PS5 Controller Showdown: Hall Effect Joysticks Compared

Summary

Discover which PS5 controller reigns supreme in this deep dive comparing the Hex Gaming Phantom Pro and the Aim Controllers Pro, both featuring advanced hall effect joysticks. While both controllers start with standard PS5 motherboard components, leading to identical latency and wired performance, the key differences lie in their features, customization, and pricing. The Hex Gaming Phantom Pro is readily available off-the-shelf for $249, offering four back buttons, adaptive triggers with short or full pull options, hall effect joysticks, and eight swappable thumbstick caps. The Aim Controller, on the other hand, requires custom building, and to match the Hex controller's features, including hall effect joysticks, rubber grips, and interchangeable thumbstick caps, brings the total to $264. A significant advantage for Aim Controllers is their standard swappable panels, allowing for easy color customization at no extra charge for basic colors, which is a unique and valuable feature. However, the Hex controller includes a dedicated calibration kit, a notable advantage for users who prioritize precise joystick calibration. In testing, the Hex controller’s joysticks showed better circularity at 8.2% and 9% for left and right sticks respectively, while the Aim controller, programmed for a more rectangular input, registered higher but still acceptable numbers around 17-18%. Warranty-wise, Hex Gaming offers a more comprehensive limited lifetime warranty, covering joystick drift as a manufacturing defect without a short time limit, unlike Aim Controllers, which limits stick drift coverage to 45 days. Ultimately, while Aim offers greater customization through its builder, the Hex Gaming Phantom Pro provides a compelling off-the-shelf solution with a stronger warranty, making the full video a must-watch for any serious gamer looking to upgrade their PS5 controller.