Why you can trust Windows Central
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
It’s been a while since I last reviewed a GameSir controller. Despite the brand being indisputably my first choice for a budget-friendly option, I often felt like I was repeating myself regarding what I liked and disliked. Great controllers, packing in the latest TMR stick technology, yet would always fall at the final hurdle: missing wireless on Xbox.
Well, recently the GameSir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl caught my eye, not just because of its gorgeous pastel cotton candy colors, but because it states wireless for Xbox on the box. In my experience, wireless GameSir controllers have typically required a cable to the console, but I was over the moon to find out this one simply needed a dongle to work wirelessly.
Could this finally be my perfect GameSir controller? Well, spoiler: nearly! But let me elaborate.
Gamesir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl: Price, availability and specs
Image 1 of 2
The GameSir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl comes in at a respectable $89.99 MSRP, which isn’t as cheap as many others within the brand’s range, but it’s also pretty damn cheap for a controller with TMR sticks. At the time of writing, it was out of stock on GameSir’s official website, and for some reason, was listed at $135.00.
Now, I haven’t been told of any price increases, so I can only include that as a placeholder until the controller comes back into stock. It’s also available on Amazon, though it moves in and out of stock sporadically. It seems that, despite the controller having what I would say is a “love or hate it” design, it’s actually very popular.
The controller comes with a charging dock, and for specs, I’ll break down what you get for your ~$90:
- Tri-mode connectivity (so it works on Xbox, PC, and Android, combining Bluetooth, a 2.4 GHz dongle, and a USB-C cable if you need it
- GameSir’s magnetic TMR sticks, so there’s no worry of stick drift
- Hall-Effect analog triggers and dual-stage trigger stops
- Two rear remappable buttons
- Membrane ABXY and D-pad
- 4 integrated rumble motors
- 6-axis gyroscope for PC
- 1,050 mAh battery
- RGB lighting!
Gamesir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl: What’s good
Whether a design is “good” or “bad” comes down to personal taste. I love some pastel colors, and this design is really eye-catching — certainly better than anything I could put together in the Xbox Design Lab for twice the cost, so I am down with the “Sugar Whirl” aesthetic. On to using the controller, it’s remarkably lightweight for a wireless joypad, but not so light it feels cheap. It’s a real pleasure to use, and feels ergonomically sound in the hand.
The sticks, being TMR, are smooth as butter to use. If you don’t know what TMR is, it’s the very scientific-sounding “tunneling magnetoresistance”, which, in short, is the most recent version of the Hall-Effect.
The longer explanation is that, instead of relying on physical contact to judge movement, they use magnetic fields and electrical resistance. Much more precise for shooting and racing games, hence the “pro” tag on this controller. Do I need TMR sticks to play PalWorld and Diablo 4? Absolutely not, but it feels good, and because of the tech, I don’t need to worry about stick drift six months down the line.
Image 1 of 3
While I do prefer having trigger stops with 3 settings, having 2 isn’t a deal breaker, and they are pretty effective. The rear buttons, like with all GameSir controllers I’ve tried, also sit in the perfect position for my middle fingers, and the textured plastic on the handles keeps the controller secure in my hands.
Not that I play many sweaty shooter sessions — but I’ve endured heatwave after heatwave here in the United Kingdom.
The charging dock is simply lovely, and the controller snaps into place for charging when I’m not using it (though it could be more magnetic and firm like Razer if I had to nitpick; but at this price, I can’t complain).
Image 1 of 2
I don’t have to worry about messing with play-and-charge kits or changing batteries. It also has a hidden compartment to house the USB dongle, which saves me from losing it amongst the myriad other dongles in my house.
Speaking of USB dongles, yes, this does require that to be wireless with Xbox, but I can say that it still powers on your Xbox from the controller. Besides, being able to store the dongle away when not using it, in a place that actually makes sense, means I can’t be mad at it not being Microsoft’s proprietary tech — which they keep under lock and key.
I’m just over the moon to finally have a GameSir controller I can both use and recommend that works wirelessly and seamlessly with my Xbox.
Gamesir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl: What’s bad
Unfortunately, in true GameSir fashion, they can never give me absolutely everything I love about their controllers in ONE controller. They give wireless in one hand, but take away the micro-switch buttons I love from the Kaleid range.
So the ABXY and D-pad buttons are fine, but I know they can do SO much better because membrane just feels lacking after using the clicky loveliness of microswitch. Additionally, controllers like the GameSir G7 Pro have a rubberized finish on the grips, which just feels that bit more premium, like the Elite controllers, and this controller relies simply on a textured back.
If these two things were changed, this controller would have gone from a 4.5 to a 5 for me, but at a 4.5 it’s still a bloody great controller, and I’m using it as my daily driver right now despite those two nitpicks.
Gamesir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl: The competition
At $89.99, the T7 Pro Sugar Whirl sits in a very specific, fiercely competitive sweet spot. It is no longer a bare-bones budget option, but it undercuts the heavy hitters like the Xbox Elite Series 2 by a mile. If you love the dock and the true wireless freedom but aren’t entirely sold on the pastel aesthetics or the membrane buttons, here are two of its biggest rivals to consider:
The 8BitDo Ultimate 3-Mode Xbox Controller (Hall-Effect Edition) is priced at $69.99 and is what I would consider the most direct competitor to this on the market (for which I also have a review coming up soon).
Like the Sugar Whirl, the 8BitDo Ultimate offers true wireless Xbox play via a 2.4GHz dongle and comes bundled with its own seamless charging dock.
While it features standard Hall-Effect sticks instead of the slightly newer TMR tech, you would be hard-pressed to notice the difference in daily gameplay.
Where it beats the GameSir is the price, coming in around $20 cheaper, and its body features a slightly more traditional, textured matte finish. However, its back buttons are a bit smaller and more recessed, meaning the GameSir still wins out on rear-button ergonomics.
I’ve no experience with the Flydigi range, but I’d be remiss not to mention the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro, which comes up in pretty much any controller enthusiast conversation.
If you aren’t really bothered about the Xbox connection, and simply want reasonably priced, and crucially, mechanical microswitch buttons, you can grab this for $79.99.
It has a mouse-click tactile response, as well as adjustable sticks that let you adjust the resistance to your taste. It doesn’t come with a charging dock out of the box, but it’s a solid choice around this price range.
Gamesir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if …
✅ You’ve been waiting for a wireless Xbox controller from GameSir
You can finally ditch the long USB-C cable across the living room floor; the included 2.4GHz dongle gives you seamless, couch-friendly wireless play.
✅ You want a premium charging setup on a budget
The included charging dock with its hidden dongle storage is so convenient for keeping your setup tidy and ensuring you never pick up a dead controller.
✅ You are tired of stick drift
The cutting-edge TMR magnetic sticks mean you get top-tier precision for shooting or racing games without worrying about the sticks wearing down six months down the line.
You should not buy this if …
❌ You absolutely love clicky, mechanical face buttons
If you’ve been spoiled by the micro-switches on GameSir’s Kaleid range, the traditional membrane ABXY buttons and D-pad on this model might feel a bit too mushy for your taste.
❌ The pastel aesthetic isn’t your vibe
The ‘Sugar Whirl’ design is a “love it or hate it” look. If you prefer a stealthy, understated controller on your desk, this bright palette will stick out like a sore thumb.
Ultimately, the GameSir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl has officially stolen the crown as my new daily driver, and it’s going to take something pretty special to dethrone it.
While it still represents that classic GameSir dilemma, giving me wireless freedom in one hand while snatching away my beloved micro-switch buttons with the other, it gets closer to perfection than any budget controller has the right to.
I remain endlessly hopeful that one day the team at GameSir will finally combine all my favorite features into a single, flawless pad, but until that day comes, this is a pretty damn close second.
It’s genuinely brilliant to see them constantly showing up Microsoft by packing this much high-tier tech into a sub-$90 bundle, and long may it continue.
GameSir
T7 Pro Sugar Whirl Wireless Controller for Xbox
The GameSir T7 Pro Sugar Whirl is a 4.5 out of 5 for me. Not quite the flawless combo, but pretty damn close.
