Hyperkin The Competitor Review – PlayStation DualSense Feel with Xbox & PC Functionality

During my first trip to CES 2025 (Consumer Electronics Show), I came across Hyperkin’s booth, where they were showcasing what they called The Competitor controller. At first glance, I thought it was a new PlayStation controller. After a closer look, I realized it was actually an Xbox controller, which immediately caught my attention for several reasons. The controller resurfaced at PAX West 2025, and I asked if Hyperkin could send us a review unit. They came through, and now I finally have one in my hands. So, is Hyperkin’s The Competitor worth your money? Read on to find out.

Product Name: The Competitor
Manufacturer: Hyperkin
Release Date: October 29, 2025
Pricing: $49.99

To be perfectly honest, I had been hoping a company would release something like Hyperkin’s The Competitor. I’m a fan of the PlayStation DualSense. I love the effort that went into that controller, and I often use it more than Xbox style controllers when I play PC games. The problem is that support can be inconsistent. Not every game works perfectly with a DualSense, and not every game is launched through Steam.

What’s So Special About Hyperkin’s The Competitor

For starters, it’s simple to use, and you get the form factor and ergonomics of the DualSense with the functionality and compatibility of an Xbox controller. You just plug it in (yeah, I said plug, and I’ll get to that shortly) and you’re good to go.

Now, I know there are those who prefer the asymmetrical placement of the Xbox controller analog sticks, but I’ve never been a fan. I suppose that’s because I grew up with symmetrical style controllers, mainly the Logitech gamepads that dominated PC gaming long before Xbox or PlayStation hit the scene, and later, the DualShock line.

As for the buttons, you get the same placement for the face buttons, but instead of the PlayStation layout, you now have the familiar X, Y, A, and B setup. The Create and Options buttons have been swapped for the Xbox Menu and View buttons, which sit in roughly the same place but are slightly recessed. The DualSense touchpad and any other proprietary Sony tech are gone, replaced by the Xbox logo button. I also appreciate how the menu and option buttons are placed a bit further from the D-pad so I don’t accidentally hit them in the heat of the moment.

The lack of haptic feedback could be a dealbreaker for some, especially since the DualSense supports haptic feedback in several PC titles. The share button is there for taking screenshots or recording videos, and a mute button lets you use a headset with a microphone through the 3.5 mm jack at the bottom of the controller.

Hyperkin Competitor Features and Upgrades

Then there are the improvements: Hall Effect joysticks that eliminate stick drift, and anti-friction rings that help improve aiming precision and movement control. To test that, I played a few rounds of Call of Duty with one of my Xbox controllers, then switched to The Competitor, and I could feel the difference. There’s also a rear button on each grip that can be remapped and even locked in place if you don’t plan to use it, preventing accidental presses.

Lastly, the controller features swappable analog stick caps, and you can switch between the included concave or domed caps. Both fit snugly and require some serious pulling to remove, so they won’t slip off while you’re playing. Personally, I used the concave caps as I’ve never been a fan of domed, but everyone has a preference.

Getting back to when I mentioned that you have to plug in the controller, The Competitor is a wired only controller. That may put off some people, while others, especially fighting game fans or shooter diehards, may appreciate it. While the controller does include a 6-foot USB cable, when I sit on my couch to play my PC games on my large TV, I don’t have as much slack as I’d like. Then there’s the concern of my dog, or worse, my kids, running into the room, meaning I’ll need to move closer before something bad happens. With what Hyperkin has created, I really hope that a wireless version gets released in the future.

How Does the Hyperkin Competitor Feel

Of course, none of this would matter if the controller didn’t feel good to use. I’m happy to report that it also feels damn good to use. It’s quite sturdy as well, which I expected given that Hyperkin’s track history has been known for some solid controllers. The ergonomics are great, and it doesn’t weigh as much since it lacks Sony tech and battery. Having access to two rear buttons is also nice, since you usually find those on much pricier controllers.

I found that the face buttons are springy and responsive. I would have liked to have a bit more textured grip, similar to what you’ll find on some of the special edition Xbox controllers. But since that’s not found on any DualSense controller, it makes sense that it isn’t here either, even though this is an Xbox style device.

Hyperkin The Competitor Final Verdict

If you’re in the market for a new controller, or you’re like me and play on PC or Xbox and prefer a symmetrical layout, you can’t go wrong with The Competitor. I can appreciate when a company not only decides to do something different but also keeps the consumer in mind and doesn’t try to charge us an outrageous fee while still giving us that little bit of extra. It doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but if you’ve always wanted a symmetrical Xbox controller that doesn’t cost an arm and leg, it’s finally here.

Review Disclosure Statement: The Competitor was provided to us by Hyperkin for review purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media, technology, and hardware, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy for more info.

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