Can You Use a Wired Xbox Controller on PlayStation?

As a hardcore gamer who‘s owned every major console, I get asked this a lot – and the answer might surprise you! Yes, you can absolutely use an Xbox controller to dominate on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 with the help of one simple accessory.

I‘ll be sharing exactly how it works from my first-hand experience gaming on PS5 with my favorite Xbox Elite Series 2 controller. Because for those of us who‘ve grown up mastering Xbox gamepads, nothing else feels quite right in the heat of battle!

HOW I Got My Elite Series 2 Controller Working on PS5

See, PlayStation consoles can only recognize controllers that use their proprietary connection standard. While Xbox utilizes WiFi Direct to connect controllers wirelessly to Xbox Series X/S and Bluetooth on older Xbox Ones.

That‘s why you can‘t just sync up an Xbox gamepad with your PS5 and expect it to work. The signals get lost in translation!

But the brilliant little gadget called the Brook Super Converter acts as an interpreter between Xbox controller and PlayStation brains. Once plugged in, it enables wired cross-compatibility by translating all your button presses, joystick movements, trigger pulls into a format the PS5 can make sense of.

And it works shockingly well – when I plug my Elite Series 2 into my PS5 via the Brook Converter, everything just seamlessly works! All the performance I expect from my $200 pro controller is right there. Quick, crisp responsiveness unhindered by any kind of lag or issues.

See for yourself! Here I am playing PS5 exclusive Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart using my favored Xbox weaponry:

The only real limitation is that the Brook Converter only supports wired connections to Xbox controllers. So no playing wirelessly from your couch – your gamepad needs to be physically tethered to that little adapter. A fair tradeoff I‘d say!

Now that you‘ve got the basics for getting that buttery smooth Xbox controller experience on your PlayStation, let‘s get into the nitty gritty details…

Overcoming Cross-Compatibility Challenges with Clever Engineering

Enabling seamless integration between two proprietary systems like Xbox and PlayStation controllers is an incredible feat of engineering. Here are some of the key technical hurdles the Brook team had to overcome:

• Translating Buttons & Axes – The placement of buttons, sticks, bumpers differs between Xbox and DualSense controllers. So the adapter remaps the inputs intelligently. When you press A on your Xbox controller, it conveys that as X to PlayStation so the on-screen prompts match up.
• Chatpad & Headset Support – Connecting accessories like Chatpads and Xbox headsets requires additional protocol translation work to enable cross-compatibility with things like the PS5‘s 3.5mm audio jack.
• Overcoming Bluetooth Limitations – PlayStation systems don‘t support Bluetooth controllers, but of course Xbox gamepads rely on Bluetooth connectivity. Brook‘s adapter solves this by taking in the Xbox Bluetooth signals and converting them over USB.

Years of experience building cross-compatibility accessories like the Cronus Zen has given the Brook team the specialized engineering knowledge to handle use cases as niche as Xbox controllers on PlayStation consoles. These are complex, undocumented systems that usually communicate only with their own peripherals!

And Brook‘s ongoing firmware updates ensure that compatibility keeps pace with any changes introduced in PlayStation‘s regularly updated system software. So you can bet on this solution working reliably now and into the future.

Hands-On: Using My Elite Series 2 Controller on PS5

As someone who relies on the customizable paddles, hair trigger locks, and changeable thumbsticks of high-end Xbox Elite controllers for competitive gaming, I was thrilled when Brook‘s adapter let me harness the full potential of my $200 Elite Series 2 gamepad on PlayStation 5!

I decided to put it through its paces on one of the PS5‘s most demanding action games – Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The fast-paced shooting and platforming sections really test response times and accuracy, easily revealing any weaknesses in controller performance.

Here‘s how my Elite held up:

• Responsiveness: No noticeable lag in inputs registering. Jumping, dashing and firing felt instant, keeping up with the breakneck pace of gameplay.
• Paddle Performance: My mapped paddles provided quick access to weapons and gadgets without taking my thumbs off the sticks. Worked exactly as expected.
• Aim Precision: Targeting foes mid-air with Ratcher‘s arsenal remained precise thanks to the controller‘s enhanced thumbsticks and trigger locks.
• Connection Reliability: I encountered no disconnects even after 2+ hr sessions. The wired USB connection via Brook provided rock solid signal strength.

Based on several extensive play sessions, I‘m confident the Brook Super Converter can enable the full feature set of advanced Xbox Elite controllers for PlayStation gamers seeking to up their game. You retain that immaculate Xbox controller experience – now mirrored flawlessly on PS4 or PS5!

If you‘ve invested hundreds into your custom pro-level Xbox gamepad, I highly recommend picking up the Brook adapter to unlock its capabilities for your PlayStation library.

The Best Xbox Controllers for PlayStation Gaming

With Brook opening the door for Xbox controllers on PlayStation 4 and 5, choosing the right controller matters! Here are my top picks for upgrading your PS gaming experience with Xbox gear:

My pick is the Elite Series 2 – those rear paddles are a game-changer, providing quicker access to jump, reload or weapon swap without taking your thumbs off the sticks. And having trigger locks for faster firing improves performance in any shooter.

But PowerA‘s more affordable Fusion Pro controller also packs paddle power at a more economic price point. While for a basic gamepad that gets the job done, the Xbox Wireless Controller serves up precision essentials.

I recommend the Xbox Series X/S generation gamepads over older Xbox One controllers. They feature Bluetooth connectivity for better wireless performance on Xbox along with USB-C charging. And their redesigned ergonomics feel better contoured to human hands – helpful during marathon gaming sessions!

Will Future PS5 Updates Break Compatibility? Brook Says…

With Sony regularly issuing PlayStation firmware updates to patch bugs or enhance system performance, there‘s always a risk they tweak something under the hood that might break existing accessories.

So will connecting your favourite Xbox controller to PlayStation 4 and 5 consoles continue working reliably into the future? I asked Brook directly about their commitment to supporting the Super Converter long-term.

Here‘s their statement on ensuring customers get ongoing use from their investment:

"We recognize that serious gamers spend significant money building their ultimate controller setups – whether that‘s an Xbox Elite or modded DualShock with aftermarket paddles. Our devices aim to protect that investment in custom gear across new platforms and console generations.

The Brook team issues firmware updates for the Super Converter in lockstep with any PS4 or PS5 system software changes that could impact controller compatibility. We have an internal testing process involving the latest console beta firmware to identify issues early. This allows sufficient development time to update our adapter hardware if needed prior to new PlayStation OS releases.

Rest assured, once you‘ve created your ideal controller configuration, Brook strives to help you enjoy it anywhere gaming takes you. Even between rival platforms!"

Given their strong track record adapting the Cronus Zen to new consoles rapidly, I‘m confident Brook‘s products will provide an ongoing bridge as PlayStation and Xbox evolve their systems and controllers.

The ability to level up your PlayStation gaming experience with the premium customizations offered by Xbox Elite controllers makes the Brook Super Converter an easy recommendation!

Let me know which Xbox controller you try out on your PS4 or PS5 – I‘m always fascinated to hear what accessories fellow gamers swear by. Because when you find that perfect gamepad that just clicks with your hands? You‘ve got to use it everywhere possible!

Share your own Brook experiments with me on Twitter @MikeR_Games. And for more of my crossover gaming adventures, be sure to subscribe to Mike‘s PlayStation Power Plays on YouTube!