I’ve been using the Manba One V2 controller on and off for the last couple of weeks, and here’s my take. I’ve been sent the controller for a review by Manba, but it doesn’t impact my review whatsoever. This is the V2 where they patched up some things. The main selling point seems to be the LCD screen, but the controller also has Hall Effect joysticks and triggers and also micro switch face buttons.
First Impressions
Right out of the box, I liked how the Manba One looked. I got the white version, which has a semi-transparent front, so you can see some of the internal parts. The silver bumpers and triggers give it a sleek look, making it feel a bit more premium than other controllers in this price range. It’s pretty lightweight at 295 grams, but it doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy.
The layout is just like an Xbox controller, which I’m already used to, so no complaints there. It’s comfortable to hold for long gaming sessions, but the plastic shell is a bit of a fingerprint magnet. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning.
The best features of Manba One V2
- screen for remapping and macro settings
- Hall Effect joysticks and triggers
- four back buttons
- adjustable vibration
- tactile face buttons
- charging dock
- short and long joystick included
- trigger stops
Customization with the LED Screen
The LED screen is the main thing that sets this controller apart. At first, I thought it was just a gimmick, but after using it, I actually found it pretty useful. You can adjust almost everything on the controller right from the screen, which means you don’t need to install any extra apps on your PC. That’s a huge win if you don’t like dealing with extra software.
The screen lets you remap buttons, change the dead zones, tweak the triggers, and even adjust the RGB lights. It’s all pretty easy to do by holding down the Home button to open the menu. I especially liked the four extra back buttons (M1 to M4) that you can map to whatever you want. This was super helpful in games like Baldur’s Gate 3, where I need quick access to certain skills.
How It Performs
I tested the Manba One on my PC, Android phone, and Nintendo Switch. It’s great that this controller works on multiple platforms. I mostly used it wired with a USB-C cable because it supports an 800Hz polling rate and the wired latency is decent at around 5-6 ms at average according to my tests and also Gamepadla’s website.
The Bluetooth connection was surprisingly stable, too at around 20ms. I played some Slay the Spire and Dead Cells on my old Android phone and didn’t notice any lag, even during hectic fights. The hall-effect sticks and triggers felt smooth and accurate, which was nice, especially in racing games where trigger sensitivity matters. And in Rocket League.
The one downside was the vibration. It’s kind of weak compared to other controllers I’ve used. If you’re used to something like the GameSir with HD rumble, you might find this one lacking.
The Good and the Bad of the LED Screen
I like that the LED screen lets you customize stuff, but it can also be annoying. There’s no way to turn it off without powering down the controller, which can be distracting, especially if you’re playing in a dark room. I wish there was an option to completely disable it or dim it more.
Battery Life and Final Thoughts
The Manba One has an 1,800mAh battery, which gave me about 12-15 hours of playtime on a single charge. Not amazing, but good enough for my needs. Charging it with the USB-C cable is quick, so I never really ran into issues there. And there’s ofcourse the charging dock that makes wireless experience that much easier.
Overall, I’m happy with the Manba One. For $70, it’s a solid controller with a lot of customization options, especially if you’re someone who likes to tweak settings without having to download extra apps. The LED screen is both a cool feature and a bit of a hassle, but I got used to it. If you want a unique controller that works on multiple devices and don’t mind the weaker vibration, this one’s worth checking out.
You can purchase the controller from Amazon of official Manba’s store:
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3S6zcPF
- Official store: https://bit.ly/3SvZ4Vc
I love testing and writing about new tech. I'm also a gamer and an engineer. Check out my Twitter for keyboard and controller news and reviews.
