The Xbox Nano Controller goes on sale today, Nov. 4, for $49.99. It is Microsoft’s smallest Xbox controller yet and it works with phones, PCs and smart TVs as well as Xbox consoles. One thing to know before you buy it as a gift: the USB-C cable you charge it with is not in the box.
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The short version
Microsoft’s new pocket-size Xbox controller costs $49.99 and launches Nov. 4, 2026. It is built for younger players, smaller hands and playing on the go.
- The Xbox Nano Controller costs $49.99 and is a little over 5 inches long and 3.5 ounces.
- It keeps all 18 standard Xbox inputs and adds a programmable Action Button for screenshots and clips.
- It connects to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One over Xbox Wireless, and to Windows, Android, iOS and select smart TVs over Bluetooth.
- The battery is built in and rechargeable, but the USB-C charging cable is sold separately.
- Microsoft has not published a battery life figure yet.
The upshot: at $49.99 it lands right on the line of many gift budgets, and Microsoft built it with younger players in mind. Just budget for a cable if the house does not already have a spare USB-C one.
What the Xbox Nano Controller is
Microsoft announced the Nano on Xbox Wire in October. The company says it is “a little over 5 inches in length and just 3.5 ounces” and that it is “lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones.” It keeps the usual layout of two sticks, a D-pad, four face buttons, bumpers and triggers, which Microsoft counts as “all 18 standard gameplay inputs.”
Microsoft says it is “a great option for younger players, smaller hands, or anyone seeking something portable.” Best Buy lists it in a white finish called Robot White.
What the Xbox Nano Controller works with
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox One, using Xbox Wireless.
- Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs and tablets, using Bluetooth.
- Android phones and iPhones, using Bluetooth, which makes it a handy pick for cloud gaming on a phone.
- Select smart TVs, using Bluetooth.
- Button remapping through the Xbox Accessories app.
If you play through the cloud, our breakdown of the new Xbox cloud gaming price by the hour shows what that costs on top of the controller.
The cable is not in the box
Microsoft’s store page lists “one wireless controller” as the only item in the box and says a USB-C cable for charging is sold separately. Most homes have a USB-C cable already, since most new Android phones, recent iPhones and many laptops use one. If you are giving it to a child with their own console, wrap a cable with it so the gift works on the day.
Who should buy it
Xbox Nano Controller (Robot White) · paid link
Best Buy had it at $49.99 and open for orders, with delivery from Nov. 5, when we checked on Nov. 4, 2026.
- Buy it if: you are shopping for a younger gamer, someone with small hands, or a person who plays on a phone or tablet and wants a controller that fits in a jacket pocket.
- The downside: the charging cable costs extra if you do not have one, and Microsoft has not said how long the battery lasts on a charge.
- Skip if: the player has large hands or plays long sessions on a console. A full-size controller will likely be more comfortable, so try the Nano in a store first if you can.
Looking for more gift ideas? Our list of tech gifts under $50 has six more ideas at that price, and our guide to the best gaming accessories covers headsets and chargers.
What we don’t know yet
Microsoft has not shared battery life or charging time, and it has not said whether the Nano has rumble in the triggers or a headphone jack. We will update this article when Microsoft shares those details.
