Microsoft used Xbox Wire on October 14, 2026 to unveil the Xbox Nano Controller, calling it the smallest controller the company has ever produced. It costs $49.99 and works with Xbox consoles, PCs, phones and tablets.
What's actually in the box
The headline numbers are the size and the price. Xbox Wire describes the controller as "a little over 5 inches in length" and weighing 3.5 ounces, which Microsoft says makes it "lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones." Despite its size, it keeps "all 18 standard gameplay inputs" of an Xbox controller.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | Just over 5 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 oz (about 99 grams) |
| Inputs | 18 standard gameplay inputs (full Xbox layout) |
| Extra button | Programmable Action Button (screenshots, gameplay capture, shortcuts) |
| Battery | Built-in rechargeable battery, no AA batteries |
| Charging | USB-C; charging cable sold separately |
| Connectivity | Xbox Wireless (consoles) and Bluetooth (PC, mobile, tablets, select smart TVs) |
| Price (US) | $49.99 |
| Pre-orders | Opened October 14, 2026 |
| Launch | November 2026 (November 4 on the US Microsoft Store, per KeenGamer) |
The one extra physical control beyond the standard layout is a programmable Action Button, which Xbox Wire says can be set up for shortcuts like taking screenshots or capturing gameplay clips. One detail worth flagging before you order: the rechargeable battery charges over USB-C, but Keengamer's coverage of the announcement notes the cable itself isn't included in the box and has to be bought separately.
Compatibility and where it launches
The Nano Controller connects over Xbox Wireless when paired with an Xbox console, and over Bluetooth everywhere else. Keengamer lists Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PCs, Android devices and iPhones as supported, with Bluetooth also covering compatible tablets and select smart TVs.
Xbox Wire's announcement lists 36 markets at launch, starting in November, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Korea, Brazil and Mexico, with more markets to follow. Pricing and exact availability can vary by country, and Microsoft hasn't published a full regional price list beyond the $49.99 US figure.
In the US, Microsoft is also pairing the controller with two holiday bundles reported in its own announcement: buyers of select Samsung TVs can get a Nano Controller plus two months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new subscribers, and the same two-month Game Pass Ultimate offer is attached to a Nano Controller bundle for new members who buy a Meta Quest headset. Microsoft hasn't published exact bundle dates or a full list of eligible devices.
Who this is actually for
Xbox Wire points at specific buyers: "younger players, smaller hands," and anyone wanting "something portable for play on the go." Microsoft's own suggested use cases lean the same way: Minecraft Dungeons II's local co-op for up to four players, and Forza Horizon 6 as a pick-up-and-play option away from a console.
The announcement doesn't mention adjustable triggers, swappable thumbsticks or the other customization options of Microsoft's Elite line.
If you're planning out a wider gaming setup rather than a single travel accessory, the Nano Controller is a $49.99 line item next to much bigger purchases: see our breakdown of the Logitech G PRO series refresh if you're shopping peripherals this quarter, or our graphics card buying guide if the controller is the easy decision and the GPU is the hard one.
