The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 was recently dethroned by the Turtle Beach Stealth Ultra in our guide to the best PC controllers. While it still holds a spot on our list of the best Xbox controllers, where its intuitive native software gives it a narrow lead over the competition, we must now all reckon with the fact that the controller is not a particularly attractive proposition in 2024 thanks to an abundance of stronger or better-value alternatives.
As a quick refresher, the Xbox Elite Series 2 was originally released back in 2019 right at the tail end of the Xbox One’s life. It was initially a pretty compelling package, offering a ton of worthwhile improvements and ‘pro’ controller features that made for a major upgrade compared to the pad that came with the console. For starters, it boasted a more modern design that finally dropped the woefully outdated micro-USB port of the regular pad in favor of the more widely used USB-C, and contained a built-in rechargeable battery that made it easier and cheaper to keep charged.
