Amazon warns customers which Xbox products are "frequently returned items," and one is particularly unsurprising

Microsoft is a center for hardware excellence, at least generally speaking.

Microsoft, best recognized for its software, has impressively ventured into the hardware domain in recent times as well, offering products of remarkable quality. The Surface series, in particular, has made a significant impact on the laptop market, inspiring competitors such as Apple to adopt similar designs. The Xbox Series X held the title of the most powerful, quietest, and coolest gaming console until Sony’s mid-generation PS5 Pro upgrade appeared. However, the compact and diminutive Xbox Series S has surpassed expectations.

However, even a near-perfect product can be undermined by a single, significant defect.

You might remember the problematic red ring of death that plagued the Xbox 360, causing Microsoft significant financial loss to fix. Fortunately, the Xbox Series X|S has been incredibly reliable since then, thanks to those hard-earned lessons. However, one of its other key Xbox products is not enjoying the same level of reliability, and now Amazon is advising consumers to think twice before purchasing it.

Lately, Amazon has started displaying alerts when products are frequently returned. Interestingly, ARM-based Surface devices and the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 have been flagged as such on their store pages. As I was searching for an alternative to my Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, I noticed that it also carries this warning of being often returned.

Currently, I’m on my third Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, unfortunately. The first one was a review model that I adored – until the stick drift became unmanageable after approximately 6-8 months. The second one I bought for myself, but the right bumper started malfunctioning, registering inputs only about half of the time, around the same period. Now, even this third controller has succumbed to the same issue with the right bumper, which seems to be a common problem among Soulsborne players, as attacks are often mapped to the bumpers instead of face buttons.

As a tech enthusiast, I can’t help but feel disappointed when a device that retails at around $200, like the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, starts malfunctioning after just a few months of regular use. It’s only fair that potential buyers are advised to read through reviews before making a purchase, especially given the recent issues some users have experienced. After all, it’s better to be informed than to end up with a broken controller!

Instead of trying to find a solution that could save you money, many people might prefer to return it within the standard one-year warranty period as an easier option. I’ll soon provide a guide on other potential solutions, but this could be a simpler route for most individuals.

Instead, I strongly recommend you consider either the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro from Amazon on the premium side or the GameSir G7 from Amazon if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly. These controllers deliver similar quality to a standard Xbox Elite controller but without the issues related to wear and tear. Notably, the regular Xbox controller is also available on Amazon and its high frequency of purchase indicates a low return rate.

And here’s another Xbox product with a “usually keep this item” satisfaction rate!

It’s quite unexpected that the Xbox Series S, a console frequently criticized by critics and influencers, has a high level of customer satisfaction according to Amazon. The product label is green, indicating that users tend to keep this item, implying they’re generally pleased with their purchases. Unfortunately, I can’t verify the satisfaction rating for the Xbox Series X as it’s currently out of stock.

The Xbox Series S has been accused of contributing to some content gaps faced by Xbox, as games like Black Myth Wukong bypass the platform due to the need to optimize for the Xbox Series S. In contrast, the Steam Deck escapes such criticisms despite having comparable performance limitations. However, it’s important to note that there’s no hidden tax on discussing Xbox (just a joke!). To sum it up, the Xbox Series S is an affordable option if you’re seeking top-tier current generation gaming experiences. If your primary goal is to enjoy Fortnite or Call of Duty in high definition within your living room, there might not be a more budget-friendly choice available at the moment.

It’s commendable that Amazon is highlighting companies and products that aren’t meeting expectations, while acknowledging those that do. The Microsoft Snapdragon-powered Copilot+ PC series has been getting a lot of flak on Amazon due to compatibility issues, as many of the claims Microsoft made about its usability have not been fulfilled. Similarly, the quality control problems with the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 are well known. Here’s hoping that Microsoft uses these experiences to improve future products like the upcoming Xbox Elite Controller Series 3. (By the way, we’ve got some preliminary confirmation about this product – expect a full report soon.)

If you’re looking to buy a new game controller, take a good look at the Razer and GameSir models I suggested. These days, there are plenty of choices available, so you should find something that suits your needs perfectly.

2025-03-28 13:09

Amazon warns customers which Xbox products are “frequently returned items,” and one is particularly unsurprising

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