6 New Gaming Controllers That Are Worth Taking A Look At

I spent years enjoying video games with out ever occupied with the controller I used to be utilizing. It was simply the factor that got here within the field with the system. For those who wished to play co-op, you’d purchase a second. If it broke, you’d exchange it. It wasn’t till the PS4 and Xbox One era that it began to feel like there were options and I began experimenting with alternate options.

Now, in the summertime of 2025, it appears like a new controller is getting announced every other week, and the rising costs of first-party {hardware}, in addition to, on Swap 2, the nonetheless unimpressive high quality of the console’s Pleasure-Con, makes evaluating your decisions a necessity. Let’s take a fast take a look at among the latest entrants into the ever-more-chaotic market for third-party controllers.

EasySMX S10 is an affordable Swap 2 Professional different

Introduced again in Might, the EasySMX S10 pitches itself as a finances Swap 2 Professional controller. It’ll be $60 in comparison with the Professional Controller’s $90 and ships earlier than the top of August. Like Nintendo’s premium controller, it could actually learn Amiibo and wake the console up from sleep. The massive options are a 1,000Hz polling fee for minimal latency and drift-resistant TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) Corridor Impact joysticks. It’ll additionally help backwards compatibility with Swap 1 in addition to gaming on PC and cellular. It’s a good package deal at a compelling value level and I just like the RGB-lit white model so much, even with the ugly branded insignia on the aspect. However we received’t know if it could actually truly ship till the primary pre-orders start arriving later this summer time.

GameSir G7 Professional gives precision with bizarre caveats

One other controller sporting TMR sticks is the GameSir G7 Pro. Introduced extra not too long ago, it’s an $80 mid-tier choice for Xbox Collection X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Android. It sports activities a pleasant look total and a customizable three-piece magnetic faceplate, however the true draw are the mechanical micro switches that allow you to fine-tune the sensitivity of the triggers. However there’s a large draw back: it solely works wired on console. There’s a protracted USB-C cable to maintain you linked however it actually cuts in opposition to the ability effectivity of the TMR stick for those who’re at all times linked anyway.

8BitDo Professional 3 upgrades what was already nice

The Pro 3 was revealed again in July and simply began transport this week. It appears to be like like a PlayStation DualSense however with Nintendo’s fashion sensibility. The most recent iteration of 8BitDo’s Professional line additionally sports activities further buttons and TMR sticks. Most significantly, there’s a 2.4G adapter this time round for decrease wi-fi latency. However my favourite function by far is the pair of arcade-style ball-top caps that come within the field and may be connected to the Professional 3’s joysticks. All of it is available in on the first rate value of $70 and helps Swap 1, Swap 2, PC, Android, and iOS.

Razer Wolverine V3 Professional 8K spares no expense on PC

If the above choices had been all trying a bit too reasonably priced for you, Razer has simply the factor. The Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K is an esports-centric improve to final yr’s mannequin that guarantees ultra-responsiveness with TMR sticks and an 8000 Hz polling velocity so the controller can register inputs sooner than you possibly can even take into consideration them. It is perhaps overkill, particularly for a wi-fi mannequin that prices $200, however it primarily has the entire bells and whistles from a prime gaming keyboard shoved right into a gamepad. There’s additionally a wired model for simply $120.

Victrix Professional BFG Reloaded is a luxurious choice for console

For those who’re on PS5 or Xbox Collection X/S and nonetheless wish to pay greater than double the worth of an ordinary controller, Turtle Seashore revealed the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded earlier this month. It guarantees 20 hours on a full cost and an prolonged wi-fi vary with the choice to plug in. Extra importantly, along with all of the drift-resistant jazz that’s develop into desk stakes at this degree, the Professional BFG Reloaded is aimed particularly at combating recreation gamers, with an “ergonomically optimized” resting place if you wish to deal with it like a mini-arcade stick. The entire package prices $210.

WX5+ Wi-fi RGB appears to be like low cost however enjoyable

Sufficient of those 1-percenter gamepads. Let’s get again to the financial system finish of issues. The WX5+ Wireless is basically an upgraded model of the WX4 for the Swap 2, although it additionally works on PC. The Doodle variant comes with playful colours and RGB lighting. There’s hall-effect sticks, a chargeable battery, and a headphone jack for plugging in your headset. The actual standout for the Swap 2 controller, nevertheless, is the promise of a devoted GameChat button that may bypass a bunch of the console’s menus to take you on to speaking with associates. It’s unclear if it’s simply replicating what the Swap 2 Professional Controller does or rushing it up, however it’s neat both approach. If it’s something just like the WX4 it’ll just do high-quality, particularly on the low, low value of simply $35.