Over the years, I’ve collected various controllers from diverse brands and systems, with my favorite being the latest iteration of the Xbox controllers for the Xbox Series X|S. They’re comfortable, the weight feels appropriate, and they connect and work well on PC, where I play most frequently. But Manba offered to let me test its Manba One Wireless Controller; how could I turn down such an offer?
First and foremost, let’s delve into the features that make this a standout controller compared to your countless other third-party options. The biggest, most noticeable difference is in its 2-inch interactive display in the controller’s center. Here, you can alter the button layout, light settings, vibrations, and more to suit specific games or systems. But aesthetics aside, swapping configurations on the fly without accessing third-party software mid-game makes for an incredibly easy-to-use setup. Then, there’s the anti-stick drift and hall effect joystick mechanics, ensuring better response times overall. Lastly, there’s the powerful, built-in 1800mah battery and smart charging station included in the packaging to keep you in the game longer!
What’s in the Box?
When you order the Manba One Wireless Controller, whether you purchase it directly from the manufacturer or through a third-party store, like Amazon, you’ll receive the following items in the box:
- Manba One Controller
- Charging Station
- Bluetooth Receiver
- USB-C Charging Cable
- Screen Protector (Mine was already in place!)
- Swappable Joysticks
It’s not a big box filled with too many additional components and cables—just everything you require to run the controller successfully in your favorite game. Oh, and mine came nearly fully charged upon opening the box, but you may want to hook up the charging station first, let the controller sit for a little, then give it a whirl.
The Good
Straight off the bat, I’ll tell you that the Manba One Controller feels excellent. It has a fantastic weight and comfortable control scheme, the buttons are responsive, and the screen in the center displays helpful information and adds a bit of flair to the experience while you’re playing. But most importantly, it’s functional and doesn’t hinder gameplay.
After a few sessions with the Manba One, I reached for it instead of my usual Xbox Series X|S controller when I wanted to play a PC game, leaning back away from my mouse and keyboard. The convenient charging station that sits out of the way on my desk made choosing the Manba One easier and more efficient—a huge plus in my book.
But if you’re shopping around for a new controller, chances are you want to know how it performs on a technical level. The D-pad is responsive to use, and the triggers, while small, prove comfortable. Furthermore, the joysticks rotate and control incredibly smoothly.
Lastly, this is a durable controller. While I didn’t perform an official drop test, my daughter did manage to get her hands on the controller at one point, and she’s clumsy. It survived an approximately three-foot fall without a ding or dent—a testament to the quality of the materials used. But I don’t recommend you drop your controller purposefully!
Related: Astro A50 Wireless Headset Review: Gen 5 Sounds Better Than Ever
The Bad
Overall, I didn’t find much wrong with the Manba One Controller. My biggest gripe was most likely a user error, though I’m uncertain. While playing Stardew Valley, the controller automatically disconnected and reconnected, but it wouldn’t work. Only my mouse and keyboard would function, despite the controller saying it was fully charged, on, and connected. To solve this inconvenience, I was forced to close out of the game entirely, disconnect the controller, hook it up to the charging station momentarily, and then repeat the start-up process. After that, it was fine. But that’s a pain and hopefully one that doesn’t affect many—if any—people using the controller.
The Verdict
While the price is comparable to the Xbox Series X|S controller—a favorite for many PC gamers—the additional bells and whistles, the charging station, and the interactive screen make the Manba One Wireless Controller a top contender. Suppose you don’t want to purchase yet another Microsoft or Sony-branded controller. In that case, Manba offers a viable alternative that’s comfortable to use, long-lasting, with plenty of added features to keep you entertained and glowing in RGB as you play Hades or Fallout 76!
Have you tried the Manba One Controller? Let us know what you think of it in the community forums!
In the market for additional tech? Check out our review of the HyperX QuadCast 2 S!
