Microsoft announced the Xbox Nano Controller on October 14, 2026. It is the smallest Xbox controller the company has made. Pre-orders opened the same day for $49.99 in the US, and Xbox says it will be available in November.
Xbox Wire says the Nano is "a little over 5 inches" long and weighs 3.5 ounces. Xbox calls it lighter and shorter than most modern phones. It is aimed at younger players, people with smaller hands, and anyone who wants a controller they can carry around.
The Nano is already listed on Amazon US, sold under the Xbox brand.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Oct 14, 2026 | Xbox announces the Nano Controller. Pre-orders open at $49.99 |
| November 2026 | Launch in 35 markets, including the US, UK, Canada, Japan and Australia |
| Holiday 2026 | US offers with select Samsung TVs and Meta Quest headsets |
Xbox Wire only says "November". Some gaming sites report a November 4 launch, but we could not confirm that day on an official Xbox page. Treat it as reported, not confirmed.
Xbox Nano vs Xbox Wireless Controller vs PowerA Nano
| Xbox Nano Controller | Xbox Wireless Controller | PowerA Nano Enhanced Wired | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | Microsoft | Microsoft | PowerA (licensed for Xbox) |
| US price | $49.99 | Varies by color and store | Varies by color and store |
| Size | Just over 5 inches long | Full size | Smaller than a standard pad |
| Weight | 3.5 oz | Not compared here | Not compared here |
| Connection | Xbox Wireless + Bluetooth | Xbox Wireless + Bluetooth | Wired (USB) |
| Power | Built-in rechargeable battery | AA batteries (up to 40 hours, per Xbox) | None needed, powered by cable |
| Charging | USB-C (cable sold separately) | USB-C for play and charge kits | Not applicable |
| Extra buttons | Programmable Action Button | Share button | Two mappable back buttons |
| 3.5mm headset jack | Not confirmed | Yes | Yes |
| Works with | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS, some smart TVs | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC |
A few notes on the numbers:
- Battery life is not out yet. Xbox Wire, the Xbox product page and the Amazon listing all say "rechargeable", but none give hours.
- The Xbox product page says the Nano charges over USB-C and that the cable is sold separately. Only one controller comes in the box.
- We did not find official word on rumble, impulse triggers or a headset jack for the Nano. Do not assume it has them until Xbox lists them.
- T3 lists the UK price as £44.99 and says white is the only color so far.
What is new
It is small. At 3.5 ounces and just over 5 inches, it is closer in size to a phone than to a normal Xbox pad. That makes it easy to drop in a bag or a hoodie pocket.
It has the full layout. Xbox says it keeps all 18 standard gameplay inputs. You still get two sticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, bumpers and triggers. You do not need to learn anything new.
It finally has a built-in battery. The standard Xbox Wireless Controller still runs on AA batteries unless you buy a separate charge kit. The Nano has a rechargeable battery inside.
It has a programmable Action Button. You can set it for screenshots, game capture or other shortcuts in the Xbox Accessories app. You can also remap the other buttons there.
It is made for cloud gaming. With Bluetooth, it pairs with phones, tablets and compatible smart TVs, not just Xbox consoles. That fits Xbox Cloud Gaming, where you stream games without a console.
The Samsung and Meta offers
Xbox has two US holiday deals tied to the Nano:
- Samsung: Buy a select Samsung TV and get an Xbox Nano Controller plus two months of Game Pass Ultimate (new members only). The Xbox app on Samsung's Gaming Hub lets you stream games straight on the TV.
- Meta: Buy a Meta Quest headset and get an Xbox Nano Controller plus two months of Game Pass Ultimate (new members only).
Xbox has not named which Samsung TV models count. If you are already buying one of these, check the offer before you buy a Nano separately.
Where each one wins
Xbox Nano wins on:
- Size and weight. Nothing else from Xbox is this small.
- Battery. No AA batteries to swap.
- Travel and cloud play. Easy to carry, and it pairs over Bluetooth with phones and TVs.
Xbox Wireless Controller wins on:
- Comfort in big hands. A full-size grip is easier for long sessions.
- Known battery life. Xbox rates it at up to 40 hours on AA batteries.
- Headset jack. It has a 3.5mm jack. The Nano's is not confirmed.
- Colors. Xbox sells it in many colors. The Nano looks white-only for now.
PowerA Nano wins on:
- No charging at all. It is wired, so it never runs out of power.
- Hall Effect sticks. PowerA says its magnetic sticks resist stick drift.
- Extras. Two back buttons, rumble and impulse triggers, per its Amazon listing.
Which should you buy?
- Buy the Xbox Nano if you are buying for a child, you have small hands, or you mostly play Xbox Cloud Gaming on a TV, phone or tablet.
- Buy the Xbox Wireless Controller if you play long sessions on a console, use a wired headset, or want a color choice.
- Buy the PowerA Nano if you want a small pad for a console or PC that sits near you, and you never want to think about charging.
- Get it free with a TV or Quest if you already plan to buy a select Samsung TV or a Meta Quest this holiday season.
- Wait if you want to know the battery life first. Microsoft has not shared it, and full reviews will not land until the Nano ships in November.
Check Xbox Wireless Controller price on Amazon
Want to see more gear side by side? Use our compare tool. If you are planning a living-room setup, our Fire TV Stick 4K vs 4K Max guide covers another way to stream to your TV.
Other tech news this week
- Apple announced the HomeView home hub, HomePod mini 2 and a new Apple TV 4K on October 13. See our HomeView, HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K guide.
- Google made Gemini 4 Argon widely available in the Gemini app, AI Studio and AI Mode in Search, according to a TechStartups roundup.
- ASML reported record third-quarter revenue of €11.7 billion, a sign that chip demand is still strong.
Sources
- Xbox Wire: Meet the Xbox Nano Controller
- Xbox: Xbox Nano Controller product page
- Xbox: Xbox Wireless Controller product page
- Xbox Nano Controller on Amazon
- T3: Xbox Nano is the new, smaller controller that's perfect for Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Insider Gaming: Xbox announces pocket-sized Nano controller
- Gamer Headlines: Xbox reveals $49.99 Xbox Nano Controller
- PowerA Nano Enhanced Wired Controller on Amazon
- TechStartups: Top tech news, October 14, 2026
Image: Xbox Nano Controller, via Xbox Wire.
