Budget Be $20-30,the Direwolf 3 Controller Will Be Rour All-Around Gaming Partner

In the $20-30 game controller market, the Direwolf 3 has become a popular choice among gamers due to its rich features and upgraded configuration.

This review focuses on real-world experience, examining multiple dimensions including grip feel, core performance, and compatibility. It also incorporates comparisons with similarly priced competitors and long-term user feedback to provide a reference for gamers’ purchase decisions. Based on user experience, we also highlight frequently asked questions and provide PickOnes users with more professional answers.

Table of Contents

The appearance and grip take into account both comfort and practicality

(1) Design Details

The Direwolf 3 retains its classic controller layout, with a simple and elegant gray and white color scheme. The Direwolf and Naruto co-branded models are even more aesthetically pleasing. The grip features an ergonomic curved design that conforms to the natural curvature of the palm. The matte finish and anti-slip back ensure a stable grip even for players with sweaty hands.

(2) Actual holding experience

Long-term holding: Play action games (such as “Elden Ring”) for 3 hours continuously without any obvious soreness in the palms. However, if the hands are sweaty, the anti-slip particles will absorb a small amount of sweat and need to be wiped regularly.

Adaptation for different hand sizes: When players with small hands (girls/teenagers) operate, some back buttons require adjustments to their finger posture to trigger, and the grip width is slightly wider. However, this can be addressed through adaptation. Players with large hands have a fuller grip and better comfort.

Core performance far exceeds its price

(1) The accuracy and feel of the joystick and buttons are excellent

Self-developed lever joystick

Compared to standard piston joysticks (common in this price range), the Direwolf3 joystick’s rebound deviation is less than 1%. After one month of intensive use (averaging two hours per day), no drift was observed.

The fine surface texture and moderate damping ensure precise and smooth control for subtle camera adjustments in APEX Legends and joystick drift control in Mario Kart 8.

Key feedback

ABXY Silent Silicone Keys: Gentle on the touch and sensitive on the trigger, allowing for smooth combo releases in “Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm” without any noise, allowing for late-night gaming without disturbing others.

8-way hybrid cross key: Fighting games (such as Street Fighter 6) have smooth moves and precise direction switching to reduce accidental operations.

Hall Effect Trigger: Authentic linear feedback. In Forza Horizon 5, the throttle/brake changes with the depth of the press, giving a strong simulated driving feel, superior to “ordinary trigger buttons” (no linear feedback or fuzzy feedback) at the same price.

(2) The vibration of the handle allows you to enjoy an immersive gaming experience

The asymmetric motor delivers differentiated vibrations: In Call of Duty, the trigger and grip vibrate synchronously to simulate recoil when firing a gun, while in The Legend of Zelda: Kingdom of Tears, the vibration intensity varies depending on the scene when climbing or impacting. Compared to similarly priced controllers (such as the BETOP Batmobile 4), the Direwolf 3’s vibrations are more refined and provide clearer scene differentiation.

(3) Connection performance, adaptability to multiple modes, and stable performance

Connection stability

2.4G Wireless: Connected from a PC (3-5 meters from the device), with no lag or interruptions in an unobstructed environment. When placed next to a router/Bluetooth speaker, with only extreme interference (less than 0.5 meters), a slight delay of approximately 0.1 seconds may occur, which is negligible.

Bluetooth: Automatically reconnects within 2 seconds after waking the phone/tablet from the screen, with no disconnection or lost commands.

Wired: The Type-C port remains stable after 50 plug-in and unplug cycles, with no charging or data transmission issues.

Good compatibility, covering all platform game scenes

(1) Multi-platform adaptation

Direwolf 3 supports various desktop games (Steam/Epic, etc.), Switch, Android (mapping adaptation), and Apple (native support), such as:

Switch: Plug-and-play Bluetooth connection, perfect compatibility with the Zelda and Mario series, with motion control (such as tilt drift in Mario Kart 8), achieving 80% the accuracy of a native Pro controller, with only slight lag for subtle manipulations (such as quickly swinging the controller in Ring Fit Adventure).

Mobile/Tablet: Android mapping is compatible with Genshin Impact and Honkai Impact 3rd, providing a seamless transition between the controller and touchscreen (e.g., switching characters with the controller and tapping the map with the touchscreen), with no sense of disconnection. Apple natively supports Genshin Impact and Minecraft, requiring no additional setup.

(2) Cross-platform comparison

Comparison with competitors of the same price (Razer Kris):

Pros: More comprehensive multi-platform compatibility (the Razer Kris has limited Android mapping support), and more refined Switch motion/vibration feedback.
Cons: Some niche games within the Apple ecosystem (such as Infinity Blade) require manual key adjustments, while the Razer Kris offers more comprehensive compatibility.

Endurance and durability testing provide stable protection for daily use

(1) Battery life

With an 800mAh battery, you can play action games (like Elden Ring) for about 6.5 hours, and light casual games (like Stardew Valley) for about 8.5 hours. Compared to mid-range and high-end controllers (like the Xbox Lite, which lasts 10-12 hours), the Direwolf 3’s battery life is slightly shorter, so frequent gamers will need a power bank.

(2) Durability test

Drop test: 3 drops from a height of 48 inches (desktop) revealed no cracks on the housing, and the buttons and joysticks functioned normally (however, prolonged drops may still cause damage, so simulating such a drop is not recommended).

Long-term use: 3 months of actual use (2 hours per day average), the joystick caps showed no peeling, and the button springback showed no noticeable weakening. Even after use by players with sweaty hands, the housing showed no yellowing or stickiness (regular wiping will maintain this).

Charging port: After 300 plug-in and unplug cycles, the contact remained stable, and the charging and data transmission functioned normally.

Compared with competing products, the first choice in a similar price

(1) Horizontal comparison of the same price range (Betop Bat 4, Razer Caliber)

Dimensions	Direwolf3	Beitong Bat 4	Razer Rider (Android version)
Performance	Self-developed joystick does not drift, Hall trigger linear feedback	Focuses on PC/Android, with poor Switch compatibility	Precise joystick, no Hall trigger
Connection Delay	Wireless 1000Hz low latency	Ordinary joysticks are prone to drift, and trigger feedback is weak	Bluetooth has low latency, and wireless is only 250Hz
Multi-Platform Adaptation	Full platform coverage, Switch optimized	Focuses on PC/Android, poor Switch compatibility	Android/PC first, weak Apple compatibility
Vibration Experience	Asymmetric motor, scene-specific vibration	Focuses on PC/Android, with poor Switch compatibility	Dual motors, medium vibration

(2) Price comparison (Xbox Youth Edition controller, Feizhi Octopus mini)

Disadvantages：

Software Ecosystem: The Xbox controller is compatible with the entire Microsoft family, the Feizhi Octopus mini offers richer macro functionality, and the Direwolf 3’s supporting software is relatively basic.

Implicit User Experience: The Xbox controller’s button lifespan (approximately 10 million presses) and Feizhi Octopus mini’s tactile feedback (capacitive buttons) are superior to the Direwolf 3 (but are 50%-100% more expensive).

Advantages:

Direwolf3 has a lighting function that combines “Hall trigger + self-developed joystick + multi-platform adaptation”. Its functional coverage is close to that of mid-to-high-end controllers, and its cost-effectiveness is outstanding.

Real user cases and after-sales feedback

(1) Player Feedback

A hardcore FPS player commented: “Playing CS2 at a high level, the controller isn’t as precise as a keyboard and mouse, but the Direwolf3’s low latency and precise joysticks allow me to compete with keyboard and mouse players. The back button can be customized for crouching and jumping, simplifying the control process.”

A multi-device player commented: “I can switch between Switch, phone, and PC, and the Bluetooth and 2.4G connections are seamless. I can play Genshin Impact with Android mirroring, and the controller and touchscreen work together naturally, with no disconnection or adaptation issues.”

(2) After-sales and troubleshooting

Common Issues: A small number of players experienced “disordered button mapping after connecting the Switch.” Customer service responded within an hour, providing instructions for restarting the controller and re-pairing, resolving the issue.
Response Speed: Official repairs within the warranty period (such as joystick drift) are completed within 3-7 days, demonstrating high efficiency.

Q&A

(1) Performance Experience

For people with sweaty hands, will the Direwolf 3 controller become sticky after long-term use?

The Direwolf 3’s handle is made of a matte finish. With daily use (2-3 hours per day) and regular cleaning (once a week), it has shown no yellowing or stickiness in three months.
However, in extreme cases (such as prolonged exposure to high temperature and humidity without wiping), it may absorb sweat residue, so it is recommended to keep it clean.

When playing mobile games like “Genshin Impact”, will it be troublesome to switch between Direwolf3’s controller and touch screen operation?

Android supports it through mapping adaptation, while Apple natively supports it, requiring no additional setup when switching.

In actual testing in “Genshin Impact,” the Direwolf 3 controller controls movement/combat, while the touchscreen controls map/interactions. The transition is seamless, with no sense of disconnection, and more efficient than pure touchscreen operation.

Compared with the Xbox Youth Edition controller, is there a big difference in the performance of Direwolf3 in playing FPS games?

The Xbox Lite controller offers superior compatibility with the Microsoft ecosystem and consistent button feel, but the Direwolf 3 offers low latency and precise joystick control. The difference in control can be overcome with practice in games like CS2 and APEX. If you’re looking for ultimate precision or have a tight budget, choose the Xbox; if you’re looking for value, choose the Direwolf 3.

（2）Compatibility and Adaptation

When playing “Ring Fit Adventure” on Switch, is the delay of the Direwolf3 controller serious?

There is no noticeable delay in regular operations (running/swinging the controller), and there is a 0.2-0.3 second delay in subtle movements (such as rapid continuous swinging), which is slightly weaker than the native Pro controller, but does not affect the core experience (the movement can be recognized, but the extreme combo may be affected).

When playing “Honor of Kings” on an Android phone, can the Direwolf3 controller support skill combos?

Yes! With Android mapping, you can customize the back button/macro keys and set up a “1-key combo” (such as Diao Chan’s second skill + ultimate skill + first skill). The results are smoother and faster than manual tapping, making it suitable for players who seek simplified operation.

(3) After-sales and durable products

Is the Direwolf 3 susceptible to damage if dropped? Do I have to pay for repairs during the warranty period?

Three drops from a 48-inch height (desktop) revealed no damage. However, “man-made drops” are not considered quality issues.

If the device is damaged (e.g., the joystick detaches, the casing cracks), repairs will be charged. For quality issues (e.g., joystick drift, button malfunctions), repairs/exchanges are free during the warranty period.

Will the Direwolf3 joystick drift after half a year of use?

Our proprietary lever joystick design boasts a theoretical lifespan of 6 million clicks. We’ve tested it for three months of intensive use (an average of two hours per day, including fighting game tricks and fine-tuning the FPS), with no drift.

However, extreme use (e.g., over five hours per day with aggressive controls) may result in some issues. We recommend handling the joystick with care and regularly cleaning the gaps between the joysticks to prevent dust accumulation.

(4) Budget decision-making

The budget is only $20-30. How should I choose between Direwolf3 and BETOP Asura 3?

The BETOP Ashura 3 has more comprehensive functions (such as adjustable joystick sensitivity and more complex macro programming), suitable for players who “pursue personalized settings”; the Direwolf3 excels in “solid basic experience (no joystick drift + Hall trigger) + multi-platform adaptability” and is suitable for “pragmatic, multi-device players.”

Only have a Switch, should I buy the Direwolf 3 or bite the bullet and spend the extra money on the Pro controller?

If your budget is under $30, the Direwolf 3 meets your basic Switch needs (motion sensing, vibration, and button compatibility). For those seeking the ultimate feel and an official ecosystem, the Pro controller is superior (though it’s 2-3 times more expensive).

Recommendation: Choose the Direwolf 3 if you have a limited budget; opt for the Pro controller if you want everything you need.

Direwolf 3 game controller will be your all-around gaming partner

Direwolf3 is suitable for players with limited budgets who pursue “comprehensive functions and superior experience”.

Must-buy reasons: Its proprietary joystick (solves drifting issues), Hall effect triggers (enhances gaming immersion), and multi-platform compatibility (covers all scenarios). It offers mid-range and high-end controller functionality at a price point of just under 100 yuan, offering excellent value for money.

Aspects for improvement: Slightly shorter battery life (frequent gamers will need a power bank), and a basic software ecosystem (complex macro settings are difficult to use). This makes it suitable for pragmatic gamers, rather than hardcore users seeking ultimate functionality.

If you are a “multi-platform light/moderate gamer” and want to spend a few hundred yuan to experience “precise control + immersive vibration”, the Direwolf3 is worth buying; if you are pursuing “extreme battery life + complex macro functions”, you can increase your budget and choose mid-to-high-end controllers such as Feizhi Octopus 3.

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