Xbox One Controller Macht Sich Selbstständig

TechRadar Verdict

The Xbox Wireless Controller has seen some improvements over the years, simply its virtually recent is the best yet. The Xbox Series X/S gamepad offers a more premium feel without the toll tag, with improved tactile textures and refined geometry resulting in a more than accessible and comfortable gaming experience. Withal, nosotros wish the controller was capable of recharging without having to buy an extra addition.

Pros

+
Premium feel
+
Works on a range of devices
+
Improved textures and geometry
+
Impulse trigger feel great

Cons

-
Share button can be awkward
-
Not rechargeable without add-on

Xbox Wireless Controller - Ane-infinitesimal review

The Xbox Wireless Controller isn't actually a make new gamepad. Instead, it'due south a revised version of the gamepad used with the Xbox One, having undergone some upgrades for its release alongside the new Xbox Series X/South consoles.

But while it may bear the same name as its predecessor and a largely similar design, the Xbox Wireless Controller is a marked improvement over Microsoft's previous core gamepads. If that appeals to you, or yous're looking for a second Wireless controller for your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console, we'll particular what you need to know.

Picking up a controller on its ain is probably going to be easier than getting an entire console right now, though stock has improved in the concluding few months. However, if you're trying to get your hands on the latest-generation Xbox, you might likewise exist able to get some skillful Xbox Series X bundle deals out there. Or if you're not certain which new-gen console to pick, y'all can ever cheque out our PS5 vs Xbox Series X guide.

The Xbox Wireless Controller feels familiar in the hand yet subtly different, with improved tactile textures and refined geometry making for a more ergonomically friendly (and comfortable) playing experience. We're also happy to meet Microsoft finally implement a dedicated Share button to its gamepad, making it considerably easier to take screenshots and videos mid-game.

Yet, the Share push can sometimes be awkward to attain and nosotros found ourselves frustrated with the gamepad still not being automatically rechargeable - instead, a recharge pack needs to be bought separately.

It seems that Microsoft's new gamepad takes inspiration from the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, offering some of the premium controller's acme-notch blueprint features in a more affordable-feeling form. The outcome is a sleek, affordable and accessible controller, which just feels nice to utilise.

Xbox Wireless Controller: toll and availability

Xbox Wireless Controllers – Electric Volt and Daystrike Camo — (Paradigm credit: Microsoft)

Xbox Wireless Controller price: $59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74.99
Three colors at launch: Carbon Blackness, Robot White and Shock Blue

The Xbox Wireless Controller price is $59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74.99, only it's worth noting that every Xbox Serial X and Series S console comes with a controller in the box.

You'll only need to purchase another controller if you're looking to pick upward a replacement, or a second (or 3rd, or fourth) for co-op play at domicile. Yous shouldn't have too much trouble finding additional units either, with the Xbox Wireless Controller readily bachelor at many major retailers, both online and in-store.

Too as existence available in Carbon Blackness and Robot White, at launch the Xbox Wireless Controller also comes in a head-turning Daze Blue. Since then, we've seen the range open up significantly and if y'all're willing to pay the little extra for customization, you lot can fifty-fifty design your ain color scheme, thank you to Xbox Design Lab.

Xbox Wireless Controller: design

XBOX Controller in front of an RGB keyboard — (Image credit: TechRadar)

Feels familiar in the hand yet subtly different
Improved tactile textures and refined geometry
New Share button

On the surface, the Xbox Wireless Controller doesn't await like a particularly drastic departure from its predecessor. Information technology sports a similar shape, and keeps the traditional button and trigger layout. On closer inspection, though, you begin to discover the subtle differences Microsoft has implemented.

For a start, the gamepad'south exterior at present sports a matte finish that closely matches the new consoles' designs. While this certainly looks sleek, information technology does come with drawbacks – the blackness controller that comes with the Xbox Series X easily picks upward scuffs and scrapes that are noticeable.

Considering the corporeality of hands-on fourth dimension controllers are subjected to it's possible that you'll find it hard to keep yours looking in tip-meridian status for years to come. Other color variants of the controller are available though (you'll demand to buy these separately, while a white version comes included with the Xbox Serial Southward), and some may be less prone to scuffs.

That'southward a minor quibble, though, and overall nosotros institute that the Xbox Wireless Controller resembles a more premium controller, both in await and experience. The revised pad now has a tactile texture on the triggers, grips and bumpers, which we institute made the controller experience more secure in our hands.

Xbox Series X — (Image credit: Time to come)

In addition, while the controller is the same size every bit its predecessor, the bumpers and triggers have been rounded and reduced in size by a few millimeters, which makes the gamepad feel less beefy. If you're someone with pocket-size hands, past Xbox controllers have felt quite tanky, merely this simple modify improves comfort levels in a subtle but noticeable mode.

Perhaps the most notable changes to the controller are the addition of the 'Share' button and the hybrid D-pad. The Share button essentially acts as a capture button, allowing you lot to easily snap screenshots of your game – a single click takes a snapshot, while holding the push down for longer records a 15-second video by default (you lot can adapt the video duration in the Capture settings).

This is much easier than on the Xbox One, where you have to press the home button and then X or Y, but nosotros did find it a scrap fiddly to quickly take a screenshot – your feel may vary depending on how big your hands are.

The hybrid D-pad, on the other hand, aims to provide a center-basis betwixt the Xbox One controller's archetype D-pad and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Serial 2'due south changeable disc-shaped, faceted D-pad. What results is a kind of traditional D-pad, laid over a disc. Once more, this is a small but welcome modify and is intended to give more control and leverage over the D-pad – while generally feeling more comfortable.

The D-pad likewise gives off a loud click we haven't heard from a controller before. Yous'll either find it satisfying or a fleck annoying - we ofttimes found it the latter - though those used to mechanical keyboards may not be all that bothered.

Simply there'southward a lot most the controller's pattern that hasn't changed. Information technology keeps the 3.5mm sound jack and expansion port at the lesser, its USB charge port and pairing button at the top, and its View, Menu and Xbox buttons on the face.

Xbox Wireless Controller: performance

Xbox Wireless Controller (2020) — (Prototype credit: TechRadar)

Works on a range of devices
Lower latency
Rechargeable battery pack needs bought separately
Remappable (but this is limited)

Alongside these cosmetic changes, the Xbox Wireless Controller brings functionality improvements besides. We found this controller to be more than responsive, which is likely down to the lower latency Microsoft has boasted nigh (paired with more frame rate stability of the Xbox Series X/South), while connecting the gamepad wirelessly via Bluetooth to a range of devices – including the Xbox One, an iPhone 11, and a Mac – was straightforward.

The Xbox Wireless Controller again runs on AA batteries (regular or rechargeable), only if you want to avoid the hassle of changing or charging batteries constantly yous have ii options. Y'all can invest in a Play and Charge kit (a rechargeable battery back which you can use to charge the controller while yous're playing or between sessions), or connect your controller to the console via USB-C (although this will, of grade, limit your liberty of motility).

In terms of remapping, you can remap the Xbox Wireless Controller on the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S via the Xbox Accessories app - though the level of customization is somewhat limited.

The app allows you to remap a off-white few of the controller'southward buttons to your tastes and even gives you control over aspects such as whether your controller vibrates and whether y'all want your sticks automatically inverted. We found remapping fairly straightforward, fifty-fifty if at that place are some buttons - similar the Xbox push button and the triggers - which tin't be changed.

Given that the Xbox Wireless Controller utilizes the impulse trigger feature found in previous iterations of Xbox gamepads - providing haptic feedback to your fingertips when you, for example, drive the dirt roads of Dirt v - the lack of trigger remapping is understandable.

Xbox Wireless Controller: should I purchase it?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

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Vic is TechRadar Gaming's Associate Editor. An honor-winning games journalist, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer and more than to the TechRadar tabular array. You lot may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a console. Not only is Vic passionate almost games, merely she's also an avid mental wellness abet who has appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make certain to follow her on Twitter for more than.