I've spent 25 hours with this 8K-polling games controller: it's been great for Arc Raiders, not so great for my PC

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: one-minute review

GameSir has an odd naming scheme for its game controllers – isn't the G8 Galileo already out? – but numbers aside, the selling point of the GameSir G7 Pro 8K is in the name.

A spin on our highly-rated GameSir G7 Pro, this new PC controller offers 8K polling, alongside all the things we loved about the original controller: it's lightweight and comfy to use, modular thanks to a removable face plate, and connects in a variety of ways.

For those not in the know, 8K polling means your controller speaks to your chosen device 8,000 times per minute, not 1,000 times like most other controllers, and it allows for more precise and reflexive movement. This kind of kit is designed for esports players, or people who really don't like to lose.

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The idea of 8K polling tech is quite divisive: most people seem to view it as a hard-to-notice change, and not worth the price and other impacts, but GameSir has solved the first of those: the G7 Pro 8K is only marginally more expensive than the non-8K model, and it's a great budget option for people who want to test the tech.

That's doubly the case when you consider other 8K controllers; the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro's costs twice as much.

But another downside of 8K polling reared its head during my testing. This kind of tech can be CPU-intensive, and so not suited to PC gamers for whom processing is tight; I played a lot of Arc Raiders testing this thing, and it was noticeably more stuttery on my slightly older rig than usual.

It's not a problem for people with power rigs, or those who play older titles, and it wasn't even a problem on even newer games I tried, like Nioh 3. But it's something to be wary of in the GameSir, and any other 8K controller.

Gamers who don't need 8K will be better off looking at the G7 Pro: it's a little cheaper, and you're getting the exact same hardware. But if you've been curious about 8K polling, this is the option that'll let you dip your toes in without breaking the bank.

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: Price and availability

• List price: $89.99 / £99.99 / AU$199
• Sells on Amazon and GameSir's website
• Three color options: AimLabs Edition, Champion Edition, Nioh 3

You can buy the GameSir G7 Pro 8K for $89.99 / £99.99 / AU$199, so it’s only a hair more expensive than the non-8K model (that goes for $79.99 / £89.99 (about AU$114)). GameSir’s choice to keep the price in the double-digit range will undoubtedly draw buyers in.

The controller went on sale in April 2026, just under a year after the non-8K model was released. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: that means it’s primed for Black Friday deals at the end of 2026.

GameSir sells a few different models of the controller. The one you can see depicted is the AimLabs Edition, but I’ve also seen a Champion Edition model and one themed around Nioh 3. They all cost the same, and work the same; the appearance is all that's different (though the AimLabs model, unlike the others, also comes with a month's subscription to AimLabs itself).

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: specs

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: design and features

On the surface, the GameSir G7 Pro 8K doesn't appear different from the original model, notwithstanding the AimLabs branding on my model, or whatever decal your chosen model has. That means you're getting the Xbox Wireless Controller-alike look, with a few extra trigger and rear buttons.

And there's nothing wrong with copying a great design. The GameSir is lightweight (392g), so you can hold it for long stints without fatigue, and the textured grips keep my hands from friction or sweating issues that can sometimes arise. All the buttons and controllers feel like they're in a good place to easily reach with my medium-sized hands — too good, as was the case with the plates on the back, which I repeatedly accidentally pressed during use.

Dig under the surface, and you get the real joy of the G7 Pro series: you can remove the face plate to swap out the joysticks and d-pad, which I did to pick out options that felt more comfortable to use, and easy to press in a flash. You can see in the image above all the options that come with the controller, and GameSir sells more on its website.

The default sticks are GameSir's anti-drift Tunneling Magnetoresistance (TMR) Sticks Gen 2, which are lovely and smooth to use and feel sturdy. It's clear that the controller was designed for intense esports use, and I particularly appreciated the responsive 'clicky' face buttons.

The default sticks have the added benefit of looking clean: I found the G7 Pro to be something of a dirt magnet, with the black sticks I swapped to, as well as the face plate and rear plates, quickly picking up dust and scuffs. Yes, more so than other controllers I've used: I don't think it's a me problem!

Using GameSir's apps, you can play with the sensitivity of the sticks and add dead zones. These aren't the only buttons that are customizable, and I particularly appreciated the ability to toggle the triggers between analog and micro switch pickup. There are also four fully-mappable buttons: the aforementioned rear plates, and two bumpers nestled above the triggers.

Some other neat touches some may appreciate: a 3.5mm jack for wired headphones, a voice chat muter that's easy to tap when your hand's holding the grip, and a Multifunction button so you can remap buttons and change your headphone volume. This latter doesn't need the app: just press and go.

You can connect the GameSir to your device of choice in three ways. There's a simple USB cable that comes with it, and plugs into a port in the top of the controller. You can use a dongle that plugs into a USB-A port and allows for 2.4Ghz connection. Or you can use Bluetooth, which apparently doesn't allow the 8K polling, though I've seen users online who swear it still works. The dongle can be stored in an included controller stand when not in use, but there's nowhere to store it on the controller's body.

I mentioned before an app: there's a phone one, and a PC one. You can use this to create game control profiles and tweak settings, but it's far from necessary if you just want to play. In fact, the PC app reliably failed to recognise the controller during my weeks with it; hopefully, this'll be fixed soon.

GameSir G7 Pro 8K: performance

Putting aside the 8K polling, you're getting the same performance here as with the original model, and that's great. The face buttons and d-pad are all lovely and responsive, with a satisfying 'click' feedback that most controllers don't offer. Even the triggers offered that same response when in micro switch mode.

Hall effect in the triggers is smooth to use, and I found myself switching between the two modes mid-gameplay to get the best of both worlds, as doing so is easy.

A draw to this controller is GameSir's Gen 2 TMR sticks, which are even more sensitive than the brand's first-gen ones. The biggest selling points are under the hood, though: these are designed to reduce wear and stick drift over a longer period of time. You might not notice this benefit, and that's the whole point.

If I had a small gripe, it'd be the small size of the auxiliary face buttons: the triple-horizontal line on the right, and double-square on the left (according to the manual, these don't have names), are used in various games for things like your map, pause menu, settings, or inventory. Yet they're small enough that pressing them in a frantic firefight or tense moment is harder than it ought to be.

Based on my testing, I'd estimate a battery life of around 8-10 hours, so a little shy of the non-8K model (naturally). That's on the lower end of things compared to rivals, but I'll point once again to the 8K factor. The controller saves juice by disconnecting quite frequently when not in use; several times, I'd go and make a tea, only to return to a disconnected controller. Annoying, yes; game-breaking, no.

Officially, the GameSir G7 Pro 8K is only designed to work on PC; the company's listings make no mention of other devices. But I used it just fine on an Android device too.

All of the compliments I've laid on the GameSir are doubled when you're using the USB cable or dongle to get 8K polling. It's a small upgrade, all things considered; a split-second here and a fraction there, but the confidence boost this extra polling speed gives you is no joke. Neither is the dreamy way the controller works; I've finally given those Arcs a reason to fear me!

As mentioned in the introduction, 8K polling is CPU-intensive, and it can (and will) cause stuttering for some gamers. As far as I can tell, you can't turn off the higher polling speeds either (other than by using Bluetooth), and so you should only buy this kit if your PC can handle it.

Should I buy the GameSir G7 Pro 8K?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Also consider...

If the GameSir G7 Pro 8K hasn't ticked all your boxes, here are a few alternatives you may want to consider, and how they stack up against the model.

How I tested the GameSir G7 Pro

• Tested for roughly 25 hours of gameplay
• Used on PC and mobile with wired and wireless connections
• Played a variety of online and offline games of several genres

I tested the GameSir G7 Pro 8K for roughly 25 hours of gaming, over the course of several weeks. The majority of that time was spent on Arc Raiders, but I also spent significant time on other titles, including Call of Duty Mobile, Nioh 3, The Division Resurgence, Hogwarts Legacy and Gotham Knights.

As you can likely tell from that game list, I tested the GameSir on multiple platforms: specifically, my gaming PC, and two different Android smartphones. This let me test all three of the connection options (wired, Bluetooth, and dongle), although most of the gaming was done on wired.

I’ve been reviewing kit for TechRadar for over seven years now, including controllers and other kinds of gaming, PC, and mobile kit. I’ve also covered GameSir’s various tech for other brands.

First reviewed April-May 2026