Customers consistently note the high-quality build, comfortable feel, and extensive customization options of the Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller. Many appreciate the improved battery life and the addition of paddles, enhancing gameplay. However, some users report issues with stick drift and the durability of certain buttons. The overall experience appears positive, but potential problems with controller components should be considered.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 1 Showing 1-20 of 11,637 reviews
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best back paddles, comfort, and customization EVER
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The back paddles are the best and most comfortable/ most useful I've seen on any controller ever. The rubber grips are completely unique as swell and really resist sweaty gamers syndrome, as well as massive amounts of comfort. The customizing of the key-binds allows for your bottom right paddel to act as the A butten, or your A to act as the right bumper (playing the original Assassin’s creed). Any game that doesn’t allow remapping of the keys you can just completely ignore and remap with the xbox consoles accessories app (already built in so no download required, and you can get it on your PC and map the keys there too). The controller can hold up to 3 quick switch key mappings, but in the accessory app it can hold much more. Back paddles make it extremely easy to permanently forgo your ABXY so you never have to take your thumb off the joystick or use the claw. You can even customize the big glowing X button on the controller to be whatever color you want for any of your key mappings. Swap out the hight of your sticks or there sensitivity and dead zones, and the triggers dead zones, or just adjust the switches on the back to make your triggers only go a portion of the distance and more sensitiveity. Ive got a switch 2 now, and a switch two pro controller, and the pro controller has “back buttons”, and honestly they are so useless and hard to reach in comparison. And if you just want comfort with your controller and don't want the back paddles for the Xbox controller, you can remove them. Don't like the Dpad Octagon, jut take it off and place the regular Dpad on there, all magnets, same with the sticks. Charging is extremely easy and super cool, being built into the case and all. And the controller is suuuper reliable, had it for years and only had bumper issues for the time i transported it unwisely in my suitcase. Overall beautiful controller, incredible customization and key mapping, really REALLY comfortable professional not improvised rubber grips, and best back paddles of any controller on the market. (Also not to state the obvious but with the three key mappings saved to the controller you can use any console or PC with them without any extra work, just editing them on PC takes an extra quick download). Also when you’ve created tones of extra key mappings, they will all show up in any Xbox accessories app you open, new Xbox, old, New PC download and so on. I want them to make a series three so i can have a controller with even more beauty, but i doubt they will because they have nothing to improve.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Expensive, but worth it.
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Overall I really do like the elite controllers, this one specifically had an issue with the left bumper but I'm assuming that's an abnormality. The extra buttons on the bottom are some of the most comfortably designed I've ever used. If you catch these on sale they are amazing, I'd love to find a less expensive option, but so far not much else compares.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Pricey, efficient, and fragile
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Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Microsoft Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller for Xbox is widely regarded as one of the best gaming controllers on the market, offering a premium experience for dedicated gamers. Here’s a detailed review:
Pros:
1. Exceptional Customization: The Elite Series 2 allows deep customization with adjustable-tension thumbsticks, interchangeable components, and mappable buttons. Players can save up to three profiles and switch between them effortlessly, making it ideal for different game genres.
2. Premium Build Quality: The controller features a durable design with rubberized grips and a solid weight that feels premium in hand. The swappable components and shorter hair-trigger locks enhance precision and control.
3. Outstanding Battery Life: With up to 40 hours of gameplay on a single charge, the internal rechargeable battery is a significant upgrade from standard controllers.
4. Versatility: The controller is compatible with Xbox consoles, PCs, and even mobile devices via Bluetooth or USB-C connection, making it a versatile option for gamers across platforms.
5. Enhanced Comfort: The ergonomic design and wrap-around grips ensure comfort during extended gaming sessions.
Cons:
1. High Price Point: At $179.99, the Elite Series 2 is significantly more expensive than standard controllers, which may deter some buyers.
2. Durability Concerns: Some users report issues like stick drift or button malfunctions after extended use, raising questions about long-term reliability.
3. Limited Bluetooth Performance: While connectivity options are robust, some users experience inconsistent Bluetooth performance on PCs without purchasing an additional USB dongle.
4. No Screenshot Button: Unlike newer controllers, it lacks a dedicated button for capturing screenshots or recording gameplay, which may disappoint some players.
Final Verdict:
The Microsoft Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller delivers an unparalleled gaming experience with its extensive customization options, premium materials, and excellent performance. However, its steep price and occasional durability concerns may not justify the cost for casual gamers. For those willing to invest in a high-end controller and take advantage of its advanced features, it remains one of the best options available today.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
While nearly perfect in design and functionality, minor durability issues and the high price prevent it from being flawless.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Top Tier Xbox Controller!
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Posted . Owned for 8 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
No real flaw to point out to be honest! Too many features to count! I could go into all the perks but I don’t want to write that long lol… I’ll mention my favorite feature which is the fact you can adjust the analog from being tight too loose amazing feature! The rest you can see just by clicking on the controller and viewing!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best Xbox Controller
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Posted . Owned for 6 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I love this controller. It has more weight than the regular Xbox controller. It has nice rubberized group areas which add to comfort and control. The sticks on the controller have customizable tension which really lets you get dialed in when playing FPS games. It also has 3 programmable layouts. The price of the controller seems high at first glance but after using it for a good bit of time you'll see and feel that it is totally worth the price. If you're serious about gaming, buy it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best controller EVER!
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
If you had the series 1 elite controller, stop reading this review and buy the dang thing already... you know how much you loved the first one, right? This one is worth $30 for the built-in li battery and included charge dock alone!!!
Ok. If you are still reading, let me tell you why I love mine:
First, I NEVER take my thumbs off the sticks when I am playing games anymore. This controller has magnet-attached (for easy removal or re-arranging) back paddles that can be mapped to any of the other 14 gaming inputs.
2nd, Hair-lock triggers. On the fly, I can switch between 3 trigger settings. That means you can shoot faster in Gears, Halo or COD, but still feather the break/gas/clutch in Forza (remember, remapping will allow you to use the triggers for what ever action you want)
3rd, adjustable stick tension. Maybe the game has few or zero sensitivity settings? Or maybe you just want to see what really works best for you? (Imagine tightening the stick tension while increasing the look sensitivity.) Each stick has three tension options that can be changed with the included key/tool.
4th, swappable thumb sticks. If you use Kontrol Freeks you know why this is awesome. Get each thumbstick the right height, shape and texture. Held in place via magnet, you can easily change either one whenever you need to do so.
5th, rubberized grip. That should be nuff-said, but just in case: this textured grip wraps around the left and right grips of the controller. This means you easily hold the controller no matter which or how many paddles you have attached (even if your hands get sweaty while you are in a clutch gaming moment).
6th, button mapping pre-sets. This controller has on-board flash memory to hold 3 custom, full controller mapping presets, plus super-easy access to the default mapping. One button let’s you cycle between all four on the fly, while also indicating which pre-set you are using.
7th, premium travel case. This case let’s your controller fit snug while you take it on the go; holds all the included paddles, and thumb sticks that are not in use, and let’s you charge your controller while it’s in the case!!! I mean wow. That simple resealable opening allowing the usb-c cable to connect to the charge dock is super convenient! (Plus the dock is held in place in the case by a magnet, too)
I know what you’re asking: will this work on PS4 or PC? It WILL work on a Windows 10 pc! It will NOT work on PS4 but check out the ASTRO c40 controller.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
A Game-Changer for Serious Gamers
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Xbox Elite Controller is hands down the best controller I’ve ever used. From the moment you pick it up, the build quality stands out—solid, premium, and made to last. The customizable paddles, adjustable tension thumbsticks, and trigger locks give you a real competitive edge, especially in fast-paced shooters or precision-heavy games.
What really sets this controller apart is the level of personalization. With the Xbox Accessories app, you can remap buttons, tweak sensitivity curves, and save multiple profiles. Switching between them on the fly is super smooth and incredibly useful.
Battery life is excellent, the rubberized grips feel perfect in your hands, and the included carrying case and accessories add great value. If you’re serious about your gaming or just want the best possible experience, the Elite Controller is worth every penny. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Open box….hmmmm….
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Posted . Owned for less than 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I purchased an open box controller that is listed in excellent condition on the website, and also on the label which is on the box. Best Buy‘s website, it states, item sold in excellent condition. Include all accessories. Well the controller did not include all accessories. I opened the box and I was greeted with the controller, however, no USB cable. Now don’t get me wrong. I know this might be a little nitpick, but if you’re going to list something as including all accessories, please include all accessories. Trust me I have more than enough USB cables lying around the house, so this is no major concern of mine. My concern for this purchase starts with the label that is on the box. Yes the label states excellent condition. There are however, three labels in total on top of the next. The original label states the controller is in satisfactory condition. The second label the controller is in good condition. And of course the final label states excellent condition. Well my issue is this if you’re going to change out the label take off the old one. Because now you’re gonna have a bunch of Customer scratching her head as to what were you guys actually hiding. The price difference between the three different condition levels is very negligible, I think maybe four dollars at the time of writing this review. I will say this the controller is in very good to excellent condition. Yes I saved roughly 70 bucks by buying it open box, and for that, this purchase receives four out of five stars.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Elite Indeed
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
So glad I caught the sale on this!
I can't believe how much you can customize your button layout with this controller! You can set a "shift" button that allows you double-up the function of other buttons. You can also set buttons to perform an action, such as taking a picture, etc. There are many. You can set up three different profiles and also set the color of your "Xbox" (Home) button in each, which I think is pretty cool.
I obviously added a custom faceplate to mine, which is a great option for adding your own style to it. When doing so, they give you a piece that transfers the light source out to the three profile lights and, something I picked up from a YouTube video, you can use a Sharpie and color the ends of the pieces to make them colored lights as well. [Don't know why my green marker looks more aqua/blue-green in the pic or so bright, it really made them darker, which I like, a lot, and they look green to me also. Pictures often change things slightly.]
This is a pricey controller but, they all are. Going with this one, for a few more dollars you get so much more than the difference in price might suggest, to my thinking anyway. I couldn't be happier with my decision to make this purchase!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Elite Series 2, Say Less.
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
After a very long hiatus from gaming, I decided to pick up a controller and take another stab at it. I subscribed to game pass and started looking for controllers. I started with an Xbox one controller, and quickly graduated to the Elite Series 2. I must say, there is no comparison, the Elite controller outclasses the original in every way. The overall design stayed the same, save for 4 cleverly, and strategically placed paddles. That can be programmed to do any thing you want. The X-box accessories app makes it very easy to navigate the mapping of your buttons, and allows up to 10 unique control settings. I would recommend this controller to any one, who’s willing to shell out the $200 to own this bad boy.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
You pay for what you get
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Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought 2 X Box elite series 2 controller a week before Christmas thinking they wont make it in time. However, 1 arrived on Christmas eve. 1 2 days after Christmas. I choose to save some money and both were "open box" "excellent condition " they cost $80 - $90 . The description of "open box" "excellent condition " is works and looks like new with all original parts included. Looks wise, yes. They both look new. Even the original box looks new. However, on one controller the R bumper is not quite right, it feels "soft" and you have to press it harder than the L side. On the other one, the R trigger does not work right. You have to press it 2 to 3 times sometimes for it to respond. Might not sound like a big deal but if you are a gamer, you understand. Everything else is perfect. The usb cable and original paperwork was there as well.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Best Controller on the Market
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Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Love this controller and will always stick with this brand. The customization is amazing and has top-tier performance. The weight, grips, and overall build are far superior to other brands. If you are thinking about buying it - do it! Have fun playing with the paddles and mapping them to whatever feels best for each game. It will feel weird at first but makes gaming so much more enjoyable and competitive. Highly recommend keeping all 4 paddles on for almost every game. Also, trigger locks are OP! BIG plus, I have not experienced any stick drift with any of these controllers. I have had 4 in total.
Microsoft is a genius for The Xbox Accessories app, which allows you to make profiles for every game that you can easily switch to with a press of just one button.
Only one con with this generation and the original Elite: The LB button and only the LB button eventually gives out. This happens usually within a year, but I also use it frequently. This seems to be common in all the forums I have read. Bring it back into Best Buy within a year and they will send it off to Microsoft to fix. Est. 2 week wait
Highly recommend getting the Geek Squad Warranty if you decide to purchase for a faster turnaround.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
incredible controller with a huge flaw
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
this controller is amazing, the build quality, materials, buttons, everything is very solid. however there is a massive flaw in the design. the sticks cannot be clicked in while tilted at an angle, I read online this was a common issue and can be fixed by unscrewing the stick counter clock wise slightly, however if you do this just 1mm too much it will be lose and freely spin, and tightening it will result in the same issue being unable to click the stick in. the solution for this was to take the controller faceplate off which is very annoying to do and held down but pointless adhesive and put a .5mm thick 4mm inner diameter jump ring around the stick and then screw the stick back on. the process is very annoying for an almost $200 controller when ms knows the issue and refuses to redesign such a simple fix, but it now feels perfect
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Xbox elite controller 2
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Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The xbox elite controller is a wonderful accessory to game with. It makes gaming go a lot more smoothly, I would recommend this device for any level of gaming
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Odd build quality quirks and poor warranty
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Posted . Owned for 9 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I preordered this controller prior to release and have used it regularly since November of 2019. Overall, the controller felt like a joy to use; in almost every sense it gave the appearance of a premium product. The bluetooth and internal battery were natural quality of life improvements over the Elite 1. I used it regularly on my PC and an NVIDIA shield.
Then, one morning, I went to use and felt myself being stabbed on my finger tip. Apparently, one of the tiny sleeves on the hair trigger lock popped off the controller. It happens to be in a place where I naturally hold the controller; so far from having a smooth and nice tactile feel, I get stabbed in the finger by what appears to be metal every time I use the controller.
A little bit of research revealed this to be a known problem with multiple threads on the MS support site complaining of this issue. The common solution seemed to be to super glue the sleeve into the trigger (which is startling given how expensive the controller is). However, despite this knowledge, there is no option to purchase a replacement sleeve from MS and its not included in the replacement button accessory kit the company sells.
The only option provided to me by MS was to buy a replacement controller; a horrifically expensive proposition for what seems an obvious and glaringly simple fix on a "premium" product that hasn't even been on the market for a year. The best MS customer service could suggest was me to engineer a fix on my own, by either sticking a piece of eraser on the stabby part or a glue on bumper. A three figure "repair" option was offered to me as well.
A great and expensive disappointment indeed.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Greta controller
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This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The back paddles make it easy to play without moving your fingers off the sticks, the adjustable triggers feel great, and the battery lasts a really long time.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Xbox elite 2
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Amazing price Everything works well. It was an open-box product, but everything comes like new
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
Good quality, great features, not fully satisfied
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Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Very capable peripheral. Comfortable to hold, and the placement of the paddles feels natural to my grip. The connectivity options, settings app and battery are amongst my favourite features. It feels durable.
My criticisms would be #1 price. In my opinion Microsoft aren’t the only guilty ones but the whole Controller market is quite messed up with their prices. A regular controller $60-70? So you buy 4 of them and you are essentially almost buying another console… No controller should cost +$150, it doesn’t matter how many features they have. Personally, 100-120 is a more proper price for a controller of this caliber, though.
#2 Why aren’t you giving me the wireless USB receiver included? Add $10 to the total value if you want, but you are already giving me almost the whole set, just add the receiver to the bundle for the next gen.
#3 $25 for a USB wireless receiver is stupid… there is just no way that little piece of plastic costs that much.
#4 In my case, off the box, I was getting way too much input delay. I managed to lower it through the Xbox app settings to the point where it feels as instant as my old DS4 controller.
It is annoying though. After doing a lot of research, apparently it turns out that Xbox controllers in average have higher input delay than PlayStation controllers on PC off the box. This shouldn’t be a thing, especially with a +$150 “pro elite” controller.
Because of this last issue, for the whole first week of use I was thinking about returning it. I was close to returning it but the other features were so good they made me want to find a workaround or something that it would help me lower the input delay. In the end I kind of found my answer through the accessories app.
Currently I’m happy with the controller. Not sure if I would recommend though. If you can afford it, just because of all the cool features give it a shot and if you don’t like how it feels in game then return it.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best Gaming Controller on the Market
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Posted . Owned for 5 months when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is Top notch controller on the market this purchase was actually my second one because I fell in love with the first .
Controller feel in the hand is 5/5
Customization is simple 5/5
Mapping and U.I simple user friendly 5/5
I’ve had other customizable controllers but they were to complicated to use every week there was a firmware update and the quality felt cheap .
The only downside is that this controller does NOT come with a wireless dongle . I’m still going to give the controller 5 stars but in the future XBOX / Microsoft please add the wire dongle in the box .
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Solid build quality and accessories! Worth it!
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Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Super solid controller. Built well and has a good, quality, weighty feel to the controller. The accessories that come with it are great, as I love a more traditional D-Pad style instead of the default circle D-pad. My only minor complaint is sometimes the buttons can seem a bit mushy, but nothing that causes a lower star count. Reccomend this!