1. Haute42 C16
The Haute42 C16 is a great pick because:
- It has 16 buttons.
- It has a dual layout.
- It has plenty of space.
- It has a wrist resting slope.
- It has an information screen.
- It has enough function buttons.
That aside, you can expect to find inside your C16’s box a USB-C cable, manual, keycap/switch puller, extra switches, and extra function buttons.
Turbo functionality makes a return, so if you’d like to press a button once and have that one press result in multiple inputs, the C16 can let you do so.
The C16 also has some toggles you can use, such as a tournament lock that can be used to disable function buttons and prevent you from getting disqualified due to pressing them accidentally.
If the C16’s switches are not your type, they are hot swappable, so you can install other switches. Maybe you prefer louder switches, for example.
With that being said, the C16 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 if you wish. It’s pretty thin too.
Of course, the C16 has an info screen, and it’s nice to see it in the very center instead of somewhere to the side. On it, you can see important info like the current:
- SOCD cleaning mode
- Directional mode
- Input mode
- Button presses
Moving on, the C16 runs on the acclaimed GP2040-CE firmware that is known for its open source design, decent compatibility, online updates, and basically no lag.
The C16 has a USB-A port that can accept a compatibility extending dongle like the BOOTER 5 to make it compatible with the PS5. Moreover, you can conveniently adjust the controller’s settings by way of web configuration.
Aesthetically, RGB LED can make your C16 light up big time. With four screws holding the top panel, the art of this controller is customizable. We can design the art for you through our artwork service. This way, the controller looks the way you want it—in addition to performing at high levels.
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 in position.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress: C16 / C16-S
Buy now on Amazon: C16 / C16-S
2. Haute42 M Ultra Gen2
After the M16 Ultra’s massive success, the award winning Haute42 made a sequel: the M Ultra Gen2. This controller arrives with a cable, extra function buttons, at least an extra switch, and switch puller.
The M Ultra Gen2’s main improvement over its predecessor is having a left pinky button, and you should find the other extra buttons useful too.
The two buttons surrounding the M Ultra Gen2’s jump button are horizontally aligned, and the buttons generally have less than a millisecond of input lag. To prevent pressing the function buttons accidentally, you can activate the tournament lock on the top panel’s far left.
That being said, the M Ultra Gen2 uses the fast Shadow Hunting low profile switches, and if you prefer other switches, you can just hot swap them. The controller also has a slope for your wrists to rest, and the bottom has a grip pad for each one of your legs.
Hardware-wise, the M Ultra Gen2 is an aluminum alloy controller that’s heavy enough to be stable without being too heavy to carry.
The metallic structure also prevents the M Ultra Gen2 from warping if you gently press on it. As for the controller’s size, it makes it possibly fit into a tablet sleeve you already own.
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:
- SOCD mode
- Input mode
- Directional mode
You can even see which buttons you’re pressing live on that screen. To meet your tournament needs, the M Ultra Gen2 has more than one SOCD cleaning mode, and there’s built-in web config as well.
The M Ultra Gen2’s lockable USB-C port is in the center back, so the cable shouldn’t be an impediment, and you can utilize the USB-C port on the left side too.
An EXT port can be found on the M Ultra Gen2’s right, and this extra port allows you to insert an adapter like the BOOTER 5 for PS5 compatibility.
Also available in blue, the M Ultra Gen2 has an elegant black design with tasteful accents, and it’s spray painted to prevent fingerprints (and wear & tear).
The M Ultra Gen2’s slimness adds to its aesthetic appeal, and so does the optional RGB LED that provides the controller more flair. If you’d like to add art to this controller, we’d be glad to print your art.
Why to Buy
The M Ultra Gen2’s aluminum alloy relieves you from 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
3. Haute42 R16
The Haute42 R16 has 16 buttons, with one button on the left being for your pinky. The Kailh Crystal low profile switches allow you to press the buttons rapidly. The input latency is less than a millisecond, which is awesome. You can even make use of turbo for fast inputs with little effort.
The R16’s onboard screen reveals aspects that range from your inputs to the current SOCD mode you are in. 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 center back, and on the right, there is a port for an adapter to enhance the controller’s compatibility, such as the BOOTER 5 for PS5 support.
The R16 is a beauty, especially due to the RGB LED when you press its buttons. The controller can also accept custom artwork to make your controller your style. Let’s print that art for you. A black edition is available as well.
Why to Buy
If you’re a fan of acrylic, and if you’d rather use a left pinky button than a left thumb button, then the R16 is for you.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
4. Haute42 T16
The Haute42 T16 is a controller with larger buttons and Kailh Choc low profile switches for speedy presses. There is another edition with less buttons if you like. The input lag of the buttons is less than a millisecond, which is fantastic.
The T16 is an acrylic controller with chamfered edges for the comfort of your palms. There are non-slip feet to make your controller stay in place during a set of matches.
The T16’s USB port conveniently comes out of the center back, and you can find another port on the right, which is where you would insert the BOOTER 5 dongle for PS5 compatibility.
The T16’s SOCD cleaning includes the usual modes of up priority, neutral, and last input priority, so tournament legality should not be a problem for you. The screen keeps you informed about your inputs, input mode, and SOCD mode.
RGB LED makes the T16 even more stunning when you press its buttons. You may also be glad to know that the art of the controller is customizable, so you can have your favorite characters displayed on it. Not only that, we print art for this controller too.
Why to Buy
Since it has all large buttons, the T16 is most recommended if you’re a player with larger hands.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
5. Mayflash F700 FLAT Elite
Why to Buy
If you come from a fightstick background, you’ll probably appreciate how the F700 FLAT Elite has arcade-style buttons.
Where to Buy
6. Qanba Sapphire
The Qanba Sapphire comes with 18 Qanba Gravity buttons—some of which have different sizes. The button on the far left is for your pinky.
The Sapphire is licensed by Sony, meaning it has native compatibility and should work on future PlayStation consoles as well—saving you money.
With that being said, the Sapphire’s Cherry MX Speed Silver switches are hot swappable, but if you stay with these standard profile switches, you might be glad to know they are linear, fast, quiet, smooth, and durable.
Consisting of hefty plastic, the Sapphire is a slim controller, and it has a detachable memory foam slope where you can rest your wrists.
If you detach the foam slope, you can unveil the Sapphire’s keycap covers, extra switches, keycap/switch remover, and adjuster. You can rotate that adjuster on a button to pick from a long, medium, or short travel distance.
On the Sapphire’s screen, you can see the selected button mapping configuration. You see, there’s a toggle to cycle through any saved button mapping configurations.
Another cool detail about the Sapphire is that its rubber pad covers the entire bottom. Moreover, the USB-C cable is detachable from a hinged compartment that has a lock function, making travel more convenient—especially if you utilize the shoulder strap. You can also find a headset port in the controller’s back to stay laser-focused.
One style choice you have is either a colorful foam slope or just a black flat panel for the wrists. Otherwise, the Sapphire’s bottom pad there has a mesmerizing geometric pattern instead of a plain look.
Regarding the Sapphire’s glow button, it’s there to control the LED that can shine through the buttons and sides. There are five LED modes in total, and if you’d like the controller to further stand out, consider customizing its art (that we can print for you).
Why to Buy
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
7. Hori NOLVA
Hori offers the NOLVA with 15 fully sized buttons. Your box should also contain:
- Three button hole caps
- Two spare switches
- USB-C to A cable
- Manual
The NOLVA’s extra buttons can easily be removed if needed. The buttons are rimless, and they come with proprietary switches that have a click-like sound.
All the NOLVA’s buttons (except for the jump button) are 23 mm. The jump button is 26 mm, and its bigger size allows you to press it with either one of your thumbs’ sides.
The NOLVA’s top panel is sloped for wrist comfort, and the slope gets steeper near the edge where your palms would rest. To prevent the controller from slipping, there are thick yet narrow pads at the bottom.
As for the detachable cable, it goes near the NOLVA’s center back. You can also unlock the port to then lock it once again. On the right, there’s a headset jack to keep you focused.
Hardware-wise, the NOLVA is made of light plastic, and it’s quite thin. The bottom is where you can find a button removal tool as well. Finally, it’s cool how the NOLVA’s cable is braided (for extra durability).
Why to Buy
The NOLVA has a left pinky button as well as horizontally-straight extra thumb buttons, and its headset jack can keep you laser focused in-game.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
8. Victrix Pro KO
As for the Pro KO’s mounting posts, they allow for a handle or shoulder strap, letting you carry the controller with little tiredness. Your order should also come with a protective sleeve and switch puller.
Why to Buy
The Pro KO is recommended if you’d rather have two extra right thumb buttons, and the fact that you can cover any unwanted buttons is useful.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
9. Novablade Pro
The Novablade Pro is the result of a veteran keyboard maker like CORSAIR making a leverless controller. Even the keycaps are CORSAIR’s own.
Those keycaps are 24 mm—with the exception of the 30 mm jump button that lets you press it with either thumb’s side easily. The Novablade Pro has two extra thumb buttons as well: one for your left thumb and one for your right thumb.
The Novablade Pro’s Rapid Trigger feature allows the buttons to reset right after 0.1 mm. You can adjust each of the buttons’ actuation points in 0.1 mm notches—up to 4 mm. Not just that, FlashTap SOCD tech cleans up simultaneous opposing cardinal directions.
Onwards, the Novablade Pro’s switches are CORSAIR’s too. These MGX Hyperdrive switches are magnetic—with a Hall effect. Moreover, the switches are lubricated—with a double-rail design that should last 150 million presses!
That being said, the Novablade Pro has eight G-keys programmable to your liking. Five of the G-keys can be found to the main buttons’ right, and the controller lets you swap between button setups fast, thanks to five memory profiles.
The three remaining G-keys are simply the Novablade Pro’s extra main buttons, which are for your left middle finger, left thumb, and right thumb.
Impressively, the Novablade Pro’s top plate is magnetic and easy to remove. As a whole, the controller is slim and sized well for desk or lap play—with both surfaces benefiting from a full non-slip base.
A USB-C port is located in a convenient back-center location. With a Sony license and native PS5 compatibility, you can connect the Novablade Pro via:
- Braided cable
- Bluetooth
- 2.4 GHz wireless
The wireless option works great, and what also works well is the dynamic 360° RGB LightEdge that can illuminate the Novablade Pro’s sides—plus button LEDs. The black controller looks elegant when the lights are off as well.
Why to Buy
The Novablade Pro’s Sony licensing gives it native PS5 compatibility, and its rich features range from the Rapid Trigger that adjusts button actuation to having left and right thumb buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
10. Razer Kitsune
Justin Wong is one of the pro players who gave feedback during the Razer Kitsune’s development. Its low profile Razer linear optical switches have a shorter actuation distance, resulting in a fast response time. The jump button is bigger than the rest, so you can hit it with the side of either one of your thumbs.
The Kitsune is a light & medium sized controller, and its slimness may remind you of a tablet device. Also, SOCD cleaning makes it legal while competing at tournaments. Speaking of tournaments, the controller has a tournament lock to prevent you from being disqualified by unintentionally pausing a match.
Licensed by Sony, the Kitsune has native PS5 compatibility, so you do not have to worry about getting an additional adapter, and the Sony license means that the controller will likely work on future PlayStation consoles too. This means you can save money and invest it in the stock market.
Onwards, the Kitsune has ample space for your wrists to rest, and its slimness spares you from tilting up your wrists to use it. In addition, the anti-slipping pad provides you stability. Not only that, the braided cable is detachable, and the port can be locked.
The Kitsune is a minimalistic beauty that is powered by Razer Chroma RGB, and the light shines through the controller’s sides. The button labels are colored in a way that does not diminish the controller’s beauty, but they are still visible enough for you to see them.
In addition to the black edition, the Kitsune can come in Cammy, Chun-Li, and more editions. Because the controller has an aluminum top panel, you can add custom vinyl art, ending up with a controller that represents your aesthetic taste while also performing well. We can offer to print your art for you.
Why to Buy
The Kitsune is for players who only need 12 buttons and prefer their switches to be optical.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon