youtube to finally find drivers that worked. The drivers are supposed to be built into Windows 10 but that's a load of crap. The controller refused to connect until I finally got working ones installed.

EDIT: Also, with the Xbox Wireless adapter you do not need to plug the controller into a wired connection to update the firmware with the Xbox Accessories app.

I bought an Xbox One S gamepad some years ago to use it exclusively with PC as I don't have an MS console.
I bought a USB BT adapter for less than 5 euros and it took me less than 5 minutes to set it up.
Hell, it even works with Edifier BT speakers at the same time.
No drifts or any other problems during these years. My only complaint is that the white version I bought gets dirty easily...

 

[isvelte]

I have quite a few games that don't support keyboard and mouse, but after reading this review I'm still don't which controller to buy, eg there is no comparison with the Razer and Steel Series Ones.

Im thinking of getting a dual sense. It has a gyro for switch emulation (my xbox dont). At the moment the dualsense haptic triggers and feedback is only supported by 1 game on PC, Metro Exodus.

Sony just started making things happen for PC (buying a porting studio), who knows they might fully support the dualsense features on their PC games coming out in the future.

 

[Hossein Almet]

Im thinking of getting a dual sense. It has a gyro for switch emulation (my xbox dont). At the moment the dualsense haptic triggers and feedback is only supported by 1 game on PC, Metro Exodus.

Sony just started making things happen for PC (buying a porting studio), who knows they might fully support the dualsense features on their PC games coming out in the future.

Is the Dual Sense compatible with PC games irrespective of whether haptic triggers and feedback are supported or not?

 

[isvelte]

Is the Dual Sense compatible with PC games irrespective of whether haptic triggers and feedback are supported or not?

Yup its supported on steam natively, but you can also use ds4windows like how you would use a ps4 controller, touchpad even works as mouse input. Not all games have playstation button prompts though, just some, but not an issue coz you probably have muscle memory of xbox letters anyway. Theres even a tutorial on how to convert game sounds to dualsense haptics.

 

[Hossein Almet]

Yup its supported on steam natively, but you can also use ds4windows like how you would use a ps4 controller, touchpad even works as mouse input. Not all games have playstation button prompts though, just some, but not an issue coz you probably have muscle memory of xbox letters anyway. Theres even a tutorial on how to convert game sounds to dualsense haptics.

I am familiar with PS3 controller, but never have any xbox console. I have to say the dual shock was great great in games that supported it. So I would say not every game in PS5 would support the haptic triggers or whatever.

 

[Jomale]

@isvelte
Is the PS5 Controller with their DualSense function also compatible to PC games?

 

[isvelte]

@isvelte
Is the PS5 Controller with their DualSense function also compatible to PC games?

For PC games, only on metro exodus enhanced edition atm. Im hoping we'll see more in the future.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1396112580511518729

 

[Bitgod]

I just got a shock blue a month ago. I'm coming from an Xbone controller I've had for 2 years and came from many 360 controllers before that. With each revision, the controller gets better, it's just always hard to say how much is it worth to upgrade from an older one if it's still working. My biggest reasons for this upgrade was "ooh blue", to be able to dedicate my other controller to my new Shield TV Pro if I want, and that I was getting a little joystick drift once in a while on the Xbone, which really kinda stinks considering how NOT often I use a controller on my PC.

Overall though, I went for the upgrade anyway. It's been performing just fine with the xbox wireless adapter (that I also use with the xbox wireless headphones). I do like the extra texture they added to the triggers and I like the d-pad a little more. They also made the back surface of the controller a little more rougher than the Xbone, so it's less slippery. I could squeeze my hands on the Xbone and it would slide up out of my hand (I'd have to do this on purpose, wasn't really an issue during games), but with the blue controller, it won't move.

I haven't tried using the new one in BT mode. When I originally bought my Xbone, I planned on using it as BT controller, but I always found it would miss button presses sometimes. So I ended up getting the wireless adapter and it's been 100% stable with the controllers and headphone.

It's always hard to say how to recommend these, cuz would I say it's the best xbox controller yet, yes. Is it worth upgrading from an older working controller? Maybe not if you're not having any issues with it. If you are, then sure.

 

[Tsukiyomi91]

still have my XB1 and XB360 controller with me. Didn't have any drifting issues as both controllers are well-maintained. XB360 controller is 10 years old and still works like a charm. XB1 is almost 5 years. The only gripe I have with the XB1 controller is the sticks worn out way quicker than the 360's. Good thing there are replacement sticks out there (they're much better than the stock ones, imo).

 

[tehehe]

Author is clearly a filthy casual
Xbox controllers are way inferior to steam controller or DS4/Dualsense for PC gaming due to not having gyro built in. Flick Stick and gyro aim are vastly superior. Look at this beauty:

I recommend watching all his videos.
Steam controller is way better as well:

There is a lot of videos about Steam controller configs for various games, I like RambleTan.
In short gyro is a must for comfortable aiming from couch that is not retarded like analog stick. I like that they are still using normal batteries - thumbs up! BTW Steam Deck will have gyro as well so FPS will play great on it after some fiddling with steam input configurator