Turtle Beach React-R wired Xbox controller review – budget at its best
Turtle Beach is coming out swinging for the fences with its budget pro controller and has hit a home run with the React-R offering a generous selection of hardware and design features you wouldn’t expect for the price.
It’s lighter and more tactile for starters, and if you’re not currently rocking one of the around, the React-R controller can give the most basic pair a little leg up with the brand’s Superhuman Hearing feature. That’s a fancy name for the EQ setting that boosts the volume of sound in the upper midrange frequency which is where audio cues like footsteps and gunfire reside.
There are also a few subtle design differences – which may make this a bit of a marmite situation depending on how married you are to the feel of the official Xbox controller in your hands. In my case, I found them to be for the better, especially if you’ve been scouring the market for a budget pro controller.
On face value, the Turtle Beach React-R wired Xbox controller doesn’t look too far removed from the official Xbox Wireless Controller – save for a trio of audio controls above the home button, and a couple of paddles tucked away on the back. But look a little closer and you’ll discover a whole host of pro options wrapped up in a budget-friendly package that’ll cost you £24.99 / US$39.95 / AU$89.95.
Turtle Beach React-R wired design
With two colour variants available, Turtle Beach sent over the infinitely prettier white and purple colourway, which straddles the line between lilac and lavender for a pleasant pastel palette. The other option is a basic black-and-white affair, marred only by the logo which is made even more prominent by the daub of orange underlining it. The point is you’ve got the choice between a more standard and the verging-on-retro aesthetic.
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Whichever model you prefer, you’re getting substance as well as style. The finish isn’t as grainy as the matte black Xbox controller, and you’ll find textured grips on both the front and back. This carries over to the shoulder buttons, triggers and rear paddles – which have a low profile and short travel distance, making them comfortable to use.
With two colour variants available, Turtle Beach sent over the infinitely prettier white and purple colourway, which straddles the line between lilac and lavender for a pleasant pastel palette. (Turtle Beach)The d-pad sits higher on the React-R than the Xbox controller, and while I’ve not whipped out my ruler, the other shared buttons seem to follow suit. But they do feel clicky and hollow by comparison along with the bumpers. The analogue sticks are bereft of rubber pads but have a textured outer rim and deep hollow so you don’t have to worry about slippage.
The triggers are the biggest deviation from Microsoft’s design, looking like a cursive version of the Xbox controller’s short stumpy blocks. They’re significantly longer, with a profile that starts out low and sweeps up into a wide, flat lip overhanging the underside.
Turtle Beach React-R wired features
The Turtle Beach React-R is unbelievably light, weighing in at around 205g / 0.45 lbs. You could argue that the lack of heft makes it feel less premium, but I’ll take it over the Xbox controller’s 220g / 0.63lbs, and it’s packing a bunch of pro features that are incredibly impressive for a budget entry.
Up top at the front, there are the audio controls: Superhuman Hearing, a d-pad shift button for game and chat volume mix (as well as a master volume control), and a mic mute button. Over on the rear, there are the paddles which are blissfully quick and easy to map with included instructions.
Up top at the front, there are the audio controls: Superhuman Hearing, a d-pad shift button for game and chat volume mix (as well as a master volume control), and a mic mute button. (Turtle Beach)While the Turtle Beach React-R is compatible with both the Xbox Series X|S and PC, the game chat and volume mix feature doesn’t work outside of the console. And if you have a decent pair of headphones already with its own slew of EQ presets and cup controls, you may skip over some of the React-R’s features but if your cans err on the more understated side, you’ll appreciate the unexpected upgrade this scrappy contender for best budget controller brings to the table.
Turtle Beach React-R wired essential specifications
- Form factor: asymmetrical
- Connectivity: wired USB-C to USB-A
- Compatibility: Xbox, Windows 11, Windows 10
- Extra buttons: No
- Adaptive triggers: No
Of course, the headset features are only available with a wired pair of headphones which plug into the 3.5mm jack. The USB-C port is located on the opposite side protected by plastic housing. It comes with a lengthy 2.5m 2.5m / 8ft cable, and while I was a little disappointed that it came in black, rather than white or purple, it does the job.
Turtle Beach React-R performance
Being a wired controller, there’s zero lag. The D-pad is a touch mushy, lacking the clicky crispness of the Xbox controller. Given the games I played with the React-R don’t primarily use the d-pad this wasn’t a problem for me, but it’s something for fighter fans to bear in mind.
I touched on the hollow, clicky face buttons and bumpers earlier, as well as the higher tension triggers, but much like our mix of best gaming keyboards, your personal preference is going to dictate whether that’s a pro or a con. I prefer the Xbox controller triggers from an ergonomic standpoint; between the larger shape, size, and higher resistance, the React-R can feel a bit strenuous over long periods in games like or anything where you’re going to town on L2 and R2.
When plugged in, the audio control buttons light up so you’re not fumbling about if you prefer your gaming sessions to have a more cinematic feel i.e. real loud, and real dark.
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Overall thoughts on the Turtle Beach React-R wired
There’s no question that the Turtle Beach React-R controller is the one to beat in the budget category – and beyond, thanks to its seductively attractive price point. Paired with the design and features, it’s an absolute steal, verging on daylight robbery, and is undoubtedly one of the best Xbox controllers on the market right now.
Score: 5/5
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