Kimbo
01-24-2016, 05:56 PM
Microsoft Xbox One Controller: Best Overall
The good :
Works instantly with most PC games
Excellent build quality and comfort
Force-feedback triggers
Connectivity: Wired (requires USB-to-micro-USB cable, included) and wireless (requires two AA batteries, included, Xbox One only)
Weight: 8 ounces
Also works with: Xbox One
Microsoft's Xbox One controller takes the impressive build quality and ergonomics of the Xbox 360 pad and improves upon them in a few key areas, making it the best all-around controller for any type of game.
The controller's D-pad has moved away from the 360's disc style to a more traditional four-way cross style. That change, which allows for better accuracy, is almost enough on its own to recommend it over its predecessor.
Rated: 9 out of 10
The shoulder buttons (which have been made snappier on newer models) are as comfortable to press as they are to rest your fingers on, and the triggers now rumble, which provides improved force feedback. The sticks are topped with a smooth center and rasped edge to reduce slipping, and the Xbox Guide button has been moved up and away from the center menu buttons to avoid accidental inputs.
The Xbox One Controller forgos fancy extra features, instead focusing on being the best-built and most comfortable option for gaming across all genres. Since the device has the same instant plug-and-play support as the 360 pad, it will work natively with just about any modern PC game with controller support. The Xbox One pad works on PC via a microUSB connection; if you want to go cord free, you can buy Microsoft's $24.99 wireless adapter.
Microsoft Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller: Best for Serious Gamers
The good
Sturdy, comfortable design
Highly customizable
Paddles and trigger locks are game changers
Robust companion app
The bad
No rechargeable battery
A few lackluster parts
Connectivity: Wired (via included microUSB cable) and wireless (via included AA batteries, requires Xbox One or PC wireless adapter).
Weight: 12.3 ounces
Also works with: Xbox One
The Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller is a pro gamer's dream. This premium gamepad is a cozier, sleeker and more durable version of the standard Xbox One controller, complete with a wealth of swappable parts that allow you to tailor the pad toward your personal style of play.
The Elite offers multiple thumbsticks with different heights and grips, as well as an optional disclike d-pad that lets you better feel each point of articulation. The pad's triggers can be locked for faster firing in shooting games, and its optional rear-facing paddles let you execute an abundance of actions without taking your thumbs off the stick. Microsoft's high-end controller isn't just limited to physical customization, either -- using the Xbox Accessories app on Windows 10 or Xbox One, you can remap virtually all of the gamepad's buttons and fine-tune the sensitivity on the triggers or bumpers.
Rated 8 out of 10
Thrustmaster GPX LightBack : Best for Racing
The good
Unique, pressure-sensitive lights
Ergonomic design
Wide game compatibility
The bad
Lighting system mostly suited to racing games only
Weight: 15.5 ounces
Also works with: Xbox 360
Connectivity: Wired (built-in USB wire)
Of the third-party solutions we tested, the GPX LightBack was the most compelling. While it features the same standardized button layout and core functionality as its peers, there are some significant differences between the GPX LightBack and its competition.
The body and grip are made of comfortable matte plastic, and the staggered control-stick placement instantly makes the layout familiar to anyone who's used an Xbox 360 controller. There's no installation required, and any game that works with a 360 controller (i.e., most of them) will work with this device instantly.
The real standout feature is the set of front-facing lights that indicate how far the shoulder triggers have been pressed, as well as the inlaid lights behind the control sticks that flash red when the rumble feature kicks on. In precision racing games, for which these features seem designed, the lights can help indicate how hard you're braking or accelerating, which can be crucial info for shaving off a few seconds in a rally racing game such as DiRT 3.
If these features don't interest you or apply well to a specific game, they can be toggled off with a physical switch on the top of the device, leaving you with a still-solid Xbox 360-style controller.
Rated 8 out of 10
The good :
Works instantly with most PC games
Excellent build quality and comfort
Force-feedback triggers
Connectivity: Wired (requires USB-to-micro-USB cable, included) and wireless (requires two AA batteries, included, Xbox One only)
Weight: 8 ounces
Also works with: Xbox One
Microsoft's Xbox One controller takes the impressive build quality and ergonomics of the Xbox 360 pad and improves upon them in a few key areas, making it the best all-around controller for any type of game.
The controller's D-pad has moved away from the 360's disc style to a more traditional four-way cross style. That change, which allows for better accuracy, is almost enough on its own to recommend it over its predecessor.
Rated: 9 out of 10
The shoulder buttons (which have been made snappier on newer models) are as comfortable to press as they are to rest your fingers on, and the triggers now rumble, which provides improved force feedback. The sticks are topped with a smooth center and rasped edge to reduce slipping, and the Xbox Guide button has been moved up and away from the center menu buttons to avoid accidental inputs.
The Xbox One Controller forgos fancy extra features, instead focusing on being the best-built and most comfortable option for gaming across all genres. Since the device has the same instant plug-and-play support as the 360 pad, it will work natively with just about any modern PC game with controller support. The Xbox One pad works on PC via a microUSB connection; if you want to go cord free, you can buy Microsoft's $24.99 wireless adapter.
Microsoft Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller: Best for Serious Gamers
The good
Sturdy, comfortable design
Highly customizable
Paddles and trigger locks are game changers
Robust companion app
The bad
No rechargeable battery
A few lackluster parts
Connectivity: Wired (via included microUSB cable) and wireless (via included AA batteries, requires Xbox One or PC wireless adapter).
Weight: 12.3 ounces
Also works with: Xbox One
The Xbox One Elite Wireless Controller is a pro gamer's dream. This premium gamepad is a cozier, sleeker and more durable version of the standard Xbox One controller, complete with a wealth of swappable parts that allow you to tailor the pad toward your personal style of play.
The Elite offers multiple thumbsticks with different heights and grips, as well as an optional disclike d-pad that lets you better feel each point of articulation. The pad's triggers can be locked for faster firing in shooting games, and its optional rear-facing paddles let you execute an abundance of actions without taking your thumbs off the stick. Microsoft's high-end controller isn't just limited to physical customization, either -- using the Xbox Accessories app on Windows 10 or Xbox One, you can remap virtually all of the gamepad's buttons and fine-tune the sensitivity on the triggers or bumpers.
Rated 8 out of 10
Thrustmaster GPX LightBack : Best for Racing
The good
Unique, pressure-sensitive lights
Ergonomic design
Wide game compatibility
The bad
Lighting system mostly suited to racing games only
Weight: 15.5 ounces
Also works with: Xbox 360
Connectivity: Wired (built-in USB wire)
Of the third-party solutions we tested, the GPX LightBack was the most compelling. While it features the same standardized button layout and core functionality as its peers, there are some significant differences between the GPX LightBack and its competition.
The body and grip are made of comfortable matte plastic, and the staggered control-stick placement instantly makes the layout familiar to anyone who's used an Xbox 360 controller. There's no installation required, and any game that works with a 360 controller (i.e., most of them) will work with this device instantly.
The real standout feature is the set of front-facing lights that indicate how far the shoulder triggers have been pressed, as well as the inlaid lights behind the control sticks that flash red when the rumble feature kicks on. In precision racing games, for which these features seem designed, the lights can help indicate how hard you're braking or accelerating, which can be crucial info for shaving off a few seconds in a rally racing game such as DiRT 3.
If these features don't interest you or apply well to a specific game, they can be toggled off with a physical switch on the top of the device, leaving you with a still-solid Xbox 360-style controller.
Rated 8 out of 10