Verdict
Transparency means its addressable RGB isn’t subtle in any delicate manner, and the circuit board beneath is a glance that may nonetheless come throughout as cheesy. But with some correct professional options by the use of two programmable again buttons, the HyperX Gladiate Clutch RGB justifies its buzzwords. You can simply get the identical stable efficiency at a touch cheaper worth from the non-RGB variant.
Pros
On-board profilesComfortable shapeFast sticks, programmable buttons, and clicky, adjustable triggers
Cons
Looks received’t attraction to everyoneVastly dearer than the non-RGB modelButton really feel received’t be to everybody’s flavour
Programmable paddlesTwo additional buttons on the again will be shortly programmed to imitate different buttons.
Software and tool-free useEvery customization effort will be carried out on-device in just a few steps.
Transparent shell and addressable RGBSix evenly-spaced LEDs will be managed individually and shine brilliant via the clear shell
Introduction
Tacking on RGB lighting and swapping its typical black shell out for a colourless clear one to carry the bulbs entrance and middle, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB can’t be the finances choose for the gamer in want of one other pad. So how can it justify the value soar over its sleeker, non-illuminated predecessor?
Coming in at simply shy of £20 greater than its spectacular non-RBG providing, the wired-only HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB controller for Xbox One, Series X/S, and PC runs near the value of a wi-fi first-party controller. You would possibly suppose that it’s a discount comparability with fancy lighting in addition, however you’d be forgetting that it’s wired solely. You’ll save on disposable batteries and by no means danger a power-based disconnect, however the potential inconveniences are value taking into consideration.
It’s by no means going to be for everybody. The gaudy, bare look is all the time firmly on the backside of my precedence listing. But most of these designs live on as a result of there’s a marketplace for them. And for that, the model identify carries it ahead. It’s not the most affordable glowy clear pad you’re more likely to discover on retailer cabinets, however there’s probability it’s among the many finest you may get for the cash, with the easy-to-use rear programmable buttons setting it aside from a personalized first-party pad.
Design
Ultra smoothSix individually-addressable RGB LEDsFully clear chassis
The HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB controller wears its “full-body” lighting badge boldly. The brilliant field struggles to convey the way it seems to be within the dimly-lit dwellings it’s more likely to wind up in, nonetheless, as a substitute it turns to concentrate on how the six LEDs are symmetrically positioned round its face.
Despite the field picture and the one beneath, they’ll’t be individually managed to show completely different static colors: they’ll solely cycle via them like a rainbow. Static pictures sadly confuse issues.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
In the hand, that is one significantly clean pad. There’s a pure grip to it, if that’s even a phrase, and a peculiarly morish roundness to the handles, regardless of having an apparent and completely mandatory ergonomic drop to facilitate a correct grasp.
Outside of the apparent variations, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB is simply one other clear Xbox controller. Everything is in the appropriate place, completely positioned as all Xbox layouts are typically. On the again, nonetheless, you’ll be aware that you just’re ring fingers naturally curl round to relaxation on the only again paddle button on either side of the grip.
These are small and flat, so extra intently resemble the model of these discovered on the Steam Deck to the correct paddles of dearer choices just like the PowerA Fusion Pro 3, Scuf Instinct Pro, or official Xbox Elite choices. Like the remainder of the buttons, they’re fairly loud when pressed.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
There’s little dampening to speak about there, and little or no of that good mechanic click on you would possibly get in additional luxurious choices except for the hairline triggers that may be accentuated by limiting their actuation distance through their respective toggle switches on on the rear. For personal and get together use, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack on the backside as anticipated.
For the rightfully environmentally-conscious avid gamers on the market, relaxation assured that, except for some shrinkwrap alongside the highest of the controller, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB is available in utterly recyclable paper packaging.
Performance
Intuitive button assignmentFast joysticksAdjustable clicky triggers
When plugged in, the six front-facing LEDs spring to life with none enter, remaining on a static inexperienced to point life – which is a job devoted to the smaller gentle slightly below the big Xbox key.
Quickly double-pressing the tiny profile button on the again of the controller causes this single bulb to breathe, with a press on both aspect of the d-pad then biking the bigger LEDs between three preset behaviours and the face buttons to regulate the color. The remaining two instructions dictate brightness. You can flip them off, however the centre gentle will stay lively every time the controller is plugged in and operational.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
In use, each joysticks are significantly clean. There’s no trace of the scratchiness you may get across the outer ring. If you’re used to stiffer sticks, you’ll lack of resistance might be obvious, which could stand out extra in video games that want very exact and gradual actions like racing sims or video games with stealth parts.
For the preventing followers on the market, the Dpad is somewhat on the mushy aspect, with an Up press on my evaluate unit feeling somewhat shorter than the opposite instructions. The complete factor is about right into a circle, so whereas it’s not bodily omnidirectional like the present inventory Xbox controller, it does try and information you into these diagonal actions: one thing the aforementioned PowerA Fusion 3 omits in favour of 1 largely uniform shell.
While the overwhelming majority of the controller’s buttons fall on the tender and squishy aspect, the triggers use an unidentified methodology to supply a tactic click on. You’ll get this whether or not you utilize the toggles to set the journey distance to its default full squeeze or quick hairline-style actuation level.
It’s not excessively loud, however it’s sufficient to possible irritate these with a sure disdain towards the purposefully clicky mechanical switches on keyboards and mice. If you want that type of factor, you’ll be tapping away on them to no finish. Maybe mute your foyer mic when you’re listening to music between matches. The twin rumble motors aren’t something to shout dwelling about, however suggestions feels good, balanced, and never too loud or punchy.
Image Credit (TechSwitch)
Conveniently, simply because it does the lighting, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB enables you to program its two paddle buttons with out the necessity for software program. That means you may assign them on-device and instantly carry them out of your PC, to your Xbox, and to a laptop computer or a good friend or institution’s machine, too.
The multi-second button maintain essential to set off it makes it troublesome to tug off within the warmth of the second, however when you take your time with it, it’s sensible to set a face button to both one. You’re not going to be tying any difficult enter sequences right here, however you may hold the necessity to carry your thumb off the appropriate joystick to a minimal by giving your center fingers the power to reload a weapon, open the map, toggle between grenade sorts: that type of factor.
Software
There isn’t any – and that’s (largely) greatThree onboard profilesEasily switchable presets
In a uncommon twist in at this time’s gaming panorama, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB can hit its peak with none annoying installs, sign-ups, or sharing of non-public knowledge. It’s a breath of recent air in a world continuously demanding your particulars for trivial good points. Manufacturers will declare it retains prices low, however HyperX manages to do the identical while going in opposition to the grain.
What this implies is that any setting you’re in a position to tweak will be finished on-device, no matter platform, and carried effortlessly to the subsequent. The directions poorly clarify it, however the lighting profiles work for button assignments, too, letting you feasibly hold customized instructions in your three most-played video games accessible on the press of some buttons.
Just bear in mind {that a} lack of software program help means there’s no approach to inform which of the three profiles you’re toggling via if all of them mirror the identical LED color and impact. So when you arrange profiles for 3 completely different video games however use your favorite color, impact, and brightness for every (or flip the lighting off utterly) you might need to repeatedly cycle via every and check them earlier than you hop right into a critical session.
Latest offers
Should you purchase it?
You desire a customizable controller you may belief
The HyperX model continues to get consideration for all the appropriate causes, and the Clutch Gladiate RGB provides extra to an already well-reviewed pad
You favor perform (and worth) over kind
If seen electronics and obvious, undiffused lighting aren’t your cup of tea, it can save you the headache (and your pockets) with the legacy Clutch Gladiate controller.
Final Thoughts
Will the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB change your sport? The lighting received’t. I see it as an enormous distraction. There’s no approach to have it react to issues like depleting well being. It’s purely for present and self-expression, and the lighting instructions too excessive a worth hike.
The similar potential in-game advantages can be found within the drastically cheaper alternate that, for my part, is a darn sight extra pleasing to the attention. Still, when you’ve got the money to cost up from one to the opposite and luxuriate in that form of aptitude, grabbing the HyperX identify means one thing. They’re economically acutely aware efforts with a stable fame for high quality.
The two-year guarantee possible doesn’t apply to break from exterior pressures – sore losers beware – however it’s reassuring to know there’s perception within the product’s clicky switches that, on first use, can really feel like a serious failure ready to occur mid-match. Rest assured: they’ll take a squeeze.
Instead of the Clutch Gladiate RGB, the worth appears to be in going for the non-RGB choice or just choosing the simple Xbox controller, which is nice in its personal proper. If you’re tied to a budget-wired choose, then the Nacon Pro Compact stays a stable choice. You might need to up your finances if these picks don’t have every little thing you’re after, which yow will discover in our greatest sport controllers and finest PC sport controller shopping for guides.
How we check
We use each sport controller we check for no less than per week. During that point, we’ll verify it for ease of use and put it via its paces by enjoying quite a lot of completely different genres.
We additionally verify the controller’s software program help and battery life if relevant.
We used as our foremost controller for no less than per week.
Played quite a lot of video games to check all of the options.
Tested out the battery life.
FAQs
Is the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB wi-fi? No, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB is wired solely. Does the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB include a cable? Yes, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB comes with a bendable USB-A to USB-C cable at round 2.8m size. How many colors can the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB LEDs show? The LEDs can show one among seven colors however can’t be individually managed. Does the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB have rumble help? Yes, twin rumble motors are current. Does the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB have a headphone port? A 3.5mm headphone port is discovered on the underside identical to different Xbox controllers.
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UK RRP
Manufacturer
Size (Dimensions)
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB Wired Controller
£54
HyperX
110.56 x 64.68 x MM
2021
25/10/2023
CP009
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