GameSir G7 Pro review – The best third-party Xbox controller?

Sick of stick drift? Yeah, we’ve all been there. When the character automatically walks, the aim gradually drops down, or the car turns on its own, it’s pure pain. You could replace the defective stick with a better one, or you can get a better controller, like the GameSir G7 Pro. 

GameSir has been consistently making great Xbox controllers since 2021. I got the GameSir G7 at launch, loved it, but the lack of wireless connectivity was a sore spot. The company has recently released the Pro line of G7, the latest of which is wireless on Xbox.

A full package 

The GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ edition comes with a huge box with three drawer-style compartments. Here’s all the stuff you get inside the massive package:

• GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ Edition controller
• Charging Station 
• Extra faceplate
• Hardshell carrying case
• Type-C cable
• 2 D-pads 
• 8 interchangeable sticks
• 2.4 GHz Wireless dongle
• Acrylic Keychain
• 4 thumbstick covers
• Booklets, stickers, and one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
• Zenless Zone Zero exclusive in-game goodies

GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ feels right 

GameSir has nailed the ergonomics with the G7 Pro, and the ZZZ edition follows the exact blueprint. The plastic feels good to the touch, neither flimsy nor too heavy. The weight is evenly distributed across the controller, making it comfortable to hold for many hours. I had an eight-hour Marvel Rivals all-nighter, and my fingers and palm felt perfectly fine afterwards. 

The grip texture on the back kept my hands from sweating, and the textured triggers provided ample grip. The matte finish is not fingerprint-prone, so the controller looks great even after long sessions. I have medium-sized hands and had no trouble reaching all buttons; even the back paddles felt natural to press. Someone with larger hands would prefer a bigger controller, but I have no complaints. 

Stickler for perfection 

The regular Xbox controller uses potentiometer-based analog sticks, which can wear out over time and cause stick drift. I’ve gone through at least six controllers over the years. I get the sticks replaced after they get the dreaded drift. Not everyone has a repair guy who imports Hall Effect kits and replaces them for $20, though.

The GameSir G7 SE came with Hall-effect sticks, which don’t suffer from stick drift. The GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ upgrades the sticks further with TMR technology. The new sticks are less prone to drifting, power-efficient, and interference-free, resulting in more accurate control.  The triggers also use Hall-effect analog technology, making them responsive and accurate. 

G7 Pro presses the right buttons 

The G7 Pro ZZZ comes with optical microswitch face buttons. They are super clicky, great for some who like tactile buttons, not so much for folks who game at night, especially when a partner is trying to sleep nearby. The controller also comes with four extra buttons: two back R4 and L4 buttons, and two R5 and L5 buttons. The shoulder buttons are placed next to the L1/L2 and R1/R2 buttons. 

The button placement is ideal for me; however, a friend accidentally tapped the extra shoulder buttons multiple times. Maybe because they have larger hands, or perhaps they were not used to the extra inputs.

The D-pad is also mechanical, with a satisfying click. I played some Tekken 8, and it worked well. The trigger and the grips have strong vibration motors. Thankfully, you can customize the vibration through the GameSir Nexus app. 

There’s a lot to customize 

From the three-piece face plates to the control stick sizes and shapes, there is a lot you can customize with the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ edition. I went with the clear faceplate and black grip plates to mix and match the look. I’ll switch to a longer dome right stick when I want to get into a competitive shooter. 

The back buttons are great for replacing the melee and sprint buttons. You can map all four buttons on the fly, too. The M button makes remapping a breeze. G7 Pro’s extra shoulder buttons are great for grenading or using the Batvision abilities.  

There are three different D-Pads to choose from as well. The circular default one looks the best, but it didn’t feel great, so I swapped to another one. There are toggles for hair triggers, too, significantly reducing the trigger travel, great for twitch shooters.

The GameSir Nexus software is available on Xbox, PC, and Android, allowing you to customize how the controller works. From adjusting deadzones to vibration, there is a lot you can adjust. 

Is the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ edition worth the price?

At $130, the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ edition is certainly an investment. When you compare it to the official Xbox Elite Series 2 controller, which retails around $170, it won’t seem that expensive. However, the official Xbox controller doesn’t require the 2.4 GHz wireless dongle to work with the Xbox. 

The only issue I have is the constant static through the 3.5mm audio jack. It’s noticeable during quiet moments, and no matter what headset/headphones I’ve tried, it remains there. I’ve also updated the drivers to no avail. Thankfully, it isn’t a big problem during gameplay, but an expensive controller shouldn’t have the issue. 

However, even the expensive Xbox Elite Series 2 doesn’t come with TMR sticks; it doesn’t even have Hall Effect ones. So, it will eventually drift, just like any other Xbox controller. If $130 is too steep for you and you don’t like Zenless Zone Zero, there’s the Wuchang Edition that has all the features for $100.

For me, the GameSir G7 Pro ZZZ edition is well worth the price; it looks great, has a 1,000Hz polling rate on PC, and can connect to my Android phone. 

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