THE SHORT ANSWER

A controller's polling rate is how often it reports its state. In a browser, what matters is how often the browser receives a new state, because that is all a cloud game can see. Browsers read controllers on their own schedule, so this test shows the rate your browser delivers, which can be lower than the controller's hardware rate.

How the test works

  1. Press a button so the browser shows the controller.
  2. Start the test and spin both sticks in circles for 5 seconds. A resting controller sends no new data, so movement is needed.
  3. The page samples the browser's controller state far faster than any controller updates, and counts each time its timestamp changes.

The rate is new updates per second. The interval is the typical time between updates. The spread shows how uneven they are: a large spread means bursts and gaps, which feels less smooth than a steady rate.

Reading your result

  • Above 120 updates per second: more than any cloud stream needs. Xbox Cloud Gaming streams at up to 60 frames per second.
  • 60–120: fine for cloud gaming. Every video frame can reflect fresh input.
  • Below 60, or a large spread: try USB instead of Bluetooth, move closer to the receiver, unplug other Bluetooth devices, and close programs that intercept controllers, such as Steam Input or DS4Windows.

Cloud gaming adds the network round trip and video encoding on top. Those usually dwarf a few milliseconds of controller delay, so check your connection with the readiness check as well.

Limits of a browser test

This test can't see a controller's raw hardware rate, such as 1000 Hz over USB. The browser reads the controller on its own timer, so very fast controllers and slower ones can score the same. A busy computer, a background tab or battery saver can lower the result. Keep this tab in front during the test.

Questions

Why is my result lower than the polling rate on the box?

The box gives the controller's hardware rate. Your browser reads the controller on its own schedule and only passes on what it reads. Cloud games are limited to the browser's rate, which is the number this page shows.

Is wired better than Bluetooth?

Usually. USB avoids radio interference and tends to give a steadier rate. Run the test both ways to compare on your setup.

Does the button test check my buttons too?

This page only measures update rate. To check every button, the sticks and drift, use the controller tester.