Latest and greatest
The new Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is packed with fresh features and a revised design process to make up for the shortcomings of its predecessor. The only real downsides are in its price, which is an astronomical $180 versus the $120 RRP of the previous controller. Also, for fans of swappable batteries, the Elite Series 2 sports an unswappable internal battery.
For
- Far more features than the previous
- Improved durability
- Charging dock with 40-hour battery
- Bluetooth support
Against
- More expensive
- Internal batteries only
The OG
The OG Elite Controller started a wave of innovation on gamepad refinements from third-party manufacturers, although the controller itself suffered from some pretty serious manufacturing issues. The upside is that it's cheaper (at least in theory) and has swappable batteries. That said, its limited availability has driven the price up to the point where the savings aren't worth it.
For
- Lower recommended retail price
- Also comes in white to match the Xbox One S
- Option to swap batteries
Against
- No longer available to purchase new
- Long-term durability flaws make it hard to recommend now
- No Bluetooth
Simply put, there's no real reason to buy an original Elite Controller over the new Series 2 version. The Series 2 Elite Controller improves upon the original in every conceivable way, including improved durability on the bumpers and rubber grips, complete with a high-quality internal battery with an absurd 40-50 hour battery life (as per our testing).
The Series 2 is expertly designed to replace the original controller, too, making it difficult to get ahold of the previous version. The limited availability has driven the price up at various retailers, making it hardly worth buying versus simply waiting for the Series 2 to launch.
The Series 2 is better, hands down
Source: Windows CentralXbox Elite Controller Series 2 (left) vs. the original Xbox Elite Controller (right)
The Series 2 replaces the original Elite Controller, upgrading and enhancing every dimension of the controller. First and foremost, many users of the previous Elite Controller are probably wondering about durability above all else. The previous controller suffered from a notable design flaw in the rubber grips, which allowed them to warp over time, and become detached from the controller itself. The second Elite Controller fixes this issue using adhesive, which should ensure that the grips stay firmly attached for longer. We have no way to know for sure if their attempted fix will work without some long-form testing, but I was unable to pry the grip from the controller using a guitar pick, which is a good sign.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 | Xbox Elite Controller |
|---|---|---|
| Four extra paddle buttons | Yes, also configurable with console actions | Yes |
| Trigger locks | 3-stage | 2-stage |
| Configuration profiles | 3 | 2 |
| Thumbstick tension control | Yes | No |
| Power | 40-hour internal battery | 2x AA batteries |
| Connections | Bluetooth, Xbox Wireless, USB-C | Xbox Wireless, Micro USB-A |
| In the box | Extra d-pad, extra thumbsticks, tension control key, carrying case, braided USB-C cable, magnetic charging dock | Extra d-pad, extra thumbsticks, carrying case, braided Micro USB cable |
| RRP | $180 | $120 |
Beyond build-quality improvements, Series 2 just has piles of extra features. Notably, the biggest and best is probably the charging dock. Not only does it help keep your playspace tidy, but it charges the whopping 40-hour battery in around an hour, ensuring you'll never want for batteries ever again. In our testing, we found that the 40-hour is a reasonably conservative estimate, as we were easily able to push it to 50 when not using a 3.5mm headset plugged into it.
In addition to charging, the Series 2 comes with Bluetooth, making it ideal for mobile devices, laptops, and tablets. You can also connect it up with USB to PC, and directly to Xbox Wireless-compatible devices like the associated USB dongle, and particular laptops like the Surface Book 2. Oh, and of course, the Xbox One itself.
The Series 2 beats the original with tension-controlled thumbsticks, allowing for greater precision, and comes with three-stage trigger locks over the previous two, for more rapid firing. Both controllers have four paddle buttons on the reverse, but the Series 2's upgraded microprocessor allows for system-level keybinds, such as TV volume control, Xbox screenshotting and so on. On the base Xbox Elite Controller, you can only bind additional Xbox buttons, such as ABXY and the triggers. The new Elite controller also has three separate configuration profiles, up from the previous two.
The only real downside to picking up the Series 2, at least theoretically, is the price. The RRP on the Series 2 is $180, whereas the RRP on the previous was around $120. You get a lot more bang for your buck for that extra $60, but it's still a big ask considering an Xbox One console starts at around $250. If you factor in the price from AA batteries and recharge packs, the dock, carry case, and other accessories, the Series 2 represents a fair deal if you plan to use all of its features. One thing is for certain, though. There's no reason to buy the OG Elite Controller in 2019.
Probably the best controller ever made
With refined construction, improved features, and a nifty charge dock, the Elite Series 2 is a stunning piece of kit that those with cash to splash shouldn't miss.
The original Elite controller
With limited availability, fewer features, and lower quality, the Elite controller should be remembered as a pioneer in the space, but perhaps shouldn't be purchased.
