Whatever you may think about the Xbox brand overall, it’s hard to deny that they have a knack for building quality hardware. The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller is my favorite video game controller, and my go-to when I’m playing on my Xbox (obviously) and Mac, and also back when I still had a gaming PC. I don’t use the paddles on the back of the controller (extra buttons, basically) and haven’t messed around much with the adjustability of the different sticks and buttons, so I can’t really speak to how well that will work for someone who’s really interested in customizing their controllers.
The main attraction of the Elite Controller for me is its comfort and build quality. It feels really good in the hand, with a satisfying heft (345 grams) and textured grips. Controller comfort comes down to both hand size and personal preferences, and for me, there’s no controller I enjoy holding more. The battery lasts for around 30-35 hours for me after a year or two of use, and I really appreciate the USB C charging port. When paired with a long USB C cable tucked away next to the couch, it’s easy to charge it up as soon as it runs out of juice. The carrying case doubles as a USB C charging dock, but I haven’t used it much.
The asking price of the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller is ridiculous, of course. It’s hard to argue that it’s worth $200 even if you’re making use of the customizable controls, the paddles and the carrying case, which I’m not. But if you play as much video games as I do and share my lack of self-control when it comes to buying hardware, you might end up with one regardless. If you do, it’s likely a purchase won’t regret.
