
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 review: A gamepad (almost) perfected
Source: Windows Central
The OG Xbox Elite Controller launched a few years ago and won itself a heap of initial praise. Extra paddles on the reverse for additional buttons, trigger locks for more rapid firing activation, and rubberized grips for a more tactile feel. However, in the months and years that followed, many users reported that their Elite controllers were, well, falling apart, which isn’t the ideal scenario if you’re shelling out over $100 for a gamepad.
That’s why we’re encouraged by the work Microsoft has done to improve the overall robustness of the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, which not only revises the construction but adds in piles of extra features along the way. During Amazon Prime Day this year, you may be able to snag one at a discount as well. The typical retail price of the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is $180, so if you keep an eye on the controller’s store listing during Amazon Prime Day, anything below $180 makes it a genuine deal.
The best controller ever made
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2
Bottom line: This represents the best of Xbox’s engineering efforts, with careful attention paid to every aspect of its design, construction, and execution. This is the best money can buy, if you can stomach that price tag, that is.
Pros:
- Insane 40-hour gameplay battery life
- Robust, ergonomic feel
- Huge array of configuration features
- Bluetooth for mobile and PC use
- Additional controls for your Xbox and TV
Cons:
- Very expensive
- Very easy to get dirty, difficult to clean
- Windows configurability is weak
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Mammoth battery life
Category | Spec |
---|---|
In the box | Hardshell carry case, additional thumbsticks, thumbstick tension control key, charging dock, USB-C cable, additional d-pad, Elite controller, four detachable paddle buttons |
Compatibility | Xbox One, PC with Xbox Wireless/Xbox Wireless Dongle or Bluetooth, Android devices with Bluetooth (not iOS as of yet) |
Connections | Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio, USB-C charging |
Price | $180 |
So, what about that charging dock? It’s perhaps my favorite feature of the whole package, which I’ve been using as my daily driver for a few weeks now. Previously I would have argued blind that having AA batteries was a better solution since you could maintain charging cycles if you’re using something like the Panasonic Eneloop AA charging cradle.
Whether you’re docking in the case or with the charging dock removed and placed on a surface, it’s easy to drop the controller into the charging position, thanks to the dock’s powerful magnets. The controller also gives you a reassuring vibration once docked, and a soft white light pulses to let you know it’s charging up — remaining solid when full. If you leave the controller in the USB-C charging dock when you go to bed, you’re never going to run out of juice with this thing.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 Construction quality and ergonomics
The stuff the original Elite got right has been refined, and the stuff it got wrong has been fixed.
Without a time machine, there’s no way to know if they won’t warp over time, but the difference in quality between the original Elite and the S2 is readily apparent. I’m incredibly confident in what Microsoft has put together here.
The fact the grips wrap around the whole handles instead of just on the back gives it a more pleasant feel in hand. The materials in general just feel great to the touch, even if the soft matte black plastic attracts fingerprints and smudges like mad. In fact, the controller is generally difficult to keep clean, with various tiny notches and grooves that are prone to dust accumulation. If you’re a neat freak, it may drive you crazy.
Another area of concern for many has been the shoulder buttons, which suffered from similar wear and tear problems on the previous Elite. They feel far stronger than the previous effort. Squeezing them in with an usual degree of force didn’t cause any damage, nor did dropping the controller on the floor shoulder-button first (although, again, I don’t recommend attempting either at home).
Ultimately, the stuff the original Elite got right has been refined, and the things it got wrong has been fixed, at least for the most part. After a year with the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 controller, the rubber nubs on the hair-trigger locks fell off, since they’re held onto the device with, erm, nothing. They are plastic underneath, and can still be manipulated, but it’s a bit egregious that a controller this expensive should have such a dumb flaw.
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 New features
Being able to control the TV volume with your Xbox controller is something I never thought I needed until now.
The upgraded microprocessor in the Elite S2 allows for a greater degree of keybindings than the previous Elite as well. Now, you can also add system-level features to the reverse paddles, including things like Xbox capture and screenshots, and even TV controls if you’ve set up the IR Blaster on your Xbox One. Being able to control the TV volume with your Xbox controller is something I never thought I needed until now.
It’s unfortunate, then, that this functionality doesn’t extend to Windows 10, which doesn’t allow for anywhere near as much configuration and system integration. I was hoping you’d be able to bind specific keyboard keys, but even that isn’t possible. You’re restricted solely to moving around buttons present on the controller itself. Hopefully, the Xbox team and the Windows team can come together to improve the situation there in the future.
Should you buy the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2?
The additional features are also exciting and numerous, granting players who want a little more from their console experience the options they need to control their experience fully.
It’s the best of the best, and unfortunately, that doesn’t come cheap.
The only downside is that tweaking it can take a long time, and it truly is a rabbit hole when you start drilling down into the app’s accentuation curve controls and that sort of thing.
The main pitfall of this product is the $180 price tag. It’s far cheaper to get a basic $40 Xbox controller and an Eneloop battery charger to keep your gameplay topped off, and you can get some of the Elite controller’s features using third-party accessories on a budget. What you get with the Elite Series 2 is premium quality, premium features, and premium convenience. It’s the best of the best, and unfortunately, that doesn’t come cheap. If you can stomach that price point, though, you won’t regret it.
Xbox controller perfected
Xbox Elite Controller Series 2
The pinnacle of Xbox accessory engineering.
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