The new Xbox controller looks to solve one of the biggest annoying problems with modern gaming.

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Key Takeaways

  • Thrustmaster has announced the new HEART controller for Xbox consoles and PC.
  • The gamepad utilizes a Hall Effect sensor that promises immunity to analog stick drift, one of the biggest problems with modern gaming.
  • The Thrustmaster HEART is available for pre-order now and is priced at $99.99.



Thrustmaster announces new HEART controllers for: xbox Consoles and PC that promise to completely eliminate stick drift. To achieve this, this Xbox licensed gamepad utilizes Hall Effect technology.

In the simplest terms, a Hall effect sensor is a device that detects magnetic fields. This can be leveraged to create very long analog sticks where the central component is not in direct contact, causing wear during use. Instead, the shaft has small magnets attached to it that move when the rod itself moves. Hall effect sensors placed vertically near the magnets detect changes in position and translate them into controller inputs in a frictionless manner. Modern solutions of this kind use two Hall Effect sensors per stick, one for the X-axis and one for the Y-axis.


Thrustmaster Unveils HEART Controller with Hall Effect Analog Sticks

American gaming accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster has now decided to utilize this technology while designing its newly revealed HEART controller. The gamepad integrates Hall Effect sensors that are completely immune to analog stick drift, maintaining maximum precision over time. The name of the controller is an acronym for HallEffect AccuRate Technology, which Thrustmaster calls its own implementation of the sensor. The Thrustmaster HEART will be available for pre-order from early October 2024, priced at $99.99 / €99.99 / £99.99. It's currently available for pre-order through Best Buy and the manufacturer's own online store.


The premium Xbox controller doesn't have a firm release date attached to it yet. However, Thrustmaster has historically revealed new products up to several months before launch, so it's likely HEART will hit store shelves before the end of the fourth quarter of 2024. The gamepad ships with a power cable and manual along with official description. This suggests that it will be a wired-only controller rather than offering battery-powered wireless connectivity. There is also an LED strip on the left with customizable colors.

Thrustmaster HEART is noticeably lighter than the official Xbox controller

HEART measures 6.3 x 1.8 x 4.3″ (160 Microsoft controller owners should soon get used to HEART, as it largely mimics the official Xbox gamepad.


Considering its $100 price point, the HEART appears to be positioned as a compromise between entry-level gamepads like the Elite Series 2 and premium gamepads. But seeing as how even all the high-end controllers on the market today don't utilize Hall Effect sensors, the promise of drift-free analog sticks could be a big selling point for Thrustmaster's upcoming product.

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