We’re not saying that the Xbox One controller that came with your Xbox One isn’t one of the best controllers on the market. It is. But, simply being one of the best doesn’t mean it will always be the right controller for the job. Nor does being one of the best make it the absolute best you can get.From fighting games to racing simulators, there are many cases where you’ll have a better experience and finer control by having the right hardware for the job. If you’ve got large hands, you may have an easier time with one controller over another. Or, if you prefer to have your buttons mapped differently, you could find one controller gives you more flexibility to do so. We’ve picked out the ultimate controllers in several different categories, including fight sticks and racing wheels, to get you gaming at the highest level on your Xbox One. And, don’t worry about the controller not being supported in the future, as existing Xbox One controllers will be compatible with the upcoming Xbox Series X.TL;DR These are the Best Xbox One Controllers:
1. Microsoft Xbox Elite Series 2
Best Xbox Controller
Microsoft has nailed its controller design, but the Xbox Elite controllers take it to the next level with a premium contruction and better materials. The Xbox Elite Series 2 (read our review) is an updated version of the model that previously held our top spot.The Xbox Elite Series 2 offers up a weighty controller with plenty of gripy texture wrapped around the front and back, so you can hold on even in the more heated moments of gaming. It has interchangeable, magnetic thumbsticks, a swappable D-Pad, tunable triggers, and four paddle buttons that can slot into the bottom of the controller. Those paddles give you a way to use all your buttons without needing to take your thumbs of the joysticks.
While the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller comes at a high premium above the price of a standard controller, it has even more extras in store. Namely, it comes with a fancy, sturdy carrying case with a charging stand that can juice up the controller wirelessly. The controller can also charge over its updated USB-C port. And, Bluetooth connectivity will let you use the controller with other devices, like your phone if you happen to check out Project xCloud. The biggest downside is that this controller is really popular, and it’s currently sold out just about everywhere.
2. Xbox One Wireless Controller
The Next Best Xbox Controller
It’s really hard to beat the classic Xbox controller that comes packed in the box with every Xbox One. If you’re looking to add a second controller to your arsenal or need a replacement, this is a solid choice. Note that this is Microsoft’s revised Xbox controller, so it comes with Bluetooth support and a slightly textured finish on the grips. Despite these improvements, this is one of the most affordable Xbox controllers you can get for just $40.You can buy the recharging kit and add extra life to your controller without the need to swap batteries constantly, or you can just toss a pair of double-As in there and have at it. Available in a host of colors, the Xbox Wireless controller is a great mix of price and familiarity.
3. Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition
Best Third-Party Xbox Controller
The Razer Wolverine Tournament Edition delivers a focus on build quality and customization options targeted at hardcore gamers. It comes with four programmable buttons and a quick control panel for functions like toggling between profiles or muting the volume to avoid annoying your roommate or spouse. Stiff analog sticks and rubber grips are designed to endure long gaming sessions without causing you to lose your grip.4. Razer Dragon Ball FighterZ Atrox Arcade Stick
Best Xbox One Fight Stick
The best way to play fighting games is with a fight stick and the best one for the Xbox One is the Razer Atrox Arcade Stick. This premium fight stick offers some incredible build quality with high-end Sanwa components. You can find this stick in different styles, but we’re a fan of this Dragon Ball FighterZ model that adds some extra flair to the design without trading off the quality of any of the components.Of course, if you prefer using a different stick, other buttons, or just don’t like the box art, users can open up this fight stick and change virtually every part of it.
5. Hori Fighting Commander Pro
Best Xbox One Fight Pad Controller
A fight stick is a big commitment and a lot of money to spend on playing just one type of game. If you’re on the fence, you should consider a fight pad. The Hori Fighting Commander Pro gives you access to an extra pair of buttons and a real D-Pad, to make pulling off specials a cinch.While it’s great for fighting games, the Hori Fighting Commander Pro is it’s still mostly a traditional controller, so you can use to play indie games and just about anything you want. Its also wired, which saves you the hassle of keeping it charged, but that may be a drawback depending on your specific gaming setup.
6. Xbox Adaptive Controller
Best Customizable Xbox One Controller
The Xbox Adaptive Controller is specially designed for gamers with limited mobility. On its own, the Adaptive controller only gives you three inputs with an oversized D-Pad and two massive A and B buttons that users can hit with their palm, elbow, foot, or what have you.However, the Xbox Adaptive Controller isn’t meant to be used on its own. Rather it has 19 3.5mm jacks along its back, each of which corresponds to a single command triggered on the normal Xbox One controller. Users can plug in their own accessibility controllerswhich includes a massive variety of buttons, foot pedals, switches, joysticks and moreand turn the Xbox Adaptive Controller into a central control hub.
7. Hyperkin Duke Wired Controller
Best Xbox Controller for Xbox One
Thanks to Microsoft’s robust backwards compatibility, you can play a huge library of original Xbox titles. If you’re like us and want to play the game as close to the original experience as you can, you need the Duke.The Hyperkin Duke might not be made by Microsoft, but it’s been officially licensed by Xbox. This controller emulates the entire original Xbox Controller experience from its large, rotund shape to the almost excessive resistance on the thumbsticks. Of course, this blast from the past controller keeps the old-school black and white buttons to complete the experience.
8. Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel
Best Xbox One Racing Wheel
When you’re really getting heavy into a racing game like Forza, F1, or Dirt, it can quickly become tedious trying to feel like you’re really driving the hyper-realistic cars on those photorealistic tracks when you’re just holding a simple Xbox controller in your hands. That’s where a racing wheel comes in, helping to fully immerse you in your game, and Thrustmaster makes many of the bestThe Thrustmaster TMX Racing Wheel is a spectacular option for anyone looking to dive deep into racing sims with a wheel that doesn’t just look the part but also feels the part. The Thrustmaster TMX is a force feedback racing wheel, so you’re going to feel the road in your hands when you try taking a turn at high speeds. It also has a 900-degree rotation with a high level of sensitivity, giving you finer control over your steering than a cheap wheel would. The controller includes the force feedback base, an 11-inch wheel with paddle shifters, and foot pedals.
Xbox and PC Compatibility
The biggest advantage Xbox One controllers have over the DualShock 4 PS4 controller is they work wirelessly with your with your Windows PC right out of the box. No extra software or fiddling needed.While it’s true most PC games are best enjoyed using a gaming keyboard and high-quality gaming mouse, an ever-increasing number of games and menu systems are designed around the controller instead of the traditional WASD control scheme PC gamers know and love.
With an Xbox One controller, you just plug it into your Windows computer and you’re good to go. The PS4 controllers also work with PC but require a bit more effort. However, not all games will perfectly map their controls onto a DualShock 4, so an Xbox One controller is definitely your safest bet. Controller compatibility also makes swapping between Windows Play Anywhere and Xbox Game Pass for PC games like Cuphead, Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War 4 and more much easier.
To use an Xbox One controller on your PC requires you have Windows. There are Linux and Mac solutions, too, but they require more work. Getting your Xbox One controller up and running on PC is as simple as using a Micro USB cable to connect it to your gaming laptop or gaming PC. You can also grab a Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller adapter or if your computer has Bluetooth, you can pair it as you’d pair any other Bluetooth device.
Windows might take a second or two to update the drivers, but that’s it. You just hook your Xbox One controller to a PC and you’re good to go from there. Keep in mind, if you move back and forth between PC and Xbox One, you’ll need to pair the controller whenever you switch between the two.
Take Control
Of course, Xbox One traditional-style controllers are pretty great, and our guide to the best should help you in most gaming situations. But what about specialty controllers?For example, are you playing fighting games on a regular controller? If so, you’re doing yourself an enormous disservice. It’s possible to practice and get really good with one of these controllers, but for dominance in the fighting game community, you really need to pick yourself up a dedicated fight stick.
For driving games, like the excellent Forza Horizon 4, you’re going to want a racing wheel. It’s up to you to decide if you want to go all-in with dedicated pedals, gear shift, and racing chair. Same with flight sticks. You can make the experience as immersive as your budget allows.
The best part about buying a dedicated controller like a fight stick or racing wheel is they have the same compatibility as the traditional Xbox One controllers. Your fight stick will work on your PC the same as it works on your Xbox One X, same as the others.
Also, be sure to check out more of our expert tech roundups like our guide to the best 4K TVs for gaming, the best PlayStation 4 controllers, or jump-start your streaming career with one of the best capture cards for streamers.
Kevin Lee is IGN’s Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspamMark Knapp is a regular contributor to IGN and an irregular Tweeter on Twitter @Techn0Mark
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