EasySMX S10 Lite review: A Switch 2 fidget toy with a weird removable faceplate

Of all the Switch 2 controllers I’ve examined in 2026, this is most likely the most unforeseen choice. EasySMX isn’t as popular as 8BitDo or Turtle Beach, and the S10 Lite is its most pared-down Switch 2 gamepad, frequently noted for $40. The cost is precisely what interested me about the S10 Lite in the very first location, thinking about most Switch 2 controllers cost around $70, and Nintendo’s own Pro Controller is $90. A feature-rich gamepad that can possibly take on 8BitDo’s amazing, $30 Ultimate 2C? I’m here for it.

And after that simply as quickly, I’m gone. While the EasySMX S10 Lite has very tactile buttons, Hall result sticks to a soft-hit feel, movement controls and strong haptics, it likewise has a semi-transparent, magnetically connected faceplate that’s so wonky and cheap-feeling that it eclipses the controller’s more appealing functions. I’m somebody who tends to delight in oddball concepts in my video gaming devices and I can’t completely understand the S10 Lite faceplate. The manner in which EasySMX has actually selected to market this detachable piece of plastic, utilizing deceptive terminology around the accessibility of custom-made alternatives, has actually just put fuel on the confusion fire.

The essentials and the excellent bits. The EasySMX S10 Lite is undoubtedly light and compact, with a velvety plastic surface along the body and an anti-slip diamond texture on the backs of the grips. There are 2 buttons on the back of the controller, mappable by pushing and holding a little neighboring input significant M. I want the rear buttons approached the sides of the grips more, permitting my fingertips to more conveniently strike them, however they’re definitely within reach and good to have. The S10 Lite can be found in 2 colors, ice blue or pastel pink, and while the pink is plainly the cuter choice, they’re both captivating.

There are some incredible contemporary functions developed into the S10 Lite, consisting of accurate, anti-drift Hall result analog sticks that struck the sides of their enclosures calmly and incredibly gently. The noise and feel is equivalent to Nintendo’s exclusive soft-hit action on the Pro Controller, which is a noteworthy task. That stated, the stick click the S10 Lite is a little too stiff for my taste, and it does make an audible pop when pushed. I’m not personally grumbling about the sound, which I discover relaxing on an ASMR level, however it’s noteworthy when the sticks themselves are so darn pillowy otherwise.

The face buttons are tactile microswitches with an incredibly clicky noise and feel. They’re likewise relatively stiff, particularly compared with something like the springy mechanical buttons on Razer’s Wolverine V3 Pro (my individual preferred gamepad, though it just supports PC and Xbox, and likewise costs an eye-watering $200. See? I informed you the cost point was appealing here). The haptics in the S10 Lite are great and strong, with 4 strength settings, and at many they make a small whining noise instead of grinding.

The bumpers and wide-flared triggers stand apart plainly from the chassis, and the triggers have a clicky microswitch action like the face buttons. While I do love fidget-toy functions in my controllers — and the S10 Lite certainly provides on this point — in-game, I choose a smooth and delicate Hall result draw in the triggers. It’s a tradeoff in between gratifying noises and modern-day convenience that you’ll need to think about on your own.

I like that the home, GameChat and capture buttons are lined up at the bottom of the controller’s face, different from the plus and minus inputs in the center of the pad. This setup ought to decrease the variety of random, unintentional screenshots that you wind up taking while attempting to rapidly open the stock in Local Evil Requiem or peep the menu in Hi Kitty Island Adventurefor entirely random example.

The S10 Lite has nine-axis movement controls and a Turbo function that permits you to set input macros to a basic button combination. It’s likewise able to awaken the Switch 2 from afar, among the raddest includes a controller can have. The quick-start card that’s consisted of in package is in fact valuable in regards to linking the gamepad to the console. And what’s more, there’s an integrated toggle on the behind of the pad that lets you swap in between Switch and Switch 2 compatibility, or PC, Android and iOS play. In package, you get the gamepad, a charging cable television and the guideline card.

The gamepad, naturally, consists of the faceplate, connected with 4 noticeable, circular magnets and some stress. When I pulled my S10 Lite out of package, the bottom ridge of the faceplate wasn’t completely tucked into location, raised in a manner that was slightly frustrating however not plainly unintended. It wasn’t till I was fidgeting with the controller, awaiting a video game to download, that I recognized I might appear the transparent-blue plastic so it sat flat along the bottom. Even still, the left side of my faceplate declines to depress as deeply as the right, so there’s a sliver of icy plastic peering over one grip, capturing my fingertips and engaging me to select at it. I might have the ability to change this by tightening up a small screw on that side, however all things thought about, I ‘d rather not need to.

This leads us to the apparent concern: Why have a detachable faceplate in the very first location? It would make good sense if EasySMX had, state, a market of charming options that anybody might acquire and switch into their own pad, enabling the brand name to get on patterns and work together with cool developers, naturally extending the profitable capacity of the S10 Lite. That would make ideal sense. That’s not what EasySMX is doing.

The controller’s item page supplies simply one sentence about faceplates, reading, “DIY Your Controller: express your personality with DIY Magnetic Faceplates & Stickers, allowing you to swap covers instantly to match your mood or your favorite game theme.” Those very first 3 letters are doing the heavy lifting, given that EasySMX does not in fact offer replacement or custom-made faceplates of any kind. The only method to ensure you’ll get one is to make it yourself, however even then, it appears that 3D files and premium pictures of the faceplates aren’t openly readily availableThe business likewise does not offer sticker labels, an extra device it points out without triggering.

With this context in mind, it’s uncertain what EasySMX implies by Do it yourself Your Controllerhowever it seems like an actively deceptive, weaselly turn of expression — like Elizabeth Holmes stating to Nathan Fielder, “You can see everything.”

EasySMX does hold free gifts for tailored faceplates on Reddit and Discord from time to time, it appears, however these are spread. It’s possible that the business is collecting information and increase to produce faceplates that gamers can purchase, however today, they’re strangely unattainable.

I truly like tactile buttons, soft-hit sticks and the concept of modular art on my controller, however I actually, truly dislike being lied to, and it kinda seems like that’s what EasySMX is finishing with the faceplate circumstance. The EasySMX S10 Lite is great for kids (or grownups) who enjoy an excellent click and do not mind an untidy faceplate, however otherwise, this thing is never ever beating the 8BitDo Ultimate 2C in regards to price and functions.