🏆 Review Score: 4.5/5 – ‘Awesome!‘
🏅 Editor’s Choice Award
✅ Pros:
👏 Adjustable-tension joysticks
👍 Removable D-Pad and analog sticks
👆 Chunky, micro-switch face buttons
🔫 Dual-mode triggers
💻 Compatible with PC, Xbox and Bluetooth devices
🔧 Customizable using the Nacon app
❌ Cons:
🤷♂️ It’s time for one unified Nacon app
🎮 Two more back buttons would have been welcome
🔋 Battery life is decent, not great
The Shortcut Review
Nacon has produced some excellent pro-grade controllers over the years, and the Revolution Pro X is no exception.
With its tactile micro-switch buttons, Hall Effect sticks and triggers, instant-trigger locks, and two programmable rear buttons – it ticks most of the boxes competitive gamers expect. However, what sets the Nacon Revolution Pro X apart is its toolless, adjustable-tension joysticks, and its extremely competitive price point.
At just $129, it significantly undercuts the likes of Sony’s $199 DualSense Edge and Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller. It’s also noticeably cheaper than offerings from Scuf and other pro-level gamepads, making it one of the best value pro controllers for Xbox and PC.
It’s a fantastic-feeling gamepad to hold, with a design that blends the ergonomics of a DualSense and Xbox controller. The sloped shoulder buttons and triggers admittedly take a bit of getting used to, but the overall feel and weight is excellent.
Nacon Revolution Pro X specs 🛠️
Price: $129.90
Compatibility: Xbox, PC, mobile
Connectivity: 2.4 GHz dongle, wired, Bluetooth
The adjustable-tension joysticks are the stand out feature, as you can simply twist the base to dial in a firmer or looser feeling stick. I’ve always preferred having a loose left stick to handle movement, and a firmer, tighter right stick for aiming and fine-movements. Being able to adjust the tension without any disassembly or requiring a tool is also greatly appreciated.
It’s hard to argue with the value proposition on offer.
Another nice perk is that the Revolution Pro X features four vibration motors, including the often overlooked impulse triggers. Xbox gamers know what a difference the impulse triggers can make in racing games like Forza Motorsport, and it’s a feature that tends to be cut.
Compatibility with PC along with Bluetooth support adds extra value, and you can of course customize the controller to your liking, including remapping the buttons, adjusting the vibration strength, removing the deadzones, changing the analog response curves, and switching between four profiles. Throw in a simple controller stand that neatly stores an additional D-Pad and two convex sticks, and it’s hard to argue with the value proposition on offer.
Of course, I’d have loved to see two more back buttons (or shoulder buttons) so that every face button can be mapped. But it’s a small mark against what is generally an excellent pro controller that’s competitively priced. Read my full Nacon Revolution Pro X review below.
A review unit was provided by Nacon.
What I loved about the Nacon Revolution Pro X ❤️
👏 Adjustable-tension joysticks. The star of the show, and something that I wish more controllers offered, you can effortlessly change the tension of the Nacon Revolution Pro X joysticks. Simply turn the base of the analog stick to the left to loosen the tension and to the right to tighten. It works wonderfully, and means you can dial in the exact analog tension you prefer, with far more incremental steps than the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller offers.
👆 Chunky, micro-switch face buttons. I’ve praised Nacon’s decision to use oversized face buttons on previous controllers like the Nacon Revolution 5 Pro, and I’m glad it’s sticking with them. The clicky micro-switches make them a joy to press, and the flat profile means they never dig into your thumb over time.
The star of the show, and something that I wish more controllers offered, you can effortlessly change the tension of the Nacon Revolution Pro X joysticks.
👍 Removable D-Pad and analog sticks. A staple of any good pro controller is giving players the option to switch between a circular or cross D-Pad, along with a few analog stick choices. The Nacon Revolution Pro X comes with two grippy concave analog stick caps, and two slightly taller, concave sticks. You also get a circular and cross D-Pad, which are great for those who want consistent directional inputs or want to make it easier to hit diagonals.
🔫 Dual-mode triggers. You can switch between Hall Effect analog triggers or micro-switch instant triggers by simply flicking a switch on the back. It lets you fire faster when playing a first-person shooter, and the micro–switch provides a far more tactile and quicker feel than the Xbox Elite Series 2 or DualSense Edge trigger locks, which feel spongy and have too much travel. The triggers also rumble in compatible games.
💻 Compatible with PC, Xbox and Bluetooth devices. You can use the Nacon Revolution Pro X across multiple devices. On PC, you get the benefit of a 1000 Hz polling rate and 1ms latency when wired, and there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack for console players who prefer using a wired headset. Bluetooth also means it’ll work with your smart phone or TV.
🔧 Customizable using the Nacon app. You can create four profiles for the Nacon Revolution Pro X, though it comes with Racing, Fighting, RPG and FPS profiles as standard. You can remap buttons, adjust the analog stick deadzones and response curves, and the vibration strength of each side of the controller. You can also change the EQ of the controller when using a 3.5mm headset, which is a unique touch.
What I disliked about the Nacon Revolution Pro X 💔
🤷♂️ It’s time for one unified Nacon app. I’ve reviewed a few Nacon controllers over the years, and it feels like each new controller requires its own dedicated app. Hopefully, Nacon can offer either one universal app in the future or a browser-based system that doesn’t require yet another program to be installed.
🎮 Two more back buttons would have been welcome. It’s not a deal breaker, as many pro controllers only feature two back buttons, but two more remappable buttons would have been nice to have. It means every face button could be mapped, so you never need to take your thumbs off the sticks.
🔋 Battery life is decent, not great. At around 15 hours, depending on your settings, the battery life on the Nacon Revolution Pro X shames the DualSense Edge, but falls short of the Steam Controller, Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller, and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, which offer 30 hours or more.
Should you buy the Nacon Revolution Pro X? 🤔
Yes, if…
✅ You want an excellent pro controller under $150
✅ You’d like to dial in your own joystick tension level
✅ You play competitive games on PC or Xbox
No, if…
❌ You’re used to pro controllers with four remappable buttons
❌ You’re not a fan of micro-switch buttons or D-Pads
❌ You want a controller that rarely needs charging
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.