There are two legacy PC controllers with Hall Effect Sensors in the market: 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth and Gulikit Kingkong Pro 2 (KK2 Pro).
Gulikit released their KK3 Max in 2024 and 8bitdo also refreshed its Ultimate with Wired edition, but these previously mentioned are still great gamepads. I’ve tried them both so let me talk about them a little bit.
Comfort and Design
- Compatible with Switch and Steam Deck via Bluetooth/2.4g adapter/USB Cable, Windows with a 2.4g adapter/USB Cable.
- Multifunctional Charging Dock – Stable connection and controller will be automatically switching ON/OFF while it is undocked/docked.
- Hall Effect Sensing Joystick
- Ultimate Software on PC and mobile (Android/iOS)
- 2 Pro back paddle buttons, Custom Profile Switch Button, Player indicators & 2-way Mode Switching button.
| 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth | Gulikit Kingkong Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ergonomics | Not ideal for large hands due to its straight handle design. | Superior ergonomics, closely resembling the design of Xbox controllers. Great for long play sessions. |
| Design | Slightly more aesthetic, but that’s subjective. | An impressive quality build, especially the latest white version. Buttons, triggers, and vibrations are all top-notch. |
| Joystick | Standard design | Flat design, might require additional thumb grip for enhanced comfort. |
Connectivity and Features
| 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth | Gulikit Kingkong Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Excellent connectivity with PC and Switch, thanks to the included dongle. | Able to switch modes on-the-go. Quick disconnection from PC and instant connection to Switch or Android. Some input latency on PC, but can be resolved with reWASD emulation. |
| Additional Features | Comes with a superb charging dock. An excellent app guides you through the controller’s features. | Features are cataloged instead of being in an app. Able to switch to no dead zone for FPS games, update firmware easily, and switch button layout and triggers. |
Performance and Durability
| 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth | Gulikit Kingkong Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Decent performance but ergonomics could impact long gaming sessions. | Excellent performance, tactile buttons, good vibrations, and an ideal choice for long gaming sessions. |
| Durability | Good build quality with textured grip. | Superb build quality, no issues with buttons, vibrations, or triggers. |
What’s Missing
| 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth | Gulikit Kingkong Pro 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Desired Features | Improvement in ergonomics for larger hands. | Addition of back paddles and 2.4 hz dongles for reducing latency. |
So, which controller is better?
While both controllers have their strengths and weaknesses, my personal favorite turned out to be the Gulikit Kingkong Pro 2. Its ergonomic design, excellent build quality, and tons of features with the ability to switch modes on-the-go.
However, the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth, with its great connectivity, solid build quality, and helpful app is also a great choice at its price.
Remember, what works best for you may depend on your personal preferences, gaming style, and even hand size!
Also, my apologies for any grammatical errors as English is not my first language.
