Microsoft has been making game controllers for over 20 years and has come up with a basic formula. So the latest revision of the Xbox controller isn’t so much a revolution as it is an evolution. The Xbox One controller uses Xbox One technology. Although only the Xbox One version is available as a one-off, it will not bump into the Xbox One computer. The result is an excellent, well-supported controller and you have to think what you think you’re playing.
With a glance we can see.
Expert rating
Pros
- A USB-C port is better for long-term support.
- Bluetooth connectivity
- More detailed, tactile, d-pad pads are required.
- These grippy textures and slimmer body make all the difference.
cons
- Rechargeable battery is not included.
- Sharing the button is hard to achieve.
Our verdict
Microsoft has made an already excellent game controller even better with sharp changes to the buttons, shape and USB port.
Great Prices Today: Xbox Wireless Controller (2020)
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Xbox Wireless Controller (2020): Design and build quality.
If you’ve owned an Xbox controller for the past ten years, the latest revision may not sound familiar. Microsoft adjusted the geometry of the controller so that the accessories you had for older controllers didn’t fit perfectly. This, and a few millimeters shaved off the triggers and shoulder buttons, give the 2020 refresh a less bulky body.
The bottom of the wireless controller has a polka dot texture to grip a large gaming table.
Ryan Whitwam
The handles on the top are smooth. The bottom and the triggers have a light polka dot texture to help secure the rest of your hands. The bottom of the table has the standard Xbox expansion connector and a microphone jack. At the top of the nebula, we see a major change: a USB-C port, which can replace the USB-C port on older controllers. This newer standard is more durable and makes it easier to connect to non-Xbox hardware. I also applaud Microsoft for adding an 8-foot USB-A to C cable to the controller.
The thumbsticks are asymmetrical, with the left and left stick the higher right. Both have convex tops. The first generation Xbox Elite controller has one domed stick that is better suited for accurate aiming. The d-pad is the left side and the ABXY button is the right side. The d-pad of this device has become a long-awaited upgrade. A controlled section is now shown in each cardinal direction, and the diagonal direction is easier to take. A dangling in the brim collects skin oils and dust, which must be cleaned regularly to keep it looking neat.
Experienced trigger designs from other controllers.
Ryan Whitwam
All the buttons, along with the bumpers and the triggers, are easy to press without shifting the grip, but there are small buttons and controls that are usually placed toward the center. The traditional display, menu and Xbox/power button are present. However, when the 2020 revision is complete, a share button has been added.
The battery cover is on the back and the bag is empty out of the box. It can still run on batteries that use batteries like a rotor, but a rechargeable battery pack is available for $30, which is a significant chunk of the $60 price tag for controllers. This accessory allows you to charge the battery via USB-C. Other than the cable and connection, it is only for the remote. Sony’s DualSense runs on a built-in rechargeable battery.
Switch to Xbox One (2020): Experience and knowledge based on your wishes.
Microsoft says the gamepad is faster than any of its predecessors when plugged into the Series X or S console, thanks to a feature called Dynamic Latency Input. This system polls the controller more often to get your presses right away. Even when connected to other devices via Bluetooth, the controller responded perfectly.
The share button is useful if you want to reach it in the dead center of the gamepad. On Xbox 360, we can take a screenshot of a movie with a single tap and long press to record a 15 second video clip. Windows 11 works the same, but that is a relatively new system. Windows 10 was completely unaware of the button at launch. The Game bar, with all the on-screen controls, a performance monitor and a touchpad.
In the triggers, no advanced technology has developed such a soft touch. This will make it easier for you to find the sweet spot when using the trigger on a telecharger, but will allow you to relax there for longer periods of time. Sony beat Microsoft here. The dual-sense controllers can reduce the resistance of the game to increase the immersion in the game. But the controller’s thumbsticks are fairly resistant. They are accurate, easy to operate and they snap back to center quickly without bouncing.
The New Xbox Wireless Controller (2020) [above] has some welcome design tweaks from the Xbox One era controller [below].
Ryan Whitwam
The new d-pad isn’t as expansive as the larger round pad on the Elite model, but it’s still not much better than the older model. It’s a huge improvement for games like fighters that rely on d-pads. While the cross-style d-pad is mushi, unsurprisingly, tactility adds noise. The same high tactility is extended to the other buttons; however this question never comes up if you pressed hard enough to keep it quiet but it is loud. A new controller with uncrushed buttons will probably be a bit clicker, but even comparing the upgraded Xbox Wireless Controller to the lightly used 2016 variant, the new design is more pronounced. Gambling around others will make you mad at the more ognitive clicking.
Xbox Wireless Controller 2020: Compatibility.
A controller has the choice of wired and wireless connections.
Ryan Whitwam
Introduced with the Series X and S, the controller is designed to work perfectly with the consoles. There’s no problem with that. It means you don’t buy a USB dongle in the box, this device can be directly connected to a wide range of devices.
As long as you can set up the pairing button next to your USB-C, pick it up on the phone or on your computer. You can also double tap the button to return the controller to your Xbox (if you have one). If you don’t want to be careful with Bluetooth, the new USB-C port lets you connect the controller to your PC. In addition to those USB-C cables that meet the specs, we’ve tried both A-to-C and C-to-C cables with success.
Windows comes with Xbox controller support, so no additional setups and apps are needed. You can also play games with macOS, but it doesn’t have the same system-level integrations that Windows has as the Game bar, audio out, or support for firmware updates.
The Android and iOS version have added some more controllers, so this is a simple experience over Bluetooth. Microsoft’s support page claims that Android phones can’t connect to the controller with a USB key, but we can confirm that works in Android 12. You don’t even need batteries in the controller, making this a handy feature for the on-the-go gaming.
Conclusion: buy this.
The Xbox controller has USB-C capabilities and feels a lot better than the older version. The new d-pad, newer suspension and USB-C port are the big changes here and they all add to the experience. Oh, and there’s a share button. Yes, the Xbox360 is playing it safe. We’d love to see Microsoft push the hardware further with features like a battery-powered battery and a microphone that are both available on the dual-Sense 5.
Even if you’re not a console gamer, the Xbox controller can be just what you want. With Bluetooth connectivity, setting it up with a PC or a mobile phone is a breeze. If your batteries are low, you can use a new USB-C port to connect the old-fashioned way. When you connect, the Xbox controller is supported in Windows for a good while and is fast as a smartphone.
A lot is the asking price, and it makes the $180 Elite controller a lot harder to sell. If you don’t want the extra pads, you get an existing wireless controller.
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