The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller is on sale for its best-ever price at a major retailer. Walmart and Amazon have dropped the price of the Microsoft’s premium controller to only $124, down from $180. Target also has the Elite Series 2 on sale, but it’ll cost you one whole dollar more there. We don’t expect this deal will stick around for long. If you’re an Xbox or PC gamer, we’d recommend snagging this while you can. The Elite Series 2 has been around for five years, and it has never dropped to this low of a price at a major retailer.
Also, if you’re buying Elite Series 2 as a gift or want it to play Indiana Jones and the Great Circle this week, you’ll want to order it from Walmart or Target. Amazon currently estimates that orders placed today (December 8) won’t arrive until January.
$124 (was $180)
The Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is our pick for the best premium Xbox and PC controller you can buy in 2024.
The Elite Series 2 connects wirelessly via Xbox’s wireless frequency or Bluetooth on PC and mobile. It can also be hardwired with the included USB-C cable. As for the features you won’t find on a regular Xbox Wireless Controller, the Elite Series 2 can store three customizable control profiles, is equipped with trigger locks with three stopping points, and has swappable sticks with adjustable tension, D-pads, and back paddles. It also has textured grips and is made with better materials. The difference in quality is immediately noticeable.
Here’s what you get with the Elite Series 2:
- 6 swappable analog sticks – standard pair, “classic” (smaller) pair, one wide dome, one tall.
- 4 removable back paddles
- 2 D-pads – the one shown above and a standard cross design
- Charging dock
- Braided USB-C cable
- Thumbstick tension adjustment tool
- Hardshell carrying case with dedicated slots for all components
$98 (was $130)
The Elite Series 2 Core Controller is also on sale for low prices right now. The difference between the Core and the standard model is that the Core only comes with the controller. It’s the same premium controller with textured grips, trigger locks, and the ability to swap components. It doesn’t include the four back paddles, four extra sticks, second D-pad, adjustment tool, charging dock, or carrying case.
If you decide you want extra components down the line, there are plenty of third-party accessories for cheap. Our recommendation for back paddles is Scuf’s Elite Series 2 Paddles for $20–though they are often on sale for $15. You can even find full accessory kits that are actually pretty good for as low as $18.
Note: Amazon estimates the Elite Series 2 Core won’t be delivered until after Christmas, but Walmart and Target have units on hand now. Walmart and Amazon have it priced $1 below Target’s deal.
$98 (was $140)
Once again, this model is one buck less at Walmart compared to Target. Amazon is sold out of the blue model.
$96 (was $140)
Target’s price for the red model of the Elite Series 2 Core Controller is $96, while Walmart has it for $98. Amazon is also sold out of the red model.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 released back in 2019, but it still feels like the standard in the pro-style controller market. The Elite Series 2’s superb weighting, incredibly solid build and high-quality components make it feel like a controller that’s worth its $180 asking price. It’s an absolute steal at $124. Numerous third-party brands have tried to outshine the Elite Series 2 in recent years, and although there have been a few controllers that have come close, all of the solid wireless alternatives cost either the same price or higher. And that’s when the Elite Series 2 is at full price.
Our favorite third-party competitive controllers for Xbox are the Victrix Pro BFG and Razer’s recently released Wolverine V3 Pro. To their credit, each controller has at least one feature that is arguably better than the Elite Series 2. The Victrix Pro BFG is a modular controller, so you can swap the thumbsticks to be be offset or aligned. It also comes with a six-button fight pad module. The Wolverine V3 Pro, meanwhile, has excellent microswitch face buttons, and two extra bumpers in addition to four back triggers. It also has Hall Effect sticks, which is the main aspect of controller technology where the Elite Series 2 shows its age.
That said, Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro costs $200, and the Victrix Pro BFG is normally $180. The Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox is actually on sale for the first time right now. You can get one in white or black for $160.