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The Scuf Envision Pro V2 has some of the best buttons and triggers I’ve ever used, but it’s massively let down by convoluted software

2:00 am | January 10, 2026

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: PC | Comments: Off

Scuf Envision Pro V2: two-minute review

Bespoke PC controllers are still fairly rare in the gaming accessory space, though it’s definitely a growing market. Most offer simple controllers, usually with Xbox button layouts and functionality, to cater to those who just want to play games on PC using the best PC controllers.

Then there’s the Scuf Envision Pro V2, which is positioned as a highly customizable and complex product that has many more buttons than a regular controller would usually have by default. This takes the Scuf Envision Pro into an even more niche area, for those who want the additional hotkeys and buttons offered by keyboard and mouse, but with the form factor and comfort of a controller. It’s an interesting idea, though one that I’m not sure will be all that useful to many players.

After using the Scuf Envision Pro for 30 hours, I’ve been impressed by its highly tweakable control schemes, its brilliantly designed buttons, and how it’s changed the way I play certain games like Fortnite and Marvel Rivals. Unfortunately, I’ve also run into countless issues that stem from the added complexity of a controller like this. The software is inconsistent, the onboarding is essentially non-existent, and the troubleshooting is particularly frustrating.

There’s a lot about the Scuf Envision Pro that’ll appeal to those who want to tinker away at every single aspect of their controller, but personally, I found the options overwhelming and rarely worth the time spent toying around in menus on my desktop. Mostly, I’ve come away questioning why someone who wants so much customization in a controller wouldn’t simply use a keyboard and mouse instead, and at the high cost of entry, the Scuf Envision Pro isn’t a gamepad I’d recommend to 90% of the gamers I know.

Still, it’s worth noting that the Scuf Envision Pro isn’t really supposed to be for everyone. The deep suite of programmable inputs, the on-board RGB lighting, and the ability to truly create a specialized controller of your own do amount to something quite special. If you do want full control over your gaming experience, then the Scuf Envision Pro is a very competitive offering, and one that actually feels good to hold and use.

I could certainly see some loving the process of configuring individual controller profiles, dialling in triggers, and setting custom hotkeys, but there’s a lot you have to put in before you really start seeing its full potential.

Scuf Envision Pro controller held in hand — (Image credit: Future)

As I’m spending a lot of my time reviewing gaming hardware at the moment, I’m growing to loathe the various software programmes that are often required to access a product’s full suite of functions. The Scuf Envision Pro requires Corsair’s iCue software for first-time setup. It’s a clunky affair that really could do with some onboarding tutorials, or even just more information on how to get started with the new controller.

Most frustrating is the instability of the iCue software’s connection to the controller itself. I’d regularly find myself unplugging and re-plugging the wired connection to get the controller to show up in the menus. Then there’s the switch on the back of the controller that must be flipped between wired and wireless modes. This switch isn’t something I’ve seen on controllers like this before, and it just adds another level of complexity to what is already a pretty tangled-up web connecting the Wired and Wireless modes.

While I do understand the extra levels of precision and control afforded by a keyboard and mouse setup, I’ve always preferred using a controller for one key reason – simplicity. The Scuf Envision Pro is anything but simple, though perhaps that’s the point. Even after 10 hours of fiddling with the Scuf Envision Pro, I was rarely able to just plug it in and play. Nor was I ever 100% sure what profile I was playing with, whether my controller was using the wireless or wired mode, and whether the RGB lighting was even displaying what I’d programmed it to.

When the Scuf Envision Pro does work, it works extremely well. Once I’d dialed in my settings for a few different games, and after digging into the iCue software, I was quite impressed by the functionality of the gamepad. I adore the form factor, in particular, as I’ve always gravitated towards symmetrical sticks and less bulky controllers. The design is sleek, but sturdy. It’s technically heavier than a PS5 DualSense controller, but it certainly doesn't feel like it. The buttons are a real standout, with an endlessly satisfying click to their action. Similarly, the d-pad features a nice clickiness, and the triggers feel smooth and snappy regardless of how you program them.

There’s a big issue with the price, especially for someone like me who just isn’t going to realistically make use of the majority of the features of the Scuf Envision Pro. Perhaps it could be a brilliant upgrade for PC gamers looking to play games like racing simulators, but I think for the more general gamer, there are very few use cases for the iCue software, or the bulk of the additional buttons on the controller itself.

Scuf Envision Pro V2 review: price and availability

$169.99 / £159.99
Priced around the same as the V1 was at launch
Not many direct competitors, but priced reasonably for the feature set and amount of buttons / paddles

The Scuf Envision Pro is difficult to compare to its competitors, given that it offers a frankly dizzying number of buttons and programmable features. Unless you’re set on making use of absolutely everything the Scuf Envision Pro has to offer, it’s tough to recommend it over something considerably cheaper, like the GameSir G7 Pro, which comes with drift-resisting TMR sticks and four extra buttons.

In terms of direct alternatives to the Scuf Envision Pro, you’re looking at the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, Xbox Elite Series 2, and potentially the DualSense Edge. None of these offer the same level of additional inputs and features as the Scuf Envision Pro, and all are slightly pricier. Still, I’d argue that these alternatives have a better user experience when swapping and customizing profiles, and have better software paired with the devices.

Given the Scuf Envision Pro’s mix of controller and keyboard/mouse features, however, you’re getting a lot for the money. The question is whether you actually need extra buttons in the center of the controller, and whether the side-mounted SAX buttons will be more of a hindrance or a useful addition to your setup.

Scuf Envision Pro controller in-box — (Image credit: Future)

Unlike its direct predecessor, the Scuf Envision Pro V2 does feature Hall Effect thumbsticks, aiming to eliminate the risk of stick drift. I’d expect this from a premium controller, but it’s still nice to see a noticeable upgrade on the previous iteration. Generally, most competitors also offer Hall Effect thumbsticks for a similar price, or TMR sticks.

All in all. It’s tough to say whether the Scuf Envision Pro is worth the high asking price, as this will largely come down to your own personal needs when picking up a PC-only controller. One thing to note is that unlike its competitors, the Scuf Envision Pro can only be used with Windows PCs. That means no consoles, and no Mac or Linux. For me, I’d be looking for a bit more versatility when choosing a premium controller, but if you only game on PC, you’ll be set.

Scuf Envision Pro V2 review: Specs

	Scuf Envision Pro
Price	$169.99 / £159.99 / AU$ 322 (estimated)
Weight	10.05oz / 362g
Dimensions	6.5 x 4.23 x 2.5in / 165 x 107.5 x 63.5mm
Compatibility	PC (Windows)
Connection type	Wireless, Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth
Battery life	19 hours
Features	Hall-Effect thumbsticks, adjustable triggers, back paddles, additional buttons on main deck, additional buttons on bumper areas, RGB lighting.
Software	iCue (Corsair; PC)

Scuf Envision Pro controller leaning against a wall — (Image credit: Future)

Scuf Envision Pro V2 review: design and features

Comfortable and premium build
Buttons have a great click when pushed
Triggers and additional buttons are all easy to reach and use

The Scuf Envision Pro is available in a very impressive suite of colors. I got the grey and orange design, and I really like how it looks out of the box. There are a ton of little details found on the sticks, along the edges of the triggers, and on the back grip that make the Scuf Envision Pro look sleek and high-end. I particularly like the little trackpad that blends seamlessly with the main body, and the clean look of the buttons against the faceplate.

Scuf tends to do things a bit differently when compared to its competitors in terms of button layout, especially in the placement of the back paddles. It took me a while to get used to where the four back buttons sit, as they’re lower down than other controllers I’ve used. After a while, though, they feel right, and you can swap out a bunch of the buttons for in-box replacements if you want to tweak things slightly.

I’m less sold on the SAX buttons, which sit up near the front bumper, along the sides of the controller. It’s very easy to press them with your index fingers when you’re not intending to, though you can remove them entirely if you wish. I attempted to get used to the SAX buttons rather than swapping them out, and never really managed to fit them into my custom control setups. They are useful for mapping grenades and ping functions in shooters; however, as long as you don’t accidentally hit them by mistake.

Scuf Envision Pro controller face down, showing back paddles — (Image credit: Future)

PC controllers tend to use the Xbox design layout for sticks, so it’s nice to see a symmetrical stick offering from Scuf here. I prefer the overall placement of the sticks to the official Sony gamepads, and really like how the form factor of the grips sits in your hands while holding the controller. Similarly, the buttons have some neat technology applied that makes the Scuf Envision Pro stand out. They’re more like mouse clicks than button presses, and I love how tactile and responsive they feel.

The other main design highlight for the Scuf Envision Pro is the five on-board G-Keys that run along the bottom of the controller. These can be mapped to whatever function you want, but are particularly useful for voice chat controls. They sit in a row surrounded by an RGB light bar, too, which can be customized with a range of colors. I found the light bar to be largely unnoticeable most of the time, as you need to be running iCue in the background while gaming to really make the most of them.

While the Scuf Envision Pro does lean on software for many of its design features, there are nice mechanical switches for the triggers. There’s a switch at the back too that toggles between wired and wireless inputs, but I never quite got the hang of switching them around, preferring to just wire in the controller to my PC. Build-wise, the Scuf Envision Pro is an impressive controller that feels bespoke and unique when compared to bulkier, more garish PC controllers.

Scuf Envision Pro V2 review: Performance

Fantastic response times from triggers and buttons
iCue can used to fully customize your experience
Settings can be stored on the controller and used without iCue

Purely as a gaming controller, the Scuf Envision Pro V2 works flawlessly. The triggers and buttons are responsive, and the additional buttons can really make the difference in competitive online games. It does focus heavily on software to open up its full suite of features, however, and this is where the majority of the problems lie.

Corsair’s iCue is designed very much like a keyboard and mouse macro software, and is quite unfriendly to those used to playing on controllers at first glance. You must install iCue to set up the controller first time, though you can actually just install the Scuf drivers and use the controller’s limited on-board features if you’d rather 9I wouldn't recommend this, given how much you're paying for those full features). There’s no real tutorial or handholding within iCue, and unless you already know what you’re doing with dead zones and triggers, you’ll likely be a bit overwhelmed at first. You can create a handful of custom profiles, each color-coded, and then mapped to the controller.

I do like that the settings are saved on the controller itself, well most of them at least, meaning you can use the center button to switch profiles on the fly. The main problem comes when you want to use the extended features of the Scuf Envision Pro (like the G-Keys), which require you to have iCue running in the background. This does have an impact on performance, and given the tendency for the iCue software to lose connection to the controller, having to tab out of a game to check what’s going on is a real pain.

The Corsair iCue software, showing customization options and menus — (Image credit: Corsair)

The only reason you’d spend this much on the Scuf Envision Pro is to make use of all the extra bells and whistles, but by tying things to iCue, Scuf has really made things difficult for users. I found that regardless of whether I was connected via wired or wireless mode, things would drop in and out as the controller lost connection every now and again. Upon connecting again, I was always unsure as to what mode the controller was actually in, what profile was active, and whether the back buttons were assigned correctly. This invariably led to my having to open iCue and scroll through several menus.

After 20 or so hours of testing, I just decided to stick with a wired connection, as wireless would often disconnect from iCue, disabling the back buttons, G-Keys, and sometimes even the triggers. Restarting iCue seemed to be the fix, but not one I wanted to be doing while playing a game on another screen. The Scuf Envision Pro’s complexity comes at a price, it seems, and with so many custom profiles to map, frequent software issues, and instances of on-board memory and software memory butting heads, I’m not sure the extra technology is really worth it for all but the most devoted of PC gamers.

The iCue software is easily the weakest part of the Scuf Envision Pro, and because it’s required for certain features to be unlocked, the hardware suffers as a result. As a premium PC controller, this is a great-feeling, highly responsive bit of kit. As an all-round package, I struggle to see who would bother spending so much time in iCue to really make the most of their purchase.

Should I buy the Scuf Envision Pro V2?

Buy it if...

You want unparalleled control over your controller’s settings
The level of customization available on the Scuf Envision Pro is truly unmatched. You’ll be able to map hotkeys, tweak the RGB lighting, and set custom profiles for deadzones and more.

You’re a PC-only gamer looking for a controller with additional buttons
The Scuf Envision Pro has a bunch of additional buttons when compared to a standard gamepad. There are four back paddles, side-mounted SAX buttons, and even 5 G-Key inputs. This is the most buttons I’ve ever used on a controller, and the possibilities for control schemes really are endless.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t want to rely on additional software
The iCue software is required to run in the background if you want to make the most of the Scuf Envision Pro. For those wary of performance and those who just want to plug and play, this isn’t the controller for you.

You don’t want to spend more on a premium controller that can only be used on PC
The Scuf Envision Pro is expensive, especially when you consider that it can only be used for Windows PC. Other alternatives will work on Mac, Xbox, and Linux, so it may be worth going for something more versatile if you play on multiple platforms.

Scuf Envision Pro review: Also consider

Still not sure if the Scuf Envision Pro V2 is for you? Here are two competitors that might better fit your needs.

	Scuf Envision Pro	Razer Wolverine V3 Pro	Xbox Elite Series 2
Price	$169.99 / £159.99	$199.99 / £199.99	$199.99 / £169.99
Weight	10.05oz / 362g	14.72oz / 418g	12.16oz / 345g
Dimensions	6.5 x 4.23 x 2.5in / 165 x 107.5 x 63.5mm	8.86 x 8.7 x 3.23in / 157 x 105 x 100mm	3.07 x 7.29 x 7.23in / 193 x 193 x 90.9 mm
Compatibility	PC (Windows)	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Mobile
Connection type	Wireless, Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth	Wireless (2.4GHz dongle), Wired (USB Type-C)	Wireless, Bluetooth, Wired
Battery life	19 hours	12-13 hours	40 hours
Software	iCue (Corsair)	Razer Controller App	Xbox Accessories App

Razer Wolverine V3 Pro
This controller is more expensive than the Scuf Envision Pro, but you can also use it on Xbox. Generally, it’s a heavier and bulkier product, and lacks the additional button count of the Envision Pro. Still, its software and higher ease of use will make it more accessible for the majority of players looking for a PC controller.

For more information, check out our full Razer Wolverine V3 Pro review.

Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2
For those looking for a sturdy, premium controller that works on PC and Xbox, you can’t really go wrong with the Elite Series 2. It features four back paddles, and you can swap out stick inputs and other build aspects. The battery life is much higher here, and you can use the Elite Series 2 controller on mobile, Mac, as well as PC and Xbox. For the extra money, it’s a much more plug-and-play alternative, and one that’s often on sale.

For more information, check out our full Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller review.

How I tested the Scuf Envision Pro

Tested for a month, playing Marvel Rivals, Fortnite and Battlefield 6
Used primarily in default control scheme, but tested button mapping, and profile swapping functions
Tested in wireless and wired modes, and used iCue to dial in deadzones, trigger settings, and lighting options

I used the Scuf Envision Pro controller with a gaming laptop, and with the Corsair iCue software downloaded. Occasionally, I’d use the controller in wireless mode, but I found the wired connection to be much more stable. Over time, I dug into the iCue software to create custom profiles, tweak deadzones, and experiment with the SAX button inputs.

After tweaking the Scuf Envision Pro, I primarily mapped the extra buttons to voice chat inputs. The SAX buttons were great for triggering grenades in FPS games, while the G-Keys were mostly used to mute and switch voice chat functions.

First reviewed December 2025-January 2026

Read more about how we test

The Astro A20 X doesn’t get any points for originality, but it’s still a great gaming headset

4:00 pm | December 26, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming Gaming Accessories | Tags: Final Fantasy, PC | Comments: Off

Astro A20 X: Two-minute review

The Astro A20 X is basically a jazzed-up version of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed - but is that such a bad thing? That latter headset is, in my eyes, one of the best wireless gaming headsets of the year, and many of its strongest qualities have carried forward into the Astro A20 X.

You’re still getting fantastic, well-balanced sound that, despite lacking a bit of bass out of the box, can be easily tweaked to perfection in the strong Logitech G Hub companion software. On PC, there’s support for DTS Headphone:X too, which delivers immersive spatial audio that’s perfect for immersive story titles like Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.

It features the same excellent detachable 48kHz microphone, which picks up your voice clearly when you’re chatting on services like Discord, and the handy red LED indicator that tells you when it’s muted.

The level of comfort offered by the headset is unchanged, too. It’s lightweight but feels suitably durable, with plush earcups and a pleasantly soft headband. The design looks bulky on my head, but it's hard to complain about this too much when it’s so comfortable to wear.

The Astro A20 X gaming headset on a wooden desktop surface. — (Image credit: Future)

So what is actually new this time around? The big new addition isn’t found on the headset itself, but rather what else you get in the box. The Astro A20 X comes bundled with a small Playsync base and two USB Type-C cables. This is its wireless dongle, and it can be plugged into two different systems at the same time.

Tapping a tiny new button found on the back of the headset itself switches between the two systems almost instantaneously, which is a game-changer if you’re like me and use a PlayStation 5 and PC (or Xbox and PC) with the same display. The feature works fantastically, but I can’t help but feel that the use of the Astro branding is a bit of a misstep from Logitech.

Sure, Astro products do generally support multiple platforms - but the headset’s design looks nothing like existing models like the Astro A50 X or Astro A10.

It doesn’t even have an Astro logo on it - bearing the same Logitech G branding as the Logitech G522 Lightspeed. As a big fan of the Astro brand, there’s something a little sad about seeing it lose some of its identity like this.

Astro A20 X: Price and availability

Costs $179.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99
More expensive than the G522 Lightspeed
Worth it if you use multiple platforms

At $179.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99, the Astro A20 X is priced just a touch higher than the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, which costs $159.99 / £139.99 / AU$299.99. It can be found at most of the same retailers, meaning Amazon and Best Buy in the US or Amazon, Currys, and Argos in the UK. In Australia, it can be purchased at Amazon and JB Hi-Fi.

Whether the extra $20 / £30 / AU$50 is worth it compared to the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is largely going to come down to your platform preferences. If you use two or more platforms in the same setup, the Astro A20 X makes a lot of sense and will be the more convenient option.

At this increased price point, you will need to consider alternatives like the Razer BlackShark V3 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless more seriously, though. That latter model is significantly cheaper at $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$139.95 and offers similarly good audio quality, though you do miss out on the convenient platform switching.

Astro A20 X: Specs

Price	$179.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99
Weight	10.23oz / 290g
Compatibility	PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android, iOS
Connection type	Bluetooth, Lightspeed Wireless, Wired USB-C
Battery life	40 hrs (default lighting), 90hrs (RGB off)
Features	Detachable 48kHz / 16 bit omni microphone, Lightsync RGB, Playsync Base
Software	Logitech G Hub (PC) / Logitech G app (mobile)

Astro A20 X: Design and features

Almost identical to the G522
New platform switching button and base
Spatial audio support on PC

Logitech hasn’t taken any risks with the design of the Astro A20 X, making only minimal changes compared to the G522 Lightspeed. On the headset itself, the only noticeable change is two extra buttons on the back of the right earcup.

One is a volume mix rocker that increases or decreases the volume of a call compared to your game, while the other is a little red switching button. This works in tandem with the new Playsync Base - a super compact dongle that connects to two systems with USB Type-C.

The front of the base features two LED lights, which illuminate to denote your selected input device. On the back, you’ll find the two USB Type-C ports and two little switches.

These switches are labeled Xbox / USB and PC / USB, respectively, and should be selected depending on what you have plugged in. Luckily, a useful guide is printed on the bottom of the Base to tell you what you need to choose if you want to use a PC, Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch.

The Base has two little rubber feet that help it grip the surface of your desk a little better, though I find that it can still slip off from time to time. The base is very, very light, and even just the weight of the plugged-in USB cables can move it around.

The new platform switching aside, the Astro A20 X otherwise boasts identical features to the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, with highlights like PC spatial audio support and customizable RGB zones on each earcup. The colorways of the Astro A20 X are also slightly different from the G522 Lightspeed. There’s still a Black and White option, but both feature red accent colors rather than blue.

Astro A20 X: Performance

Comfortable to wear
High quality audio
Great microphone

Being nearly identical to the excellent G522 Lightspeed, it’s very hard to fault the performance of the Astro A20 X.

It sounds great out of the box, though as with that headset, I would personally use the companion Logitech G Hub software to crank the low frequencies (20Hz, 50Hz and 125Hz) up by 3dB, 2dB, and 1dB then add 0.5dB at the higher end for slightly better all-round sound as the bass is a little weak by default.

You can access all the same good presets of the G522 Lightspeed with the Astro A20 X, too, including a bass boost mode, gaming mode, dedicated FPS mode, and a media mode, or download hundreds of alternatives created by the community.

The microphone is indistinguishable too. It’s high-fidelity at 48kHz and picks up your voice well, though it does tend to allow in background noise, so I would suggest making sure the noise cancellation features of the Logitech G Hub software are on.

Battery life is identical to the G522 as well, and in my testing, I easily managed a touch over 40 hours with RGB enabled, which is a decent result.

On top of all this, the new platform switching feature works flawlessly with no noticeable delay, swapping you over, and has no issues with pairing.

Should I buy the Astro A20 X?

Buy it if...

You play on two systems on one display
The platform switching feature of the Astro A20 X makes it a great choice if you play on a console and PC or two consoles via the same display.

You’d like strong audio and a great mic
The Astro A20 X has the same audio chops as the G522 Lightspeed. It sounds clear and crisp out of the box, with a killer microphone to boot.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t need to frequently swap platforms
If you’re only going to be playing on one system or don’t switch between them often, you're better off with the G522. Moving its dongle between machines isn’t too much of a hassle, and you’ll save some cash.

Also consider...

Not sold on the Astro A20 X? Here are two other options to consider, including the original Logitech G522 Lightspeed.

	Astro A20 X	Logitech G522 Lightspeed	SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
Price	$179.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99	$159.99 / £139.99 / AU$229	$129.99 / £129.99 / AU$139.95
Weight	10.23oz / 290g	10.22oz / 290g	9.5oz / 266g
Compatibility	PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android, iOS	PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android, iOS	Xbox Series X\|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile
Connection type	Bluetooth, Lightspeed Wireless, Wired USB-C	Bluetooth, Lightspeed Wireless, Wired USB-C	Wireless (2.4GHz via dongle), Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth 5.3
Battery life	40 hrs (default lighting), 90hrs (RGB off)	40 hrs (default lighting), 90hrs (RGB off)	Up to 60 hours
Features	Detachable 48kHz / 16 bit omni microphone, Lightsync RGB, Playsync Base	Detachable 48kHz / 16 bit omni microphone, Lightsync RGB	360-degree spatial audio, retractable ClearCast 2.X mic
Software	Logitech G Hub (PC) / Logitech G app (mobile)	Logitech G Hub (PC) / Logitech G app (mobile)	SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Companion App (mobile), SteelSeries GG

Logitech G522 Lightspeed
The Logitech G522 Lightspeed is nearly identical to the Astro A20 X minus the platform switching feature, but it comes in cheaper. You can still use it with multiple systems if you’re willing to manually swap the dongle or Bluetooth pairing each time.

For more information, check out our full Logitech G522 Lightspeed review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
The SteelSeries Arcis Nova 5 is an absolute titan of the mid-range headset demographic and becomes a seriously tempting option compared to the Astro A20 X. It’s much cheaper, but still offers great sound - you do lose the functionality of the Playsync Base though.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review

How I tested the Astro A20 X

Tested for multiple months
Tried with a wide range of games
Tested with PC, Xbox, and PS5

I tested the Astro A20 X over a period of multiple months, using it with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. In that time, I played plenty of games with it, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and subsequently Black Ops 7, plus the likes of Astro Bot, Sniper Elite: Resistance, Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Lego Horizon Adventures, Dead Island 2, and more.

Throughout my time with the headset, I compared its performance to a range of other models that I’ve tested, including the Logitech G522 Lightspeed and SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, plus more premium alternatives like the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and Astro A50 X.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September-December 2025

Corsair’s new Void v2 MAX Wireless takes one of the best mid-range gaming headsets and makes it even better

9:00 pm | December 25, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Nintendo Switch, PC | Comments: Off

Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless review: one-minute review

If you’re in the market for a new headset, you don’t want to sleep on Corsair’s new Void Max Wireless V2. It’s the upgraded version of the Corsair Void Wireless V2, one of the best wireless gaming headsets we’ve tested, adding Sonarworks SoundID through iCue and simultaneous dual connectivity to the mix, to the tune of a small price increase.

It offers solid connectivity, offering both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth across PC, PlayStation 5 (using the dongle), Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, and mobile, with an Xbox version sold separately. Plus, with extensive battery life of up to 130 hours over Bluetooth and up to 70 hours over wireless, the Void v2 MAX is comfortable and performs great on test, making it a fantastic headset for long gaming sessions.

Still, I wish it had a wired option, and perhaps a detachable microphone – that would have perfectly rounded out the feature set in this Max version, for me, but it’s nonetheless a fantastic mid-range option with ample fun and useful features.

Corsair VOID Max Wireless v2 — (Image credit: Future)

Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless review: price and availability

List price: $149.99 / £119.99 / AU$249
Announced September 2025
Lands in the mid-range of wireless gaming headsets

Sitting comfortably in the mid-range price bracket, Corsair’s Void v2 MAX Wireless justifies its price with a neat design, decent customizability and some great sound smarts, offering a slightly more interesting look and experience than the more budget-friendly alternatives. It skips the deluxe design, features and audio specs from much more pricey options like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite while still hitting the mark on most of the must-haves.

It’s $30 / £20 / AU$60 more expensive than the original Void v2 Wireless released in April 2025, and while it largely offers the exact same experience, the added option for simultaneous 2.4Ghz and Bluetooth connectivity in addition to the Sonarworks SoundID through iCue sweetens the deal.

Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless review: Specs

	Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless
Price	$149.99 / £119.99 / AU$249
Weight	10.7oz / 303g
Drivers	Custom 50mm driver
Compatibility	PC, PS5 (with dongle), Nintendo Switch 1 and 2, Mobile. Xbox version sold separately.
Connection type	Simultaneous 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connections.
Battery life	Up to 70 hours (2.4GHz), Up to 130 hours (Bluetooth)
Features	Custom 50mm Neodymium drivers, omnidirectional microphone, RGB lighting, dual connectivity, custom button mapping
Software	Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio (PC), Corsair iCUE (PC), Tempest 3D Audio (PS5)

Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless review: Design and features

Easy, quick connectivity
Stylish design
Flip-to-mute mic – but it’s not detachable

There are no significant design changes between the standard and Max versions of Corsair’s Void v2 headset. Out of the box, the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless comes with just the headset, USB 3.0 dongle, USB 3.0-to-USB-C charging cable, and a QR code to open out the instruction manual.

Available in white and black, the design of these headsets is sleek yet unmistakably gamer-coded headsets thanks to the two slim RGB light strips. The geometric cups are cushioned with breathable memory foam padding, and the adjustable frame ensures a comfortable fit over your head. There are two buttons on the left: one to turn the headset on and off, and the other is customizable to different functions, as well as a small scroll wheel to control the volume on the side.

Corsair VOID Max — (Image credit: Future)

The mic arm can be flipped up to mute input or keep it out of your face when not in use, but it’s a real shame they didn’t opt to make it removable for this more premium option – if they had, these would be more socially acceptable to use in place of the best wireless headphones while you’re out and about. Instead, the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless remains confined to my gaming desk. To the same end, I wish they’d offered a dongle adapter with this version; the USB 3.0 receiver feels dated when many consoles and machines are moving towards USB-C.

After charging, it’s simple to set up the headset; if you’re using the dongle, it’ll automatically pair with your headset, or you can pair via Bluetooth by pressing and holding the lower of the two buttons on the left side of the headset. When using the Void v2 MAX Wireless on PC, you’ll want both the Dolby Access app and the Corsair iCUE software; the former allows you to enable Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, while the latter offers device customisation. When playing on PS5, simply head to the console’s sound settings and enable the Tempest 3D Audio.

Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless review: Performance

Superb battery life
Lightweight and comfortable in use
Excellent audio performance

As you can expect from Corsair, performance is reliably good across the board. The audio and microphone quality is great, and they’re comfortable to wear, to boot.

I’ve been using the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless as my main gaming headset for a month, often playing for hours on end, and I’ve yet to experience any discomfort. Its memory foam cushions, lightweight design and excellent battery life make it a go-to for extended gameplay sessions, whether I’m hooked up to my Nintendo Switch 2, PS5 or my PC.

I’m still not quite over my Baldur’s Gate 3 era, and the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless headset was the perfect companion to enjoy the rich audio landscape of the Sword Coast and the lively voice acting of its fantastic cast. The headset’s noise suppression works wonderfully in tandem with iCue software’s EQ, meaning everything was rendered with great clarity and depth. I also spent some time in Valorant on PS5, finding it super easy to pick out environmental cues thanks to the impressive audio clarity and Tempest 3D Audio.

Dual connectivity worked well on test, and came in handy a few times I wanted to answer calls or listen to a podcast on my phone while playing a less audio-reliant game, and when I used the headset to chat with friends over Discord, I received several comments on the solid microphone quality.

Best of all, I could complete most of my testing without ever needing to recharge the headset, because it offers around 70 hours of battery life via 2.4GHz wireless and an impressive up to 130 hours on Bluetooth; based on my testing, that’s an accurate benchmark from Corsair.

Should you buy the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless?

Buy it if...

You want long battery life
Offering an impressive up to 70 hours of battery life via 2.4GHz wireless and up to 130 hours on Bluetooth, you can game for days on end without reaching for your charging port.

You want dual connectivity
If you’ve got a burning desire to listen simultaneously across devices or be able to take calls while gaming, this presents an easy option.

You want a great all-rounder
It’s simple to use, comfortable, offers great connectivity, looks great, and performs well on test; what more can you ask for?

Don't buy it if...

You were hoping for Xbox compatibility
Unfortunately, the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless isn't compatible with Xbox, although there is a specific model available for Xbox users.

You have a premium headset already
While it’s really impressive for its price point, the Void v2 MAX Wireless isn’t a premium headset-beater, so you’re best off sticking with a pricier model if you already own it.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless? Here’s how it compares to more of the best gaming headsets.

	Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless	Razer BlackShark V3 Pro	SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Price	$149.99 / £119.99 / AU$249	$249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510	$349.99 / £329.99 / AU$649.00
Weight	10.7oz / 303g	12.9oz / 367g	11.9oz / 337g
Compatibility	PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android	PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, iOS, Android	PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
Connection type	Wireless (via USB 3.0 dongle), Bluetooth	Wireless (via USB 3.0 dongle), Bluetooth	Wireless (via base station), Bluetooth, 3.5mm wired
Battery life	Up to 70 hours	Up to 70 hours	Up to 44 hours
Features	Custom 50mm Neodymium drivers, omnidirectional microphone, RGB lighting, dual connectivity, custom button mapping	Razer TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers, advanced passive noise isolation, detachable microphone, dual connectivity	Custom 40mm Neodymium drivers, retractable microphone, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, dual connectivity, AI-powered noise-canceling mic
Software	Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio (PC), Corsair iCUE (PC), Tempest 3D Audio (PS5)	THX Spatial Audio (PC), Windows Sonic Spatial Audio (PC/Xbox), Tempest 3D Audio (PS5)	360 Sonar Spatial Audio (PC), Tempest 3D Audio (PS5)

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
It’s a fair bit pricier, but the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is one of the best gaming headsets we’ve reviewed. Offering much the same features but throwing Xbox compatibility into the mix as well as awesome ANC, it’s a superb set of wireless audio-givers.

For more information, check out our full Razer BlackShark V3 Pro reviewView Deal

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Again, a pricier option compared to Corsair’s Void Max v2, but with a few extra features that sweeten the deal, such as a wireless base station for dual connectivity rather than one through Bluetooth, plus a fully retractable mic that makes it a little more discreet if you want to use them while you’re out and about.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless reviewView Deal

How I tested the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless

Used as my main gaming headset for four weeks
Connected to my Nintendo Switch 2, PC and PS5
Played a variety of games across genres

Typically, I use my iconic Razer Kraken Kitty V2 wired headset, but putting this to one side to try the Corsair Void v2 MAX Wireless granted a better all-round experience and the benefits of dual connectivity. I used it with my Nintendo Switch 2, gaming PC, and PlayStation 5, playing everything from first-person shooters to RPGs like Baldur’s Gate III and Assassin's Creed: Shadows to see how the headset works in different environments.

I used all of the advertised features, and exhaustively used the headset over my four weeks of testing to see what the long-term experience is like and ensure comfort, performance, and software all work as promised.

First reviewed November-December 2025

Read more about how we test

The Competitor is a no-nonsense symmetrical Xbox controller that barely puts a foot wrong

8:00 pm | December 19, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Final Fantasy, PC, UK, US | Comments: Off

The Competitor: one-minute review

The Competitor is an Xbox and PC-compatible controller from manufacturer Hyperkin that adopts a DualSense-like appearance and symmetrical thumbstick layout. While it does feature niceties like drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and triggers, I’ve found it to be a blissfully simple controller.

The Competitor has no fancy RGB lighting, no gyro sensors, no trigger locks, no wireless connectivity options, and no supporting apps or software. It’s also impressively cheap, has a nice design, and a great idea or two of its own. Its straightforward nature serves it well, and it’s one reason why it’s one of the best Xbox controllers I’ve tested in quite a while.

Some of my favorite controllers in recent years have been the likes of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and GameSir Tarantula Pro - both gamepads that are stuffed with desirable features that definitely make their price tags trend upward. The Competitor’s stripped-back, simplistic nature is actually quite refreshing in comparison, and is a staunch reminder that controllers don’t need to be a smorgasbord to remain appealing in the contemporary market.

There are some slight missteps. I’ve never been a fan of the PlayStation-style D-pad adopted here, the Menu and Share buttons are rather awkwardly-placed, and - while this is certainly personal preference and not indicative of The Competitor’s quality - it lacks wireless connectivity. Though at its relatively low price point, it’s easy to forgive these shortcomings.

The Competitor review: price and availability

List price: $49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)
Available from most major retailers in the US and UK
Compares in price to similarly cheap controllers like the GameSir Kaleid

You can get The Competitor today for $49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95), making it one of the cheaper Xbox and PC controllers that’s actually worth recommending. Readily available at Amazon in the US and the UK, you’ll also likely find it at your local retailers of choice, including Best Buy in the US and Argos in the UK.

The cheaper Xbox controller spectrum has gotten broader in recent years, with pads like the GameSir Kaleid ($49.99 / £59.99) and 8BitDo Pro 2 ($44.99 / £39.99) also coming in at similar price points. The Competitor, rather fittingly, has some tough competition in the space, then, but I’d definitely say it’s comparable in quality to those aforementioned pads.

The Competitor review: Specs

Price	$49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)
Weight	7.1oz / 200g
Dimensions	6.2 x 5.0 x 2.5in / 158 x 127 x 64mm
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type	Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	N/A

The Competitor review: design and features

The Competitor differs from most Xbox controllers in its symmetrical thumbstick layout and design that’s practically identical to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller. You’ll find the same boomerang-esque shape here, with similarly designed D-pad and face buttons.

I wouldn’t say build quality is luxurious, certainly not up to the DualSense standard, but it does the job at its price point. That is to be expected, though, given the lower price. Otherwise, nothing about the controller screams cut corners or lazy design; it’s an extremely tight ship. Usually, you’d expect one or two blemishes to stand out on budget-friendly controllers.

But my only issues, really, are the slightly awkward placement of the central Menu and Share buttons, as well as the spongy-feeling PlayStation-style d-pad. However, the latter comes down to personal preference more than anything else.

The color scheme of The Competitor is quite pleasing, too. It sports a black and white aesthetic in a sort of ‘X’ pattern across the front of the pad. The face buttons and d-pad have a translucent, glossy finish that feels quite nice against your thumbs, too.

The Competitor review: Performance

The Competitor is a strictly wired controller. However, that’s not strange at its relatively low price point, so easy to forgive. That said, if you’d prefer a wireless model, you may be better off checking out similarly priced gamepads like the Xbox Wireless Controller or 8BitDo Pro 2.

What isn’t a guarantee for cheap controllers is the inclusion of drift-resisting Hall effect thumbsticks, but they are here on The Competitor. The sticks themselves feel great, too, with solid responsiveness and a rugged textured finish around the edges.

The Competitor features two remappable buttons on the rear of the controller. And these are easy enough to customize by holding the mapping button on the back, in conjunction with one of these rear buttons and one of the main ones on the front.

These remappable buttons are assigned by default, which I typically find a touch annoying. However, this is alleviated by a handy feature you don’t see on all that many controllers. There are lock switches for both remappable buttons, which can prevent them from being pressed in entirely. It’s arguably a bit of a workaround to keep them unassigned, but I welcome the ability to manually enable or disable them in such a way.

Should I buy The Competitor?

Buy it if...

You want an affordable, effective controller
The Competitor simply does what it says on the tin (or, um, the cardboard box, I suppose). It’s a straightforward gamepad with no obvious flaws, available at a fittingly competitive price point.

You’re looking for a drift-beating option with light features
Hall effect sticks and two remappable buttons are present here. It’s on the lighter side in terms of features, but it’s really all a controller at this price needs to stand out.

Don't buy it if...

You want a more robust D-pad
Some game genres, like fighting games and platformers, benefit from a more well-rounded d-pad than the one on The Competitor. I actually love the circular design of the Xbox Wireless Controller's d-pad, and would recommend it over The Competitor if that's something that will be important to you.

You’re on PS5
The Competitor isn’t compatible with PlayStation hardware, despite the DualSense-looking design. Consider checking out our best PS5 controllers guide if you’re shopping for a Sony gamepad instead.

The Competitor review: Also consider

If The Competitor isn’t quite competitive enough for you, here are a couple other options very much worthy of consideration.

	The Competitor	Xbox Wireless Controller	GameSir Super Nova
Price	$49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)	$59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74	$44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89
Weight	7.1oz / 200g	8.5oz / 241g	9.3oz / 263g
Dimensions	6.2 x 5.0 x 2.5in / 158 x 127 x 64mm	5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 150 x 105 x 60mm	6.1 x 4.2 x 2.3in / 156 x 106 x 59mm
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC	PC, Switch, Switch 2
Connection type	Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (Xbox), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	N/A	Varies, around 20-40 hours	15 hours

Xbox Wireless Controller
Always an incredibly solid choice, the official Xbox Wireless Controller isn’t big on bonus features, but it offers incredible reliability and is available in countless color options these days.

Read our full Xbox Wireless Controller review

GameSir Super Nova
While losing Xbox compatibility, this is a fantastic and affordable wireless controller for PC and the Switch family of consoles. I’d go for this one if you’re after a PC controller and interested in a budget-friendly wireless option. Oh, it comes with a charging dock and some lovely color options, too.

Read our full GameSir Super Nova review

How I tested The Competitor

Tested for one week
Primarily tested on PC
Played a wide range of games

I tested The Competitor over the course of about a week, putting the wired wonder through its paces primarily on a gaming PC with my Steam library. All my go-to games were present here, including Final Fantasy 14 Online, Tekken 8, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Tokyo Xtreme Racer.

Given the shape and feel of the controller, I tried to compare the experience of playing with The Competitor to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller. Obviously, the PlayStation controller is more feature-rich, with bespoke haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as its touchpad. Build quality isn’t quite as strong with The Competitor, in comparison, but it’s certainly not miles off, given the price.

First reviewed December 2025

Read more about how we test

I tested the Geekom AX8 Max – and this mini PC is ideally balanced for the office, but I’m not sold on the color

10:47 am | December 18, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: CPU, PC, RAM | Comments: Off

Geekom AX8 Max: 30-second review

The Geekom AX8 Max is a mid-range mini PC designed for office workers using Microsoft Office and Google Docs, but also needing a machine powerful enough for some light multimedia editing. Inside is a relatively powerful AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS CPU, complemented by an integrated Radeon 780M graphics processor that enables support for up to 4 displays or a single 8K monitor.

The small size of the machine is ideal for small home offices as well as general offices, with plenty of connection options for easy integration. One of the features I always like to see on a mini PC is a VESA mount on the back, so it can be neatly tucked away, further helping to save space.

The Geekom AX8 Max is a well-specified mid-range machine, and this is reflected in its price point. The mix of a new AI-ready CPU and PCIe Gen4 SSD all comes together in a solid mini PC that will suit many different types of users, although Geekom have tried to make this mini PC a little more interesting by giving it a slightly peculiar pale blue colourway.

For most day-to-day office tasks, the AX8 Max fares exceptionally well, ploughing through large PowerPoint presentations without issue. When working with Word and Excel on dual 4K monitors, it takes the whole process in its stride. Surprisingly for a mid-range machine, it also handles Premiere Pro, editing HD and straight 4K video, as long as the edits don't get too complex and there isn't too much colour grading applied. However, as the render process builds up for more complex projects, you can start to hear the fans kick in, helping to keep everything cool and avoid any thermal throttling.

Having edited a 30-minute video, it was possible to feel that some thermal throttling was happening, as the inner workings of the machine were pushed with 4K video from the Sony A7 IV. However, considering the form factor, it fared incredibly well, and whilst the fans were audible, they were by no means the loudest I’ve come across.

In reality, mobile phone 4K and HD video is better suited for editing on this machine. While it does have the power to edit higher resolution video, the limited upgrade options when it comes to memory, with maximum internal storage only reaching 2 TB and RAM capped at 64 GB, mean even with an upgrade, it only has enough clout for base 4K video editing, with little headroom if effects do get more complex.

When it comes to storage, there is the ability to upgrade the internal capacity. However, with two USB4 ports on the back, you have instant expandability with external SSDs that will provide very decent 40 GB/s transfer rates.

Another point that lends itself towards office use is the wide range of connectivity options. There are plenty of USB-A ports across the front, but unfortunately, no USB-C. Around the back, there’s a full array of HDMI, USB-A and USB4 ports, including network LAN, meaning if you’re working in an office, it’s easy to hook this into your network as well as connect accessories.

Like many of the best mini PC machines I've tested this year, the performance all around is exceptionally good. While its Windows Experience score was like other mid-range machines, an exceptionally fast SSD and DDR5 RAM ensure most applications run quickly and smoothly, giving extremely solid performance throughout the test.

Gaming, as with multimedia editing, is well-handled, but again, the fans kick in with anything too complex. Most games play without issue, and if you're into just a bit of light gaming, even with high-end titles, this small machine will suffice.

My only other comment on this machine is the colorway, which appears to be pale blue. While this machine is exceptionally good considering its mid-range profile, that seems a bit of an odd choice.

Geekom AX8 Max: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From £629 / $629
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from Geekom or Amazon.com

The price of mid-range mini PCs has definitely escalated, but then again, so has the processing power. The Geekom AX8 Max certainly raises the bar when it comes to what we now expect from a machine at this price level.

The review machine I tested will set you back around $629 directly from the Geekom website and can also be purchased through most major online retailers, including Amazon.com.

Value: 4 / 5

Geekom AX8 Max: Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS
Graphics: AMD Radeon 780M integrated GPU
RAM: Dual‑channel DDR5, up to 64 GB
Storage: M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4×4 SSD, up to 2 TB
Front Ports: 4 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 3.5mm headphone, Power
Rear Ports: DC Jack, HDMI 2.0, 2 x USB4, 2 x 2.5G RJ45
Connectivity: Dual 2.5G LAN, Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Audio: HDA CODEC
Size: approx. 135 × 132 × 46.9 mm
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro (64-bit)
Accessories: VESA mount, HDMI cable, power adapter, user manual

Geekom AX8 Max: Design

Geekom mini PCs have continued to evolve, and with the AX8 Max, you can see an update in the quality of the design. The small mini PC feels exceptionally well built and robust, with a metal chassis that means it's equally at home in a static office setup, used in a van, or taken between locations as a powerful portable mini PC. As a choice for Van Life it’s also well suited offering more protection against moisture, shock and dust than most.

As I mentioned earlier in the review, while the build quality of the mini PC is exceptionally good, it is finished in a slightly peculiar colourway which will appeal to some, but for me personally is a little off-putting and doesn’t really feel very office-centric.

The size is also on the larger side for a mini PC, measuring 135 x 132 x 46.9 mm, still small, but slightly larger than what we've seen recently. Weight-wise, it's also well balanced, coming in at 800 g for the machine with an additional weight for the power adapter, meaning it's equally at home placed on the desktop or mounted onto a VESA mount and placed out of sight behind a monitor or on a dedicated wall mount.

Despite the colourway, it does have a premium finish, and this is reflected in the slightly higher mid-range pricing. This also reflects the quality of the internal components that enable this mid-range mini PC to make an impact with higher-demand applications that would have overwhelmed some older mid-range options.

Around the body, there's a good volume of ports. Across the front of the machine, there are 4 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and the power button. It is a bit of a shame there’s no USB Type-C on the front of any denomination. However, around the back, again, there's a good volume of ports. Alongside the DC jack for power, there are also 2 HDMI 2.0 ports, 2 USB4 ports, 2 2.5G RJ45 ports, a USB 2.0 Type-A and a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A — enabling accessories both new and old to be plugged in without much issue.

Inside the machine, there is dual-channel DDR5 5600 MT/s RAM with a maximum of 64 GB. In the review sample, it arrived with 32 GB of RAM — more than enough for day-to-day office tasks and just enough for light multimedia editing. Surprisingly, the SSD storage is a little limited: it's only possible to install an M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4×4 SSD up to 2 TB. This is quite limited for this level of machine, and I would’ve expected support for at least 4 TB. However, while the maximum capacity is limited, I think more due to heat dissipation than anything else, it is exceptionally quick and one of the fastest internal SSDs I’ve seen in recent mini PC tests.

Helping to keep everything cool is the IceBlast 2.0 cooling system, which features air outlets on both sides of the machine to help dissipate internal heat from the CPU, memory and SSD. Access to these components is made through the bottom of the machine by simply undoing the screws and lifting away the base plate. Once removed, it reveals the dual-channel RAM and SSD slot, allowing quick upgrades or replacements.

Design: 3.5 / 5

Geekom AX8 Max: Features

The speed and specifications of mid-range mini PCs have recently improved with the integration of the latest AI-ready CPUs. The Ryzen 7 8745HS features eight cores, 16 threads, and has been coupled with the integrated Radeon 780M GPU, which has a good track record for performance in mini PCs.

This combination of CPU and GPU, along with 32 GB of DDR5 RAM and a PCIe Gen4×4 SSD, is well-suited for anyone looking to use the machine for software beyond standard office applications, including creative programs such as Illustrator, Photoshop and Lightroom, and even photo and video editing at 1080p and light 4K.

What sets this mini PC apart from other mid-range options we’ve seen in the past is that it features the Ryzen 7 8745HS CPU, which includes AMD’s XDNA-based NPU architecture. This means it’s better able to handle lightweight AI workloads locally, such as background blur in video calls, speech transcription, and voice assistants in applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro. It also enables faster localised AI processing.

It’s not just the CPU that has an AI boost, the integrated Radeon 780M GPU also supports AI-enhanced media. Although it doesn’t feature dedicated AI silicon, it still improves processing in enhanced video encoding and supports hardware-accelerated AV1 codec, which is useful for both DaVinci Resolve and Adobe products.

If you're looking for an AI workstation for development and thinking this mini PC might be a great option, then it’s worth noting that it's not designed for deep learning or running an LLM chatbot locally. Instead, it’s better suited for more mainstream AI use. For something more AI-tuned, it’s probably best to look at something like the Sapphire Edge AI 370.

As covered in the design section, there’s a good number of ports, including exceptional connectivity with USB4 ports on the back that offer 40 Gbps transfer and 100 W PD power. So, if you have other devices that need quick charging, that port is an option. Alongside the physical ports, there's also Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting most wireless keyboards and mice, and Wi-Fi 6E for fast internet connection speeds.

Another big feature is the ability to connect up to four 4K monitors — two through USB4 ports and two through the HDMI 2.0 ports. There's also the option to connect an 8K monitor, although you’ll only be able to use one 8K monitor at a time, rather than four 4K displays.

Features: 4 / 5

Geekom AX8 Max: Performance

Benchmark scores

CrystalDiskMark Read: 6,731.02 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 6,023.3 MB/s
Geekbench CPU Multi: 12,660
Geekbench CPU Single: 2,440
Geekbench GPU: 29,050
PCMark Overall: 6,741
Cinebench CPU Multi: 15,518
Cinebench CPU Single: 1,703
Fire Strike Overall: 7,346
Fire Strike Graphics: 7,965
Fire Strike Physics: 27,074
Fire Strike Combined: 2,746
Time Spy Overall: 3,162
Time Spy Graphics: 2,808
Time Spy CPU: 11,076
Wild Life Overall: 16,022
Steel Nomad Overall: 499
Windows Experience Overall: 8.2

Getting started with the Geekom AX8 Max is relatively straightforward. Once plugged in, all you need to do is run through the Windows 11 Pro setup screens, log into your Microsoft user account along with any others, and the machine is ready to go. This process now takes between five and ten minutes to complete, as Microsoft tries to encourage sign-ups to its various services.

However, once done, you don’t have to go through it again, and the speed of the internet connection from the outset, provided by the Wi-Fi 6E, helps speed things up.

During setup and plug-in, it’s worth noting that, while this mini PC is compact, the power adapter must also be considered. While not especially large, it is still a bulky addition.

Starting the tests, both Microsoft Office and Google Docs ran exceptionally smoothly. Microsoft Office applications opened quickly and ran without issue. Checking through the benchmark tests, the Windows Experience score of 8.2 is about average for mid-range mini PCs. While some may experience slight lag in more media-intensive apps like PowerPoint, the very fast SSD ensures image and large file processing is handled exceptionally quickly.

In fact, when I started looking at more advanced applications, I felt like this small machine was able to cope with a lot more than expected. That’s in part due to the speed of the internal SSD, which recorded one of the fastest transfer rates I’ve tested this year, 6,731.02 MB/s read and, more impressively, 6,023.3 MB/s write. This meant it didn’t just handle media-intensive Microsoft applications quickly, but also large image files in Photoshop and Lightroom, as well as video data within Premiere Pro.

This makes it a great option for office workers who need to create large presentations with images or video, or for those involved in multimedia creation using CapCut or Premiere Pro.

Taking processing demands up a notch I loaded a few images from the Canon EOS R5C into Photoshop, the speed was good, and it handled high-resolution image files, applying adjustment layers and effects without noticeable lag.

As I experimented with Lightroom, general use was excellent, and even batch editing was handled without issue. The only time I noticed a slowdown, compared with my desktop, was when using AI features such as Denoise or Enhance Details. While it processed the images, there was a marked difference compared to my desktop machine. In Photoshop, day-to-day work, including layers, effects and exports, was all good, but when using local smart features like Neural Filters or Smart Portrait, some slowdown was noticeable, especially with tasks requiring GPU power.

In multimedia production, starting with CapCut and footage from the iPhone 15 Pro, the machine handled the data with no issue. As templates were applied, the speed remained solid, and CapCut ran smoothly, making editing easy.

Upgrading the production using Premiere Pro, things began to slow down slightly, but the machine still handled thumbnail and timeline renders at a decent pace. It was only when I loaded in 4K video that it started to struggle, with the fans kicking in, especially during grading.

One of the main issues with Premiere Pro was that, while 1080p footage from an iPhone or DJI Action 5 edited without issue, moving to 4K footage led to stuttering during playback and increased render times, along with noticeable fan noise.

When it came to AI features such as Auto Reframe, Scene Edit Detection and Speech to Text, processing was considerably slower compared to my desktop PC.

To finish the test, I played a couple of games, Hogwarts Legacy and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Both were fortunately playable, but settings had to be reduced for smooth playback. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, in particular, showed noticeable stutter, the kind you often get when the CPU and GPU are struggling with the detail.

So overall, this is definitely a machine designed for mid-range office and light multimedia work, less suited to anything beyond that, and especially not a great option if you are gaming.

Performance: 4 / 5

Geekom AX8 Max: Final verdict

The Geekom AX8 Max is a great option for any office looking for a slightly quirky-coloured mini PC that enables them to complete day-to-day tasks, create relatively complex presentations, and do a little light multimedia editing.

Some highlights of this mini PC include its connectivity, with two RJ45 ports at the back enabling direct network connection and offering plenty of storage expansion. I also like that it comes with two USB4 ports, allowing connection to mass external storage or ultra-fast PC accessories.

Colourway aside, the build quality is exceptionally good, and with all those ports, it offers a great office solution. I am, however, a little surprised that upgrade options are limited to just 64 GB RAM and 2TB internal storage.

If you are in the market for a slightly quirky-coloured mini PC, this offers solid performance across the board and is reasonably well priced, particularly compared with a machine like the Beelink SER9.

Should I buy the Geekom AX8 Max?

Value	Good value for money for a solid office machine that allows light multimedia editing	4
Design	Solid design with plenty of ports that enable easy connectivity — just a shame about the colour	3.5
Features	A well-balanced mid-range mini PC with a good range of features, including AI readiness	4
Performance	SSD transfer speeds are exceptionally good, giving the CPU and GPU a performance boost compared with similarly specced machines	4
Overall	A great no-fuss machine for the office that offers excellent speed for day-to-day administration and multimedia editing	4

Buy it if...

You need office desk space
You want a compact PC that doesn’t take up much desk space but handles office, coding and creative workloads smoothly.

You're creating a multi‑monitor setup
You need 4K/8K output, multiple displays or a hidden setup, but still want good performance in a small form factor.

Don't buy it if...

You're running heavy‑duty GPU workloads
You plan extensive 3D modelling, rendering, high-end gaming or anything where a GPU is needed.

You demand maximum performance under load
If your workflows involve sustained heavy multi-core or graphics tasks, thermal throttling might limit performance compared with a full-size desktop tower.

Want to run and train an LLM model locally? I found the Minisforum MS-S1 Max mini PC to be an affordable option in my tests

10:47 am | December 16, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Computing Gadgets | Tags: CPU, Indiana Jones, PC, RAM | Comments: Off

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: 30-second review

For a machine that just fits the mini PC classification, the Minisforum MS-S1 is something on another level and almost by definition, and this is reflected in the near £2,500 / $2,500 price tag. That price affords the latest components and technology inside, as well as an incredibly solid build. If you're thinking about buying this powerful mini PC, there are a few things to consider.

First and foremost, this isn't your average desktop machine. Sure, it will run all the usual applications like any other mini PC or desktop, but it goes far beyond, with its AI-tuned AMD CPU/GPU providing a perfect localised development workstation for AI or AI-enhanced applications.

It's also worth considering that the major components of this machine are soldered in place, so there's no option, unlike a desktop, to replace the CPU, GPU or RAM. However, there are plenty of options to boost the internal storage capacity, or even boost the graphics with a discrete card, as the machine has space for a full-sized PCIe x16 expansion, though you do need to consider that this is a mini PC, so whatever card you opt for will need to be relatively small.

Looking through the rest of the specifications, all features are cutting-edge, and Minisforum haven’t held back on any part of this machine, with unified RAM, those AI processes, USB4 and PCIe 4.0, with the ability to install up to 8TB of internal storage in the M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slot.

The specification of this machine is impressive, but it’s only once you navigate Windows that you can really start to feel that boost in processing power and the speed at which Windows 11 Pro operates. Applications open almost instantly. When you load Microsoft Office, everything is exceptionally fast and responsive. Copying and pasting huge documents from one application to another presents no issue, and even when you start to load up memory-hungry applications such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, this machine just takes them in.

The real difference comes when you start to utilise the AI features in those applications, and even in Premiere Pro, with the CPU and GPU capable of processing Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro’s AI-at-heart features quickly, both locally and utilising remote processing options.

If you are into AI development, then the AI setup is going to work as a perfect starting point, with the ability to install a local LLM such as LM Studio on your machine.

Throughout the test, the machine just impressed. While the AMD Radeon graphics lag slightly behind Nvidia alternatives, it is still incredibly capable, flying through all video production I threw at it, as well as performing well when it came to gaming.

The Minisforum MS-S1 Max is essentially a specialist machine, especially when you consider its price point and the fact that it has been made to fit neatly into a U2 rack system, meaning that whether you use it on your desktop as a very compact and powerful mini PC for content creation, or as a machine that can take full advantage of most programs’ AI-enhanced features, or you’re looking to use the best mini PC for local AI development, the Minisforum MS-S1 Max is an option, especially when you cluster it with others.

What really appeals to me is that because of its small size and its durability, thanks to its full aluminium build, it’s also a great option to utilise in the field, offering a relatively compact and lightweight, yet extremely powerful machine that rivals many desktop video workstations.

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From £2399 / $2499
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from Minisforum or Amazon

The Minisforum MS-S1 Max is widely available and can currently be purchased directly from the Minisforum US for $2,499 and Minisforum UK for £2,399, down from the recommended price of £2,999 / $2,999. I'm also seeing it available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Value: 4 / 5

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: Specs

CPU: AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 (16-core Zen5)
Graphics: AMD Radeon 8060S (Integrated)
RAM: Up to 128 GB LPDDR5x-8000MT/s
Storage: M.2 2280 SSD
Left Ports: 1× USB4 v2, 2× USB-A, Mic jack
Right Ports: 1× USB4 v2, Power, DisplayPort, HDMI, PCIe slot
Connectivity: Dual 10GbE LAN, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4
Audio: 3.5mm combo jack
Camera: None
Size: Compact chassis; fits on desktop or 2U rack.
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: Power cable, mounting options

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: Design

While the Minisforum MS-S1 Max is classed as a mini PC, you can tell from the outset that it is something far more, with a matte black industrial design that feels a level up from even standard premium mini PCs. The design is exceptional, with rubber feet on one of the longer edges as well as the base, so you have plenty of options for how to position it on your desk. It’s also been designed to fit directly into a U2 rack, so if you want to place it alongside your server, that’s easy enough.

The size, whilst not as small as most mini PCs, is still relatively compact at 222 x 206 x 77 mm, and it comes in at 2.8 kg, so it's substantially heavier than we usually expect.

However, unlike most mini PCs that remain small and compact yet always come with a power adapter that is almost the same size and weight as the actual machine, here with the MS-S1 Max, the power supply is built-in, so all you need is a standard kettle lead for the power.

Checking over the body of the machine, there are plenty of connectivity options. Very neatly on the front, there’s a single USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A with 10Gb/s transfer rate and 2 USB4 offering 40Gbps DP 2.0, PD power out (15W), and next to this is a 3.5mm audio combo jack enabling you to use standard headphones and mic.

Round the back, the selection of ports is equally impressive, with an HDMI 2.1 capable of providing 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz, 2 USB 2.0, 2 USB4 v2 (80Gbps, DP 2.0, PD out 15W), two USB 3.2 Gen 2, two 10GbE LAN RJ45 ports, anti-theft lock, and a reset hole to help clear the CMOS if you’ve been doing some development that’s gone wrong.

All these connections and interfaces are cutting-edge, but most mini PCs would stop there. Here with the MS-S1 Max, there’s a little bit more to it - and a feature that makes this closer to a desktop PC than a mini PC.

Opening up the machine (which is done by removing two screws at the back), the whole backplate and internals of the machine can be removed from the metal casing, revealing the SSD slot and the PCIe 4.0 expansion slot. While the connector is full-size, you will need to be a little bit wary about the size of the expansion card you purchase, but it still gives you plenty of options for discrete graphics and possibly AI enhancement cards in the future.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: Features

For a mini PC, the specification and feature list are slightly abnormal, featuring the latest AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395, and this is coupled with an AMD Radeon 8060S GPU. It’s also backed by an AMD Ryzen AI engine that gives this machine the full range of AI potential. The configuration of this machine has been built so that you can run large AI models locally, with all-scenario AI compute that offers up to 126 TOPS and runs 128B+ LLMs locally, such as LM Studio.

One of the other points about this machine is that it’s been designed so that you can either use it as a single machine or as part of a dual-unit 235B cluster or 2U rack cluster to really boost your AI workflow and development. In the marketing material, Minisforum actually state it’ll run the 235B Q4 large model locally if configured in that dual configuration, although that does obviously mean two of these machines and double the price.

If two machines aren’t enough for what you want to do, then that 2U rack deployment is also possible, where even more MS-S1 Max machines can be distributed into a cluster. Again, in the marketing material, Minisforum states that a four-unit cluster is powerful enough to run the DeepSeek-R1671B Q4 large model locally, which is impressive, firstly considering the size of the machines, and secondly, the fact that it comes in at less than $10,000 / £10,000.

What’s impressive here is that Minisforum have created a bespoke cluster design, which means that once configured and wired up, utilising the reserved cascade power-on header, you can then power on and off all machines in one go as if they were one.

As well as the future potential and upgradability into cluster systems, out of the box with just one unit, there are also a few key AI features, such as precise voice recognition with the AI noise-cancelling mic that will support mainstream AI models and help with speech-to-text and other voice commands.

Many of the internal components are also soldered to the motherboard, and it features 128GB of unified LPDDR5X-8000 MT/s RAM.

There an M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slot that’s able to take up to 8TB of storage.

As you look over the body of the machine, there are several things that really stand out. One of those features that’s really appealing is the inclusion of dual USB4 v2 and dual 10GbE LAN ports alongside Wi-Fi 7, enabling ultra-fast transfer speeds from external storage and accessories, and also the ability to connect to a local area network, and more importantly, a system for network editing.

Another of the huge differences between this machine and many others is the volume of I/O options. Including the latest USB4 v2 enables up to 80Gbps transfer rate, but on top of that, it also offers PCIe 4.0 x4, which offers space for full-length x16 slot expansion cards, giving you plenty of capability options from the outset.

As I previously mentioned, unlike other mini PCs, the PSU is actually incorporated into the casing of the machine and offers 320W, which is huge for this size of machine, but obviously needed for all the computing power it holds.

One of the other big features is the design, with the slide-out structure that enables you to slide the main computer out from the casing, so that upgrading and maintenance are exceptionally easy and fast.

There’s a lot going on with the MS-S1 Max, and cooling is essential. Here, they’ve tried to tackle this with an aerospace-grade aluminium chassis that offers both durability and superb airflow through the componentry.

Features: 5 / 5

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: Performance

Benchmark scores

CrystalDiskMark Read: 6061.76 MB/s
CrystalDiskMark Write: 5374.64 MB/s
Geekbench CPU Multi: 19,653
Geekbench CPU Single: 2,904
Geekbench GPU: 95,729
PCMark Overall: 8,425
Cinebench CPU Multi: 34,648
Cinebench CPU Single: 2,042
Fire Strike Overall: 26,639
Fire Strike Graphics: 29,838
Fire Strike Physics: 35,196
Fire Strike Combined: 12,283
Time Spy Overall: 1,106
Time Spy Graphics: 11,056
Time Spy CPU: 10,732
Wild Life Overall: 65,580
Steel Nomad Overall: 2,135
Windows Experience Overall: 9.1

Running through the setup process, it was apparent that the MS-S1 Max was quite a different machine from most of the mini PCs I tested, only the Sapphire Edge Ai 370 having hints of the same AI enhancement. The Windows 11 Pro setup required the usual final steps, signing into Microsoft and Google and downloading and installing updates.

What’s apparent with that Wi-Fi 7 connectivity is the speed at which you can connect to the wireless router (if, of course, your wireless router supports Wi-Fi 7).

Another noticeable point about this machine right from the outset is not only the number of connection options, enabling you to quickly connect up to 4K monitors. It is worth noting at this early point in the testing that the fans kick in from the outset, and this is far from a silent runner. Obviously, a lot is going on in this machine, and like any server, those fans and the cooling are consistent, unlike the almost silent running we’ve become used to with most mini PCs.

I started off with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. These all loaded almost instantly, even when I threw large documents at the machine, including a large PowerPoint presentation I’d already created on another PC. It was very evident just how well this machine can handle those larger files, and again, there was literally no lag or wait time when it came to saving the files down or editing and adjusting images within any PowerPoint presentation.

As I moved over to some of the imaging applications, such as Photoshop and Lightroom, again, it was apparent that the images from the Sony A7 IV and Canon EOS R5C posed absolutely no issue for this machine. Whilst the Radeon 8060S isn’t quite as powerful as some of the discrete graphics cards, the pure power of the CPU and iGPU is more than enough for these two applications. When it came to running the AI features, it proved just how capable this machine was, running those AI functions locally.

Moving on to Adobe Premiere Pro, I went straight in with some Pro 4K footage shot on the iPhone 15 Pro, and instantly, it was apparent that this machine was going to have no problems with that footage. I then went a level up with some RAW footage from the Canon EOS R5C.

While you could see a little bit of slowdown when it came to 4K after effects and grading, it could still handle a 15-minute edit with absolutely no issues whatsoever. If I were going to do a longer edit, I might consider putting in discrete graphics, but for most people, this machine out of the box will handle pretty much anything you throw at it when it comes to video editing.

One key point here was that I needed to transcribe one of the videos, and the speech-to-text was exceptionally fast, including expanding clips in the timeline, where the AI processing really becomes incredibly valuable.

When it came to CapCut (essentially a far lighter video editor than Premiere Pro and ideal for creating social media content for YouTube), there were no issues. Applying templates gave a really smooth experience; editing was fast and extremely agile.

Of course, this being an AI machine, I had to give some of the more in-depth AI features a go. So here I downloaded and installed LM Studio, as it’s free and has a very easy-to-use interface. Again, the performance was exceptional, and I was able to run that language model locally on the machine. While I’m still investigating the full use of LM Studio and its features, I have to say I was extremely impressed with the speed at which it was able to give responses and compute.

Finally, after trying to figure out the complexities of the AI features, I sat back for a little bit of gaming. This is where the machine starts to have a few issues, mainly because the Radeon 8060S, which, while incredibly powerful, does lag behind most discrete graphics cards I’ve recently seen in the latest Asus ProArt P16 laptop.

Still, playing Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Hogwarts Legacy, both were more than playable, getting good smooth motion, although not all settings could be turned up beyond medium.

Essentially, this is an extremely powerful mini PC and sits in between a dedicated desktop workstation and a smaller format machine. The power and capability are, of course, reflected in the price. This is a machine that’s been designed with a specific purpose, to utilise the power of AI locally, either as a single machine or as part of a cluster. For that purpose, while the price of the machine might seem high, it actually offers exceptional value for something this powerful and AI-ready.

Performance: 5 / 5

Minisforum MS-S1 Max: Final verdict

This isn’t the machine that’s going to suit everyone. Even for content creators, where this machine excels with 4K video editing and image enhancement, there are cheaper and better-suited machines out there. You’ll get the same performance for Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro from machines that cost considerably less and include a dedicated GPU.

Likewise, for gaming, all the games I tried on the system worked perfectly well, even at mid to low effects and graphic settings, but again, there are gaming PCs that are far cheaper and better suited for that purpose.

This machine, then, is really designed for AI developers, engineers, and users who want to investigate what the future of computing holds. The fact that it is a single machine, relatively well priced, and offers plenty of upgrade options, with the ability to put in up to 16TB of internal storage, USB4 V2, and with a PCIe 4.0 slot for expansion cards, gives you plenty of future potential.

What’s really interesting is that this machine is not just designed as a single standard unit, but as one that can be added to, so you can run it as a dual cluster or even build it into a far larger system as your budget and needs increase. For AI developers and engineers, this is an incredibly neat and simple out-of-the-box solution.

So for AI developers, this is a superb option that, while similarly expensive, is actually cheaper than many other alternatives. For everyone else, it would be a nice machine to own, but it might be a little overkill and not really tuned to mainstream use.

Should I buy the Minisforum MS-S1 Max?

Value	Extremely high-end AI computing in a compact box at a surprisingly balanced price	4
Design	Superb design that helps to dissipate heat, offers expansion options and cluster potential	4.5
Features	The big excitement here is the AI CPU and iGPU, alongside PCIe 4.0 expansion and cluster support	4
Performance	Closely matched to mid- to high-end desktops. This mini PC is in another class compared with what we normally expect	5
Overall	AI-focused compact workstation as a perfect option for AI developers	4

Buy it if...

You’re an AI developer

You’re running LLMs, multimodal models, or training workflows locally and need 128 GB RAM with 100+ TOPS AI compute

You want a true creative workstation

It's a top choice if you’re editing 4K video, building 3D models, or running simulations where GPU and fast RAM make a difference.

Don't buy it if...

Budget is tight
While this is at the affordable end of AI development machines, if you’re looking for an affordable mini PC for browsing or light media use, this is complete overkill.

You're focused on upgrading everything

If you want to swap RAM and CPU later, unified memory and soldered components mean limited future-proofing.

I tested the MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG and it’s perfectly placed if you want a simple productivity mini PC with onboard AI

8:07 pm | December 3, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro | Tags: AI, CPU, IO, PC | Comments: Off

I'm a big fan of compact desktops. The more I do and grow in my professional career, the more I appreciate their value. Not only are compact desktops great for administrative roles, but also front desks, stationary desktops for employees to be able to utilize, perhaps you have offices where part-timers, or hourly employees need to be able to work and access company data or systems, or maybe the setup that you have you need to have a compact workstation and a laptop doesn't make sense for whatever reason.

Mini PC's are phenomenal in these areas. Now, for this review, I am not going to act like this is the most powerful machine I have worked with and that it is capable of running large LLM Models, a massive codebase, edit 12K videos and teach you how to perform open heart surgery all at the same time, I understand that while there are machines that are built to be powerhouses, this is meant to be a compact machine, it's meant to give you the power that is needed at a reasonable price and a better footprint.

MSI isn't trying to break records with this machine; they are trying to create a machine for everyday users. It wanted to make a machine that can be plugged into any display and perform basic tasks, or run headless and connect to servers, run processes in the background, or something along these lines.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Price and availability

The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is widely available from online retailers like Amazon. I'm seeing prices starting at around the $1000 / £1000 mark depending on where you buy.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Cubi NUC is a simple setup. It's included in a basic package, which consists of power, a VESA mount, and an extended power button, if needed. The VESA mount design is excellent, allowing you to easily use it or forget it exists without altering the layout, restricting access to key ports, or requiring the purchase of an accessory. The VESA mount is ideal for mounting behind a monitor, TV, or display, or for attaching to the underside of a desk, wall, or other surfaces.

Like so many of the best mini PC machines I've used, the size of the Cubi NUC lends itself to plenty of different use cases as well. It's ideal for tucking away in a cabinet at a medical office, on a cart in a hospital, in a digital screen display kiosk, in a classroom, at a welcome desk, and more. That's where a machine like this thrives.

I was pleased to see the port layout, which makes quick-access ports extremely easy to reach, along with a fingerprint scanner for added security. Additionally, for setups and use cases where the computer may be tucked away, mounted, or hidden out of reach, MSI includes an external power button with a long cable, allowing you to place it in a readily accessible area and keep the machine where you ideally want it.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Design & Build Quality

Specs

CPU: Up to Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 288V
Graphics: Up to Intel Arc Graphics 140V
Memory: Up to 32GB
Storage: 1x M.2 2280 SSD
IO: 4x USB-A, 1x MicroSD, 1x Headphone, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 2x RJ45, 1x HDMI
Wireless: Up to Wi-Fi 7

The design is both minimal and functional. Unlike some machines that place all ports on the back to maintain an ultra-minimal look, MSI understands that this approach is not always the most functional.

Therefore, they opted to divide the ports on the front and back to maximize productivity. The quick access ports are on the front, accessible if the machine is mounted or on top of a desk, and the (typically) one-time-plug-in-and-forget-about-it kind of ports are in the back. This layout facilitates cable management, as it positions the majority of the cables to the back of the desk, or at least away from the user.

For a business machine that isn't competing in any beauty pageants, this design is excellent, focusing on productivity and functionality.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: In use

MSI's Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG has been in my fleet (yes, it's a fleet at this point, as I currently have 18 computers in my review queue) for 92 days. In that time, I've had it set up at my secondary desk in my home office, plugged into my BenQ EW2790U on my Flexispot E7 Plus Desk Setup. It's been great for background tasks, writing, emails, and some productivity work as well.

The ease of having a machine always ready to go is fantastic. I like having a server computer that I can remotely access using a VPN, Remote Desktop, or my recent favorite, Chrome Remote Desktop, to modify my network drives. Locally access my Synology, rip content without slowing down my primary machine, transfer data, or perform other tasks that don't require my primary machine.

Having a computer ready to go, plugged in at all times, is also great if you want the least amount of friction possible to get from not working to working and then back to not working again. You just have to sit down, press a key on a keyboard and you are good to go.

The dual network lines came in handy when I tested connecting to my Synology BeeStations and Disk Stations for some updates to the newest DSM software, while I also wanted to connect to my LAN. Granted, Synology allows for LAN access, but I wanted to transfer some content quickly to my NAS as well, making this a perfect solution.

Another great use case for the dual Ethernet would be if you need to connect to a redundant network, a secure network, and a more open network, a server, a network audio controller, or really any other network-controlled device. It’s a little machine like this that can take your workstation, studio, office, or role to the next level, harnessing the simplicity and power of its ease, connectivity, and possibilities as a headless unit to run tasks for you in a more efficient way.

There are some scenarios where these armrests may not be ideal, but for most, they’ll be fine, or worth the lack of adjustment if you like the style and overall aesthetic and feel of this chair.

Some chairs you give up look and design for overall comfort and features. The Serene Nox by Eureka is the exact opposite, you give up highly adjustable armrests and lumbar for the overall aesthetic.

That’s another element of this chair that you should probably know. You’re not going to want to use this chair with a cheap folding desk, nor at the kitchen table, where your temporary workspace is, you won’t even want to use this chair in a bullpen, you want to use this chair in offices, in executive corner suites, you want this chair at the reception desk of a high end corporation so that it can look the part and still provide comfort.

MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG: Final verdict

The MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG is not for everyone. In fact, it may not even be for most people. But it's well-specced for those who need an easy office machine. It'll capably handle tasks like a Windows headless unit to run a server, running multiple digital displays, or an always-on machine that can be on dual networks at once.

It’s a discreet and smart machine that may just be the building block to a more efficient chain of automations, or simplified workflows, or introducing AI into your sphere, all without taking up precious real estate on your desk, or locking you into a non-upgradable display that may or may not meet your desired specifications.

Should you buy a MSI Cubi NUC AI+ 2MG?

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Value	Upper mid range, strong ports and usability for the right business applications	4 / 5
Design	Sleek, compact, and thoughtful layout and port offering	4 / 5
Hardware	Modern chips, great ports, Thunderbolt, fingerprint sensor	4 / 5
Performance	Quiet, responsive, reliable, great for headless access and server access	3.5 / 5
Overall	A great mini PC for the right user, always-on needs, digital signage, server companions, and perhaps remote access	4 / 5

Buy it if...

You need a compact, always-on, Windows machine
While this may not be the powerhouse your creative department needs, this could be what your development team could use for accessing servers, running background processes, or running digital signage

You want a solid, redunant-backed, connection
Dual LAN ports are vital for those who want a redundant backup for a vital piece of machineryView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You need a machine for your creative department
This is not the machine you want for graphic intensive proceses or workstation-level performance.

You need something portable
While this mini PC is ultra-portable, it's still nowhere close to the power and performance you can get in a quality laptop, so unless there is a unique usecase, check out some of our best laptops.

For more professional-grade computing, we've tested the best business laptops and best business computers.

The BattlerGC Pro is one of the best retro gaming controllers I’ve ever tested

1:00 am | November 12, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Consoles & PC Gadgets Gaming Nintendo | Tags: Nintendo Switch, PC | Comments: Off

BattlerGC Pro: one-minute review

I’ve spent this past week being seriously impressed with the BattlerGC Pro.

To me, it’s everything a modern take on the iconic GameCube controller should be, making it one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories to date. Compatible with Switch and Switch 2 as well as PC, its real ace in the hole is the included wireless GameCube adapter, which works brilliantly with Nintendo’s sixth-generation purple wonder as well as its successor, the Wii.

While the Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller is a great recreation, it’s very much a case of ‘what you see is what you get.’ The BattlerGC Pro takes that template and fully modernizes it, bringing Hall effect sticks, remappable rear buttons, and multiplatform compatibility to the table. Its d-pad and clicky triggers, especially, are a monumental improvement over Nintendo’s official controller.

The BattlerGC Pro is probably not going to be your go-to for many of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games, given its adoption of the GameCube controller’s unorthodox face button layout. But it’s a dream to use with Nintendo Switch Online’s growing GameCube library. And of course, compatibility with original hardware and PC means it’s excellent if you still have a GameCube or Wii game collection, or you enjoy your games enhanced via emulation.

There are some slight issues to make note of here. Battery life isn’t particularly impressive, and the Home button is smack in the center of the pad, meaning you really have to reach your thumbs over to press it. But these are very tiny blemishes on what is otherwise a very accomplished retro-facing controller.

In short, don’t feel like you have to shell out for a second-hand WaveBird to enjoy wireless play on GameCube or Wii. The BattlerGC Pro is much more cost-effective and, ultimately, a much better controller overall.

BattlerGC Pro review: price and availability

List price: $69.95 / £59.99 / AU$99.95
Available to buy now from Retro Fighters or regional retailers
Slightly pricier than the official Switch 2 GameCube controller ($64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95)

You can pick up the BattlerGC Pro controller today for the retail price of $69.95 / £59.99 / AU$99.95. It’s available in various colors from manufacturer Retro Fighters’ website (Black, Purple, and a translucent ‘Glacier’ color, too), or regional big box retailers.

The BattlerGC Pro actually comes in slightly more expensive than the official Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller, which retails at $64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95. That said, I think the features offered by the BattlerGC Pro - not to mention its multiplatform compatibility - certainly make it well worth the extra asking price.

BattlerGC Pro review: Specs

Price	$69.95 / £59.99 / AU$99.95
Weight	7oz / 198g
Dimensions	6 x 3 x 2.8in / 152 x 76 x 71mm
Compatibility	Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, GameCube, Wii, Wii U (requires Wii U GameCube adapter)
Connection type	Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, GameCube adapter), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	Around 10 hours

BattlerGC Pro review: design and features

Like the OG Xbox’s ‘Duchess’ to the ‘Duke’ controller, the BattlerGC Pro looks and feels like an intelligent revision of the Nintendo GameCube controller. Or more accurately - given the feature set - the wireless WaveBird variant.

Years and years of third-party controller features and refinements have clearly informed the design of the BattlerGC Pro.

First of all, the BattlerGC Pro does address some of the original GameCube controller’s shortcomings. There are two shoulder buttons here as opposed to just the one, and the triggers have been completely redesigned. As has the d-pad, which is slightly bigger and offers a more satisfying press. The thumbsticks can also click inwards now, offering L3 and R3 button inputs. But for the most part, that GameCube layout remains unchanged.

The rear of the BattlerGC Pro houses two remappable buttons, as well as a switch for swapping between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity options. You’ll also find a small ‘program’ button back here, which can be held in conjunction with other buttons to assign those remappables to your liking.

I’m a huge fan of the GameCube’s aesthetic, and it’s been successfully replicated and modernized with the BattlerGC Pro. The color scheme is on point, from the purple casing to the green, red, and yellow of the A and B buttons and C-stick, respectively. New additions are made tastefully, and are discreet enough (like those remappable buttons) that they don’t intrude on that classic GameCube look.

BattlerGC Pro review: Performance

One look at that GameCube-style button layout should be enough to tell you that the BattlerGC Pro is not designed with modern games in mind. I confirmed as much by jumping into Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition, and had to actively look at the controller to reorient myself.

But realistically, you’re not buying the BattlerGC to enjoy the latest releases on Switch 2 or PC with. It’s specifically designed for use with GameCube titles, or other games that aren’t hampered by a reliance on that unorthodox button layout. On this front, the BattlerGC Pro really delivers.

I sampled games across systems that the BattlerGC Pro is compatible with. Starting with Luigi’s Mansion and F-Zero GX on Nintendo Switch Online, then moving onto original GameCube hardware with killer7, Tales of Symphonia, and Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 & 2, using that wireless GameCube adapter, which slots into the console’s controller ports. The pairing process was blissfully simple, too; I just had to hold in the Home button, and the adapter recognized the controller in seconds.

The experience felt incredible across both platforms and certainly helps to breathe new life into the GameCube library. Even over a wireless connection, input latency was impressively untraceable. There’s just something so nice about revisiting an older platform with a wireless connectivity solution.

The biggest disappointment, though, is definitely with the BattlerGC Pro’s battery life. 10 hours is far from awful, but do expect to be topping it up a lot more often than Nintendo’s own Switch 2 GameCube controller, as well as the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

Should I buy the BattlerGC Pro?

Buy it if...

You own original GameCube or Wii hardware
The BattlerGC Pro presents a fantastic excuse to dust off your GameCube or Wii console and get stuck in with some classic games. Especially with its wireless connectivity options.

You want a multiplatform-capable retro-friendly controller
Compatible with both Switch consoles and PC, as well as Wii and GameCube, the BattlerGC Pro is great for arcade-style titles on more modern platforms, as well as the classics.

Don't buy it if...

You hate the GameCube controller layout
The GameCube controller’s weird button layout certainly isn’t for everyone. And you’re going to be stuck with it here.

You were hoping for more battery life
At just 10 hours, the BattlerGC Pro does falter somewhat on battery life. Consider the official Switch 2 GameCube controller or the Switch 2 Pro Controller if you want to charge your pad up less often.

BattlerGC Pro review: Also consider

If the BattlerGC Pro isn’t impressing you, here are a couple of strong Switch 2-facing alternatives for you to consider as well.

	BattlerGC Pro	Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube controller	Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Price	$69.95 / £59.99 / AU$99.95	$64.99 / £58.99 / AU$89.95	$84.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95
Weight	7oz / 198g	7.4oz / 210g	8.3oz / 235g
Dimensions	6 x 3 x 2.8in / 152 x 76 x 71mm	5.5 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 140 x 100 x 65mm	5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm
Compatibility	Switch, Switch 2, PC, GameCube, Wii, Wii U (requires Wii U GameCube adapter)	Nintendo Switch 2	Nintendo Switch 2
Connection type	Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth, GameCube adapter), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (Switch 2 native)	Wireless (Bluetooth), Wired (USB Type-C)
Battery life	Around 10 hours	Around 25-30 hours	Around 40 hours

Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller
Specifically designed for use with Nintendo Switch Online’s GameCube game library, the Switch 2 GameCube controller is a warts-and-all re-release of the original. It adds gyro aiming and a GameChat button for online play, but expect a very similar-feeling pad overall. Great battery life, too.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 GameCube Controller review

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Easily the best controller for Switch 2. It offers impressively smooth thumbsticks, rock-solid build quality, and class-leading battery life of around 40 hours. It’s pricey, but worth every penny and a massive upgrade over the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review

How I tested the BattlerGC Pro

Tested for one week
Used across Switch 2, PC, and original GameCube hardware
Compared to the official Switch 2 GameCube controller and Switch 2 Pro Controller

I tested the BattlerGC Pro for this review over the course of a week. While I primarily used it to play games on Nintendo Switch 2 - including Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, Arcade Archives 2 Ridge Racer, and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S - I also had the chance to try it out with original GameCube hardware.

This is an edge the BattlerGC Pro has over the likes of the Switch 2 GameCube Controller and Switch 2 Pro Controller - its multiplatform capabilities. I can highly recommend it to those who own an original GameCube or Wii console, thanks to its wireless connectivity solution.

First reviewed November 2025

Read more about how we test

The Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. is, by default, the best Xbox controller from the brand to date – but the lack of improvements is disappointing

4:00 am | November 6, 2025

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Final Fantasy, PC, UK, US | Comments: Off

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.: one-minute review

We’re big fans of Thrustmaster’s eSwap products at TechRadar Gaming but the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. isn’t exactly the big leap forward the brand’s controller lineup needs. As for changes, the clue’s in the name. The H.E. packs in a pair of Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T. Hall effect thumbsticks, which is nice, and means you won’t need to buy them separately. It's one of the best Xbox controllers, but slightly better.

If you’re buying an eSwap controller for the first time, then the H.E. is definitely the one to get. By default, it is the best eSwap gamepad to date by packing those Hall effect sticks in with the already excellent eSwap X2. And yes, you can still expect brilliant build quality and Thrustmaster’s commitment to accessibility and customizability through its swappable stick and D-pad modules.

But don’t expect any changes beyond that, which also means issues that we had with the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 are still present here. It’s a bulky controller that, while ideal for big-handed players, can be a bit unwieldy for anyone else. I also found the D-pad to be a little uncomfortable over long play sessions.

Finally, I’m still baffled by the lack of a wireless connectivity option, given the relatively high price of the controller. This is a competitive-facing controller, and naturally wired connections offer little to no input latency. However, as we see in rival controllers like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, wireless polling rates are improving, further reducing input lag over 2.4GHz wireless connections on PC. It’s something I’d like to see Thrustmaster at least consider if and when it gets around to making the eSwap X3.

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.: price and availability

List price: $169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)
Cheaper than the eSwap X2 in the UK
Price remains identical to the eSwap X2 in the US

The Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. launched on October 1, 2025, and is available to buy from Thrustmaster’s website and other stocking retailers for $169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260). In terms of price, it’s on par with the original Thrustmaster eSwap X2 in the US. In the UK, the eSwap X2 H.E. is £10 cheaper than the first eSwap X2, coming in at £149.99 as opposed to the prior model’s £169.99. Bonus.

Looking at the wider controller market, when it comes to pads compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. finds itself among a busy crowd. While cheaper than the excellent Razer Wolverine V3 Pro ($199.99 / £199.99), it finds company with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 ($179.99 / £159.99).

And frankly, I’d recommend the eSwap X2 H.E. over that official Xbox pad in a heartbeat, due to the former’s Hall effect sticks and generally superior build quality.

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: Specs

Price	$169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)
Weight	10.6oz / 0.3kg
Dimensions	6.3 x 4.7 x 2.4in / 160 x 120 x 60mm
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type	Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	N/A

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: design and features

The Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. remains largely identical to the original eSwap X2 in design. It’s the exact same shape and has all the same features. That includes swappable thumbstick and D-pad modules, trigger locks, and four remappable buttons on the rear of the pad.

You also have a row of on-board function buttons at the bottom of the controller, and these are for headset volume and mic muting, as well as swapping between custom button profiles. You can hit a ‘map’ button to customize the rear remappable buttons, too, if you don’t like the fact that they’re assigned to the four face buttons by default.

The controller does feel quite bulky in the hands, and the thumbsticks rest higher than what you’ll find on the average pad. As such, it really benefits players with larger hands, or those looking for an especially sturdy grip. It’s not quite to my personal preference, but I absolutely can see it being many players’ go-to pad for specifically this reason.

Much like the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded, the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. supports swappable stick and d-pad modules. These are magnetic, and pop out either by pulling them (don’t worry, you’re not at risk of breaking these as they’re especially sturdy and there’s no physical connection), or the included screwdriver which slots into the D-pad. This makes it easy to adopt a symmetrical stick layout if you prefer, or to swap out with other Thrustmaster modules that are sold separately.

As was the case with the eSwap X2, you can expect build quality to be solid here. After all, it is for all intents and purposes also an eSwap X2, just with the addition of those Hall effect sticks included in the box. So no movement or changes on that front.

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: Performance

The inclusion of Thrustmaster H.E.A.R.T. thumbsticks really is the selling point here. These resist stick drift and are a massive improvement over the eSwap X2’s default sticks. They feel super smooth, too, reminding me greatly of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller’s sublime stick feel.

Like the original X2, the face buttons here are impressively responsive and tactile, offering a mouse click-esque press. You’ll feel the difference immediately if you’re used to the softer, spongier button presses of cheaper pads like the Xbox Wireless Controller. The immediacy of presses here are super satisfying, and that also goes for the clicky bumpers and D-pad.

Speaking of, the D-pad here actually isn’t among my favorites. While I appreciate its responsiveness, the raised, bumpy design is something I found to be quite uncomfortable to use over longer stretches of time. It’s far from horrible, but for platformers, arcade-style games, and the best fighting games, it’s not a great fit.

One other thing to note is that the H.E. is still a strictly wired controller. To an extent, this is to be expected, as what we have here is essentially a slight revision of the eSwap X2. The ‘definitive’ version, quite possibly. I’d definitely like to see Thrustmaster offer a wireless solution for its next big gamepad release, though, as I strongly feel the option should be there when your controller is north of the $120 / £120 mark.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.?

Buy it if...

You’re new to the eSwap line
If you’re looking to buy an eSwap controller for the first time, then the H.E. really is the only choice you need to make. Depending on where you live, it’s the same price or slightly cheaper than the standard eSwap X2, and offers Hall effect sticks in the box.

You want a chunky, sizable controller
There aren’t many controllers that seem designed primarily for larger hands. This may not have been the intended design goal with the eSwap X2 H.E., but its chunky build and high quality make it extra comfortable if your hands are on the larger size.

Don't buy it if...

You own an eSwap X2
Quite simply, if you already have a Thrustmaster eSwap X2 controller, there’s no reason to buy this latest revision. Instead, you should consider picking up the H.E.A.R.T. modules from Thrustmaster’s website.

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: Also consider

Not too keen on the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.? Here are a couple more controllers worth considering if you’re planning to upgrade from the stock Xbox Wireless Controller, or otherwise.

	Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.	Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded	Nacon Revolution X Unlimited
Price	$169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)	$209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)	$199.99 / £179.99 (around AU$300)
Weight	10.6oz / 300g	9.3oz / 265g	11.53oz / 327g
Dimensions	6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm	6.3 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 160 x 106 x 66mm	7.5 x 7.4 x 3.5in / 190 x 189 x 89mm
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC (PlayStation version sold separately)	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type	Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	N/A	Around 20 hours	Around 10 hours

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded
The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is more expensive, but offers wireless connectivity and a similar module-swapping tech to the eSwap X2 H.E. You’re even getting a ‘fightpad’ module in the box that works excellently with fighting games or your favorite arcade classics.

Read our full Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review

Nacon Revolution X Unlimited
Certainly a strange one at first glance with its built-in LCD display. But this ends up being the Revolution X Unlimited’s best feature, offering plenty of convenient options and features right on the deck without needing to open any external software. A real winner and one of my favorites.

Read our full Nacon Revolution X Unlimited review

How I tested the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.

Tested for a week
Played a variety of games across Xbox and PC
Compared to the previous eSwap X2, and the Victrix BFG Pro Reloaded among others

I tested the eSwap X2 H.E. for about a week for this review. I was already familiar with the original eSwap X2 via its excellent Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree special edition, and I found the H.E. to be completely identical in design and performance, with the addition of those included Hall effect sticks.

I played games across Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, including Final Fantasy 14 Online, Tekken 8, Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage.

I compared my time with the eSwap X2 H.E. primarily with that of the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded. Victrix’s pad is the most similar to Thrustmaster’s with its swappable modules. While I do prefer the Pro BFG Reloaded overall, that mainly comes down to personal preference given its aptitude for fighting games and a comfier build for my smaller hands. Still, the eSwap X2 H.E. is more affordable, which is a strong reason to consider it here.

First reviewed October/November 2025

Read more about how we test

The Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. is, by default, the best Xbox controller from the brand to date – but the lack of improvements is disappointing

4:00 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Gaming | Tags: Final Fantasy, PC, UK, US | Comments: Off

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.: one-minute review

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.: price and availability

List price: $169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)
Cheaper than the eSwap X2 in the UK
Price remains identical to the eSwap X2 in the US

And frankly, I’d recommend the eSwap X2 H.E. over that official Xbox pad in a heartbeat, due to the former’s Hall effect sticks and generally superior build quality.

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: Specs

Price	$169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)
Weight	10.6oz / 0.3kg
Dimensions	6.3 x 4.7 x 2.4in / 160 x 120 x 60mm
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type	Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	N/A

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: design and features

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: Performance

Should I buy the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E. review: Also consider

Not too keen on the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.? Here are a couple more controllers worth considering if you’re planning to upgrade from the stock Xbox Wireless Controller, or otherwise.

	Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.	Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded	Nacon Revolution X Unlimited
Price	$169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)	$209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)	$199.99 / £179.99 (around AU$300)
Weight	10.6oz / 300g	9.3oz / 265g	11.53oz / 327g
Dimensions	6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm	6.3 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 160 x 106 x 66mm	7.5 x 7.4 x 3.5in / 190 x 189 x 89mm
Compatibility	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC (PlayStation version sold separately)	Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
Connection type	Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)	Wireless (2.4Ghz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)
Battery life	N/A	Around 20 hours	Around 10 hours

Read our full Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review

Read our full Nacon Revolution X Unlimited review

How I tested the Thrustmaster eSwap X2 H.E.

Tested for a week
Played a variety of games across Xbox and PC
Compared to the previous eSwap X2, and the Victrix BFG Pro Reloaded among others

I played games across Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, including Final Fantasy 14 Online, Tekken 8, Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, and Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. World Stage.

First reviewed October/November 2025

Read more about how we test

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