I won't be worrying about stick drift next year - one of my favorite controllers is now under $40

GameSir T4 Kaleid deal image on a Christmassy green background

(Image credit: Future)

A lot of the controllers I've reviewed this year have been super expensive. Don't get me wrong, most of them have been great, but price tags higher than $200 aren't what most players will want to see. Luckily, one brand has stood above the pack in terms of offering value for money in 2023.

The GameSir T4 Kaleid is one of my favorite controllers of the past twelve months, and if you play on a Nintendo Switch or a PC, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better gamepad for the money.

Usually, this transparent controller with Hall Sensor sticks would only set you back $41.99 / £41.99 anyway, but thanks to some pre-Christmas deals at Amazon, you can get it for $37.79 in the US and only £35.69 in the UK.

Admittedly, these aren't massive discounts, but massive discounts don't usually happen to price tags this small. When I reviewed the T4K earlier in the year, I was amazed at the level of comfort it had. It immediately took a place on our best PC controller and best Switch controller lists, and it'll take something pretty special to dethrone it.

I should also say that I've been watching the price of this controller like a hawk this year. Annoyingly, it wasn't even on offer for Black Friday, so this wee Christmas sale is no short of a festive miracle. With two programmable back buttons and thumbsticks that are immune to stick drift, this is a worthy gift for gamers on either side of the Atlantic.

GameSir T4 Kaleid | $41.99 $37.79 at Amazon
Save $4.20 - This isn't a very big saving, but since it wasn't on offer for Black Friday, and it's pretty cheap anyway, this deal is worth jumping on. To get the 10% discount, click the coupon box on the retail page. We've only seen it cheaper than this once in mid-September, so this is a good time to buy.

Buy it if:

✅ You want a controller with back buttons
✅ You're sick of stick drift

Don't buy it if:

❌ You play on Xbox and PC (The GameSir G7 SE is the one for you.

Price Check: GameSir $49.99

UK: $35.69 at Amazon

Should you buy the GameSir T4 Kaleid?

GameSir T4 Kaleid's face close up — (Image credit: Future / Duncan Robertson)

Something I really like about the T4 Kaleid is its microswitch face buttons. These have a spongy action to them, but press in with a satisfying click. Its ergonomics in the back button department are some of the best I tested this year. So much so that when I'm not testing out a new controller for review, this is the gamepad I use to play games on a PC.

It should be noted that if you're playing on an Xbox, the GameSir G7 SE is probably the one to go for. It's essentially a slightly smaller version of the same gamepad, except it has compatibility with Microsoft's machines and the best gaming PCs. In addition, that pad trades out a transparent shell for a white one you can paint. Or at least, Gamesir would really like it if you'd paint it.

I found in my time with this controller that it plays platformers excellently, as those back buttons and microswitch face buttons make jumping around in Celeste feel great. At the same time, the T4K was just as at home in third-person action. I remember taking Bowser out so easily in Super Mario 64 that I felt as though this controller gave me an unfair advantage over him.

I've also seen a lot of Redditors discuss the T4K's modding capabilities, and while that isn't exactly my scene, it's yet another reason to buy it.

For more controller deals in your area, check the window down below.

For more situational controllers, check out the best racing wheels for PC, the best PS5 steering wheel, and the best Joysticks.

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One of my earliest memories is playing SuperMario64 and wondering why the controller I held had three grips, but I only had two hands. Ever since I've been in love with video games and their technology. After graduating from Edinburgh Napier University with a degree in Journalism, I contributed to the Scottish Games Network and completed an Editorial Internship at Expert Reviews. Over the last decade, I’ve been managing my own YouTube channel about my love of games too. These days, I'm one of the resident hardware nerds at GamesRadar+, and I take the lead on our coverage of gaming PCs, VR, controllers, gaming chairs, and content creation gear. Now, I better stop myself here before I get talking about my favourite games like HUNT: Showdown, Dishonored, and Towerfall Ascension.