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Top 5 Best Budget Gaming Controllers 2024
The gaming controller market is awash with customizable, ergonomic options, both from OEMs and third parties. Yet, not everyone wants to spend over $50. Budget controllers provide an essential balance between cost and performance, though finding the right one can be a challenge amidst the many available choices. So, we’ve composed a brief consumer guide and reviewed the Top 5 Best Budget Controllers you can Buy in 2024.
Number 1. 8Bitdo Ultimate C Wireless Controller
An almost-perfect budget controller.
- Great color and shape design.
- Decent battery life.
- Comparable quality to the 8BitDo Ultimate.
- Packs extra features like analog triggers and anti-slip design.
- Steam controller input feels limited.
- No NFC/amiibo support.
- No Hall Effect sensors or gyro support.
The 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller is a cheap alternative of the Nintendo Switch gamepad but offers a good performance, all for under half the price of its fully-featured sibling. It is deficient in a few premium attributes: powerful remappable back buttons, a charging dock, 2.4GHz connectivity, and a Hall effect for the analog sticks. Even then, it impresses in the quality of the build and satisfying tactile response. And it has largely the same design as its more expensive brother, which means textured grips, responsive buttons, and good-working Bluetooth.
It gets its charge from a 480 mAh Li-on battery, which is good for 25 hours of gaming after a two-hour charge. The loss of the Hall effect sticks, arguably, will bring that longevity down a bit, but again, considering the price tag of $29.99, the Ultimate C is really an excellent value, more so perhaps as a spare or budget controller.
The Ultimate C is Nintendo Switch-compatible and, with some workarounds, also compatible with a PC, making it versatile for gamers who are looking for affordability without having to lose too much in quality.
The controller comes in three distinctive colors: blue, orange, and pink. Indeed, its design is rather practical, lacking lots of personality. Even with its minor cutbacks, the 8BitDo Ultimate C Bluetooth controller overall is a great, safe option for people who want a reliable, solid gamepad at an approachable cost.
Number 2. HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB
Best Controller for RGB Lovers.
- Hall Sensor sticks.
- Excellent for platforming.
- Ergonomic, comfortable design.
- ave up to four profiles.
- Big dead zones out of the box.
- No wireless option.
- Only two extra buttons.
The HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB is a wired controller for both Xbox and PC users who look at customization and have a hankering for that nostalgia. It has two easily remappable rear buttons, bright customizable RGB lighting that glows through its fully transparent shell with that retro electronics feel, low latency input, and a lightweight build. But there is a meaningful grip on this, being really slippery for longer play sessions.
Those in the category for whom a preference for something more textured and tactile might not find the smooth plastic finish of the triggers on the controller might suit the latter perfectly. Also, the RGB lighting may be a tad on the too bright side when in a lowly lit room, but this is customizable. The wired-only HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB controller for Xbox One, Series X/S, and PC comes in at just shy of $24 more than its impressive non-RGB offering—running it close to the price of a wireless first-party controller.
The only concern is that for such a price, its wired design and nearly 10-foot detachable USB-C cable could diminish its appeal to those who prefer wireless freedom—closer to the price of a normal Xbox controller.
While this makes the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB an aesthetically unique yet practical alternative, it is arguably not as intriguing of a choice since it is rather near in price to other more versatile first-party controllers—unless precise features such as rear buttons being customizable and a retro look are of priority.
Number 3. EasySMX X15 Wireless
A powerful low-cost controller.
- Multi-System Compatibility.
- Customizable Settings.
- Bluetooth or dongle wireless connection.
- RGB lighting adds style to the setup.
- Underwhelming battery life.
- Manual Required for Customization and Feature Understanding.
EasySMX X15 Wireless Controller, with its light build and budget price of $45, quickly impresses as an Xbox-like controller. It doesn’t give up on the aesthetic side and feels good in your grip even through extended gaming periods, considering its low cost. Versatile, working with Android, iOS, PC, and Nintendo Switch devices, it is also offered in two designs: a futuristic Mecha and a very vibrant Starfield one.
Performance-wise, it is faultless on the X15, where joysticks, buttons, and triggers really turn out to be responsive across light-hearted and action-eliminating games like Disney Dreamlight Valley and Devil May Cry: Peak of Combat. RGB lights add visual flair to it, while customizable vibration levels further improve gaming experiences.
Its battery life is equally inspiring—it’s quite easy to glide through really long sessions with the 1000mAh lithium battery. However, the clicking noise of the buttons can get a bit distracting, especially in the case of quieter games. Overall, the EasySMX X15 is a well-rounded, sci-fi-inspired controller that offers precision and comfort at an affordable price; therefore, it’s fitting to be rated as the best option for gamers on a budget.
Number 4. GameSir G7 SE Wired
Neat, lightweight, and robust budget controller.
- Multi-System Compatibility.
- Customizable Settings.
- Bluetooth or dongle wireless connection.
- RGB lighting adds style to the setup.
- Underwhelming battery life.
- Manual Required for Customization and Feature Understanding.
Wired controllers are often dismissed as inconvenient, but for budget gamers and multi-device users, they’re essential. GameSir’s G7 SE wired controller, while priced like a standard controller, stands out with its advanced hall effect joysticks. These joysticks use magnetic sensors instead of traditional analog circuits, reducing friction and stick drift—common issues with conventional controllers. It retails for $44.99, making it an excellent value for anyone in need of a reliable wired controller.
The G7 SE is notably lightweight, with a design that balances the weight to create a nearly weightless feel in hand, making it comfortable for long gaming sessions. Its ergonomic design includes textured grips and back buttons that are easy to reach and lock, enhancing overall gameplay.
Though the Xbox button is less responsive than expected, the controller excels with customizable features, including three onboard profiles and swappable faceplates. The GameSir Nexus app allows users to fine-tune everything from rumble intensity to joystick sensitivity, making the controller adaptable to any gaming style.
Despite its plastic shell, the G7 SE is built for durability and high performance. With hall effect triggers and joysticks offering superior precision, the G7 SE is a compelling choice for gamers, combining premium features at an affordable price. It’s a standout option in the wired controller market and beyond.
Number 5. PowerA Enhanced Wired
The perfect little brother controller.
- Programmable buttons.
- Physical volume toggle.
- Great Performance In Games.
- Physical volume toggle.
- Loud Buttons And Triggers.
- No wireless connectivity.
Uses old microUSB port instead of USB-C.The PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller is a solid alternative to the official Xbox Series X/S controller, offering almost identical functionality at a significantly reduced price. While wireless controllers have become standard, a wired option like this PowerA has its advantages too, such as a stable connection and no worries about the battery life.
The PowerA controller is much cheaper—frequently less than $30—adds programmable buttons and a volume toggle, but you get some trade-offs in return: namely, build quality isn’t as refined, and the cord is a microUSB rather than the more modern USB-C. Of course, this controller’s form factor feels chunkier and lighter than the official one; it has a traditional plus-shaped d-pad, and buttons don’t feel quite as tactile.
It does lack some of the features, however, such as being able to turn on the console or hook up accessories via an expansion port, and it’s not quite as smooth when pairing with smartphones. Even without these missing bits, the PowerA Enhanced Xbox Controller remains a great budget option, especially for those seeking out a reliable, cost-effective controller with some added bells and whistles.
It really is a perfect “little brother controller,” offering 90 percent of the functionality of the official Xbox controller at half of the price, making it an excellent choice for gamers on a budget.