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If you ask me, GameSir is one of the best when it comes to third-party controllers. Always affordable and customizable, controllers from the Chinese brand have proven to be a reliable choice. We’ve already tested a few such controllers, and today we take a look at the GameSir Cyclone 2, widely considered one of the best such gamepads.
Positioning
Priced between $49.99 (standard) and $55.99 (charging stand edition), the Cyclone 2 undercuts premium competitors like the Xbox Elite Series 2. The hybrid trigger system (more on that later) is innovative, and the TMR joysticks’ drift resistance and customizable actuation ranges future-proof the controller against wear.
Design
Visually, it’s a pretty standard controller with an Xbox asymmetrical layout. It does not immediately stand out, especially in the black color, and I honestly appreciate it. Still, I would never call it boring — it’s understated. For example, it has transparent elements allowing you to see inside, which is a neat detail. It’s available Shadow Black and Phantom White colors.
Ergonomically, the Cyclone 2 mirrors the comfort of first-party Xbox controllers. The face buttons employ microswitches modeled after arcade-style mechanisms, delivering crisp tactile feedback, Not everyone enjoys the feel of microswitches, but I find them much better for tight platformers.
The D-pad combines membrane and switch elements. It’s very clicky, similar to Xbox, albeit a bit softer still.
The controller includes two rear paddle buttons, sadly not four, but two. It also has a bracket for a phone holder, similar to a controller from Flydigi.
RBG, a usual element of a third-party gamepad, is here, and it’s quite striking. It’s not as obvious as most other controllers, and its subdued style adds an unexpected touch of class.
Read also: GameSir G8 Plus review: There’s a New King In Town
Performance
At the core of the Cyclone 2’s performance lie its TMR (Tunnel Magneto-Resistance) Mag-Res joysticks, which promise to eliminate stick drift through contactless magnetic sensing while providing 4096 sampling points for granular control. These sticks operate at a 1000Hz polling rate in wired and 2.4GHz wireless modes, ensuring sub-1ms input latency critical for competitive titles. Yes, these are not the Hall Sticks we’ve grown to appreciate, but another technology. Which one is better? Well, both technologies offer significant improvements over traditional potentiometer-based sticks. Both promise to be more durable and less prone to drift. In recent times, TMRs have gotten more popular due to them generally being more sensitive and precise, offering better fine movement control. TMR sticks are more power-efficient as well. Seeing them in a controller that costs this much is exciting, to say the least.
Complementing the joysticks are hybrid triggers that switch between analog Hall Effect sensors for racing games and microswitch-based digital inputs for instant trigger responses in FPS titles — a feature activated via physical sliders beneath each trigger. This might be the coolest and most fascinating element of this model, as I rarely see physical switches for that sort of thing. As a non-competitive gamer, I never found the use for digital inputs, but the choice is always welcome.
So, how is it in action? Excellent! The sticks are precise and comfortable to use, the triggers might be the best in the class, and the ergonomics are great. It was easy to get used to, and for that price, it’s one of the best and most precise controllers out there.
Multiplatform support and app woes
The Cyclone 2 supports PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS devices. Yes, no Xbox or PS5 support again, which might be the most disappointing thing about it, albeit expected. Like before, I was intending to use it mostly with my Switch as I am no PC gamer. That made my experience different that most other reviewers, who praised it as an excellent PC controller. Sure, but what if I only have a phone and a console? That’s when the issues appear.
Read also: BINBOK Ultra Pro Controller review: The best controller for the Nintendo Switch?
The GameSir Cyclone 2 supports connectivity with iOS devices running version 13 or later. Connecting to a device is easy, but actually using the app is not. No matter how much I tried, my GameSir iOS app refused to pair with the controller. Not that it mattered much: there is no dedicated iOS app for advanced customization anyway, on iOS or Android. Unlike PC users who leverage the GameSir Connect software for granular control over settings, iOS users must rely on physical button combinations or limited OS-level adjustments. For instance, back button remapping requires holding the M Button + L4/R4 buttons to enter programming mode, followed by inputting keybindings directly on the controller. This workflow bypasses software dependencies but lacks the convenience of visual interfaces available on Windows. I myself much prefer visual UI, especially since I NEEDED to change the layout from Xbox to Nintendo. Thankfully, in the manual, there’s an easy way to do it.
I honestly don’t know why it is like that. My beloved GameSir G8 Plus, which uses the same app, offers a plethora of customizations right in the app! But for some reason, GameSir Cyclone 2 requires a PC app. Even worse for RGB: no companion app exists for iOS, so you have to either pre-configure RGB settings via PC (if you own one) or accept default lighting behaviors. The Android app is no better in that regard.
Software-wise, the situation is suboptimal at best, and I am unsure why no other reviewers mention that. While I understand that most of them own a PC, not every potential owner of the GameSir Cyclone 2 does, and it’s a problem. There’s also no macOS app either.
Verdict
The GameSir Cyclone 2 redefines expectations for mid-range controllers with its flagship-grade features like Hall Effect triggers and TMR joysticks. It’s a joy to use, and it serves as an excellent Switch Pro Controller replacement. It offers robust hardware customization, yet its software ecosystem lets down users without a PC. If that is not an issue for you, I cannot find a single reason not to give this one a go.
