Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Pro review - Wired for success

This is the latest addition to Thrustmaster's vast library of tech. The controller will set you back £169.99/$169.99, which is a fairly good price for the market these days. Considering all the features the controller offers, you can’t really go wrong when considering it as your next gaming upgrade. 

The Thrustmaster eSwap X2 Pro can be used on both the PC and your Xbox via the included cable. Compared to the original eSwap X Pro, the changes aren't that vast and landscape-changing, but does it offer enough in terms of a new experience to push it towards the top end of the market? Let’s find out. 

Does the design justify the price?

Overall, the eSwap X2 Pro isn't that different to the eSwap X Pro when it comes to design. Put the two side-by-side, and you really would struggle to tell the difference - other than the obvious text that is on the latest version. One of the key features, though, is that the eSwap X2 Pro doesn't feel anywhere near as heavy as the original. 

While it still retains the same size as the original, it feels much less cumbersome to hold in your hands, meaning your wrists and hands won't feel as tired over time during long gaming sessions.

The X2’s overall dimensions also mean it is slightly smaller than the Elite Series 2—it measures 6.3in / 160mm x 4.7in / 120mm x 2.4in / 60mm. There are a lot of buttons to get to grips with here, all of which can be assigned to certain buttons if needs be. 

I can’t say I am someone who uses the back triggers on a controller, but they are easily accessible if someone chooses to use them. There are also a number of buttons on the underside of the controller, as well as a jack to put your headphones in for party chat. 

Quick Swap And Change

By far, the controller's biggest selling point is its ability to be swapped and changed to best suit your comfort needs. Hot-Swap technology allows for unlimited replacement of the S5 NXG mini-sticks. The new version of the eSwap X2 Pro has promised that the mini-sticks will have a much longer lifespan than the previous model. I'm yet to confirm this, but they feel pretty stable and solid even after plenty of use. 

The buttons on the controller have an increased response time when compared to the standard base version of controllers on offer. This is designed to give you an advantage over your opponents due to the buttons having a much faster responsiveness when executing the commands linked to the button you have pressed. The activation distance has been reduced to 0.01" / 0.3 mm, which is way shorter than the standard models, giving the eSwap X2 Pro a clear advantage. 

A new mechanical D-Pad also helps you gain an advantage over your opponents with apparent remarkable precision and exceptional responsiveness. The activation distance is also substantially lowered on the eSwap X2 Pro. I have to say that the response time did feel a lot quicker, and the unique design of both the controller buttons and the diagonals meant that I was always hitting the right direction button instead of accidentally clicking two and once with my clumsy, massive hands. 

Will you play better? 

While it can't physically improve your gameplay skills—unfortunately, that is down to you—the precision the controller offers will give you a helping hand when it comes to comfort and making the right move as efficiently as possible. You can tailor the eSwap X2 Pro to any style you wish, and the ESWAP X2 gamepad adapts to your gaming preferences for customized control and handling. 

Using their hot swap technology, you can chop and change all of the modules on the eSwap X2 Pro in no time at all. There are thumbsticks with different weights, directional buttons that can be adjusted to different heights to suit your hand shape and many other features. The eSwap X2 Pro features S5 NXG mini-sticks, which were hand-picked by professional esports gamers due to their responsiveness and precise movement when it comes to competitive gameplay. 

These are the thumbsticks used by many esports pros when it comes to tournaments and competitive games, owing to how well they adapt to your every move and the smoothness they offer for the movement of your character. These mini-sticks provide an improved lifespan compared to the previous versions while maintaining their mind-blowing precision.

You can directly remap any function to one of the four additional buttons on the back of the gamepad to fully customise and optimize your gameplay and make certain movements a whole lot easier and quicker, which can be a lifesaver in the heat of battle. You can also fully customise the eSwap X2 Pros sensitivity levels and settings to best suit your needs. 

With the ThrustmapperX software, you're free to customize the sensitivity levels of the mini-sticks, as well as the activation travel for the triggers, and remap all of the gamepad's buttons to best suit your playstyle.

The Verdict

If you're in the market for a premium-level controller for your PC or Xbox, you really can't go wrong with considering the eSwap X2 Pro. If competitive gaming is your thing, the response time of the buttons and the fact you can essentially rebuild it on a per-game basis is the kind of thing that can help you reach new heights.

The only real downside of the controller is the wired connection, but if you can overlook that, there's plenty here to justify the asking price.

4.5/5

Review unit provided by the manufacturer.