Game consoles have lengthy since moved to wi-fi controllers as the usual, however there are nonetheless causes to contemplate a wired model. For one, you don’t have to fret about connection points or battery ranges. More importantly, wired controllers just like the PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller are usually cheaper. That could be vital when the first-party gamepads are reaching ever-higher worth factors.
The PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller has all of the options of the official model for simply half the fee—it may be yours for below $30 most days. It even provides some helpful extras like programmable buttons and a quantity toggle. The cable is the most important downside, however the really feel and construct high quality additionally take a step down in comparison with Microsoft’s Series X/S controller. If nothing else, the PowerA Controller is a superb “little brother controller.”
Expert’s Rating
Pros
- Much lighter than official controller
- Physical quantity toggle
- Only prices about $30
- Programmable buttons
Cons
- Uses previous microUSB port as a substitute of USB-C
- Mushy d-pad
- No wi-fi connectivity
Our Verdict
The PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller is perhaps a finances possibility, nevertheless it’s no slouch. It comes with tons of performance each to be used with the Xbox and people who want a controller for PC gaming as effectively. Ultimately, it performs nearly in addition to the official controller however prices solely half as a lot.
Price When Reviewed
30
Best Prices Today: PowerA Enhanced Xbox controller
$29.99
PowerA Enhanced controller: Design and construct high quality
At first look, you won’t notice that the PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller is a third-party accent. It has the everyday Xbox form, a glowing Xbox button within the center, and all of the buttons in the precise locations. However, it’s a bit chunkier, giving it a hand-feel nearer to the previous-gen Xbox One controller. There’s a diamond texture etched into the grips, nevertheless it’s far much less grippy than the tiny dots on the official controller that ships with the Series X and S.
Even although the chassis is bigger, the PowerA controller is surprisingly mild at simply 208g (7.33 ounces). The inventory Series X controller with AA batteries put in is a whopping 300g. Thankfully, the cable is detachable, however the port (between the triggers) is an old style microUSB. Current-gen controllers from Microsoft and Sony use the newer USB-C commonplace. These cables are reversible and extra sturdy, however microUSB works nice, and the controller comes with an extended 10-foot cable.
The backside edge hosts a 3.5mm headphone jack, and simply above that on the face of the controller is the quantity toggle. This is the obvious departure from the inventory controller, which doesn’t have any devoted {hardware} buttons for quantity management. Flip it over, and also you’ll see the opposite {hardware} tweak—a pair of programmable buttons on the grips and a button within the center to configure them. The controller additionally has eight uncovered screw holes on the underside, making the PowerA controller look less expensive than the official controller, which inserts along with no seen screws.
The PowerA Enhanced controller shares a number of design parts with the Xbox Series X/S.
Ryan Whitwam
You may also discover that the d-pad is of the normal plus-shaped selection, whereas the official Series X/S controller has moved to a extra exact dish-shaped pad. The PowerA ABXY cluster has extra journey (they protrude a bit extra from the physique) with much less tactility than Microsoft’s controller. The different buttons look about the identical—PowerA even has the share button launched with the Series X and S (though, it’s spherical as a substitute of pill-shaped, and it’s a bit wobbly)
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PowerA Enhance controller: Features and hands-on expertise
As we identified within the Xbox Wireless Controller review, Microsoft’s newest gamepad is louder than the final one. The PowerA makes that one appear whisper-quiet by comparability. Elements just like the triggers and thumbsticks have very exhausting, loud landings when pressed. The thumbsticks are additionally stiffer and rougher than the official controller, however the distinction is negligible sufficient that you just gained’t discover until you will have each of them side-by-side for comparability.
The programmable buttons are positioned conveniently on the within of the grips—maybe a bit of too conveniently. It doesn’t take a lot power to depress them, in order that they’re simple to hit by accident if you happen to squeeze the controller too tightly. That stated, they are often useful if you happen to don’t like the placement of one of many different buttons. Simply long-press this system button in the midst of the rear panel and press the management you wish to replicate.
The old-style d-pad is perhaps the most important bodily downgrade in comparison with the first-party Xbox X/S gamepad. It has the basic plus-shaped design, together with the basic mushiness. Fighting video games and others that make heavy use of the d-pad gained’t be as pleasing with this controller. The addition of the volume-control toggle is good, although. If you play on-line video games with a wired headset, the change allows you to elevate and decrease the quantity with out digging round in settings. You also can press the change to mute the microphone.
Official Xbox Series X/S (left) and the PowerA Enhanced controller (proper).
Ryan Whitwam
While the shortage of wi-fi connectivity is a bummer, you’d should count on that purchasing a wired controller. The decrease controller weight is an interesting comfort, although. As lengthy as you’ll be able to run the 10-foot cable to your PC or console, the PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller is comfy to make use of for lengthy intervals of time.
PowerA Enhanced controller: Compatibility
The PowerA controller ought to work along with your Xbox simply in addition to an official controller. All you want is a free USB port in your console, and the identical goes for a Windows PC. The solely {hardware} function you’ll utterly lose is the choice to connect equipment, like a keyboard or headset, that use the growth port, which doesn’t exist on the PowerA controller. Another downside: This controller can not activate the Xbox Series X/S console.
This controller additionally works with smartphones however not as simply because the inventory controller. Since the official gamepad makes use of USB-C, you simply want a C-to-C cable to connect with an Android telephone, and it additionally helps wi-fi Bluetooth connectivity. With the PowerA, it’s worthwhile to use the cable (or one other micro USB cable) and an adapter that may flip the oblong USB-A into USB-C. We’ve examined this with Google’s Pixel USB adapter, and every little thing works regardless of being clunky.
The PowerA Enhanced controller can work with smartphones given the correct adapter.
Ryan Whitwam
Final ideas
The official Xbox Series X/S controller is undoubtedly a greater gadget—it’s wi-fi, seems nicer, and has higher construct high quality. It’s additionally costly at $60. The PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller has 90 p.c of the performance at simply half the fee. We additionally respect that PowerA presents the controller in so many colours.
The lack of a battery makes the PowerA controller a lot lighter than wi-fi ones, and many of the buttons really feel nearly as responsive and tactile because the official controller. There are a number of additional buttons, too, permitting you to copy any of the usual controls on the programmable grip paddles. We don’t love the previous plus-shaped d-pad, which is mushier than the one on the newest Microsoft controllers, and the programmable buttons are a bit too simple to press accidentally.
The Xbox comes with one controller, and that’s sufficient for some individuals. If you want additional controllers to your console and don’t fancy spending $60 on every of them, the PowerA is an efficient buy. For PC players, the PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller is an inexpensive approach to get all of the Windows Xbox integrations on a budget. However, anybody in search of a cellular controller ought to transfer alongside. The lack of wi-fi connectivity or a USB-C port means you’ll should take care of cables and adapters simply to get the PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller linked to your telephone.