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With the best controller for Forza Motorsport 2023, you’ll be able to corner your car through sharp corners without any issues.
Racing games are meant to be played using a controller or a steering wheel. And with Forza Motorsport 2023 release just round the corner, it’s time to find the perfect one. Of course, not everyone has the budget or the space to install a wheel setup, so if you still want to have fun racing in Motorsport 8 and don’t want to compromise on the experience or comfort, you need the right controller.
When it comes to the best controller for Forza Motorsport 2023, you need to focus on several key factors. For instance, the right controller should have good weight balancing and textured grips for comfort, its connectivity should be adequate and quick enough for robust performance, and there should be customizability to some extent to help you make the controller your own. We factored in all these features as well as Forza’s system requirements during our research for the best controller for Forza Motorsport 2023. After careful consideration, we were able to round up a variety of controllers from budget to premium that are perfect for Motorsport 8.
Best controller for Forza at a glance
Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller

Compatibility
Xbox Series X/S, PC
Connectivity
Wired, Wireless
Battery
40h rechargeable battery
Weight
1lbs
Xbox Core Wireless Controller
Compatibility
Windows 10/11, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Weight
Approx 400 grams
Connectivity
Wireless, Wired
Buttons
1x D-Pad, 4x Action (A,B,X,Y), 1x L-R bumpers, 1x L-R triggers, 1x Menu, 1x Share, 1x View
SCUF Instinct Pro Performance X
Compatibility
Windows 10/11, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X|S, MacOS Catalina+, iOS, Android
Weight
280 grams
Connectivity
Wireless and wired
Buttons
1x D-pad, 4x Action (A,B,X,Y), L-R Bumpers and Triggers, 4x paddles, 1x Profile switch, 1x Mode, 1x View, 1x Share, 1x Menu
For our fellow Forza fans, we’re here to make sure you’re as ready as you can be for Forza Motorsport. Whether it’s finding the best laptop for Forza or the best racing wheel for Forza, we’ve got you covered. Not to mention, keeping you up to date with any questions you might have on Forza Motorsport FOV settings or on Forza Motorsport Crossplay.
Best overall controller for Forza Motorsport
Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller

Compatibility
Xbox Series X/S, PC
Connectivity
Wired, Wireless
Battery
40h rechargeable battery
Weight
1lbs
- Impressive battery timing
- Optimal comfort
- Excellent performance
- A bit heavy
The best overall controller for Forza Motorsport 2023 has to be the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller. Offering both wired and wireless connectivity, the controller can last up to 40 hours on a single charge. This means you don’t have to worry about running out of juice during a race. Plus, even if you do run out of battery, you can always use the wired connection to charge and play at the same time.
As for performance, you get a typical top-notch Xbox experience with responsive and precise controls, and the wireless lag is also impressively good. There are textured grips for comfort, and while the weight is a bit much, it is balanced nicely so as not to hinder your experience.
The Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless controller also offers excellent customizations; you get three custom profiles and a dedicated Profile button to switch between them, and you can also swap paddles, thumbstick toppers, and D-pads without any issues. As for buttons, you can remap them in any way you like, and the thumbstick’s tension can be adjusted according to your preference. In short, if you don’t have a particular controller in mind and want the best overall controller to play Forza Motorsport 2023, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless is a great option.
Best budget controller for Forza Motorsport
Xbox Core Wireless Controller
Compatibility
Windows 10/11, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Android, iOS
Weight
Approx 400 grams
Connectivity
Wireless, Wired
Buttons
1x D-Pad, 4x Action (A,B,X,Y), 1x L-R bumpers, 1x L-R triggers, 1x Menu, 1x Share, 1x View
- Affordable
- Wireless connectivity
- Great performance
- Doesn’t come with rechargeable batteries
When it comes to the best budget controller for Forza Motorsport 2023, the Xbox Core Wireless Controller takes the crown. With its surprisingly low price tag, the controller focuses on the essentials and nails performance for the best Motorsport 8 experience.
First up, you get precise and responsive controls, and despite its wireless connectivity, the input lag is basically negligible. As for comfort, there are textured grips all over the controller for your sweaty palms. However, since the controller uses AA batteries for power, it is quite heavy at around 400 grams. While you get used to the weight, the lack of rechargeable batteries out of the box is not anything to write home about.
Going over the buttons, you get a dedicated Share button to capture your winning moments, and you can also remap different buttons as you see fit. All things considered, for the money, there is hardly anything to complain about. If you want excellent performance and wireless connectivity, all while staying on a budget, the Xbox Core Wireless Controller is your best bet.
SCUF Instinct Pro Performance X
Compatibility
Windows 10/11, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One X|S, MacOS Catalina+, iOS, Android
Weight
280 grams
Connectivity
Wireless and wired
Buttons
1x D-pad, 4x Action (A,B,X,Y), L-R Bumpers and Triggers, 4x paddles, 1x Profile switch, 1x Mode, 1x View, 1x Share, 1x Menu
- Excellent performance
- Great customizations
- Long-lasting comfort
- Expensive
Want a high-end premium experience? The best premium controller for Forza Motorsport 2023 has to be the SCUF Instinct Pro Performance. Apart from its top-notch build quality and extremely precise and responsive controls, what sets it apart from other high-end controllers is its customizations.
That’s because you get 4x paddles at the back that are completely reprogrammable. Speaking of which, you can reprogram up to 16 functions on this controller, which is very impressive. You can also switch the instant triggers and change the thumbsticks according to your preference. There are also 3 user profiles that can be used to save your different configurations.
As for comfort, the controller weighs only 280 grams, which is a very big deal considering its performance. There are non-slip grips as well that make it very comfortable to hold the controller for long hours. Basically, if you have the money for it, then you should definitely go for the SCUF Instinct Pro Performance. It has everything you would ever need for the most premium racing experience. To learn more about the game, here’s our Forza Motorsport review.
Can you play Forza Motorsport with a controller?
Yes, you can play Forza Motorsport with a controller. Just make sure the controller you go for has the comfort, performance, and customization you need to have the best racing experience.
Is a wheel or controller better for Forza Motorsport?
While a wheel gives you the real-life feel of racing in Forza Motorsport, a controller is easier to use, offers more comfort, and generally costs less than a wheel.