Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Gaming Controller – Black – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, Android, and iOS

Just got the elite 2 in the other day so this is just first impressions, reliability is still a question mark.In hand feel: instinct but it’s close, the instincts back grips are just amazingCustomization: elite 2 by FAR. So much more customization with both the hardware and software.Extra buttons: this is a tie for me, the two larger buttons on the instinct are amazing but the smaller ones are hard to hit. On the elite 2 the buttons are almost too easy to hit with a natural grip on the controller but overall both are very good.Quality of controller: I’d have to give this to the instinct, both the plastic and grips feel very premium. Elite 2 isn’t bad at all though.Overall: I’d have to give it to the elite 2. The categories the instinct is better in its only marginal whereas with the elite it’s a large difference in the categories it’s superior in. It really allows you to easily customize the controller for the specific game you are playing which I really enjoy. It’s really a premium feel vs superior internals and software for me.

I'm on my third Elite 2 controller. About a year ago I bought one, and right out of the box, the face buttons weren't always responsive. I turned it in for warranty work to MS and the new controller I got back from them (different serial number) also had exactly the same problem. At that point, I swore never to get another one. Fast forward a year, and after trying other controllers and never finding one with decent back button layout, I decided to roll the dice again on this controller after hearing they may have improved QC, this time with the longest warranty I could get (3 years)... for Science.I'm flabbergasted to report that this one works perfectly right out of the box. Is it a fluke, or did they actually find the problem and correct it in their production process? I don't know, but if so, this is monumentally good news, as there are very few "pro" controllers that have even passable ergonomics (I just came from a Thrustmaster eSwap X). If this thing holds up for 6 months, I'll be ecstatic and provide a follow up review (and I'll probably buy another one to have as a backup).The GoodErgonomics - Microsoft invested far more money in studying controller ergonomics than any other company. This is evident when you handle their default controller as well as this one; the size is right for most hands, all the controls are laid out where you can actually reach them. I haven't found any other aftermarket controller get this right like MS. This clamshell design is the best out there. It's no wonder that companies like Scuff start with a default controller; other than licensing concerns, it's because designing something better would be extremely difficult. When you couple this with the textured rubberized grips, nothing comes remotely close in terms of comfort.Back paddles - This is the star of the show, and the reason you get a "pro" controller. Again, after lots of research into reviews and personally buying and handling a lot of other controllers, I've never found, or am aware of, any back paddle/button layout that is better than this one. Your fingers just naturally fall where the paddles are. There's no reaching or straining to get to them. Why is this so difficult for other companies to get right?? This is the thing that brought me back to an Elite 2. I will at some point get a Scuf Instinct Pro to compare, but I have doubts it will be better any than this. The problem I see right away with the Instinct Pro is it's not designed for you to be able to press more than one button per side. This could be an issue for some and potentially for me.Sticks - These are also top tier. They are very smooth with virtually no slop. The only other ones I felt that were as good or better was the Thrustmaster eSwap, which uses highly touted NXG sticks. The fact that the tension is adjustable also takes this to the next level. Whether they hold up over time will be telling but I never had that issue on the last Elite 2s I've had.Triggers - Again, top tier, smoothly action, nicely textured finish and with 3 stops (you're lucky to get one stop with most other controllers). I really like the throw of the trigger at the shortest throw. I suspect the Scuf Instinct Pro will be better so I can't wait to try it. I can't think of another competitor that will come close in this regard.Overall refinement - Microsoft has the money to throw at proper R&D, design, and production line assembly and it shows. When you consider the overall design, the feel, how the controller is sculpted and fits the hand, the finishing and quality of the plastics and rubber, nothing else really comes close. I suppose Sony does, but that's unfortunately not an option.The BadReliability - Everybody knows about the laughable return rates on these controllers. I had zero expectations going in this time around, and was ready to duke it out with the longest warranty I could get. You should never get something like this without at least one backup controller. Time will tell if mine holds up. If I can get 6 months out of this without having to turn it in for warranty work, I would call that a victory. If it holds out that long, I will definitely buy another one to have as a backup.Buttons - This has been the Achilles heel of the controller. The soft rubber domed, mushy feeling buttons are no different from a bog standard controller. I expect more from a premium controller, and I'm willing to pay a lot more to get it. Take Razer Wolverine Chroma V2 and their mechanical switches for example. They're able to offer that at a lower price point than this one. Come on Microsoft, stop cheaping out on buttons! For that matter, give us mechanical switches on the paddles also.Bumpers - They have a nice texture to them and are sculpted well, but like the buttons, I wish MS would get away from the mushy feeling rubber dome feel. One thing I will give them props for is they made these nice and quiet, like the rest of the controls.I'm still on the search for the holy grail of controllers, and will be getting a Scuf Instinct Pro next. I've waited over a year to have a working Elite 2, and I finally have it! As it stands right now, IMHO it is the best controller currently available on the market (when it works).

I got this for playing games on Steam (pc). I am an avid gamer and have used many different controllers from GameCube to Xbox. My prior controller that I was using was an Xbox Scuff controller. It had worn down after 100+ hours of use: the RB and several paddles had broken. I got this new controller as a replacement. It has several key qualities that I like:1.) The shaft of the sticks are metal. My prior controller used plastic for the shafts and they would slowly shred from use and leave dust behind. This created an issue where the dust would get into the controller and cause drift. (All controllers have stick drift. It’s where your controller will move your character onscreen without you doing anything. Games incorporate dead zones where the stick inputs are not read. Overtime, controllers get worse and worse drift that go above the dead zone thresholds causing drift.) I have not had any issues with drift on the new controller.2.) Metal Paddles. These are levers under the controller that allow you to hit your A, B, X, etc… buttons so that you don’t need to move your fingers off of the sticks. Paddles are not included, but you can buy them separately. I highly recommend getting paddles. They make a big difference. My prior controller used plastic paddles that all eventually broke. These paddles are metal and won’t break. They are easy to put on and off. They are placed better for your fingers too.3.) Adjustable hair triggers. Your RT and LT buttons can be adjusted so that you don’t go all the way down. This is helpful if you only need them to act as “buttons” rather than “triggers” and don’t need the full press down. I personally don’t restrict my triggers, but if you like to then that function exists here. On the back of the controller you can slide a button into 3 different positions to have them be unrestricted, partially restricted, and almost fully restricted.4.) Braided type C cord. The controller is wireless, but you can use the cord it comes with to have a wired connection to your computer through any USB port. The braided cord feels high quality and is much better that the plastic incased cords. My prior controller used a micro USB connection on the controller which was a crappy connection that would disconnect all the time. The Type C connection is stable and never disconnects while I’m playing.5.) Satellite D-pad. It looks a little silly but I like the feel of this d-pad better that the “plus” d-pad. Easy to rotate around all of the directions.Here are some of the cons so far:1.) I got the blue one. The letters inside the A, B, X, Y buttons are blue. So it’s hard to read what button is which. I can see this being annoying for new players. This only bothers me when I go from using a Nintendo Pro controller to this one because they reverse the X and Y (also A and B). I always get them mixed up and I’ll look down at this controller looking for the X button, but it’s hard to see.2.) Changing the buttons the paddles are linked to is more difficult on this controller than the Scuff controller. The Scuff controller had a much better solution. This one needs a separate app to do it.3.) The face plate is more difficult to remove. Another minor gripe. Scuff does this better too where you can remove the face plate easily as it is held on with magnets. You probably will never need to do this, but it does help if you need to replace buttons or clean the inside.Overall, I would recommend this controller to a gamer who is looking for a step up from the basic Xbox controller. Definitely geared for a more competitive player. If you are a casual player, then you would be better off with a cheaper controller. Compared to the Scuff controller, I think this one is better overall. From a price standpoint, it is also better.