EasySMX S10 Review

The S10 is EasySMX’s response to Nintendo’s pricing on the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller. It offers pro features, and it does so while attempting to outspec its first party counterpart. With the Switch 2 finally here, the S10’s ability to remotely wake the console is its biggest selling point – a feature Nintendo keeps locked behind a steep $80 price tag. Other third party controller makers haven’t been able to replicate this yet.

I got the Christmas special edition of the EasySMX S10, but I’ll also go over what you get in the regular box.

PACKAGING

The packaging here is kind of special, so you should watch my short unboxing video. It’ll give you a better idea of what it’s like than my words.

In the regular controller package, you get:

• The controller (with a designer faceplate applied)
• An extra plain coloured faceplate
• An extra cross shaped D-Pad
• A basic USB-A to USB-C cable
• A user manual

SPECIFICATIONS

These specs were taken from the EasySMX website and my own observation.

• Layout: Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller layout (asymmetric sticks)
• Connectivity: Wired, Bluetooth
• Compatibility: Switch 2, Switch 1, Windows, Android, iOS
• Sticks: TMR
• Triggers: Digital mouse click triggers
• Haptics : ALPS Linear HD Rumble
• Gyroscope : 6-axis gyro
• Extra Buttons: 2 rear paddles
• Battery: 1200mah
• Polling Rate: Wired – 1000Hz ; Bluetooth – 125-250Hz
• Colors: White, Black
• Software: No software for customisation, firmware upgrade tool only
• Price: $60

BUILD & APPEARANCE

I really like the way this controller looks. The shape of the EasySMX S10 is almost a one-to-one clone of the switch 2 pro controller. The switch 2 pro controller is a little thicker in the middle, but I prefer the way the EasySMX S10 feels. I’ll go over each difference between the two in later sections of the review.

It’s an asymmetric layout as you can see, with an easily removable faceplate. You get an additional, plain faceplate in the box, along with some stickers to customise it.

The colour scheme is really nice. I got the blue-white colourway which I prefer. The black variant also looks nice. The EasySMX logo is fused into the controller handle, with a light holographic effect.

There’s RGB edge lighting for the faceplate, which gives the S10 a really sick look, especially in a darker environment. The RGB is customizable with shortcuts on the controller itself.

It weighs 245 grams, which is comfortable to hold and play for long durations.

The build quality and materials used here are excellent. There is zero unwanted flex or creaking.

The grips have a really nice texture on the back half. It’s so much better than the funky rubber grips on the Switch Pro controller, and it’s even better than the grip on the Switch 2 Pro controller.

ANALOG STICKS

The EasySMX S10 comes with TMR sticks. Their performance is excellent, and they feel smooth. Since the S10 uses TMR sticks, you won’t have any stick drift which you get in First Party Nintendo controllers. This controller will last you a lot longer than the original controllers.

The tensioning is good, and the centering is soft. I personally prefer snappy centering, but this does feel nice too.

There aren’t any visible anti-friction rings because there is internal restriction in this controller. This gives it an excellent, smooth feel, without any scratchiness.

BUTTONS

The EasySMX S10 has mechanical, clicky face buttons. This is SUCH a nice upgrade to the membrane ABXY buttons on the Switch 2 Pro controller. This is personal opinion of course, and some people do prefer the basic membrane buttons on the procon.

The feedback and click feel of the face buttons is excellent. There is a tiny bit of wobble, but it’s not noticeable when playing games. I haven’t had a single misinput with this controller.

D-PAD

The D-pad on the S10 uses mouse click micro switches. It feels excellent, and very satisfactory. There is a tiny bit of pre-travel to the D-Pad, but this only adds to the bounciness of it and I’m a fan.

The stock dpad is a circular pad, but a cross style pad is included in the box. I prefer the cross one.

SHOULDER BUMPERS & TRIGGERS

The bumpers are mechanical, clicky buttons. They have a pretty low travel distance, and they feel nice. The sound they make is nice and it’s a comfortable, tactile bumper.

Since this is a Switch focussed controller, the triggers are digital, mouse click switches. There’s a bit of pre-travel, and this leads to a bouncy feel. Some people would prefer a lower travel distance, but I’ve found myself enjoying the feel of these triggers more than hair triggers in other controllers.

The triggers are larger and more curved on the S10 than in the Switch 2 Pro controller. I love this change, and this leads to a much more ergonomic experience for all hand sizes and grip styles.

Since this controller doesn’t have analog triggers, it’s not viable for playing PC racing games such as Forza Horizon or Assetto Corsa.

BACK BUTTONS

There is a pair of back buttons in the EasySMX S10. They are tactile, mechanical buttons. They’re easy to reach and the placement is great.

But the button is quite tight, and pressing it takes an uncomfortable amount of strength. I wish it was a lighter button.

GYROSCOPE

The EasySMX S10 has a nice 6 axis gyroscope. It only works in nintendo switch mode. Accuracy and responsiveness was good in my short testing session.

HAPTICS

The S10 has HD Rumble. This leads to an excellent experience in Nintendo Switch titles. Vibration strength and detail is pretty good for HD Rumble.

The controller not having any asymmetric rumble motors means that this doesn’t have enough strength for PC gaming.

EXTRA FEATURES

Charging Dock Compatibility: None

Software Experience: There is no software. Only firmware upgrade tool.

Supports Wake up function on Switch and Switch 2

Has Turbo function which isn’t present in the Switch Pro 2 controller.

CONNECTIVITY

Modes: Wired, Bluetooth

OS Support: Windows, Android, Switch, iOs

Pairing & Stability: The pairing process is quite straightforward and well explained in the manual.

Latency: I didn’t have any latency issues aside from the latency that comes due to this being a low polling rate, bluetooth controller.

BATTERY LIFE

Capacity: 1200mah

Usage Time: 16 hours with RGB and Rumble ENABLED. Probably lasts a little longer with RGB and rumble disabled, but I haven’t tested this.

CONCLUSION

The EasySMX S10 is arguably the best third-party value proposition for the Switch 2 era. At $60, it manages to undercut Nintendo’s pricing while actually improving the hardware specs with TMR sticks and mechanical switches.

While the stiff rear buttons and lack of analog triggers for PC gaming are minor setbacks, they are easily overshadowed by the S10’s ability to wake the switch 1 & 2 up – a luxury previously exclusive to only the Switch 2 Pro controller. If you prefer a clicky, tactile controller with a more ergonomic grip than the stock Pro controller, the S10 is an excellent purchase for your Switch 2 setup.