PXN P5 Wireless Controller – Our Review

In the world of gaming controllers, there’s a fierce competition as manufacturers try to stand out by incorporating advanced tech and aesthetically pleasing designs to boost gameplay experience. This struggle for supremacy has led to an increase in prices, making high-end controllers a costly luxury that not all gamers can comfortably purchase.

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve got my hands on the PXN P5 Wireless Controller! This budget-friendly gem works seamlessly with PC, mobile devices, and even the Nintendo Switch. What makes it stand out is its gameplay-boosting features at an affordable price point.

For only $29.99 (£29.99), this model is surprisingly budget-friendly, even compared to the PowerA Advantage Controller I’ve previously assessed. However, one might wonder if a lower price tag comes with compromises in quality. After thorough testing, I can assure you that it delivers exceptional value for money – so yes, it’s worth every penny!

Unboxing and Design

Upon opening the box, the PXN P5 controller struck me as reminiscent of the gamepads from the Xbox 360 and Xbox One era, triggering a sense of nostalgia.

Within the container, you’ll discover only the basics: the controller, a set of guidelines, a USB cord, and a wireless adapter – this adapter facilitates 2.4G connectivity with your PC. Although it may initially appear as a sparse assortment, upon closer examination, you’ll find that the P5 offers an impressive array of advanced features for its cost.

Feature Breakdown

As a gamer, I’ve found the PXN P5 controller quite handy due to its four macro buttons on the back. These are strategically placed for quick access to frequently used commands. The M1 and M2 buttons feel intuitive and fall right under my fingers when I grasp the controller. However, M3 and M4 can be a bit tricky to reach, so I don’t use them as often. Yet, I appreciate how they stand out from the rest – unlike other controllers where back buttons blend too much with the handles, these buttons are pronounced enough for a satisfying press each time.

Apart from its other features, the PXN P5 stands out with its adjustable two-stage triggers, 1,000 Hz Hall Effect joysticks, and 256-level Hall Effect back bumpers. This controller’s spec sheet is remarkable considering its price range. I will delve further into how these features perform later, but honestly, the value PXN provides with the P5 justifies a higher price tag.

Personalization is another key feature. You can make numerous adjustments, ranging from adjusting the strength of vibrations to activating a turbo mode, and even using the controller as a computer mouse. Most of these options can be activated or changed by clicking specific button combinations, but I found them tricky to remember and use spontaneously. Fortunately, nearly everything is also customizable through the companion app (more details on that soon).

Comfort and Build Quality

Upon grasping the controller, what struck me was its remarkable lightness. In contrast, my customary gaming controller is the PowerA OPS v3 Pro, which is comparatively heavy. At first, the P5’s lighter construction seemed somewhat flimsy, but after prolonged play, I discovered that it turned out to be a positive aspect—it made lengthy gaming sessions much more comfortable, a significant advantage in my opinion.

Absolutely, when you opt for a lower price point, some compromises have to be made. For example, the D-pad doesn’t offer the same tactile feedback as the PS5 DualSense, and the grips could use more texture. However, considering its affordable nature, these small issues are easy to forgive, particularly when you consider all the other features it offers.

Features and Performance

In terms of performance, the PXN P5 is hard to criticize. Each feature and technological aspect performed as intended, noticeably elevating my gaming experience in XDefiant, FC 25, and Forza Horizon 5 – the games I utilized during the test.

Joysticks and Responsiveness

The sticks stood out remarkably due to the 1,000 Hz Hall Effect technology, providing precise, fluid, and highly sensitive motion control. I encountered no stick lag during gameplay (as evidenced in the image below), or when closely inspected using a Gamepad Tester. Considering one advantage of Hall Effect technology is its ability to minimize stick drift over the long term, this wasn’t entirely unexpected, but it’s worth pointing out that not all Hall Effect controllers are immune to this issue. However, in this case, PXN managed to get it correct.

Additional checks confirmed that there were no issues with circulation flow too, further emphasizing the seamless, hiccup-free gaming experience I enjoyed.

Regarding the design, these controllers possess a curved upper part on their sticks, which I find useful for maintaining a firm grip. However, certain controllers provide interchangeable caps with a convex shape, so if you’re a fan of convex contours, you might not be fond of this option. On the other hand, I found them quite comfy and enjoyable to use. The only possible downside is that these sticks don’t have an adjustable height, but considering the price, that’s not something one usually finds at this point.

Hair Triggers

The hair triggers functioned effectively and could be quickly fine-tuned as needed. With a 256-level activation, they offered precise throttle and braking control in racing games such as Forza, making them ideal for those who prefer subtle, gradual input rather than the on/off trigger settings.

By moving the triggers to their closest positions, you eliminate the need for step adjustments entirely, resulting in immediate activation at full power when pressed. This feature is ideal for FPS games that demand swift responses, but may not be as beneficial for genres emphasizing analog control. The beauty lies in having the choice to switch between these settings quickly, catering to different types of games. Additionally, each trigger can be customized individually on the gamepad, enabling a more personalized setup.

Connectivity

The process of configuring the PXN P5 wasn’t entirely straightforward; my computer didn’t automatically detect it even when using the USB cable. However, this problem didn’t last long, and once connected, pairing was a breeze across various devices such as PC, iPhone, and Nintendo Switch.

As a gamer, one aspect I found really convenient was the device selection switch on the back. Instead of playing the guessing game about which mode I’m in, tiny logos (for battery, phone, and Switch) clearly show the connection type. It’s a minor but thoughtful design choice that makes switching between devices a breeze.

Turbo Mode and Mouse Mode

Previously mentioned, the PXN P5 model incorporates additional features such as a Turbo mode and Mouse mode. These extra additions are quite appealing, but I haven’t had extensive experience using them.

It seems intriguing to me that Turbo Mode, which accelerates button presses quickly, could be beneficial in FPS, platformers, and fighting games, although I haven’t had much chance to try it out. On the other hand, Mouse Mode (controlling the controller as if it were a mouse using its buttons and joysticks) comes across more as a curiosity—it might be useful for navigating game menus, but I don’t think it’s something I’ll use frequently.

Motion Controls

One captivating aspect of the PXN P5 lies in its built-in six-degree-of-freedom gyroscope, a feature that undeniably proves to be beneficial.

The gyro device enables smooth operation of motion sensitivity features, functioning flawlessly on my Nintendo Switch in initial trials. As such, it presents an excellent choice as an alternative to Joy-Cons when playing games compatible with gyroscopic aiming.

For Switch gamers who are considering purchasing the device, the inclusion of a gamepad-style controller as an option is a significant advantage, especially since some Switch games may still be more enjoyable with Joy-Cons.

Software

Previously discussed, the PXN P5 device seamlessly works with the NEXUS application, which can be found on both Android and iOS platforms.

As a tech enthusiast, I must say that this application is an impressive enhancement to my device. It comes packed with features like battery monitoring, firmware updates, and most notably, a broad spectrum of customization possibilities, which really makes it stand out for me.

Apart from adjusting the duration that P5 takes to enter sleep mode, you’re equally empowered to customize various other settings such as buttons and macros, joystick properties including dead zones, vibration intensity, and trigger configurations. Additionally, you can test each button directly through the app, which is particularly handy when troubleshooting issues, especially with helpful calibration tips displayed in the upper corner.

I ran into a minor problem, though: The “Product Tutorial” button took me to a blank screen instead of a guide or video. This seems to indicate that PXN might not have uploaded the tutorial yet, which is reasonable, but it was inconvenient because there was no option to exit other than closing the app and reconnecting the controller.

Even with the occasional small issue, the NEXUS app stands out as an exceptional device offering a degree of personalization usually uncommon in budget controllers.

Verdict

In summary, I find that the PXN P5 offers more than what you’d expect for its cost, boasting a remarkable collection of features at a hard-to-match price point.

This controller boasts a wide range of customizable features such as Hall Effect joysticks, adjustable hair triggers, macro buttons, and gyro support, which are not commonly found in budget controllers. Although it has minor flaws like a less responsive D-pad and an occasionally tricky setup process, these issues can be easily forgiven due to the controller’s overall performance and features.

In straightforward terms, I possess numerous pricier control devices. Yet, surprisingly, the PXN P5 competes fiercely with them, sometimes even outperforming them despite being only half, or even less than half, their cost.

2025-02-19 20:13