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Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 What: A One Minute Review
We at TechRadar Gaming are big fans of Thrustmaster’s ESWAP products, but the Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 isn’t exactly a huge leap forward in the brand’s controller lineup needs. As for the changes, the clue is in the name. He packs in a pair of Thrustmaster’s Harthall effect thumbsticks, which is nice, and means you won’t need to buy them separately. It’s one of the best Xbox controllers, but a little better.
If you are buying an ESWAP controller for the first time, then this is definitely the one. By default, this is the best ESWAP gamepad to date by packing those hall effect sticks with the already excellent ESWAP X2. And yes, you can still expect the Tourmaster’s commitment to accessibility and customization via its interchangeable stick and D-pad modules.
But don’t expect any changes beyond that, which also means the issues we had with the Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 are still there. It’s a huge controller that’s ideal for players with large hands, but might be a bit unwieldy for someone else. I found the dpad a bit uncomfortable during long play sessions.
Finally, given the controller’s relatively high price, I’m still surprised by the lack of a wireless connectivity option. It’s a competitive-facing controller, and the naturally wired connections offer little to no input lag. However, as we see in rival controllers like the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, wireless polling rates are improving, reducing input lag over 2.4GHz wireless connections on PCs. This is something I’d like to see at least consider if and when it gets around to making the ESWAP X3.
Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 What: Price and Availability
- List price: £169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260)
- In the UK ESWAP is cheaper than X2
- The price is the same as the ESWAP X2 in the US
The Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 launches on 1 October 2025, and is available to buy from Thrustmaster’s website and other stocking retailers for £169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260). Price-wise, it’s on par with the original Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 in the US. In the UK, the ESWAP X2 is £10 cheaper than the first ESWAP X2, coming in at £149.99 as opposed to the first model’s £169.99. Bonus
Looking at the wider controller market, when it comes to pads compatible with the Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC, the Thrustmaster Swap X2 finds itself among a busy crowd. While cheaper than the excellent Razer Wolverine V3 Pro (£199.99 / £199.99), it finds company with the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (£179.99 / £159.99).
And frankly, I’d recommend the ESWAPX2 over this official Xbox pad in a heartbeat, because of its previous Hall Effect sticks and generally high quality.
Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 Review: Specs
Price | 9 169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260) |
The weight | 10.6oz / 0.3kg |
Dimensions | 6.3 x 4.7 x 2.4in / 160 x 120 x 60mm |
compatibility | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC |
Connection type | Wired (USB-C) |
Battery life | n/a |
Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 Review: Design and Features
The Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 is largely identical in design to the original ESWAP X2. It is exactly the same shape and has the same features. It includes modified thumbstick and d-pad modules on the rear of the pad, trigger locks, and four repositionable buttons.
You also have a row of onboard function buttons at the bottom of the controller, and these are for changing headset volume and mic, as well as switching between custom button profiles. If you don’t like the fact that they’re assigned to the four face buttons by default, you can hit the ‘map’ button to customize the rear remapable buttons as well.
The controller feels quite large in the hands, and the thumbsticks are more comfortable than you’d find on the average pad. As such, it really benefits players with large hands, or players looking for a particularly strong grip. It’s not exactly to my personal preference, but I can see it being the go-to pad for many players specifically for this reason.
Reloaded Vectrax Pro BFG, as well as Thrustmaster ESWAPX2 support for modified stick and dpad modules. These are magnetic, and pop out either by pulling on them (don’t worry, you’re not at risk of breaking them because they’re particularly strong and there’s no physical connection), or the included screwdriver that’s included with the D-pad. If you prefer, or makes it easy to interchange with other Thrustmaster modules that are sold separately.
As was the case with the ESWAP X2, you can expect the build quality here to be solid. After all, it’s still an ESWAP X2 for all intents and purposes, just with the addition of those Hall effect sticks included in the box. So there is no movement or change on this front.
Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 That Review: Performance
The inclusion of Thrustmaster Hearth thumbsticks is really the selling point here. These resist stick drift and are a huge improvement over the ESWAP X2’s default sticks. They also feel super smooth, reminding me a lot of the awesome stick feel of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller.
Like the original X2, the face buttons here are impressively responsive and tactile, offering a mouse-click-esque press. If you’re used to the soft, spongier button presses of cheap pads like the Xbox Wireless Controller, you’ll notice the difference immediately. The reinforcement of the presses here is very satisfying, and the same goes for the clicky bumper and D-pad.
Speaking of which, the dpad isn’t actually among my favorites here. While I appreciate its responsiveness, the raised, bombastic design is something I find quite uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. It’s far from terrible, but for platformers, arcade-style games, and classic fighting games, it’s not a great fit.
Another thing to note is that it’s still a hard-wired controller. To an extent, this is to be expected, as what we have here is essentially a minor revision of ESWAP X2. Possibly the ‘final’ version. I’d definitely like to see Thrustmaster offer a wireless solution for its next major gamepad release, though, so when your controller is north of the $120 / £120 mark you feel strongly that the option should be there.
Should I buy the Thrustmaster ESWAP X2?
If you buy it…
If you don’t buy it…
Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 Review: Also Consider
Not too keen on Thrustmaster ESWAP X2? Here are a few more controllers worth considering if you’re thinking of upgrading from a stock Xbox Wireless controller, or otherwise.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Thrustmaster ESWAP X2 That | Victrix Pro BFG Reload | Nikon Revolution X Unlimited |
Price | 9 169.99 / £139.99 (around AU$260) | 9 209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322) | $199.99 / £179.99 (around AU$300) |
The weight | 10.6oz / 300g | 9.3oz / 265g | 11.53oz / 327g |
Dimensions | 6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm | 6.3 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 160 x 106 x 66mm | 7.5 x 7.4 x 3.5in / 190 x 189 x 89mm |
compatibility | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC (PlayStation version sold separately) | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC |
Connection type | Wired (USB-C) | Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C) | Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
Battery life | n/a | About 20 hours | About 10 hours |
How I Tested Thrustmaster ESWAP X2
- Tested for a week
- Play a variety of games on Xbox and PC
- Compared to the previous ESWAP X2, and the Vextrix BFG Pro Reload among others
I tested the ESWAP X2 for about a week for this review. I was already familiar with the original ESWAP X2 through its excellence Alden Ring: Shade of Ardtree Special Edition, and I found it to be completely identical in design and performance, include the included Hall effect sticks.
I played the game on Xbox Series X Digital Edition and PC, incl final fantasy 14 online, Tech 8for , for , for , . Ninja Gaiden 4for , for , for , . Outer worlds 2for , for , for , . And Virtua Fighter 5 Revo World Stage.
I compared my time with the ESWAP X2 mainly with the Vextrix Pro BFG reloaded. Victrix’s pad is most similar to the Thrustmaster with its modified modules. While I prefer the Reloaded Pro BFG overall, it mainly comes down to personal preference due to its ability to play fighting games and a comfortable build for my small hands. Still, the ESWAP X2 is more affordable, which is a strong reason to consider it.
First reviewed October/November 2025
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