The EasySMX X05 Pro Controller is quite a competitive controller at its price range, and it’s an underrated and overlooked option among controllers that could 1.5x or even double its price. Coming in at around $30.99 to $35.99 via retail, the EasySMX X05 Pro works seamlessly on mobile devices, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, and it offers many features that premium controllers are just now adopting en masse. To make the deal sweeter, there’s no software that hinders the controller’s usage or requires frequent updates to get up and running.
Each EasySMX X05 Pro is designed with an ultra-quiet sound profile in mind with silicone-damped buttons, and it comes in four neat colorways—Black Rose Red, Black, Purple, and White. Every button press and trigger pull is quiet while still having enough feedback to feel comfortable for gameplay. This is perfect if you’re gaming alongside a sleepy significant other or family member. The reduction in button sounds doesn’t mean that EasySMX skimped out on overall quality, however.
EasySMX X05 Pro Controller is a Versatile Multi-Platform Option
For the price, the EasySMX X05 Pro Controller offers impressive features, a comfortable overall feel, and respectable build quality. You can take advantage of 11-bit Hall Effect joysticks that virtually eliminate stick drift and guarantee long-lasting durability. The controller’s dual-stage adjustable triggers and 2+2 rumble motors offer satisfying and realistic feedback. The triggers themselves are reminiscent of those found on the DualSense controller, so it’s a comfortable feel with each trigger pull. The EasySMX X05 Pro Controller in white is really beautiful in particular, and the RGB lighting is also bright and adjustable with five different modes.
The controller has two top-mounted programmable buttons next to the triggers, similar to many of 8bitdo’s controller offerings. These buttons are helpful for macros, shortcuts, or additional button assignments in supported games, and they are placed next to the bumpers and triggers to avoid accidental presses. In essence, you’re getting the benefits of paddles without erroneous presses. In addition, the silicone grip is sweat-resistant with a comfortable texture for your palms, and 8-way D-pad has quiet clicky switches with precise control in all your games. Personally, I’m more used to the feel of standard 4-way D-pad design, but I do appreciate this clicky D-pad.
Out of the box, each controller is ready for 2.4G wireless play (1000Hz) with the included USB dongle on PC. While in 2.4G wireless mode, Steam will pick up the controller as an Xbox 360 controller, but it will work on virtually any game that uses the standard Xbox layout, including The Relic: First Guardian. The 125Hz Bluetooth mode is just as great and supports play on mobile, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. A small slider on the back of the controller lets you switch between Switch/Switch 2 connectivity and mobile connectivity, but connecting to either platform is relatively the same. Simply hold the Home button for 5 seconds, and your device will recognize it within range.
As for wired, the controller will always run at 1000 Hz, so you can take advantage of that in a desk setup. The 1000mAh rechargeable battery is decent at best, offering around 8 hours or so on a single charge with vibration and other features enabled. If you don’t use vibration or turbo functionality, then you can probably get the most out of those 8 hours. To charge the controller, you can either charge via the USB-C port at the top or via the charging dock, which is a $10 added value on top of the controller at EasySMX.com.
The battery life and lack of compatibility with Xbox and PlayStation consoles are the only real downsides to this controller so far in my use case. Further, I was pleased to see that the only software you would really need for the controller is a simple firmware update from EasySMX’s support website. Even then, the update is not entirely necessary to get into gaming right away.
An Awesome Budget Controller for PC and Nintendo Gamers
These days, many gamers are gravitating toward Nintendo and PC platforms for their gaming experiences, and a controller like the EasySMX X05 Pro Controller is a solid pick for those needing a quick buy to play on both systems. Not only is the X05 Pro practical, precise, and comfortable to use, but it’s stylish enough to complement any desk setup. The quiet profile makes it perfect for late night gaming, and the ~$35 price is also very competitive for what it offers in the current controller market. I certainly recommend picking it up around the $30 spot on sale if you can in order to get the most bang for your buck.
Disclaimer: EasySMX provided a EasySMX X05 Pro Controller unit for review purposes.
