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.
We tested short-tap boost consistency across three trigger lock positions and the shortest setting produced measurably more reliable 0.1-second taps than the default full-travel position. If you’re serious about aerial mechanics, this isn’t a gimmick: it’s a real, game-relevant improvement.
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
At $199, this is a lot of money for a controller, and the battery (AA-based with a rechargeable pack sold separately in some bundles) is a genuine step down from modern built-in rechargeable designs. If you’re not going to use the trigger locks or paddles, you’re paying premium price for marginal build-quality gains over a $50-80 controller.
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’re still working on rotation and boost management (see our rank-climbing guide), that budget is better spent elsewhere for now: a GameSir G7 Pro gets you 80% of the mechanical benefit at a fraction of the price.