Has the quality of Xbox controllers decreased? The community debates about it

Users report premature failures while others speak of bad luck.

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The debate has reignited within the Xbox community. On various forums and social media platforms, players are reporting that Xbox Series controllers are experiencing “drift” issues with the analog sticks after just a few months of use, something they claim didn’t happen with Xbox 360 or even Xbox One.

The complaints mainly point to joystick deviations within one or two months, sticky buttons, and a sense of inconsistency in quality control. Some players explain that they don’t use their controllers aggressively, yet they still end up playing at a disadvantage in competitive titles due to the slightest stick movement.

Drift in Xbox Series controllers: divided opinions within the community

Not everyone shares the same experience. While some claim to have gone through three controllers in less than a year, others assert that they’re still using the original controller since launch without any issues. Some even argue that the Xbox One generation was worse in terms of reliability.

One of the most sensitive points is the price. With standard controllers costing around 60 € and customized or Elite versions being much more expensive, several users believe that durability doesn’t match the current cost. The case of customized models failing after just a few months is particularly contentious.

• Other players recommend third-party alternatives or simply rotating multiple controllers to extend their lifespan. In any case, the general feeling is one of inconsistency: some controllers work flawlessly for years, while others develop drift issues within weeks.

For now, Microsoft hasn’t made any specific statements about a widespread issue. But the debate is on the table: are these isolated cases or a symptom of a decline in quality control?