Earlier this month, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller dropped to its lowest price yet at a major retailer. Now, there’s a new all-time low thanks to Best Buy’s latest round of December Doorbuster deals. You can get the Xbox Elite Series 2 for only for $120 (was $180) at Best Buy or Amazon. While Amazon is the only retailer matching Best Buy’s Doorbuster, Walmart and Target also have the controller for a steep discount. Amazon is matching Best Buy’s price, but if either retailer sells out, Walmart and Target have the controller priced a few bucks higher.

Even five years out from its release, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is our pick for the best premium controller you can buy for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC in 2024.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller Deals (December 20):

• Best Buy — $120 ($180) | Arrives by Christmas | In-store pickup available
• Amazon — $120 ($180)
• Walmart — $124 ($180) | In-store pickup available
• Target — $125 ($180) | Arrives by Christmas

$120 (was $180)

The Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is our pick for the best premium Xbox and PC controller you can buy in 2024.

The Elite Series 2 connects wirelessly via Xbox’s wireless frequency or Bluetooth on PC and mobile. It can also be hardwired with the included USB-C cable. As for the features you won’t find on a regular Xbox Wireless Controller, the Elite Series 2 can store three customizable control profiles, is equipped with trigger locks with three stopping points, and has swappable sticks with adjustable tension, D-pads, and back paddles. It also has textured grips and is made with better materials. The difference in quality is immediately noticeable.

Here’s what you get with the Elite Series 2:

• 6 swappable analog sticks – standard pair, “classic” (smaller) pair, one wide dome, one tall.
• 4 removable back paddles
• 2 D-pads – the one shown above and a standard cross design
• Charging dock
• Braided USB-C cable
• Thumbstick tension adjustment tool
• Hardshell carrying case with dedicated slots for all components

Delivery Estimates: As of December 20, Best Buy and Target are the only major retailers offering delivery by Christmas. Both retailers list the delivery date as December 24 on our end, but this will vary based on your location. That said, you can order online from Best Buy or Walmart for in-store pickup today.

Just keep in mind that prices are slightly different depending on where you shop. Amazon is the only retailer matching Best Buy’s $120 Doorbuster deal. The Elite Series 2 is $124 at Walmart and $125 at Target.

$98 (was $130)

The difference between the Core and the standard model is that the Core only comes with the controller. It’s the same premium controller with textured grips, trigger locks, and the ability to swap components. It doesn’t include the four back paddles, four extra sticks, second D-pad, adjustment tool, charging dock, or carrying case.

If you decide you want extra components down the line, there are plenty of third-party accessories for cheap. Our recommendation for back paddles is Scuf’s Elite Series 2 Paddles for $20–though they are often on sale for $15. You can even find full accessory kits that are actually pretty good for as low as $18.

Delivery Estimates: The only retailers offering delivery before Christmas (as of December 20) are Best Buy and Target. If your local Walmart or Best Buy has the controller in stock, you can order online for in-store pickup today. Online orders shipped to your doorstep won’t arrive until after Christmas from Amazon and Walmart.

$95 (was $140)

The Elite Series 2 Core Controller in red is available for under $100 at three major retailers, but all of them have slightly different prices. Best Buy has the lowest price at $95, while Target and Walmart have the controller for $96 and $98, respectively. Amazon is sold out of this model. The red Elite Series 2 Core has a $140 MSRP, so you’re saving a maximum of $45.

Delivery Estimates: As of December 20, Best Buy and Target are offering delivery before Christmas, while Walmart’s deal won’t arrive in time. That said, you can order the controller online at Best Buy or Walmart and pick it up at your local store.

$98 (was $140)

The blue Elite Series 2 Core Controller is $98 at Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. Just like the red model, the blue carries a $140 retail price, so it’s a “better” deal than the white edition.

Delivery Estimates: As of December 20, Best Buy and Target state the controller will arrive before Christmas. You can also order online at Walmart or Best Buy and pick it up at your local store today.

The Xbox Elite Series 2 released back in 2019, but it still feels like the standard in the pro-style controller market. The Elite Series 2’s superb weighting, incredibly solid build and high-quality components make it feel like a controller that’s worth its $180 asking price. It’s an absolute steal at $120. Numerous third-party brands have tried to outshine the Elite Series 2 in recent years, and although there have been a few controllers that have come close, all of the solid wireless alternatives cost either the same price or higher. And that’s when the Elite Series 2 is at full price.

Our favorite third-party competitive controllers for Xbox are the Victrix Pro BFG and Razer’s recently released Wolverine V3 Pro. To their credit, each controller has at least one feature that is arguably better than the Elite Series 2. The Victrix Pro BFG is a modular controller, so you can swap the thumbsticks to be be offset or aligned. It also comes with a six-button fight pad module. The Wolverine V3 Pro, meanwhile, has excellent microswitch face buttons, and two extra bumpers in addition to four back triggers. It also has Hall Effect sticks, which is the main aspect of controller technology where the Elite Series 2 shows its age.

That said, Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro costs $200, and the Victrix Pro BFG is normally $180. The Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox is actually on sale for the first time right now. You can get one in white or black for $160.