In terms of price-to-performance, its hard to beat: This Xbox gamepad might
be better value than Microsofts version but theres one feature I desperately wish it had

Date:
Sun, 13 Sep 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Drakong Challenger may be light on features, light on the scales, and light on your wallet but it hits hard where it counts.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Drakong Challenger: One-minute review The Drakong Challenger takes aim at the budget controller market by offering a basic but high-performing pad. On the style front, the Challenger is very much a case of function over form. Youd be hard-pressed to tell it apart from your run-of-the-mill Xbox controller, although the green rings around the thumbsticks are one notable point of difference.

Just like that controller, the Challenger is very comfortable in the hand.
Its also surprisingly well-made, with a solid shell and planted buttons.
Whats more, its pleasingly light, making it easy to use for long periods. All this makes it one of the best Xbox Controllers at the budget end of the
sector in terms of construction. (Image credit: Future) Although theres no software to accompany the Challenger, you can assign the back buttons quite easily using the M button. A rumble notifies you when your assignments have been confirmed, which is a useful indicator. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: The Challenger impresses in action. The triggers and sticks are as smooth and precise as you would expect from their Hall Effect technology, while the D-pad and face buttons are satisfyingly damped and
quick to respond and rebound. The back buttons are a little less tactile, but they suffice nonetheless.

Given how inexpensive it is, youd seriously have to consider the Challenger over a standard Xbox controller or any other, for that matter, so long as wireless connectivity is something youre willing to sacrifice. (Image credit: Future) Drakong Challenger review: Price & availability $34.99 (about 25 / AU$50) One month of Game Pass Ultimate included Good price-to-performance ratio The Drakong Challenger costs $34.99 (about 25 / AU$50) and is available now. It comes with a USB-C cable, as well as a code for a one-month free
trial of Game Pass Ultimate.

The Challenger is cheaper than the official Xbox Wireless Controller , although that gamepad has the advantage of wireless connectivity. However, it doesnt include a rechargeable battery as standard, nor does it have customizable back buttons. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

If you want something a little more feature-packed, but dont want to spend a huge amount, the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline is a good alternative. It has companion software that can be used to remap buttons, as well as adjust vibration intensity and thumbstick dead zones. Also, the controller itself is far more vibrant than the Challenger and many other controllers, for that matter. Drakong Challenger review: Specs Swipe to scroll horizontally

Price

$34.99 (about 25 / AU$50)

Weight

7.23oz / 205g

Dimensions

6.3 x 2.5 x 4.4in / 160 x 63.5 x 111.8mm

Compatibility

PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One

Connection type

Wired (USB-C), 3.5mm AUX (headset) (Image credit: Future) Drakong Challenger review: Design Classic Xbox controller design Light yet solid construction No accompanying software As far as looks go, the Challenger barely departs from the traditional Xbox design. It has the same shape, size, and layout, with
the only additional flourishes being green rings around the sticks and a subtle outline around the two halves of the pad. Theres no RGB lighting, despite what those aforementioned stick rings may lead you to believe.

However, all this isnt to say the Challenger has a disappointing
construction. After all, to many gamers, the Xbox controller form is comfortable and practical. And despite the plastics not feeling particularly premium, the Challenger is surprisingly solid and pleasingly light at the
same time, which is always a winning combination. (Image credit: Future)
Whats more, the sticks and buttons are well fitted with no play in them at all, which isnt something that can be said about most budget controllers. The back of the handles is textured for added traction, but the improvement is marginal given how subtle this texture is.

Theres no software available to customize the Challenger, but there are two mappable back buttons. I couldnt find information on how to map them
anywhere, but thankfully its a fairly simple process to figure out. You
simply press the M button and a back button simultaneously until you feel a rumble, then press the button you want to assign and another rumble will confirm its activation.

The Challenger has no wireless connectivity, which is a shame but understandable at this price point. The included USB cable is quite long, but it isnt finished in a braided fabric, which is something you often find on
the best gaming mice to improve flexibility and reduce drag. It does at least seem quite durable, and the connection at either end was solid in my experience, despite the small amount of superficial wobbling at the
controller end. (Image credit: Future) Drakong Challenger review: Performance Solid and responsive buttons Precise and tactile triggers and sticks Easy connectivity to Xbox and PC The Drakong Challenger might be a budget controller, but thats not something youll notice when gaming with it, as
every input is smooth, solid, and precise. The face buttons are also well damped and very responsive, rebounding quickly to allow for easy spamming
when needed. The same goes for the D-pad, and despite its traditional four-pronged hat, it felt comfortable in my thumb, even when performing rolls and frantic inputs in Tekken 8 .

On the shoulder buttons, the texture is subtle but noticeable, and feels
quite nice on the fingers, although Im not sure it provides much in the way
of traction. The Hall Effect triggers are light but offer a surprising amount of control, which was especially helpful when accelerating and braking in Assetto Corsa . The Hall Effect thumbsticks were accurate and responsive when steering, too, as well as when aiming in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl . I also appreciated their soft, grippy coating and textured rims for added purchase and feedback. (Image credit: Future) The two back buttons are easy
to reach, but they dont feel quite as tactile as the other inputs, lacking depth of travel and dampening by comparison. Also, I found them quite easy to trigger accidentally, even when I didnt have a particularly tight grip on the pad.

Surprisingly for an inexpensive controller, the Challenger features a headset jack. The cable connection is solid, and I didnt notice any loss in audio quality relative to connections made elsewhere.

As for the pad itself, I had no issues connecting it via the USB cable to either an Xbox Series X or to my PC, being just as easy to use with the
latter as the best PC controllers . Should I buy the Drakong Challenger? Buy it if

You want a solid build Despite how light it is, the Challengers shell and buttons are surprisingly sturdy.

You want great value In terms of price-to-performance, its hard to beat this controller. Don't buy it if

You want to go wireless Part of the cost-cutting comes from its wired connectivity, which might seem a little outmoded in 2026.

You want to tweak inputs You can remap the back buttons, but not any of the others. You cant alter the behavior of the sticks and triggers, either a missed opportunity given their Hall Effect tech. Drakong Challenger review: Also consider Swipe to scroll horizontally Row 0 - Cell 0

Drakong Challenger

Xbox Wireless Controller

Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline

Price

$34.99 (about 25 / AU$50)

$59.99 / 54.99 / AU$74.99

$89.99 / 79.99 / around AU$150

Weight

7.23oz / 205g

9.76oz / 275g

7.04oz / 200g

Dimensions

6.3 x 2.5 x 4.4in / 160 x 63.5 x 111.8mm

6.02 x 4.01 x 2.40in / 153 x 102 x 61mm

6.22 x 4.09 x 2.36in / 158 x 104 x 60mm

Compatibility

PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS

PC, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One

Connection type

Wired (USB-C), 3.5mm AUX (headset)

Wireless (Xbox, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C), 2.4Ghz wireless dongle

Battery life

N/A

20-40 hours

~20 hours

Xbox Wireless Controller Its hard to go wrong with Microsofts official controller for its console (and other platforms). But although its wireless, it doesnt come with a rechargeable battery by default; thats an optional
extra on a controller that already costs more than the Challenger. It doesnt have back buttons, either. Read our full Xbox Wireless Controller review .

Xbox Wireless Controller Its hard to go wrong with Microsofts official controller for its console (and other platforms). But although its wireless, it doesnt come with a rechargeable battery by default; thats an optional
extra on a controller that already costs more than the Challenger. It doesnt have back buttons, either. Read our full Xbox Wireless Controller review . (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Drakong Challenger Tested for several days Played a variety of games Experienced with many other gamepads I tested the Challenger for several days, using it for a variety of games and on both PC and Xbox.

I played Assetto Corsa to test the triggers, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl to test the precision of the sticks. I also played Tekken 8 to test the responsiveness and comfort of the D-pad and face buttons.

Ive been gaming for decades and have used a wide variety of systems and controllers in that time. Ive also reviewed a range of them, from simple budget-friendly affairs to feature-packed premium offerings. Read more about how we test First reviewed: September 2026 Drakong The Challenger: Price Comparison No price information Check Amazon We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gaming-accessories/drakong-challenger-review


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