Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) — Controller · 2020
Microsoft

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)

Controller · 2020

82
/ 100
From $59
VS
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) wins by 4
Nintendo Switch — 2017
Nintendo

Nintendo Switch

2017

78
/ 100
From $299
Specdex verdict

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) lands at 82 and Nintendo Switch at 78. That puts Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) ahead by 4 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) if…

  • ✓Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
  • ✓Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
  • ✓Cross-platform compatibility

Pick Nintendo Switch if…

  • ✓Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Store ecosystem
  • ✓Cross-gen compatibility
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Games

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)

Compared on the games sub-score

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) leads on games (86 vs 76).

Performance

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)

Compared on the performance sub-score

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) leads on performance (82 vs 78).

Features

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)

Compared on the features sub-score

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) leads on features (80 vs 76).

Value for money

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) more score per dollar ($59 vs $299).

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) 82
vs
78 Nintendo Switch

Score breakdown

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)
82
performance 82
games 86
features 80
value 82
Nintendo Switch
78
performance 78
games 76
features 76
value 82

Specs side-by-side

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) versus Nintendo Switch — full spec comparison
Spec Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) Nintendo Switch
Type
Controller
—
Color
Black
—
Release year
2020
2017

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)

Pros
  • +Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
  • +Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
  • +Cross-platform compatibility
Cons
  • −Battery replacement paid on some
  • −Software dependency
  • −Stick drift still possible (non-Hall)

Nintendo Switch

Pros
  • +Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • +Store ecosystem
  • +Cross-gen compatibility
Cons
  • −Storage expansion pricey
  • −Dashboard UX ages
  • −Subscription required for online

FAQ: Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) vs Nintendo Switch

Which is better, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch? +

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) scores 82 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 4. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) worth the price? +

At $59, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) delivers a Specdex score of 82 — strongest in games.

Is Nintendo Switch worth the price? +

At $299, Nintendo Switch delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in value.

Does Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for games, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch? +

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) — leads on games (86 vs 76). Compared on the games sub-score.

Which is better for performance, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Nintendo Switch? +

Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) — leads on performance (82 vs 78). Compared on the performance sub-score.