The Best Xbox Controller for PC in 2022

While most PC gamers utilize a mouse and keyboard, millions of us use a gamepad from time to time for good reason. Controllers may provide a more comfortable method to play open-world games like Horizon Zero Dawn for extended periods. In contrast, gamepads can provide fine-grained analog controls to navigate around turns in racing titles like Forza Horizon 5. If you want to play some local co-op, plugging in a controller is a terrific method.

The most apparent response is that your current controller is the best one. It seems to be backed by Valve statistics from 2018, which reveal that the Xbox 360 and Xbox One are the most popular among Steam users and the best Xbox controller for PC.

Lists of Best Xbox Controllers for PC

The greatest Xbox controllers, whether for leisure or competitive games, allow you to play with convenience and comfort. Here is a list of the top Xbox controllers for 2022.

Wireless Xbox Controller

The Xbox Wireless Controller is one of the best Xbox controllers for PC for the majority of folks. This Xbox Series X/S period controller works well with the broadest range of PC games right out of the box, has a wired, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz wireless connection, and is available in various colors at a reasonable price. The Microsoft controller is well-crafted, with crisp triggers and a spacious, ergonomic design.

However, the controller has several drawbacks. The Xbox Series controller uses AA batteries rather than a Micro USB connection for charging and requires a £20/$25 Play and Charge Kit to facilitate USB recharging. Furthermore, most PCs do not handle Microsoft's low-latency 2.4GHz wifi out of the box, necessitating the purchase of a £20/$25 Wireless Adapter.

Xbox One Elite Series 2 Controller

If you're prepared to spend a little extra money on a gamepad, the Xbox One Elite Series 2 is the finest we've tried and one of the best Xbox controllers for PC. It has tight and snappy controls, clicky face buttons, and a substantial grippy covering for a terrific in-hand feel. There are also many customization choices, such as adding four paddles to the back, swapping out the sticks for four other alternatives, adjusting stick sensitivity, and opting for a circular eight-way d-pad. It's also fantastic to be able to switch between three degrees of trigger sensitivity with the flick of a switch. If you want even more customization, you may use third-party software like ReWASD to rebind the paddles to keyboard instructions, although the native software is much more potent than before.

The Series 2 improves on its predecessor by incorporating a Bluetooth connection, a headphone port, and USB-C charging through the provided stand or a USB-C cable. Although the rechargeable battery utilized here is perhaps handier than the prior approach, it is also not user-changeable. Overall, the generational changes here are overwhelmingly favorable, as detailed in our Elite Controller Series 2 review.

Xbox 360 Controller

The classic Xbox 360 controller, especially its wired variants, is one of the most affordable methods to experience console-style PC gaming since it is one of the best Xbox controllers for PC. With knock-offs and old models on the market, getting enough consoles for everyone is simple. Xbox One controllers feel more sociable in the hands and are less prone to wear and tear. Still, if you only use a gamepad occasionally, this controller will suffice and cost considerably less.

Pros

• Available secondhand at rock-bottom pricing
• PC games are widely supported

Cons

• Ergonomics and tactility are inferior to contemporary controllers.
• Wireless variants need a Wireless Gaming Receiver to connect to a PC.