8. GuileKeys GK-21
The GK-21 is an acrylic controller with 21 primary buttons, so you can use the directional buttons with your left and right hands in unison, but if you do not need 21 buttons, the GK-16 edition has 16 buttons.
The buttons of the GK-21 are rimmed, and as for the turbo functionality, it allows you to press one button and have that press result in many inputs, requiring less effort from you.
Regarding the RGB button, it refers to the LED that the GK-21 has, which glows around the buttons and through the midsection attractively.
When it comes to the GK-21’s switches, they are hot swappable Kailh Choc Reds, so if you have another preference, you can just change the switches.
Continuing on, you can find a screen that lets you know valuable intel to boost your GK-21 experience. For instance, you can watch your button presses, and you can also check the current SOCD cleaning mode.
When it comes to the connectivity, the GK-21 lets you pick from a USB-C port in the back and another on the left side. Compatibility-wise, the RP2040 chip runs on the open source GP2040-CE firmware with negligible input delay.
If you plan to play on more consoles than the GK-21 supports, there is a USB-A port to extend the controller’s compatibility through an adapter.
To wrap everything up, here are some freebies your GK-21 order may include:
- Couple of extra keycaps
- Couple of extra switches
- Switch puller
- White USB-C cable
- Black USB extension cord
Order from Amazon: GK-21 / GK-16
7. DuelPad A16
One of the DuelPad A16’s best features is the left pinky button. The controller has 16 buttons, and one of the extra buttons is on the far left—for your pinky to utilize. The pinky and jump buttons are bigger than the others so you can press them more easily.
The A16 comes in multiple editions: the EPIG edition has Kailh Choc V1 switches, and the Cross edition has Kailh Choc V2 switches. Both editions come with 16 or 14 buttons, depending on what you need.
If you want, you can have a combination of EPIG and Cross buttons across your A16. In any case, the controller features an overclocked polling rate to decrease input delay—resulting in fast inputs.
Back to the A16’s switches: they are the low profile Kailh Choc Reds that can be described as smooth, light, and quieter than average.
As for the A16’s focus toggle, it is essentially a tournament lock that deactivates function buttons—when you do not need them. The tiny screen shows you valuable info like your inputs in real time, which input mode you are in, the current directional mode, and which SOCD cleaning mode is on.
Running on the highly acclaimed GP2040-CE firmware, the A16 supports web configuration, so you are able to easily adjust the controller’s settings. You can extend this controller’s compatibility further if you have an adapter.
That said, the A16’s design prevents it from slipping while you are intensely gaming. Also, the size of the controller is suitable for both desks and laps. Furthermore, there is plenty of space for your wrists to rest. It goes without saying that this controller is quite slim, but despite being slim, the controller still feels robust—and not flimsy.
Now, you may be interested in increasing your A16’s stability, which you can do by attaching the rubber feet that come with the controller. Also, there are a couple of aluminum stands you can add to the controller to make it more angled—much like a keyboard.
The A16 comes with plenty of freebies like a USB-C cable. If you need more length, you can use the cable extender. Also, DuelPad provides a two sided puller, with one side being for switches and the other one for keycaps. There is a manual to help you set up the controller too.
Your A16 may also come with custom art you can easily apply by unscrewing the top, placing the art, and the screwing the top back on.
A couple more things about the A16’s looks to wrap things up: the keycaps are multicolored, and with dozens of LED patterns—the buttons come to life even more.
Order from Amazon
6. DuelPad Zen
The DuelPad Zen has 16 buttons, and it comes with rubber feet & extra parts. DuelPad calls the Zen’s layout an ergo-split layout, which is for reducing wrist discomfort.
To put things simply, you would be tilting your wrists at a slight angle when using the Zen, and the movement buttons are farther apart from the attack buttons than what you may be used to.
The Zen’s buttons are smooth, and they are quiet. They should not pop off if you perform intermediate techniques like pianoing or sliding.
When you play, the Zen should not slip, even without the optional feet installed. The controller is light to carry, but it has enough weight not to forget that it is in your hand.
The Zen is slim, yet it passed a malleability test when deliberately pressing on its main panel. That being said, the controller has USB-C ports in the back and on the left. Needless to say, you can detach the cable if you need to.
There is a USB-A port as where you can insert an adapter to make the Zen compatible with more consoles. There is also a little screen that tells you important info like which buttons you pressed.
When it comes to it looks, the Zen is an acrylic controller with matte black and crystal options. The matte black edition comes with Ghost switches, while the crystal edition comes with White Rain switches. The switches are low profile, linear, swift, and quiet, but if you have some other preference, the switches are hot swappable.
The Zen’s aesthetics can be enhanced with RGB LED, and there are as many as 35 themes. The buttons and controller light up beautifully. One last tidbit: the controller accepts custom art to represent your personality.
Order from AliExpress: Acrylic / Metal
5. Haute42 T16
The Haute42 T16 is a controller with larger buttons and Kailh Choc low profile switches for fast pressing. There is another edition with less buttons if you prefer that. Fortunately, the button latency is less than a millisecond.
The T16 is an acrylic controller with smooth edges for the comfort of your hands. There are feet to make your controller stay put during a set of matches.
The T16’s USB port conveniently comes out of its back center, and you can find another port on the right, which is where you can insert an adapter for more compatibility.
The SOCD cleaning includes the well known modes of up priority, neutral, and last input priority, so tournament legality should not be a problem for you. Plus, the T16’s screen shows your inputs, input mode, and SOCD mode.
LED makes the T16 even more attractive when pressing the buttons. You may also be glad to know that the art of the controller is customizable, so you can have characters from your favorite movie displayed on it, for example.
Order from AliExpress: Standard / Crystal
Order from Amazon: Standard / Crystal
4. Haute42 R16
The Haute42 R16 has 16 buttons, with a layout for your left pinky to press a button on the far left. The Kailh Crystal low profile switches allow you to press the buttons with speed. The input latency is less than a millisecond, and you can even make use of turbo for fast inputs with little exertion.
The R16’s onboard screen reveals information that include your inputs, the current SOCD mode, and so on. What you can also get with the controller includes an extra switch, switch puller, and function buttons.
The USB port conveniently comes out of the R16’s back center, and on the right, there is a port for an adapter to enhance your controller’s compatibility options.
The R16 is a beauty, chiefly due to the LED when you press its buttons. The controller can also accept custom artwork to make your controller match what you like. You can opt for a black edition too if you like.
Order from AliExpress: White / Black
Order from Amazon: White / Black
3. Haute42 U16
The Haute42 U16 comes with plexiglass on top and an injection molded bottom. The controller has 16 buttons, which are enough for modern fighting games, and the U12 edition has 12 buttons if you do not need many buttons.
The buttons of the U16 have a satisfyingly smooth texture to them, and the button rings make you feel like you are pressing standard arcade buttons. For your convenience, the jump button is bigger than the rest, allowing you to press it without needing 100% precision.
The U16’s switches are fast and fairly quiet. Another awesome detail is the size of the wrist resting area you can enjoy with this spacious controller. An additional cool feature is the screen that tells you useful information like whether you are using the directional buttons as a left analog stick or D-pad.
Whether you like to play with a controller on a table or your lap, the U16 has got you covered. You see, the controller has built-in pads so that it does not skid around when you game.
If you would like to place the U16 on your legs, the controller is large enough not to have to squeeze your legs together, and the controller’s lightness makes long gaming sessions more comfortable. Furthermore, the controller is thin, and it might even fit into a laptop or tablet sleeve you already own.
When you buy the U16, you do not have to worry about buying your own cable because Haute42 ships a USB-C to A cable with it, and it is detachable. If you want to extend compatibility, you can insert an adapter into the USB-A port.
With the U16, you get an extra switch as well as a switch puller because of the hot swappable switches that allow you to customize how the controller feels. Even the buttons can be swapped.
You may be glad to know the U16 is one of the easier Haute42 controllers to customize the art of to represent your personality. Just take off the top plexiglass layer, insert your brand new art, and screw the plexiglass back on.
That said, we at The Arcade Stick would love to let you know about our custom art service. We have a team of dedicated professionals who are ready to serve you, and we have had plenty of experience designing custom art for Haute42 controllers, so please feel free to get in touch with us if you are interested in our art service for your U16.
Order from AliExpress or Amazon
2. Haute42 M16 Ultra
The Haute42 M16 Ultra is a sturdy metallic controller that is thin. There is a variation with 12 buttons too. Otherwise, this masterpiece can come in a black or silver design. With LED, the controller’s beauty is multiplied.
The M16 Ultra has less than a millisecond of input delay, so you can enjoy responsivity when playing with it. Also, there are multiple SOCD cleaning modes to fit your needs, keeping your controller legal at a tournament.
With an info screen, the M16 Ultra lets you see your inputs live, and you can also know which input & SOCD modes you are currently in, keeping you aware of what is going on.
For your convenience, you can adjust your M16 Ultra online to meet your needs. As for the extra port, it allows you to insert a dongle for compatibility with additional consoles. By the way, you can add custom artwork to the controller so that it reflects your taste.
Order from AliExpress: Ultra / Plus
Order from Amazon: Ultra / Plus
Featured: FightBox F-PRO
FightBoxArcade is one of the leading leverless stores on the web, and with the FightBox F-PRO, you get a whopping 17 arcade-style buttons.
Something we usually see with leverless controllers is that they do not come with arcade-style buttons because they are too slim to handle them, but not this controller. The truth of the matter is the F-PRO comes with Sanwa buttons that are durable and responsive. In any case, you can switch them with other reputable brands like Seimitsu.
With that aside, all the buttons are 24 mm except for the jump button, which is 30 mm so you can press it more easily. The function buttons are stiffer to press, which is good because you are unlikely to press them without meaning to.
About the hardware, the F-PRO is made of sturdy metal, and the acrylic on top is not the malleable type. Not only that, the weight is noticeable as well, so in addition to the rubber feet, the controller should stay in place while you play your favorite game for hours. Oh, and despite the controller not being flat, it can still be considered thin.
It goes without saying that the F-PRO supports SOCD cleaning, so you should not be disqualified from a tournament for hitting opposite directions together.
If you like to tinker, you may be glad to know that the USB port has a two screws you can take out to replace said port. Speaking of modding, the wires inside the F-PRO are organized rather well.
To wrap everything up, FightBoxArcade controllers come in different colors like white or black, and they often accept custom art to make your controller display your favorite character or show. This is one of the many reasons we recommend you check out all their models and find the controller that suits you visually & mechanically.
Order from FightBoxArcade
1. Haute42 X1
The X1 is Haute42’s most impressive controller yet. It is like buying multiple controllers in one. This modular controller contains three main modules that you can swap out:
- Upper directional buttons
- Lower directional buttons
- Attack buttons
You can get the X1’s buttons with rims or without. You can also opt for the smooth Kailh Wind Engine switches or snappy Kailh Ice Cream switches. Because of the overclocked polling rate, there is less than 1 ms of input latency.
You can rotate the directional button module to find the most ergonomic angle for you. You can even swap it out for a WASD key module. What also adds to the X1’s comfort level is its spacious wrist resting area. Oh, and this controller is slim too.
With that being said, the X1 is made of machined aluminum, and it has LED that beautifully lights up the buttons as well as what looks like light under the controller when you place it on a desk or your lap.
The X1’s little screen shows your button presses live in addition to the input, directional, and SOCD modes. You can activate the turbo feature as well to just press a button one time, resulting in rapid button presses within the game.
If you would like to make the compatible with more consoles, there is a USB port where you can insert an appropriate dongle. Other than that, here are the free extras you should be receiving when you order this controller:
- A couple of Haute42 switches
- Switch puller
- USB cable
- Instructions
- Black bag
All in all, you should definitely consider the X1, which adds a new layer of customization to the Evo award winning company’s line of bestsellers, which we at The Arcade Stick have had plenty of solid experiences with.