Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2

The Xbox One family may reach the end of its lifecycle, but Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 can take us to the next-generation Xbox’s Project Scarlett. The Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is the successor to the Elite Wireless Controller and offers several enhancements to its predecessor that makes it The Best Xbox controller on the market. So is the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller worth its hefty price tag?

The controller itself is matte black, with rubber handles covering both controller legs – unlike its successor, which only had this on the back of the legs. On the front of the controller, there are the standard X, A, Y, and B buttons, in addition to the standard Xbox, menu, and share buttons – and a profile button we’ll come back to. The beauty of the Elite Series 2, however, is that there are also interchangeable analog sticks and D-pad buttons that you can push away and magnetically replace with one of the buttons supplied with the controller.

You get a set of six sticks, including two standards, two classics, one high, and one white dome. The re is also a set of four paddles, including two medium and two mini, and a set of two D-pads: standard and faceted. The voltage of the analog sticks can also be adjusted using a small screwdriver. The re are three settings available, each of which increases the energy of the sticks. Where the Xbox Elite Wireless Series 2 excels is in the software and performance improvements.

Series 2 gives you more customization options than ever before, but this time it goes all the way to the system level. You can still customize the Elite Series 2 via the Xbox Accessories app (which is much more sophisticated these days, and you’ll need to download it separately), which allows you to configure everything from stick sensitivity to vibration and brightness. You can even set a button to be your ‘shift’ button so that other buttons can have more than one use.

9.5Expert Score

Our Verdict

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 enhances the quality of life of its predecessor and offers a durable, premium controller with plenty of customization options to try out.

PROS

• Interchangeable sticks
• Comfortable rubberized grip
• Shorter hair-trigger locks
• More customization options
• Wireless charging
• Rechargeable (40 hours battery life)

CONS

• Expensive
• Some may find it clunky