Xbox Series X controller colors and price: we've ranked them all
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Xbox Series X controller colors and price: we've ranked them all
The Xbox Wireless Controller comes in a lot of hudes. Here are all the Xbox Series X controller colors you an buy today
There are a lot of Xbox Series X controller colors. And we mean a lot. Compared to the more modest collection of PS5 controller colors, Microsoft has served up a feast of gamepad hues to choose from. You have your standard block colors, colorful camos, as well as an assortment of limited-edition releases. And more keep coming all the time, threatening to drain our wallets.
But in a welcome change compared to some of the best Xbox Series X accessories, the many Xbox Series X controllers aren’t actually that expensive. The two standard colors – Carbon Black and Robot White – are sold at the same price, while additional solid colors – like the Shock Blue, Pulse Red and Electric Volt – will set you back only a touch more. It’s only when you consider the several special edition color schemes Microsoft has released over the last couple of years that you start getting into pricey territory.
That’s to say nothing of Xbox Design Lab, Microsoft’s online controller customization store that lets you kit out a gamepad in a personalized skin. It isn’t cheap but offers a lot of scope for customization. If you’re the type of person who likes to coordinate the colors of your gaming hardware, or just likes to let their imagination run wild, it’s worth checking out.
Many of the best Xbox games support local co-op, making a second controller a near-essential accessory. Plus, it’s always handy to have a spare on hand if the batteries in your main gamepad run out of charge. If you’re getting a second controller, you may as well get one that looks nice. That’s where this list comes in.
And just in case you were wondering, the latest Xbox Wireless Controller works with both of Microsoft’s new-gen systems. Don’t let controllers or their colors be the deciding factor when you’re choosing between the Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S.
Standard Xbox controller colors
Carbon Black
Release Date: November 10, 2020
MSRP: $59.99
Carbon Black is the standard Xbox Series X controller color. Now I know what you’re thinking: black isn’t a color, it’s an absence of light. How could the boffins at Microsoft make such an elementary mistake? I have no answer for you. Just accept this is what most people will be holding when they’re playing on their Xbox.
Robot White
Release Date: November 10, 2020
MSRP: $59.99
There can’t be black without white – the two sides of the controller colorway universe are forever locked in a battle for hueful dominance. This is the controller color that comes with every Xbox Series S. Those who grew up in the age of the Xbox 360 and associate the Xbox brand with white over black might be drawn to this one.
Shock Blue
Release Date: November 10, 2020
MSRP: $64.99
The final, third color to release alongside the Xbox Series X|S at launch was Shock Blue. It costs a touch more than the black and white options, so weigh up whether that extra $5 is really worthwhile.
Pulse Red
Release Date: February 12, 2021
MSRP: $64.99
The Pulse Red gamepad was the first non-launch Xbox Wireless Controller color scheme to release in February 2021. It’s a bright almost crimson color. And it’s named to evoke images of blood and high-octane racing, so you know it must be really, really cool.
Electric Volt
Release Date: April 27, 2021
MSRP: $64.99
Electric Volt is so enigmatically alluring that its name doesn’t even indicate its color. It’s green. Although not the classic dark Xbox green. More like a Mediterranean lime green that makes it look closer to a candy than a gamepad. PSA: don’t chew your controllers.
Deep Pink
Release Date: May 3, 2022
MSRP: $64.99
Despite what its name suggests, this Xbox controller color is actually quite bright. A little gaudy, even. It’s the pink of roses or an unripe radish. If nothing else, it’s distinctive. You don’t often see pink controllers out in the wilds of brick-and-mortar shop shelves. Will it make you the talk of the town? I can’t say. Will it add a splash of color to your set-up? Most definitely.
Velocity Green
Release Date: March 7, 2023
MSRP: $64.99
Back in March, Microsoft revealed yet another green Xbox controller. This one’s called Velocity Green, although Slime Green or Plutonium Rod Green might be more appropriate. It’s certainly bright and closer to the hue of the classic Xbox logo than Electric Volt above.
Astral Purple
Release Date: September 19, 2023
MSRP: $64.99
Love the color purple? Microsoft’s Astral Purple controller features a deep purple shell, with a white back plate. It comes with all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from an Xbox pad, including textured triggers and bumper buttons, a dedicated Share button, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Special edition Xbox controller colors
Starfield Special Edition
Release date: June 11, 2023
MSRP: $79.99
To celebrate the launch of Starfield, Microsoft and Bethesda have released a special edition Starfield Xbox controller – and it’s absolutely gorgeous. It’s intricately detailed and features some unique aspects that we haven’t seen before like transparent triggers.
Stormcloud Vapor
Release date: August 8, 2023
MSRP: $69.99
The Stormcloud Vapor Special Edition features a dynamic dark navy swirl, inspired by clouds and storming skies. The controller also comes with an exclusive dynamic theme, rubberized grips, and the usual bells and whistles like Bluetooth support, a 3.5mm audio jack and a dedicated share button.
Daystrike Camo
Release date: May 4, 2021
MSRP: $69.99
The Daystrike Camo was the first special edition color scheme to release after the launch of the Xbox Series X|S. It features a red and gray camouflage pattern, but does cost a whole $10 more than the standard white and black controller. Is that camo really worth it? Probably not if you have a red and gray carpet – drop it, and you might never find it again.
Aqua Shift
Release date: August 31, 2021
MSRP: $69.99
Possibly the flashiest of all the Xbox Series X|S controllers, Aqua Shift features a shimmering blue finish. Add to that its rubberized grips with a two-tone swirl that catches the light, and it really does have that galactic, space-age quality. Fans were so happy with it, that finding it in stock can be tricky.
Lunar Shift
Release date: November 11, 2022
MSRP: $69.99
The Lunar Shift is essentially a pearlescent version of the Aqua Shift. Its silver-gold finish shimmers in light, and its all-white buttons and bumpers look pretty slick. As one of the most recent Xbox controller colors to release, it’s readily available, too, so finding it shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Stellar Shift
Release date: February 7, 2023
MSRP: $69.99
You thought Microsoft had run out of ways to repackage subtle variations of what is essentially the same controller? Think again. Blue is passé and mother of pearl is so last season. What’s in right now is purple. The Stellar Shift is the latest iteration of the Shift line of Xbox controllers and it certainly is a gamepad.
Mineral Camo
Release date: October 21, 2022
MSRP: $69.99
Think Daystrike Camo but in submarine blue. Mineral Camo is the latest Xbox controller color to launch and the most recent camo design. Microsoft suggests they’ll be launching even more down the line.
20th Anniversary special edition
Release date: November 15, 2021
MSRP: $69.99
Released to celebrate 20 years of Xbox, this anniversary controller features a translucent black front, solid black grips and green back panels. It’s a hit of nostalgia, from the translucent plastic mimics gaming merch of the 2000s, to the bright green Xbox button that riffs on the original Xbox logo. It received a very limited release, however, and is very difficult to find stocked today.
Forza Horizon 5 Limited Edition
Release date: November 9, 2021
MSRP: $75
Released to coincide with Forza Horizon 5, this limited edition controller might just be the most striking gamepad Microsoft has released for the Xbox Series X|S. Its translucent yellow body is a first for an Xbox controller, and the pink and blue splatter looks halfway between paint and Sherbert. The controller sold out very soon after launch, so finding it for a reasonable price can be tricky.
Xbox Remix
Release date: April 18, 2023
MSRP: $84.99
The Xbox Remix controller is a little different from the other special edition gamepads Microsoft has put out. Released to coincide with Earth Day, one-third of the controller’s components are made from recycled and reclaimed materials, including leftover Xbox One controllers.
It features a muted earth-tone color scheme and comes bundled with the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, which takes four hours to fully charge and offers up to 30 hours of playtime. The price tag is higher than most Xbox controllers, although it works out cheaper than if you were to buy a special edition gamepad and the battery pack separately.
Special edition Xbox Elite controller colors
Xbox Elite Series 2 Halo Infinite Limited Edition
Release date: November 25, 2021
MSRP: $199.99
Another tie-in controller for Xbox’s favorite green power-armored super soldier, this Elite Series 2 controller was released to coincide with Halo Infinite. Aside from its paneled front, it includes adjustable-tension thumbsticks, shorter hair trigger locks, and a wrap-around rubberized grip. As you’d expect, it was in pretty high demand at launch and very quickly sold out at retailers.
Xbox Elite Series 2 Black
Release date: November 4, 2019
MSRP: $179.99
The original color of the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller was – you guessed it – black! And it’s stayed a firm favorite ever since. Well, perhaps not so much a favorite as the default option for every gamepad manufacturer the world over. Handy if you want some consistency across your hardware.
Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – White
Release date: September 21, 2022
MSRP: $129.99
In September 2022, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller got a makeover. Its drab black shell was swapped out for white. Is it a big change? Absolutely not. But those playing on an Xbox Series S might prefer to pick up a pro controller that matches the color of their console. It comes with fewer accessories than the black Elite Series 2, however, hence the price cut.
Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – Red
Release date: April 11, 2023
MSRP: $139.99
Since releasing the white Xbox Elite Series 2 Core, Microsoft has put out a red version to join it. It’s identical from a hardware perspective but has a snazzy crimson coat, although does cost an extra $10.
Xbox Elite Series 2 Core – Blue
Release date: April 11, 2023
MSRP: $139.99
Like the red gamepad above, this blue version of the Xbox Elite Series 2 Core is also effectively the same controller. It also costs an extra $10 over the white version’s price. Is it worth the extra dollars? Probably not.
Xbox Design Lab
You don’t have to settle for the retail range of Xbox controller colors. Microsoft’s official Xbox Design Lab lets you whip up your own gamepad color scheme and personalize its face plate, grips, D-pad, thumbsticks and front buttons. It even gives you the option to add an engraving if you’re hoping to make a romantic gift of it.
You’ll pay extra for a camo pattern and rubberized back grips and side grips, but a standard custom color job will set you back $69.99. It’s not unreasonable when you consider Microsoft’s own, non-personalized special-edition controllers cost the same price.
If you want to pay a lot more – $149.99 – you can also create a custom job for the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. It’s just a shame you can’t spruce up the best Xbox Series X headsets to match.
Last updated: September 15, 2023