The first time I used an EasySMX controller, it was the EasySMX X05, which offered tri-mode connectivity, buttery smooth joysticks, and a solid build quality for just $30. The company makes dedicated controllers for consoles as well, and has recently launched the S10 controller for Switch 2. It's the first dedicated Switch 2 controller by the company and design-wise, looks somewhat different from its previous Switch offerings.
The EasySMX S10 isn't just made for Switch 2, but can work with a variety of platforms, including PC and mobile devices with iOS and Android OS. This is essential since most controllers that are specifically made for specific consoles also work with other platforms, attracting a wider audience. EasySMX S10 aims for the same, and in this review, we will take a close look at its design, specifications, features, and everything you need to know if this should be your Switch 2 or next PC controller.
Box Contents
The S10 box comes with some basic stuff, which includes an accessories box aside from the controller. Here is what I got inside my S10 controller box:
- S10 Switch 2 controller
- USB-C to USB-A cable
- A faceplate
- Additional D-Pad (Cross-Shaped)
- 2x DIY stickers
- Instruction Manual
The controller comes with two D-Pads: a Circular and a Cross-shaped D-Pad. You can choose whichever you like based on your preference and an additional magnetic faceplate, which doesn't have any particular design or accents. The default one has some white accents on it, but you can also get a custom-made face plate from the company. However, as of now, the service isn't yet available. Nonetheless, you can use the DIY stickers to customize the faceplate if you want a quick solution.
Technical Specifications at a Glance
- Working Platform: Switch 2 / Switch 1 / Switch Lite / Switch OLED, Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, Android/iOS
- Connection: Bluetooth and Wired
- Sticks: TMR sticks
- Triggers: Microswitch
- Buttons: Mechanical
- HD Rumble: Yes
- Extra Buttons: 2 (R4/L4 back buttons)
- Motion Control: Yes
- Battery: 1200mAh
- Net Weight: 244g
The S10 is primarily made for Switch 2, but it's fully compatible with multiple devices, such as PC, Android, and iOS-based platforms, as well as previous Switch consoles. Unlike most mid-range controllers these days, the S10 only uses dual connectivity modes: Wired and Bluetooth. It would have been amazing if it also supported the 2.4GHz connection since Bluetooth only supports up to 125Hz polling rate. That's why you will need to use the wired connection on your PC, but the cable isn't very long.
A Close Look at the Design
EasySMX S10 is neither heavy nor very light. The grips are thinner, which is common to see on most Switch controllers, unlike controllers for Xbox. The grips are textured on the back, and not on the front, but that's fine. As far as the layout is concerned, you get the classic Switch 2 face buttons layout, two joysticks, and a D-Pad. There are also two buttons on the back, and you get tactile bumpers and micro-switch triggers on the top.
The face buttons are flat and resemble the Switch 2 Pro controller a lot. They use mechanical switches and feel excellent. Compared to the face buttons on most controllers, these are somewhat larger, and I like that. The D-Pad is also quite big, but it's the circular one. If you opt for the cross D-Pad, then it's going to be average in size.
S10 uses TMR joysticks, which are usually excellent for gaming due to their accuracy. We will test them in the next section, but we do know that TMR sticks usually have fewer flaws than traditional ones. Joysticks S10 felt a lot similar to the G7 Pro, which is the Gamesir's flagship controller, but their performance varies, which we will talk about soon.
Moving to the top section, the bumpers on the S10 are too good. They are tactile, and I haven't had any better bumpers as good as these when I consider the recently reviewed controllers, including G7 Pro and Tarantula Pro. Triggers, on the other hand, lack versatility as they only offer microswitch functionality. So, you can't have the regular analog mechanism, which is somewhat restrictive. Some games have a good use case of analog triggers, such as Spider-Man 2, but I believe S10 will serve better in FPS games than regular titles.
The back buttons are well-designed, with a noticeable protrusion that makes them easy to distinguish by touch. Their position is good as well, and I haven't had any struggle using them, which is usually a pain on a lot of budget and mid-range controllers.
Performance
As far as performance is concerned, the S10 does a wonderful job. It isn't going to be your silent controller, though, but I like that tactile feedback and clicky functionality. However, there are a few things I would like to point out. The circular D-Pad can be an issue in fighting games, as it is more prone to incorrect input compared to the cross-shaped D-Pad. The circular D-Pad looks great in appearance, but functionality-wise, I would choose the cross-shaped one any day.
The triggers, which only offer a micro-switch mechanism, also have somewhat longer overall travel distances than they should. You can expect around 1-2mm of pre-travel distance, which gives them a slight cushion before they engage. In most scenarios, it won't be a dealbreaker, but these could be faster.
Coming to the most interesting part, which is joysticks, here is what I found: The joysticks are decent, but not perfect. I think for its price point, these are doing quite a good job, and accuracy is almost up to the mark. When connected to a PC via a wired connection, it confirmed a 1000Hz polling rate for the joysticks and had 1ms input latency, which is what you would expect.
The resting value shown in the Gamepad tester was 0.00002, which is great. The stick drift is zero, which is also excellent. As far as the stick resolution goes, it's good, but not the best. The smallest movement is 0.00094 steps as per the Gamepad tester, which is quite decent, but compared to Gamesir's G7 Pro, this is significantly bigger (G7 Pro has around 0.00011), but of course, it's $20 cheaper. As far as the Stick Snapback goes, there is some noticeable snapback you will observe. So, it's not the cleanest.
Thankfully, there is no stick tremor. It's literally zero, which means the joysticks are highly stable. In the Circle Error test, the Gamepad tester showed a 10% accuracy error, which is somewhat high, and it would have been better if the error were at least under 5%. In the GPad tester, you can see what the circle looks like. It's surprising because the EasySMX X05, which is half its price, has only <1% circle error.
There is also almost zero inner deadzone, and the outer deadzone is minimal as well. The outer deadzone is similar to the G7 Pro, and I think it's fine to see the stick maxing out just before touching the physical edge. All in all, these are some good sticks with a few flaws.
Customizability
There is some customization available to some extent, and you can change the face plate and the D-Pad in seconds. Appearance-wise, when you connect the S10, the controller RGB LEDs come into action, and I love how the faceplate diffuses the glow, spreading the effects to a wider area. Unfortunately, there isn't a dedicated software for controlling the RGB lighting yet, which is disappointing. Many controller manufacturers offer dedicated software that offers versatile customizations, including RGB lighting control, remapping, joysticks, and triggers customizability, etc.
The controller does offer Turbo mode, which can be turned on using the M button at the back (M+A/B/X/Y). You can also use the small "C" button at the bottom for macros. For Switch 2 games, you will have the motion sensor, which is really a cool feature for some games. Hopefully, EasySMX will release a fully functional software in the near future, because that's really a dealbreaker.
The Verdict
The EasySMX S10 really works great out of the box and is mostly a plug-and-play-type controller. While customizability is limited, it gives you the option to change the faceplate and D-Pad. The core features of the S10 are solid. The buttons offer a clicky feel, and the bumpers are exceptional. The micro switch triggers are decent as well, and the joysticks are on par with what you would expect for its price tag of $59.
The RGB lighting is beautiful as well, but it needs dedicated software for additional control. For Android and Switch 2, I think the S10 is an ideal option, but for PC, I think there is room for improvement. The inclusion of an analog trigger mechanism would have been best, and a dedicated app for customizations is also needed. Plus, a 2.4 GHz connection makes more sense for a PC since a Bluetooth connection will limit you to just 125 MHz of polling rate, and wired connectivity doesn't make sense when you are paying 60 bucks.
Update: EasySMX is currently offering a 35% discount on the S10 controller. Users can apply the discount code: "35% OFF" to buy it for just $39. Do let us know if you see any issues in applying the discount code.
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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