When searching for accessories for your Xbox Series X or Series S console, speed is the name of the game. You want controllers, headsets, and storage devices that have ergonomics and integrations to enhance your console’s features, instead of those that slow you down in the middle of gameplay. After evaluating dozens of devices, our pick for the best accessory for the Xbox Series X/S is the latest model of the Xbox Wireless Controller. Among other upgrades, the controller’s new share button and hybrid D-pad are welcome additions. If you’re not in the market for a controller, we’ve also included picks in other categories, like the best budget Xbox Series X/S accessory, the best headset, and the best storage device. The manufacturer aims to make the Xbox Wireless your only controller. It added texture in all the right places, including on the triggers and back part of the controller to promote better handling. This texture keeps the controller firmly rooted in your hand for those intense sessions, and ensures your hands don’t slip during a crucial shot. A new and improved hybrid D-pad gives a better feel for your thumb and easier motions, and customized button mapping helps make the accessory feel like it’s designed for you. Keep in mind this controller requires AA batteries, which could be seen as a pro or a con, depending on what you prefer. There’s also a new share button, which will allow for easy screenshots or capturing mid-game. With Carbon Black, Robot White, or Shock Blue color options and a 3.5 mm jack for your headset, the Xbox Wireless Controller is a stylish, functional, and reliable option that can meet your next-gen needs. Designed to replicate the Xbox Velocity Architecture, it delivers virtually no lag when compared to the internal drive. You can utilize your Xbox’s quick resume function, flipping between ready-to-play games instantly whether they’re on the internal drive or on the expansion drive. Connecting the NVMe expansion drive is as easy as plugging it in, and it boasts a Max data transfer rate of 2,400 MB/s. The price is higher than you’d typically pay for the same amount of storage, but you’re paying a premium for convenience and what is essentially an extension of your already-fast internal drive. The Seagate Expansion Card offers a great way to expand your storage without adding extra wires or devices to clutter up your play area. With the included three-year warranty, you get peace of mind knowing you’re buying a quality storage solution. The black and green design fits well with other Xbox accessories, and the dual-ear headband design provides a comfortable feel. The cups have FlowKnit memory foam ear cushions, which reduce head squeezing, while also promoting breathability. There’s nothing worse than a headset that gives you sweaty ears and that tight-headphone headache. Plentiful buttons on the ear cups allow for quick control, especially the well thought out game/chat balance wheel, which lets you tune the game volume and chat volume quickly. There are also volume wheels, pairing buttons, and mute buttons. The wheels allow you to make quick adjustments without pressing buttons on a headset, which tends to take longer. Sound quality and chat quality are excellent on this headset too, as the ear cups include 50mm titanium drivers. The detachable 9.9mm directional mic helps reduce background sounds, and you end up with accurate sound and voice quality. Well made and thoughtfully designed, the Razer Kaira Pro was an easy pick for the best headset for the Xbox Series X/S. The drive has USB 3.0 technology, with a max speed of 140 MB/s. Not as fast as an SSD might be, but you could certainly game directly from it, and you’ll be able to quickly transfer from the external to internal drives. The Game Pass edition is white and has a sleek low profile design that does its best to blend in with the Series S Console. It has a relatively easy plug-and-play setup, which means you can start using the drive quickly and easily. The Seagate External Hard Drive also comes in a 2 TB version, which includes only one month of Gamepass instead of two. With max speeds of around 130 MB/s, you will get reasonably fast transfers when moving your games to your internal drive for play. While not as fast as an SSD, you are getting a large amount of storage for a rather small price. Plus, at only 4.65 by 3.46 by 0.5 inches, you’ll easily be able to bring your game library with you on the go and be secure in the fact that it’s well protected. Western Digital offers a three-year limited warranty to help protect your investment, and they are also including two months of Xbox Game Pass along with your purchase, which will give you instant access to many great games, and luckily, you’ll have just the place to store them.
What to Look for in an Xbox Series X/S Accessory
Gaming Performance- How will the accessory affect your gaming? For tactile accessories that you have to operate during gameplay, the buttons should be quick and easy to access. You shouldn’t have to remove your hands from position for an extended period of time. The accessory should take into account your need to have lightning-fast response times, and design the accessory accordingly. Compatibility- Do you have to go through extra steps to get the accessory to connect to your console? It’s best to go for plug-and-play accessories that don’t require any additional hassle. Some people also like accessories they can use across multiple devices or generations of Xbox consoles. Look at which devices the accessory will work with, and make sure it fits your needs. Durability- Gaming accessories tend to take a lot of abuse, so durability is essential. Controllers and headsets must be able to withstand countless sessions, and portable hard drives need to be able to go in a backpack when you want to take your library with you. Check out the components, materials, and the warranty, as these can all help indicate whether or not an accessory will hold up or not.
