Forget the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller: the $79 GameSir G7 Pro is cheaper and packs more pro features

Technology continues to become more and more accessible as the years go by, and today, you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get one of the best PC game controllers. GameSir is a reputable brand known for creating budget-friendly peripherals that, though cheap, are powerful enough to give you a competitive edge, like the GameSir G7 Pro.

The G7 Pro, the successor to the GameSIr G7 SE, is a fantastic Xbox, PC and Android controller, featuring customizable TMR thumbsticks and Hall Effect triggers that deliver precise, powerful performance. Comfortable to hold for long periods of time thanks to rubberized grips, the G7 Pro is the ultimate Xbox Elite Series 2 alternative — especially if you’re on a budget.

Should you buy this gamepad? Find out in my full GameSir G7 Pro review.

GameSir G7 Pro review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A tri-mode connectivity controller featuring TMR thumbsticks and Hall Effect triggers for Xbox, PC and Android
• Who is it for? Xbox and PC gamers looking for a gamepad that can give them a competitive edge
• How much does it cost? The GameSir G7 Pro is available for $79 / £89
• What do we like? The ergonomic design, connectivity options, competitive price tag and excellent gaming performance across genres
• What don’t we like? Some rivals feel more “pro,” and it can’t be used wirelessly with Xbox

GameSir G7 Pro review: Specs

GameSir G7 Pro review: The ups

From its low-key and ergonomic design to its Hall Effect triggers and TMR thumbsticks, the GameSir G7 Pro is a fantastic controller for casual as well as competitive gamers.

Low-key, thoughtful design

GameSir continues to “wow” on the design front, as the GameSir G7 Pro sports an inconspicuous, low-key design. It’s available in two standard colors: Mech White and Shadow Ember. I tested the latter, a combination of red and black, and I think it looks great. The matte finish makes it look premium, too — more premium than the plasticky GameSir G7 SE — and negates the possibility of fingerprints appearing just after a few hours of use.

If you want to change up the G7 Pro’s looks, you can easily pop out the magnetic faceplate and replace it with another. GameSir sells faceplates for $11 each, and there are plenty of colors to choose from.

Included in the box is a charging dock, similar to the one you get with the GameSir Super Nova ($49). It doesn’t take up much space on my TV stand and is a great way of displaying the G7 Pro. The charging dock’s bottom is covered in rubber, which is grippy enough to ensure you don’t unintentionally knock it over.

A USB-C port is located on the dock’s back to power it and charge the G7 Pro. An LED strip lights up in white to indicate it is charging. I also love that it has a storage compartment for the USB-A 2.4GHz dongle so you don’t lose it.

Ergonomic with rubberized grips

Just because a controller looks good doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s comfortable. Thankfully, the GameSir G7 Pro checks both boxes. The controller features chunky grips similar to the ones on first-party Xbox controllers, and both sides of the gamepad are covered in texturized rubber grips. These make the G7 Pro feel grippy, especially during long gaming sessions.

The G7 Pro measures 5.98 x 4.06 x 2.28 inches, and as someone with medium-sized hands, I found it comfortable to hold. It weighs 9.6oz, so even though it’s lighter than the 11.5oz GameSir Tarantula Pro ($69), it feels substantial in your hands. I used the G7 Pro for three hours, and not once did my hands cramp up.

Tri-mode connectivity

The GameSir G7 Pro features tri-mode connectivity, which means there are three ways to connect the controller to your console or smart device. If you’re using it with an Xbox Series S, an Xbox Series X or an Xbox One, you’ll need to plug in the 3m cable. You can also plug the G7 Pro directly into your PC — as I did to test the controller.

There’s wireless connectivity at play, too. You can use Bluetooth LE to use the controller with your Android smartphone. This worked seamlessly with my Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. Then there’s the 2.4GHz USB-A dongle, which can be used with a PC.

Peerless gaming performance

The GameSir G7 Pro is a highly competent controller for the Xbox, PC and Android. It has one thing the much pricier Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 ($179) doesn’t: magnetic sensors in its thumbsticks and triggers. The G7 Pro’s thumbsticks utilize Tunnel Magneto Resistance (TMR) sensors, while its six triggers and bumpers are packed with Hall Effect sensors and clicky Micro Switch trigger stops. In comparison, the GameSir G7 SE doesn’t feature TMR, making the G7 Pro the better choice.

Analog tech feels like a relic of the past, and the G7 Pro’s triggers and sticks, together, deliver peerless and precise performance in FPS, RPGs and racing titles. The controller also has a 1000Hz polling rate on PC (Xbox limits it to 400Hz, unfortunately), and as I tested it primarily on a computer, I didn’t notice any latency issues or input lag.

In FPS titles, being able to aim extremely precisely at your enemies is one of the most important things, and the G7 Pro’s thumbsticks let me aim and change my aim in minuscule increments. This is thanks to the TMR sensors, which use weak electromagnetic waves and pick up tiny adjustments.

I noticed the boost in accuracy, especially in Cyberpunk 2077, where, during a particular mission, I had to take out enemies with a sniper. When there were two NPCs standing next to each other, I was able to rapidly take one out and then quickly move to the next target with just a short shift of the stick. The sticks come to a sudden stop if you’re panning while searching for your target and want to stop as soon as you spot them. This came in clutch in tight shootouts in Counter-Strike 2.

The G7 Pro’s triggers are just as formidable, if not more. Each trigger’s actuation distance can be shortened via the trigger stop switches, so you can keep them at either long-press or swap them to short clicky ones. In Cyberpunk 2077, I set the right trigger to a short click and the left trigger to its default setting. This made the game feel more immersive, but I also liked that I didn’t have to press the right trigger all the way down to unleash a rain of gunfire.

Two additional shoulder buttons are located next to the primary triggers, and these can be customized via the GameSir Nexus app. You can assign specific actions to these buttons, such as swapping between weapons, and execute them without having to move your fingers too much or your thumbs off the sticks — this adds to the G7 Pro’s ergonomics.

Competitively priced

Priced at $79 / £89 at Amazon, the GameSir G7 Pro is an affordable alternative to the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 ($179). The first-party Xbox controller doesn’t feature Hall Effect tech, making the G7 Pro the more “pro” gamepad. It’s priced similarly to the GameSir Tarantula Pro ($69), and it’s cheaper than the PB Tails Metal Crush Defender ($109).

There are cheaper controllers yet, such as the GameSir Cyclone 2 ($49), but if you want an Xbox-compatible gamepad with versatile connectivity, you can’t go wrong with the G7 Pro. There’s also the GameSir G7 SE ($44), but if you want best-in-class performance with TMR sticks, I’d recommend spending the extra $30 on the G7 Pro.

GameSir G7 Pro review: The downs

The GameSir G7 Pro isn’t a perfect controller. You’ll need to spend extra if you want wireless connectivity with your Xbox, and some rivals feel more “pro.”

Wired-only on Xbox

This isn’t a massive flaw or drawback, but more of a pre-purchase consideration. The GameSir G7 Pro can only be used with the Xbox if you plug the cable into the console. Thankfully, the cable is 3m long, giving you plenty of flexibility.

There is, however, a special wireless Wuchang edition — inspired by the game Wuchang: Fallen Feathers — you can buy for $148 direct from GameSir. Double the price of the standard, wired edition, yes, but still cheaper than the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2.

Some rivals feel more “pro”

For a controller that has the word “pro” in its name, I expected the GameSir G7 Pro to pack more pro-level features. For instance, there are only two back buttons. Similarly priced controllers like the Manba One ($69) and the PowerA OPS v3 Pro ($99) come with four rebindable back buttons, so it’s surprising that the G7 Pro doesn’t. In fact, at the time of writing, no GameSir controller offers four back buttons (although a GameSir rep confirmed on Reddit that this is in the works).

The G7 Pro’s face buttons and thumbsticks can’t be swapped either, limiting its customizability and modularity. If you want to be able to swap face buttons, I’d recommend the GameSir Tarantula Pro instead. The ability to swap thumbsticks is usually reserved for pricier controllers, like the Turtle Beach Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded ($209), but if you want some degree of customization, you can at least adjust the height of the PowerA OPS v3 Pro’s sticks.

GameSir G7 Pro review: Verdict

As budget controllers go, the GameSir G7 Pro is one of the best you can buy today. For under $80, you’re getting a gamepad that’s extremely comfortable to hold for long hours, thanks to an ergonomic design. The G7 Pro’s prowess lies in its gaming performance, bolstered by Hall Effect triggers with customizable trigger stops and TMR thumbsticks that are precise and accurate.

While you can use it wirelessly with PC and Android smartphones, the G7 Pro can be used wired-only with Xbox — but it comes with a 3m cable, which is plenty long. I do, however, wish the G7 Pro had more than two back buttons and swappable thumbsticks, but for the money, it’s still a formidable alternative to the first-party (and much pricier) Xbox Elite Series 2.