Why did you pass on the 8Bitdo?

I did a search for "8Bitdo" on Google, clicked on the official site and was quite taken with the different controller designs. I then clicked on the shop tab and they seemed to only be selling mod kits. I got distracted by something else and never followed up. Now that you mentioned it again, I see that Amazon sells them. When you posted "Four or so controllers in one chipset." I didn't quite know what you meant, but now I see that one of them is X-input, which I gather is Xbox / Windows compatibility. I'm definitely interested now. Is there any particular model you'd recommend?

I'm using the SN/SF 30 Pro. Which is basically a SNES controller with bolted on sticks and extra triggers.

As for which model, that's mostly down to visual preference and hand shape. If you like the rounded contours of their Famicom/NES controller, go for that. If you prefer the Dogbone, go for tthat. If you want to wait for handles, wait for that.

Update #2: I exchanged the Xbox One controller for another one, this time the Sport White Special Edition as they didn't have the same one I ordered online. I opened it up and the left trigger was smooth and silent. The right trigger however has a faint but noticeable grinding that you can both hear and feel. Ugh. Either I have terrible luck or Microsoft has piss poor quality control. I'm hoping it's something that will go away in time after I've used the controller a while, but I'm not optimistic.

Every Xbone controller will have a little "issue" of sorts that makes it unique, from my experience. They hold up to long term use though. I would recommend a DS4 controller, but it's not 100% supported in Win 10. Xbone is the logical choice.

What issues have you encountered with your controllers? Anything similar to my experience? Is there any hope the trigger can be "broken in" such that the grinding will go away eventually?

The one controller I had, the right bumper would click extra loud. After about 6 months of use, it normalized. The grinding *should* go away. The other controller I now have is a black standard xbone controller, and the right bumper on this one is slightly softer click-wise than the left.

It hasn't affected gameplay at all, so, meh. Your issue should disappear after 2-3 months of heavy usage.