Used game controllers in the UAE typically sell for AED 74 to AED 245 (about $20 to $67). Controllers are judged on stick drift and trigger wear, and drift is the fault that ends most of them.
What game controllers are worth in the UAE
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | AED 247 | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | AED 210 | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | AED 161 | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | AED 111 | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | AED 62 | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Guide ranges converted from sterling at the 2 August 2026 rate, not quotes — sellers set their own price. Grades are seller-declared; WishThrift does not inspect or verify them.
What lifts the price
- Official controllers over third-party
- Original cables and any dongles
What pulls it down
- Stick drift, the standard failure
- Third-party controllers, worth very little
Selling a game controller in the UAE
Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
The UAE has an unusually active second-hand market driven by how often people arrive and leave — relocation sales mean good-quality items turn over quickly and often at well below their age.
Domestic courier coverage is quick and cheap by international standards, and most of the population is within a short drive of everyone else.
Turnover peaks around the summer, when a large share of relocations happen and whole households are sold at once.
Working out what yours is worth
- Press every button and trigger
- Confirm any dongle or cable is included
Getting it ready
- Test both sticks in a controller-test menu and watch for any movement when you are not touching them.
- Press every button and both triggers, checking for sticking or unresponsive inputs.
Photograph
- A controller-test screen showing stick position at rest
- The grips and the back, showing wear
- The charging port or battery compartment, plus any crack, worn grip or missing rubber
Put in the description
- Platform and exact model or generation
- Whether the sticks drift, tested and stated
- Condition of grips, triggers and buttons
Cheap and easy to post in a padded box. Reset the controller and unpair it from your console first so it pairs cleanly for the buyer.
Steady year round with a Christmas lift. Official current-generation controllers sell within days at the right price because new ones are expensive.
It costs nothing to list
There is no listing fee, no selling fee and no commission, so the AED 247 a buyer pays is the AED 247 you keep. You and the buyer settle up and arrange the handover between yourselves; WishThrift does not hold the money or ship the item.
Where in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is a big place and what sells well moves with it. These are the parts of the United Arab Emirates with their own page for game controllers.
- Selling a game controller in Dubai
- Selling a game controller in Sharjah
- Selling a game controller in Abu Dhabi
- Selling a game controller in Al Ain
- Selling a game controller in Ajman
Common questions
Where can I sell a game controller in the UAE?
List it free on WishThrift and deal with the buyer direct. There is no selling fee, so the whole amount stays with you. Bank transfer and cash on collection are both normal. Confirm funds have cleared before handing anything over.
Is it official or third party?
Say plainly. Official controllers are worth considerably more and buyers can tell from the photographs anyway.
What is stick drift?
The analogue stick registering movement when untouched. It is the standard controller failure and the first thing buyers test.
Are third-party controllers worth selling?
For very little. Official controllers hold value considerably better.
More: how to sell a game controller, what game controllers are worth, or Gaming across the United Arab Emirates.