1. Mayflash F700 Elite
The Mayflash F700 Elite is wireless with a battery that can last much more than a dozen hours after only a few hours of charging, so you can enjoy a gaming marathon with it. You can also go for a USB-C wired connection.
The left side of the F700 Elite has a door that reveals a storage compartment, and this compartment is where you can also find the USB-C cable. The inside is organized, and the wiring is neat, making modding easier for you.
The F700 Elite is similar to previous arcade sticks by Mayflash, but there are some improvements, such as a knob on the top panel to switch between consoles.
The main improvement of this arcade stick over the original F700 is the Sanwa parts, meaning a Sanwa joystick & buttons that are responsive and durable.
There is plenty of space between the F700 Elite’s joystick and buttons for your comfort when playing. Since the arcade stick is mod friendly, you can still install parts like Seimitsu ones if you want.
In addition to a microphone mute button, the F700 Elite has a headphone jack, and these features help you stay in the zone during play. Also, through turbo mode, you can press a button once, and that would result in multiple inputs, requiring little effort from you.
The decent weight of the F700 Elite means it should not slip during an intense gaming session. The arcade stick is a bit bigger than the F500 as well as slightly heavier, enhancing the stability.
The F700 Elite’s art is customizable, and we at The Arcade Stick can provide you our artwork service to speed up the customization process. We have had plenty of experience designing art for Mayflash controllers. Once you receive your beautiful art, just take off the cover, slide your printed art under it, and put the cover back on!
Why to Buy
The F700 Elite has an unbeatable combo of premium parts and spaciousness. Plus, it has a headphone jack, and it can be used wirelessly as well.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
2. Mayflash F500 Elite
The Mayflash F500 Elite is a multiplatform arcade stick with excellent Sanwa parts, turbo support, and updateable firmware. An octagonal joystick gate is also included as an addon for you.
Replacing the F500 Elite’s joystick gate is rather easy. There are screws at the bottom that are easy to see for access to the interior. There is also ample wrist space, providing you comfort during gameplay. The metal case and rubber feet enhance the weight & stability of this arcade stick.
You can use wired headphones with the F500 Elite to avoid distractions during a serious match. The acrylic panel on top is easily removable, so if you would like to customize the arcade stick’s art with an idea of yours, that is possible, and we can print the art for you.
Why to Buy
The F500 Elite is worth it if you would like the same premium parts as the F700 Elite but a slightly smaller size.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
3. Mayflash F300 Elite
The Mayflash F300 Elite is multiplatform with Sanwa parts, which are responsive and durable. The joystick feels sturdy, and there is less travel distance for an input to register, so there are no dead zones to worry about.
With the F300 Elite, you even get an extra octagonal joystick gate. Of course, the buttons are nothing short of crisp, and there is a turbo feature. With turbo, you can press a button one time, resulting in successive inputs. Plus, the arcade stick has upgradeable firmware, keeping it up to date over time.
The F300 Elite is robust & weighty, and its stability is aided by some rubber feet. The cable has a Velcro wrap to keep it tidy for when you travel.
If you are looking to spice up the F300 Elite’s minimalistic look, you can print out an artwork sticker for it, making it showcase your favorite show, for example.
Why to Buy
The F300 Elite is best for those who appreciate the premium parts of the F500 Elite and F700 Elite but would like a more portable option.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
4. Qanba Obsidian 2
The Qanba Obsidian 2 is a heavier sequel to the Qanba Obsidian. This arcade stick has quality parts, which include a Sanwa joystick and buttons. You can also find a touchpad, microphone input, and cable compartment on the side.
The base pad of the Obsidian 2 is anti-slipping, but the focal point of the arcade stick is the joystick interchangeability. You see, Sanwa JLF joystick tops are swappable, and included with the arcade stick is a ball top & bat top, allowing you to choose your preference.
With thumb-screw access, the compartment on the Obsidian 2’s right can hold a couple of joystick tops (as well as USB cables). This compartment is not flimsy, and the same can be said about the side compartment too.
There is dedicated joystick access from the bottom of the Obsidian 2, and the interior of the arcade stick is organized. Otherwise, if you would like to add custom art to your arcade stick, that is possible, making the arcade stick reflect your taste, such as by displaying a print of your favorite characters.
Why to Buy
The Obsidian 2’s weight and width make it stable on both your desk & lap, and it uses high end Sanwa parts—including a ball top & bat top for the lever.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon or AliExpress
5. Qanba Drone 2
The Qanba Drone 2 uses a Qanba joystick and buttons. There is also a touchpad and audio jack, the latter of which can keep you focused during play. The upgraded joystick produces significant clicky feedback, so you can hear what is happening with your movements.
The Drone 2’s interior is organized and makes modding easy, such as if you would like to change the joystick to something like Sanwa. There are rubber feet at the bottom, which is where you will also find an entry point to the joystick for faster and more convenient access.
As for the size of the Drone 2, it is small enough to be considered a mini arcade stick without sacrificing space for your wrists to rest on. The arcade stick’s cable goes into the spacious right side. Overall, the arcade stick is quite light, making it optimal for you to carry around. Plus, its matte black color looks stylish, and you can even print vinyl art for it.
Why to Buy
If you’d rather have a Qanba arcade stick with actual Qanba parts, the compact Drone 2 is your go-to arcade stick, but still, you can install a Sanwa joystick, and the audio jack can help you stay in the zone while playing.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon or AliExpress
6. Qanba Titan
The Qanba Titan has a Sanwa joystick and buttons, so you can expect great performance. Also, there is a touchpad, microphone jack, and cable storage space.
The increased distance between the joystick and buttons of the Titan provides more room for your hands to move about. The arcade stick’s weight is enhanced by steel plates inside, and there is a rubber base at the bottom for stability. As for the arcade stick’s top panel, it is not malleable.
If you open up the Titan, you will see the color coded interior, but if you simply need joystick access, there is a compartment at the bottom, so you do not need to unscrew the entire panel. You can even use that compartment’s lid to unscrew the joystick.
Why to Buy
The Titan is like the best of both worlds: it’s a smaller arcade stick, but there’s a lot of breathing space between the joystick and buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon or AliExpress
7. 8BitDo Arcade Stick
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick’s joystick feels good, and the buttons have quick disconnects for modding, making your life easier. The plastic top panel should not warp, and the arcade stick’s weight is boosted by a thick metal plate within.
As the 8BitDo Arcade Stick can work wirelessly, the battery can last up to 40 hours, and you only need four hours for charging. No latency issues were detected when testing the arcade stick on a few platforms, resulting in a responsive experience for you.
Why to Buy
The 8BitDo Arcade Stick’s main selling point is its optional wireless connection, so if wireless matters to you, you should consider buying this arcade stick.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon: Switch / Xbox
8. Hori Fighting Stick α
The Hayabusa joystick and buttons of the Hori Fighting Stick α are nicely responsive. There are also long rubber pads on both sides of the arcade stick, keeping it steady on your desk.
That said, the Hori Fighting Stick α is lighter than average, making traveling with it convenient. Nonetheless, it feels well built and durable (mainly because of the top metallic plate).
Opening up the Hori Fighting Stick α using the back latch is a smooth experience. The artwork is customizable, so you can make the arcade stick a reflection of yourself with our print, for example.
Why to Buy
The bestselling Hori Fighting Stick α’s back latch makes it one of the easiest arcade sticks to customize the art of.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
9. Nacon Daija
The Nacon Daija was one of the community favorites in the last console generation, and it’s back. This arcade stick was originally developed in collaboration with the French professional player, Kayane.
The Sanwa joystick and buttons make a comeback—as well as an additional bat-top joystick. The ball top & bat top can easily be removed and replaced due to the screw-on system. Also, the Daija has a textured palm rest for you.
The Daija is quite weighty, boosting stability. Opening the arcade stick’s lid is easy: there are two buttons on the sides that can be pressed to pop open the lid and find tools like a screwdriver.
There’s also additional storage space within. Included with the Daija are a detachable USB cable and audio jack, the latter of which can help you focus during a hectic match.
The Daija comes in white or black, and also available are three faceplate options—meaning the art is customizable. If you’ve got a Daija art design already, we can print it for you. Finally, the LED is the finishing touch, making the arcade stick brighten up.
Why to Buy
It feels good to own an arcade stick like the Daija that was developed in collaboration with a pro (Kayane). More than that, it has Sanwa parts, an additional bat top, a two-button opening, storage space, an audio jack, white or black editions, customizable art, and more.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
10. Victrix Pro FS
The Victrix Pro FS was one of the most popular arcade sticks of the last generation, and it made a comeback with modern compatibility—in addition to a white edition. Fortunately, purple is still available.
The Pro FS’ buttons are Sanwa, and there’s a tournament mode to avoid pressing the function buttons during play. The wrist space is sloped for your comfort, and there’s an anti-slip foam pad at the bottom. Also, there’s an audio jack to keep you locked in.
Impressively, the Pro FS is made of aircraft-grade aluminum. Its carrying handles & cable organizers allow for maximum convenience, and the fast-access back panel allows for the swapping of components easily.
Of course, modding this arcade stick is possible if needed. With the Pro FS, you also get a braided USB-C cable, Allen wrench, and storage bag. Let us know if you’d like a vinyl print for this arcade stick!
Why to Buy
The aircraft-grade aluminum of the Pro FS is hard not to recommend, and other awesome features include Sanwa buttons, a wrist slope, an audio jack, carrying handles, a quick-access back panel, a braided cable, and a storage bag.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon