Over the past few months, we have seen the release of plenty of controllers from Chinese companies that attempt and succeed for the most part, at offering advanced features for very competitive prices. Some of these features, like back paddles or built-in LCD screens, however, may not be enough to justify the higher price for someone just looking for a functional controller that can be used on multiple platforms. For this reason alone, the EasySMX X05 controller is a controller worthy of more than a look for those gaming primarily on PC or Nintendo Switch who are looking for more reliable Hall Effect sticks and have no use for the fancy features offered by other controllers.
At a glance, the EasySMX X05 doesn't look much different from any other controller using the Xbox controller asymmetrical sticks layout. Coming in three colors - Oyster White, Lime, and Black - and with controllable RGB lights placed around the sticks, the controller looks pleasing to the eye. With a net weight of 218g and a size of 13.70 × 6.70 × 17.40 cm, the EasySMX X05 feels light and comfortable enough even for those with big hands. The Hall Effect sticks and triggers prevent drifting issues and grant maximum accuracy, as do the regular face and shoulder buttons. The face buttons are also quite silent, as they have a minimal amount of clicking, which is great for late-night players who require their controllers to be as silent as possible. The controller also features 5-level adjustable vibration, providing the user with more customization options that are always welcome. The anti-slip texture on the back of the controller feels pleasant to the touch and does its job rather well. The stick caps and Teflon, which prevent wear on the stick surfaces included in the package, are rather welcome and could potentially extend the controller's life considerably, even with hard use.
Setting up the EasySMX X05 controller on PC is easy and straightforward. The controller was instantly recognized by Windows 11 while plugging it in using the included USB-C cable, and I had to do no other operation to use it with Steam games. The wireless setup is just as simple as plugging the included dongle in my PC was all I had to do to use the controller wirelessly. The ceramic chip antenna featured in the controller enhances its stability and minimizes its latency, so using it wirelessly is definitely a viable option, even for intense games that require quick reactions with minimal latency, such as fighting games. The Ternary Lithium 750 mah battery granted around 6 hours of gameplay, so in this sense, the EasySMX X05 delivers a similar experience to other wireless controllers.
Speaking about fighting games, I have found the EasySMX X05 controller to be a surprisingly decent one to play them, thanks to its d-pad, which is rather accurate and doesn't take too long to get used to. In Street Fighter 6, I tested the controller using charge characters, my main Blanka and M.Bison, since I've found this type of character to be the most problematic for the average d-pad, and I'm happy to say I had no issue whatsoever. I had no trouble with motion characters as well, so if you're looking for a controller with a decent d-pad for fighting games to use on PC without breaking the bank with more expensive fight pads, the EasySMX X05 could be a decent choice for you. For every other genre that may not require the same level of accuracy as a fighting game, the controller is just as good, feeling incredibly comfortable even if you are more used to the PlayStation or Nintendo Switch controller layout. Besides Street Fighter 6, I have tested the controller with other games I am currently playing, such as Final Fantasy VIII Remastered and Tales of Berseria, and had no issues whatsoever.
Unfortunately, much like most controllers produced by Chinese manufacturers, the EasySMX X05 is not compatible with PlayStation and Xbox consoles, which limits its appeal quite a bit. It is a real shame, as $29.99 is an excellent price for such a solid controller. If you play mostly on PC or Nintendo Switch, however, and don't need advanced features like back paddles, the EasySMX X05 is an excellent choice that is well worth its low price.
Review unit provided by the manufacturer.
