Best Cheap Xbox One Controller Deals for July 2021

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It was tough to find good Xbox One controller sales in 2020, but the selection of discounted controllers and accessories have now significantly improved. Microsoft controllers are so good that it’s difficult to switch to controllers from other manufacturers once you’ve tried them out. The official Xbox One wireless controller and its pro-grade sibling, the Xbox One Elite controller, remain the best ways to play games on the Xbox consoles, but they’re also perfect for gaming on a PC. Regardless of your preferred gaming platform and what type of gamepad you’re after, we’ve rounded up all the best Xbox One controller deals right here, so read on.

Best Xbox One controller deals

Xbox One Controller vs. Xbox One Elite Controller

There are two main variants of the Xbox One controller: The standard gamepad that comes with every Xbox One console, and the “pro”-style Xbox One Elite controller. If you own an Xbox One, then you’re already familiar with the basic wireless controller that comes with it — but “basic” doesn’t mean “mediocre.” The Xbox One wireless controller is still one of the best, featuring a similar shape to the beloved Xbox 360 gamepad but with notable improvements to the buttons, bumpers, and dual analog sticks.

Another great feature of the Xbox One wireless controller is how seamlessly it connects to a computer. Microsoft is the name behind both the Xbox One console and the Windows operating system, and Microsoft intertwined the Xbox and PC gaming ecosystems with Windows 10. This means that if you like to game on platforms such as Steam and prefer a controller for certain games, the Xbox One gamepad is a solid choice.

The Xbox One wireless controller runs on traditional AA batteries, standing in contrast to rechargeable ones like the PS4’s DualShock 4. This may or may not be a good thing: On one hand, the Xbox controller’s batteries last considerably longer than the DualShock 4’s internal battery; on the other hand, you’ll need to buy those batteries separately. A simple solution (and our recommendation) is to buy rechargeable batteries and call it a day.

The standard gamepad has a retail price of $60-$65, but there are always Xbox One controller deals floating around that let you score one for cheaper. If you’re a serious gamer who’s willing to shell out a bit more cash for a pro-grade unit, though, then the Xbox One Elite controller is a worthy alternative. Its hefty body is covered in soft-touch materials for a superb hand-feel, and the overall build quality is noticeably superior to the standard Xbox One controller.

The Xbox One Elite controller was designed with input from pro gamers and features more responsive (not to mention sturdier and longer-lasting) buttons and analog sticks – something to consider if you’re into competitive gaming. Each Elite controller also comes with swappable thumbsticks, D-pads, and rear paddles, and you can customize the button mapping with the Xbox Accessories App. It’ll cost you, though: The Xbox One Elite gamepad retails for $180, but this offers you the best opportunity to save big when hunting around for Xbox One controller deals.

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