Most gamers rarely feel the need to replace the first-party controller that comes with their gaming system until it’s time to upgrade to a new console. Aside from potential issues like joystick drift or damage from rage-induced throws, first-party controllers are known for their reliability, but they often lack additional features. This is where third-party manufacturers come into play, offering gamers more options and added functionality to tempt them away from their original controllers. Manba is one such manufacturer, aiming to provide extra value with its Manba One controller, hopefully with minimal compromises on quality.
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DESIGN
When it comes to the design of the Manba One controller, it all depends on the color you choose—black or white. Where the black controller epitomizes minimalism with its sleek, solid plastic faceplate, the white controller features a transparent one that reveals a wealth of beautiful details underneath, making it far more visually appealing. In addition to its transparency, the smooth faceplate and metallic color on the top side contrast beautifully with the white color and textured finish of the controller’s underside. The only aspect that integrates better with the black controller is also its standout feature—a small LCD screen in the center, which I will discuss in more detail later.
The white variant and its transparent faceplate is beautiful
It’s worth mentioning that the transparent faceplate is removable. Manba states that this feature is for customization purposes, but I couldn’t find any alternative faceplates on their website, so we can assume these will be available in the future. Regarding the design, it’s important to note that the Manba One also includes some RGB lighting. Fortunately, there are no over-the-top effects that make the entire controller glow. Instead, the lights are visible only on two thin lines and the Manba logo on the sides of the controller. Not only does the RGB look quite good, but its minimal implementation means it won’t significantly impact battery life. Additionally, the lights are not covered by your hands while holding the controller, allowing you to enjoy the lighting effects during gameplay.
The Manba One controller closely resembles the Xbox Elite Series 2 in shape, with a layout largely inspired by Microsoft’s controllers, albeit with a few exceptions. It feels like the Elite Series 2 in hand but, at 280 grams, its weight is more comparable to the DualSense controller. This combination offers the best of both worlds for those who prefer robust yet relatively lightweight controllers. While the plastic construction slightly detracts from a true premium feel, this doesn’t make it a mere cheap alternative.
Fits like Elite Series 2, weighs like Dual Sense – the best of both worlds
It features asymmetrical analog sticks, primary buttons labeled ABXY, a D-pad, bumpers and triggers, and a total of four rear auxiliary buttons. In addition, right underneath the D-pad and the lower analog stick, there are four buttons used to control the advanced functions of the controller.
Unlike the somewhat softer, mushy feel of the buttons on Xbox and PlayStation controllers, the face buttons on the Manba One are more clicky, and the D-pad sounds almost like clicking a mouse. Unfortunately, the D-pad might be the weakest aspect of this controller. While the other buttons are very precise and accurate, the D-pad lacks separation between different directions. This means that it’s easy to make unintentional mistakes in games requiring precise inputs. It’s safe to say that if you’re a fan of fighting games where using the D-pad is a must, the Manba One might not be the controller for you.
The hall effect on the analog sticks means no drift and better longevity
Fortunately, all the other buttons perform excellently, and the same goes for the Hall effect analog sticks. With controller drift becoming the boogeyman of gaming controllers, the Hall effect should minimize the chance of such problems, ensure the controller’s longevity, and provide better precision in games. Although I haven’t used it long enough to comment on its long-term durability, I can confirm that any sign of drift is nonexistent here. Manba also ships the controller with a couple of alternate sticks, which you can easily swap with the stock ones depending on the types of games you play and the level of control you need.
The bumpers and triggers feel fairly decent, and the triggers even have a trigger lock mechanism adjustable between two levels. The first level allows the triggers to have a full range of motion, while the lower level shortens it by 80%, which can be extremely useful in competitive games where every second counts. As for the four auxiliary buttons on the back, unlike the Xbox Elite controller where each paddle is pressed with a separate finger, the Manba One’s buttons are positioned slightly higher, meaning you have to press both with your middle finger. While this isn’t inherently difficult, it can lead to accidental presses during intense gaming sessions, so be mindful of what you map to these buttons when using them.
There’s RGB, but it’s subtly and tastefully implemented
Last but not least, although the back of the Manba One features a USB-C port for charging, the controller also comes with a charging dock, which is always a welcome addition for any piece of wireless gaming hardware. The dock itself has a minimalist design, with charging facilitated by three small pins on the top. Whenever you’re not playing, you can simply place the Manba One on the dock to ensure it’s almost always fully charged. This setup eliminates the hassle of dealing with cables and keeps your beautiful controller prominently displayed.
PERFORMANCE
Now, this is where it gets juicy, as Manba One is a robust controller in terms of performance and features. First and foremost, it’s a multi-platform controller. It works on PC via a 2.4 GHz USB dongle and also has Bluetooth, allowing you to use it for gaming on the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and almost any mobile device, whether it’s an Android or iOS device. Of course, the lack of support for PlayStation and Xbox consoles is a notable omission. However, it’s hard to criticize a controller that supports four platforms in total, especially when compared to first-party controllers that typically support only one or two.
Although I primarily tested it on PC, I can confirm that regardless of the connection method, the controller is highly responsive with no noticeable input lag. This, combined with the controller’s ideal size and weight, makes for a very good user experience. I put it to the test by playing Hades 2, a game that requires precise and quick inputs, and it performed excellently. This is definitely a good indicator that, with the exception of fighting games for the reasons stated above – the Manba One can comfortably be used for any type of game.
The LCD screen is a great addition with many features
But those are just the basics. The LCD screen I mentioned earlier facilitates many advanced functions and allows you to adjust all controller settings directly on the device without the need for any external software. The screen is bright enough, and the interface is simple, intuitive, and smooth to use. By default, the screen displays which device you are connected to and the battery level, which is always a welcome feature for a piece of wireless hardware. By simply holding the home button, the screen guides you to a menu with numerous options.
First, you can pair and switch between connected devices and platforms. You can also control the RGB lighting, changing how it illuminates and adjusting specific colors. More importantly, you have the ability to set the vibration intensity between three different levels, adjust the sensitivity of each individual thumb stick, and map or remap almost every button on the controller. Additionally, this menu allows you to convert any button into a turbo button, which makes it so that the button can be held down instead of continuously pressed in certain games. You also have the option to record macro button combinations lasting up to 20 seconds, which can be incredibly useful for games requiring complex or repetitive button inputs.
The solid battery is made better with the super convenient charging dock
All in all, the LCD screen is a feature-rich addition that not only functions excellently, but also enhances the ease of using the controller in all its aspects. There are many controllers with similar, sometimes even more advanced functions, but nothing beats the convenience of accessing all of them directly on the controller. Naturally, the addition of the screen somewhat impacts battery life, but even with it, the Manba One is on par with first-party controllers, lasting around 8 hours. But, as I mentioned earlier, the included dock makes charging significantly more convenient, ensuring that you almost never drain the battery completely.
CONCLUSION
The final talking point, of course, is the price. Considering all the features, it’s almost unbelievable that this controller costs a mere $70. While the Manba One may fall short of first-party controllers in terms of build quality, its feature set is on par with premium controllers like the Elite Series 2 or DualSense Edge. With its beautiful design, Hall effect technology, on-the-fly adjustments via the LCD screen, and the included charging dock, it makes for an almost perfect controller. This is especially true if you game on multiple platforms and want a single high-quality controller to meet all your needs—and more.
