Xbox’s smallest-ever controller is surprisingly comfortable

Even though I knew Microsoft’s new Xbox Nano controller was tiny, I still gasped when I unboxed it a few days ago. The compact controller is small enough to slip into a pocket unnoticed, and it has been designed specifically for younger people, or for anyone with smaller hands.

I’m not young, but I do have small hands, and I’ve been surprised at how comfortable the Nano is during gaming sessions. At just over 5 inches long, almost everything on this controller has been shrunk down somehow. The ABXY buttons are ever so slightly smaller than a regular Xbox controller, and the thumbsticks feel like miniature versions. Microsoft hasn’t changed the D-pad, though, or the size of the glowing Xbox button at the center of the controller.

The big difference I noticed with the Nano over a regular Xbox controller was the size of the triggers. While they are fully analog and pressure sensitive, they have more of a click when you bottom them out compared with the thud on a bigger Xbox controller. They’re noticeably smaller, as you’d expect, and the bumper buttons above the triggers feel less clicky than the regular ones.

I thought the Nano controller would feel awkward after a few hours of gaming, but the grips really help with comfort levels — a lot of smaller controllers sacrifice grips to keep the controller thin and lightweight. It does mean the Nano doesn’t sit flush on a table, but at 101 grams (0.22 pounds) it’s still really lightweight.

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I can’t speak for those with bigger hands, but I’d expect the Nano controller won’t be well-suited to everyone. The size makes it ideal for young children, though. I tried to get my 1-year-old son to try the Nano, and he responded with a smile, so I guess he likes it.

I haven’t had enough time to get a full idea of battery life yet, but it seems to drain around 10 percent in around 30 to 40 minutes. That suggests a lot less battery life than the 30 hours you’d get on a rechargeable pack for the larger Xbox wireless controller. Thankfully, the Nano charges quickly, and I found I could get from 30 percent to 60 percent charge in less than 10 minutes. You can plug in a USB-C charger to top up the battery and carry on playing while you charge.

The only thing missing on the Nano controller that I would have loved is vibration support. I assume it’s not there because of an impact on battery life, because even the smaller Nintendo Joy-Con controllers have rumble support.

The Xbox Nano controller will be available on November 4th, priced at $49.99.

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• Tom Warren