Microsoft made the most effective controller of the technology and fully forgot about it
Last yr, I took a large gamble and purchased the Xbox Elite Series 2. This gamble in the end paid off, as I believe the Series 2 is presently the most effective PC controller that cash should buy. As a PC gamer, I by no means actually discovered a controller that felt like an ideal match for the platform.
From DualShocks to Xbox to third-party controllers from GameSir and 8-BitDo, I attempted every thing. However, none of it felt prefer it belonged on the PC. Whether it was the fickle nature of a Bluetooth connection or the effort of putting in a number of drivers, there’s all the time some quirk to getting a controller up and operating on a PC.
But regardless of how good the Xbox Elite Series 2 is, it is stunning how little Microsoft has talked about what is definitely the most effective controller of this technology, interval.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 gives every thing I would like from a PC controller
An even bigger battery and higher ergonomics
Priced at $200, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is basically a easy improve over the unique Elite Series for Xbox One. However, the upgrades made to the controller, particularly to its ergonomics and, most significantly, its battery, cemented it as my favourite controller. It’s the right controller for gamers like me, who don’t need the effort of wires, want an extended battery life, and likewise like some customization choices with out having to put in third-party purposes on their PC.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 comes with a helpful carrying case that additionally homes a detachable charging dock. While the Series 2 actually is not “pocketable” like the Razer Prio, the added carrying case does make it much more moveable than the usual Xbox or DualSense controllers.
Additionally, you get one set of swappable sticks with alternate grip kinds, two different-sized sticks that are greatest used for FPS video games, two units of again paddles, a swappable D-pad, and a braided USB-C cable. Unlike the usual Xbox Series controller, the Series 2 would not have a detachable battery.
- Brand
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Microsoft
- Platform
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Xbox, PC
The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is a premium, extremely customizable gamepad designed for aggressive play on Xbox and PC. It options as much as 40 hours of battery life, adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair set off locks, and wrap-around rubber grips. Players can save three customized profiles for final customized efficiency.
The controller has a built-in 2050 mAh battery that holds sufficient cost for as much as 40 hours of gaming. However, in my testing, a single cost lasts the controller about 35 to 36 hours. And sure, the battery life is similar even after a yr of standard use. The Xbox Accessories app additionally helps you to decrease some controller settings to additional protect battery life.
Speaking of Xbox Accessories, it is the official app from Xbox which you can obtain on each Windows and Xbox Series consoles, which supplies you full management over the Series 2.
You can use this app to create customized profiles and hot-swap between them. You may also use the app to calibrate the sticks, assign inputs to the again button, and likewise change the colour of the entrance LED. Oh, you can even replace your controller’s firmware utilizing the identical Accessories app. That stated, if you happen to do not wish to use the app, it is completely wonderful; the controller will nonetheless work for many PC video games on Windows 10 and 11.
As for connectivity, the Series 2 helps Bluetooth and likewise Xbox’s proprietary wi-fi connection. In my case, I exploit an Xbox Wireless dongle, which commonly goes for 10 bucks on Amazon.
This dongle lets me join as much as six Xbox controllers concurrently. And since it is a proprietary connection, I haven’t got to emphasize about my controller interfering with 12 different Bluetooth units in my room. And the most effective half: connecting the controller by way of the dongle lets me verify the battery standing and even replace its firmware wirelessly.
Coming to the controller’s ergonomics, it is glorious. The complete controller is wrapped in a rubber-like materials for added grip. However, in contrast to the DualSense Edge, which will get very slippery after a number of hours of gaming, the Series 2 stays dry, for probably the most half. I additionally want the metallic, tactile really feel of the Series 2 buttons over the DualSense, however that is simply me.
One factor that I actually like in regards to the Series 2 is its customizability. The sticks and the D-pad on the Xbox Elite Series 2 are related by way of magnets and, as such, are very straightforward to take away and swap round.
While I won’t be an enormous fan of Xbox’s consoles or their video games, Microsoft actually is aware of how one can make good controllers. Be it the traditional Duke for the unique Xbox or now the Elite Series 2, Xbox’s controller designs have all the time impressed me.
Why not select DualSense Edge over the Xbox Elite Series 2?
controller slowed down by some baffling design and logistical selections
I’ve by no means been an enormous fan of the “professional” controller concept. However, as video games bought extra difficult and my tastes shifted from the standard single-player RPGs to extra multiplayer-focused video games, I discovered that additional buttons (again paddles) assist loads. This was the first motive why I purchased a DualSense Edge when it was launched again in 2023. However, regardless of being a slightly glorious controller by advantage of being, nicely, a DualSense, the Edge in the end disenchanted me.
It’s a controller that is marketed as a “professional” possibility for gamers. However, on the similar time, it is also an goal downgrade in a number of respects over the unique DualSense.
For starters, the Edge has a considerably worse battery life, is heavier, and can also be considerably extra pricey than the DualSense. And thoughts you, the usual DualSense is already a slightly costly controller. And worse of all, it nonetheless makes use of the identical stick modules because the common DualSense, that are extraordinarily vulnerable to drifting.
The swappable sticks are a novel concept that fails in execution.
My unit’s proper joystick began drifting inside only a yr of use. Now, PlayStation trading floors the DualSense Edge as a extra “customizable” possibility for gamers with swappable stick modules.
And I did purchase into that, considering even when certainly one of my sticks began drifting, I might simply purchase a alternative module for 20 bucks, as a substitute of getting to shell out $60 to $70 for a brand-new controller. However, to my shock, only a yr after the controller’s official launch, the stick modules grew to become extraordinarily uncommon to search out.
I might by no means discover a module in inventory at Amazon or my native PlayStation retail retailer. I ultimately needed to shell out roughly $50 to ship a stick module from Japan, however at that time, I might’ve simply purchased a brand new controller.
While the concept of swappable sticks is kind of novel, it would not actually work if the modules aren’t available at an affordable value. At the top of the day, even if you happen to shell out upwards of $200 for the DualSense Edge, you may nonetheless must take care of stick drift, together with your solely choices being manually changing the sticks (which voids the guarantee) or shopping for a brand new controller.
Now, the Xbox Elite Series 2 is not any higher within the joystick division. It’s nonetheless utilizing the identical potentiometer-based sticks as the unique Series controllers.
However, it does have an edge (no pun meant) over the DualSense Edge with regards to battery life. Not to say the extra again paddles, which are available extraordinarily helpful in fast-paced motion video games like Battlefield 6, Elden Ring Nightreign, and even Monster Hunter Wilds.
And with regards to the sticks, you may simply change them with TMR or Hall Effect sticks. And the most effective half: you solely want a prying device and a screwdriver to disassemble the Elite Series 2.
While I do agree that the DualSense Edge is an excellent controller, it did not actually make loads of sense for me to select it up over the Elite Series 2. That stated, if you happen to’re gaming solely in your PS5, I believe the DualSense Edge remains to be the most effective controller which you can purchase. Granted, you are okay with shelling out 200 bucks for a controller.
