11. RAC-J500KM
The RAC-J500KM metallic all-key controller has mechanical keys with 15 Cherry MX black key switches, and the USB encoder is zero-delay. You get 10 attack keys and five directional keys using this lightweight controller that is thin and easy to carry. The controller has been ergonomically sloped for one’s comfort.
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10. Ultra-Thin Mini Mixbox
This mini controller by SQ Arcade has SOCD cleaning and LED. There are six auxiliary buttons, and you can switch between D-pad, left analog stick, and right analog stick. Custom art is supported as well. This controller’s PCB is the Pico Fighting Board that is powered by the Raspberry Pi Pico. Nintendo Switch and PC connectivity seems flawless when testing this controller.
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9. RAC-J500K
Light, compact, and budget, the RAC-J500K is a decent entry point into the world of mixboxes. It has the traditional mixbox style of slanted keys on the left and buttons on the right. You can order the buttons in black, blue, green, red, white, or yellow. There is SOCD cleaning to make pressing left and right result in neutral, making the controller tournament-legal.
The case consists of durable plastic. Opening up the case is easy using any compatible tool. You may even be able to use your fingers during the process. The interior is neat and spacious, which should make mods such as swapping buttons easier. The suction cups at the bottom work well when on a bare surface.
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8. Keybox
The Keybox has keys and buttons that feel good to press. Its size and weight make it quite portable. It has SOCD cleaning and comes with a dozen mechanical switches and five function buttons.
The Keybox is comprised of PLA, and the quality of the parts is good. It is possible to pop open the Keybox if needed. In fact, the board is hot-swappable, making modding easier. The Keybox is USB-C compatible.
You can order the Keybox in the key, button, and case colors of your choice.
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7. FightBox F3
The FightBox F3 has all buttons with an extra button. The buttons are Sanwa, and because the six secondary function buttons are stiff, it is not likely you will press them by mistake. Needless to say, there is SOCD cleaning.
The metal of the F3’s case feels good, and the acrylic panel is not the malleable type. Furthermore, the rubber feet at the bottom make the F3 more stable. The wires inside are organized despite the F3 being slim, and the weight is moderate.
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6. Sunga G1
This all-button controller has five more full-sized buttons than what we are used to. It comes with injection-molded ABS keycaps, hot-swappable Cherry MX silver switches, and LED functionality. The secondary buttons include turbo, power, touchpad, start, and back. You can pick from LS, DP, or RS directional modes. The art is customizable.
The PCB is the Raspberry Pi Pico, and the SOCD modes include up priority, neutral, and last win. In the center, the uppermost extra button is for L3, and the lower one is for R3, likely for Street Fighter 6. The optional display shows the joystick, directional, and SOCD modes as well as the turbo speed. By the way, there is an anti-slip bottom pad.
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5. Haute Board Mini
The Haute Board Mini is a WASD controller with its directional keys slanted for your comfort. With four acrylic plates, this is a sleek, elegant, and minimalist innovation. There is SOCD cleaning as well as turbo.
The switches are Graywoods, the PCB is the Raspberry Pi Pico, and the USB port is located in the center back. The controller comes with a cable. In fact, you also get a keycap puller, switch puller, and at least one anti-slip pad.
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4. Fightboard
This variation of the Fightboard, the Fightboard MX, has Cherry MX switches. There is an arrow/WASD cluster at a 15° angle, and to the right are square buttons. The switches’ actuation point is impressive, and they can be swapped with any other alternative without soldering.
The weight and size of the Fightboard make it possible to hold it like an NES controller while navigating menus, which is convenient. It is lightweight and fits bigger pockets.
When not pressed, RGB LEDs indicate each button’s function, and you can change the colors as you like, excluding the D-pad. The LED turns off after a minute of not doing anything. There is also a display that shows inputs, input history, and some configuration options.
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MX / LP / 3rd Party
3. Pocket Mini MixBox
This is a mini all-key controller comprised of aluminum and acrylic. It has two USB ports and a useful LED display under the attack keys. There is a wide selection of multicolored switches you can order. You can even install your own keycaps if you want.
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2. SallyBox
The SallyBox doubles as a WASD controller and a hitbox, depending on your preference. It is a two-in-one innovation. This aluminum & acrylic Raspberry Pi Pico mini controller has hot-swappable silent Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, anti-slip pads, LED, and SOCD cleaning as well as a turbo feature. The USB cable is type C.
The LED screen shows the input type, direction type, SOCD type, and turbo speed. The switches are light yet need a reasonable travel distance to trigger, meaning you should not worry about pressing them by mistake. Glorious Panda switches should be compatible as well.
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Sinoarcade / SQ Arcade
ODIN
The ODIN V2 Drop-In lets you easily switch out a joystick for a WASD pad. Its low profile is ergonomic, it has hot low-profile switches, it features colored LED, and its 5-pin wiring harness swaps directly onto most fightsticks out there.
The ODIN comes with Kailh low-profile switches, but if you would like other switches, Omni Arcade may offer you clicky, tactile, or linear switches in different colors.
Omni Arcade allows you to pick your ODIN’s color as well as its LED color. Even the colors of the keycaps can be chosen, and for the best results, you can let Omni Arcade know which fightstick you plan on installing your ODIN onto.
Over time, Omni Arcade has improved its formula by injection-molding its white and black keycaps in a way that makes them even better than in the pictures.
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T-Spin+
You may be interested in the T-Spin+, a WASD pad like the ODIN that is available in nine colors and three Kailh MX switch types: speed clicky, speed tactile, and speed linear.
Made of plastic and PLA (polylactic acid), this nifty innovation is compatible with any 5-pin arcade stick and fits lever hole sizes between 20 and 35. More specifically, this is what you get:
- Set of four arrow keys
- Set of four Kailh MX switches
- T-Spin harness
- T-Spin PCB that is T-shaped and soldered with hot-swappable sockets
- 3D printed nut
- 3D printed housing
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UGRL
The UGRL 5-pin Mixbox WASD keys can come with black, white, or transparent LED. The keys are compatible with a 5-pin Sanwa cable, and no soldering is needed, so you can just plug your joystick cable into the WASD keys’ pin. The keys have Kailh Low Profile Choc (hot swap) switches. Arcade sticks from mainstream brands should all be compatible. Using the lock thread with a nut, installation becomes easy.
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1. PXN-X8
The PXN-X8 is simply a bargain. With quality hardware, it is available in two artwork styles. Its buttons feel good. As for the green axis mechanical keypad, it can outlast a whopping 50+ million presses, feeling snappy and responsive. Still, you can replace them if you want.
There is a headphone jack. The USB cable comes with Velcro, and included in the box are extra micro USB and USB-C cables. You are six screws away from opening the X8, revealing the organized interior. There are small weights within to make the controller heavier and more stable.
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