Black Friday is the best time to pick up a new gaming controller, whether you’re shopping for Xbox, PC, or PlayStation. With every retailer battling for attention and claiming to have the lowest prices, it can be hard to separate genuine savings from overzealous marketing. That’s why I’ve broken down the controller deals that are actually worth your time and money.
Realistically, given the current economic climate and Xbox’s recent hardware price increases, we’re probably not going to see the “best ever” prices of years past — like $30 controllers — make a return anytime soon. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good deals to be had. These are the best offers available right now, and if you need a new controller, comparing today’s prices to what was available three years ago isn’t very helpful.
The best time to add to your controller collection
Even though I already have more than enough controllers, as a household where everyone games, Black Friday is always the perfect excuse to add another to the pile. Controllers make excellent holiday gifts, and the sales are also a great opportunity to pick up some of the more unique colours and special editions at a discount. I’ll probably be grabbing the Ghost of Yotei controller for my other half, since he’s getting the game for Christmas anyway.
If you’re still torn on what to go for, we’ve got full reviews of many of the controllers mentioned above to help you decide. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro has now overtaken the Xbox Elite Series 2 as our top recommended pro controller for Xbox, while the GameSir G7 Pro also seriously impressed us (if only it worked wirelessly with Xbox!). The Razer Kishi Ultra was previously a hard sell at full price, but in the current sales it becomes an easy recommendation for anyone looking to make the most of the latest Xbox Cloud Gaming resolutions.
RELATED: Best Xbox Controllers in 2025
If you do pick anything up in the sales — or spot an even better deal than the ones I’ve highlighted — let me know in the comments!
Gaming controller FAQ
Where is the best place to get Xbox controller deals?
Right now, I’d say that Best Buy and Amazon have the best prices on gaming accessories overall, but make sure you also check Target, Walmart and don’t underestimate Lenovo who often have great prices on Xbox controllers throughout the sale period.
There’s also, of course, Microsoft’s official store, where purchases will also net you reward points, but they aren’t often the cheapest.
Do I need Hall effect sticks?
Yes and no. If you don’t play FPS or racing games, it’s unlikely you need Hall Effect sticks per se, but they do last much longer than standard analog sticks, so if you want more bang for your buck, I’d always recommend this.
What are TMR sticks?
Like Hall Effect, TMR uses magnetic technology, but it measures resistance changes rather than voltage. TMR is considered more precise, capable of detecting much smaller movements. It’s also less heavy on battery consumption. The real feel isn’t much different to Hall Effect but if you can grab for the same price, why not get the best?
When is Black Friday 2025?
Black Friday 2025 is technically on Friday, November 28, 2025. However, various retailers have been introducing deals as early as a couple of weeks before then. As has been the case for several years, Black Friday deals will merge and give way to Cyber Monday deals.
When is Cyber Monday 2025?
Cyber Monday 2025 is Monday, December 1, 2025. Some Black Friday deals will continue through this event and will change in name only. However, several new Cyber Monday deals are likely to sprout up on that Monday and some will continue throughout the week.
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