Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 re-review: Three months later, has it fallen apart yet?

Xbox Elite Series 2 Re Review Source: Windows Central

Our initial review of the Xbox Aristocracy Controller Series 2 was rather glowing, owing to its beefy battery life, user-friendly accuse dock, ergonomic blueprint, and customization. While information technology felt more durable than whatsoever gamepad that preceded it in our initial review, yous can never really tell how something will survive over the long term without, well, time.

The previous Xbox Elite Controller seemed rock solid at the starting time, but came with a hidden point of failure, most notably in its rubber grips which, frustratingly, would warp and fall off over time. I personally experienced that with 2 Elite controllers previously, so it's understandable that in that location take been some concerns with how this new Elite Series two controller would hold upwardly.

I decided to write upwards my experiences with the controller three months in to let you know how it's doing. Turns out, the reply is pretty damn proficient.

I besides purposefully haven't recently cleaned upwardly the controller for this re-review, so yous tin go an idea of dusty information technology might look a few weeks out of the box.

Xbox controller perfected

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2

Possibly the best controller, ever.

If you can atmospheric condition the price point, it'south unlikely you'll exist disappointed with this controller.

Still operation like new

Xbox Elite Series 2 Re Review Source: Windows Central

The Xbox Elite Controller has a large amount of moving parts and connective pieces, attributable to customizable thumbsticks, paddles, and and then on. It also has unique prophylactic grips that attach in a few panels around the front and the back, giving it a bit of ergonomic flair. While these features are great, they technically introduce a few boosted points of failure that the regular Xbox controllers don't have. Thankfully, though, after three months of hefty abuse, every corner of my Elite Series 2 controller is still functioning as new.

Perchance the nigh encouraging attribute, for me, is how firmly the grips still experience attached. Microsoft revised the process and chemistry for the rubber grips this time around, and it seems to testify. It'south tough to get anything underneath the seams, which bodes well for their longevity.

The paddles, triggers, and thumbsticks are all still in top-notch working order every bit well, eventhough I haven't really been making much of an attempt to keep them make clean and free of dust. I oasis't had a unmarried issue with my triggers or bumpers either, the latter of which I'd heard were problematic for some V1 Aristocracy controller users.

Tough to scuff, tough to clean

Xbox Elite Series 2 Re Review Source: Windows Central

The textile on the Elite Series 2 controller remains a smudge magnet, nevertheless. There'south a strange uncanny softness to it that is easy to mark and smudge, but tough to permanently scratch. As such, it's relatively easy to clean the outer shell with a regular cloth and cleaning agent, but other parts of the controller are far less easy to clean.

The thumbsticks have this miniscule lip that makes them great for grip, but gathers dust like a sponge. Cleaning it can be a chore also, as the textured prophylactic seems to grip onto dirt equally much every bit it wants to grip onto your thumbs. The same can exist said nigh the grip seams, where you lot'll probably need to take hold of a tooth choice if y'all desire to keep this thing make clean over time. A textile just doesn't cut information technology.

Battery life is belongings up

Xbox Elite Series 2 Re Review Source: Windows Central

Ane of my favorite things about the Elite Series 2 is the convenience of its charge dock and its monstrous bombardment life. In testing, over three months, the bombardment doesn't seem to accept lost whatever charge whatever, which is a positive sign.

The fact the battery cannot exist swapped out is potentially problematic for users hoping that this controller will stand the test of time, since all batteries eventually deplete. The quality of the cells used tin have a large bear on on how long information technology actually takes for those cells to deplete, though, and so far information technology's looking like Microsoft didn't inexpensive out on u.s.a. here. I'm even so exceeding forty hours usage on a single charge, which is across even Microsoft's own estimates.

Positive outlook

Xbox Elite Series 2 Re Review Source: Windows Central

I've had a few emails here and there with reports of controllers shipping with faulty parts, stuck buttons, then on, making me concerned that the Series 2 could be suffering from widespread issues. However, the controller is among the fastest selling gaming accessories dollar-for-dollar co-ordinate to marketplace inquiry group NPD. I experience similar if these issues were truly widespread, I'd be seeing a lot more feedback at my end about information technology. It'due south hard to know for sure what the failure rates are, but the final thing Microsoft would want is a hefty replacement bill on what is probably a adequately expensive device to manufacture.

At that place'due south no fashion to know how this gamepad volition hold up in 6 months, twelve months, and then on. But I do know that I'm impressed past how well it'due south belongings up so far, given the amount of corruption I'thou putting it through. I'll check back in again in another few months to update you on the Series ii'southward staying ability.

Related: Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 full review

Xbox controller perfected

Xbox Elite Controller Series 2

Mayhap the best controller, always.

If yous tin can weather the toll betoken, it's unlikely you'll exist disappointed with this controller.

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