# Xbox Wireless Controller

18 Hacker News commenters recommended Xbox Wireless Controller and 9 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 11 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** Recommended for comfort, solid build and easy PC and Steam use. Common caveat: some PCs need a dongle or adapter.

## Why people recommend it

- Works well on PCs and Steam (6 comments): "the Microsoft Xbox One controllers work perfectly fine with xpad" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46459093)) "I'm able to play them with an Xbox One pad no less." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45987627)) "It even works fine with the Xbox One controllers" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45910421))
- Comfortable, especially the original Duke (2 comments): "Did you find the OG Xbox "Duke" controller comfortable? I did." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48299517)) "the OG Xbox Duke controller was very comfortable" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47015161))
- Cheap and high quality (2 comments): "An Xbox/PlayStation controller is cheap and high quality." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48638060)) "easily worth that extra $20-$30 for the jump in quality" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48638482))
- Simple and responsive in use (2 comments): "The Xbox controller is perfect. Simple and good enough to use." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45912179)) "older wireless PS controllers and xbox controllers were consistently more responsive in practice" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49358377))

## What people warn about

- Needs dongle or adapter on PC (2 comments): "even getting an Xbox controller to work properly on windows requires a dongle" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48890760)) "The Xbox one need a USB adapter but its build is not as good as SONY's." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45907990))
- Bluetooth connection and recognition problems (3 comments): "I could never get my Xbox One bluetooth controller behaving with Linux." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45908676)) "still didn't recognise my xbox wireless controller out of the box" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47609918)) "more reliable that my Xbox One one on BLE" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45954379))
- No gyro sensor (2 comments): "Microsoft is also the only controller manufacturer to not put gyro in their controllers." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48849395)) "The Xbox controller doesn't even have a gyro." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45905220))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Steam Controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/steam-controller.md): 74 recommend
- [8BitDo controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/8bitdo-controller.md): 13 recommend
- [PS5 DualSense controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/dualsense-controller.md): 10 recommend
- [Sony PS5 controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/ps5-controller.md): 7 recommend
- [Nintendo Switch Pro Controller](https://hackerapproved.com/p/nintendo-switch-pro-controller.md): 7 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Xbox+Wireless+Controller&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)
- [Official site](https://www.xbox.com/en-US/accessories/controllers/xbox-wireless-controller)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Xbox Wireless Controller", https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox-controller/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).