“Version 1” usually means the original Xbox One Wireless Controller, model 1537. “Version 2” is most often used for model 1697, which added a standard 3.5 mm headset jack but still has no Bluetooth. If you want Bluetooth, you need model 1708, a later revision that keeps the headset jack and adds a redesigned faceplate and rear grip. Version labels are informal, so the reliable way to tell controllers apart is the model number printed inside the battery compartment.
The three models at a glance
Sellers, forum posts and repair guides do not apply the version labels consistently, so the table below uses model numbers as the fixed reference point.
| Model | Common label | 3.5 mm headset jack | Bluetooth | Physical cues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1537 | Version 1 (original) | No | No | Original design; no headset jack |
| 1697 | Version 2 | Yes | No | Adds the headset jack; otherwise close to model 1537 |
| 1708 | Later revision (sometimes grouped with version 2 by sellers) | Yes | Yes | Full faceplate with no separate plastic piece around the Xbox button; changed rear texture and grip |
The practical split is simple: model 1537 is the baseline, model 1697 adds a wired headset connection, and model 1708 adds Bluetooth on top of that. Neither 1537 nor 1697 can pair over Bluetooth.
How to identify your controller
Model numbers are more dependable than colour, finish or the wording in a listing. Microsoft released several standard and special-edition finishes, so a colour match tells you very little about the internal revision.
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#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
- Turn the controller over and remove the battery cover.
- Look inside the battery compartment for a printed label. Read the model number: 1537, 1697 or 1708.
- If the label is worn or missing, check the physical cues. A model 1708 has a full faceplate, so the Xbox button is not surrounded by a separate piece of plastic. Its rear texture also differs from models 1537 and 1697.
- Confirm the model before you buy a replacement or a headset-dependent setup. A listing that says “version 2” alone does not tell you whether Bluetooth is included.
Why “version 2” is an unreliable label
No single official Microsoft revision history was found that defines these models as “version 1” and “version 2”. The 1537-versus-1697 distinction rests on repair-reference material and a Microsoft Community answer. Those sources agree on the hardware differences, but a seller could still apply “version 2” to model 1708 because it is the newer generation. Treat the label as a shorthand for the model number, not a standard.
Headset jack: what changes between models
Models 1697 and 1708 both include a 3.5 mm headset jack, and model 1537 does not. That means a wired headset will only plug in directly on the later two models. Repair-reference guidance notes compatibility limitations for some headset standards on model 1708, but the sources do not specify which headsets are affected. Before buying a headset for a 1708, check that the headset is listed as compatible with Xbox One controllers.
Rank #2
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Bluetooth and PC connections
Bluetooth is the main feature that separates model 1708 from the other two models. Microsoft’s Xbox Wire announcement of August 1, 2017 described Bluetooth as part of the new controller designs for gaming on Windows 10 devices. That announcement does not mean every Xbox One controller pairs over Bluetooth, and it does not list model numbers.
Model 1708
- Bluetooth: Supported for PC use on Windows 10 and Windows 11, according to iFixit’s controller reference.
- Xbox Wireless Adapter: An alternative wireless route for a PC.
- Micro-USB: A wired connection option listed for this model.
Models 1537 and 1697
- Bluetooth: Not supported on either model.
- Wireless PC use: The sources reviewed do not establish whether the Xbox Wireless Adapter is supported on these models. Check the adapter’s compatibility details before buying one for an older controller.
Before choosing a wireless method, confirm your computer’s operating system and the controller’s exact model number.
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- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Choosing the right controller
- Want a headset jack without Bluetooth: Model 1697 meets that need. Model 1708 also works, and it adds Bluetooth.
- Want Bluetooth for a Windows PC: Look for model 1708 listings, and confirm the model number before you buy.
- Own a model 1537 and want a headset: The 1537 has no headset jack, so a wired headset will not plug in directly.
What the sources can and cannot confirm
The model-level differences above are consistent across the repair-reference material and the Microsoft announcement reviewed. The information reflects those sources as of their dates, and some details, such as the exact headset compatibility limits on model 1708 and whether older models work with the Xbox Wireless Adapter, are not established. For those questions, check the controller’s own label and the current Microsoft support documentation.
Sources cited: iFixit’s Xbox One controller model reference, and Bree White’s Xbox Wire post dated August 1, 2017.
Rank #4
- BREAKER SERIES — Hold nothing back. Heart Breaker peacocks the hardest with vibrant pinks, purples, and touches of bright blues. Part of the collective debut of the Breaker special edition series.
- BOLD STYLE, BUILT TO PERFORM — Define your swagger with a wild, head-turning design. Stay elegantly on target with textured triggers built for every moment.
- RUBBERIZED GRIPS — Hold on to the action with rubberized grips on the back cases, designed for comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can keep playing without stopping to recharge.
- PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between devices including console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
Quoted from Bree White, Global Product Marketing Manager, Xbox Wire, August 1, 2017: “All the new controllers include the Xbox Wireless Controller features that you know and love, including textured or rubberized grip, improved wireless range and Bluetooth technology for gaming on Windows 10 devices or Samsung Gear VR.”
The sources reviewed contain no measured figures for range, latency, battery life or reliability, so this article does not state any.
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Best Value
- NOTE ！！！that the controller needs to be paired with a 2.4G receiver (the controller itself does not have Bluetooth) to connect to the host and computer Windows system - preferably Windows 7 or above. (NOTE Not compatible with TV and Phone)
- (4 RGB Lighting Modes&7 Colors RGB Light) - Lighting Modes;Monochrome light constant on mode:Light setting key+A key.Light setting key+B key.Press the light button once: the lights on the left and right joysticks will breathe and change in sequence. Color sequence: Blue, ice blue, green, orange, yellow, red, and pink. The breathing patterns change in sequence. Press the light key+A key to restore the constant light mode. Circle running marquee changing mode:Press the+Y key to set the lighting.
- (Wide Compatibility Platform&Dual Vibration Motor) - Our wireless xbox one controller with 2.4GHZ wireless adapter for Xbox One/Xbox One S/Xbox One X/Xbox Series X/Xbox Series S Consoles,Steam PC Windows 10 and above.plug and play, without the need to install additional drivers. (Dual use of wired and wireless). Wireless xbox one controller comes with a dual vibration motor and a 360° all-round Joystick. Vbration motor provides precise feedback, making weapons,impacts, and vibrations realistic.
- (AUTO TURBO&Programmable Keys) - In any mode.Press (first)A/B//Y/L1/L2/R1/R2 key and Turbo key to set turbo function. Press tubro again(second) to achieve auto turbo function. When setting turbo/auto,turbo light flashes.Press A/B/X/Y/L1/L2/R1/R2 key and turbo key again (for the third time) to clear turbo function of a single button.Buttons "ML"/"MR" on the back of the wireless xbox one controller can map basic function keys of A/B/X/Y/LB/RB/L3/R3/D-PAD, achieving 1-16 combination function keys.
- (Type-C Charging&3.5mm Stereo Jack) - Insert a type-C cable into the computer or host USB-C port, and the indicator light of the controller starts to flash slowly, indicating that the controller is being charged. When fully charged, the indicator light of the controller will remain on, indicating that the battery is fully charged.Wireless Xbox series s controller has a 3.5mm stereo jack that can connect headphones and microphones,allowing users to receive and transmit audio simultaneously.
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