Game Controllers · owner-verdict comparison

Pro 3 vs Xbox Wireless Controller: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Xbox Wireless Controller: 59% of 41 owners recommend it, vs 50% of 109 for the Pro 3.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Pro 3

50%of 109 owners recommend
50% recommend · 11% neutral · 39% don't
Owners praise
  • A clicky, tactile d-pad that fans call precise and a clear step up from the Pro 2
  • Comfortable grip that owners often prefer over the Ultimate 2 and Pro 2
  • Triggers that switch between analog and short, clicky digital presses, plus well-liked shoulder and extra bumper buttons
Owners complain about
  • Loud, clacky face buttons, a complaint many fans share
  • False diagonals and missed inputs on the d-pad when pressed firmly, which ruins platformers and fighting games for some owners
  • Inconsistent units: owners report stiff or uneven d-pads, faulty trigger stops, a trigger or stick that registers input on its own, and colored face buttons that crack
Full owner report →

Xbox Wireless Controller

59%of 41 owners recommend
59% recommend · 9% neutral · 32% don't
Owners praise
  • Comfortable, ergonomic shape that fits the hands well
  • Great triggers, bumpers, and a standout D-pad
  • Excellent grip and textured surface
Owners complain about
  • Develops stick drift, often within a year or two
  • Buttons and sticks wear out, sometimes needing yearly replacement
  • Bumper (LB/RB) buttons fail or wear out
Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Pro 3 if
  • ✓Players who like a firm, clicky d-pad for classic and SNES-era games
  • ✓PC players who want gyro, Steam Input support, and a 2.4GHz dongle
  • ✓Players who find the Ultimate 2 or Pro 2 less comfortable in the hand
  • ✓Players who game with headphones on and won't hear the button noise
Skip it if
  • Platformer and fighting game players who need clean cardinal inputs from the d-pad
  • Anyone playing in a shared living room where loud face buttons will bother others
Get the Xbox Wireless Controller if
  • ✓Players wanting a comfortable, familiar standard controller
  • ✓PC, mobile and Xbox users needing easy compatibility
  • ✓Owners who prefer swappable AA batteries
  • ✓Gamers who value a reliable, comfy D-pad
Skip it if
  • Players wanting drift-free sticks past a year or two
  • Anyone bothered by loud, clicky buttons

What Pro 3 owners say

“Been using mine as my main controller after I swapped the buttons from my 8bitdo pro 2 into it. Steam input support is by far the most important feature on any controller for me.”
— TheRealSeeThruHead on Reddit
“Battery life on the P2 is great, but every now and then I forget to plug it in when I am done gaming and I pick it up next day and it is out of juice 5 min into my game. P3 never is.”
— satansbraten330 on Reddit
“Pro 3 made my hands cramp.”
— Fiv3Score on Reddit

What Xbox Wireless Controller owners say

“I'm very glad they stuck with AA, as rechargeable AAs are cheap and easily available.”
— @remotecontrolaxe on YouTube
“I like having AA batteries instead of an internal one, if you run out of battery you can just swap them out and keep playing”
— @DreamDemonify on YouTube
“Love the feel of these controllers, but ive been dealing with drift stick lately with them”
— @csmith3243 on YouTube

Pro 3 vs Xbox Wireless Controller: frequently asked questions

Is the Pro 3 or the Xbox Wireless Controller better?

Real owners lean toward the Xbox Wireless Controller: 59% of 41 owners recommend it, vs 50% of 109 for the Pro 3.

Who should get the Pro 3?

Owners point the Pro 3 at players who like a firm, clicky d-pad for classic and SNES-era games, and pC players who want gyro, Steam Input support, and a 2.4GHz dongle.

Who should get the Xbox Wireless Controller?

Owners point the Xbox Wireless Controller at players wanting a comfortable, familiar standard controller, and pC, mobile and Xbox users needing easy compatibility.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Pro 3 is loud, clacky face buttons, a complaint many fans share. For the Xbox Wireless Controller, it's develops stick drift, often within a year or two.