Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsBest controller available, and a great option for gamers with limited finger mobility/arthritis etc.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 October 2023
The official XBOX Elite controller Series 2 is a high-quality, top-tier controller. Aimed at the hardcore gamer, it actually is also very handy solution for gamers (such as myself) with limited hand mobility or other hand issues, thanks to its back paddles.
The controller is heavier than the default XBOX controllers and has a more sturdy construction including metal back plate and triggers and special rubber grips. Unlike the standard controller it is supplied with the controller itself, a built-in battery and charging dock, a lovely solid hard transport case, four metal back paddles, six stick options , and thumbstick adjustment tool, two D-pad options and a USB-C charging cable.
The sticks, paddles and D-pad are attached magnetically and are simple to swap out. The sticks offer a choice of lengths and grip textures.
Please note the standard controller and set is black as pictured on the product images; my photos are of my custom XBOX Design Lab Series 2 Elite controller which was the only one I have to hand right now.
The back paddles offer all sorts of options to you as they can be assigned in the XBOX Accessory settings dashboard to duplicate any of the other functions of the controller, and can also be given a second "shift" function. They sit exactly where you need them to be, and are easily accessible. Personally I set them as the A. B, X and Y buttons so that I can do whatever the buttons are set to do in the game without taking my hands off the thumbstick - great for fast twitch-shooters!
The other advantage to having paddles replace the face buttons, I found, is that it means I can continue to play games despite finding using the face buttons difficult. I can suffer severe pain when repeatedly pressing the face buttons in long gameplay sessions, and this was making gaming almost impossible for me. Now, being able to easily access A. B, X and Y on the paddles means I can enjoy my Xbox again with no pain or discomfort. I would suggest this may be helpful for many gamers who find the face buttons tricky to easily use but can comfortably grip the controller as designed. You can of course assign pretty much ANY function to the paddles.
The adjustment tool allows you to tighten or loosen the sticks very simply, just how you like.
The charger dock can be used from within the case through the hole on the back of the case, or can be used outside of the case. It can be hooked up to your console or any device with a powered USB slot. It is optional; the controller can also be directly connected to your XBOX without the dock.
The controller offers massive flexibility so that you can set it up just as you like. Not only can you choose the hardware and adjust stick tension, you can also use the small switches on the back to adjust the trigger pull distance. You will also find great in-depth settings within the Accessories option in the XBOX settings, where you can set button assignments, dead zones, stick adjustments and more.
Lastly, you can also use the controller settings on your XBOX to save up to three different profiles, which can be swapped between with the button below the guide button on the controller. This allows you to save specific button layouts and settings for individual games or types of game and switch on the fly.
I have used a number of Series 2 Elites for several years each now and at no time have encountered stick drift, sticky buttons, peeling grips or any other issue that the older Series 1 controllers were prone to. They all still work perfectly and I find them much more durable, more comfortable overall than the standard controllers, with a nice heft and feel of quality, and I find the paddles indispensable to the point that I cannot now use a controller without them.
The only negative I can think of is that cleaning the inevitable hand-jam off the textured rubber grips is a massive pain in the rear because BOY does that crissy-crossy texture refuse to give it up without a fight. And don't doubt that no matter how fastidious you are keeping your hands clean, you'll need to do it eventually!
These are not cheap; but are by far the best controller you will ever use, IMHO.