Xbox Wireless Controller Review: The Benchmark Pad
8.5/10 — Xbox Wireless Controller (2020)
Works with: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS
Pros
- Superbly comfortable, refined shape
- Excellent hybrid D-pad
- Works with Xbox, PC and phones out of the box
- Share button for quick screenshots and clips
Cons
- Still runs on AA batteries as standard
- Sticks can drift over time
- No back buttons
The Xbox Wireless Controller that launched alongside the Series X|S is a refinement rather than a reinvention, and that’s no bad thing. Microsoft tweaked an already excellent design, and the result is arguably the most comfortable standard controller you can buy.
Design
It’s slightly smaller than the Xbox One pad, with textured grips on the back and triggers, and a new hybrid D-pad, a dish-shaped design borrowed from the Elite controller. It’s far better for fighting games and menus than older Xbox D-pads. A Share button sits in the middle for capturing screenshots and clips, and USB-C replaces the old micro-USB port.
Features
It connects to Xbox consoles with Microsoft’s own wireless standard and to PCs, phones and tablets over Bluetooth, which makes it one of the most versatile pads around. It also works on Xbox One, so it’s a great upgrade for older consoles.
The big frustration is power. It still takes two AA batteries out of the box, with a rechargeable battery pack sold separately. Stick drift can also creep in after heavy use, a problem shared by most controllers with standard analogue sticks.
Verdict
The Xbox Wireless Controller is the benchmark that most other pads are judged against: comfortable, reliable and compatible with almost everything. It lacks the extras of pricier pads, and the AA batteries feel dated, but as an everyday controller it’s hard to beat.
