Xbox One S Controller Review: Upgrade Your Original With Bluetooth
Published: August 5, 2023
Design and Comfort
The Xbox One S controller boasts a sleek and ergonomic design that offers a comfortable and intuitive gaming experience. Its refined shape and textured grip allow for a secure hold, preventing any slips or discomfort during long gaming sessions.
The placement of buttons and analog sticks has been carefully designed to provide easy access and comfortable reach for gamers of all hand sizes. The responsive buttons offer a satisfying click, enhancing the overall tactile experience.
Moreover, the controller’s lightweight construction makes it easy to handle, reducing fatigue and ensuring maximum comfort even during extended gaming sessions. Its well-balanced design further adds to its ease of use, allowing for precise control and fluid movements in games.
Additionally, the Xbox One S controller features a redesigned directional pad (D-pad) that provides more precise and accurate input. This is particularly beneficial for games that require precise movements and quick reactions.
The controller’s design also takes into account the preferences of gamers with different gaming styles. Whether you prefer the traditional thumbstick layout or the offset thumbstick layout, the Xbox One S controller offers both options, giving you the flexibility to choose the layout that suits you best.
In terms of aesthetics, the Xbox One S controller comes in a range of appealing colors and designs, allowing you to personalize your gaming experience. From classic black to vibrant and eye-catching special edition designs, there is a style to suit every gamer’s taste.
Wireless Connectivity
The Xbox One S controller takes advantage of advanced wireless technology, providing a seamless and hassle-free gaming experience. It utilizes Bluetooth technology to offer wireless connectivity to your console, eliminating the need for cumbersome cables that can restrict movement and create a cluttered gaming setup.
With its built-in Bluetooth capabilities, the Xbox One S controller can easily connect to your console, PC, or tablet, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games without the hassle of wires. This not only enhances convenience but also provides greater freedom of movement, enabling you to sit back and play from a comfortable position.
The wireless connectivity of the Xbox One S controller offers a reliable and stable connection, ensuring minimal input lag and uninterrupted gameplay. You can enjoy smooth and responsive controls, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the gaming world without any interruptions or delays.
Another advantage of wireless connectivity is the ability to play multiplayer games with friends and family. With the Xbox One S controller, you can connect multiple controllers wirelessly to your console, enabling cooperative or competitive gameplay without the limitations of wired controllers.
Additionally, the Xbox One S controller features a wireless range of up to 30 feet, providing flexibility and freedom to move around during gameplay. Whether you prefer gaming on a large screen or from a distance, you can enjoy a lag-free and uninterrupted gaming experience without being tethered to your console.
Overall, the wireless connectivity of the Xbox One S controller enhances the gaming experience by allowing for a clutter-free setup, reduced input lag, and the freedom to play from a comfortable position. It’s a feature that adds convenience and flexibility to your gaming sessions, making the gaming experience more enjoyable.
Enhanced Gaming Experience
The Xbox One S controller is designed to deliver an enhanced gaming experience, offering a host of features and improvements that elevate gameplay to new heights.
One notable enhancement is the improved precision and accuracy of the controller’s analog sticks. These sticks allow for smooth and precise movements, enabling more precise control in games that require delicate movements, such as aiming in first-person shooters or performing precise maneuvers in racing games.
In addition, the Xbox One S controller features responsive and reliable triggers that offer a satisfying feedback. The enhanced trigger sensitivity allows for more nuanced control, providing a more immersive experience in games that involve shooting or driving.
Furthermore, the controller includes a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing you to connect your favorite gaming headset directly to the controller. This feature enhances the gaming experience by providing crisp and immersive audio, allowing you to hear every detail and immerse yourself fully in the game.
The Xbox One S controller also incorporates vibration feedback, which adds a tactile dimension to your gaming experience. The subtle vibrations simulate the impact of in-game actions, such as explosions or collisions, making you feel more connected to the game world.
Moreover, the controller’s innovative design includes a built-in stereo headset jack, enabling you to communicate with other players during multiplayer games. This feature enhances teamwork and coordination, allowing for better strategizing and communication in games that require teamwork.
Additionally, the controller supports custom button mapping, allowing you to personalize the control scheme to your liking. This feature is especially beneficial for gamers with specific preferences or those with disabilities who require a customized layout for optimal gameplay.
Bluetooth Compatibility
One of the standout features of the Xbox One S controller is its Bluetooth compatibility. This means that in addition to connecting wirelessly to your Xbox One console, the controller can also be used with other devices that support Bluetooth connectivity.
With Bluetooth compatibility, you can easily connect the Xbox One S controller to your PC, laptop, tablet, or even compatible smartphones. This opens up a whole new world of gaming possibilities, allowing you to use the controller to play games on different platforms.
When connecting the Xbox One S controller to a Bluetooth-enabled device, the pairing process is quick and straightforward. Simply put the controller into pairing mode, locate the device in your Bluetooth settings, and establish a connection. Once connected, you can enjoy your favorite games with the familiar and comfortable Xbox One S controller in your hands.
Bluetooth compatibility also makes the Xbox One S controller an excellent choice for gaming on the go. Whether you’re traveling or visiting a friend’s house, you can easily bring your controller along and connect it to compatible devices, giving you the freedom to play your games wherever you are.
Furthermore, Bluetooth connectivity ensures a stable and reliable connection, with minimal input lag. This is crucial for maintaining a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience, whether you’re playing intense action games or engaging in online multiplayer battles.
It’s worth noting that while Bluetooth compatibility allows for a wireless connection, certain features and functionalities may be limited when using the Xbox One S controller with non-Xbox devices. However, the majority of games should still be fully playable, and you can take advantage of the controller’s exceptional design and comfort.
Compatibility with PCs and Tablets
The Xbox One S controller goes beyond its functionality with the Xbox One console and offers seamless compatibility with PCs and tablets. This opens up endless gaming possibilities, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games on different platforms with the familiar and comfortable Xbox One S controller.
Setting up the Xbox One S controller with a PC or tablet is hassle-free. For Windows 10 devices, it’s as simple as connecting the controller to your device via Bluetooth or using a USB cable. The controller is automatically recognized and configured, ensuring a smooth and effortless setup process.
Once connected, the Xbox One S controller provides a seamless gaming experience on your PC or tablet. Whether you’re playing action games, RPGs, or even racing games, the precise analog sticks, responsive triggers, and comfortable grip of the controller enhance your gameplay, giving you a competitive edge.
Furthermore, the Xbox One S controller is compatible with a wide range of PC games, offering broad support for popular titles across various genres. Many games are designed with native controller support, ensuring that you can jump right into the action without having to configure controls or rely on third-party software.
For those who prefer to use the Xbox One S controller wired, it’s also possible to connect it to a PC or tablet using a USB cable. This can provide a reliable and uninterrupted connection, particularly for gamers who require precise and responsive controls.
Tablets, especially ones running on Windows systems, can also benefit from the compatibility of the Xbox One S controller. Whether you’re using your tablet for gaming or streaming, the controller offers a familiar and intuitive control scheme that enhances your overall gaming or media consumption experience.
Whether you’re a PC gamer or enjoy gaming on your tablet, the Xbox One S controller’s compatibility ensures that you can bring the comfort and precision of console gaming to your gaming sessions on different platforms. With its seamless integration and wide game support, it’s the perfect accessory for expanding your gaming horizons.
Impressive Battery Life
The Xbox One S controller boasts an impressive battery life, ensuring that you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions without the need for frequent recharging. With the controller’s energy-efficient design, you can focus on the game at hand without worrying about running out of power.
The Xbox One S controller utilizes advanced battery-saving technologies, allowing it to last for extended periods of gameplay. Depending on usage, the controller’s batteries can provide up to 30 hours of playtime before needing to be recharged or replaced.
This long battery life is a major advantage for gamers who prefer extended gaming sessions or competitive gaming that lasts for hours. Instead of constantly pausing to recharge or replace batteries, you can continue playing without interruption, immersing yourself fully in the gaming experience.
The controller’s battery life is further extended by its power-saving features. If the controller is left idle for a certain period, it will automatically enter a sleep mode to conserve battery power. This ensures that the batteries are not unnecessarily drained when the controller is not in use.
In addition, the Xbox One S controller gives you the option to use rechargeable batteries, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution. By investing in rechargeable batteries, you can simply recharge them when necessary, eliminating the need to continually purchase disposable batteries.
Furthermore, the controller features a convenient battery indicator that keeps you informed about the remaining battery life. This allows you to monitor the controller’s power level and plan accordingly. When the battery level is low, you can easily connect the controller to a power source and continue playing while it charges, ensuring minimal disruption.
Overall, the impressive battery life of the Xbox One S controller is a testament to its efficiency and longevity. With extended playtime and power-saving features, you can enjoy gaming marathons without any concerns about running out of power, making it a reliable and convenient choice for avid gamers.
Customizable Button Mapping
The Xbox One S controller offers a unique and valuable feature – customizable button mapping. This functionality allows you to personalize the controller’s layout and assign specific functions to different buttons, tailoring the control scheme to your preferences and gaming style.
With customizable button mapping, you have the freedom to rearrange the button layout to better suit your needs. Whether you find it more comfortable to have certain actions assigned to different buttons or want to optimize your control scheme for specific games, the Xbox One S controller gives you the flexibility to do so.
This feature is particularly beneficial for gamers with disabilities, as they can map controls in a way that accommodates their specific needs and physical abilities. The ability to customize button mapping ensures that everyone, regardless of their physical limitations, can fully enjoy and participate in gaming.
Customizable button mapping also allows you to experiment and find the optimal control scheme for different games. For example, you might prefer to have the trigger buttons act as additional action buttons for faster shooting in a first-person shooter, or you may want to map the face buttons to different spells or abilities in a role-playing game.
The Xbox Accessories app, available for both Xbox consoles and Windows 10, provides an intuitive interface for customizing the controller’s button mapping. The app allows you to easily remap buttons, adjust sensitivity settings, and create multiple profiles for different games or players.
Furthermore, once you’ve customized your button mapping, the settings are saved directly on the controller. This means that you can take your personalized control scheme with you and use it on various devices or different Xbox consoles without the need for additional setup.
By offering customizable button mapping, the Xbox One S controller ensures that you have full control over your gaming experience. It empowers you to play games in a way that feels natural and comfortable, enhancing both your performance and enjoyment as you navigate the virtual worlds of your favorite games.
High-Quality Build and Durability
The Xbox One S controller is built to withstand hours of intense gaming and is known for its high-quality construction and durability. From its robust materials to its attention to detail, the controller is designed to provide a long-lasting and reliable gaming experience.
One of the standout features of the Xbox One S controller is its solid build. It feels sturdy and substantial in your hands, with a well-built frame that can withstand the rigors of gaming. The controller’s buttons and analog sticks have a satisfying click and offer a reassuring level of resistance, ensuring precise inputs without feeling cheap or flimsy.
The materials used in the construction of the Xbox One S controller are of high quality, contributing to its durability. The controller’s body is made of a durable and resistant plastic that can withstand everyday wear and tear. The buttons, triggers, and analog sticks are also made to be robust and resilient, ensuring longevity even under intense use.
In addition, the Xbox One S controller is designed to be comfortable and ergonomically friendly. The textured grip provides a secure and comfortable hold, reducing the chances of the controller slipping during gameplay. The button placement and overall layout of the controller have been carefully considered to ensure maximum comfort, allowing for prolonged gaming sessions without discomfort or hand fatigue.
Furthermore, the Xbox One S controller has been thoroughly tested to meet high-quality standards. Microsoft, the manufacturer of the controller, has put it through rigorous testing to ensure its durability and functionality. This testing includes subjecting the controller to various stress tests, including repeated button presses and intense gameplay, to ensure it can withstand the demands of gaming.
It’s worth noting that while the Xbox One S controller is built to last, proper care and maintenance are important for its longevity. Regular cleaning, avoiding excessive force or dropping, and storing it in a safe place when not in use can help ensure that the controller stays in excellent condition for years to come.
Available Colors and Designs
The Xbox One S controller offers a wide array of colors and designs, allowing you to customize your gaming setup to reflect your personal style and preferences. Whether you prefer sleek and minimalist designs or bold and vibrant colors, there is a controller variation to suit your taste.
One of the most popular color options for the Xbox One S controller is the classic black. This timeless design provides a sleek and sophisticated look that complements any gaming setup. The black controller is widely available and is a popular choice for gamers who prefer a no-nonsense aesthetic.
In addition to the classic black, the Xbox One S controller comes in a range of vibrant and eye-catching colors. From vibrant reds and blues to striking purples and greens, there is a colorful option to match your personality and add a pop of excitement to your gaming experience.
Furthermore, the controller is available in special edition designs that pay tribute to popular games, franchises, or events. These limited-edition controllers feature unique artwork or patterns that reflect the theme of the game or event they are associated with. This allows fans to show their support for their favorite games and adds a collectible element to their gaming setup.
Moreover, Microsoft frequently releases controller designs in collaboration with various brands and organizations. These special editions showcase partnerships with sports teams, charities, and even cultural icons. These collaborations offer fans a chance to own a truly unique and exclusive controller design that represents their favorite brand or cause.
The availability and variety of color options and designs for the Xbox One S controller make it easy to find one that suits your preferences and gaming setup. Whether you’re looking for a more traditional look or want to make a bold statement with a vibrant and unique design, the Xbox One S controller offers a range of options to choose from.
Additionally, many third-party companies offer custom controller shells and decals, allowing you to further personalize the look of your Xbox One S controller. These aftermarket customization options provide even more flexibility and creativity in creating a controller design that is truly your own.
Overall, the wide range of available colors and designs for the Xbox One S controller offers gamers the chance to express their personal style and make their gaming setup truly unique. Whether you prefer a classic look or want to make a bold statement, there is a controller design to suit every taste and preference.
Price and Value for Money
The Xbox One S controller offers great value for money, considering its high-quality build, impressive features, and versatility. While the exact price may vary depending on the retailer and any additional accessories included, the controller is generally priced competitively, making it an affordable option for gamers of all budgets.
When comparing the price of the Xbox One S controller to other gaming controllers on the market, it stands out as a worthwhile investment. The controller’s durability and longevity ensure that it will provide years of reliable use, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Furthermore, the Xbox One S controller comes packed with features that enhance the gaming experience. From its ergonomic design and responsive buttons to its customizable button mapping and wireless connectivity, the controller offers a range of features that justify its price tag.
Additionally, the Xbox One S controller’s compatibility with various devices, including PCs and tablets, adds further value for money. Being able to use the controller across different platforms expands its usability, allowing you to get more out of your gaming experience.
Moreover, the availability of different colors and designs adds to the overall value of the Xbox One S controller. The ability to choose a controller that matches your personal style and preferences adds a level of customization and enjoyment to your gaming sessions.
Considering the quality, durability, and features offered by the Xbox One S controller, it delivers excellent value for money. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, this controller proves to be a worthy investment that enhances your gaming experience without breaking the bank.
It’s important to note that while the Xbox One S controller may be initially purchased separately from the console, it is also included with the purchase of an Xbox One S console bundle. This bundle offers additional value as it includes both the console and the controller, providing a complete gaming setup right out of the box.
Overall, the Xbox One S controller provides excellent value for money, offering a combination of high-quality design, impressive features, and versatility. Whether purchased separately or as part of a console bundle, it proves to be a worthwhile investment for gamers seeking a reliable and enjoyable gaming experience.