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SteelSeries Stratus Duo: one-minute evaluate
The SteelSeries Stratus Duo is a compact wi-fi controller suitable with PC, Android, Chromebook and a few VR headsets, because of its a number of connectivity modes.
It adopts a somewhat basic design, harking back to Xbox and PlayStation controllers, though it has a smaller, thinner kind issue. The whole black colorway is somewhat austere, and the dearth of any RGB lighting is a departure from many gaming peripherals.
In comparison with lots of the best PC controllers round, the format itself feels fairly small within the hand. This makes all buttons straightforward to succeed in, particularly the shoulder buttons, that are additionally favorably angled to lower the quantity of finger flexing required.
The construct high quality feels excessive all spherical, with the buttons satisfyingly damped, particularly the bumpers, that are maybe the standout on this regard. Nevertheless, the LED gentle bar is roughly completed across the edges, which is a shock given SteelSeries traditional consideration to element.
The Stratus Duo feels nice to recreation with. Its buttons are snappy and responsive, and the triggers and joysticks are exact with loads of really feel. Moreover, the D-pad is correct and simple to make use of, though its proximity to the left joystick and sharp edges might show irksome for some. Nevertheless, these are minor gripes with what’s in any other case a high-performing controller.
Connecting the Stratus Duo to a PC wirelessly was straightforward, requiring no setup apart from plugging within the 2.4GHz USB dongle. It was simply as responsive as when connecting utilizing the included USB cable (which, amazingly, makes use of the micro USB customary, somewhat than USB-C). Bluetooth connection to Android gadgets additionally proved straightforward, secure and lag-free.
Battery life on the Stratus Duo can also be good, consistent with the 20-hour declare SteelSeries makes. Nevertheless, its charging time of about two and a half hours is lower than spectacular.
The Stratus Duo competes with different well-liked controllers when it comes to value. It has the sting over these controllers because of its a number of connectivity and compatibility choices, though the dearth of customization is a disadvantage. Finally, it might come down at hand measurement, because the compact format might exclude these with bigger palms, who will possible be higher off with the Xbox Wi-fi Controller, as an example. For everybody else, although, the Stratus Duo is a reliable controller with nice efficiency.
SteelSeries Stratus Duo evaluate: value and availability
- $59 / £64 / AU$105
- Obtainable now
- Black colorway solely
The Stratus Duo prices $59 / £64 / AU$105 and is on the market now in a single colorway: black. The SteelSeries SmartGrip, an attachment for holding an Android smartphone, is bought individually and prices £9.99.
At this value, it’s up in opposition to the Xbox Wi-fi Controller, among the finest PC controllers and best Xbox controllers round. It does have extra connectivity choices than the Xbox controller, although, in addition to a chargeable battery as customary.
Though it’s suitable with numerous platforms, it doesn’t formally work with PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Change consoles. Should you’re after among the finest PS5 controllers, then the PlayStation DualSense controller is prime of the category, and the 8BitDo Ultimate is without doubt one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers in our view. Each of those aren’t far more costly than the Stratus Professional.
SteelSeries Stratus Duo evaluate: specs
|
Worth |
$59.99 / £64.99 (round AU$105) |
|
Dimensions |
5.9 x 4.3 x 2.5 inches / 150 x 110 x 63.2mm |
|
Weight |
8.6oz / 245g |
|
Compatibility |
PC, Android, Chromebook, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR |
|
Connection sort |
Wi-fi (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (micro USB) |
|
Battery life |
20 hours |
|
Software program |
N/A |
SteelSeries Stratus Duo evaluate: design and options
- Compact kind issue
- Finely damped buttons
- No software program
The Stratus Duo sports activities an all-black colour scheme with an angular design that appears someplace between an Xbox controller and a PlayStation DualSense, though it’s thinner and lighter than both of these.
It’s additionally extra compact in its format, with all its buttons comparatively shut collectively. The grips are extra distinguished too, which means you’ll be able to actually wrap your fingers round them.
The shoulder buttons angle downwards greater than on different controllers, which is a welcome characteristic and makes reaching for them far more snug, in addition to being simpler to press, as much less finger bending is required.
Adopting the identical schema because the Xbox, the Stratus Duo’s buttons place Y and A prime and backside respectively, and X and B on the left and proper. Though the buttons themselves are black like the remainder of the Stratus Duo, there’s a helpful colour key between the buttons – once more mimicking the Xbox customary – though that is fairly small and exhausting to parse within the warmth of the second if you have to look all the way down to verify.
The development feels strong, with properly damped buttons which might be satisfying to press, particularly the bumpers, that are much better to make use of than these on the Xbox controller. All buttons are additionally tightly fitted with little or no play. One unusual space the place SteelSeries appears to have dropped the ball, although, is the plastic across the LED bars, as my unit appeared to point out indicators of fraying, which isn’t what you’d anticipate from a SteelSeries product.
One other baffling design selection is the truth that the Stratus Duo makes use of a micro USB port somewhat than the now ubiquitous USB-C. Fortunately, a cable is included, however contemplating a lot of the world has left the micro USB customary behind, it’s a weird choice.
What’s extra, the Stratus Duo can’t be custom-made or tinkered with utilizing SteelSeries’ GG software program, which does really feel like a missed alternative, even at this value level. Even the Xbox Wi-fi Controller permits for a point of remapping, however there’s none of that right here with the Stratus Duo.
SteelSeries Stratus Duo evaluate: efficiency
- Responsive buttons
- Exact joysticks and triggers
- Straightforward connectivity
Gaming with the Stratus Duo is a largely constructive expertise. It feels snug within the palms, largely because of the ergonomic grip design, and the aforementioned compact format makes each button straightforward to succeed in.
The joysticks are exact and supply sufficient grip with out getting sticky to the contact, as these on different controllers are vulnerable to. And whereas each sticks are comparatively shut collectively, I didn’t expertise any difficulty with my two thumbs clashing.
The triggers are additionally nice to make use of, providing loads of management and suggestions with out being too weighty. This enables for exact inputs, very helpful in racing video games for delicate throttle management, regardless of not having as a lot journey as different controller triggers, resembling these on the Xbox controller and the DualSense.
The D-pad is fast and simple to make use of, amenable to rolling in a number of instructions, which is basically because of the lengthy four-way prongs. Regardless of all instructions being housed inside a single unit – versus having completely separate buttons for every route – I didn’t expertise any mispresses.
Nevertheless, the perimeters of the D-pad are fairly sharp, which could be irritating after lengthy classes, and the aforementioned compact format additionally meant that I typically knocked the left analog stick when making quick and frantic presses.
The inputs themselves are very responsive when utilizing wirelessly with the included 2.4GHz dongle. Connecting through this technique was a easy case of plug and play, and I skilled no points with lag or stability.
The identical is true when connecting through Bluetooth to Android gadgets. There’s a easy toggle swap on prime for Bluetooth and a couple of.4GHz modes, and a pairing button must you want it. I additionally didn’t discover any discernable distinction in lag between utilizing Bluetooth and the two.4GHz dongle.
SteelSeries claims a battery lifetime of over 20 hours for the Stratus Duo. Though I wasn’t capable of attain its limits throughout my time with it, I can say that it barely dipped after a number of days of use. It took round two and a half hours to cost from empty to full, which isn’t a stellar efficiency; fortunately, you’ll be able to cost and play on the similar time.
Ought to I purchase the SteelSeries Stratus Duo?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally take into account…
SteelSeries Stratus Duo evaluate: additionally take into account
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
SteelSeries Stratus Duo |
Xbox Wi-fi Controller |
DualSense Wi-fi Controller |
|
Worth |
$59.99 / £64.99 (round AU$105) |
$59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74.99 |
$74 / £64 / AU$109 |
|
Dimensions |
5.9 x 4.3 x 2.5 inches / 150 x 110 x 63.2mm |
6 x 4 x 2.47 inches / 152 x 102 x 63mm |
6.3 x 4.2 x 2.6 inches / 160 x 106 x 66mm |
|
Weight |
8.6oz / 245g |
10.1oz / 287g |
9.9oz / 280g |
|
Compatibility |
PC, Android, Chromebook, Oculus Rift, Oculus Go, Samsung Gear VR |
PC, Xbox Collection X, Xbox Collection S, Xbox One, cell |
PS5, PC, cell |
|
Connection sort |
Wi-fi (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (Micro USB) |
Wi-fi (Xbox Wi-fi, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
Wi-fi (Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C) |
|
Battery life |
20 hours |
40 hours (AA batteries) |
10 hours |
|
Software program |
None |
Xbox Equipment |
None |
How I examined the SteelSeries Stratus Duo
- Examined for a number of days
- Performed numerous titles on PC and Android
- Over 25 years of gaming expertise
I examined the Stratus Duo for a number of days and used it to play video games on PC and on Android.
I performed a wide range of titles, designed to check every side of the Stratus Duo: I performed Tekken 8 to check its responsiveness and D-pad potential, Assetto Corsa to check the precision of the triggers and analog sticks, and Call of Duty: Mobile to see how effectively the Stratus Duo handles Android video games over Bluetooth.
In over 25 years of gaming I’ve used numerous first- and third-party controllers for PC, Xbox, Nintendo and PlayStation. I’ve additionally reviewed many gaming peripherals, together with different controllers, mice, and keyboards.