Microsoftmakes some of thebest controllers for PC and Xbox, but they’re held back by one major flaw: stick drift. Even as Hall effect controllers become more accessible and affordable, Microsoft still relies on traditional analog sticks, which use physical contact that wears down over time. This means your controller will eventually develop stick drift, even if you spend $200 on the Xbox Elite Series 2.

Luckily, if you’re looking for an Xbox controller that won’t suffer from stick drift, there are plenty of third-party options that fill the void left by Microsoft. After hours of research and hands-on testing, we’ve rounded up the best Hall effect controllers that work seamlessly with Xbox Series X/S consoles.

6GameSir G7 SE Xbox Wired Controller

The GameSir G7 SE is one of the most popular third-party Xbox controllers, boasting over 10,000 reviews on Amazon, with more than 70% being 5-star ratings.We reviewed this controller at Game Rantand were impressed by its high performance and advanced features at an affordable price point.

The biggest highlight here is the Hall effect sensing joysticks, which not only eliminate drift but also offer incredible responsiveness and accuracy. It also uses Hall effect triggers, which are especially useful in games that require precise input, such as racing titles.

The G7 SE sticks to the standard Xbox button layout while adding extra features like an M button for quick profile switching, rumble support, and two programmable back buttons. The main downside is that it’s wired-only and lacks premium touches like trigger stops or mouse-click buttons. But for under $50, it’s a tough value to beat.

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58Bitdo Ultimate C Wired Controller for Xbox

For budget-conscious gamers, the 8Bitdo Ultimate C Wired Controller for Xbox delivers outstanding value at just over $30. Despite its affordable price, you still get Hall Effect sticks and triggers, high-definition vibration, and a stylish RGB ring around the joysticks. While it’s wired-only, you’d be hard-pressed to find even a basic wireless controller at this price, let alone one with Hall Effect technology.

As an entry-level option, it skips premium features but nails the essentials. While some gamers might not like the mushy-feeling D-pad, it’s a great overall controller with a comfortable shape, tactile buttons, and responsive, snappy joysticks and triggers. Plus, 8Bitdo controllers are renowned for their low latency, making this a surprisingly capable choice for competitive games like Fortnite.

4PowerA Wireless Controller for Xbox Series X|S

Designed to celebrate PAC-MAN’s 45th anniversary, this PowerA controller is an excellent pick if you want to go wireless. At $100 MSRP, it’s the most affordable wireless Xbox controller with Hall effect sticks, undercutting the competition by over $50. It connects to your Xbox Series X|S via a low-latency USB dongle and packs a rechargeable battery with up to 30 hours of playtime.

In addition to Hall effect sensors, this controller also includes four mappable buttons, a convenient headset dial, and 3-way trigger locks, perfect for tweaking triggers between rapid firing in FPS games and smoother acceleration in racing titles. It even supports impulse triggers in compatible Xbox games, and with the PowerA Gamer HQ App, you can fine-tune trigger sensitivity, rumble, dead zones, and more directly from your console.

PowerA does offera premium $160 modelwith extras like adjustable joystick height, but if you’re working with a tighter budget, this model delivers outstanding value. Plus, the retro PAC-MAN design is a nostalgic bonus, making it a great pick for fans.

38BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller for Xbox

Considering everything it offers, the 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Controller might be the best Xbox-compatible gamepad at $69.29. For just a few dollars more than the standard Xbox Wireless Controller, you get durable Hall effect sticks, customizable back buttons, and even a charging station, all in a nostalgic translucent green finish reminiscent of the original Xbox.

That said, there’s one catch. While it supports wireless for PC, it only connects to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One via USB-C. For some, that’s a dealbreaker, but when third-party wireless Xbox controllers typically start at $100, this is a fair trade-off. Plus, performance is up there with the official Xbox controllers with near-zero latency, a tactile, clicky D-pad, and impulse triggers.

2GameSir Kaleid Xbox Wired Controller

Another excellent Xbox controller from GameSir, the Kaleid Xbox Wired Controller builds on the success of the G7 SE with premium upgrades starting with its stunning transparent shell and customizable RGB lighting. While keeping the classic Xbox button layout and wired design, it delivers meaningful improvements where they count most.

During our testing, we were impressed by its responsive controls and comfortable shape. The Hall Effect joysticks and triggers provide pinpoint accuracy while being immune to stick drift. GameSir went further by upgrading to microswitch face buttons and a mechanical D-pad, giving it the crisp, tactile feedback competitive players demand. With four rumble motors and hair trigger mode, this $50 controller punches far above its weight class.

1Razer Wolverine V3 Pro

TheRazer Wolverine V3 Prois the Xbox pro controller Microsoft should have made. Priced the same as the Elite Series 2 controller, Razer’s flagship offers a lot more for the money and stands out with its superior performance.

Designed to help you dominate in FPS, racing, and fighting games, the Wolverine V3 Pro offers six remappable buttons, a tournament-ready 8-way D-pad, blistering 1000Hz HyperPolling, and Razer’s ultra-low-latency Hyperspeed wireless, making it one of the fastest Xbox controllers available.

Not to be outdone by other pro controllers, Razer went ahead and upgraded the bumpers, paddles, and triggers to mouse-click sensors, making them even more responsive and satisfying to click. While battery life may fall short compared to Microsoft’s own pro controller, considering everything else it brings to the table, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is the best Xbox controller you can buy right now.

Wrapping Up with Our Final Thoughts

Stick drift will remain an issue until Microsoft upgrades its controllers with modern anti-drift technology like Hall effect or TMR sensors. The good news? Third-party manufacturers are stepping up with increasingly impressive drift-free alternatives.

While most current options use Hall Effect technology, an exciting new contender is on the way. TheGameSir G7 Pro(launching August 10) will be the first Xbox-compatible controller with advanced TMR-sensing joysticks. For just $80, it packs mechanical D-pad, microswitch buttons, built-in gyro for motion controls, and interchangeable faceplate for customization.

For gamers tired of stick drift ruining their experience, these third-party controllers finally offer a permanent solution, and they’re only getting better.