PXN P58K Wireless Gaming Controller review – That’s Gaming

There was a time when buying a third-party controller felt like a gamble. You never really knew if it would be what for the money you put down for it. Those days are kind of over now, and the PXN-P5 8K proves that.

The third-party hardware market has exploded in quality in recent years. Brands like 8BitDo, GameSir and Gulikit have shown that premium features and solid build quality can also be done without an overly high price tag. PXN may not be an established name yet, but with the PXN-P5 8K Wireless Gaming Controller they show that they want to play in the highest league.

First impression: familiar design, surprising content

In terms of appearance, the PXN-P5 8K does little crazy. The design leans heavily on the familiar Xbox layout with offset thumbsticks, a rounded body and an uncluttered button layout. But beneath that familiar exterior lies an impressive piece of technology that rivals many a more expensive controller.

The biggest asset: a polling rate of a whopping 8000 Hz. Most controllers operate at 125 Hz (Bluetooth) or 1000 Hz (wired), but PXN goes the extra mile. This means that each input needs only 0.125 milliseconds to be registered – lightning fast. In practice, what you notice most is how fluid and direct the controls feel. Even in fast-paced shooters or precision games, the controller reacts lightning fast, although the average gamer will probably not use its full potential.

Precision and durability

The PXN-P5 8K uses capacitive joysticks instead of traditional potentiometers. These are said to be drift-free and offer longer life, in addition, the steering should also be smoother. It also has reinforced rings, this to reduce wear and tear.

The triggers are at least as impressive. Thanks to Hall-effect sensors they offer 256 levels of analog input and feature a two-position physical lock. This allows you to choose between a long, precise stroke for racing games or a short, responsive pull for shooters. It’s a smart addition that makes the controller enormously versatile. This has also become somewhat of a must-have on the controller market if you ask me. It is tremendously useful to have short triggers with shooters and for other titles just the long stroke.

Additional features and customizability

At the back are four programmable macro buttons which you can use directly on the controller or via the PXN Nexus app can set up. The buttons are small but well-placed and responsive. They are also just far enough away from the grips to prevent accidental presses. The FN button on the front lets you quickly switch between profiles, macros and rapid-fire mode. Not everyone will use these features, but it is nice that they are present.

The PXN-P5 8K also offers three connection options: wired via USB-C, wireless via 2.4GHz dongle, or via Bluetooth 5.2. As a result, it is compatible with PC, Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, Android, iOS and Apple TV. Switching between modes is done with a physical switch on the back – simple, reliable and pleasant to use. In my tests, the controller worked flawlessly on both PC and Switch.

Sensors, feedback and build quality

The built-in 6-axis gyroscope provides motion control, which is especially useful on the Switch. For games like Splatoon It won’t replace a Joy-Con, but the accuracy is surprisingly good. The dual haptic motors deliver solid, layered vibration. It doesn’t match Sony’s DualSense, but certainly offers more than you’d expect in this price range.

And then the price tag: the PXN-P5 8K costs between €35 and €45, depending on where you buy it. That’s amazingly low for a controller with so much technology. Hall triggers, drift-free sticks, macros, motion controls, cross-platform support – it’s all on the spec list. And despite that competitive price, hardly any concessions have been made on performance.

Of course, there are some minor downsides. The casing feels light and the plastic doesn’t have the premium finish of, say, an Xbox Elite controller. The D-pad is a bit flat, with little travel, and the shoulder buttons sound a bit more hollow than you’d like. Still, these are details – nothing that really hurts the gaming experience.

Battery life and comfort

With a battery life of approximately 25 hours the PXN-P5 8K lasts a long time. Charging is via USB-C and is fast. During my testing sessions, I did not play the controller empty even after several long evening sessions. With its weight of 220 grams it feels light but not cheap, and the ergonomics are excellent.

Conclusion: cheap, but far from simple

The PXN-P5 8K is a great example of how far third-party controllers have come. Where you used to compromise on quality or comfort, PXN offers a controller that impresses on almost every front – and for a fraction of the price. The build is solid, the performance is excellent, and the amount of features is downright impressive.

It’s not the most upscale controller on the market, but it doesn’t have to be. For this price, you get a fast, versatile and reliable controller that can easily compete with models costing two or even three times as much.