Posted by In 2026, Xbox is rumored to launch new hardware, including the Elite Controller Series 3, potentially new standard controllers with Wi-Fi, and focus on expanding the Xbox ecosystem onto PCs and handhelds. It has also been reported that standard controllers (model 1914) are on sale now for $49.99. This could be an effort to unload the older model controllers to make room for newer models. Even the Elite Series 2 controller is marked down to $157.95 at Microsoft.com. That is a discount of $42.04. I suspect the new Elite controller will come with the latest TMR Electromagnetic Joysticks and a retail price of $219.99 or more.
Meanwhile, broken standard Xbox controllers are still selling for between $14 and $18 each with shipping included. I have been debating whether to continue refurbishing Xbox controllers or not. Two weeks into 2026 and I have only been able to win one auction for 2 white 1708 Xbox controllers. White controllers are the most common and fetch the least on resale. I thought about upgrading 1914 model controllers with TMR Electromagnetic Joysticks, but they cost $18 for two of them. Assuming that I can get a 1914 controller for $16, then add $12 for profit and shipping, I would need to charge a minimum of $46 per controller. With a new controller selling for $50, I don’t think people would be willing to pay that much for a used controller, even with the joystick upgrade.
It remains to be seen what the specs will be for the new standard Xbox controllers. Microsoft has had a lot of negative comments about the durability of their controllers, specifically about stick drift. I would be surprised if they don’t put TMR joysticks in their new standard controllers. They definitely have the sales volume to get TMR sticks at a reduced price. This would basically make upgrading used controller joysticks unprofitable. Plus, removing the old joysticks from 1914 controllers is a difficult process. Taking out a non-functioning joystick is necessary, but to make a TMR upgrade, you have to take out both. I guess I’ll wait to see what the new controller specs are before I buy any more non-working controllers to fix and resell. Disassembling old controllers and selling the parts might be the only sure way to make a buck.