Cheap but very cheerful? PowerA's wireless controllers feature Hall effect sensors and start at just $50
If you've been shopping around for your next gaming controller, chances are you might have come across the term «Hall effect» in reference to the sensors inside. Essentially, Hall effect sensors measure the strength of a magnetic field to detect movement, as opposed to regular input sensors that rely on physical contact. That means they don't wear out like traditional units, avoiding stick drift and a host of other problems. Trouble is, controllers using this sensor method often don't come cheap.
PowerA's new controllers, however, are surprisingly reasonably priced. There's the OPS v1 for $50 and the OPS V3 Pro for $100. Both are input devices with that now-familiar Xbox-style shape, asymmetrical thumbsticks, and a host of features. All importantly, however, both have Hall effect sensors under the thumbsticks and triggers, which should make them stick-drift immune.
The cheaper of the two, the PowerA OPS v1, is pretty feature-packed for something the same price as a default Xbox Wireless controller. You get 3-way trigger locks, four mappable rear buttons, a programmable Turbo button and a rechargeable battery—along with those fancy sensors, of course. That rechargeable battery is a boon for the money, as it still annoys me that the default Xbox controller wants you to swap batteries in and out as standard in 2024.
The PowerA OPS v3 Pro bumps those rear buttons up to a full complement of six, along with a bigger battery, included charging stand and some shiny multi-zone RGB lighting. You also get tactile mechanical switches under the D-pad, face buttons and shoulder buttons, along with adjustable height thumbsticks.
That's quite the feature set for a $100 controller. Our current pick for the best premium controller, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, has many of the same features but lacks the all-important Hall effect goodies. It's also got an MSRP of $160, although admittedly you can sometimes find it cheaper if you shop around.
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