Gaming Gadget Reviews

EasySMX S10 Gamepad Review – For Any Switch Model and Some PC Features

The EasySMX S10 is the brand’s first gamepad specifically designed for the Switch 2 and supporting all Nintendo features. Even if you don’t own the latest Nintendo console, this top-of-the-line controller will delight you with its innovative TMR sticks, ABXY pad, microswitch triggers, gyroscope, and programmable macro buttons. Read more about our impressions in this review.

Technical specifications

  • Connection: wired, wireless Bluetooth
  • Compatibility: Nintendo Switch 1/2, PC, Android, iOS
  • Number of buttons: 15 + D-pad + 2 sticks
  • ABXY keys: mechanical, on microswitches
  • Gyroscope: yes
  • Controller Vibration: HD Rumble
  • Trigger vibration: no
  • 3.5mm audio jack: no
  • Triggers: mechanical, microswitches
  • Sticks: TMR
  • Battery: yes, built-in, 1200 mAh
  • PO: no
  • Dimensions: 155 x 106 x 57 mm
  • Weight: 244 g

Equipment and design

The gamepad comes in a compact box, the front of which features a large image of the controller itself , the brand logo, model name, a list of supported platforms, and a separate “For Switch” label indicating which platform is the primary one.

The side panels feature icons outlining the device’s key features, with captions in English and Chinese. The back panel depicts the gamepad from both sides, along with a more detailed description of its features and specifications.

The EasySMX S10 is available in two colors: black, romantically named “Midnight,” and white, featured in our review. Judging by the official website, the manufacturers took the trouble to create unique boxes for each color—so the black gamepad comes in a black box, and the white one, correspondingly, in a white one. A small detail, but a nice touch.

The package includes the controller itself, protected by a matte white bag and placed in a white tray made of thin plastic, a USB-A/USB-C cable for charging and wired connection, a replacement D-Pad, an instruction manual, as well as an additional replacement panel and two sets of stickers, placed in an additional thin box.

The build quality and materials are high-quality, with a sturdy matte plastic body that feels pleasant to the touch. The design is close to the original Switch Pro Controller 1/2, with slightly straighter side contours and shorter “horns” compared to the Xbox form factor. The underside of the “horns” is finished with a ribbed texture for improved grip, and the front of the left controller features the EasySMX logo.

The control layout is also largely identical to Nintendo’s native controllers—asymmetrical thumbsticks, a D-pad, a switchable ABXY pad layout, and bumper and trigger labels (L/R/ZL/ZR). The EasySMX S10 comes with a round D-pad in the style of the Xbox Elite Controller by default, but it can be replaced with the included traditional D-pad.

The “+” and “-” buttons are slightly shifted to the center compared to the Pro Controller and are located where the home screen and screenshot buttons are located on the Nintendo gamepad, and they, in turn, along with a dedicated voice chat button with a thin line, are located on the edge of the front surface closest to the user.

The bottom panel houses a mode switch, an M programming button , and two programmable GR/GL keys, just like the Nintendo Pro Controller 2. On the front edge, between the triggers and bumpers, is a USB-C port for charging and wired connection—also like Nintendo’s. However, there’s no dedicated pairing button, LED connection status indicator, or audio jack.

As noted, the EasySMX S10 controller comes with two interchangeable faceplates. The white version we reviewed features a translucent blue finish, with one of them adorned with decorative patterns. The faceplates are secured in a special recess in the case—magnetized to mounting screws at the top, held in place by small hooks at the bottom, and a thin notch at the top for removal. The bottom of the recess contains two light elements, and between the “+” and “-” buttons is the EasySMX logo, a stylized horse head , which also serves as an indicator for operating modes and connection status.

Connection and setup

The EasySMX S10 supports connection to all versions of the Nintendo Switch, Switch 2 , PCs, and Android or iOS smartphones . Connection is via Bluetooth, and wired connections are also supported for Switch models with docks and PCs.

I tested the controller with a Switch OLED and a gaming laptop . There were no significant connection issues; the gamepad connected to the console exactly as instructed: set the mode switch to S so the logo flashes white, long-press the Home button, and search for the controller in the corresponding section of the console settings (“Controller – Change Holding Method/Order”).

The wired connection to the PC was also instant—all I had to do was slide the switch to X (the logo in the center turns blue) and connect the gamepad to the laptop with a cable. Wirelessly, however, there was a slight delay—another long press was required to enter pairing mode, even though there were no previous connections; otherwise, the gamepad simply wouldn’t be detected. It wasn’t so long that the device would turn off completely.

However, after getting the hang of it and figuring it out through trial and error—the instructions weren’t very clear, and they weren’t translated into Russian, so I had to make do with English—I was able to connect the gamepad to both my PC and my smartphone as a standard Bluetooth device without any problems. As usual, the controller then automatically connects to previously paired devices.

Through experimentation, I discovered another thing: depending on the switch position, the EasySMX S10 is recognized by the computer as either an Xbox or Switch gamepad, and connection is possible in both modes. This makes sense, as the original Pro Controller supports PC connection; it’s just not explicitly stated in the manual.

Unfortunately, no configuration software is provided. All additional gamepad functions are configured directly from the device using the M button, located on the bottom panel next to the connection mode switch. The following options are available to the user:

  • Turbo mode for buttons A, B, X, Y, L, R, ZL, ZR
  • Programming the functions of the GL and GR buttons
  • Adjustable vibration intensity (4 levels)
  • Calibrating sticks and gyroscope
  • Backlight customization . You can choose a dynamic mode that shimmers with all the colors, a color cycle, or a single-color backlight —either static or with a breathing effect, which includes all the colors of the rainbow and white. Backlight brightness is also adjustable, with three levels to choose from.

Impressions of use

In terms of overall ergonomics, the EasySMX S10 performed exceptionally well. It fits perfectly in the hands, the ribbed texture on the bottom of the handles provides a secure grip, the index fingers fit snugly on the bumpers and easily reach the triggers, and the sides of the middle fingers provide perfect control of the GL and GR.

The stick caps are rubberized, and the thicker edges have a textured finish for improved grip. They utilize tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, which measures the position of a magnet using two magnetic layers separated by an insulator.

Like Hall-effect technology, this technology has no physical contacts, so it’s wear-resistant and eliminates stick drift . However, it offers even greater precision and lower power consumption—the latter is important for wireless controllers . Subjectively, I liked the sticks’ precision and responsiveness—on PC, I appreciated them in Hades , and on Switch, in Super Mario Bros. Wonder and the Beyond Good and Evil remaster .

The ABXY block, D-Pad, lower additional buttons, bumpers, and triggers use microswitches. They are very sensitive and responsive—the actuation travel is only 0.3 mm—but they offer a noticeable force and a crisp, tactile click. The round D-Pad handles diagonal presses well. However, the trigger implementation may be somewhat questionable.

Of course, the Easy SMX S10 is initially positioned as a controller primarily for the Switch, which doesn’t have analog triggers. But on the other hand, it does claim a certain versatility, and the lack of analog triggers severely limits that—for example, racing games are quite difficult to play on PCs with analog triggers . Therefore, in my opinion, a solution with adjustable travel—short for Switch and long for all other platforms—would be much better.

Connected to the Switch, the controller’s functionality truly shines. In addition to excellent control over standard controls, the EasySMX S10 impresses with its precise gyroscope, which performed well in Zelda, Amiibo support, and vibration that’s truly close to HD Rumble. It also allows you to wake the console with a single button press, and Switch 2 owners will appreciate the dedicated chat button.

The ability to connect to a PC in Switch mode also has its advantages – games that support the Nintendo keyboard layout also recognize the connection type and display the buttons in the control prompts exactly as they are labeled on the gamepad, freeing the player from having to remember the button mappings – this was very helpful for me in Hades.

The EasySMX S10 is equipped with a fairly impressive 1200 mAh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, should last for 26 hours of play. This is quite respectable, although both Pro Controller models fall short of 40 hours. Subjectively, with moderate gaming (a couple of hours a day), the charge lasts for about a couple of weeks, which is quite consistent with the stated specifications.

Verdict

The EasySMX S10 is an excellent alternative to the Pro Controller 2. At less than half the price and comparable build quality, it boasts support for the full range of Nintendo’s advanced features, from the gyroscope and Amiibo to one-button chat access and HD Rumble-like vibration. It even surpasses the original Nintendo Pro Controller 2 in some ways, including TMR sticks and microswitch buttons, as well as backlighting, interchangeable pads, and PC connectivity.

If you consider the EasySMX S10 as a controller exclusively for the Switch and Switch 2, it’s practically perfect. Perhaps its only drawback is the lack of an audio jack, but it’s hardly a significant drawback. However, as a universal controller, the lack of analog triggers won’t suit everyone—so the decision to purchase is entirely up to you.

Pros
  • High-quality TMR sticks and microswitch buttons
  • programmable buttons
  • gyroscope
  • HD Rumble vibration
  • Amiibo support
  • backlighting and customization
Cons
  • no audio jack
  • the lack of analog triggers limits versatility
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