The GameSir G7 Pro Controller, also referred to as the GameSir G7 Pro Tri-Mode Controller, as the name may suggest, is a gamepad designed for use on multiple devices and platforms.
GameSir is a brand that, over time, I have come to love, and after a week of using the GameSir G7 Pro Controller, I can safely say that it is my favourite controller of the year to use on PC. Now, the price point of $99 CAD (or 79.99 USD) isn’t exactly cheap, but for the feature set that comes with the GameSir G7 Pro Controller, it is hard to beat, especially compared to something like the Xbox Elite Series controller and Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, which I recently looked at, both of which come in over the $200 mark.
What makes the GameSir G7 Pro Controller stand out beyond its premium-feeling build quality is the robust set of features, usually reserved for higher-tier controllers, making it appropriate for both tournament play and casual gaming alike. Chief among the features set that caught my eye is the high polling rate, combined with TMR sticks and hair trigger stops, which elevate the Gamesir G7 Pro to Xbox Elite territory.
“What makes the GameSir G7 Pro Controller stand out beyond its premium-feeling build quality is the robust set of features, usually reserved for higher-tier controllers.”
At its most basic, the GameSir G7 Pro Controller is your standard Xbox game pad, made better with a removable face plate, additional styles of d-pads, mechanical buttons and of course, its ability to connect to multiple devices. The GameSir G7 Pro Controller works not only on Xbox platforms but also, thanks to its dedicated dongle and Bluetooth connectivity toggle, allows players to pair and switch between multiple devices with ease.
Unboxing the GameSir G7 Pro Controller, prospective buyers will find the controller itself, a lengthy USB-C lead, a charging cradle and as a nice bonus, a month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. One of the nice things about the included charging cradle that comes with Gamesir’s latest offering is its ability to hide away the included dedicated dongle, making it a one-cable solution for both charging the controller and pairing it up to your PC.
Taking a look at the GameSir G7 Pro Controller itself reveals a textured grip that flanks both sides of the pad, in addition to a similarly textured RB and LB buttons and a set of triggers, which encourage a solid feeling grip for prolonged sessions. Unfortunately, at least for me, despite using similarly textured controllers in the past, I found that the GameSir G7 Pro Controller caught a lot of dust and debris in the finely textured material of the device, making it somewhat hard to clean compared to other controllers available.
In addition to the standard set of buttons, the GameSir G7 Pro Controller features four programmable buttons, with two on the top and two on the back. This makes it ideal for FPS gamers looking to keep their hands locked onto both sticks while still being able to execute all commands. Programming buttons on the GameSir G7 Pro Controller is easy. Simply download the GameSir app from the Microsoft Store, which will prompt a firmware update. This opens up the suite, allowing you to fine-tune the controller to your liking.
If I had to nitpick, I do wish GameSir included a web portal that could detect the controller, instead of relying exclusively on an app that requires the Microsoft Edge-related software dependencies, something I had removed from my instance of Windows 11.
“… after a week of using the GameSir G7 Pro Controller, I can safely say that it is my favourite controller of the year to use on PC.”
In terms of feel in the hand and ergonomics, the GameSir G7 Pro Controller feels premium, with the face buttons, d-pad and triggers offering a satisfying mechanical click, which makes each actuation feel precise and deliberate. The controller also ships with two additional d-pad styles, which can be swapped by simply removing the magnetized faceplate, giving users some options on what feels best for them. On the topic of faceplates, the stock offering that comes with the GameSir G7 Pro Controller is quite nice, featuring a subtle translucent red and black gradient that feels like it came straight out of the Xbox Design Lab.
Despite its estimated 10-hour battery life, thanks to the included charging cradle, I found I never really had to worry about charging the GameSir G7 Pro Controller, something that I wish would be the standard for controllers priced above the $60 range. One annoyance, however, is the LED strip that can be found on the base of the included cradle, which, although cool, can be incredibly bright in a dark room — thankfully, it can be adjusted using the app.
In closing, the GameSir G7 Pro Controller is a solid controller that checks all the right boxes above its price range, making it an easy recommendation for those who like Xbox-style game controllers.
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir’s Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
