The best Xbox controllers in 2023 are available for every budget and every preference, no matter what you are looking for. Whether it is a budget friendly pad or a premium one, you can find it in this list. Keep reading to find out.
Although most of our article on the best Xbox controllers in 2023 is focused on Xbox Series X/S, many of the picks on this list are compatible with other consoles including he Xbox One X. Therefore, do not worry about that and rest assured. We have kept in mind to bring you some choices that will enhance your enjoyment when playing Xbox Series X games. Not only will these controllers make the gameplay competitive but they are also quite comfortable in your hands, despite their size and shape. Since there are many options on the market, it is easy to find one that can be customized to the finest details. However, they might not come cheap, so keep reading to find out which one matches your needs and budged. Here are the best Xbox controllers in 2023.
Best Xbox Controllers in 2023
TechTrends has put together a list of the best Xbox controllers to buy in 2023. One of the easiest ways to know which one is for you is to see what features you can get the most out of. Are you looking for a controller that fits your hand better? In that case, some budget options might do. Are you looking for a controller that gives you a competitive edge? Then, you need one that can function like a mouse and keyboard with many options and buttons to use. Now, with that in mind, let’s dive into the list of the best Xbox controllers in 2023.
- Xbox Wireless Controller: The all-round best Xbox controller
- 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox: The best budget Xbox controller
- Xbox Elite Controller Series 2: The best premium Xbox controller
- Nacon Revolution X Pro: The best wired Xbox controller
- Turtle Beach Recon Controller: The best Xbox controller for voice chat
- Razer Wolverine Ultimate: The best Xbox One controller from Razer
- Hyperkin Duke: The best nostalgia-fuelled Xbox One controller
1. Xbox Wireless Controller
One of the best Xbox controllers in 2023 and the top one on our list is the Xbox Wireless Controller, which comes with the new Xbox Series X/S. Therefore, it does not hurt to have a spare in case you play with someone else. You can have these controllers for an affordable price of between $59.99 and $54.99. The color options are varied and if you do not want to go for the standard Carbon Black or Robot White colorways, then there are flashier colors you can pick. However, it will be a little pricier to do that. For those looking for a great controller, this one ticks most of the boxes. The buttons are high quality, the battery life is great, and there is a great d-pad, making this controller an excellent choice. In other words, you cannot go wrong with this, despite your budget and preference. We highly recommend it as one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023.
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2. 8BitDo Pro 2 Wired Controller for Xbox
Going wrong with an 8BitDo pad is difficult and the testament to this sentence is the 8BitDo Ultimate controller for Nintendo Switch. As for Xbox owners, this manufacturer has a great option, the Pro Wired Controller. One of the greatest things about this controller is its price. You can have it at $44.99 / £39.99, which makes it a cheap pick. However, do not think that the quality is low. On the contrary, this controller’s quality is quite high, making it a satisfying pick. Regarding its features, it is quite light and has two back paddle buttons that can be remapped to what you like. This will come in handy if you need certain commands on a button that is more accessible. We highly recommend this as one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023.
Read more: Best PS4 Controllers in 2023
3. Xbox Elite Controller Series 2
For those looking for the utmost quality in a controller and those who do not mind the extra cost, then we think the superlative Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is the best pick. As one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023, right out of the box, the quality can be felt over the standard Xbox Wireless Controller. It also has a great metal finish, texture grips as well as amazing buttons and trigger, making this controller an utter joy to use. The price of this controller is $179.99 / £159.99 and at this cost, it is not style over substance. There are many customization options available for you. Moreover, the buttons can be remapped and you can make different profiles for various games as you wish. In addition, dead zones permit you to set where the triggers must rest according to your liking.
If you like the Elite Series 2 but the price is too high for you, then we recommend Microsoft’s cheaper option ‘Core’. You can have it for around $129.99 / £114.99 and it is very similar to the standard Elite Series 2.
Read more: Best PC Game Controllers in 2023
4. Nacon Revolution X Pro
Are you looking for a controller that is gives you the same experience as the Elite Series 2, but the hefty price tag of the controller is a problem for you, then we suggest Nacon’s Revolution X Pro wired controller for Xbox. As one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023, it offers ‘Pro’ controller features including back paddle buttons as well as swappable sticks, all for a great price. You can buy it at $99 / £99, which is almost half the price of the Elite Series 2. Although it might not be as luxurious as Microsoft’s premium controller, it is a great value proposition. It offers analog sticks that can compete with Microsoft’s when it comes to quality. Moreover, it has a comfortable design with steady grips. There are also some extra options like a carry case as well as a suite of swappable analog stick parts.
However, there might be some disadvantages to this controller, like the wide triggers that might need time for you to get used to and the fact that it is a wired controller. Despite those, it is a controller with lots of features that you might need. In addition is has a free Dolby Atmos license and works great with the Xbox headsets. We highly recommend it as one of the best Xbox controllers of 2023.
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5. Turtle Beach Recon Controller
Are you one of those games that is in voice chat with friends when playing a game on Xbox, then we suggest buying the Turtle Beach Recon Controller. This excellent controller is designed in a way that it offers great voice chat experience. This is due to the fact that its bespoke Superhuman audio setting is great, making it great for pinpointing gunshots and footsteps in games such as PUBG Battlegrounds and Warzone 2. The price is quite reasonable, around $59.95 / £49.99, which is similar to the price tag of the Xbox Wireless Controller. Considering the amazing suite of audio options, this is a generous price. As for the controller itself, the buttons and sticks are high quality, there are mappable back paddle buttons, and the grip is quite comfortable, preventing slipping when playing competitive games. We cannot recommend this as one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023 enough.
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6. Razer Wolverine Ultimate
Another one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023 is the Razer Wolverine Ultimate, which is a contender to Microsoft’s Series 2 and has better customization options courtesy of the M1/M2 shoulder buttons. There are four buttons underneath it that are less like paddles and more like triggers that may be more reachable. However, when tested they are far less susceptible to touching them accidentally compared with Elite’s paddles. In addition, it offers a few swappable elements including taller or rounder analog or a four or eight directional d-pad. Moreover, the face buttons are also amazing.
This controller also allows you to save two setups for the options and there is no need for you to go to menus to swap between the options courtesy of the on-board controls. Moreover, there is a remapping button to alter things on the fly as well, but you also have the Xbox app to make maps. We highly recommend it as one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023.
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7. Hyperkin Duke
Some products only get better with age. The manufacturers of Hyperkin quickly recognized this and developed one of the best Xbox controllers in 2023 that has the design of the original Xbox console’s controller. The name is The Duke since it was beefy. In addition to the design, it has the classic Xbox logo in the middle. However, this controller only has a wired option. Despite that, with the great attention to details, it has made it to the list of the best Xbox controllers to buy in 2023. It is obvious that not everyone would be a fan of the Hyperkin Duke since the design has been improved over the years. However, the long-term Xbox players might appreciate the nostalgia of this controller.
The manufacturer also was smart to include some modern features including supported vibration feedback and precision analog triggers and bumpers. These options complement the design and work of this controller. We highly recommend this to those who like modern options in a traditional design.
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Which Xbox controllers are the best?
If you want a smaller list and money is not an issue, then we recommend the Elite Series 2 as well as the Revolution X as some of the best Xbox controllers in 2023. The former is the full premium package with high quality and many options for customization that allows you to make many changes. The Revolution X, on the other hand, is the next best one, and the price is a little cheaper. However, the quality and Pro features are the same. It offers back paddles, mappable button profiles as well as swappable thumbsticks.
What is the best Xbox controller for FPS games?
Are you really considering improving your first-person shooter gameplay, whether it is in Halo Infinite, Modern Warfare 2 or Overwatch 2, then our recommendation on the list of the best Xbox controller in 2023 you can buy is the Elite Series 2. With this controller, you can set shorter trigger dead zones, which will allow you to aim and fire much quicker since there is less travel time.
What is the most durable Xbox controller?
The pricier option on the list of the best Xbox controllers in 2023 will definitely go the distance much longer than those cheaper options. The standard Xbox Wireless Controller might be a great pick that is resistant to wear and tear.