8BitDo Ultimate 3E vs Ultimate 3: What's the Difference?
8BitDo's $149.99 Ultimate 3E vs the $99.99 Ultimate 3: swappable parts, stick tension, battery, Xbox and PC support, and how the 3-mode differs.
8BitDo now sells two officially licensed Xbox controllers with "Ultimate 3" in the name: the Ultimate 3E at $149.99 and the Ultimate 3 at $99.99 on its own eShop. They share most of their hardware, so the $50 gap pays for one thing above all: parts you can swap. Here's how they compare according to 8BitDo's product pages, and how both differ from the earlier Ultimate 3-mode and the Ultimate 2.
What do the Ultimate 3E and Ultimate 3 have in common?
Most of the core, going by 8BitDo's spec sheets:
- Sticks and triggers: TMR joysticks with a 12-bit ADC sampling chip, and Hall-effect impulse triggers with two trigger-stop levels.
- Extra buttons: two back buttons plus two extra bumpers, L4 and R4, remappable without software.
- Charging: an integrated wireless charging dock with magnetic alignment and no contact points.
- Connections: 2.4G wireless or USB on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows 10 or later, and Bluetooth for Android 13 or later and Apple devices.
- PC extras: up to 1000Hz polling and 6-axis motion control, both on PC only. Neither works on Xbox consoles.
- The rest: a 3.5mm headphone jack, four vibration motors, a redesigned shell with a wider grip angle, and support for 8BitDo's Ultimate Software X on PC and Ultimate Software V2 Mobile.
What does the Ultimate 3E add?
Swappable parts, and a box full of them. The 3E has a magnetic faceplate and comes with:
- Two ABXY modules: silicone or micro-switch, for a soft or clicky feel.
- Two D-pads: a circular one and a standard one.
- Six joysticks: two standard ones fitted, plus two tall, one thick-neck and one dome joystick to swap in.
- A travel case, which the Ultimate 3 doesn't include.
8BitDo also lists RGB Fire Ring lighting around the sticks, silicone side grips and a custom profile switch for the 3E.
What does the Ultimate 3 have that the 3E doesn't?
Adjustable stick tension. 8BitDo's Force Ring lets you dial the resistance of each stick lighter or tighter, with a soft-stop silicone ring underneath, and 8BitDo pairs the sticks with a 216MHz processor. The Ultimate 3 also has a redesigned disc D-pad for easier diagonals. 8BitDo doesn't list the Force Ring for the 3E.
Which has the better battery?
The Ultimate 3, slightly. 8BitDo quotes 20 hours from a 1000mAh battery, against 18 hours from the 3E's larger 1400mAh battery. Both take four to five hours to charge.
The 3E weighs 285g, according to 8BitDo. The Ultimate 3's spec sheet doesn't give a clear weight for the controller on its own.
Is the Ultimate 3 the same as the Ultimate 3-mode?
No. The Ultimate 3-mode Controller for Xbox is an earlier model, and the differences matter:
- On Xbox it's wired only; 2.4G wireless works on Windows, Bluetooth on Apple and Android.
- Hall Effect sticks, not TMR, and 8BitDo lists a polling rate of 250Hz wired and 200Hz wireless.
- A charging dock that 8BitDo doesn't describe as wireless, unlike the newer one.
It has the same battery rating as the Ultimate 3: 1000mAh and 20 hours.
What about the Ultimate 2?
The $59.99 Ultimate 2 Wireless isn't an Xbox controller. 8BitDo lists it for Windows, Android, Apple devices and SteamOS. It also has TMR sticks, 1000Hz polling over 2.4G and cable, and a charging dock, so it's the cheaper pick if you only play on PC, and it works on a Steam Machine over Bluetooth.
Which should you buy?
- Ultimate 3E if you want to change how the buttons, D-pad and sticks feel, or you need the travel case.
- Ultimate 3 if you'd rather tune stick tension, want the slightly longer battery life, and don't need swappable parts. It's $50 cheaper.
- Neither if you only play on PC: the Ultimate 2 has TMR sticks, back buttons and 1000Hz polling for less.
