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For Xbox and PC gamers, there aren’t many gamepads more iconic than a standard Xbox Controller. And it’s hard to improve on a classic. But the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 manages to do just that.
Released in 2019, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is a premium gamepad built for hardcore gamers. Unlike its predecessor, the Elite 2 features adjustable joysticks, soft rubber grips, and — get this — a built-in rechargeable battery. No more disposable AA batteries to worry about! And that’s not even mentioning the Elite 2’s unique modular design. It’s currently sold in two different packages: A standard bundle that comes with a replacement parts kit and a cheaper “Core” package that just includes the controller itself.
I’ve spent weeks with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, and it’s a definite improvement over the classic Xbox gamepad. Comfortable, customizable, and beautiful — it’s hard to find a better PC or Xbox controller. If you have the budget and want a truly high-end gamepad, this is the best PC controller for gaming that you can get.
This high-end Xbox and PC controller has a rechargeable battery, four extra paddle buttons, and extra tools to customize its buttons. This package includes the controller, a charging dock, and a replacement parts kit.
Few controllers feel better to hold than the Xbox Elite Series 2
The first thing you’ll notice about the Xbox Elite Series 2 is the fantastic rubber grip on its handles. The handles are grippy, don’t pick up dirt easily, and are surprisingly cool to the touch. If you buy the controller in a color other than black, they also give the gamepad a great contrasting aesthetic. This is the only controller I’ve ever used with rubber handles, and it makes me wonder why more companies haven’t adopted this design.
The Elite 2 also features grippy joysticks, adjustable triggers, and a stereo headphone jack at the bottom. Combine all this with the Elite 2’s ergonomic design, and you’ve got a controller that feels wonderfully nice to play with.
I also have to shout out the Elite 2’s big built-in battery. It can last for around 40 hours on a full charge, which rivals the famously long-lasting Nintendo Switch Pro Controller. And it charges using either a regular USB-C cable, or a handy charging dock that comes included with the standard package. If you get the cheaper Core-edition package, you can still buy the charging dock separately later on.
The biggest issue I’ve run into regarding the Elite 2’s design — and it’s not a big one — is that the joysticks are slightly imprecise. Testing using the Gamepad Tester tool shows that they never rest perfectly centered, and actually tend to lean slightly in whatever direction you last pushed them.
They also suffer from joystick snapback. Snapback occurs when you push a joystick all the way in one direction and let go. When the joystick “snaps” back to the center, momentum will actually carry it past the center and into the direction opposite the one you pushed. This can lead to misinputs, which is especially deadly in fighting games.
Some of this can be fixed by removing the joysticks and using the included key tool to adjust the stick tension. It doesn’t take much effort, since the joysticks are only attached magnetically. The tenser the sticks, the less prone they are to errors.
The Xbox Elite 2’s replaceable parts seem nice, but can feel flimsy
The Elite 2’s biggest selling point is its modular design. The joysticks, D-pad, and back paddle buttons aren’t built directly into the controller; they’re magnetic caps that you can remove and replace whenever you want.
By default, the Elite 2 is configured with side-gripped joysticks, an eight-way D-pad, and no paddles. The standard replacement parts kit, which you can get bundled with the controller or buy separately, comes with four paddles, four new joysticks — including two with no grips and one that’s twice the length of a regular stick — and a standard D-pad.
These parts are a mixed bag. The standard D-pad is far more tactile than the eight-way D-pad the controller comes attached with, which also often feels like it’s going to fall off if you press too hard. The dome and longer joysticks are fantastic, although I don’t understand why you’d ever use the sticks that have no grip.
The paddles are the Elite 2’s worst feature. Their magnets feel bizarrely weak, and it’s easy to accidentally slip your fingers under them and knock them right off the controller. I actually wish the paddles weren’t replaceable, and came built into the controller.
Third-party brands sell their own replacement parts too, but I’ve only tested the official parts from Microsoft.
A free PC app gives your Xbox Elite 2 even more customization options
You can customize more than just the Elite 2’s hardware design. Windows users have access to a free app called Xbox Accessories that lets you update your Elite 2’s firmware and remap any of the controls. You can create up to three profiles, each with their own control layout, and switch between them on the fly.
You can make any input on the controller (whether a button or a joystick) trigger any other input. You can edit how sensitive the joysticks are. You can adjust how strongly the four rumble motors can vibrate. You can even change what color the Xbox logo on the controller glows. It’s an impressively detailed app.
This app’s only failing is that it doesn’t let you set up macros, which are long button combinations that you can automatically perform by tapping a single button. In this area, it lags behind more affordable options like the 8BitDo Ultimate.
Xbox Elite Series 2 vs. Elite Series 2 Core: What’s the difference?
As I mentioned in the intro, Microsoft currently sells the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 in two different packages.
The standard package, which retails for $180, includes the controller, a charging cable, a charging dock, a carrying case, a joystick adjustment key, and several additional controller parts. The parts include four paddles, four extra joysticks, and a standard D-pad.
The second package, called the Core Edition, retails for $130. The Core package only includes the controller, charging cable, and joystick adjustment key. Notably, this means that if you only buy the Core package, you won’t have any paddle buttons at all. But don’t worry, if you decide you want the extra buttons and charging case later on, you can always purchase the Complete Component Pack separately for an MSRP of $60.
The Core package also lets you buy the controller in a variety of different colors. If you buy the standard package, you can only get a black controller.
Should you buy the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2?
The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 earns its name and price tag with a sleek design, lots of customization options, and the most comfortable gamepad grips I’ve ever held. It’s not going to start a revolution in the gamepad world (although it will make you ask why more controllers aren’t made out of rubber), but it’s a clear upgrade to the iconic standard Xbox Controller.
If you’re just a casual gamer — meaning you don’t play PC games with a controller that much and don’t feel any need to customize your experience — you can stick with something less expensive. But if you’re a hardcore player that expects to use your controller for hundreds of hours or more, it’s a fantastic option that will carry you far into the future.
If you’re struggling to pick between the standard Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 package or the cheaper Core version, I’d recommend buying the standard version. It comes with a convenient carrying case and charging dock, and the replacement D-pad is much better than the default one. It’s also not hard to find the standard package on sale, which can help smooth out the price difference.
