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Gamesir X3 Pro review - a cool gaming controller with a heavy problem

Like most of Gamesir’s controllers, the Gamesir X3 Pro is an excellent peripheral - one that only falters due to its bulky size and confusing software.

Gamesir X3 Pro with Call of Duty Mobile home screen on a phone within the controller

Our Verdict

The Gamesir X3 Pro delivers a hefty amount of great features like Micro Switch buttons and Hall Effect sticks, but the bulky size and the overkill fan make it hard to recommend over the brand’s other products.

Reasons to buy
  • Responsive buttons
  • Premium device at a budget
  • Fan performs better than expected
Reasons to avoid
  • Fan requires constant USB-C connection
  • Very bulky design

At this point, Gamesir doesn’t really need any introduction. With a long-running portfolio of products under its wings, this brand has spent the last few years sticking it to major phone controller rivals like Backbone, Razer, and more by offering must-have features at lower prices. The Gamesir X3 Pro is no different, but this phone controller is cooler than most – quite literally.

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There are a couple of Gamesir entries in our best phone controllers list and for good reason. Much like the rest of the company’s catalog, the X3 Pro sports Hall Effect sticks, Micro Switch triggers and buttons, and support for both iOS and Android, so you can play the best iPhone games and best Android games without any issues.

Unsurprisingly, that means that the Gamesir X3 Pro is truly spectacular when it comes to the user experience. The sticks feel exceptional, and the face buttons and D-Pad have a great feel and responsivity. Triggers click with a satisfying push, and while the design may be polarizing, the early ‘00s vibe of the controller adds to the personality of the device.

Taking out seemingly endless waves of monsters and creatures in Dead Cells or shooting down foes in Call of Duty Mobile feels natural with the Gamesir X3 Pro, much like any other Gamesir controller. And despite features that would come at a premium for most brands, including a travel case and additional stick caps, the X3 Pro is a cool $79.99 / £79.99, which is lower than even the affordable Backbone One’s RRP.

Gamesir X3 Pro closed up with no phone and the cooling pad on show

However, where the Gamesir X3 Pro differs from peripherals like the G8 Galileo – our top phone controller – is the addition of a cooling fan that you can move and adjust to suit your device. It’s a bulky addition that adds to the weight of the overall package, and even if it’s still lighter than the Nintendo Switch or the hefty Steam Deck, it’s noticeably different than just using the Backbone One, for example.

While the fan doesn’t seem too powerful and requires plugging in a USB-C cable to keep it running, it does do a great job of keeping your phone cool. My Google Pixel 9 Pro XL can sometimes get hot when pushed to its limit, but the X3 Pro kept it spectacularly cool when playing the best mobile games.

For example, after a COD Mobile session, my phone hit 36° Celsius. I plugged in my handy cable, turned the fan on, and saw a drop to 18° Celsius shortly after. Admittedly, this is according to the Gamesir app, which I’m not sure I fully trust, but I can’t complain about the back of my phone itself, which felt remarkably cool to touch.

While the fan is an excellent addition, I’m not sure it’s an essential one for most people. Those traveling won’t get much use out of it unless there’s a handy USB port or socket nearby, and the bulky nature of the X3 Pro makes it more difficult to put in your bag than other phone controllers. It’s also worth pointing out that unless you’re playing some fairly demanding games, the fan isn’t essential.

The back of the Gamesir X3 Pro with the fan on display

All this means that the Gamesir X3 Pro is more niche than not only the company’s rivals but its long list of other products too. I’m not sure why you wouldn’t opt for the G8 Galileo over this alternative, and even budget options the X2s offer a great controller in a smaller, more travel-size build. While the effects of the fan are certainly obvious, it comes with a few too many problems, namely the size, weight, and wired connection.

There’s also the problem with Gamesir’s software, something that I’ve found at best abysmal, and at worst insulting over the last year since I’ve been reviewing the brand’s products. On iOS, the Gamesir app doesn’t even recognize the company’s latest devices, and on Android, it typically crashes, doesn’t have some of the games I have downloaded as options (despite their popularity), and frequently has issues with the button mapping feature.

Gamesir seems to produce a new phone controller or general peripheral every month, and while I enjoy seeing a wave of new products from the company, I really hope the brand can spend some more development time on the app. Great software can make or break a device, and while I let it slide a few times before, it feels like it’s now a running joke aimed at me and other consumers.

All of that being said, the Gamesir X3 Pro still offers plenty of amazing features that the company is well-known for, and at a very competitive price. While I believe the fan is overkill and unnecessary, it still adds flair and personality to the device, and I’m sure it will come in handy whenever I have any lengthy mobile gaming sessions. However, if you’re looking for the best of the best, I’d recommend taking a look at some other Gamesir products first.

There you have it, our Gamesir X3 Pro review. If you’re looking for more tech while you’re here, be sure to check out our picks for the best gaming phones and the best budget gaming phones, with plenty of options to suit every budget. Or, if you’re looking for something a little bigger and beefier, see our guide to the best Steam Deck alternatives.