Sometimes first-party Xbox accessories don’t meet a player's specific needs when it comes to replacement options. A player might want to have a complete RGB setup and Microsoft just doesn’t offer such a feature with its controllers. And the price of an Elite Series 2 Controller still bars many from entry to the higher tier of gameplay such a pad can offer.

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Price, features, and aesthetics are all factors in the purchasing process. PowerA is one specific third-party brand that brings a slew of great Xbox accessory options to players. There is something for everyone with multiple controllers, power, and audio options. Best yet, each option is fully licensed by Xbox to ensure the utmost performance and compatibility!

PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller

Best Overall PowerA Xbox Controller

Compatible with the Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller is a powerful alternative to standard Xbox controllers. Often coming in at half the price of first-party options, this wired alternative offers nearly the same level of performance with the added bonus of two rear programmable buttons. On-the-fly mapping makes these a joy to use in any number of titles and gives players a taste of what an elite-style controller can bring to the table.

Bumpers are a step above what Microsoft offers on their pads and the included antifriction rings ensure the best feel while using the sticks. Triggers lack the resistance found in standard Xbox pads but they still perform well in games; unfortunately, they are loud during use. This loudness extends to the face buttons, giving the controller a cheaper feel than it actually has. The Enhanced Wired Controller is a great all-around controller that shouldn’t be overlooked! See a more in-depth look at the controller in Game ZXC’s full review.

PowerA Spectra Infinity

Best PowerA RGB Controller Option

At times a gaming setup needs a bit of extra flair and the easiest way to do so is to add nice lighting effects to a controller. With the PowerA Spectra Infinity, players get a controller that has a number of lighting options built-in and ready to go, giving players the look they desire without having to modify an existing pad. Best yet, this wired controller gives players performance that matches a first-party pad and even offers a three-way trigger lock system to give a competitive advantage in a number of titles. Lighting effects are all changeable from the controller itself without the need for any additional software, keeping everything as simple as possible.

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Like the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller, The Spectra Infinity features a duo of rear programmable buttons and antifriction rings to further enhance gameplay. Like most PowerA pads though, it has less resistance in the triggers that is less ideal for some titles. The Spectra Infinity features compatibility with the Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, giving it a number of use cases. Check out Game ZXC’s full review for a deeper dive into the controller's capabilities.

PowerA FUSION Pro 2

Best PowerA Elite Controller Alternative

The Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is often regarded as the best Xbox input method available and for good reason. Four remappable rear paddles, adjustable thumb sticks, and three-way trigger locks make for a top-tier gaming experience. The price and build quality however make it a hard purchase for a number of players. The PowerA FUSION Pro 2 makes for an ideal alternative coming in at less than half the cost and offering almost all the same features. Regardless of title, players will have access to all the top features they could hope for.

Swappable thumb sticks, four rear paddles, and trigger locks are all accounted for! Players do lose out on the finer adjustable elements found in Microsoft’s software tuning but the base performance of the FUSION Pro 2 provides a great foundation that it shouldn’t matter for most. Compatibility with Xbox One, Series S/X, and PC further elevates the potential use cases for the pad. Check out the FUSION Pro 2 review on Game ZXC for an enhanced look at the pad!

PowerA Nano Enhanced Wired Controller

Best PowerA Controller For Players With Smaller Hands

For players with smaller hands, the Xbox controller has always been a problem. Starting back with the original Xbox until today’s Series X/S controllers, they always tend to land on the larger side. While passable, the experience might not be a great one. PowerA has brought an answer to this problem to market with the release of their Nano Enhanced Wired Controller.

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The PowerA Nano Enhanced Wired Controller shares all the same great traits as its full-sized counterpart. Every Xbox button is available to players and two remappable back buttons give it a usability boost over standard Microsoft options. The smaller size ensures players with smaller hands can more easily grip the pad and use it more comfortably in games. Game ZXC has covered the Nano in a full review that further highlights its use!

PowerA Play And Charge Kit

Best PowerA Battery Pack

While a wired third-party controller can have its benefits, some players just want to stick with the first-party wireless option that comes with their Xbox consoles. One annoyance of doing so is the constant need for swapping out AA batteries when the need arises. To counter this problem, players can add any number of rechargeable options to their favorite controller. PowerA offers a number of such options from dedicated charging docks to a Play And Charge kit.

The Play And Charge Kit is especially useful as it allows for the battery pack to be charged directly with an included 10-foot Micro USB cable or on one of PowerA’s docks. Whether adding the packs to an existing dock setup or using them alone gives plates increased flexibility in their power needs. With two batteries included in the box and an advertised 20-hour life expectancy per pack, there is loads of gaming to enjoy! For further analysis of the PowerA Play And Charge Kit check out Game ZXC’s review.

LucidSound LS100X

Best Mixed Usage Headset

LucidSound LS100X Xbox Headset
LucidSound LS100X

The LucidSound LS100X is a capable mid-tier Xbox and PC headset that brings good audio quality to supported platforms for a good price. Utilizing spacial sound capabilities give the set great positional audio queues to elevate competitive shooters. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity the headset's usage gets extended further to platforms like Nintendo Switch and the PS5.

Brand
32 ohms
Microphone
Yes, One Built-In, One Detachable Boom
Style
Over The Ear
Compatibility
Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Bluetooth
Noise Cancelation
No
Pros
  • Good Sound For Its Price Point
  • Multi Device Cabable
  • Insane Battery Life
  • Comfortable To Use For Extended Periods
Cons
  • Requires A Dedicated Receiver For Xbox
  • Audio Can Be Flat For Music And Movies
  • Occasional Audio Delay With Bluetooth
$99.99 at Amazon

LucidSound is a sub-brand owned by PowerA that specializes in gaming audio. With numerous headset options and performance levels, it is the LS100X that stands tall for its usability across multiple systems at a good price. Usable on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC with its included USB receiver, the LS100X offers an audio experience expected of its $100 price tag but excels with the use of spatial sound giving clear positional audio.

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Further blowing away expectations, the LS100X doubles as a Bluetooth headset, allowing it to be used on anything from phones to the Nintendo Switch. Another key selling point for the LS100X is its insane battery life which can give you 3 weeks of playtime between charges! While the audio quality from the speakers and mic is average, at this price the whole package more than makes an argument for why it should be a daily driver. See more about the LucidSound LS100X in Game ZXC’s review.

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FAQ

Q: Is PowerA a good brand?

PowerA has spent years building a reputation for making reliable third-party controller offerings for Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony products.

Q: Are PowerA products officially licensed?

All PowerA controllers are officially licensed for the consoles they appear on.

Q: Are wired controllers good to use in 2023?

Wired controllers can offer a number of advantages over standard wireless controllers such as lower latency and not needing to be charged in the middle of a gaming session.

Q: How long has PowerA been in business?

PowerA was founded in 2010 and has released numerous controllers, accessories, and headsets to date.