PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced Wired Controller for Xbox Series X|S- Black, Officially Licensed for Xbox

I bought this controller on June 1st of 2022. 3 years later and the ONLY issues I've encountered is the joysticks falling apart(still usable) and RB is starting to stop working. Otherwise? 10/10 controller. Unfortunately having to buy a new one, but if you want a controller? DEFINITELY buy this one. I absolutely love it, and it's lasted me 3 years alone

The back paddle buttons are in the hardware, and not software. This means there is no delay or drivers required when using these buttons on the PC, when compared to every other Xbox controllers I tested (that cost 3x as much). I play mostly racing games (FH5, ACC, and Wreckfest) and I'm able to be very competitive with this controller. The thumb sticks are some of the best I've ever used, the grip on them is very good at preventing fingers from slipping. They are lower profile, that is good for fast reactions, they are not as low as the Steam controller, but lower than most other Xbox controllers I've used. The grip/paddle buttons are ergonomically located (unlike controllers that cost 3x as much). I don't use the lights or the headphone jack, so I can't say anything about that. I have no complains about the D-pad, that seems pretty standard. I think costs were cut on the front buttons, since they rattle a little, but have never had an issue with them in games and for the price I have no complaints.It has held up for over a year of use most days. I don't notice any drift on the thumb stick, as compared to when I first got it. I've had Steam controller's thumb stick fail sooner, so this is impressive for the price.If you have a PC, I highly recommend it!---Update, 2 years later (2024).I still notice no drift or issues with this controller. I play FH5 for an hour or two most days. The left thumb stick, that I use for driving, takes slightly less effort to move than the right, so it is getting weaker with time. I still have the center point set to start at 1% so the drift is still less than 1%, so I'm impressed. It has already lasted longer than two Steam controllers. I'm still competitive in games with it. If you game all day, I could see it going out in a year. If you game a couple hours most days, it should last 2-3 years.

I am by no means an expert on controllers, but I want to give my take on this product, partly because there are so few reviews on it as of right now, but also because I just really like the feel of this controller and want to support it.Let me monologue for a moment: My previous controller has served me very well and is actually still in working order. (A nice Afterglow for the 360. A highly recommended workhorse in its own right) I say this just to emphasize how not desperate I was for a new controller. I just felt it was time to upgrade after building a new rig and happened to notice that there was a new gamepad available "for the series x".MOST IMPORTANT THINGS I'll try to list in order below:I was immediately able to plug it in to my Windows 10 PC via USB and it worked flawlessly, as I would expect.THIS IS NOT A WIRELESS CONTROLLER. The connection is micro USB that locks into the back of the controller. Come with a LONG braided cord with a breakaway point. Seems robust.Sticks feel great. Easy to move but they spring back to center. The joystick buttons feel good.The triggers are indeed adjustable and are noticeably different between settings. (As far as this goes for professional play, I don't know, but I suspect it would suffice as some sort of backup controller at the very least)R/L 1 buttons also feel good. Smooth satisfying press. Even the directional pad feels good. The A/B/X/Y buttons are standard.The AGR and AGL back buttons are, in my opinion, very well-placed and I'm looking forward to playing games in which they will have some use. When I looked at the reviews for the other controller I saw that some people didn't know how to turn these off. Just in case, here's what it says in the instructions for that:HOLD PROGRAM BUTTON FOR 3 SECONDS, THE LED's WILL FLASH INDICATING PROGRAM MODE. PRESS AGR/AGL BUTTONS FOR 5 SECONDS TO RESET TO NO FUNCTION.The black matte finish is nice, and I want to emphasize that these LED's are EXTREMELY VIBRANT. My phone's camera doesn't do it justice. I'll try to explain the color choices a little bit:There are four colors; red, blue, green, and yellow. You can choose several shades of each, and whether it is solid or "breathes". There are also three sections of the controller that can change between those colors and settings. I would describe these sections as the outside, middle, and inner sections. Outside being the highlights around the edge of the controller, middle being the left stick and the A/B/X/Y buttons, and inner being most of the right stick and directional pad. It does indeed allow for a lot of customization. For instance, I set mine to an icy blue with warmer pink pulsing in the middle. A really great look that my phone camera doesn't do justice.The mic button is left/right volume toggle, and as another review has stated, it is also a button that mutes and unmutes. I haven't tested this function myself.The other buttons like start, select, share, and xbox are buttons and they work.Overall I'm extremely satisfied with this gamepad and I'm really happy I upgraded. I see myself buying more products from PowerA in the future.