Meet the Xbox Nano Controller, the Littlest Official Gamepad from A Console Manufacturer - IGN

The $50 Xbox Nano Controller is five inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces. Xbox has unveiled its latest gamepad, which it says is the smallest controller in its lineup. The Xbox Nano Controller is just over five inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces. It offers the standard Xbox controller layout in a more compact format.

TL;DR: The Xbox Nano Controller will launch on Nov. 4. Preorders for this retro mini controller are now live for $49.94. I try to keep a cool head when online shopping. Sure, there are some cool products that turn heads, but you need to keep your wits about you when navigating the murky waters of the online shopping world. When I first met the Xbox Nano Controller, I truly tried to keep my composure. I desperately wanted to find something that I didn't like, but just look at this thing. Isn't it the cutest little guy you've ever seen? I have thrown off the shackles of editorial discretion and will defend this adorable controller with my life. I will die for you, Xbox Nano Controller.

Updated: Oct 14, 2026 6:20pm UTCIf you could use a smaller Xbox controller for any reason, Microsoft has announced just the thing for you. It’s called the Xbox Nano Controller, and it’s a more compact, more rectangular take on the standard Xbox controller. All the regular Xbox buttons are accounted for, but the form factor is smaller and more portable. It’s a nice-looking device overall, and it’s available to preorder now from a number of retailers (see it at Amazon). It will release on November 4 for $49.99. Xbox Nano ControllerOut November 4Xbox Nano ControllerGet it at AmazonGet it at Best BuyGet it at WalmartGet it at XboxRegular, full-sized Xbox controllers are nearly perfect, in my opinion. But I’m a grown man with large hands, and I almost never have to bring my Xbox controllers anywhere. If your hands are smaller, or if you travel with a controller on the regular, you might want something designed just for you. That’s the Nano controller. It’s just over five inches long and weighs a mere 3.5 ounces. Microsoft says it supports “all 18 standard gameplay inputs,” which sounds like a lot.

Tom Warren is a senior correspondent and author of Notepad, who has been covering all things Microsoft, PC, and tech for over 20 years. Microsoft is officially announcing its Xbox Nano controller today, a smaller and cheaper controller that’s designed to fit into your pocket. The more compact controller is also designed for “younger players, smaller hands, or anyone seeking something portable for play on the go.”The $49.99 Xbox Nano is Microsoft’s smallest controller, and it’s shorter than most smartphones at just over five inches in length. It has all the regular buttons you’d find on a normal Xbox controller, as well as Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth support for connecting to Xbox consoles and phones, tablets, and PCs. The Xbox Nano controller also includes a rechargeable battery, and doesn’t require AA batteries or a separate charging pack like most Xbox controllers. Microsoft has also added a programmable Action Button to the Xbox Nano controller that can be customized to take screenshots, gameplay capture, and other Xbox shortcuts. The Xbox Nano originally leaked earlier this year with what looked like a tiny screen to indicate cloud or console connectivity.

Today, we’re introducing the XBOX Nano Controller, designed to fit nearly every pocket and budget. Its compact design offers a great option for younger players, smaller hands, or anyone seeking something portable for play on the go. The XBOX Nano Controller, at a little over 5 inches in length and just 3.5 ounces, is our smallest controller, lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones. It includes all 18 standard gameplay inputs, delivering a familiar controller layout players already love.