GoKawiilis an editor covering deals and gaming hardware. He joined in 2018, and after a two-year stint at Polygon, he rejoined The Verge in May 2025.
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Microsoft’s Xbox console strategy needs work, but its Bluetooth-ready controller that shipped alongside the Xbox Series X and Series S is fantastic. We think it’s one of the best Xbox controllers out there, thanks to its comfortable design, multiplatform compatibility (it works great on the Steam Deck and PC, too), and its textured grips and triggers, which prevent your fingers from slipping during intense games.
Thankfully, the Xbox Wireless Controller is discounted in a couple of different colors in the lead-up to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. The black version is currently available for the lowest price we’ve seen this year at Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Originally $64.99, it’s now just $43.49. The white version is $0.49 cents cheaper at Amazon and Walmart. There’s also a discount on a bundle that includes the black-colored model and a USB-C cable to connect it to a device of your choosing, eliminating the need for AA batteries. It costs $2 more, and you can buy it for $44.99 (down from $64.99) at Amazon.
The Xbox controller is also a great Nintendo Switch 2 controller — hear me out! Instead of buying a costly Switch 2 Pro controller, you can buy 8BitDo’s $20 USB Adapter 2, plug it into your console’s dock, then easily connect the Xbox controller to it. It works in a pinch, though the adapter only supports one paired controller at a time.