1. Haute42 C16
The Haute42 C16 ticks the following checkboxes:
- It has 16 buttons.
- It has a sloped wrist rest.
- It has an informative screen.
- It has many function buttons.
If the C16’s switches aren’t your style, they’re hot swappable, so you can install other switches you like. That said, this slim controller should be wide enough to place on your lap without squeezing your legs together.
Needless to say, the C16 has a little screen, and it’s nice to see it in the center instead of to the side. On it, you can see information like your:
- SOCD cleaning mode
- Directional mode
- Input mode
- Button presses
That said, the C16 has a USB-A port that can accept a compatibility extending adapter like the BOOTER 5 to make it compatible with the PS5.
Essentially, the C16 runs on the acclaimed GP2040-CE firmware known for its:
- Open source design
- Decent compatibility
- Web configuration
- Online updates
- Practically no lag
Not only that, custom RGB LED can make your C16 light up beautifully. Even the controller’s art is customizable. For that, we at The Arcade Stick have a custom art service for you!
Why to Buy
The C16 has a right index button, and it has two extra thumb buttons that are horizontally aligned—keeping your thumbs positioned symmetrically.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
2. Haute42 C-AT
Given the C16’s groundbreaking success, Haute42 launched the C-AT, which is its first attempt at an 18 button controller. It’s a successful attempt!
That said, the AT part of the C-AT’s name stands for adjustable travel. In other words, the main buttons allow you to adjust their travel distance:
- 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 standard 12 button layout) give the C-AT more than one layout, such as a split layout that gives your hands more breathing room.
The C-AT’s buttons have a subtle 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 awesome that the C-AT’s grip pad almost covers the entire bottom panel. It’s nice that its cable is braided too. What’s also nice is how the USB-C port in the back center can be locked.
There’s also another USB-C port on the left side, whereas on the right side, there’s a USB-A port where you can insert an adapter like the BOOTER 5 to make your C-AT compatible with the PS5.
You can actually buy a C-AT in black or white, and you can also place a wrist rest sticker with art, such as:
- Fireball-throwing character
- Geometric designs
- Something else
Don’t like the default artworks? Just like the C-AT’s wrist rest is magnetically detachable, you can also magnetically lift up the top panel by pressing a button.
That way, you can insert new art that represents you, which we can print. Finally, the C-AT’s buttons can benefit from LED that lights them up.
Why to Buy
With the C-AT, Haute42 improved many things—like giving you the freedom to adjust the button travel distance. Moreover, the 18 buttons give you more than one layout—which can give you a competitive advantage—and customizing the art is 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
Following the M16 Ultra’s earth shattering success, the award winning Haute42 made a sequel called 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 lined up horizontally.
That being said, the M Ultra Gen2 features the fast Shadow Hunting low profile switches, yet if you prefer other switches, you can just hot swap the stock switches.
Having said that, the M Ultra Gen2 is an aluminum alloy controller that’s heavy enough to be stable without being too heavy to carry. It also has an ergonomic slope for your wrists, 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 have.
Moving on, the M Ultra Gen2 runs on the prized GP2040-CE firmware. Not only that, there’s an OLED screen to show:
- Input mode
- SOCD mode
- Directional mode
- Button press animation
In addition to two USB-C ports, 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.
Aesthetically, your M Ultra Gen2 can have a black or blue color—with tasteful accents. Lastly, you have RGB LED that brings the controller to life. If you’d like to add art to this controller, we’d be glad to print that art.
Why to Buy
The M Ultra Gen2’s aluminum alloy rids you from acrylic smudges. It has a left pinky button, and its extra thumb buttons are aligned in a horizontally straight way.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
4. Qanba Sapphire
The Qanba Sapphire has 18 Qanba Gravity buttons, and the leftmost button is dedicated to 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 happy to know that they’re:
- Linear
- Fast
- Quiet
- Smooth
- Durable
The Sapphire is a thin controller, and it has a detachable memory foam slope where you can rest your hands. If you remove this foam slope, you can find items like an adjuster. You can then rotate this adjuster on the desired button to choose from the following travel distances:
- Long
- Medium
- Short
On the Sapphire’s screen, you can see your chosen button mapping configuration, and there’s a toggle to cycle through saved button mapping configuration files.
Another cool aspect about the Sapphire is that the rubber pad covers the whole bottom. Additionally, the USB-C cable is detachable from its hinged compartment that has a locking function, making travel easier (especially if you use the included shoulder strap). You can also find a headset jack in the controller’s back to stay focused.
One style choice you can make is either a colorful foam slope or just a black flat panel for the wrists. As for the Sapphire’s glow button, it’s to control the lights that can glow through the buttons and sides. If you’d like your controller to stand out further, consider customizing its art, which we can print.
Why to Buy
With 18 buttons, the Sapphire has more buttons than many competitors—yet you can still cover unwanted buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon
5. Hori NOLVA
Hori offers you the NOLVA with 15 fully sized buttons—as well as some buttonhole caps. You see, the extra buttons can easily be removed if needed. The buttons are rimless, and they come with proprietary switches with 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 the buttonhole caps allow you to cover unwanted buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
6. Victrix Pro KO
The Victrix Pro KO has 16 movable/mappable Victrix buttons. To ensure that the button layout is suitable for fighting gamers, it was optimized by the Japanese fighting game legend, Momochi. Also, there’s a lot of resting space for your wrists—and at an ergonomic angle.
With hot swappable Cherry MX Speed Silver switches, the Pro KO strives for responsiveness. As for the RGB LED, it glows around each button, and you can customize the color combos through Victrix’s own software.
Not only is the Pro KO slim, it also has storage for:
- Buttons
- Button covers
- Light rings
- Switches
That said, the Pro KO has an audio port for microphone input and stereo output, making it easy for you to stay in the zone. The aluminum plate on top is also removable for easier modding, and you can have it laser engraved as well. You can even apply a vinyl print on there. The braided USB-C cable is detachable for your convenience in addition.
Regarding the Pro KO’s mounting posts, they allow for a handle or shoulder strap, letting you easily carry the controller. Your order should also come with a protective sleeve, by the way.
Why to Buy
The Pro KO has two extra right thumb buttons, and the fact that you can cover unwanted buttons is useful.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
7. Mayflash F700 FLAT Elite
The Mayflash F700 FLAT Elite is a 15 button controller that can last up to 20 hours per full charge. You can go for these connection types:
- Bluetooth
- 2.4 GHz
- Wired
The F700 FLAT Elite’s left side has a hinged door that unveils a wireless receiver, which is where you can also find the cable. You can easily switch between consoles using the knob on the top panel. On the front panel, there’s a headphone jack so you can stay focused in-game.
The artwork of the F700 FLAT Elite is customizable, and there’s a clear acrylic panel for it. Here are the basic steps:
- Remove the controller’s cover.
- Slide your art print under.
- Put on the cover again.
The Arcade Stick can print your artwork if you like. Other than that, the F700 FLAT Elite’s core feature is actually its Sanwa buttons that have an optimal travel distance, so you don’t need to apply too much pressure to press them.
Compared to its predecessor, the F700 FLAT Elite is wider, making it comfier on the lap. The decent weight means it shouldn’t slip, especially because of the anti-slip bottom pad.
Why to Buy
If you’ve been using fightsticks since, say, 2009: you’ll probably like how the F700 FLAT Elite uses arcade-style buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
8. Novablade Pro
The Novablade Pro is the result of a veteran maker of keyboards, CORSAIR, making a leverless controller. Even the controller’s buttons are CORSAIR keycaps.
To start, the Novablade Pro also has two extra thumb buttons: one for your left thumb and one for your right thumb. Furthermore, the Rapid Trigger feature allows its buttons to reset right after 0.1 mm.
Fundamentally, you can adjust each of the Novablade Pro’s buttons’ actuation points in 0.1 mm increments—up to 4 mm. Not only that, CORSAIR’s FlashTap tech takes care of simultaneous opposing cardinal directions.
Onward, the Novablade Pro’s switches are CORSAIR’s too. These MGX Hyperdrive switches are magnetic and sport the prized Hall effect. These switches are lubricated and have a double-rail design that should last you 150 million presses!
With that said, the Novablade Pro is slim and sized well for either desk or lap play—with both surfaces benefiting from a full non-slip base. You can also connect the controller via one of the following options:
- Braided cable
- Bluetooth
- 2.4 GHz
What also works well is the dynamic 360° RGB LightEdge that can illuminate the Novablade Pro’s sides—plus button LEDs. The top plate is magnetic—so it’s easy to remove—and we can even print art for you to apply there.
Why to Buy
The Novablade Pro is a feature-rich controller—from a Rapid Trigger feature that adjusts button actuation to including left and right thumb buttons.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
9. Razer Kitsune
Justin Wong is one of the professional players who provided feedback during the Razer Kitsune’s development. Its low profile Razer linear optical switches have a shorter actuation height—and swift response time.
The Kitsune is lightweight & mid-sized, and its thinness is reminiscent of a tablet. It has plenty of room for your wrists to rest, and its slimness spares you from tilting up your wrists.
Moving on, the anti-slip pad at the Kitsune’s bottom adds stability. Not just that, the braided cable is detachable, and the port is lockable.
Aside from the black edition, the Kitsune is also offered in:
- Cammy edition
- Chun-Li edition
- Other editions
Because the Kitsune has an aluminum top panel, you can paste vinyl art on it, which we can print. Simply put, the controller is an elegant beauty, and it’s powered by Razer Chroma RGB—with the light subtly shining through its sides.
Why to Buy
If you only need 12 buttons and like the idea of optical switches, then the Kitsune is worth a buy for you.
Where to Buy
Buy now on Amazon
10. Varmilo HA10
Now that the Varmilo Kassai has been released for a while, it’s logical that Varmilo eventually came up with the HA10—a leverless version of it.
Before diving deeper, these are what come 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 your needs, you can replace an unwanted button with a blank button. Button mapping is easier with the Varmilo Web Driver companion software.
The HA10’s buttons are quieter than average, and they use hot swappable Cherry MX Silver switches that have a customizable actuation point.
Although weighty, the moderately sized HA10 is metallic, 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—and the planetary button art is optional.
Why to Buy
The HA10 has 18 primary buttons, but you can replace some of them with blank buttons. Otherwise, you may be fond of the right palm button. You can also customize the switches’ actuation point (a rare feature). You may find the gloves and shoulder strap to be especially convenient too.
Where to Buy
Buy now on AliExpress or Amazon