HyperX is back again with their Clutch Gladiate wired controller, though this time they’re taking aim at RGB controllers like the PDP Afterglow. However, the Clutch Gladiate RGB immediately ups the ante, offering six LED lights rather than PDP’s now paltry four.

Can this controller live up to the expectations of RGB fans? Game ZXC received an early review unit to put the controller through its paces for just a few weeks before the November 6th release date. Tested across both the PC and Xbox on multiple games, including Fortnite, Horizon Zero Dawn, Starfield, and Hi-Fi Rush, HyperX’s newest controller promises a lot of the same high-quality features gamers have come to expect from licensed wired Xbox controllers, albeit in a much flashier package.

Related

The Best Xbox Controllers for 2024

Xbox controllers have evolved, offering a variety of styles, customization, and performance levels. Here are Game ZXC's top picks!

What’s in the Box

• Clutch Gladiate RGB Controller
• 9.76ft-long USB-C cable

HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB Wired Controller Specifications

HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB

Brand

HyperX

Platform

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Battery

N/A

Connectivity

USB-C

Headset Support

3.5mm

Programmable

Yes

Extra Buttons

2

Cable Length

9.76ft/2.95m

Weight

0.64lbs

Expand

$45 at HyperX

Comfort & Ergonomics

At first glance, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB looks very different from traditional Xbox controllers. The clear plastic shell is super smooth, something that players who prefer to avoid texture will find very satisfying. However, this lack of texture does lead to significant heat buildup between the controller and a user’s hands. Players with sweaty hands are going to start having issues within half an hour of gaming, at most. Playing competitive matches in Fortnite and nerve-wracking, single-player stealth missions in Starfield was more than enough to cause discomfort and the sense that the controller might slip out of grip at any moment.

Although the face of the controller has an indented border, there really isn’t much contouring at all with this controller. While this is similar to the non-RGB Clutch Gladiate, the smoothness of the shell doesn’t pair well with the design, resulting in overall poor ergonomics. The joysticks seem to be the exception to the rule of no texture, however, with HyperX’s signature high-quality grips wrapped around the top of each one.

At the same time, the Clutch Gladiate RGB is slightly larger than its predecessor and most other Xbox controllers, making it a uniquely great fit for players with large hands. In a market flooded with heavily textured and contoured controllers built for small to medium hands, HyperX’s newest offering may be a breath of fresh air for a certain subset of gamers.

Design & Customization

Fully RGB controllers are far and few between, with PDP’s Afterglow being the only option that features even close to as much lighting as the Clutch Gladiate RGB. Naturally, HyperX had to one-up their competition, with six LED lights built in rather than just four. It’s unclear why controller manufacturers have taken an “all or nothing” stance on RGB lighting, but one thing is perfectly clear: the lighting would be better with a frosted shell.

While seeing the internals of the controller is a neat feature valued by plenty of players, it’s less impressive with a totally clear shell, rather than a slightly colored one. Plus, each of the LEDs can be incredibly bright, so much so that players prone to headaches won’t want to have them going at full blast. A frosted shell would evenly dissipate the lighting and make for a seriously beautiful facade. Despite this room for improvement, the lighting remains bold and brilliant.

Players can choose between seven different colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, and purple) and three different lighting modes (rainbow, breathing, and static). It’s extremely easy to change this as players only need to double-tap a centralized back button to activate the D-pad’s secondary functions. This allows players to adjust the brightness from blinding to completely off, switch between colors, and change the display mode. There are some glaring gaps on the customization front though.

First and foremost, it’s odd that the only way to have rainbow lighting is through a cycling light mode; players can’t just have a static rainbow display. Secondly, even though HyperX has a customization app for most of its other devices, controllers aren’t compatible. This means that while the controller seemingly has access to the full-color spectrum and multiple modes, gamers can’t customize the look of their controller beyond the somewhat limited parameters set by HyperX. This seems like a huge oversight, as this also means players can’t customize the controller’s sensitivity at all, even though most of their competitors have apps that allow near-complete customization.

One additional small annoyance is the fact that the back button must be double-tapped again to exit the light customization. Only the Xbox logo button will work correctly while it’s active. Holding it down to switch to button remapping won’t work, and there is no time-out for it. Button remapping is a bit more user-friendly, with the center back button again acting as the impetus for customization, as was just mentioned. This function follows industry standards, meaning it’s extremely quick, easy, and intuitive. However, once again, there are some shortcomings.

The remappable back buttons are incredibly easy to accidentally press. In fact, it’s quite impossible to pick up the controller naturally without pressing one of the back buttons. One would need to pick it up with both hands or across the center, overtop joysticks and other buttons. This is largely due to the lack of texture, though missed keys were more frequent than average even in the middle of games. A switch to deactivate the back buttons would have been of some use here, especially considering that the controller does offer trigger stops that work fairly effectively, though even they don’t stop as short as some higher-end controllers.

Still, aside from PDP’s RGB controller, there’s nothing worth comparing to the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB’s design. The lighting is incredibly vibrant, and the customization is broad enough to support most gamers’ needs.

Related

The Best PC Controllers for 2024

When looking for the best PC controllers, these controllers stand out from the crowd.

Performance

The Clutch Gladiate RGB was tested on both Xbox and PC, across a handful of genres. There was no significant difference in the performance between the two platforms, and the controller worked very well overall.

All of the buttons give a satisfying click when pressed, though it’s dampened to prevent too much noise. The joysticks are pretty snappy too, indicating at least some resistance to stick drift, though long-term testing wasn’t possible since the controller is brand-new.

Connecting the controller was absolutely hassle-free, with the USB-A to USB-C cord simply needing to be plugged in to start playing. Every input was immediately registered, and there was no lag experienced during testing. Just as with their other controllers, the cord provided by HyperX is nearly 10ft long and has a bendable, yet somewhat stiff form that makes it easy to manage even while sitting at a compact desk space.

Once connected, changing lighting and button layouts resulted in immediate recognition within even individual matches. During gameplay, the dual rumble packs offered ideal tactile feedback without the excessive noise that plagues some cheaper controllers with plastic shells. While there were no surprises in the controller’s performance, the Clutch Gladiate RGB is well in-line with other wired Xbox controllers at its same price point.

Overall Impression

Console gamers who love RGB devices have seriously limited options. There may be plenty of controllers with some lighting, but for the most part, designs are limited to accent lighting only. HyperX aims to provide players with a controller that will really light up the night, without breaking the bank or requiring a lesson in soldering.

The Clutch Gladiate RGB also adds a new wired controller option to players with larger-than-average hands, while also offering a rare, non-textured console accessory. Although the customization could be greatly enhanced with compatibility with HyperX’s NGENUITY app and a time-out for the lighting customization control, it’s far from unique for missing these features.

The star of the show is the RGB lighting, and the Clutch Gladiate RGB surpasses every metric in that department with flying colors. Even with its various downsides, HyperX has successfully built the most vibrant controller available on the market with its excellent design aimed at RGB fans on both Xbox and PC. Any player who strives to have RGB lighting anywhere and everywhere in their gaming setup should not pass up this new controller from HyperX.

Similar Products

Even if it is the best RGB controller of 2023, the HyperX Clutch Gladiate RGB may not be for everyone. For those who need something a little different, there are still some excellent options to choose from.

More: The Top Must-Have Accessories for Xbox

FAQ

Q: What does an RGB controller do?

An RGB controller simply adds lighting to a game controller, either in specific spots or across the entire device.

Q: Is there a program that controls all RGB?

Yes, there are some apps, like SignalRGB, that allow for full control over RGB devices, but compatibility varies greatly. Most players are better off using the manufacturer's app to control RGB lighting, many of which, such as Razer, can control a wide variety of gaming peripherals.

Q: What is the difference between RGB and RGBW controllers?

RGB controls most colors using red, green, and blue lighting. RGBW adds white light to further expand the spectrum of colors available.

Q: What is the difference between RGB and ARGB controllers?

RGB lighting allows for control over a whole device, while ARGB allows for control over each individual LED bulb in a device.