Xbox Elite Series 2 controller review – a seriously high-tier gamepad
If you're looking to spend serious money on an ultra-premium controller, the Xbox Elite Series 2 wireless controller is a great choice.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 is a premium wireless controller that can be used with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles, as well as on PC too, and is the Xbox Wireless Controller's more expensive, and more serious, cousin. It shares some similarities with the default Xbox controller from a design and connectivity point of view, but that's where the comparisons end.
Everything about the Xbox Elite Series 2 screams quality. From the materials used to the fancy carrying case that comes included with the controller, and of course, the performance and vast options for customisation in games.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 wireless controller is available for £149.99 / $139.99 / AU$249.95, nearly £100 more than the standard Xbox Wireless Controller which is priced at £54.99 / $54.99 / AU$89.95. But for additional context, the controller is still significantly less expensive than Sony's premium PS5 controller, the DualSense Edge wireless, which is priced at £209.99 / $199.99 / AU$339.95.
Xbox Elite Series 2 design
The Xbox Elite Series 2 wireless controller is only available in black, although you can design your own custom version through Microsoft's Xbox Design Lab, which can cost extra depending on the options you choose. We tested the standard Elite Series 2, which is the epitome of 'dark mode', featuring an all-black casing, black joysticks and a black d-pad.
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But the black colour scheme is complimented by some really nice chrome accents on the triggers, bumpers, joystick bases and the top of the controller near the USB-C port, to make a really smart, serious-looking controller. As it's an Xbox controller you get the standard asymmetrical format with A/B/X/Y buttons, with the actual letters being silver on a black background, which looks super cool.
The default Xbox Wireless Controller has grips made from plastic, which is fine, but the Elite Series 2 features fully rubberised grips which curve around the sides and back of the controller. This adds to the premium feel of the device as it feels so much better to hold, particularly in those tense and sweaty clutch moments in an intense gaming session.
Xbox Elite Series 2 features
The Elite Series 2 is full to the brim of additional features, with adjustable tension thumbstick, shorter hair trigger locks, interchangeable components, additional paddle buttons, button mapping options, various thumbstick toppers, two D-pads, a carrying case, a charging dock with USB-C cable, and features both Xbox Wireless connectivity, Bluetooth and the option for wired connectivity via USB too.
Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Microsoft)Probably the biggest upgrade the Xbox Elite Series 2 offers however is its vast customisation options, with four extra buttons in the form of metal paddles located on the back of the controller, which are easily accessed when holding it naturally. You can also adjust the travel of the rear triggers (LT and RT), giving you the option of the shortest travel possible for an advantage in FPS games when you need snappy inputs, a longer travel for more control in racing games, or even somewhere in between.
Xbox Elite Series 2 essential specifications:
- Form factor: Asymmetrical
- Connectivity: Xbox Wireless Connectivity and Bluetooth connectivity
- Compatibility: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Bluetooth-compatible mobile devices
- Extra buttons: 4
- Adaptive triggers: Yes
There are also many customisation options from a software perspective too, with the Xbox Accessories App allowing you to change very specific things about how your controller performs including the sensitivity curve of the thumbstick, curve adjustment, calculation, the dead zone of the triggers and even the colour of the Xbox button on the controller. The impact that comes from changing the sensitivity curve, in particular, is very noticeable, and I found that the 'Instant' curve was best for both FPS titles and football games, as I needed every input to be as fast as possible.
However you want your controller to function, the Elite Series 2 can do it all. And it can do it all without you having to constantly purchase AA batteries because the Elite Series 2 has an integrated rechargeable battery that offers 40 hours of battery life, and because you get a charging dock in the box, I've never really even had to think about it being without charge or having to charge it, which is another huge upgrade compared with the default Xbox controller.
Xbox Elite Series 2 performance
There are so many options for customisation on offer that it took me a good while to figure out my playing style and what worked for me. But once I got my profile, button mapping, preferred thumbsticks and thumbstick tensions locked in, it genuinely made me feel like a professional gamer, even, as I can assure you, am very much not. When switching back to the default controller after a few months of using the Elite Series 2, I was shocked at how much worse I was in games like FIFA 23, Fortnite, Warzone and even Elden Ring, with the default controller not having anywhere near the input snappiness, build quality or grip levels of the Elite Series 2.
Probably the biggest upgrade the Xbox Elite Series 2 offers however is its vast customisation options, with four extra buttons in the form of metal paddles located on the back of the controller, which are easily accessed when holding it naturally.As with any professional well, anything, when it comes to gaming equipment, the Elite Series 2 won't make you a better gamer, but it will give you the platform to be the best gamer you can be. And I can speak from personal experience because it made me feel more in control and more consistent in tense situations, even mentally, having a controller that I had customised to suit my specific needs made me feel more prepared for what was about to happen, and that can give you an edge. And the performance didn't vary dependent on the method of connection that was used, I tested it wirelessly and wired with both my Xbox and my gaming PC and it worked flawlessly.
Overall thoughts on the Xbox Elite Series 2
If you're on the hunt for a controller which provides you with the ability to customise almost every single element of it, then the Xbox Elite Series 2 is the one for you. Alongside additional buttons and switchable components, you also get high-level performance including no noticeable response time and multiple connectivity options.
Score: 5/5
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