SteelSeries throws everything but the kitchen sink in the feature list of its Aeon Pro controller
Overview & Key Takeaways
It can seamlessly switch between Xbox and PC, but is very expensive.
Last month I got to take a look at what SteelSeries calls the "world’s first dual-dock controller built for PC and Xbox": the Aeon Pro. Its dual-docking claim to fame is that it allows you to switch between PC and Xbox gameplay seamlessly, without re-pairing. That's thanks to dual USB inputs on the base station, one connected to PC and the other to Xbox.
The thing is, that feature itself sounds pretty niche to my diminutive ears, given there probably aren't tons of PC gamers also using Xbox (though I am open to being corrected on that). Instead, I'm much more interested in what else the controller has to offer, and for what cost.
On this front, we're looking at a gulp $260/£230/€260 price tag, which places it firmly in top-end territory at least as far as its pricing is concerned. Having had my hands on it—albeit only briefly—I can say it does feel like a premium controller, with pretty solid build quality, great grips, and comfy button presses.
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I'm not a fan of the ABXY buttons, however, as they feel slightly mushy for my tastes, but only in the same way that some other premium controllers are and that others seem to not mind. For me, it feel like there's a bit of slow pre-travel before the button 'clicks'. This is unlike on the Scuf controller I like, the Valor Pro, the ABXY buttons on which have barely any pre-travel and immediately click down.
In addition to the dual connectivity and general feel, you're getting a whole bunch of other features—everything but the kitchen sink, it seems. We're talking four back paddles, Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, the ability to switch the triggers to instant click actuation, replaceable thumbsticks with a place to put them in the dock, hot swappable batteries which can charge in the base station, and an OLED screen.
Aesthetically, I'm not very keen on the grey-and-white combo, but the black version looks lovely. It also reaches up to 1K polling on PC, which is fine by my books for a controller, but is a little behind some of the recent 8K competition.
(Image credit: SteelSeries)
All of this would be fine if it wasn't for that price tag, which does put a pretty big dampener on things. Our James recently reviewed the $220 Scuf Omega and found it difficult to justify for that price tag given the competition in the likes of the $220 Raiju V3 Pro, the $200 Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, and the $90 GameSir G7 Pro 8K.
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I'd have to spend more time with it to know for sure, but I worry the SteelSeries will face the same fate by pricing itself so high, especially without 8K polling. Though for those who use both Xbox and PC, some might consider it worth the cost for that dual connectivity feature alone, though given pairing isn't the most difficult thing in the world, even then I'm not so sure.
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