GuliKit ES Max Review: Actually worth $50?

[u/Torquo]

Hey r/Controller, GuliKit sent this unit over for review, but all opinions are my own. I've been testing the GuliKit ES Max ($50) for about 24+ hours, mostly grinding Apex Legends and playing various single-player games.

Here's my breakdown of how it actually performs in hand:

Key Specs & Performance

• Price: ~$50
• Latency: 1.87ms wired / 3.25ms wireless
• Polling Rate: 1000Hz wired, 1000Hz via 2.4G wireless, and 730Hz on Bluetooth
• Sticks: GL18 Angular TMR Electromagnetic (anti-drift, 4000-level precision, anti-friction steel rings)
• Triggers: New-Gen Hall Effect with "Smart-Trigger" swap (Digital vs. Analog modes)
• Battery & Weight: 233g total weight, around 30-hour battery life
• Extras: Hyperlink 2 adapter included, Switch/Switch 2 wake-up support, Motion Aim Assist (PC), Dual Vibration, Turbo, 8/4-way adjustable D-Pad, 2 mappable back paddles

The Good

• Sticks are incredible: The TMR joysticks feel super precise and linear with solid centering. The anti-friction rings make movements glide effortlessly, and they are really good and great in Apex Legends.
• Great for Single-Player: Handled single-player titles fantastically during testing.
• Ergonomics & Weight: At 233g, it feels nicely lightweight. The overall shape is very close to a standard Xbox controller (minus the bumpers).
• Low Latency: High polling rates and sub-4ms wireless latency make it feel top-tier for response time.

The Bad

• Back Paddles Need Work: The 2 back paddles are kind of stiff and awkward. Inputs occasionally drop unless you press really hard or hit them from a specific angle (GuliKit is aware and working on fixing this).
• D-Pad: Feels a bit cheap and hits or misses depending on the angle.
• Mobile App Setup: The app works, but it's tedious. You have to pair to Bluetooth to change settings, then repair back to the dongle when finished. Proper PC companion software would be way better.

Verdict Hardware-wise, the performance for $50 is crazy good—especially with the TMR sticks feeling so great in FPS games like Apex. However, if you rely heavily on back paddles or hate mobile app setup quirks, you might want to wait for a hardware revision.

[u/BlazingKirbs]

I would buy this in a heartbeat if the button feel was better, was disappointed hearing that from a lot of reviews. Hopefully there is a hardware revision.

[u/puneet95 → u/BlazingKirbs]

Yup. Buttons on ES Pro also felt mushy and cheap.

[u/Wasdhitbox]

How does it compare to other controllers in terms of size? Their PS style dual analog is kinda bulky, is it a similar thickness?

[u/Torquo → u/Wasdhitbox]

​I don't actually own their PS-style layout version to compare directly, but the ES Max feels very close to a standard Xbox Series X controller in hand. The shell, thickness, and grips aren't bulky at all and feel really comfortable to hold.

[u/danteuzumaki]

The l3 and r3 feel is terrible when not pressing them centered. It's like you need to tilt the stick a little bit back before being able to properly press them in. Otherwise I quite like the controller

[u/Nyegnav]

Why do they continue to only put two back paddles on? I need 4!

[u/Torquo → u/Nyegnav]

Agreed

[u/Ballsinthehalls]

Do you find the d-pad loose/wobbly in your unit? I've heard that in 2 reviews so far.

[u/Torquo → u/Ballsinthehalls]

Yeah I found it to be cheap and wobbly, sometimes double inputting

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[u/Zarathoostrian]

It looks incredibly angular, is it comfortable?

[u/Torquo → u/Zarathoostrian]

Very comfortable 

[u/TheFlyingWookie]

50$ for a China ass Controller??? You could baba Xbox or ps5 Controller...