Razer
It doesn’t matter if you’re playing the best Xbox Series X game or the worst if you’ve got a bad controller. A gamer is only as good as their controller, after all, and the Xbox Series X has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to ways to interact with the best exclusives. However, a recent update to the system has made all unofficial controllers no longer compatible, leading to confusion about which accessories one should invest in. That’s why we made your search easy by listing not only controllers guaranteed to work on the system but the best ones across the board for any upcoming game.
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Scuf Instinct Pro
- Excellent modular design
- Back paddle buttons
- Faceplate customization
- Supplies have quickly dried up in the past
Scuf is known for its modular controllers, and this is one of the best available, including very sturdy components with options to switch out the instant triggers and thumbstick to different versions, and a new performance grip to prevent slipping. It also includes four programmable back paddles similar to the Xbox Elite Series, which you can map to any buttons you want, based on how you want to play. The headset is wireless or wired depending on preference, and uses a USB-C port to connect. If you feel like changing the design for your controller, you can purchase additional faceplates from Scuf and switch them out as you prefer. You can also create up to three different profiles for your favorite games so you don’t have to keep remapping on the fly.
Microsoft
Xbox Elite Series 2
- Designed for sensitivity
- Customizable back paddles
- 40-hour battery life
- Improved design
- Expensive
The Elite Controller was a marvel in its time, with customizable back paddles, high-quality triggers, and special thumbsticks to enable even the twitchiest gameplay, and options to sub out various parts with different pieces to get just the feel you wanted. The Series 2 returns with a Series X compatible model that sports even more customization options, plus an amazing 40-hour battery life. It’s also taken steps to fix some of the problems of the original model (like the notoriously flimsy shoulder buttons) with a more durable design, making this controller more worth picking up than ever before — particularly for pro gameplay.
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Thrustmaster ESWAP X Pro
- Great preset options
- Physical locking for triggers
- Very modular
- Another pricey pick
The ESWAP X Pro is specifically designed for Series X compatibility, so it’s a great pick if you want to ensure that there won’t be any compatibility issues. It also includes a ton of tech to help you personalize your gameplay and give you a competitive edge — like swapping between different preset configurations during a game, physical locking for triggers, and lots of re-mapping options for the extra buttons in the back. It’s also highly modular, with interchangeable mini-stick, grips, triggers, D-pads, and thumbstick caps … ideal for gamers who like to tinker with both setup and feel. However, keep in mind that is a corded option, not wireless.
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Razer Wolverine V2
- Six remappable buttons
- Razer Synapse on Xbox support
- Some RGB effects
- Wired only
Razer also has a highly competitive controller ready for the Series X: The Wolverine V2 comes with six different remappable buttons and interchangeable thumbsticks that allow you to alter the height and grip of the sticks to match your gameplay, plus a similar option to swap between different D-pads. It supports Razer Synapse on Xbox, too, which makes it easy to remap buttons and experiment quickly to find the loadout that’s best for the game.
And, of course, there are some RGB lighting effects packed into the controller too, which you can customize to whatever you find the most stylish (or least distracting). Like the Thrustmaster model, this control is also wired.
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Turtle Beach Recon (Series X)
- Affordable
- Pairs well with Turtle Beach headsets
- Two programmable back buttons
- No modular options
The Turtle Beach Recon headset line has always been an excellent, dependable option for playing on Xbox. Here, Turtle Beach has updated the Recon line specifically to include a Series X controller, and the results are yet again impressive. In addition to the stylish incorporation of controller grips, you’ll also notice a separate little audio dashboard at the top of the controller: This is designed to pair with a Turtle Beach headset and allows you to quickly mute, turn on the EQ, enable “superhuman hearing” model, and adjust game/chat mix, among other modes.
It’s also a clever controller in other ways: You can tune your own preferred thumbstick sensitivity, and program two back buttons to map to whatever you prefer. Note that the Recon controller (Series X) is a wired controller, so playing wirelessly will not be an option here.
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GameSir G7 SE
- Excellent thumbstick options
- Swappable faceplates
- Hall Effect triggers
- Only two back buttons
The GameSir is an all-purpose competitive gaming controller that, as the Xbox Logo gives away, is designed foremost for the Series X. The wired controller is made with competitive play in mind thanks to responsive triggers and durable thumbsticks.
In addition to being able to map your buttons and adjust stick sensitivity (including setting trigger dead zones to avoid costly mistakes), you can also choose or create up to four different gaming profiles for different players or games. And since environmental awareness is important in competitive gaming, GameSir made sure to include a 3.5mm audio jack for whatever headset you’re rocking.
Giovanni Colantonio / Digital Trends
Victrix Pro BFG
Victrix Pro BFG Wireless Controller Review
- Three controllers in one
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- On-controller volume
- Tons of parts included
- Brilliant modular design
- Buttons can be a bit too sensitive
Few controllers give you as much customization options as the Victrix Pro BFG. It comes with the standard back paddles you can map to any buttons you want, but it goes far beyond just that. You can completely modify your stick and button layout to suit your preference or if one style suits a specific game better. This makes it perfect for fighting games without having to invest in a dedicated arcade stick. It also connects to an app where you can configure all sorts of options, such as calibrating your sticks, adjust dead zones, EQ settings, and more. With the option to play wired or wireless, there’s almost nothing this controller can’t do.
Jesse Lennox has been a writer at Digital Trends for over four years and has no plans of stopping. He covers all things gaming but has a specific interest in all things PlayStation, JRPGs, and experimental indies. Jesse has been writing about games for over 10 years, starting off as a volunteer and eventually finding his way into doing it full-time. He is constantly striving to push his boundaries in what he covers and finds thought-provoking and important angles to highlight within the games industry.
Originally double-majoring in English and Education, Jesse came into games media as a profession by accident. After an unfortunate layoff, he took his passion for writing about games seriously and was lucky enough to find Digital Trends and other outlets such as Pocket-Lint, Classic Nerd, and Gamepur to write for. He has held numerous writing positions, as well as several editing roles, and is always on the hunt for new opportunities to grow his skillset.
Based in Colorado, Jesse spends at least two hours every morning training in the gym to set his mind straight before a full day of writing and gaming.
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