Microsoft has been making game controllers for over 20 years and it’s settled on a basic formula. So the latest revision of the iconic Xbox controller isn’t so much a revolution as it is an evolution. The 2020 Xbox Wireless Controller ships with the Xbox Series S and Series X, but it works almost as well on other devices, and the design has been subtly improved over the Xbox One-era gamepad. The result is an excellent, well-supported controller that you should consider no matter how you play.
Expert rating
Pros
- USB-C port is better for long-term support
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Refined, more tactile d-pad
- Grip-resistant textures and slimmer body
cons
- Rechargeable battery is not included
- Share button is hard to reach
Our verdict
Microsoft has made an already excellent game controller even better with strategic tweaks to the buttons, shape and USB port.
Price at review
59.99
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Xbox Wireless Controller (2020): Design and Build Quality
If you’ve owned an Xbox controller for the past decade, the latest revision will look familiar to you. However, Microsoft has tweaked the controller geometry a bit, so accessories you had for older controllers may not fit perfectly. This, along with a few millimeters shaved off the triggers and shoulder buttons, gives the 2020 refresh a less bulky body.
The bottom of the Xbox Wireless Controller has a dot texture for grip even during intense gaming sessions.
Ryan Whitwam
The grips are smooth on the top, but the bottom and the triggers have a subtle dot texture to make it safer, even if your hands get sweaty during an intense gaming session. The bottom has the standard Xbox expansion connector and a headphone jack. At the top we see one of the most important changes: a USB-C port to replace the micro USB 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 a long six-foot USB-A to C cable with the controller.
The thumbsticks are asymmetrical, with the left stick higher than the right. They both have concave tips, while the second-generation Xbox Elite Controller has one convex stick that’s better for fine aiming. The d-pad is below the left stick and the ABXY button cluster is above the right stick. The d-pad has received a long-awaited overhaul with this device. The steering is now saucer-shaped with a raised section in each cardinal direction, making it easier to hit diagonal directions. On the other hand, the fringe collects skin oils and dust, requiring regular cleaning to keep it looking neat.
Recognizable trigger designs from other Xbox controllers.
Ryan Whitwam
All of these buttons, along with the bumpers and triggers, are easy to press without shifting your grip, but there are some less-used controls grouped toward the center. The traditional view, menu, and Xbox power button are all there, but the 2020 revision adds a share button.
The battery cover is on the back and this compartment is empty out of the box. It still runs on AA batteries, but a rechargeable battery pack is available for $25, which is a significant chunk of the controller’s $60 price tag. With that accessory, you can use the USB-C port to charge the device. Otherwise it is only for wired connectivity. Sony’s DualSense, on the other hand, has a built-in rechargeable battery.
Xbox Wireless Controller (2020): Features and Hands-on Experience
Microsoft says the gamepad is faster than any of its previous incarnations when plugged into a Series X or S console thanks to a feature called “Dynamic Latency Input.” This system polls the controller more often to ship your presses without delay. Even when connected to other devices via Bluetooth, we found the controller to respond perfectly.
The share button is quite handy, if you want to grab it in the dead center of the gamepad. On the Xbox, a single tap takes a screenshot and a long press records a 15-second video clip. It works the same on Windows 11, but that is a relatively new development. At launch, Windows 10 didn’t understand the button at all. As for the Xbox button, Windows links that to the Game bar, which contains controls for screen recording, performance monitoring, audio, and more.
You won’t find advanced technology in the triggers – Microsoft seems to have increased the resistance a bit, which may make it easier to find the sweet spot in games that use the trigger as a throttle, but it can be tiring holding them down for long periods. Sony beat Microsoft here; the DualSense controllers can vary the amount of resistance to increase immersion in the game. However, the Xbox controller thumbsticks have just the right resistance. They are precise, smooth and quick back to center with no bounce.
The New Xbox Wireless Controller (2020) [above] has some welcome design tweaks from the earlier Xbox One-era controller [below].
Ryan Whitwam
The new “hybrid” d-pad isn’t as expansive as the larger round pad on the Elite model, but it’s still a welcome improvement over older models. It’s a huge improvement for games (like fighters) that rely heavily on the d-pad. The mushyness of the cross-style d-pad is gone, but that tactility adds a bit of noise. The same high tactility works through to the other buttons – there’s never a question of whether you pressed a button hard enough to register, but it’s loud. A new controller with bare buttons will no doubt be a bit clicker, but even comparing the updated Xbox Wireless Controller to a lightly used 2016 variant, the new design is noticeably louder. If you’re gaming with others, they may become annoyed by the more audible clicking.
Xbox Wireless Controller (2020): Compatibility
Options for wireless or wired connections are available with the controller.
Ryan Whitwam
Naturally, the controller launched alongside the Series X and S and is designed to work perfectly with those consoles. However, it works with computers, phones and other gadgets via Bluetooth. That means you don’t get a USB dongle in the box – this unit plugs directly into a wide range of devices.
To pair with new devices via Bluetooth, simply long-press the pairing button next to the USB-C and select it on your phone or PC. You can also double tap that button to move the controller back to your Xbox (if you have one). If you don’t want to bother with Bluetooth, the new USB-C port allows you to connect the controller to your PC, and it should work with any USB-C cable that meets the spec. We have successfully tested it with both A-to-C and C-to-C cables.
Windows has built-in support for the Xbox controller, so no settings or apps are needed. You can also dock macOS to play games, but it doesn’t have the same system-level integrations of Windows, such as the Game Bar, audio out, or support for firmware updates.
Android and iOS added support for Xbox controllers several versions ago, so this is also an easy experience over Bluetooth. Microsoft’s support page claims that Android phones can’t connect to the controller via USB, but we can confirm that is doing work in Android 12. You don’t even need batteries in the controller, making this a handy feature for gaming on the go.
Conclusion: buy it
The Xbox controller with USB-C feels like a solid improvement over older versions. The improved d-pad, slimmer chassis and USB-C port are the big changes here, and they all help improve the experience. Oh, and there’s a share button. Yes, the 2020 Xbox controller plays it safe. We would have liked to see Microsoft push the hardware further with features such as an integrated rechargeable battery and microphone – both features available on the DualSense 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 phone is a breeze. If your batteries are low, you can also use the new USB-C port to connect the old-fashioned way. When you connect, you will see that the Xbox controller is perfectly supported in Windows and works almost as well on smartphones.
You get a lot for the $60 asking price, and that makes the $180 Elite controller that much harder to sell. Unless you need those extra paddle buttons, buy the standard wireless controller.
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