Gamepad 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller

8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller

Test Status:Verified (12 March 2025)
LatScore : Wired A+, Wireless A (Experimental)
Compatible: AndroidiOSLinuxPC
Interfaces: BluetoothCableDongle
Price range: $29.99$34.99, find on: aliexpress.com, amzn.to
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8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller Input lag comparison

#ConnectionMode
Min.Latency
AverageLatency (ms)
Max.Latency
Polling rate (Hz) Jitter
OSBuild ver.
FWTester ver.
Sticks Latency (Prometheus 82) [α]
1
DongleXinput8.559.5711.72850.25 0.66
Win 11
10.0.26100
1.07
5.0.9.2
2
CableXinput6.487.378.23797.92 0.45
Win 11
10.0.26100
1.07
5.0.9.2
3
BluetoothDinput10.0114.1918.56199.61 2.22
Win 11
10.0.26100
1.07
5.0.9.2
Button Latency (Prometheus 82) [α]
4
DongleXinput4.486.838.95850.25 1.12
Win 11
10.0.26100
1.07
5.0.9.2
5
CableXinput3.045.768.47797.92 1.57
Win 11
10.0.26100
1.07
5.0.9.2
6
BluetoothDinput9.9213.9818.33199.61 2.08
Win 11
10.0.26100
1.07
5.0.9.2
More information

Latency

This chart shows how quickly your gamepad responds to button presses as well as joystick deviation. Each point on the graph represents a test result.

  • The horizontal axis (X-axis) measures the time elapsed from the button press or stick deflection to the game's response. This time is called "latency".
  • The vertical axis (Y-axis) shows how often we got such a result, in percentages.

If you hover over a point on the graph, you'll see how long the latency was and how often it occurred.

The lower the latency, the better. In competitive gaming, every millisecond matters — faster response times can provide a significant advantage, especially in fast-paced games like fighting games, shooters, and racing simulations.

For stick latency measurements (when available), we test by instantly moving the stick from the center to the edge, recording the latency at 99% deflection point.

You can switch the graph view to Average Latency, where latency is displayed as horizontal bars for easier comparison between devices.

Polling Rate

Polling rate refers to how frequently a gamepad sends input information to your console or computer. It's measured in Hertz (Hz), representing the number of times per second the controller reports its status.

For example:

  • A gamepad with 125 Hz polling rate sends updates every 8 milliseconds
  • A gamepad with 1000 Hz polling rate sends updates every 1 millisecond

Polling rate directly affects input lag. When you press a button, your input waits in the controller's buffer until the next polling interval. With higher polling rates, these intervals are closer together, reducing the maximum potential wait time.

For a detailed explanation of how polling rate impacts controller latency, check our in-depth analysis on Reddit.

The polling rate impacts gaming performance in two key ways:

  1. Responsiveness: Higher polling rates result in faster, more responsive gameplay by reducing the maximum wait time between your physical input and when the computer receives it.

  2. Consistency: Higher polling rates provide more consistent input timing, which is crucial for precise timing-based actions in competitive gaming.

While higher polling rates are generally better, they may increase CPU usage slightly. For most modern systems, this impact is negligible.

To test the polling rate of your gamepad, download our specialized software at https://gamepadla.com/soft.pdl.

Jitter

Jitter measures how consistently your gamepad performs over time. It's calculated as the standard deviation of latency measurements — essentially how much the response time varies between inputs.

Lower jitter values indicate more consistent performance, which is crucial for muscle memory and precise gameplay. High jitter can make a controller feel unpredictable, even if its average latency is low.

For competitive play, both low latency and low jitter are important for reliable, predictable performance.

Testing Methods

Gamepadla employs three complementary testing methodologies to evaluate gamepad performance comprehensively:

  1. Polling Rate Test: A software-based test that measures how frequently the gamepad reports data to your system (in Hz). This test provides insight into the controller's communication frequency but doesn't directly measure real-world input lag. Download our polling rate testing software at https://gamepadla.com/soft.pdl.

  2. GPDL Tester: This hardware-based solution accurately measures button latency through direct electrical monitoring. While it also tests joystick latency, those measurements are software-based and should be considered approximate. Stick measurements are useful for comparing controllers tested on the same setup but aren't factored into our LatScore due to their limited precision. More details available at https://github.com/cakama3a/GPDL.

  3. Prometheus 82 (Gamepad Punch Tester): Our most advanced testing method physically actuates both buttons and joysticks to simulate real-world usage patterns. It achieves ±1-2ms precision for button tests and ±5-6ms for stick tests. These margins account for the mechanical actuation time present in real-world usage. Learn more about this innovative testing method at https://www.reddit.com/r/Controller/comments/1i5uglp/gamepad_punch_tester_a_new_method_for_testing/.

Each methodology has specific strengths and limitations. By combining these approaches, we provide the most comprehensive evaluation of gamepad performance currently available.

Stick test of 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller

Stick test results for 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller gamepad • Cable connection • Xinput mode • FW 1.06, by John Punch

Inner Dead Zone

The Inner Dead Zone is the area around the center of the stick where small movements are not registered. This helps prevent stick drift or accidental inputs, but if the dead zone is too large, it can make aiming less precise, especially in games requiring fine control. We evaluate the Inner Dead Zone based on how much you need to move the stick before it responds—the less movement required, the better.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller has no Inner Dead Zone. The stick responds immediately to even the slightest movement, which is excellent for aiming accuracy and micro-control. This makes it a great choice for precision-heavy games like first-person shooters (e.g., Valorant or Apex Legends).

For comparison, many budget gamepads often have a moderate to large Inner Dead Zone, while premium controllers typically aim for a slight or no dead zone for better precision.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how the Inner Dead Zone works.

Outer Dead Zone

The Outer Dead Zone refers to the portion of the joystick’s physical range where the stick has already reached its maximum input (100% deflection) in software, but you can still physically move it further. This creates a mismatch: you might feel like you haven’t fully deflected the stick, even though you’re already at maximum speed or distance in-game. A larger Outer Dead Zone reduces the usable range of motion, making control feel less intuitive and precise.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller has an Outer Dead Zone rated as low (0.4 mm). This is excellent! A low Outer Dead Zone means the stick’s physical range closely matches its input range, giving you intuitive and precise control. This is ideal for games where maximum deflection matters, like quick camera turns in shooters (e.g., Apex Legends) or sharp steering in racing games.

For comparison, high-quality gamepads typically have an Outer Dead Zone of 0.6 mm or less, ensuring the physical and input ranges align well, while some budget or older models can have values exceeding 1.0 mm, leading to a less intuitive control experience.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how the Outer Dead Zone works.

Stick Resolution

The Stick Resolution measures how many distinct positions the joystick can register between its center and the outermost edge. For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, this value is 1111 positions (based on an average step size of 0.0009). Think of it like the smoothness of your control: the more positions, the more precise and fluid your movements will feel in-game.

This is an excellent result! With 1111 positions, you'll get smooth and precise control, making it ideal for games requiring fine adjustments, like aiming in shooters (e.g., Valorant) or steering in racing games.

Note: The calculation is based on an average resolution, but in practice, the resolution can vary and may not have clearly defined movement segments. Some gamepads don't have a constant resolution (e.g., step sizes like 0.0078 or 0.0150), so the actual number of positions might differ slightly.

It's important to note that Stick Resolution is measured using the StickAnalyzer program and this parameter can vary slightly depending on the duration of stick movement. Therefore, these values should be considered as a general reference point rather than absolute measurements.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Stick Resolution works.

Asymmetry Index

The Asymmetry Index measures how unevenly the joystick moves in different directions (left-right vs. up-down). A higher index means the stick’s deflection is less balanced, which can lead to inconsistent movements, especially during small, precise adjustments. This parameter is particularly important for aiming or other fine movements that typically use 25-60% of the joystick’s range.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Asymmetry Index is 7.8% for the left stick and 4.2% for the right stick. This is excellent! A low Asymmetry Index ensures balanced and consistent movements, making it ideal for precision tasks like aiming in shooters (e.g., Valorant) or making small adjustments in platformers.

For comparison, high-quality gamepads typically have an Asymmetry Index below 10%, ensuring balanced movement, while some budget or older models can exceed 20%, leading to a less consistent control experience.

Want to learn more? Check out this post to understand how the Asymmetry Index is measured.

Circle Error

The Circle Error measures how accurately the joystick moves in a circular path when you push it to its extreme diagonal positions. A high Circle Error means the stick’s movement isn’t perfectly circular, which can lead to inconsistent inputs in games. The lower the error, the better the stick’s performance.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Circle Error is 11.9% for the left stick and 10.6% for the right stick. These values are acceptable, but you might notice slight inconsistencies in games that rely on precise diagonal inputs, such as racing or fighting games.

For comparison, budget gamepads often have a Circle Error above 10%, while premium controllers typically aim for 5% or lower for smoother control.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Circle Error works.

Stick Centering

Stick Centering measures how accurately the joystick returns to its neutral (center) position after you release it. A good Stick Centering value prevents stick drift—a common issue where your character or camera moves slightly in a game, even when you're not touching the stick. The lower the percentage, the better the centering, and the less likely you are to experience drift.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Stick Centering is 1.9% for the left joystick and 2.3% for the right stick. Values above 2% may lead to noticeable drift in some scenarios, which can affect precision in games.

This test methodology intentionally employs a more rigorous approach by implementing small-angle deflection and release, which produces the most challenging conditions for stick re-centering. This technique differs from the conventional maximum-deflection method where the stick is pulled to its full range and released, as small-angle deflection better simulates the micro-adjustments typically executed during actual gameplay scenarios, providing more representative data on potential stick drift occurrence during normal use.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Stick Centering works.

Disclaimer

We tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller gamepad using a single unit, so keep in mind that other units of this model might perform slightly better or worse. In most cases, these differences are minor and shouldn’t affect your experience significantly. The results were obtained with the Joystick Tester program, and some values might vary if you use different software or testing methods.

Testing conditions, such as the gamepad’s firmware version (FW: 1.06) or connection type, can also influence the results. If you have this gamepad, we’d love for you to share your own test results! This will help us build a more comprehensive picture of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller’s performance across different units.

Stick test results for 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller gamepad • Dongle connection • Xinput mode • FW 1.06, by John Punch

Inner Dead Zone

The Inner Dead Zone is the area around the center of the stick where small movements are not registered. This helps prevent stick drift or accidental inputs, but if the dead zone is too large, it can make aiming less precise, especially in games requiring fine control. We evaluate the Inner Dead Zone based on how much you need to move the stick before it responds—the less movement required, the better.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller has no Inner Dead Zone. The stick responds immediately to even the slightest movement, which is excellent for aiming accuracy and micro-control. This makes it a great choice for precision-heavy games like first-person shooters (e.g., Valorant or Apex Legends).

For comparison, many budget gamepads often have a moderate to large Inner Dead Zone, while premium controllers typically aim for a slight or no dead zone for better precision.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how the Inner Dead Zone works.

Outer Dead Zone

The Outer Dead Zone refers to the portion of the joystick’s physical range where the stick has already reached its maximum input (100% deflection) in software, but you can still physically move it further. This creates a mismatch: you might feel like you haven’t fully deflected the stick, even though you’re already at maximum speed or distance in-game. A larger Outer Dead Zone reduces the usable range of motion, making control feel less intuitive and precise.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller has an Outer Dead Zone rated as low (0.4 mm). This is excellent! A low Outer Dead Zone means the stick’s physical range closely matches its input range, giving you intuitive and precise control. This is ideal for games where maximum deflection matters, like quick camera turns in shooters (e.g., Apex Legends) or sharp steering in racing games.

For comparison, high-quality gamepads typically have an Outer Dead Zone of 0.6 mm or less, ensuring the physical and input ranges align well, while some budget or older models can have values exceeding 1.0 mm, leading to a less intuitive control experience.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how the Outer Dead Zone works.

Stick Resolution

The Stick Resolution measures how many distinct positions the joystick can register between its center and the outermost edge. For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, this value is 1111 positions (based on an average step size of 0.0009). Think of it like the smoothness of your control: the more positions, the more precise and fluid your movements will feel in-game.

This is an excellent result! With 1111 positions, you'll get smooth and precise control, making it ideal for games requiring fine adjustments, like aiming in shooters (e.g., Valorant) or steering in racing games.

Note: The calculation is based on an average resolution, but in practice, the resolution can vary and may not have clearly defined movement segments. Some gamepads don't have a constant resolution (e.g., step sizes like 0.0078 or 0.0150), so the actual number of positions might differ slightly.

It's important to note that Stick Resolution is measured using the StickAnalyzer program and this parameter can vary slightly depending on the duration of stick movement. Therefore, these values should be considered as a general reference point rather than absolute measurements.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Stick Resolution works.

Asymmetry Index

The Asymmetry Index measures how unevenly the joystick moves in different directions (left-right vs. up-down). A higher index means the stick’s deflection is less balanced, which can lead to inconsistent movements, especially during small, precise adjustments. This parameter is particularly important for aiming or other fine movements that typically use 25-60% of the joystick’s range.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Asymmetry Index is 7.8% for the left stick and 7.4% for the right stick. This is excellent! A low Asymmetry Index ensures balanced and consistent movements, making it ideal for precision tasks like aiming in shooters (e.g., Valorant) or making small adjustments in platformers.

For comparison, high-quality gamepads typically have an Asymmetry Index below 10%, ensuring balanced movement, while some budget or older models can exceed 20%, leading to a less consistent control experience.

Want to learn more? Check out this post to understand how the Asymmetry Index is measured.

Circle Error

The Circle Error measures how accurately the joystick moves in a circular path when you push it to its extreme diagonal positions. A high Circle Error means the stick’s movement isn’t perfectly circular, which can lead to inconsistent inputs in games. The lower the error, the better the stick’s performance.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Circle Error is 11.5% for the left stick and 10% for the right stick. These values are acceptable, but you might notice slight inconsistencies in games that rely on precise diagonal inputs, such as racing or fighting games.

For comparison, budget gamepads often have a Circle Error above 10%, while premium controllers typically aim for 5% or lower for smoother control.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Circle Error works.

Stick Centering

Stick Centering measures how accurately the joystick returns to its neutral (center) position after you release it. A good Stick Centering value prevents stick drift—a common issue where your character or camera moves slightly in a game, even when you're not touching the stick. The lower the percentage, the better the centering, and the less likely you are to experience drift.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Stick Centering is 2% for the left joystick and 2.5% for the right stick. Values above 2% may lead to noticeable drift in some scenarios, which can affect precision in games.

This test methodology intentionally employs a more rigorous approach by implementing small-angle deflection and release, which produces the most challenging conditions for stick re-centering. This technique differs from the conventional maximum-deflection method where the stick is pulled to its full range and released, as small-angle deflection better simulates the micro-adjustments typically executed during actual gameplay scenarios, providing more representative data on potential stick drift occurrence during normal use.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Stick Centering works.

Disclaimer

We tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller gamepad using a single unit, so keep in mind that other units of this model might perform slightly better or worse. In most cases, these differences are minor and shouldn’t affect your experience significantly. The results were obtained with the Joystick Tester program, and some values might vary if you use different software or testing methods.

Testing conditions, such as the gamepad’s firmware version (FW: 1.06) or connection type, can also influence the results. If you have this gamepad, we’d love for you to share your own test results! This will help us build a more comprehensive picture of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller’s performance across different units.

Stick test results for 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller gamepad • Cable connection • Xinput mode • FW 1.07, by John Punch

Inner Dead Zone

The Inner Dead Zone is the area around the center of the stick where small movements are not registered. This helps prevent stick drift or accidental inputs, but if the dead zone is too large, it can make aiming less precise, especially in games requiring fine control. We evaluate the Inner Dead Zone based on how much you need to move the stick before it responds—the less movement required, the better.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller has no Inner Dead Zone. The stick responds immediately to even the slightest movement, which is excellent for aiming accuracy and micro-control. This makes it a great choice for precision-heavy games like first-person shooters (e.g., Valorant or Apex Legends).

For comparison, many budget gamepads often have a moderate to large Inner Dead Zone, while premium controllers typically aim for a slight or no dead zone for better precision.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how the Inner Dead Zone works.

Outer Dead Zone

The Outer Dead Zone refers to the portion of the joystick’s physical range where the stick has already reached its maximum input (100% deflection) in software, but you can still physically move it further. This creates a mismatch: you might feel like you haven’t fully deflected the stick, even though you’re already at maximum speed or distance in-game. A larger Outer Dead Zone reduces the usable range of motion, making control feel less intuitive and precise.

The 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller has an Outer Dead Zone rated as low (0.4 mm). This is excellent! A low Outer Dead Zone means the stick’s physical range closely matches its input range, giving you intuitive and precise control. This is ideal for games where maximum deflection matters, like quick camera turns in shooters (e.g., Apex Legends) or sharp steering in racing games.

For comparison, high-quality gamepads typically have an Outer Dead Zone of 0.6 mm or less, ensuring the physical and input ranges align well, while some budget or older models can have values exceeding 1.0 mm, leading to a less intuitive control experience.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how the Outer Dead Zone works.

Stick Resolution

The Stick Resolution measures how many distinct positions the joystick can register between its center and the outermost edge. For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, this value is 53 positions (based on an average step size of 0.0189). Think of it like the smoothness of your control: the more positions, the more precise and fluid your movements will feel in-game.

This is on the lower side. With just 53 positions, movements might feel less smooth, especially in games requiring precise control, like shooters or racing titles. For example, many 8BitDo controllers before 2025 had a low Stick Resolution of around 40 positions, which could lead to less fluid control in precision-heavy games.

Note: The calculation is based on an average resolution, but in practice, the resolution can vary and may not have clearly defined movement segments. Some gamepads don't have a constant resolution (e.g., step sizes like 0.0078 or 0.0150), so the actual number of positions might differ slightly.

It's important to note that Stick Resolution is measured using the StickAnalyzer program and this parameter can vary slightly depending on the duration of stick movement. Therefore, these values should be considered as a general reference point rather than absolute measurements.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Stick Resolution works.

Asymmetry Index

The Asymmetry Index measures how unevenly the joystick moves in different directions (left-right vs. up-down). A higher index means the stick’s deflection is less balanced, which can lead to inconsistent movements, especially during small, precise adjustments. This parameter is particularly important for aiming or other fine movements that typically use 25-60% of the joystick’s range.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Asymmetry Index is 6.6% for the left stick and 6.3% for the right stick. This is excellent! A low Asymmetry Index ensures balanced and consistent movements, making it ideal for precision tasks like aiming in shooters (e.g., Valorant) or making small adjustments in platformers.

For comparison, high-quality gamepads typically have an Asymmetry Index below 10%, ensuring balanced movement, while some budget or older models can exceed 20%, leading to a less consistent control experience.

Want to learn more? Check out this post to understand how the Asymmetry Index is measured.

Circle Error

The Circle Error measures how accurately the joystick moves in a circular path when you push it to its extreme diagonal positions. A high Circle Error means the stick’s movement isn’t perfectly circular, which can lead to inconsistent inputs in games. The lower the error, the better the stick’s performance.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Circle Error is 13.7% for the left stick and 12.1% for the right stick. These values are on the higher side, which could lead to noticeable inconsistencies in games requiring precise diagonal movements, like racing or fighting games.

For comparison, budget gamepads often have a Circle Error above 10%, while premium controllers typically aim for 5% or lower for smoother control.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Circle Error works.

Stick Centering

Stick Centering measures how accurately the joystick returns to its neutral (center) position after you release it. A good Stick Centering value prevents stick drift—a common issue where your character or camera moves slightly in a game, even when you're not touching the stick. The lower the percentage, the better the centering, and the less likely you are to experience drift.

For the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller, the Stick Centering is 1.7% for the left joystick and 2% for the right stick. Values above 2% may lead to noticeable drift in some scenarios, which can affect precision in games.

This test methodology intentionally employs a more rigorous approach by implementing small-angle deflection and release, which produces the most challenging conditions for stick re-centering. This technique differs from the conventional maximum-deflection method where the stick is pulled to its full range and released, as small-angle deflection better simulates the micro-adjustments typically executed during actual gameplay scenarios, providing more representative data on potential stick drift occurrence during normal use.

Want to learn more? Check out our video explanation of how Stick Centering works.

Disclaimer

We tested the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller gamepad using a single unit, so keep in mind that other units of this model might perform slightly better or worse. In most cases, these differences are minor and shouldn’t affect your experience significantly. The results were obtained with the Joystick Tester program, and some values might vary if you use different software or testing methods.

Testing conditions, such as the gamepad’s firmware version (FW: 1.07) or connection type, can also influence the results. If you have this gamepad, we’d love for you to share your own test results! This will help us build a more comprehensive picture of the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller’s performance across different units.

Stick Movement Linearity Test

8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller specifications

Internal

Battery life
10-20 hours
(100%)
D-pad buttons type
Membrane
Main buttons type
Membrane
Sticks type
Hall

External

Audio port
No
Back buttons
2 buttons
Button layout
Xbox
Joystick positioning
Asymmetric
Rubberized handles
No
Swappable layout
No
Trigger lock
No

Features

Gyroscope function
No
NFC support
No
Switch Wake Up
No
Trigger vibration
No
Triggers pressing
Yes

Connection

Dongle
Xinput
Cable
Xinput
Bluetooth
Dinput
USB interface
Type-C

Software

Firmware support
Yes
Macros option
No
Mobile software
No
No dead zone mode
Yes
PC softwre
Yes

Platforms

Android
Yes
iOS
Yes
Linux
Yes
macOS
No
(80%)
Nintendo Switch
No
Playstation 3
No
Playstation 5
No
Playstaton 4
No
Windows
Yes
Xbox One
No
Xbox Series
No
Results based on answers from 23 users. Want to contribute? Join our questions survey!
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LatScore Comparison of 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller

Users' opinion

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To add an opinion, you need to be !
Has tremors on triggers and a big deadzone at the start and at the end on the triggers
6 votes
Has non linear triggers, which might be a problem for throttle control and braking in racing games!
7 votes
Hold the ➕ and ➖ to activate zero deadzone
16 votes
No gyro
14 votes
Hold the ➕, ➖, LB, and RB to calibrate stick
10 votes

Discuss 8BitDo Ultimate 2C Wireless Controller