Our Verdict
Enhanced by its granulated grips and superb build quality, the GameSir Cyclone 2 delivers a comfortable form factor that will please handheld and console enthusiasts alike. Combined with its best-in-class battery life, this controller can handle any game you throw at it.
- Textured grips
- Great build quality
- Seamless connectivity
- Triggers are disappointing
- Only two colorways
- No support for Xbox or PS5
We are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to third-party controllers these days, but GameSir continues to carve out a considerable reputation for all your accessory needs. The GameSir Cyclone 2 is the latest addition to the impressive Cyclone series, evolving from previous releases such as the GameSir Cyclone T4 controller.
GameSir has put its attention on the right refinements to provide an excellent Xbox-style alternative that sits with the best phone controllers and best Nintendo Switch controllers available.
There are plenty of reasons why countless brands have replicated the Xbox controller in many forms over the years, but what it really comes down to is a comfortable form factor. GameSir’s newest Cyclone addition makes that immediately clear from the first touch, introducing you to its granulated grips and textured triggers.
If I wasn’t already accustomed to the weight of the current Xbox Series X|S controller, I’d assume Microsoft itself had crafted the Cyclone from build quality alone. It evokes a premium quality from the get-go, letting me know that even in the sweatiest of gaming sessions – win or lose – this controller won’t slip out of my hand anytime soon. Appearance-wise, the Cyclone 2 comes in a sleek black finish, or there’s the Phantom White variant accentuated by highlights from the golden d-pad and orange stick underlays.
While the GameSir Cyclone 2 isn’t capable of Microsoft antics, it does boast multiplatform support for Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, and PC. Shedding the need for unnecessary spools of cables like with accessories from rivals like Power-A, the Cyclone 2 is a plug-and-play champ that gets straight down to business. Connection to any of the compatible devices is effortless, instantaneously recognizing what device is prepped to dive into your favorite FPS games or a cheeky battle royale game session. To put the controller to the test, I first connected it to my Nintendo Switch Lite wirelessly.
Bluetooth pairing is just as easy, although it does yield some interesting results. Using the controller on my Mac Mini displayed it as a DualShock 4 controller, while my experience on the Asus ROG Ally – one of the best Steam Deck alternatives – correctly shows up as the Cyclone. You can pair the controller by holding the back left trigger and one of the ABYX buttons, depending on which device you’d like to sync with.
I’ve gone through my fair share of controllers in recent years, dreading the day stick drift comes to consume the soul of my Joy-Cons. GameSir seeks to avoid this with its own Mag-Res TMR sticks. Offering durability akin to Hall Effect sticks, movement in titles like Fortnite or ARPG game titan Warframe retains the snappy feeling it should. Like the texture found elsewhere on the controller, GameSir’s TMR sticks utilize the same granulated material, ensuring your aim won’t be off the mark. However, the Cyclone 2’s triggers are a little disappointing.
GameSir includes different modes for the triggers, alternating between standard and hair trigger mode. You activate the latter by using the ‘M’ button on the controller’s face, enabling quicker activation in the heat of the action when the trigger senses weight on it. I appreciate the swooped design of the triggers, but their resistance is often unsatisfying – although you can at least adjust the sensitivity in the Gamesir Connect Software app. We already know that nailing triggers is in GameSir’s wheelhouse, like in our GameSir X3 Pro review. So, it’s surprising to see this element somewhat lost in translation.
Where the triggers falter, the Cyclone 2’s rumble functionality is pleasingly impactful. Additionally, each of the Cyclone 2’s ABYX buttons are micro switches, emitting a lovely tactile feeling like many of the best gaming keyboards.
If you’re looking to truly tweak your experience, GameSir’s Connect Software is your one-stop shop for customization. Whether you’re eager to mess around with the dead zone of the TMR sticks, rear trigger bindings, or RGB lighting, this simple program is all killer, no filler. Unlike GameSir’s mobile app, I found this application far less prone to issues. When it comes to longevity, this is easily one of the Cyclone 2’s biggest strengths. Backed by an 860mAH battery, it handles long playthroughs with relative ease. Over the course of testing this controller, I found that I’d only needed to charge it up fully every two to three days, depending on how long I’d been playing for.
Luckily, charging it is a painless process, as you can place Cyclone 2 on its sleek metal charging stand. Retailing for $55.99/£55.99 or $49.99/£49.99 for just the controller alone, it was surprising to see such a high-quality stand included considering that the Nintendo Switch Pro controller sells for a similar price with no such accessory bundled in. Powered by a USB-C cable that plugs into the rear of the stand, the Cyclone 2 sits pretty to charge wirelessly alongside a port to store its USB-A dongle.
Whether I was squadding up on mobile, PC, or console, the GameSir Cyclone 2 proved to be an affordable alternative that can stand proudly alongside the big dogs in the controller space. Despite my reservations about its triggers, the Cyclone 2 is a sturdy Xbox-like option, offering great levels of customization and superb battery life.
For more GameSir rundowns, you can check out our GameSir T4 Cyclone review, GameSir G8+ bluetooth controller review, GameSir X4 Alerion review. We’ve also got guides for the best gaming iPhone, the best portable gaming consoles, and the best gaming phone options around.