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Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2

Based on 375 comments across 4 communities
TL;DR
Owners love how this controller feels in the hand, the back paddles, and the deep customization, and plenty have used theirs for years without trouble. But the recurring complaint is reliability: stick drift shows up constantly, often within months or even right out of the box, while bumpers go mushy and face buttons stop registering. Many owners report cycling through several replacements, so treat it as a premium controller plagued by a quality-control lottery rather than a safe long-term buy.

45% of 375 verified owners recommend the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.

What 375 owners say
2,975 comments reviewed · scored on the 375 clearest verdicts
45%
Recommend
167 owners
12%
Neutral
47 owners
43%
Don't recommend
161 owners

14 owners report specific problemsin troubleshooting threads (setup, firmware, or hardware faults). These are capped in the score above so a problem-report thread can't dominate it — read them under the Doesn't recommend filter below.

Source
Score
N
Counted in the score
Reddit
46%
347
Neogaf
22%
27
Independent blogsino affiliate links
0%
1
Reviewed, but not counted — and why
Affiliate blogsipaid commission
0%
1

Affiliate blogs here say 0% recommend, while the owner-based score is 45%. They earn a commission on every sale — so we show them for transparency but never let them move the score.

The headline score reflects owners (Reddit, enthusiast forums), independent lab tests, and blogs with no affiliate links. YouTube and affiliate blogs are shown for perspective but kept out — hover the i for why.

What owners like
  • Premium feel and heavy, solid build · 27 · 7%
  • Back paddles and rear buttons · 24 · 6%
  • Deep customization (swappable sticks, adjustable tension, trigger locks) · 18 · 5%
  • Comfortable, ergonomic shape · 13 · 3%
  • Long battery life · 12 · 3%
What owners flag
  • Stick drift, often early or out of the box · 34 · 9%
  • Bumper (RB/LB) failures · 22 · 6%
  • Poor durability and short lifespan · 21 · 6%
  • Face button / ABXY failures (sticking, double inputs, not registering) · 16 · 4%
  • Quality-control lottery, multiple replacements and RMAs · 14 · 4%

Top quotes, sourced

2,975 reviewed · 348 shown
Sentiment
Community
Sort
Reddit▲ recommend

a stupidly expensive Xbox elite series 2 controller, which I do love

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I tried 4 different brand new Elite Series 2 controllers, and all 4 of them had dodgy A and Y buttons.

Reddit— neutral

Just be aware that the elite series 2 controller often has grip peeling issues and there isn’t really a proper fix for it. It is really annoying for such an expensive controller.

Reddit— neutral

I think then heavyweight champion could be the Elite Series 2 Controller with 342g. One of the bigger controllers. But it's known for it's bad quality and is missing modern features.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

I bought an elite series 2 controller, within a month the right stick click broke.

Reddit▲ recommend

then I got a series 2 Xbox elite controller. Only things I've had to do with it is, put some cleaner around the bumper connections, replace the outer shell

Reddit▲ recommend

Love the elite series 2 controller, but in spite of the cheap rubber on the edge, I like it more.

Reddit— neutral

I like how it feels and how hefty it is, but I don't think it has great analog sticks, the buttons are pretty loud, and the rumble is disgustingly loud. Pretty good otherwise.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

There is also a 3D printable spacer that you can put under the switch, which is supposed to prevent the switch itself from bending (which causes the bumper to work intermittently)

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

Those are the faultiest controllers ever, without a shadow of a doubt the worst thing to get attached to. From stick drift, to faulty buttons, to them suddenly thinking a button is forever pressed.

Reddit▲ recommend

for PC I use my Xbox Elite Series 2. While more games and launchers are becoming compatible with Sony controllers, Xbox controllers on PC "just work"

Reddit— neutral

The weight of it felt great as did nearly all of the buttons, in my opinion. My only gripes with the elite series 2 was that the AXYB buttons felt a little too mushy for me

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

Turns out if you push the face buttons at a certain angle (which I do naturally) it’s possible to get them to click down but not actually register the press. Returned it for a replacement twice and the replacements were no better so just got a refund.

Reddit— neutral

Yeah I got an elite series 2 replaced the sticks with hall effect sticks so it wouldn't get drift....the rubber grips started peeling. But I will say great controller.

Reddit▲ recommend

In addition, the controller is built like a tank and really feels like a high quality item. I recommend it.

Reddit— neutral

I like using my Xbox Elite Series 2 or though it’s not perfect, it’s a really good controller, very comfortable, fast and customisable, I recommend it…

Reddit▲ recommend

I use the Xbox Elite Series 2 and love it. They will wear out over time. But worth the investment imo. I couldn’t imagine playing apex or any game for that matter without it.

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

Made the switch off xbox controllers myself after being extremely disappointed with the series 2 elite. The wireless range would cut out after only 4 feet away from the usb dongle.

Reddit— neutral

I've loved my time with Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 but it's starting to get noisy during use and the right shoulder pad is a bit glitchy.

Reddit▲ recommend

In my opinion it’s the best controller ever made and I use it not only with my Xbox but a lot of pc games as well. The back buttons help so much

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

For example just replaced the POS Elite Series 2 with an 8BitDo Ultimate 2. And somehow the cheaper, third party controller, is better built, dowsnt use ancient ass potentiometers

Reddit▼ don’t recommend

when I swapped over to using a Dualsense from my Xbox Elite Series 2 in games like ACC or Le Mans Ultimate I improved almost immediately. I had way better throttle and brake control

Reddit▲ recommend

Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is the best controller I've ever used personally. Hard to use anything else.

Reddit— neutral

Elite series 2 is what I use, if you get one make sure to buy the Microsoft complete 3 year warranty with it. It's like 20 bucks. They have a reputation if quality control issues but mine have been mostly good.

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