Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 Review
The best all-around premium controller for Rocket League if you actually use the trigger locks. Skip it if you never touch the customization.
The Elite Series 2 has been the default “premium controller” recommendation for years, and for Rocket League specifically, most of that reputation is earned, but not for the reason most reviews lead with.
The trigger locks are the actual point
Everyone talks about the swappable thumbsticks, but the trigger stop locks are what matter most for this game. You can physically shorten how far the boost and powerslide triggers travel before registering. Combined with a lower in-game trigger deadzone (see our controller settings guide), this gives noticeably faster, more consistent boost taps, which is the exact input air dribbles and flip resets depend on.
In our use, the shorter setting made rapid boost taps feel easier to repeat than full trigger travel. The practical difference depends on your control habits; it is not a substitute for aerial practice.
Stick swaps matter less than they’re marketed
The kit includes taller and shorter thumbstick caps. In practice, most players settle on the stock height within a session or two and rarely touch the alternates again after the novelty wears off. It’s a nice option to have, not a reason to buy the controller on its own.
Build quality holds up
No drift issues across our testing period, and the D-pad and face buttons feel notably more precise than a stock controller. The rear paddles are genuinely useful for mapping boost or jump off the stick, freeing your thumb for finer steering during aerial control, a real mechanical advantage if you use them, though it takes real reps to build the muscle memory for a fourth and fifth input point.
Where it falls short
Check the exact bundle before buying: battery and charging-pack contents vary. If you will not use the trigger locks or paddles, a simpler controller may cover what you need without the extra customization.
Who should buy this
Players already comfortable with the fundamentals who are specifically working on tap-timing-dependent mechanics (air dribbles, flip resets) will feel the trigger lock difference immediately. If you are still working on rotation and boost management (see our rank-climbing guide), focus on those habits before buying specialized controls. A GameSir G7 Pro offers different features, but neither controller replaces practice.
Buying guideBest controller for Rocket League.How this stacks up against everything else we’ve tested, and what actually matters before you buy.