Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)
Controller · 2020
Xbox Series X
52 CU RDNA 2 · 12.15 TFLOPS · 4K 120 Hz
Xbox Series X takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) lands at 82 and Xbox Series X at 86. That puts Xbox Series X 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 Xbox Series X if…
- ✓12.155 TFLOPS GPU (52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz)
- ✓Game Pass library + Quick Resume
- ✓4K up to 120 Hz output
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testPerformance
Xbox Series XCompared on the performance sub-score
Xbox Series X leads on performance (88 vs 82).
Games
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)Compared on the games sub-score
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) leads on games (86 vs 84).
Features
Xbox Series XCompared on the features sub-score
Xbox Series X leads on features (88 vs 80).
Value for money
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)Specdex score per dollar at MSRP
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) more score per dollar ($59 vs $499).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Controller | — |
| Color | Black | — |
| Release year | 2020 | — |
| CPU | — | Custom AMD Zen 2 8C @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU | — | Custom RDNA 2, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz, 12.155 TFLOPS |
| RAM | — | 16 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | — | 1 TB custom NVMe SSD |
| Dimensions | — | 301 × 151 × 151 mm |
| Weight | — | 4.45 kg |
| Output | — | 4K up to 120 Hz, 8 K capable |
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black)
- +Hall-effect sticks (select SKUs)
- +Hot-swap triggers (elite tier)
- +Cross-platform compatibility
- −Battery replacement paid on some
- −Software dependency
- −Stick drift still possible (non-Hall)
Xbox Series X
- +12.155 TFLOPS GPU (52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz)
- +Game Pass library + Quick Resume
- +4K up to 120 Hz output
- −Few Xbox-exclusive system sellers
- −Dashboard UX ageing
- −Storage expansion cards pricey
FAQ: Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) vs Xbox Series X
Which is better, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Xbox Series X? +
Xbox Series X scores 86 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 Xbox Series X worth the price? +
At $499, Xbox Series X delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in performance.
Does Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Xbox Series X 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 performance, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Xbox Series X? +
Xbox Series X — leads on performance (88 vs 82). Compared on the performance sub-score.
Which is better for games, Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) or Xbox Series X? +
Xbox Wireless Controller (Black) — leads on games (86 vs 84). Compared on the games sub-score.