2024 was a big year for third-party controllers, and in April I took a swing at testing out a brand with a prettysusname. Lo and behold, theBigBig Won Rainbow 2 Pro wireless controllerturned out to be fantastic and ended up as one ofGame Rant’s top-rated controllersof the year!
Now, it isn’t too surprising that a third-party controller performed well for a few weeks. The real question is, how did it hold up during the months that followed? I’ve stuck with the Rainbow 2 Pro for most of my PC andSwitch gaming, making it my go-to controller for those platforms, so I’ve had time to test it in the long-term.
New here? Check out the original review of theBigBig Won Rainbow 2 Pro Wireless Controllerto see what it was like on day one!
Connectivity and Responsiveness
The Rainbow 2 Pro offers connectivity throughboth a USB dongle and Bluetooth. While both have a strong connection, switching between Bluetooth devices can be inconvenient. You need to hold down certain buttons to connect, both on the controller and the device (for me, usually a Switchor a smart phone), and it’s just difficult to synchronize the two. Because of this, I don’t normally use the Bluetooth function with anything other than my Switch.
On the other hand, connecting to the dongle is literally as easy as plugging it in. The USB dongle is large for the back of the Switch though, so I don’t recommend it for use with the console, unless you have it set up in such a fashion that it’s really easy to get to the back of the dock.
Although there was no lag at first, I have had instances of lag with button inputs over the past two months or so while playingInfinity NikkiandThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Most of the issues are with the A button, though that one is used a lot in both of these games, so it might be the button itself, rather than the wireless connection.
Regardless, these little hiccups are fine, since I know this controller isn’t really designed for super competitive play anyway. The back buttons are still as responsive as any other controllers’, though I do use them less than most people probably do, since I typically only use them while playingTears of the Kingdom.
I can see competitive players being somewhat annoyed by these intermittent lapses, particularly because the product description makes it sound like itisa competitive controller. However, even though I only play shooters on console, I really don’t think casual or even average PC players would have any issues during matches.
RGB Lighting and Comfort
Although the customizability was impressive at first, with the way it’s displayed, I quickly found the setup I wanted and haven’t changed it much since. One issue with the lighting is that when you connect to a “new” device, which can be an old device that you’re just switching back to via Bluetooth, your lighting settings return to default, choosing a color based on whether you’re connected to the USB or Bluetooth. It’s still very easy to change, but it lacks sync functionality.
That being said, it still looksbright and fantasticalmost a year later, and I still think it is one ofthe best RGB controllersaround. You get a full color wheel to adjust the lighting, along with a handful of display settings such as breathing or gradient patterns.
The rubber grips along the back of the controller are still very comfortable, and the lightweight build continues to alleviate strain during long gaming sessions while still having a heft that delineates it from cheap alternatives.
Although it’s just made of plastic, the finish balances smoothness and texture even after months of use, while the classic Xbox shape brings ergonomic comfort on a daily basis.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery life started out very strong with the Rainbow 2 Pro, exceeding even the brand’s claims. Now that conservative estimate makes sense, as the battery life has degraded significantly since my review. However, BigBig Won was smart to do this, because the battery life isstill well within their estimated range.
Usually, the controller will last about six to eight hours, and that’s with me having the RGB on at 100% brightness all the time. Unfortunately, this does mean that the controller is not ideal for long gaming sessions. If you’re in a gaming marathon and using the RGB, the battery life is much closer to six hours than eight.
The good news is that this affordable controller comes with a charging dock, and that charger isextremely convenient. The controller snaps right onto it and a light indicator lets you know that charging is underway. I usually just throw it on there before bed, and it’s obviously ready by the next day.
I have also tossed it on there for around half an hour and gotten a full gaming session of about four hours out of it afterwards.
Would I Recommend the Rainbow 2 Pro Again?
Absolutely. Despite being a little wary of the brand at first, after a year of testing a number of other controllers, I am convinced that youjust can’t beat this price with these specs. The charging dock is a perfect addition too, both for not worrying about power and for keeping my gaming space and my coffee table a little less cluttered.
After almost a year of use, I still think this is the best third-party controller for $65, considering its Hall effect sticks, vibrant RGB lighting, and wide compatibility. Plus, for another $15, you get the RGB charging dock, a deal that’s tough to beat for $80. Additionally, both versions go on sale often, making it easy to grab the Rainbow 2 Pro with the dock for around $60 throughout most of the year.
This is my go-to PC and Switch controller right now, and I don’t think that will change anytime soon.
For those who want something similar that absolutely won’t lag, you’ll have to spend a bit more. The best comparable third-party controller for Switch would be thePDP Afterglow, though this controller doesn’t come with Hall effect joysticks or a charging dock. Alternatively, the8BitDo Ultimate Bluetoothhas high marks for its stable connectivity, but doesn’t come with RGB at all.
BigBig Won Rainbow 2 Pro
The BigBig Won Rainbow 2 Pro Wireless Controller is compatible with multiple platforms and offers plenty of customizations, including swapping of thumb sticks, remapping of back buttons, adjustable vibrations, and much more. The RGB lighting is equipped at the circumference for a gorgeous look and can be customized using the Won Elite App.
At the end of the day, BigBig Won still has one of themost feature-packed controllerson the market, at least at this low price point. Regardless of little hiccups here and there, most gamers who care about multi-platform compatibility and RGB lighting will join me in relying on the Rainbow 2 Pro for gaming every day.
