The GameSir X5 Lite is comfortable, cheap and capable — as long as you’re okay making some compromises

GameSir makes some of the best mobile game controllers out there, and many of them are budget-friendly, like the GameSir X5 Lite. I’ve been testing it for a couple of weeks for on-the-go gaming, and it performs well for such a sub-$40 gamepad. Its plug-and-play design means setup is rapid and easy, and it’s compatible with a range of USB-C Android and iOS smartphones as well as mini tablets.

It features passthrough charging as well as Hall Effect thumbsticks that enable you to fine-tune your movements. However, it isn’t without its faults. Its build quality isn’t the sturdiest, and its membrane triggers leave a lot to be desired. Oh, you need to remove your phone case to use it, too.

For the complete breakdown, read my full GameSir X5 Lite review.

GameSir X5 Lite review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A mobile gaming controller compatible with USB-C Android and iOS smartphones
• Who is it for? Anyone who wants a cheap and cheerful mobile gamepad
• How much does it cost? Not a lot — the GameSir X5 Lite is available for $34 / £35
• What do we like? The ergonomic design, passthrough charging, plug-and-play design and Hall Effect thumbsticks
• What don’t we like? The subpar build quality, lack of Hall Effect triggers and the need to take off the phone case to use the controller

GameSir X5 Lite review: Specs

GameSir X5 Lite review: The ups

The GameSir X5 Lite is budget-friendly and features simple plug-and-play connectivity, comes with Hall Effect thumbsticks and it’s comfortable to use.

Budget-friendly

One of the GameSir X5 Lite’s biggest selling points is that it's budget-friendly and doesn’t break the bank. It retails for $34 / £35 at Amazon, and in the past, I’ve seen it drop to just $27. It’s the cheapest phone controller I’ve reviewed so far, and it undercuts other GameSir gamepads.

You’ll find it’s cheaper than the GameSir G8 Plus ($99), the Backbone Pro ($169), the Scuf Nomad ($99) and the PowerA MOGA XP7-X Plus ($99). It’s a great choice if you want a no-frills, plug-and-play gamepad.

Plug-and-play

The GameSir X5 Lite doesn’t feature a built-in battery and instead, it’s powered directly by your smartphone or tablet. It’s compatible with USB-C devices, so most Android smartphones, iPhone 16 and higher, as well as mini tablets like the iPad mini. The Type-C connector, located on the left-hand side of the X5 Lite, has a wide angle of up-and-down movement, making it more convenient and safe for device insertion. I really appreciated this as I didn’t need to worry about jamming it into and damaging my Google Pixel 7 Pro.

Plug-and-play functionality, however, means that there are no Bluetooth or wireless connectivity options, but this isn’t a major flaw as the X5 Lite is very cheap. You’d have to spend a little more on the likes of the GameSir G8 Plus ($99), the Backbone Pro ($169), the Scuf Nomad or the GameSir X5s ($49). If all you want is a cheap and cheerful controller for casual gaming, the X5 Lite should more than suffice.

Comfortable to use

Whether you’re using a phone controller to play games while sitting on your couch or traveling, you need it to be comfortable enough that you can use it for long periods of time — and the GameSir X5 Lite is just that.

The X5 Lite sports an asymmetrical Xbox ABXY design, so the thumbsticks are offset and feel ergonomic. While its thumbsticks aren’t full-sized as you’d find on the likes of the GameSir G8 Plus or the Backbone Pro, they’re still comfy to use. Their textured surface provides a sturdy grip for your thumbs and keeps them from slipping when they get sweaty. The controller’s triggers and shoulder buttons are spacious enough to easily accommodate your fingers.

Its grips feel chunky, and they jut out a bit at the back, making your hand grip the controller more naturally. I’ve got medium-sized hands, and while the X5 Lite is smaller than what I normally prefer, I didn’t find it uncomfortable to use. When it isn’t outstretched, the X5 Lite measures 7.74 x 3.48 x 1.82 inches, so it’s compact and easy to carry around in a pocket or small bag. When fully outstretched, it can mount a smartphone or tablet measuring up to 8.4 inches. Its weight is negligible too, at just 4.8oz (without any device).

Hall Effect thumbsticks

Are you aware of the infamous stick drift issue that plagues, say, the Nintendo Switch’s (and the Nintendo Switch 2’s) Joy-Cons, where the sticks register movement even when you're not touching them? Having Hall Effect technology in thumbsticks negates it, so it’s fantastic that the GameSir X5 Lite features magnetic sticks. The controller’s sticks are responsive and durable, and enable you to fine-tune your movements.

I tested the X5 Lite by playing Real Racing 3, Sniper 3D and Call of Duty Mobile. In all three games, I was pleased with the X5 Lite’s performance. This is a great controller for casual gaming on the go. Turning tight corners in Real Racing 3 felt effortless, as the thumbsticks didn’t struggle with sudden track changes.

In both Sniper 3D and Call of Duty Mobile, I appreciated the Hall Effect sticks as they let me aim precisely at my enemies. Taking headshots from a distance in Sniper 3D wasn’t a problem. I could move the left thumbstick to fine-tune exactly where I wanted my bullet to hit, and it worked as intended.

In Call of Duty Mobile, I found the X5 Lite’s D-pad and face buttons responsive, albeit slightly mushy due to their membrane nature. Most of my inputs during button mashing were registered promptly.

Passthrough charging

While the GameSir X5 Lite doesn’t feature a built-in battery, it features passthrough charging via the USB-C port located on the left grip’s bottom. This means that you can charge your device while using the controller. It’s nice to see that even though the X5 Lite is a budget-friendly controller, it comes with such an important feature that’s missing from pricier controllers, such as the Scuf Nomad.

GameSir X5 Lite review: The downs

The GameSir X5 Lite isn’t perfect as its membrane triggers aren’t the best, and its build quality feels underwhelming.

Membrane triggers aren’t great

My biggest gripe with the GameSir X5 Lite is its membrane triggers. Unlike triggers that utilize mechanical switches, membrane triggers are pressure-sensitive, making them feel mushy and lack the same tactile feedback as mechanical ones. They’re also not as sensitive as Hall Effect triggers, which are more responsive and longer-lasting. If it’s any consolation, even the pricey Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($84) doesn’t come with analog triggers and utilizes digital ones instead.

And this is why I said, up top, that the X5 Lite is fit for casual gaming that doesn’t require a ton of precise control over your aim in first-person shooters or braking in racing games. I certainly noticed the triggers’ mushiness when playing Real Racing 3 on my phone. Trying to drift around corners didn’t feel fun. In a shooting game like Sniper 3D, the obvious lack of any substantial feedback when pressing the triggers or bumpers made the game less immersive. I also noticed a couple of missed inputs and had to press the triggers harder to register my commands.

I can see why GameSir has opted for membrane triggers here, as they’re usually cheaper to produce, and the brand wanted to make a budget-friendly controller. I recommend spending more on the likes of the GameSir X5s or the GameSir G8 Plus if you want Hall Effect triggers.

Subpar build quality

As is usually the case with budget controllers, the GameSir X5 Lite doesn’t have the finest build quality. Tapping it with my nails made it sound very plasticky, and I noticed that the controller’s mount bends. Holding both grips, stretching the mount and twisting it revealed the extent of this, and I was extra careful with the X5 Lite from that point forward.

Need to take off phone case

Annoyingly, I found it difficult to mount my Google Pixel 7 Pro with its case onto the GameSir X5 Lite. I tried it with my partner’s Google Pixel 9 as well, and while her case is slimmer than mine, it still needed to be removed in order to be used with the X5 Lite. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re using a mini tablet or are okay with removing your phone’s case every time you want to use the X5 Lite.

On the upside, the silicone pads that sit on either edge of the mount are swappable, and a couple of replacements of varying thickness are included in the box. It’s easy to change them as all you need to do is pop them out and back in, and these can help customize the pad thickness based on your device, offering slightly more versatility.

GameSir X5 Lite review: Verdict

If you’re after a mobile gaming controller that doesn’t break the bank and don’t mind a few drawbacks, the GameSir X5 Lite could be the one for you. It’s cheap, priced at just under $35 and it features Hall Effect thumbsticks that give you more precise control over your movements. Passthrough charging is highly beneficial as you can charge your device while you play, and the controller itself is designed ergonomically.

Those drawbacks I mentioned? Alas, the X5 Lite utilizes membrane triggers, which feel soft and not very responsive. The controller also feels like it isn’t built very well, making me question its durability. You also need to remove your phone’s case to mount it onto the controller, as the mount isn’t spacious enough.

But given that the controller costs very little, these flaws don’t make it an outright poor gamepad. If you want a cheap and cheerful controller for gaming on the go, the X5 Lite is fit for purpose.