To shop all of these controllers in one place directly on Amazon, click here.
1. Haute42 C16
The Haute42 C16 ticks the following boxes:
- It has 16 buttons.
- It has a wrist resting slope.
- It has an information screen.
- It has enough function buttons.
If the C16’s switches are not your style, they are hot swappable, so you can install other switches you prefer. That said, the controller should be wide enough to place on your lap without having to painfully squeeze your legs together. Of course, the controller is appropriate for desk play as well. It’s also pretty slim.
Needless to say, the C16 has a little screen, and it’s nice to see it in the very center instead of somewhere to the side. On it, you can see important information like your current:
- SOCD cleaning mode
- Directional mode
- Input mode
- Button presses
Essentially, the C16 runs on the acclaimed GP2040-CE firmware that is known for its open source design, decent compatibility, web configuration, online updates, and practically no lag.
Custom RGB LED can make your C16 light up like a festival. With four screws holding the top panel together, the art of the controller is customizable. For that, we at The Arcade Stick have a custom art service.
Why to Buy
The C16 has a right index button, and it also has two extra thumb buttons that are horizontally aligned—keeping your thumbs symmetrically positioned.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
2. Haute42 C-AT
Following the C16’s groundbreaking success, Haute42 released the C-AT, which is its first attempt at an 18 button controller. Spoiler alert: It’s a successful attempt!
That said, the AT part of the C-AT’s name stands for adjustable travel. You see, all the main buttons allow you to adjust their travel distance using retaining rings and adjustment plates:
- The long level is 0.3 mm.
- The medium level is 0.6 mm.
- The short level is 1.0 mm.
The six extra buttons (beyond the classic 12 button layout) give the C-AT more than one layout, such as a split layout that gives your hands and fingers more breathing room.
The C-AT’s buttons have a bit of a “dry” texture to them, and they utilize the snappy Wind Engine switches that trigger quickly, whereas the tactile, clicky, and hot swappable switches have a fully POM housing & stem in a way that reduces friction—resulting in smooth keystrokes.
It’s also awesome that the C-AT’s grip pad almost covers the whole bottom panel. It’s nice that the cable is braided as well. What’s also nice is how the main USB-C port in the back center is lockable. There’s even another USB-C port.
You can actually buy a C-AT in black or white, and you can also paste a wrist rest sticker with art like:
- Shoto throwing a fireball
- Geometric pattern
- Something else
Not digging the preset artworks? Just like the C-AT’s wrist rest is magnetically detachable, you can also magnetically lift up the top panel with the press of a button.
That way, you can insert brand new art that represents you, which we can print for you. Finally, the C-AT’s buttons can benefit from LED that lights them up nicely.
Why to Buy
With the C-AT, Haute42 didn’t just improve a thing or two. It improved many things—like giving you the freedom to adjust the buttons’ travel distance.
Moreover, the 18 buttons give you access to more than one layout—in a way that can give you a competitive advantage—and customizing the C-AT’s art is super easy due to the magnetic top panel.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress: Standard / Metal
Buy now on Amazon: White / Black
3. Haute42 M Ultra Gen2
After the M16 Ultra’s earth shattering success, the award winning Haute42 made a sequel: the M Ultra Gen2. This controller’s main improvement over its bestselling predecessor is having a left pinky button, whereas the two buttons surrounding the jump button are horizontally aligned.
That being said, the M Ultra Gen2 features the fast Shadow Hunting low profile switches, and if you prefer other switches, you can just hot swap them.
Hardware-wise, the M Ultra Gen2 is an aluminum alloy controller that’s heavy enough to be stable without being too heavy to carry around.
The M Ultra Gen2 also has an ergonomic slope for your wrists to rest, and the bottom has a grip pad for each one of your legs. About the controller’s slimness and size, they make it possibly fit into a tablet sleeve you already own.
Moving on, the M Ultra Gen2 runs on the excellent GP2040-CE firmware. Not only that, there’s an OLED screen to inform you about the current:
- Input mode
- SOCD mode
- Directional mode
- Button press animation
Aesthetically, the M Ultra Gen2 can have a black or blue color with tasteful accents. Finally, you have optional RGB LED that brings the controller to life. If you’d like to add art to this controller, we’d be glad to print the art for you.
Why to Buy
The M Ultra Gen2’s aluminum alloy relieves you from acrylic smudges, it has a left pinky button, and its extra thumb buttons are aligned in a horizontally straight way that’s intuitive.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
4. Qanba Sapphire
The Qanba Sapphire has 18 Qanba Gravity buttons—some of which are different sizes. The leftmost button is for your pinky. That said, the Cherry MX Speed Silver switches are hot swappable, but if you stick to these standard profile switches, you may be glad to know that they are:
- Linear
- Fast
- Quiet
- Smooth
- Durable
The Sapphire is a slim controller, and it has a detachable memory foam slope where you can rest your wrists. If you remove this foam slope, you can unveil items like an adjuster. You can rotate this adjuster on the desired button to choose from these travel distances:
- Long
- Medium
- Short
On the Sapphire’s screen, you can see your chosen button mapping configuration. You see, there’s a toggle to cycle through your saved button mapping configuration files.
Another cool aspect about the Sapphire is that its rubber pad covers the entire bottom. Additionally, the USB-C cable is detachable from its hinged compartment that has a locking function, making travel more convenient—especially if you use the included shoulder strap. You can also find a headset jack in the controller’s back to stay focused in-game.
One stylistic choice you can make is either a colorful foam slope or just a black flat panel for your wrists. As for the Sapphire’s glow button, it’s to control the LED that can shine through the buttons and sides. If you’d like your controller to stand out even more, consider customizing its art (which we can print for you).
Why to Buy
With 18 buttons, the Sapphire has more buttons than most other leverless controllers—yet you can still cover any unwanted buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
5. 8BitDo Arcade Controller
After the 8BitDo Arcade Stick’s success, 8BitDo came up with the 8BitDo Arcade Controller that has all buttons instead of a joystick. This controller is also thinner, so it’s likelier to fit into a tablet sleeve you already have.
Compared to most other 16 button controllers, the 8BitDo Arcade Controller does something a little different: the extra buttons are bean-shaped and ergonomically slanted. This button shape gives you more surface area to press the buttons without the need for 100% precision.
The 8BitDo Arcade Controller’s extra buttons are quickly remappable/programmable if needed. Don’t need the extra buttons? You can just replace them with the included button lock caps. The controller supports the 8BitDo Ultimate Software V2 for:
- Macros
- Firmware updates
- Additional features
That aside, the 8BitDo Arcade Controller’s buttons use low profile Kailh Wizard switches that are hot swappable, so if you don’t like tactile, light, smooth, and overall satisfying switches: you can easily take out the switches.
The 8BitDo Arcade Controller’s top is made of tempered glass that is fingerprint-proof and smudge-resistant, whereas the bottom has a silicone anti-slip mat to prevent the controller from sliding while you play a game. Also, the magnetic foldable feet made of metal allow you to select from two angles.
Another way the 8BitDo Arcade Controller makes life easier is by connecting in these ways:
- Bluetooth
- 2.4G
- Wired
The battery only takes three hours to charge—and can last you up to 20 hours—but let’s wrap up with some vanity talk: the 8BitDo Arcade Controller can light up through six RGB LED modes.
Why to Buy
You are recommended the 8BitDo Arcade Controller if you like the idea of using a wireless controller with some bean-shaped buttons that give you more surface area to press.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress: Switch / Xbox
Buy now on Amazon: Switch / Xbox
6. Varmilo HA10
Now that the Varmilo Kassai has been released for a while, it makes sense that Varmilo came up with the HA10—a leverless version of it.
Before diving deeper, let’s mention what comes with the HA10:
- Three to four blank buttons
- Three spare buttons
- Two button removers
- Two gloves
- Strap
In essence, the HA10 has 18 primary buttons, but if 18 buttons are too many for you, you can replace an unwanted button with a blank button. Button mapping is made easy with the Varmilo Web Driver companion software.
The HA10’s buttons are quieter than average, and they’re enforced by hot swappable Cherry MX Silver switches that have a customizable actuation point.
Although weighty, the moderately sized HA10 is made of metal, and traveling with the controller is made easier with the shoulder strap.
The black cable color matches the buttons nicely—regardless of which color you order the HA10 in. As for the planetary button art, it’s optional.
Why to Buy
The HA10 has 18 buttons, but you can replace some of them with blank buttons. Otherwise, you may be especially fond of the right palm button. You can also customize the switches’ actuation point—a rare feature. You might find the gloves and shoulder strap to be especially convenient too.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
7. Novablade Pro
The Novablade Pro is the result of a veteran keyboard maker, CORSAIR, making a leverless controller. Essentially, this controller’s buttons are CORSAIR’s keycaps.
Moving on, the Novablade Pro also has two extra thumb buttons: one for your left thumb and one for your right thumb. The Rapid Trigger feature allows its buttons to reset right after 0.1 mm.
You can adjust each of the Novablade Pro’s buttons’ actuation points in 0.1 mm increments—up to 4 mm. Not just that, CORSAIR’s FlashTap SOCD tech cleans up simultaneous opposing cardinal directions.
Onward, the Novablade Pro’s switches are CORSAIR’s too. These MGX Hyperdrive switches are magnetic and have the Hall effect. More than that, the switches are lubricated—with a double-rail design that should last 150 million presses!
That said, you can connect the Novablade Pro via one of the following options:
- Braided cable
- Bluetooth
- 2.4 GHz
The wireless option works terrifically, and what also works well is the dynamic 360° RGB LightEdge that can illuminate the Novablade Pro’s sides—plus button LEDs.
In closing, the Novablade Pro’s top plate is magnetic and easy to remove. We can even print art for you to apply on there. As a whole, the controller is slim and sized well for either desk or lap play—with both surfaces benefiting from a full non-slip base.
Why to Buy
The Novablade Pro is one of the most feature-rich controllers—from a Rapid Trigger feature that adjusts button actuation to having left and right thumb buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
8. Victrix Pro KO
The Victrix Pro KO features 16 movable and mappable Victrix buttons. To make sure the button layout is suitable for fighting gamers, the layout was optimized by the Japanese fighting game legend, Momochi. Also, there is plenty of resting space for your wrists and at an ergonomic angle.
With hot swappable Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, the Pro KO strives for responsivity and precision with every press. As for the RGB LED, it glows around each button, and you can customize the color combinations. Customizing the LED can be done directly on the controller or through the Victrix Control Hub software.
Not only is the Pro KO thin, it also has built-in storage for the following:
- Buttons
- Button covers
- Light rings
- Switches
The Pro KO has an audio port for microphone input and stereo output, making it easier for you to stay in the zone. The aluminum top plate is also removable for easier modding, and you can have it laser engraved too. You can even apply a vinyl print on it from us. The braided USB-C cable is detachable for your convenience as well.
As for the Pro KO’s mounting posts, they allow for a handle or shoulder strap, letting you carry the controller with ease. Your order should also arrive with a protective sleeve and switch puller.
Why to Buy
The Pro KO has two extra right thumb buttons, and the fact that you can cover any unwanted buttons is really useful.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
9. Mayflash F700 FLAT Elite
The Mayflash F700 FLAT Elite is a 15 button controller that can last up to 20 hours before charging it again. You can go for these connection types:
- Bluetooth
- 2.4 GHz
- Wired
The F700 FLAT Elite’s left side has a hinged door that reveals a wireless receiver, which is where you can also find the USB cable. Switch between consoles with ease using the knob on the top panel. On the front panel, there is a headphone jack in addition to a microphone mute button.
The art of the F700 FLAT Elite is customizable, and there is a clear acrylic panel for it. Here are the steps you need:
- Take off the controller’s cover.
- Slide your printed art under.
- Put the cover back on.
The Arcade Stick can print your art if you want. Other than that, the star feature of the F700 FLAT Elite is actually the Sanwa buttons that have an optimal travel distance, so you do not need to apply too much pressure to press them, but they should also not get pressed accidentally.
Compared to its predecessor, the F700 FLAT Elite is wider, making it more comfortable on your lap. The decent weight of the controller means it should not slide around, especially because of the anti-slipping bottom pad.
Why to Buy
If you’ve been using fightsticks since 2009, you’ll probably appreciate how the F700 FLAT Elite uses arcade-style buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
10. Razer Kitsune
Justin Wong is one of the pro players who provided feedback during the development of the Razer Kitsune. Its low profile Razer linear optical switches have a shorter actuation height and fast response time.
The Kitsune is a lightweight & mid-sized controller, and its thinness is reminiscent of a tablet device. It has ample space for your wrists to rest, and its slimness spares you from tilting up your wrists to use it.
Moving on, the anti-slip pad at the Kitsune’s bottom provides you stability. Not only that, the braided cable is detachable, and its port is lockable.
In addition to the black edition, the Kitsune also comes in:
- Cammy edition
- Chun-Li edition
- Other editions
Because the Kitsune has an aluminum top panel, you can apply custom vinyl art to it, which we can print. Truth be told, the controller is an elegant beauty. It is powered by Razer Chroma RGB, and the light subtly shines through its sides.
Why to Buy
If you only need 12 buttons, and if you really like the idea of optical switches, then the Kitsune is worth a buy for you.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
To shop all of these controllers in one place directly on Amazon, click here.