TMR controllers have taken over the gaming market this year, and I couldn’t be happier for them. I’ve been watching this advanced type of thumbstick module go from a fringe adoption by a couple of trend-setting pads to the new gold standard of PC controllers. As we head into 2026, these controllers are going to be the most highly coveted, and there will no doubt be an influx of new TMR rivals on the way, so I thought it’d be a great time to pull together a rankings leaderboard of the ones we have so far.
Aiming and moving in a video game while using a TMR controller feels supercharged. Every nuanced twitch and adjustment can be picked up, and that gives these controllers so much potential. While I do believe there’s a “right” controller out there for everyone based on their unique budget and needs, I’ve thrown together my subjective power rankings for the TMR controllers I’d recommend right now. You may disagree with my order, and if you do, that’s okay, as long as we can agree that TMR controllers are undoubtedly the future. Before you dive in, if you want a feel for how I’ve gone about testing these controllers, head down to the “how I tested” section near the bottom.
7. Gulikit E3 Pro: Best TMR controller on a budget
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Reasons I love it
- The cheapest TMR controller
- Authentic Xbox shape
- Feels really responsive
- Grippy thumbsticks
- Understated design
Reasons I’d avoid it
- No back buttons
- No add-ons or accessories
- Bluetooth only for wireless connection
Kicking off our list is The GuliKit ES Pro. This is the TMR controller to buy if you’re only really interested in the advanced thumbstick tech. As a pro controller, this is actually pretty scaled back in terms of its features, which is why it hasn’t landed a spot further up the list.
There are no back buttons, there are no swappable parts – even the wireless support is through Bluetooth instead of a wireless dongle. It’s also the cheapest controller on this list, and it dispels the narrative that more advanced gaming hardware needs to be more expensive. This manages to squeeze the latest TMR standards into a sub-$30 product, which shows that you really don’t need to pay big for a new gamepad.
Although I use back buttons so frequently these days that I feel hamstrung without them, I was surprised how much I enjoyed using the ES Pro during my playtests. In some ways, it was actually a better FPS controller in Battlefield 6 than some of the more advanced gamepads on this list because its thumbsticks have a great grip to them. It feels like an official Xbox controller, and in truth, that’s all you really need to make a snappy, responsive gamepad that does the basics well.
If you’re looking for more functionality, I’d try to stretch your budget a little further to get something with back buttons, but if the TMR accuracy is what you’re really hungry for, you don’t need to look further than this. I think the stick tension being a little looser on this pad compared to others helps it feel really responsive in FPS games.
I felt like the lack of back buttons was more of a hindrance in Hell is Us, since the snap reactions in combat felt a little limited. In more input-heavy games, you’re definitely going to be better off with something else, but a traditional feel and membrane buttons that can actually be hard to find in the current controller world.
Compatible with: PC | Switch 2
- Great for: FPS games
- Not so great for: Any game that has loads of inputs
6. 8BitDo Pro 3: Best for a retro feel
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Reasons I love it
- It has an authentic PS1 feel
- Symmetrical thumbsticks
- Four extra back buttons
- Traditional membrane buttons
Reasons I’d avoid it
- Slippy thumbstick surface
- Short thumbstick heights
- Small facial elements
If you read enough of my controller coverage, it’ll probably become clear that I’m a big fan of symmetrical thumbsticks. It’s not even that I prefer symmetrical thumbsticks to offset ones, I just feel like there are so few symmetrical options out there for people who do enjoy them. I did, however, grow up as a PlayStation gamer, so I can’t knock the PS1-style nostalgia I get from controllers like the 8BitDo Pro 3.
As you’ll see, the retro design is a big part of this controller’s identity. It resembles a PS1 controller that’s been brought into the modern era. It’s got two back buttons and two additional shoulder buttons, a four-way D-pad, and of course, TMR sticks.
I’ll be honest, I really enjoy this controller, but its nostalgic design does lean it towards retro games, 2D platformers, and fairly simplistic third-person games. There’s one major issue I found in my testing that hampers it as a TMR product to consider buying, and that’s its slippy thumbstick tops.
Battlefield 6 felt great with this controller thanks to its comfortable shape. But I felt I couldn’t get the maximum potential out of the TMR thumbsticks here because, for some reason, their surface texture is so slippery that all those small adjustments and even the bigger aiming flicks didn’t come off as I’d like. It also didn’t help that the facial elements, the buttons and D-pad, are pretty small, so it can be hard to actuate them at speed.
In Hell is Us, the 8BitDo Pro 3 felt a lot more at home, even if the slippery thumbsticks continued to be a bugbear. Exploring an immersive and imaginative world felt great with this pad in hand, and for anyone who’s looking for a more casual controller to use in single-player games, this is one to consider.
Overall, I can’t help but feel this controller’s design is its biggest asset because of its aesthetics, but there are admittedly ways that design holds it back. It’ still one I’d recommend in a heartbeat, but more for folks who tend to use a controller for retro, nostalgia play.
Compatible with: PC | Switch | Switch 2
- Great for: Third-person / 2D platforming games
- Not so great for: FPS games
5. GameSir Cyclone 2: The best value TMR controller
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Reasons I love it
- Great price
- Comfortable
- Large back buttons
- Charging stand
- Responsive, microswitch buttons
Reasons I’d avoid it
- Feels light and hollow
- It’s a pretty standard fare GameSir controller, besides its TMR sticks
The GameSir Cyclone 2 is a happy middle child of the TMR controller family. Along with the PB Tails Crush Defender and GameSir Tarantula Pro, it was one of the first that was commercially available. In my mind, it doesn’t do anything really special to stand out. Its draw really is that it’s a signature GameSir controller, just with the benefits of TMR tech.
But that doesn’t mean this pad isn’t worth investing in. For many controller pundits online, this is one of the best controllers of the last few years, and for good reason. There are some excellent features lurking underneath the surface, and its $55 / £55 cost is very easy on the wallet.
In FPS games, the two back buttons, trigger stop switches, and 1,000Hz polling rate let the Cyclone 2 fly. Unfortunately, the 229g weight of this controller does let it down for me versus other controllers on this list. It doesn’t feel quite as tactile to use as some of the more substantial options I’ve ranked higher than it, and in terms of build quality, its lightweight feel lets it down.
You do get good value for your money here, as Hell is Us shows off the Cyclone 2 as a really safe all-rounder. There are turbo modes, responsive face buttons, and a charging stand that complements its design. For folks who prefer an asymmetrical pair of thumbsticks, they’re going to find as much comfort here as PlayStation fans would with the Tarantula Pro.
Compatible with: Switch | Switch 2 | PC
- Great for: Any genre
- Not so great for: driving / racing games, 2D platformers
4. 8BitDo Ultimate 2: Best for smaller hands
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Reasons I love it
- Great all-rounder
- Feels really responsive
- Clever use of RGB
- Decent price
Reasons I’d avoid it
- Slippy thumbstick surface
- Feels like it could use two more back buttons
The 8BitDo Ultimate 2 has been a really popular controller in 2025, and for good reason. It’s one of those brilliant all-rounders that I think really rivals the big-name, $200 controllers from the biggest brands. It’s got slightly shorter grips than is comfortable for me, however, and a slightly smaller build more generally. For many, this will be the best overall, and I take no objections with that. Personally, as someone who has tested a plethora of these pads, this is the TMR controller I’d recommend to those with smaller hands.
The Ultimate 2 could also be a worthy recipient of the “best value” award. There’s a charging stand, wireless dongle, color options, and some clever RGB lighting lumped in to your purchase. It’ll give you two back buttons and two additional bumpers as well. Its buttons are standard membrane ones, which could be more attractive if you’re not a fan of the clicky microswitches on the G7 Pro.
Battlefield 6 felt great with this controller, and I’d argue this is one of the strongest FPS pads on this list. TMR accuracy was exactly as expected, although the slippery surface from 8BitDo’s Pro 3 controller did rear its head again here, which held it back slightly from being my go-to FPS choice.
In Hell is Us, I think the expertly placed additional buttons really helped to make me feel defended in various combat scenarios. My twitch reactions to tap a back button or grip the bumpers helped me parry and heal at a split second’s notice.
All in all, this is one of the strongest TMR all-rounders you’ll find on the shelves right now, and it’s pretty easy on the eye as well.
Compatible with: PC | Switch 2
3. GameSir Tarantula Pro: The best TMR controller for third-person games
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Reasons I love it
- Symmetrical thumbsticks
- Comfortable shape
- Great back buttons
- Great for PS4 fans
- Good battery life
Reasons I’d avoid it
- Only two back buttons with just okay extra face buttons
- Limited accessories
Since it launched at the end of 2024, the GameSir Tarantula Pro has been one of my favorite controllers overall, and one I keep in my regular rotation. I’ve spoken many times before about how I miss the DualShock 4 from the PS4 days, and this is a pro-grade progression of it, sporting TMR thumbsticks.
This was one of the earliest TMR controllers to hit the shelves, but in shooters like Battlefield 6, it still feels on par with the more recent arrivals. Aiming is crisp and precise, but perhaps the only thing that lets this controller down in the FPS department is a lack of accessories and swappable parts. Yes, not many of the controllers here have that luxury, but the reason I mention it is that it’s one of the few things separating the Tarantula Pro from the upper echelon of the controller market. If there were swappable thumbstick tops, or even two more back buttons integrated into its grips, it’d rival the $200 Razer products for competitive players.
And what really sells it for me is the DualShock 4’s signature comfort. I’m not sure there’s a more comfortable controller on this list for third-person action games, and that tracks seeing as it’s inspired by Sony’s controller from a console generation that was epitomized by third-person action. Hell is Us playtime melted away with this controller in hand, and although symmetrical thumbsticks are a preference thing, I can say I really enjoyed this pad for giving me them without the compromise of pro controller features.
Compatible with: PC | Switch | Switch 2
- Great for: Third-person action adventure games
- Not so great in: 2D platformers
2. Razer Wolverine V3 Pro 8K: The best TMR controller for competitive play
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Reasons I love it
- 8K polling rate can make the most of TMR sticks
- Speedy, responsive buttons
- Carry case and attachments
Reasons I’d avoid it
- Pricey
- No rumble compared with the Xbox version
- You probably won’t notice a difference between 1K and 8K polling rates
The Razer Wolverine V3 line has been one of the standout gaming hardware ranges of the last year, and the 8K-polling, PC-optimized, TMR version is really the culmination of that. It’s no surprise to me that this controller has made the list, especially since it’s the one with the fastest polling rate of the bunch, and the one with the most additional buttons. Arguably, this is the controller that will really be able to harness the potential of TMR sticks, because at 1K polling rates, you probably won’t notice as much of a speed differential between other TMR options and a Hall effect one.
With Esports mouse switches on board and six extra buttons, this is going to be the controller to consider if you want the absolute last word in terms of speed, accuracy, functionality, and TMR precision in first-person shooters. Not only that, it comes with a carry case, swappable thumbstick tops, and a USB wireless dongle. Frustratingly, this is also the priciest controller on this list, with a cost of $200. If you’re on PlayStation or you prefer symmetrical thumbsticks, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro gives you a lot of the same benefits as the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, albeit for slightly more money.
And this is what frustrates me slightly, since the Wolverine V3 Pro for Xbox costs the same $200, but presumably due to the Xbox licensing rather than the manufacturing costs. Even though the Xbox version doesn’t have TMR thumbsticks, it has rumble, and the 8K model has no feedback at all. That’s a real shame, since it makes the PC version feel cheaper, more lightweight, and like it’s missing some value for money you get with the Xbox edition.
Regardless, this is a powerhouse of a controller that served me extremely well in tests with both Battlefield 6 and Hell is Us. With six extra back buttons and this much speed, there really isn’t much this controller can’t do. Arguably, it’s the most futureproofed controller here thanks to that 8K polling rate, which probably won’t become the norm for another few years.
Compatible with: PC | (Raiju V3 Pro) PS5, PC
- Great for: Competitive games, FPS games
- Not so great for: Single-player games that you want game feel in
1. GameSir G7 Pro: The best overall
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Reasons I love it
- Great comfort
- Lovely design
- Clicky buttons with good feel
Reasons I’d avoid it
- No wireless support on Xbox
- D-pad hampers the premium feel
The GameSir G7 Pro is getting the top spot on this list because I feel like it does a little bit of everything, and does it all so well. It’s got a price that’s under $100, it’s got four extra buttons, which gives it potential in competitive games. It comes with a charging stand, it has software you can use to customize it, and it has compatibility with Xbox and PC, and it has a premium feel despite that great value price tag.
Its TMR thumbsticks are as good as they come, giving you massive precision and speed over other gamepads. Like any GameSir controller before it, the G7 Pro is also highly comfortable thanks to a generous size and expert placement of its back buttons. On the face of the controller, the face buttons are responsive but premium-feeling microswitches that feel as good to tap away at in quick-time events as they do in casual drives around Night City in Cyberpunk. The biggest weakness? A fairly cheap feeling, circular D-pad that doesn’t help you much in 2D platformers.
Since reviewing this controller, I’ve kept it in my regular rotation I use day-to-day, and the Hell is Us and Battlefield 6 gameplay I did for this roundup showed why. In Battlefield 6, the TMR tech gave me a lot of aiming speed and precision, but the surface of the sticks wasn’t slippy, allowing me to grip and make the tiny adjustments I wanted to. Meanwhile, the intense and challenging third-person combat in Hell is Us felt manageable even in stressful scenarios. Moreover, I felt I could get immersed in the world because the controller was comfortable enough for me to use in longer sessions.
I think for folks who want a bit of everything, the GameSir G7 Pro is the TMR controller to beat right now. It may be a jack of all trades and not really specialize in any one area of gaming, but when an all-rounder is this good across the board, it becomes very hard not to recommend.
Compatible with: PC | Xbox Series X/S
- Great for: Any genre
- Not so great for: 2D platforming games
How I tested these TMR controllers
For creating this leaderboard, I’ve gone back and tested gamepads I’ve reviewed in the last year, and I’ve even begun testing a few others that escaped my grasp until now. Seeing as I have more time with some of these gamepads than I do with others, I thought a fair way to test them all on an even keel would be to play two contemporary games from 2025, and base this list mainly off of my playtime in those.
For starters, I used Battlefield 6 to test each controller’s FPS prowess. I started each playtest with some time in the game’s firing range, using the same loadout with each to get a fair feel for how each pad felt. I then took each controller into a match and got a sense for how they all helped or hurt my gameplay.
The second game I decided to test these controllers with was third-person action adventure Hell is Us. This game has a bit of everything. There’s laid-back exploration, puzzle-solving, and intense psuedo-Soulslike-inspired combat that requires lots of twitch inputs, but also some gritty feel.
To avoid playing the same section over and over again, I continued my playthrough, spending equal time with each controller for a fair test before summing up my thoughts.
The order of this list was determined based on my own subjective opinions. I’m fully aware that others may disagree with the order of this list, but to make it clear, I recommend all of these controllers, and I’ve labelled each one on the list with specific recommendations and use-cases for various readers.
If you’re hunting down something for your specific platform, take a look at the best PS5 controllers, the best Xbox Series X controllers, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.
