SteelSeries’ pro-grade, wireless Xbox controller sure is expensive

SteelSeries is a household name for many gamers, but not when it comes to controllers. Instead of easing into the conversation with reasonably-priced console and PC controllers to build trust, it’s kicking down the door with the $259.99 Aeon Pro wireless controller for Xbox and PC, which starts shipping today.

What does one of the most expensive controllers out there do that others don’t? A few things. The one you’ll likely notice first is its tiny OLED screen that can guide you through swapping between Xbox, PC, or Bluetooth. It lets you adjust most settings on the controller, including genre-based presets. You can remap the controls and adjust rumble sensitivity from the controller, too, but more complex stuff, like adjusting stick deadzones and making profiles, requires the GG app for PC. Screens on controllers isn’t a new concept, but this one is at least easy to use.

Its most appealing feature is the most practical one: its swappable battery system. It ships with two batteries, and they last for roughly 12 hours each. The spare gets charged in the included wireless base station (it’s actually the same battery used in the high-end Arctis Nova Pro, Omni, and Elite headsets). The station has two USB-C inputs, one for Xbox and another PC. It can automatically swap sources, though you can manually swap from the controller, as well.

There aren’t a ton of other surprises with the Aeon Pro’s hardware compared to other pro-grade controllers. It has Hall effect joysticks and triggers, and most of its inputs have mechanical switches instead of membranes, yielding a more tactile sensation and sound than the standard Xbox controller, among others. And it has two-position trigger stops that let you opt for shorter throws, changing the seamless analog pull into something that feels akin to a mouse click.

On its back, there are four rear paddles. They aren’t removable, which SteelSeries says is because modular ones often result in wobbly paddles. They’re just there, whether you use them or not. Like other buttons, these can be mapped through the controller, or through the GG software on PC.

I like SteelSeries’ swappable battery system, and it’s great to see it come to more peripherals than just its high-end headsets. However, I’m not sold on it (or even the OLED screen) being compelling enough to warrant upgrade for if you’re smitten with your current Xbox or PC controllers. Also, at this price there really ought to be a zip-up case included, but there isn’t.

For those who are wondering about alternatives, Valve’s $99 Steam Controller is a more highly customizable option for PC players. The Sony DualSense Edge is $60 cheaper and has solid PC support, too. Even on Xbox, there’s no shortage of cheaper, yet highly capable options. 8BitDo’s Ultimate 3E is $149.99 (not cheap!) yet it matches many of the Aeon Pro’s features, but with modular button sets and extra d-pads included, to boot.

Still, for a company that I felt had next to no credibility in the controller space, the Aeon Pro suddenly earned it a place in the conversation. Next, let’s have a PlayStation and Switch variant.

Photography by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge