Important Alert: Avoid This Xbox/PC Gaming Accessory on Black Friday — Opt for This Alternative Instead

This may sound a little unconventional, but I’m here to tell you about a deal you might want to skip—yes, really! The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is currently on sale at Amazon with a neat 17% off, but let me be clear: don’t buy it. I’m in the middle of updating our review to fully explain why, but for now, here’s the scoop for anyone eyeing the top Xbox accessories on sale.

Sure, the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 dazzles with premium features: an amazing charging dock, stellar battery life, and back paddles that give you a competitive edge. Plus, you can customize it to your heart’s content. Yet, here’s the snag—I’ve been through three of them. My Elden Ring addiction over the past couple of years claimed not one, but two of these controllers. The ones I leave at my parent’s place and my partner’s home have both bitten the dust. Neither of their right bumpers works anymore, and don’t even get me started on the stick drift; it’s practically a deal-breaker for games like STALKER 2. Even worse, it appears Microsoft has stopped providing repairs in some regions, hinting that a newer version might be in the works.

Now, there’s actually a better choice for anyone looking to up their Xbox and PC gaming experience. Enter the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro. It might not be on sale, but trust me, it’s worth every penny.

Let’s talk about why the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is a smarter buy than the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2. In an article I wrote recently, I dived deep into the details, but the crux of it all is durability.

The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is built with Razer’s own switches. Having a solid track record with mice and keyboards, Razer’s attention to detail here really pays off. The slick, tactile buttons and triggers feel reliable and give me peace of mind, unlike the three Xbox Elite controllers that failed on me.

I’ve faced similar problems with the original Xbox Elite Controller, particularly with its peeling rubber grips. The Series 2 seems to have an infamous issue with its right bumper, as echoed on various social platforms and Reddit. You could fix it, sure, but it’s a hassle requiring specialized tools, which are additional expenses.

What makes the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro stand out is that it pretty much matches the Elite Series 2 feature by feature. With trigger locks for swift shooting, customizable profiles, Chroma lighting, and back paddles designed for competitive play, it’s a strong contender. Plus, those paddles are perfect for moves like jumps and reloads without needing to shift your fingers off the movement controls.

While the brand surely excels in modularity and comes with a robust charging dock that feels like it’s straight out of the future, the Xbox Elite Controller wins on battery longevity. However, the Wolverine V3 Pro also boasts an all-day battery life—it just requires a bit more diligence in charging.

Ultimately, a controller that needs charging more often is way better than one with broken bumpers—a fate seemingly inevitable with all Series 2 models. Both standard and custom ones from the Xbox Design Lab have failed me in this department.

Even worse, if your Series 2 needs fixing, Microsoft’s repair service may not be available in your region. I got the dreaded “this service is not available in your area” message when trying from Europe. So, it’s not exactly reassuring for anyone, even stateside, to face this predicament.

There you have it—my quick PSA. For the upcoming Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping frenzy, even without a discount, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro remains the top Xbox controller you can snag. It’s not only cheaper than buying the Xbox Elite Series 2 bundle but even more so if you choose the wired Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament edition.

Wondering when Black Friday is kicking off? Mark your calendars for November 29, 2024. Although many retailers have already started tempting shoppers with deals, having your wishlist ready might help you snag desired products before they sell out. Then comes Cyber Monday on December 2, 2024, promising exclusive online deals, some potentially rolling on even after the event. Make sure to stay vigilant for last-minute bargains!