The 3 Best Xbox Controllers for Every Budget

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We’re well into the mid-late stages of the ninth console generation, which means the Xbox Series X and S have been available for a while. Many major controller brands have had time to create different versions of this important Xbox peripheral, so there’s one to suit everyone’s spending levels, whether you’re looking for something high-end, mid-range, or budget to last until the next-gen Xbox (Project Helix) arrives.

Of course, the Xbox Wireless Controller exists and it comes with Xbox consoles to boot. But given that the Series X and S consoles have been available for over five years, some people’s controllers might be worn out and need to be replaced. Other gamers may be looking for something that offers more in terms of features, durability, and performance.

For many, cost is a concern, while others simply want the flashiest controller on the market for some intense gaming sessions. Whatever your budget, these controllers will take care of you for the rest of the generation. They are designed for Xbox, as evidenced by the Xbox branding they carry, which means Microsoft endorses them. This comes with a guarantee of compatibility, build quality, and support for native features.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a $199 premium controller aimed at competitive and hardcore gamers. In addition to the standard face buttons, D-pad, thumbsticks, bumpers, and triggers, you get two extra bumpers at the top for gamers who like the six-finger grip. On the back, you have four more mouse click buttons that not only provide tactile feedback, but also allow you to map additional actions so you always have more control. It also has advanced haptic feedback that increases immersion.

Hall effect triggers have a button that you can flip to change modes, depending on whether you want short clicks for faster typing or long pulls for greater precision and control. It also has Hall effect analog sticks with drift resistance. You can also switch between a tall cap and a short cap for the controllers, depending on whether you prefer precision or speed. With the companion app, you can customize controller sensitivity, button layout, and vibration intensity to suit your gaming style.

On Xbox, the controller has a polling rate of 250 hertz, which is good for standard gaming. If you’re on PC, you can switch to Tournament mode, which increases the polling rate to 1,000 hertz, making it suitable for competitive gaming. There’s also the more affordable Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition at $99, with the biggest differences from the Pro, in terms of built-in features, given that it’s wired and has less advanced haptics.

The GameSir G7 Pro is a mid-range wireless controller that costs $79 and is considered by many to be one of the best third-party Xbox controllers. For this reason, it falls somewhere between a professional controller and a standard controller – hardcore gamers can still get the most out of it. As such, you can expect to get a good set of standout features, including microswitches for its Hall effect triggers that let you switch between short mouse clicks and precision pulls, two additional bumpers at the top for claw enthusiasts, and rear paddles for additional button input (perfect for running, jumping, and dodging without removing your thumb from the right analog stick).

The GameSir G7 Pro features TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) controllers, which provide greater precision than Hall effect controllers and are designed to completely eliminate controller drift. It can also be customized via software, has four rumble modes and a 3.5-millimeter audio jack. If you use it on a PC, the controller will be able to achieve a polling rate of 1000 Hz and also supports motion controls via the built-in gyroscope.

If you are a hardcore gamer, buying a cheaper controller may not be the best option, as you could easily wear it out. But for the average gamer, a budget controller like the GameSir G7 SE is a solid option for just $44.99. It is part of GameSir’s G series of controllers, just like the GameSir G7 Pro. The GameSir G7 SE is a wired controller with a three-meter-long cable, precision Hall effect triggers and analog sticks, as well as two remappable paddle buttons on the back for additional input. It also has magnetic faceplates that you can swap out to give the controller a new look, depending on your gaming tastes and preferences.

Although it costs $5 more, the GameSir G7 HE is another very budget-friendly wired controller. There are a few things that differentiate it from the GameSir G7 SE, including the microswitch face buttons and Hall effect controllers. Another example is Hall effect magnetic triggers which detect inputs and movements via magnetic sensors rather than contact. They feature two modes: analog trigger mode for full motion when you pull the trigger, and capillary trigger mode for a shorter input sensing distance that allows for greater speed.

When choosing these controllers, we looked at options that would satisfy both casual and hardcore gamers. Another consideration was that these had to be Xbox licensed controllers to ensure native compatibility and good build quality. However, budget was the most important factor. For premium controllers, we looked at those that cost between $100 and $200 and offered a good set of pro-level features. For mid-range options, they had to be between $50 and $100, but they had to offer more than the base controllers could offer (e.g. back buttons and customization). Finally, for budget options, we looked at anything under $50.