Best controller for Xbox Series X | S & Xbox One 2022

In this guide, you can read about the models we have named the best controller for Xbox Series X | S and Xbox One 2022. Are the originals the best right now or are there third-party manufacturers with good alternatives?

A big advantage of Xbox is that whether you are looking for a controller for Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One X, Xbox Series X | S, all controls are suitable for all consoles! You do not have to think about which model fits which, it makes it much easier to look.

Below you will find a flexible overview of our top list, followed by a buying guide and our best in the test.

Overview

1. Xbox Wireless Controller Gen 9

Best Controller Xbox 2022

• Possibility to re-map buttons

• Sharing button that saves clips easily

• New D-pad for better precision and comfort

• Rugged surface for a nice and good grip

• Available in several stylish colors

2. Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Best Premium Controller Xbox 2022

• One of the most advanced hand controls

• Incredibly flexible, adapt the box just for you

• Haptic feedback and precise triggers

• Rubber grip for best grip

• Built-in rechargeable battery

3. 8Bitdo Pro 2 Wired Controller

Best hand control with cord Xbox 2022

• Expensive high quality control

• Customizable, folder, change dead zones etc.

• Officially licensed by Xbox / Microsoft

• Create finished profiles

• Silence the mic and change the volume directly on the control

4. 8Bitdo Ultimate Wired Controller

Best wired hand control Xbox 2022 – Options

• Very flexible hand control

• Similar to the original control in the grip

• Make profiles and switch for different games

• Two extra buttons underneath

• Adjust vibration, triggers, dead zones etc.

5. PDP Wired Controller

Best Cheap Controller Xbox 2022

• Affordable and cheap control

• In shape similar to the original, stable and well built

• Re-map buttons, adjust dead zones etc.

• Licensed by Xbox / Microsoft

• Available in several stylish designs, b.la. transparent

Choose the right controller for your Xbox

A good hand control should enhance the gaming experience and make it even more fun to play. When you look for a new hand control, the name of the control itself may differ from different retailers, it can be called hand control, game control, box, gaming controller or only control.

Since it is the hand control that you play and control the entire console with, it is obviously important that you buy a suitable and good control that is happy to reflect how you play. Someone who e.g. playing at a high level or even competing needs better control than the gamer who plays a little now and then.

The original controls from Xbox / Microsoft have long been very popular and stand strong in the competition. However, there are also many third-party manufacturers that have officially licensed controls and are competitive.

Which Xbox controls work for which consoles?

All controls designed for the various Xbox One consoles are compatible with the Xbox Series X | S consoles. Vice versa, Xbox Series X | S controllers work for Xbox One consoles. We think very smooth and well done by Microsoft!

Wireless hand control or with cord / cable

Let’s take a look at what  differentiates between different boxes for Xbox and what can make them cheap and expensive. To begin with, the controls can either be wireless or wired directly to the console. Wireless controls are much more popular and common,  although they usually have a higher price tag. It is easier to play without a cable that is in the way, however, the disadvantage is that wireless boxes need to be charged.

Grip on the control

The grip on the game controls is becoming increasingly important and something that the manufacturers put a lot of effort into. The controls should be  ergonomic and comfortable to use, so that they fit well in the hands when playing.

Something that more and more cans have received in recent times is a roughened surface , this to offer an even better grip on especially intensive gaming where hand sweat may occur.

Cheap controls are generally simpler built and their grip is usually not as comfortable as more expensive models.

The number of buttons and functions

On more expensive hand controls, there are usually more buttons at the back , it gives greater freedom of choice in the games and allows the box to be adapted for different types of games. Perfect for those who vary their play, but also for the gamer who likes to play more seriously and possibly compete.

The image below shows the underside of the  Xbox Elite Series 2 , which has a few more buttons than a standard control.

Designer & colors

Many game controls are available in several designs , the original from Xbox is available in nice colors such as white, black, blue, red and yellow. Third-party manufacturers usually have even more cool designs.

If several children are going to play on the console and they want their own hand controls, different colors of the controls are a flexible way to distinguish whose control is whose .

Now we take and dive into our best in test!

Best hand control for Xbox 2022

1. Xbox Wireless Controller Gen 9

Best hand control for Xbox 2022

• Connection: Wireless (Xbox Wireless & Bluetooth)
• Button to save clips: Yes

• Battery life:  About 40 hours
• Headphone jack: Yes

Generation 9 of Xbox wireless control is developed for the next-gen consoles Xbox Series X and S, but of course works equally well for all One consoles as well . Microsoft / Xbox has managed to refine an already popular and superb control and made it a bit sharper.

Just like previous versions, this hand control has a large and comfortable grip that is well balanced in the hand. Nowadays, there is also an extension on the surface where you hold your hands, to give an even better grip during intense games. The same texture is now also available on the rear buttons L1, L2, R1 and R2. 

Another novelty is the D-pad, which has been given a more cup-shaped shape that fits the thumb much better. This makes it more convenient and easier to control things via the D-pad.

In addition to the Xbox consoles, this box is also compatible with PC / Windows and Andriod devices , both mobile and tablet.

2. Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Best Premium Controller Xbox 2022

• Connection: Wireless (Xbox Wireless & Bluetooth)
• Button to save clips: Yes

• Battery life:  About 40 hours
• Headphone jack: Yes

Elite Series 2 is one of the most advanced controllers on the market today and is designed for serious gamers. This is a control that offers great flexibility and the ability to shape your own hand control according to taste and liking.

In the hand, the control feels solid and stable and gives a high quality impression . Furthermore, the control has a rubber surface where you hold your hands, which gives a really nice grip with a good grip.

Among the many features that the Elite Series 2 has, we want to highlight haptic feedback , which means that the box reproduces what happens in the games with the help of various vibration motors, something that really enhances the gaming experience. Another great feature is that the buttons at the back are built to be extra sensitive , which results in them responding immediately to button presses. A big advantage in e.g. various FPS and shooting games.

As mentioned, the control is very flexible, below we list some examples:

• The majority of the buttons can be re-mapped (change location on what they do)
• Extra toads on the back that can be used for any button press
• It is possible to replace different joysticks and pads
• Opportunity to save different profiles for different types of games.

Elite Series 2 also comes with a built-in battery , it is charged via the included USB-C cable.

3. 8Bitdo Pro 2 Xbox

Best corded controller for Xbox 2022

• Connection: Cable
• Button to save clips: Yes

• Battery life: N / A
• Headphone jack: Yes

8Bitdo manufactures high quality gaming equipment and Pro 2 is no exception. The control is officially licensed by Microsoft / Xbox and has a wonderful touch of retro feel. This is an excellent alternative to Xbox original control for those who want a slightly narrower grip.

The box comes with a number of very useful features. Several of the buttons can be re – mapped , you can change the sensitivity of the analog levers and the deadzones can be adjusted . In addition to this, it is also possible to  create several ready-made profiles for different types of games.

All this is done smoothly in the Ultimate Software and you can adjust everything directly in your mobile or via a computer.

Something we like is that on the underside of 8Bitdo Pro 2 there are two extra buttons, which gives you more flexibility. Furthermore, it is also possible to mute the microphone directly via the hand control, as well as adjust game sounds and chat.

4. 8Bitdo Ultimate Wired for Xbox

Best corded controller for Xbox 2022

• Connection: Cable
• Button to save clips: Yes

• Battery life: N / A
• Headphone jack: Yes

This is an excellent alternative for you who want a hand control that is similar to the original in the grip, but which offers significantly more customization options .

Ultimate Wired shares many similarities with 8Bitdo Pro 2 above, the big difference is a slightly different design and layout, and that this model is also available in white and pink design .

Some of the features that this controller offers are the ability to re -map buttons, adjust the sensitivity of levers and buttons , and adjust the vibrations in the box. In addition, you can create different profiles for different types of games, so you do not have to keep on and change all the time.

You can make changes smoothly in 8Bitdo’s Ultimate Software and it can be controlled directly in the mobile or via a PC.

Another thing we like about Ultimate Wired is that it comes with two extra buttons on the underside, which 8Bitdo usually has on their controllers. You can also mute the microphone directly on the controller and adjust the sound for games and chat.

5. PDP Wired Controller

Best Cheap Controller Xbox 2022

• Connection: Cable
• Button to save clips: Yes

• Battery life: N / A
• Headphone jack: Yes

PDP Wired Controller is an affordable and inexpensive hand control with a nice design . It is a perfect choice for those who may not play as often or to have as a guest control , because you do not have to think about it being charged all the time.

The control is officially licensed by Xbox and in terms of shape, it shares much of its appearance with the original control, it has the same ergonomic and comfortable shape and feels flexible in the hand.

Functionally, it is possible, for example, to re -map the buttons and adjust dead zones . Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the volume directly on the box and to save clips with the split button.

PDP Wired Controller is available in several cool designs, above  transparent variant with LED lighting  we think is really cool.

Summary of best hand control for Xbox (Series X | S & One) 2022

Today we find many good hand controls for Xbox in the gaming market, both superb original controls but also strong challengers from third-party manufacturers.

What should a good hand control be then? Well, it should be ergonomic and comfortable to use, so you can play for a long time if you want. Furthermore, it must be well-built and of good quality , so that it lasts. It is also positive if the control is flexible with functions such as mapping buttons.