PXN P5 Wireless Gaming Controller Review

The gamepad bushes are bearing their joystick-equipped fruits early this yr, with many producers already launching their newest and biggest for 2025, overlaying a large unfold of various units and value factors. Whereas we’ve simply seen some unimaginable worth choices from GameSir, there’s area throughout the price range bracket to innovate and over-deliver as a lot as anyplace else. That’s the place PXN are aiming the P5, a multiplatform wi-fi gaming controller that’s obtainable for lower than £30. With the options it totes, it’s ridiculous worth for cash.

The PXN P5 presents a trio of connection choices: a wi-fi 2.4GHz dongle, Bluetooth or wired. Meaning it’s all set to work together with your PC and Nintendo Swap, in addition to cellular or sensible TVs – one thing that’s changing into more and more helpful with the arrival of streaming providers like Luna and GeForce Now. Actually, this is a perfect additional controller simply to hop into the most recent video games on Apple TV arcade.

The headline characteristic set for a controller at this value makes a mockery of the opposite producers on the market, particularly Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo’s normal choices. It presents Corridor Impact sticks with a 1000Hz polling charge, which means higher response time and quicker reactions, whereas additionally chopping down on the danger of stick drift. It has a 256-level Corridor Impact set off, with set off lockouts, 25 hour battery life, an air-mouse mode, and is provided with a gyroscope for movement controls and again buttons. How have they finished all of this?

Effectively, the cash you’re saving will be felt the second you choose it up. The P5 is extraordinarily mild, regardless that the black plastic of the principle physique feels stable and well-made. You possibly can inform that it’s cheaper, however it doesn’t provide the ick like third get together controllers used to. The Corridor Impact analogue sticks have an honest stage of tautness, they usually really feel nice in use, profiting from the correct response in Overwatch 2. Within the warmth of the second, you may simply overlook that this can be a worth controller.

The face buttons really feel surprisingly good as effectively, with conventional membrane buttons which have the appropriate stage of activation. The D-pad is a weaker component, with the up route on our assessment unit feeling rather less pliant than the opposite instructions, however it proved completely effective in use. I’d most likely be wanting elsewhere for those who’re a beat ‘em up fan that makes use of the D-pad closely, however for most individuals it does the job.

The associated fee-cutting turns into extra apparent once you put your fingers on the triggers and shoulder buttons. The plastic used right here feels cheaper than elsewhere, and there’s undoubtedly an acclimatisation interval to getting used to them.

They haven’t skimped on the tech behind the triggers although, which, just like the analogue sticks, boast Corridor Impact know-how, so not solely are they extra exact by way of their vary of motion, however they need to last more than their conventional brethren. In fact, there’s different parts to a set off’s sturdiness, and the spring offering pressure is the normal breaking level. The PXN P5 additionally boasts set off lockouts, which make taking part in FPS video games rather more speedy, and enhance your activation time – very important for those who’re into aggressive gaming.

On the rear of the controller you’ll discover a bunch of inputs and switches, first of that are the 4 again buttons. These are effectively positioned beneath your center fingers, although that is dependent upon whether or not you play with 4 fingers throughout the triggers and shoulder buttons for a claw grip.

I discovered that shifting my arms up meant I needed to stretch extra with my ring fingers to activate the again buttons, as they’re fairly small, although that, in flip, makes them tougher to activate unintentionally. I do like the way in which that the central two buttons are angled, as this made them simpler to make use of, and also you gained’t catch them when utilizing the 2 that sit throughout the controller’s grips.

On the rear, there’s additionally a swap for shifting between the wi-fi dongle, Bluetooth, or to maneuver throughout to the Nintendo Swap mode. In contrast to the current GameSir Super Nova, it’s chunky and really simple to make use of.

There’s two choices with regards to programming the PXN P5, and first amongst them is programming the controller utilizing the PXN button on the entrance of the unit. Holding this down with a mix of buttons will allow you to alter a mess of settings, together with switching by way of deadzone settings in addition to button mapping, however you’ll most likely have to succeed in for the directions to remind your self every time.

Apart from that, there’s the PXN Nexus app which is out there for Android and iOS. This provides you a transparent and complete approach to replace your controller, and alter all of its settings to inside an inch of its life, together with organising macros on the again buttons. You possibly can add a number of steps right here, loop them, or add interval occasions between button activations, and it’s an ideal addition to an already spectacular bundle.

The important thing opponents listed below are essentially all costlier than the PXN P5, although the Gamesir Tremendous Nova’s additional £15 buys a much more premium expertise, and a charging stand. In the meantime, for an additional few kilos, the GameSir Cyclone 2 throws in a bevy of microswitches, and also you additionally achieve a 3.5mm headphone socket, if that’s vital to your setup.