I spent years taking part in video games with out ever excited about the controller I used to be utilizing. It was simply the factor that got here within the field with the system. Should you wished to play co-op, you’d purchase a second. If it broke, you’d substitute it. It wasn’t till the PS4 and Xbox One technology that it started to really feel like there have been choices and I began experimenting with options. Now, in the summertime of 2025, it looks like a brand new controller is getting introduced each different 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 selections a necessity. Let’s take a fast have a look at a few of the latest entrants into the ever-more-chaotic market for third-party controllers. EasySMX S10 is an inexpensive Swap 2 Professional various EasySMX Introduced again in Might, the EasySMX S10 pitches itself as a price range Swap 2 Professional controller. It’ll be $60 in comparison with the Professional Controller’s $90 and ships earlier than the tip of August. Like Nintendo’s premium controller, it will possibly learn Amiibo and wake the console up from sleep. The large 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 cell. It’s an honest bundle at a compelling value level and I just like the RGB-lit white model lots, even with the ugly branded insignia on the facet. However we gained’t know if it will possibly truly ship till the primary pre-orders start arriving later this summer season.
GameSir G7 Professional provides precision with bizarre caveats Gamesir One other controller sporting TMR sticks is the GameSir G7 Professional. Introduced extra just lately, it’s an $80 mid-tier choice for Xbox Sequence X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Android. It sports activities a pleasant look general 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 related but it surely actually cuts in opposition to the ability effectivity of the TMR stick in case you’re all the time related anyway. 8BitDo Professional 3 upgrades what was already nice 8BitDo The Professional 3 was revealed again in July and simply began delivery this week. It appears like a PlayStation DualSense however with Nintendo’s model sensibility. The latest 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 characteristic by far is the pair of arcade-style ball-top caps that come within the field and might be hooked up 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 Razer If the above choices have been all trying a bit too reasonably priced for you, Razer has simply the factor. The Razer Wolverine V3 Professional 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 may even take into consideration them. It is likely to be overkill, particularly for a wi-fi mannequin that prices $200, but it surely basically has all the bells and whistles from a high 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 Victrix Should you’re on PS5 or Xbox Sequence X/S and nonetheless need to pay greater than double the worth of an ordinary controller, Turtle Seashore revealed the Victrix Professional 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 change into desk stakes at this degree, the Professional BFG Reloaded is aimed particularly at preventing 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 low-cost however enjoyable WX5+ Sufficient of those 1-percenter gamepads. Let’s get again to the financial system finish of issues. The WX5+ Wi-fi is actually 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 true standout for the Swap 2 controller, nonetheless, 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 pals. It’s unclear if it’s simply replicating what the Swap 2 Professional Controller does or rushing it up, but it surely’s neat both manner. If it’s something just like the WX4 it’ll just do high-quality, particularly on the low, low value of simply $35.
