I was sent a free EasySMX X15 controller to review for my blog. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review.
Whats in the box?
The controller comes with:
- 1 USB-C to USB-A braided charging cable
- 1 2.4G Wireless dongle
- 1 instructions manel
Features
The X15 is a stylish budget controller for the gamer who wants to upgrade their aesthetic but doesn’t want to go broke. Its beautiful RGB accents help it stand out against other controllers in the market, but they can also be toggled off for those who prefer a more subtle aesthetic. The controller comes in Mecha (black) or StarfieldI chose the Starfield version because I preferred the design, but it was not an easy choice.
The X15 supports wired, wireless, and Bluetooth connections, boasting up to 20 hours of gaming on a single charge. That said, the included braided cable is long enough to keep you gaming while charging your controller.
Most impotanlty, the EasySMX X15 features:
- Hall effect joy stick to eliminate the risk of stick drift
- Hall Triggers for smother inputs
- Tactile face buttons
- 2 additional programmable triggers on the bottom
- Textured grip
For only $39.99, the x15 is sounding like a very good deal.
Review
The EasySMX X15 is a beautiful controller, but one that will initially feel cheap. I was not a fan of how light this controller is compared to what I am used to. The face buttons also make a cheap plastic click when pressed which made me uneasy about the build quality. The more I used the controller, the less these issues became a problem.
The controller feels wonderful in my hands. The textured face buttons give the controller a hint of elegance, but it makes the buttons feel good to press. The controller is textured exactly where it needs to be, and the design fits comfortably in my hands. Most controllers, especially budget ones, tend to destroy my hands and leave me unable to play after only a few minutes. While the controller is not explicitly ergonomic, it is ergonomic enough to allow me to enjoy gaming with a controller.
As far as function, it works better than most budget controllers in its price range. The Hall effect triggers and joysticks don’t feel any better than a 1st party Xbox controller, but it feels a lot better than a cheap controller. Inputs seemed fine for the most part, but I did notice some games needed additional remapping. The additional triggers are easy to program and fantastic. They are in a good spot, easy to press, and responsive enough to make an impact. I can’t speak on how good the controller is for competitive play, but it was good enough for my Destiny 2 grind on PC, and some casual Genshin Impact on my iPad. Switching between devices is a pain, so you will probably want to keep this tied to one device.
I was pleasantly surprised by the controller’s battery life. I got pretty close to the boasted 20 hours of gaming with the RGB on. I didn’t test the life without the RGB because it looks so pretty, but I can only assume you get more.
As far as budget controllers go, the EasySMX X15 should be at the top of the list. Even with its flaws, you aren’t getting anything better at this price range.
You can pick up the EasySMX X15 for only $39.99 on the official website, or Amazon through my affiliate links.
