Turtle Beach React-R Controller Review
I’m picky when it comes to Xbox controllers. It should feel just right, but I’ll be honest with you, my Xbox Elite controller ruined all the other controllers for me. When it comes to performance, responsiveness and comfort, the Elite is the boss. That said, not everyone has a few hundred dollars to spend on a controller. Just like they’ve done with their headsets for the past few years, Turtle Beach comes on the scene with a budget controller called the React-R. Surprisingly, it’s actually quite good.
Granted, this wired controller for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Windows PC doesn’t match my Xbox Elite controller; for the money it’s great though. Turtle Beach’s React-R controller is a great price of $39.99 USD (at the time of writing on Amazon). Much better than I expected, this super lightweight controller is a great option for parents and gamers on a budget.
It is certainly a ‘no nonsense’ controller out of the box. You get the controller with the included 2.5 m (8.2 ft) USB cable and a quick start guide. That is it. You won’t find a case, detachable handles or other extras, but that’s to be expected as it’s cheaper than a tank of petrol. The controller comes in that classic Xbox black color or in a white and purple color design. We tested the black model.
Great value for money
The controller itself feels great. Setup is a breeze as my Xbox recognized it immediately after I plugged it in. Compared to my Elite controller, the React-R is incredibly light. It takes some getting used to, but it feels great in my hands as the plastic textured handles provide the perfect amount of grip. I prefer rubber grips, but the plastic grips worked just fine.
The triggers, bumpers, rear buttons and face buttons are all positioned correctly and are incredibly responsive. The surface looks almost identical to a regular Xbox controller, except the home button doesn’t light up, you have the REACT-R logo on the top, and there are three small buttons on the top. One button is for muting your microphone, there’s one for SuperHuman Hearing (for compatible headsets) and a D-Pad shifter. It’s certainly a busy controller with all those buttons, but it has some impressive features considering the price.
Despite its weight, the React-R is sturdy and well built. It doesn’t feel cheap at all. I was also impressed that it included the share button. This could have been left out, but its addition is a plus so you never have to feel like you’re missing out on features from more expensive controllers. There is also a 3.5mm stereo headset jack, for your headset. While you can connect any headset to the controller, with a Turtle Beach headset you can take full advantage of that great SuperHuman Hearing feature. It is a difference maker for online shooters.
Admittedly, it sucks that it’s a wired controller. The cord itself isn’t braided either, so be careful around your rabbits. The cord is also way too short. 2.5 meters just isn’t long enough. I would have preferred a 14-foot or longer cord, as 2.5m barely makes it to my couch from the Xbox Series X.
Perfectly accurate
So how does the controller perform? Excellent! I loved how sensitive and responsive the thumbsticks were to my movements. The buttons feel good and respond exactly as they should. The triggers also felt natural and good for the press. It was really effortless to use. The D-Pad is also smooth and precise. Overall, the controller excels in the performance department.
You could argue that the Turtle Beach React-R controller is the best controller for your money. For $39.99 usd there is no doubt that Turtle Beach will sell a ton of units and almost everyone will be pleased. Sure, it’s wired and the wire itself is too short; if you can get over that though, the React-R excels in the performance department and has features typically seen in more expensive controllers. It’s a comfortable lightweight controller with assignable buttons at a great price. There’s just a lot to love here.
***Controller is provided by Turtle Beach***
The good
- Good price
- Comfortable
- Fast responding
- Great Features
80
The bad
- It’s wired
- Cord is way too short
- Plastic handles
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