{"id":9503,"date":"2026-10-28T15:24:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:24:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=9503"},"modified":"2026-10-28T15:24:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T15:24:41","slug":"8bitdo-ultimate-3e-xbox-pc-controller-hands-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silvybrand.com\/?p=9503","title":{"rendered":"8BitDo\u2019s Xbox Elite-style controller sets a high bar for customization"},"content":{"rendered":"


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It\u2019s hard to make an Xbox controller that stands out these days, especially one that\u2019s expensive, due to a wealth of great semi-affordable options. Still, 8BitDo\u2019s $150 Ultimate 3E<\/a> is a bold controller that holds its own against other feature-packed options. It\u2019s made for Xbox and PC gamers who want a deeper level of customization and a more refined design than Microsoft\u2019s pricier Xbox Elite Series 2<\/a> and 8BitDo\u2019s own $60 Ultimate 2<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Basically every feature I\u2019m looking for in a controller is here, plus some, including drift-proof TMR joysticks, extra shoulder buttons, rear paddles, motion control support, modular buttons and joysticks, a 3.5mm audio jack for chat or private listening, and a 1,000Hz polling rate over a low-latency wireless connection (only when connected to a PC). It includes a carrying case and a wireless charging dock that you can stash the USB dongle within.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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8BitDo\u2019s first premium controller competes directly with other big names, like Razer, PowerA, SteelSeries<\/a>, as well as rising star GameSir. But the Ultimate 3E is also among the most expensive of the bunch, and I\u2019m not sure the company delivers enough additional features to pull it off.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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It doesn\u2019t take long for the Ultimate 3E to start looking a bit worn, particularly after a long gaming session.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Ultimate 3E\u2019s modular design opens up more customization than a lot of other controllers I\u2019ve tried. It includes two four-button modules (one with membrane buttons and another with clickier microswitch buttons), two directional pads, and three extra joysticks. That level of customization and included accessories should hopefully help it age more gracefully than cheaper alternatives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Its TMR joystick mechanisms shouldn\u2019t wear down, so you\u2019ll only need to be concerned with replacing the joystick tops down the line, and the controller includes several to choose from. However, 8BitDo doesn\u2019t sell replacement accessories for the Ultimate 3E, as it does for many of its other controllers<\/a>, and it hasn\u2019t responded to The Verge<\/em> as to whether it ever will.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With three shoulder buttons, one of which has an adjustable stop, you have plenty of options.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The Ultimate 3E\u2019s modularity also helps somewhat to make up for the high price tag. 8BitDo\u2019s Pro 3<\/a> already lets you swap individual magnetically attaching buttons to accommodate different console layouts. The Ultimate 3E doesn\u2019t offer as much freedom of per-button placement as the Pro 3, likely due to being intended for use with Xbox and PC, but the joy of using its microswitch button module makes up for the limitation. They\u2019re sharp and clicky, although they have a bit more travel than I\u2019d like.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Ultimate 3\u2019s faceplate is held in place magnetically, hiding the many customizable mechanisms beneath.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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My other complaints are relatively minor. The clips that hold the face button module in place are very tight, and I found myself having to carefully use a plastic toothpick to pop them out. Similarly, swapping out joysticks requires a surprising amount of force, and I had to work up the courage to yank them off the first time. And, even when set to their higher response point, the triggers feel a bit soft and, like the membrane buttons, have more travel than I prefer, although the extra shoulder button can offset that travel distance in some situations. The soft touch grips and back gather dust and gunk pretty quickly, but you can at least clean the joystick tops by removing them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Ultimate 3E\u2019s dock uses wireless charging, and you don\u2019t have to align any pogo pins.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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It\u2019s as weird of a time to be releasing a new high-end Xbox controller as it is shopping for one. Assuming you\u2019re not content with the solid but basic Microsoft model<\/a> that\u2019s around $50, it seems unwise to commit to spending well over $100 on one given the increased frequency of Xbox Elite Series 3 leaks<\/a>. What we\u2019ve seen of that, while unofficial, seems interesting: It doesn\u2019t appear to offer the modular customization of the Ultimate 3E, but its screen and knobs might be what some people want in their next controller.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The GameSir G7 Pro (left) and 8BitDo Ultimate 3E (right) have similar feature sets, but very different price tags.<\/figcaption>Image: The Verge<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As for how the Ultimate 3E stacks up to other great controllers, Microsoft\u2019s Elite Series 2 is a poor value by comparison. It uses potentiometer joysticks that are likely to drift over time, which to me feels disqualifying given the price point. I don\u2019t think anyone using 8BitDo\u2019s Ultimate 2 should feel the urge to upgrade to the Ultimate 3E. There just aren\u2019t enough differences to make it worthwhile. However, there\u2019s also a non-modular 8BitDo Ultimate 3 for $99, which may end up being a sweet spot for more budget-conscious gamers who don\u2019t need to tinker as much.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For what it\u2019s worth, I\u2019ll be sitting down with the GameSir G7 Pro<\/a> to play GTA VI<\/em>. It\u2019s one of my favorite Xbox controllers, and it has a nearly identical set of features and specs to the 8BitDo. Better yet, it\u2019s only $80 at full price and comes in a variety of colors, with swappable faceplates for sale.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Overall, the Ultimate 3E feels similar to use as other Elite-style controllers I\u2019ve tried, and that\u2019s impressive for a company that hasn\u2019t tried to take on pricier competition before. Whether you opt for the cheaper Ultimate 3 with mostly similar specs or the pricier, more customizable Ultimate 3E, 8BitDo\u2019s high-end gamepads make a strong impression, but they\u2019re tough to recommend when there are cheaper alternatives that don\u2019t slack on features.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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