Xbox unveils the Nano Controller, its smallest pad yet, at $49.99

Xbox unveiled the Nano Controller on October 14, 2026, described as its smallest controller to date: a little over 5 inches long and 3.5 ounces in weight. It costs $49.99 in the US and £44.99 in the UK, launching November 4, 2026 in roughly three dozen countries, with pre-orders already open.

A format built for mobility, not power

The Nano Controller keeps all 18 standard inputs of an Xbox controller (ABXY buttons, triggers, bumpers, thumbsticks, D-pad), plus one programmable button that can trigger a screenshot, gameplay capture, or a custom button combo. It connects over Bluetooth and has a rechargeable battery, but doesn't appear to include a USB-C charging cable, so you'll need to supply your own. Xbox describes it as designed for "younger players, smaller hands, or anyone seeking something portable for play on the go."

Compatible well beyond Xbox consoles

The controller works with Xbox consoles, PC, iOS and Android devices, and select compatible smart TVs. Xbox is also pairing it with two promotional deals: a holiday partnership with Samsung on select TVs, and two free months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (new members, US only) with the purchase of select Meta Quest headsets.

Not the pro controller some fans hoped for

Rumors since summer had pointed to a high-end anniversary controller, possibly an Elite Series 3, to mark Xbox's 25th anniversary. The Nano Controller goes the opposite direction: a compact, accessible format rather than a premium pad. For comparison, a standard Xbox controller costs between $64.99 and $69.99, a PS5 DualSense $74.99, and the Steam Controller $99: the Nano Controller sits well below all three on price, at the cost of a necessarily smaller form factor.

Sources

• Pure Xbox: Xbox Unveils New Nano Controller Perfect For 'Smaller Hands'
• GamingBible: Xbox reveals unexpected new hardware

The bottom line

The Nano Controller is a full Xbox controller (18 inputs, one programmable button) shrunk down to pocket size, priced at $49.99, launching November 4, 2026. It isn't the high-end pro controller some were hoping for to mark the brand's anniversary, but a bet on portability and accessibility, compatible well beyond Xbox consoles alone.