Wired vs. Wireless Controllers 

I had heard that Microsoft did a lot of work on reducing latency on wireless, I hadn't expected the results to be so good compared to wired.

Hey, I think there are many things wrong with the explanation. Electrical impulses travel mostly at the speed of light in the wire. Even at half speed of light, you'll need about 1000 miles of cable to add a frame of delay through the wire. The latencies on both ends come down to protocol overhead - how the controller and Xbox are exchanging information back and forth. My hypothesis is that Xbox wireless protocol is structured so that the controller can 'push' the information to the Xbox as soon as you press a button. It taps Xbox's shoulder and says - hey, I've got some new input. (And btw, Xbox doesn't use Bluetooth, they use their own protocol, which is more like Wi-Fi than Bluetooth, that's why you need to buy an Xbox controller receiver for PC if you want the audio pass-through to the audio port on controller to work on PC.) While USB is always a 'pull' based protocol: Xbox needs to periodically ask the controller whether there are any buttons pressed. Since Xbox needs to poll the controller, the time between the polls is an added latency. Like for a USB mouse, there are mice with 100 hertz polling rate (typically office mice), and there are gaming mice with 1000 Hz polling rate or more, which are much nicer for latency. And I think, when you wire up the controller, it uses a wire for data, not wireless because if you plug the controller with the wire to one PC, it won't send inputs to another PC (or Xbox). I've noticed this because I had to plug the controller into a power bank to charge it, otherwise I couldn't play on the right PC when my controller died. (Oh and they mentioned the controller being able to use the wire for data in one of their presentation that I watched.)

Wow I was watching the video and got a glimpse of your sub count being 14.4k. I had to check a second time to make sure it wasn't at least 144k subs. I genuinely would've thought you were a lot bigger with the quality of your content. That being said, keep up the great work! 👍🏻

Interesting. For me I've never really noticed a difference on my controller (nacon wired) with the buttons. Where I do notice a difference is the accuracy of moving when utilising the thumbsticks. Maybe different brands, have different strengths? Idk.

For what I understand, electricity moves pretty much at the speed of light (it's not the electrons reaching the end of the cable, but them moving along it). I could br wrong, though. Nice video, anyways. As a non-competitive gamer, the only advantage I see with wired over wireless is that you don't have to worry about battery.

I really like what you're doing here and your results are very interesting. I have to say though, the speed of electrical signals is basically the speed of light even though the electrons themselves move much slower. Also, at typical viewing distances, the signal delay is going to be somewhere around a hundred millionth of a second, which is impossible to notice. So basically any delay that we see is going to be caused by weirdness in the USB/wireless protocol or processing delays, or something like that. If I had to give one suggestion about how to improve this setup it'd be to take apart the controller and bridge the button contacts directly so you can be more exact on which frame the button is actually pushed. Really interesting to see wireless latency be less than wired though.

Absolutely love this channel, so informative 🙌

I have only today come across your channel starting with the Series S videos, which I loved by the way (dutifully subscribed now). When I first got my Series S I used wired controllers thinking it would be faster, that seemed to be the general consensus. However, I then tried wireless at the insistence of my kids, and actually yes it was comparable to my wired experience. Your video clearly shows this! So intrigued was I, that I then tried to do the same with my OG Xbox One using the OG Xbox One controllers, dang! Noticeable difference in delay from the wireless controllers! Whatever magics MS has done to the new wireless controllers has clearly improved the difference in latency compared to the older Xbox One, I just wish I could have filmed it, maybe worth a gander for you in a future video? Great videos dude, keep up the good work! Oh and keep using the handheld mic, its clearly your schtick!

Cool video I’m glad I was introduced to the channel!

I apologize if I am incorrect, but I am pretty sure there is a video of Phil Spenser saying that reduced latency with the controller plugged in was a feature. Like they built in something to make it so there is almost no latency when plugged in.

I just got the series S after seeing your video on it. I have a PS5 but felt like I was missing out on the Xbox games. It’s totally worth it.

Subscribed, good quality content 👌

Loved this video and subscribed for your channel, however, i got a question. I live in a 200apt building and sometimes my wireless headset lag, samething happen when i connect it to the controller, is this lagging happening maybe because of too many wireless signals going around in this building or maybe is just my xbox serie x having connectivity issues? What would u say? Im thinking about switching my elite 2 for a wired controller to avoid this lag issues

great video, never would of thought that….very surprising

Will these results be the same if you use the Windows Adapter on PC with an Xbox controller?

Just found out about your channel love it man.

Does the controller actually sends data through the cable or just drags power on a Xbox controller? You should try use a fully wired controller to have a more fair comparison.

I wanted one such video so bad, I recently got the Power A (X-box/PC) controller thinking wired is faster than Wireless. Now I hope I am not wrong.

Interesting experiment, by the way what is the refresh rate of your monitor because it seems to be quite low and that's something that can cause even more delay than a controller

Can we use wireless gamepad as a wired gamepad if u use it of another brand??

I like the deliberate looking into the camera as you explained all the specs in the prefacing. LOL P.s Love the attention to detail :D P.p.s Can you retest the controllers in a “uncontrolled” environment. Perhaps it is my lack of understanding however I am pretty sure “most of us” have mobile phones/ tvs/ other gadgets and radio wave items that interferes with our wireless controllers. In said “messy waved environment” the wired controller should prevail. Hope you see this :)

Wireless is faster? What battery you using on your xbox series controller?

Nice job. Thanks dude.

Eventhough your explanation at the beggining is technically correct, a wireless Bluetooth connection has always latency, you can see that on blueetooth speakers and headphones, the thing there is that the Bluetooth device has to encode the input signal to be transferred over Bluetooth wirelessly, and then the receiving device has to decode and process that signal, that takes time, so latency is not because of transmition but because of processing. So the cable signals are immediately interpreted by the receiving device hence latency is lower.

Woah didn't expected that result

Both my wireless Xbox series s white and black controllers disconnect when I'm playing Fortnite... For some reason... I don't know why... It started with the black one... So I switched to the white one and it does the same thing... Half way into the game only on Fortnite... Only had this series s for a week and the controllers are two different ones... 🤔

Having recently trying to find a difference myself between the 2 I find with it wired all my responses are faster than wireless. But that is multiple inputs at once while a single input might be faster wireless.

5:54 the thing that I hate in this part is we either keep buying the batteries or buy the rechargable one

Nice video. I'm surprised, I was expecting it to be that close but the other way around. Expected Wireless to be "close enough" to wired to not be nitpicky, but dang. I completely agree with you about the charging pack vs cable. It's just a $10 difference on the official Microsoft store and both that website and others have the charging pack goes on sale every couple of months anyway. It also comes WITH a nice sturdy 10ft cable in the box.

Would this also apply to Xbox one?

What's the wire u used?

Channel is growing fast

I just got the series S and my shots on 2k and movements were so delayed then I went to wired and everything changed I started hitting my shots and moving faster

Fantastic video. It made me subscribe.

What about the Xbox x is it the same cause I play wired ???

You should test to see if the controller starts using a wired connection while it’s charging with the battery pack.

this review just came in clutch...thank you...

Love your videos.

Recently found your channel and subscribed. Great content! Epic quality and funny commentary! I'd love to see a video for someone that built a gaming PC a while ago and is deciding whether to buy upgraded parts or sell the PC and buy a Mac mini and Xbox Series S. There is alot of content talking about how close the Mac Mini is in performance to Custom PCs and they always end with them saying they are pretty much equal but you can't game on the Mac Mini. But how much would I be missing if I sold my gaming PC and bought a Mac Mini and Xbox Series S. You would miss out on Steam and PC things but would gain Game Pass Ultimate and Apple Ecosystem. I think it would make an interesting video and alot of people would be interested. Just an idea! For context my PC's specs: Gtx 1080ti Ryzen 1700x 8c/16t 16gb Ram 1tb nvme ssd I could probably sell my PC for like 1300ish and upgrading these parts would be expensive. Mac Mini - 550 or (800ish for 16gb) Xbox Series S - 300 850 -1100 total

thank you that makes a lot of sense

If I am not mistaken plugging in the controller directly does not send data via cable, it's there only to send power, it sends data via cable if connected to a PC

I fippin knew it lol. I always wondered why I played so much better when connected wirelessly playing competitive shooters.

Xbox doesn’t use bluetooth for their controller. Its its own radio wave. I have it on pretty good references stating that in order for radio waves to be blocked by other frequencies, you need a lot going on, we are talking like 50+ devices on the same frequency all inside the same room.

Wow after this I’m gonna try wireless, hey can I plug my controller into a plug socket using a wire but the controller is still connected to my Xbox through Bluetooth?

@TechSpaceCowboy, this is an excellent experiment. you need to change the name of this video and the thumbnail though cause I know lots of people want to see this. Plus you should make a part two for this video for PC gamers.

Its almost 2024 and I just learnt that now. Wow, wireless Xbox Series X? Wow holy. How about, internet? Ahm, im here in Cambodia and my I am using $15 monthly Internetwall provided by the condo. What do you think is way better? 5G wireless router or just direct my Xbox wired to the internet wall?

Thumbs up as always man! Even if the result to one side or the other was double the frames, I really believe this doesn’t matter at all, specially for non competitive games. For multiplayer games, it this is really the problem, and not the internet connection or even the latency to servers (in game streaming), the user has probably potential to be a professional gamer. 😂 my reaction time will not care if the input takes 3 or 5 frames for the screen to respond. And THIS is why I will always prefer a Bluetooth Backbone or Bluetooth Kishi than lightning versions. This low latency is more marketing than real advantage for me. And not future proof at all.

Why is there latency with Bluetooth audio though? I think it just depends on how the person made the device.

The power A spectra infinity is a good wired controller

Dude what you doing is just soo great but what about the bleutooth vs xbox adapter connections on pc are they going to be as the same as your wireless numbers ?

I use a wireless shock blue Series X controller on my gaming pc and I actually love the fact it takes two AA batteries. I always have a 4 pack of rechargeable AA batteries on standby. It takes 2 seconds to change and I don't have to be tethered if I don't want to.

Great watch 👍

The movement of the signal is near irrelevant what matters is the processing a wireless controller has to process more information thus will be minutly faster niw the diffrence is pretty small, maybe q outta 100 maybe 1000 fights youll win because of the .01 percent speed increase

Awesome Clip!! Thanks for Debunking the Theory!! 😳🤣👍🏻

Love this! ❤

Wireless controllers are slightly psychic. The real question to answer is, did you have a choice of when to push the button at all.

interesting, but i think some explanations are crap, and your conclusion is off windows 11 pc running a gulikit king kong 2 pro testing with gamepadla wireless has avg 15ms, max 45ms, 66hz, 7.6 "jitter" wired/cabled has avg 10ms, max 10ms, 100hz, 0.5 "jitter" the difference is 10000% noticable when playing twitchy games, specifically pogo stuck, which demands exact precise inputs I think the conclusion overall instead should be: -"wired and wireless both travel super fast and wireless has potential to be fastest" -"but whether wireless produces superior results depends on the entire system and how it supports wireless" -"it is important to note that different controllers will also behave differently"

Check out overclocking of controllers. The main reason to the wireless being faster is because the polling rate is higher when wireless. By using software you can tell the usb port to ask for input as often as it does on wireless which decreases the input lag. For example Dualsense overclocked > dualsense wireless > dualsense wired. Basically, wired and ovecklocked is the best for competitive gaming. Reliable and fast.

Wireless gaming peripherals in general have gotten SO good in the last few years. Switched to a Razer Viper Ultimate for example, and never looked back. Great video usual!

The old xbox one controllers definitely were not faster then wired options. But glad to see thats not the case for modern options.

Nice video! Indeed Xbox uses a proprietary protocol that grants excellent speed, it’s NOT Bluetooth. And, as you measured, up to 1.5ms difference! However… the devil is in the details… And here goes a challenge for you: try these tests not 3x but a couple hundred, which is what happens on a gaming session with the wireless controller at proper gaming distance from the Xbox. In principle, you will notice that wired is more consistent, as sometimes wireless waves may get disturbed by interferences and the protocol needs to re-send the instruction. For competitive FPS this consistency is crucial as it helps with the eye-hand reflexes and muscle memory. In the end of the day, for the vast majority it won’t matter, for competitors… it will

Keep up the good work! , your time will come soon😉

Bro is throwing those videos daily

Can you use a wired controller with wireless

Definitely should have more subs!!!!

Not very scientific lol

I would be interested in seeing you recreate this test on a PC. From my findings wired is the best on PC but that is due to the implementation of Bluetooth, the Xbox for windows dongle is a bit better but still not better than wired on PC.

I think its not about wireless vs wired. You use in both cases an Xbox controller which is by default build for wireless. That means, the cable you connect to play wired, is not a full whole straight line of cable from the soldered parts inside the controller, to the usb. The wire has to go through 1 more "station(lets call it that)" to get to the usb connection and then at the pc.That one is the usb 3.0 connection of the cable that connects to the controller. To make this experiment more accurate, you should use a controller that has both versions, wireless and wired,2 different controllers, not one with usb connector.

Does the cable length matter? (Shorter means less frames, theoretically?)

Do this with playstation t controller too please

Please bear in mind (for the people that don't know) this doesn't include Bluetooth. Only Microsoft's wireless tech. You'll need a USB dongle (Wireless Adapter for Windows 11 Home/Pro & Windows 10) to get -same- *similar* results for PC. Your going to be stuck with a very slight delay if you don't.

I like this video a whole bunch. now, I'd like to se this with a PS5 controller overclocked vs regular PS5 controller. Both wireless.

great vid, should have way more likes, i never like videos or subscribe, but this video is worth doing both.

This was awesome, I have been debating this in my head for years and I can see why gaming systems have advanced to move towards wireless. Thank you!

Ik Xbox has their Xbox wireless protocol for their controllers and headsets to go threw. Ik the switch uses Bluetooth (I hear has a lotta latency) which I hear sucks and idk what Sony uses but yeah. It be interesting to see this test on other systems bc Ik Xbox designed their wireless communication for low latency although idk if they r using a 2.4 ghz connection or what.

I use an xbox controller on the PC I should check how it’s connected Wi-Fi or Bluetooth I think the usb only connects the charging? Bluetooth is supposed to be slower? Console uses WI-FI and has optimised interface. So console wireless is probably quicker because the interface of wired is not as optimised as it’s wireless interface as designed to be used wireless mainly makes sense but surprised wired is slower on console. So is console faster than PC on controllers response! 🤔 edit just saw something that said Bluetooth is faster on PC on a PS controller. Can this be correct?

That's not why wireless is faster. It's true that electrons move slow in a wire, at about 1 cm per second. However, the signal is not being carried by one electron bumping into another. The actual signal speed is much faster because it is being transmitted by the electromagnetic field, which is moving at the speed of light. Altogether, a signal in a wire moves at about 70% the speed of light. The reason it is slower, is the same reason why light only travels 70% the speed of light through glass. It goes fastest in a vacuum, and slower through a medium. In theory, the signal speed difference is negligible between wired and wireless controllers (like 1 nanosecond difference). Whatever reason the wireless is faster, it is not what you said. It could be any number of other things. It might be related to delays that are being introduced by using a USB cable and all of the extra components along the way.

What about a controller not designed to be used wireless at all? No battery pack

What were the environment variables of this experiment? For example - at what distance was the controller from the console? Also, were the others wireless devices in area of console and controller? Have you tried with different cables to see if there's any difference?

Bro you can check controllerr input latency on xinput software i tested controller with wired and wireless in wired mode controller input is so clean but in wireless mode the input inconsistent but gaming mouse have better wireless technology

If I plug the controller straight into the wall or a power bank just to power it that's technically wireless, right?

You are useful thank you for amazing job

in my opinion i think the only reason wireless is faster than wired is because they didnt improve the cable connected to the controller, had they also improved the wired controller, it would be 10x faster but they dont want to do that obviously because less money.

I have a series X and the latency from wireless controller has gotten really slow. Maybe 1/3 of a second for the input to show up on screen. I tried everything including resetting the Xbox and installing games from scratch. Any ideas or suggestions?

Wireless controllers do not use light waves though. It's just a radio wave (still faster than an electric pulse, true, but radio waves are not as fast as light).

The testing method is flawed. You need to have a little led wired in parallel with the controller switch. So you can see when the switch is activated. From that point you can count frames..

wow thank you i was about to purchase wired but now i’m reconsidering!

Thank you

Would a lot of other frequencies also play a role in this test? If you are in an apartment building with a lot of routers all putting out signals, what other devices are in the room and adjacent rooms using bluetooth? If you're in a room with 5 friends a couple have their wireless earbuds in, 4 controllers connected wirelessly, 5 cell phones and 3 tablets in the room all with wifi and or cellular and bluetooth turned on the wired controller might beat out wireless. In a controlled environment under near perfect conditions wireless may win but in many real world situations wired might be technically a better option but only by milliseconds so most people would hardly notice. I do however think it would be interesting to see this same test done again with different variables.

It’s not just the speed of electricity vs light at that distance it’s the ping speed of the connection hardware/software

Bro are you related to Airbear?

Anyones got any idea about elite series 2 with wired v wireless?

The magnetic fields in wired controller changes at the speed of light, electrons flow extremely slow.

Wow I thought wired would have been better but has anyone here had any controller disconnect issues? I have to use it wired because it randomly disconnects

Just tried a game of warzone wireless and dude you’re right! I played so much better!

I just connect a charger to my wireless on Xbox that has a rechargeable battery, I hated rechargeable battery cause it would die so fast so I just connect a cable to it and it never dies and it has the speed of the Xbox wireless controller

You may have yo try a dedicated wired controller not one vonnect via separate USB cord.

Your two 4s the buttons weren’t even pressed down all the way. They were 3s but that 5 is still a shocker

I tried this out on my scuf instinct pro controller after watching your video, wired was noticeably faster than wireless 🤔

I use an overclocked PS4 controller on my PC and the responsiveness of that compared to my wireless SX controller is INSANELY Obvious. It’s almost unplayable. It feels like a 20 MS delay between inputs.