Image: Razer
Justin's foray into gaming started with classic Resident Evil 3 and has only expanded since then. He graduated from RIT in 2021 and aspires to have his name in the credits of a video game one day.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Whether it’s to get a controller with a couple of extra features or replace one with too much stick drift, eventually every gamer goes controller shopping at some point. And while official controls can get the job done, they might not always be up to snuff.
Lucky for us, 3rd party controllers have come a long way in past years. So far in fact they sometimes surpass the official controller on offer. In this article, I’ll be going over five of the best 3rd party Xbox controllers.
I’ve ranked the controllers below from good to great.
#5 Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma
If customizability and comfort are something you’re looking for in a controller, then the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is the controller for you. This piece of tech has a lot to be excited about. Six additional buttons, interchangeable thumbstick caps, trigger switches, and customizable RGB lights all make up this premium package.
Razer also made the V2 Chroma with improved ergonomic design and rubber grips to keep your hands from slipping while gaming. An excellent package for all-day gaming sessions or for those with especially sweaty hands.
Unfortunately, this controller isn’t without some downsides. The main one is its price. I wasn’t kidding when I said this controller was premium as it will usually run you anywhere between $112 – $150. In addition to that, the controller only comes in two colors and is wired only. While wired controllers do improve latency, not having the option to go wireless does hurt the controller a bit, especially with its price tag.
Either way, the Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma is a sleek, cool, and customizable controller if you’re willing to shell out a couple of extra bucks.
#4 Scuf Instinct Pro
The next controller on this list is the Scuf Instinct Pro, another premium alternative to the regular Xbox controller. The Scuf Instinct Pro comes with four remappable back paddles, profile switch buttons that switch between different back paddle setups, interchangeable thumbsticks, and swappable faceplates.
Just like the V2 Chroma, the Instinct Pro is made with comfort in mind with an ergonomic design with non-slip material. Unlike the V2 Chroma, the Instinct Pro can be played both wired and wireless. Which is always a great option to have.
This controller also comes with a host of different colors to choose from. Ranging from normal colors to more unique powers like ‘Cherry Blossom” or ‘Midas.” The Instinct Pro also comes with removable faceplates meaning you can swap out how your controller looks if you desire a change.
The biggest downside of this controller is its price. Ranging around $219 – $230, this premium controller comes with a premium price tag. While having a lot of great features, there are more affordable controllers on the market with similar features at a fraction of the price.
#3 Turtle Beach Recon Controller
The third entry on this list is perfect for any gamer with an audiophile side. The Turtle Beach Recon Controller’s selling point comes from its “Superhuman Hearing” sound settings that allow you to pick up even the quietest sound while playing. The controller even comes with easy-to-access audio settings on the controller itself for quick changes while you play.
Pair that with two mappable buttons, and cooling grips that keep your hands dry, and you have a fun-to-use controller. This is the controller to get if you play a lot of online games and need to hear every footstep and shot that rings out. Even single-player games benefit from the enhanced audio settings as it helps you get immersed.
Unfortunately, this controller is wired only, which can be a turn-off for some people. The audio buttons also take up a fair bit of space on the controller. Despite that, the Recon comes at an incredibly affordable price that will run you around $60. A far cry from the prices of the previous two controllers on this list.
#2 PowerA FUSION Pro 3
The next controller on this list, and my personal controller of choice, is the PowerA FUSION Pro 3. This controller comes with four mappable buttons on the back, trigger locks, a detachable faceplate, swappable thumbsticks, and comfortable non-stick grips.
This controller feels good in hand, and having dropped my own controller way more times than I probably should, it’s fairly durable too. The detachable faceplate also makes it easy to clean out any dust and dirt that gets in between buttons.
Unfortunately, this controller isn’t without some of the issues. The Fusion Pro 3 is wired only, which means you’re locked to your console while you’re playing. The controller also lacks many colors and designs, even compared to other controllers in the PowerA series. Even with a detachable faceplate, there seems to be no alternative looks for the Fusion Pro 3.
Luckily the controller is fairly affordable running around $70 – $80. A great alternative to a premium controller, especially if you wait to grab it on sale.
#1 GameSir G7 SE
The final controller on this list and coming in a number 1 is the GameSir G7 SE. An excellent controller that is probably the most bang for your buck in terms of features on this list. This controller comes with two mappable buttons and swappable faceplates. Hall effect sticks, and fully customizable software.
There’s a lot to unpack with this inconspicuous controller. The first, and most interesting, is the Hall effect sensor thumbsticks. These special sticks use electromagnets to eliminate stick drift. A problem that has plagued me many times in the past. Furthermore, the G7 SE has full software remapping. Using the GameSir app you can create different controller profiles where you can change the button maps, vibration levels, trigger zones, and more.
The most surprising thing about this controller is its price. The GameSir G7 SE will run you about $40 – $50. A huge price difference from something like the Scuf Instinct Pro with comparable features.
Although plagued with the same issue a lot of 3rd party controllers have being wired only, it’s forgivable given how much else we’re getting for such a small price. The swappable faceplates also mean you can change out your controller color when you want to, and have easy access to clean out dust and dirt.
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