Verdict
Transparency have in mind its addressable RGB is n’t diffused in any subtle agency , and the racing circuit display board underneath is a look that can still come across as tacky . But with some right pro features by direction of two programmable back release , the HyperX Gladiate Clutch RGB justifies its buzzword . you’re able to just get the same solid performance at a marginally cheaper price from the non - RGB variation .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
Tacking on RGB kindling and swapping its typical bootleg shell out for a colourless transparent one to add the bulbs front and inwardness , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB ca n’t be the budget pick for the gamer in need of another diggings . So how can it excuse the monetary value jump over its sleeker , non - well-lighted predecessor ?
come in at just shy of £ 20 more than its impressive non - RBG offering , the wired - only HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB controller for Xbox One , Series X / S , and personal computer run close to the Leontyne Price of a wireless first - company controller . You might think that it ’s a deal comparison with fancy kindling to boot , but you ’d be forgetting that it ’s wired only . You ’ll economize on disposable batteries and never risk a power - based disconnect , but the possible inconveniences are worth bearing in mind .
It ’s never go to be for everyone . The loud , naked look is always firmly at the bottom of my priority listing . But these types of designs continue to exist because there ’s a market for them . And for that , the brand name carries it forward . It ’s not the chintzy glowy transparent pad you ’re potential to find oneself on store shelf , but there ’s a good chance it ’s among the better you could get for the money , with the light - to - use rear programmable release setting it asunder from a custom-make first - party launchpad .
Design
The HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB comptroller wears its “ full - trunk ” lighting badge boldly . The bright loge struggle to convey how it looks in the dimly - lit dwellings it ’s likely to wind up in , however , instead it turns to focus on how the six LEDs are symmetrically lay around its face .
Despite the loge image and the one below , they ca n’t be individually controlled to expose different electrostatic colours : they can only cycle through them like a rainbow . Static range unfortunately befuddle matters .
In the hand , this is one seriously still launchpad . There ’s a natural grip to it , if that ’s even a news , and a peculiarly morish embonpoint to the handgrip , despite having an obvious and completely necessary ergonomic drop to alleviate a proper grasp .
Outside of the obvious differences , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB is just another vapourous Xbox restrainer . Everything is in the right plaza , perfectly positioned as all Xbox layouts lean to be . On the back , however , you ’ll note that you ’re peal fingers naturally curl around to rest on the undivided back paddle push on each side of the suitcase .
These are pocket-sized and flat , so more close resemble the panache of those come up on the Steam Deck to the right paddle of more expensive offerings like the PowerA Fusion Pro 3,Scuf Instinct Pro , or officialXbox Eliteoptions . Like the rest of the clitoris , they ’re quite loud when pressed .
There ’s little moistening to spill the beans about there , and very footling of that decent mechanic click you might get in more sybaritic offerings apart from the hairline triggers that can be accentuated by restrict their actuation distance via their respective toggle switch change over on on the rear . For private and political party manipulation , there ’s a 3.5 mm earpiece manual laborer at the bottom as carry .
For the rightfully environmentally - conscious gamers out there , relief assured that , aside from some shrinkwrap along the top of the comptroller , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB comes in completely reusable newspaper publisher packaging .
Performance
When plugged in , the six front - confront LEDs give to lifetime without any input , continue on a unchanging super acid to indicate life – which is a caper dedicated to the minuscule illumination just below the large Xbox key .
promptly twice - press the flyspeck visibility button on the back of the controller do this single bulb to breathe , with a wardrobe on either side of the d - inking pad then cycling the larger light-emitting diode between three preset behaviours and the face buttons to ascertain the colour . The remaining two directions dictate brightness . you’re able to turn them off , but the centre Light Within will remain alive whenever the comptroller is secure in and operational .
In function , both control stick are specially smooth . There ’s no hint of the scratchiness you could get around the outer band . If you ’re used to stiffer stick , you ’ll deficiency of resistance will be apparent , which might stand out more in game that need very precise and gradual movement like racing sims or games with stealth elements .
For the crusade fan out there , the Dpad is a little on the mushy side , with an Up press on my revue unit feeling a minuscule shorter than the other directions . The whole matter is lay into a circle , so while it ’s not physically omnidirectional like the current neckcloth Xbox controller , it does attempt to guide you into those sloped movements : something the aforementioned PowerA Fusion 3 omits in favour of one mostly uniform shell .
While the huge majority of the controller ’s buttons fall on the easy and squashy side , the triggers apply an unnamed method to put up a tactic click . You ’ll get this whether you utilize the toggles to set the change of location distance to its nonpayment full squeeze or short hairline - style actuation point .
It ’s not excessively loud , but it ’s enough to probably irritate those with a sure disdain toward the purposefully clicky mechanical switches on keyboard and mouse . If you like that sort of matter , you ’ll be tap off on them to no end . Maybe dampen your lobby mic if you ’re mind to euphony between match . The dual rumble motor are n’t anything to shout home about , but feedback feel honest , balanced , and not too loud or punchy .
handily , just as it does the lighting , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB lets you program its two paddle buttons without the need for software . That means you may assign them on - machine and right away post them from your PC , to your Xbox , and to a laptop computer or a friend or governing body ’s machine , too .
The multi - 2d clitoris carry necessary to spark it draw it unmanageable to pull off in the heating of the moment , but if you take your time with it , it ’s smart to set a face button to either one . You ’re not go away to be bind any complicated input signal sequences here , but you’re able to keep the need to abstract your thumb off the right control stick to a minimum by give your center finger the power to reload a artillery , start the map , toggle between grenade case : that sort of thing .
Software
In a rarified bend in today ’s play landscape , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB can hit its peak without any pestering installs , foretoken - ups , or sharing of personal datum . It ’s a breath of fresh air in a world always demanding your details for niggling gains . Manufacturers will claim it keeps price humbled , but HyperX care to do the same whilst going against the grain .
What this signify is that any setting you ’re able to tweak can be done on - gadget , regardless of political platform , and carry effortlessly to the next . The instructions poorly explain it , but the lighting profiles work for push button assignments , too , allow you practicably keep custom commands for your three most - act games approachable at the press of a few button .
Just be cognisant that a lack of software support signify there ’s no way to recount which of the three profile you ’re toggling through if they all mirror the same LED colour and effect . So if you go under up profiles for three different biz but use your favourite color , consequence , and luminance for each ( or turn the inflammation off whole ) you might have to repeatedly cycle through each and try out them before you hop into a serious seance .
Latest deals
Should you buy it?
The HyperX brand uphold to get care for all the right reasons , and the Clutch Gladiate RGB adds more to an already well - brush up pad
If seeable electronics and glaring , undiffused inflammation are n’t your cup of tea leaf , you may save up the cephalalgia ( and your wallet ) with the legacy Clutch Gladiate control .
Final Thoughts
Will the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB change your game ? The ignition wo n’t . I see it as a huge misdirection . There ’s no way to have it react to thing like depleting wellness . It ’s purely for show and ego - verbalism , and the lighting require too high a cost hike .
The same potential in - plot benefits are available in the drastically cheaper replacement that , in my opinion , is a mend sight more pleasing to the center . Still , if you have the cash to price up from one to the other and bask that kind of genius , snaffle the HyperX name mean something . They ’re economically conscious efforts with a solid report for calibre .
The two - year guarantee likely does n’t apply to wrong from external pressures – sensitive losers beware – but it ’s reassuring to know there ’s belief in the mathematical product ’s clicky switch that , on first use , can feel like a major unsuccessful person waiting to happen mid - match . Rest assured : they can take a squeeze .
rather of the Clutch Gladiate RGB , the note value seems to be in going for the non - RGB choice or plainly opting for the straightforward Xbox restrainer , which is great in its own right . If you ’re tie to a budget - wire pick , then theNacon Pro Compactremains a upstanding option . You may have to up your budget if these picks do n’t have everything you ’re after , which you could notice in ourbest game controllersandbest PC game controllerbuying scout .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every game controller we test for at least a week . During that time , we ’ll check it for ease of role and put it through its paces by represent a form of different genre .
We also check the controller ’s software support and battery life if applicable .
FAQs
No , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB is wire only .
Yes , the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB make out with a bendable USB - A to USB - C transmission line at around 2.8 m length .
The LEDs can expose one of seven colors but can not be individually controlled .
Yes , dual rumble motors are present .
A 3.5 mm headphone port is line up on the bottom just like other Xbox restrainer .
