EasySMX S10 Gaming Controller

I love my Nintendo Switch 2, but I must admit that since I purchased it, I've been struggling a bit with the controller side of things. I rarely play either Switch device in handheld mode, as the Joy-Cons on both systems are just too small for my hands (although some improvements have been made with Switch 2, which is not quite as uncomfortable as the original). This leaves me with the various Nintendo Pro Controllers that I have laying around. I tended to buy a new Pro Controller with each Switch I got for my kids, and now that Switches have somewhat fallen out of favor in my house, I have more Pro Controllers—in various states of disrepair—than I know what to do with.

As a result, I'm not terribly jazzed to buy an official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller. I don't much care about the Chat button, and the only other differentiating feature I care about is the ability to wake up my Switch 2 with the controller. Though I hate reaching behind my TV (I have to pull it out from the wall, as we have our TV in a corner), it's not worth $85 to me to get another Pro controller just to do that.

 A promotional shot from the EasySMX website

That's what makes the EasySMX S10 Controller such a great find. The S10 is a premium controller in every sense of the word, delivered at a very reasonable price. Retailing for $59.99, the EasySMX S10 has the Chat button I don't care about, and it can wake up the Switch 2 remotely. Now, I'll pay $60 for that. 

The wake-up feature does take a bit of configuration, but once I figured it out, it was a breeze. Basically, you hold down the Home button on the S10 for five seconds until it starts flashing. Then you navigate on the Switch 2 menu to Controllers > Change Grip/Order. That'll pair the controller. Then, weirdly, you take the Joy-Cons off the Switch 2 and snap them back on. I have no idea why that step is needed to enable the wake-up feature, but it is. After that, the S10 is paired with your Switch and it will wake it up from its slumber forever more. Fabulous.

The S10 has a bunch of other cool features to sweeten the pot. EasySMX has equipped the S10 with TMR sticks, which means that they are ultra responsive and drift-free. You hear that, Nintendo? Drift-free. I can play with this thing for 10 years and it's never going to start dragging Mario off to the right? Sold. I've played a fair amount of Donkey Kong Bananza and the first half of Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World with the S10, and I've found the sticks to be very responsive. They do feel a bit more tightly bound than the Pro Controller, meaning that they want to return to the home position a bit more, but that's only noticeable if you are sitting there flicking them. In active use, they feel great.

The D-Pad can also be swapped out as needed. The controller comes with a circular D-Pad equipped, and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. But navigating the extensive menus in The Nameless: Slay Dragon was a breeze. The D-Pad just kind of pops off, and you can trade it for a traditional cross-shaped model if you like, but after trying it out I went right back to the circular version. 

My various Pro Controllers are developing a bit of squish in the button area, but I've had zero problems with the ABXY buttons, which are nicely poppy. There's a bunch of tech hiding in the buttons to keep them functional for a long time ("upgraded mechanical structure with micro-switches, liquid silicone cushioning, and enlarged keycaps," according to the controller's website), so take that as you will. To me, a controller layman, they are "poppy," which is good. 

The EasySMX S10 feels great in your hands. It's almost identical in weight to a standard Pro Controller (244g vs. 246g), and the button configuration is immediately accessible. The back and grips of the controller have a nice textured feel to them, which keeps it from getting slippery or gross feeling during long sessions. 

Beyond that, you've got some programmable back buttons, which are always handy. There's Amiibo support, full motion control, and a battery that I have yet to kill, despite my rather wretched charging habits. Visually, the controller has some fun LED light configurations, and you can swap out the magnetic face plate with a blank one you can decorate yourself (they even provide some fun little stickers). I should also mention that the S10 works for the original Switch, along with PC, iOS, and Android. So, some decent bang for your buck.

Frankly, with the quality of the build and all the extra features, I would expect a controller like the EasySMX S10 to retail for $90 to 100. The fact that you can get this thing for $60 makes it a complete no-brainer. I initially thought that this would make a good "Player 2" controller for playing with my kids, but it has instead become the primary way that I engage with my Switch 2. Heck, I'm thinking of buying another one and just throwing all these old Pro Controllers in the closet. This is a premium product, delivered for a very nice price. If you have any desire at all for a new controller for your Switch 2, I would strongly urge you to take a look at the EasySMN S10.