During my time at CES 2026, I made my way over to the 8BitDo booth to check out the FlipPad controller for smartphones. But while I was there, I also got some hands-on time with something that immediately caught my attention: the 8BitDo Ultimate 3E Controller for Xbox.
If you have not heard of it yet, this is a brand-new collaboration between 8BitDo and Xbox, and after holding it for a while, I can say this without hesitation: it feels like 8BitDo’s take on the Xbox Elite controller, just with its own identity and some features that Microsoft still refuses to build into its official controllers.
It shares a few obvious Elite-style touches right away, such as swappable thumbstick caps and a D-pad that can be swapped from standard to a circular one. But where the Ultimate 3E really sets itself apart is the combination of features packed into it. That includes the ability to swap around the A/B/X/Y face buttons, TMR thumbsticks, and Hall-effect Impulse Triggers complete with trigger stops. You also get two extra remappable top buttons, two back button/paddles, plus RGB “fire rings”, similar to what was seen on the 8BitDo WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers edition controller.
Included is a clamshell case for storing or transporting the controller, and a USB-C cable, though I’m not sure how long the length will be.
One of the biggest differences I noticed immediately was the weight. The Ultimate 3E feels noticeably lighter in-hand than the Xbox Elite Series 2. According to 8BitDo, it weighs 285g, compared to the Elite controller’s 345g. The trade-off, however, is battery size. 8BitDo states the Ultimate 3E will last around 18 hours, which honestly is my biggest frustration here. That is noticeably less than the Elite Series 2, and charging is expected to take 4–5 hours.
The good news is that, like other 8BitDo Ultimate controllers, it comes with a charging dock. But unlike older docks, this one does not have any exposed contact pins. Instead, the controller simply drops into place and charges, making docking far easier. At one point, I genuinely thought the dock was 3D printed because of how clean and simple it looked, until the rep I spoke with assured me this was the final design.
That said, the two biggest reveals with the Ultimate 3E are connectivity and performance.
First, the controller supports 2.4GHz wireless on both Xbox and PC using the included dongle, meaning you do not have to rely on Bluetooth and deal with latency or dropped connections. You can also use it wired via USB-C for both Xbox and PC. Unfortunately, if you want to use the controller on mobile devices, Bluetooth is still the only option.
Second, and this is the part that PC players are going to care about most, the controller supports a 1000Hz polling rate on PC. On Xbox, it still runs at 125Hz, which is standard. People have been overclocking controllers on PC for years to reach 1000Hz, but having it available by default without hacks is a big win, even if it only applies to PC.
While I did not get a chance to actually play games with the controller at the booth, I held it long enough to get a real feel for the build quality and comfort. And honestly, it feels good. It has that familiar “premium controller” shape, and the black and silver design looks sharp enough that you could mistake it for an official Xbox product at a glance. Overall, I walked away impressed, and despite me slowing down on my controller collecting ways, I absolutely make exceptions for products that feel like they are pushing things forward.
The best part is the price. The 8BitDo Ultimate 3E Controller for Xbox is priced at $149.99, but as of now, pre-orders have not started yet, and there is still no solid release date attached. Still, based on what I saw and felt at CES 2026, this is already shaping up to be one of the more interesting premium controller options for both Xbox and PC players in 2026.
