Buying Guide For Best Xbox One Controllers
There are tons of amazing experiences exclusively found on the Xbox One, ranging from defending humanity against the Covenants alien hordes in Halo: The Master Chief Collection to tending a thriving garden of living piñatas in Rare Replay, to surviving the zombie apocalypse in State of Decay 2. But while the Xbox wireless controller packed with your Xbox One console was an excellent starting point for your Xbox adventures, there really is a controller for everyone.
Whether youre shopping around for a superior controller that can adapt to your playstyle, affordable options for hosting multiple players, or simply a new colour of the classic Xbox wireless controller, there is a massive range of Xbox One controllers out there to choose from.
We at BestReviews have compared and tested our fair share of quality controllers, so we definitely know how to help select the best Xbox One controller for you. Our shopping guide contains plenty of tips, as well as several of our favourites.
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Xbox One Controller Features
While every official Xbox One controller can handle your favourite Xbox One games like a champ, some models have individual features and perks that other controllers dont. Here are a few features to consider when comparing Xbox One controllers:
Vibration: Having your controller shake in your hands whenever your character takes damage makes for a more immersive experience.
LED lighting: Some controllers are lined with LED lights that gently glow in a nuclear rainbow of colours. If you want to stand apart from the pack, this might be your best bet!
Colours and patterns: Many controllers are available in one of two styles, but you could be overwhelmed by the huge selection of differently coloured Xbox wireless controllers. Take your time to see whats out there. Are you more of a grey/green, Ocean Shadow, or Sport White type of person?
Turtle Beach Elite Pro Headset
| Mic can sometimes get tugged out of socket |
| Great for more professional playing |
Bottom Line: The Elite Pro lives up to its name: This headset is designed for professional players, and the audio controller is basically required for both surround sound and for careful adjustment of sound cues based on the game that youre playing. We rate it the best headset for competitive gaming. This headset is designed to appeal to a very specific set of gamers, and does that quite well. Whether you play Xbox or the best nintendo switch games, you need quality gear.
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How Can I Improve My Chances Of Getting An Xbox Series X
It can be a little chaotic, constantly refreshing the screen and hoping to see a checkout link. And as many can attest, it’s pretty painful to punch in your payment information only to see that the purchase can’t be completed because all the consoles are already gone. Here are some of our tips:
- Open multiple browsers: Got a laptop? A phone? Maybe a tablet? Use them all to try to make the purchase. Set yourself up ahead of time with multiple browsers open to the retail site of your choice and be ready to buy from all of them.
- Don’t give up: Many of these retailers have started releasing the consoles over the course of 30 minutes, to keep bots from buying them all and reselling them at a price increase. If you see everything is sold out after the first 5 minutes, keep refreshing because your chance probably isn’t gone yet.
- Have an account set-up and signed-in: The time it takes to enter your payment and shipping information can be the difference between getting your console and getting left in the dust. Avoid that delay by setting up an account on the websites you’ll be shopping on.
- Make sure you have a confirmation email: There have been many reports of a purchase getting “stuck” and even though the website said the sale was complete, no confirmation email arrived and then no Xbox arrived. Keep an eye out and make sure you actually have an Xbox Series X headed your way before celebrating.
Best Xbox One Games For 2021
These are the best Xbox titles you can buy right now.
The Xbox One X is the most powerful game console on the market right now, and when it comes to multiplatform games, it’s my favorite. Yes, the Xbox Series X arrived last year, but it’s still hard to get your hands on and the existence of a new Xbox won’t help you if you’ve been spending more time than usual at home and need to be entertained right now. But there’s no real urgency for most gamers looking to grab a Series X, because if you invest in any of these games, they’ll be backwards compatible with that video game console.
So, if you’re an Xbox gamer looking to make the most of your Xbox One X, either by joining friends for a multiplayer battle royale, diving into a strategy or adventure game, or mowing down zombies, this list has got you covered. Read on for the best Xbox One games.
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Before you buy, however, consider the following:
With those caveats in place, let’s move on to the best Xbox One games.
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What Are Their Faves
Pick your favorite types of games to play and well match you with a console that plays your way.
Pick their favorite types of games to play and well match you with a console that plays their way.
Select all that apply.
6 OF 7: HELP US PICK A CONSOLE THAT FITS YOUR GAMING STYLE
6 OF 7: HELP US PICK A CONSOLE THAT FITS THEIR GAMING STYLE
Best Xbox One Headsets: The Top Xbox One Gaming Headsets
The best Xbox One headsets you can buy in 2021, listed
Its no secret that the best Xbox One headsets will let you play your favourite games the way that Microsoft and its ever-expanding roster of development studios initially intended you to play them.
Whether you’re blasting around the map in a Warthog in Halo or listening to the sounds of distant bombs dropping in Fallout 4, sound is just as important in modern video games as graphics. As experiences get more immersive and more realistic, a game’s audio is becoming more and more integral to the overall experience. Popping an enemy Covenant’s head with a sniper wouldn’t nearly be as satisfying without any sound effects, now would it?
The best Xbox One headsets need to fulfil a selection of criteria to live up to the lofty standards set by the best of the best. A good headset, in 2021, must deliver on sound, comfort, style, and provide decent voice chat, too. Whether you’re after something that fits all those criteria or you’d prefer something that excels in one area we have you covered in our list below.
So, whether youre aiming for studio-quality sound, a battery life that will see you through even the most tedious of FPS campaigns, or a headset with a microphone that can deal with you telling your mates to once again cover you as you head into enemy territory, our essential selection of the best Xbox One headsets for 2021 should sort you out.
Read on below.
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
Reasons to avoid
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Lucidsound Ls35x Best Overall Wireless Xbox One Headset
Bottom line: The LS35X remains our number one pick for best Xbox One wireless headset for a number of reasons. First of all, its direct-to-Xbox connectivity makes it a front-runner for convenience. It’s also supremely comfortable, owing to its premium fabrics and cushioning, complete with inner coolant gel that helps disperse heat in the warm summer months. Most importantly of all, it has truly tremendous sound, with a balanced audio profile that won’t disappoint.
Speakers: 50mm neodymium | Frequency response: 20-20,000Hz | Compatibility: Xbox Wireless, 3.5mm | Features: Removable mic, on-ear controls, 15-hour battery life
| Manufacturer |
|---|
- Solid construction and premium materials
- Gorgeous soundscape
- Great mic audio with mic monitoring
Xbox And Pc Compatibility
The biggest advantage Xbox One controllers have over the DualShock 4 PS4 controller is they work wirelessly with your with your Windows PC right out of the box. No extra software or fiddling needed.
While it’s true most PC games are best enjoyed using a gaming keyboard and high-quality gaming mouse, an ever-increasing number of games and menu systems are designed around the controller instead of the traditional WASD control scheme PC gamers know and love.
With an Xbox One controller, you just plug it into your Windows computer and you’re good to go. The PS4 controllers also work with PC but require a bit more effort. However, not all games will perfectly map their controls onto a DualShock 4, so an Xbox One controller is definitely your safest bet. Controller compatibility also makes swapping between Windows Play Anywhere and Xbox Game Pass for PC games like Cuphead, Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War 4 and more much easier.
To use an Xbox One controller on your PC requires you have Windows. There are Linux and Mac solutions, too, but they require more work. Getting your Xbox One controller up and running on PC is as simple as using a Micro USB cable to connect it to your gaming laptop or gaming PC. You can also grab a Microsoft Xbox One wireless controller adapter or if your computer has Bluetooth, you can pair it as you’d pair any other Bluetooth device.
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Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2
Open world games could learn a lot from Tony Hawk’s, the gorgeous and luxurious recreating of a proper bit of PS1 royalty. These games aren’t strictly open-world affairs as Ubisoft might make them, but each classic location feels like a universe in and of itself – roll around, jump, grind and link tricks together while ticking off a series of jobs that should be meaningless busywork but turn out to be anything but.
The genius here, alongside the beautifully simple controls and the wonderfully evocative impact animations, is that Tony Hawk is one of those games that doesn’t just give you a sport, but an entire world, an entire subculture with its own colours and excesses. This is one of those games that makes movement a sheer delight. Play it and be immersed.
Want to read more? See our full Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 impressions and .
How Many Games Do They Plan To Store On Their Console
Help us understand your gaming habits and well find the console that works with you.
Help us understand their gaming habits and well find the console that works with them.
7 OF 7: LETS FIND THE PURCHASE OPTION THAT BEST FITS YOUR NEEDS
7 OF 7: LETS FIND THE PURCHASE OPTION THAT BEST FITS THEIR NEEDS
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What Is An Xbox
Xbox is the name of the video game consoles produced by Microsoft. The console versions that have so far been produced by Microsoft are Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The best Xbox One, the latest edition, is considered an eighth-generation console and is intended to be a video game console as well as a complete multimedia entertainment center.
Xbox One Elite Controller Series 2
One of the worlds most expensive controllers has proven popular enough to warrant a second version. Revealed at E3 2019, this new version builds on the original in almost every way but we all know the biggest improvement is the shift to a USB-C port for charging its 40-hour battery. It can even double as a wired controller if youre particularly sensitive to wireless lag.
The Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 comes with interchangeable thumbsticks, D-pads, and paddles, plus it has the ability to adjust the tension of its analog inputs for things like faster trigger speeds and weightier movement and aiming. They even redesigned the rubberized grip, a common point of concern on the original version. If youve ever wanted to toss your original controller in the trash and spend an extra $100 for some extra buttons, the Xbox One Elite Controller Series 2 is for you.
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Xcom 2 And War Of The Chosen Dlc
Firaxis Games managed to revive a long-dead strategy series in 2012 with XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and things only got better from there.
XCOM 2is a harder, more diverse, and more engaging game than its predecessor. It requires players to master both turn-based strategy and resource management as they attempt to overthrow alien occupiers before they unleash a mysterious weapon.
WithXCOM 2, failing to move your units into correct positions or taking too long to complete objectives could result in them being overrun and killed. Once theyre dead, theyre dead for good. Its enough to cause an anxiety attack, but with enough perseverance and a hefty dose of luck, you can repel the invaders and save the world.
Read our full XCOM 2 review
Best Customizable Xbox One Controller
The Xbox Adaptive Controller is specially designed for gamers with limited mobility. On its own, the Adaptive controller only gives you three inputs with an oversized D-Pad and two massive A and B buttons that users can hit with their palm, elbow, foot, or what have you.
However, the Xbox Adaptive Controller isn’t meant to be used on its own. Rather it has 19 3.5mm jacks along its back, each of which corresponds to a single command triggered on the normal Xbox One controller. Users can plug in their own accessibility controllerswhich includes a massive variety of buttons, foot pedals, switches, joysticks and moreand turn the Xbox Adaptive Controller into a central control hub.
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Q: Are Wireless Headsets For Xbox One Difficult To Set Up
While some models require a wireless dongle, the best Xbox One Wireless Headset brands connect automatically with a simple setup process. Read the instructions on your particular headset or watch a YouTube video for your brand for step-by-step visuals to easily set up and pair your headset. Most use a similar process including turning the headphones to pairing mode by holding the button until it lights up, turning on your Xbox console, finding the option for âpairing,â on the console and press it until the LED light blinks. Find the âconnectâ button on the headset and press and hold until it also blinks. When both lights stop blinking a message should flash stating something like âHeadset assigned,â meaning youâre ready to play!
D: Dark Dreams Don’t Die
D4, the oddball point-and-click adventure game from the ever-bizarre and lovable Swery, is another reason to own an Xbox One. Drawing from Philip K. Dick’s trippy metaphysics, David Lynch’s surrealism, and LucasArts’ classic adventure mechanics, D4 is a far cry from the usual AAA offerings.
It tells the story of a widower, detective David Young, who is obsessed with unearthing the events that led to the death of his wife Little Peggy. The story involves time travel, a giant, and a woman dressed as a cat who may or may not be real. It’s a good old time.
Dark Dreams Don’t Die is the first part of a multi-arc story a story that may not see a conclusion due to Swery leaving the developer, Access Games.
Devil May Cry is a genre-defining action series that pits your demon-slaying protagonist against the hordes of hell, giving you a sword, guns, and a robust list of special attacks to string together in crazy and over-the-top combos. Devil May Cry 5 continues the series’ wild action legacy.
It takes elements from previous games, even including the fan-derided DmC: Devil May Cry reboot, and introduces all-new characters and gameplay systems for series fans and newcomers to enjoy. All systems have been rebalanced and streamlined, making them easy to grasp yet challenging to apply in practice and to master.
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For Booming Bass Consider The Beyerdynamic Custom Game
The Beyerdynamic Custom Game is a behemoth of a gaming headset, and it lets gamers customize its bass in a pretty unique way. Each ear cup has bass reflex vents, which are easily revealed or concealed with a simple sliding mechanism. Adjusting the bass reproduction also adjusts the influx of ambient noise that can permeate the headphones. In a quiet environment? Open up those bass vents and experience a boomier sound. For tournaments with plenty of chatter, just close the ports to drown everything out.
Here Are The Best Xbox Consoles To Buy In 2021
Microsoft’s Xbox consoles allow you to play thousands of hours of action-packed video games, plus all the entertainment features to satisfy the living room. The arrival of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S means you have more options than ever, but the Xbox One family is still far from obsolete in 2021. Whether you need the best in 4K gaming or an affordable way to play, we’ve rounded up the best Xbox consoles to help you decide which is best for you.
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What Exclusive Games Can Be Found On The Xbox One
Each game console brand has a series of exclusive games that can only be played with that console, which is why certain players buy certain consoles. When it comes to the Xbox, the list is quite extensive and includes the following titles: State of Decay 2, Gears of War 4, Halo 5: Guardians, Ryse: Son of Rome, Titanfall, and Forza Motorsport 7.Some of these games are also available for PC players, as Xbox is part of the Microsoft brand. However, none of these games can be played on consoles such as PS4, Nintendo Wii U, or Nintendo Switch. The list of exclusive Xbox games is forever increasing as new games are released.