Microsoft has introduced the XBOX Nano Controller, a much smaller take on its familiar gamepad. Pre-orders opened on October 14, 2026, at $49.99 USD, and the controller arrives in November in a long list of countries that includes Canada.

Small, but with the full layout

According to Microsoft, the Nano is a little over 5 inches long and weighs just 3.5 ounces, which makes it the company’s smallest controller. Microsoft says it is lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones.

Shrinking the body did not mean dropping controls. The Nano keeps all 18 standard gameplay inputs, so the button and stick layout matches what XBOX players already know. Other features listed by Microsoft:

  • a rechargeable battery
  • a programmable Action Button for screenshots, gameplay capture or other shortcuts
  • XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support for a range of compatible devices

Dexerto reported that the controller works with XBOX consoles, Windows PCs, mobile devices and TVs that run XBOX Cloud Gaming. Neither Microsoft nor the outlets we checked have shared battery life, charging details or full dimensions yet.

Who it is for

Microsoft is pitching the Nano at younger players, people with smaller hands and anyone who wants something easy to carry. The company points to family games such as Minecraft Dungeons II, where up to four players can team up in local co-op or online, and to taking games like Forza Horizon 6 on the road.

In plain terms, it is meant as a cheaper second controller for the living room and a travel option for cloud play on a phone or TV.

Price and availability in Canada

The announced price is $49.99 USD. Microsoft lists Canada among the countries where the Nano becomes available in November, alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and many European and Latin American markets. Microsoft says pricing and availability vary by country and has not published a Canadian price in its announcement, so check the Microsoft Store in Canada or a local retailer for the final figure.

Holiday bundles in the U.S.

Microsoft also announced two U.S. holiday offers. Buyers of select Samsung TVs can get an XBOX Nano Controller plus 2 months of Game Pass Ultimate for new members, and a similar offer comes with the purchase of a Meta Quest headset. Samsung TVs with the Gaming Hub can run the XBOX app, letting Game Pass members in select regions stream games with only a controller. Neither bundle has been announced for Canada.

What it means for you

If you mostly play on a couch with family or stream games to a TV or phone, the Nano looks like an inexpensive way to add a controller without losing any buttons. Wait for Canadian pricing and early battery life details before deciding if it can replace a full size pad for long sessions.