The Switch is the family console par excellence. It has many qualities as always with Nintendo, however if you want to play more seriously the quality of its controllers, the famous Joy-Con, may leave you hungry. Indeed these very clever controllers can be combined to make only one or separate to make two controllers. But in the latter case, their handling is not ideal and will be limited to the game of type " party games » where fun is more important than playability. So, if you want to use your Switch more seriously, it quickly becomes essential to invest in a quality controller.

So today I'm going to introduce you to the ESM 4108 controller that the EasySMX brand provided me.

A Switch Pro controller by EasySMX

For many months, I only played the Switch with Joy-Con (using a controller holder)… But since last Christmas, I've been using controllers. And I have to say that since I've tested several controllers, for nothing in the world would I go back to Joy-cons… besides, I complain about games that only use one Joy-Con and are therefore not compatible with a standard controller.

The first thing that struck me about the ESM 4108 controller (no, that's not its name) is that it seemed light compared to other controllers I've tested... and after a few hours of play, I can assure you that a lighter weight is quite appreciable. But in addition to being light, it's comfortable! The grip is good, but it would have been nice to have a rubber coating that gives a softer feel... but that's really nitpicking.

In terms of looks, this controller is available in 9 very nice liveries! The one I received, the black one, is the simplest. It is designed in semi-transparent black plastic allowing you to guess its insides… But where it really makes you dream is when it lights up. It then becomes really super cool with a blue LED ring around the right stick and the 4 buttons A, B, X and Y lighting up in red, blue, yellow and green. The rendering of these buttons is really very successful and gives this controller a really sexy design !

Of course, in terms of buttons, we find all those present on the Joy-Con, no more, no less! Small criticism however, the LEDs which indicate your controller number (1 to 4) are a little unclear given the semi-transparency of the shell and we do not see very clearly which position we are in. I think that this problem does not exist on the other colors of this controller whose shell is opaque.

Moreover, the light intensity as well as the strength of the vibrations are two adjustable functions on this controller!

In terms of playability, nothing to say, the controller is comfortable, the buttons and different joysticks work perfectly and are quite responsive. The L, R, ZL and ZR triggers seemed a little sensitive to me at first, but in a second time, once used to it, I found it very appreciable (I just had to relax a little ;)).

A notable distinguishing feature of this controller is the existence of a Turbo function on the controller. The Turbo function allows you to temporarily change the operation of a button. So when you hold your finger on the button, it will work as if you were clicking on it very quickly… this option can be super useful in certain games. To activate this feature, you will need to long-press the screenshot button on the controller.

The only small downside is, Bluetooth range The controller's range seemed a bit weak to me and I had to get a bit closer to my console (about 4m) to not have control issues. I don't have this problem with my Joy-Con, but other controllers I've tested also have reduced range.

In terms of price, you're not really taking any risks since the controller is available for less than €30 on the EasySMX website... in comparison, the official Nintendo controller costs around €70.

Connecting to the Switch

Nothing too complicated on this side, it's pretty standard. For the first connection, you will have to go to the "Controllers" menu and click for a few seconds on the Home and Y buttons of the controller until the synchronization is done. Afterwards, just press the Home button for a few moments to connect the controller.

One of the great things about the ESM 4108 controller is that it can also be used on a computer. However, in this case, you will need to connect it using a USB cable… but that's still good news! Be careful, however, the controller does not work on Xbox, Mac or iOS.

In terms of recharging, it will take 2 to 3 hours for a battery life of 8 to 10 hours. The controller charges using a USB to USB-C cable (provided).

Features of the ESM 4108 controller

• Battery: 600 mAh for an autonomy of 8 to 10 hours
• Charging time: 2 to 3 hours
• Vibration: 5 asymmetrical motors and 3 adjustable vibration levels
• Adjustable backlight: 5 levels
• Compatibility: Switch (Bluetooth) and PC (with USB cable)
• 9 colors

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ESM 4108 controller is a controller dedicated to the Switch that does the job admirably well considering its very reasonable price. Its grip is comfortable and its playability is good. Available in several very nice colors, its colored LED backlighting is a real killer. My children and I fight to be able to use the controller!

Article updated on January 4, 2025 by Byothe