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

This is my third elite controller (had 2 version 1 elites) my biggest issue with my first two elites was the rubber grips coming off and I had some stick drift as well. I never had the issue of broken bumpers that I saw other people have with their v1 elites but Im hoping that is something they also addressed with this new controller. Obviously having this controller only for one day I can't really say if the new designed grips on this controller will hold up but im hoping they do. The New design to the grips do feel good tho.First thing about this controller I noticed is that it is slightly smaller than the version 1 (this could be something microsoft already mentioned when they announced the version 2 im not sure). Since it slightly smaller it also has a little less weight but it still has that weightiness that the version 1 has just very slightly less.The back paddle are also smaller and do not extend as much as the v1 paddle, which I think is ultimately a good thing but it will take maybe 30mins/hour to get use to the smaller paddles if you are use to the v1 paddles. The bumpers and triggers are also smaller but it still feels normal.Also the thumbsticks of the v1 controller are NOT compatiable with the v2 controller. And that is because the v2 has the new tension adjusting mechanic in the stick, so the thumbsticks themselves have new designs. As for the thumbstick that come with the controller: 2 short concave stick (smooth on the top surface but having a textured mesh-like on the sides like the typical v1 sticks), 1 short convex/dome stick with a textured patterned, 2 short wide surface concave sticks, 1 long concave stick (essentially the same as the v1 long concave stick). Im currently using the 2 short wide surface stick as I like the extra surface area of the sticks.It comes with long USB-C charging cable too and has a slot to insert the USB-C cord into to charge the controller on a charging dock that is inside case but of course you can just connect the USB cord directly to the controller to charge and play at the same time which is probably the way most of us will charge the controller but still a nice feature nonetheless.Only con I would have is my X button feels a bit stickier/stiffer than the A,B,Y buttons but im hoping that goes away as press the X more and more.I will say this controller is overall better than the v1 from design to feel to look but If you have a v1 elite already and are not suffering from the grips, stick drift. or broken button issues then you probably dont need to upgrade unless the tension stick adjusting and more button config profile, other things the v1 dont have are very important to you. Unfortunately only time will tell if the grips/drift issues have been solved.

I have been using the Cyberpunk 2077 special edition Xbox controller since a couple of months before Cyberpunk came out, and was beginning to have a double button push when I played Star Wars Jedi Survivor. It was irritating to die over and over, because I got a double jump instead of a single jump. So, on the advice of a friend, I ordered the Xbox Series 2 controller. I went all in and got the Elite version with the back paddles and charging case. I plugged it into my USB hub overnight and used it the next day. It kept disconnecting. Mistake 1 - my hub evidently doesn't put out enough power to charge it, so I had to plug directly into my PC. Skip my pain and just use a PC USB port. All is good, right? Mistake 2 - This one is for everyone that hasn't used one of these controllers. Download the Microsoft Accessories App from the app store. It allows you to customize the buttons, and I mean all the buttons. You can change everyone of them, if you want to. So, I put the LB and RB on the front paddles and removed the back paddles, for now. Everything is working great, after another overnight charge. It is actually useful to read the manual on this one. GASP! Yes, I did! That is probably 5 manuals in 40 years! It helped me make sure I got everything set up exactly the way I wanted it. You can have 3 different active profiles in the software, and many more that can be moved in if you need them. You will need to plug in to set them up. I recommend using a different color light for each one, so you know which profile is loaded. You can also change the light intensity and feedback to save battery life, if you need to hit that 40 hours between charges. I increased the tension on the sticks using the included tool (small flathead screwdriver), because I like them to have a bit of weight to them.I really like this controller. It is heavier than my old one and can recharge while it is plugged in, unlike the old one, which has removable battery packs, but does not charge. The only issue I have is the grips are a bit slippery, which will probably improve after I play with sweaty, sticky hands a few times. This controller should last me quite a few years, the way I use it. I use a mouse/keyboard most of the time, except for those console ports that just don't transfer that well. The Elite is a bit pricey, but if you don't want the back paddles or charging case, you can always go with the Core controller. It is the same controller without the extras, but all the functionality.

Fair warning this does not come with grips. The controller is completely worth it if you are going to play games for a while. If you are looking to customize it a lot more by the controller that comes with it.

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.