Accessories maker PowerA seems to know that RGB gaming lights are all the rage, but its new Xbox controller and LED strips have a very strong message: “We’ve got gaming lights at home!” vibes.
PowerA’s newest RGB peripheral is the Advantage Wired Controller for Xbox Series X/S with Lumectra. It is a $44.99 wired gamepad available at black either white with some nice sound features like self-timers, two customizable rear buttons, four-zone RGB lighting with three pre-programmed modes, and a detachable USB-C cable (a nice improvement over cheaper PowerA models that are still riddled with Micro USB ports).
That all sounds great, but the new cabling The Advantage also has some wireless technology (no, it doesn’t have any official Xbox wireless connectivity like PowerA installed in your MOGA XP-Ultra mobile controller), but instead, it has a damn infrared emitter. “Because?” you ask? Well, isn’t it obvious that it’s to control a new range of No-Smart LED strips called Lumectra?
PowerA’s Lumectra LED strips that are released together with the controller come in two versions: one is a four foot RGB LED strip that you can get included with Advantage for $54.99and the other is a standalone 18ft RGB LED strip PowerA retails for $19.99. Both strips can be controlled using the Advantage’s IR blaster, while the 18-foot model also comes with its own generic-looking IR remote.
I have tested many PowerA game controllers and found that most of them have a very capital F. The company generally offers more than competent products, excellent customer service (almost a little Extra), and even some premium features spread across cheaper models at a better price. But frankly, these Lumectra light strips look like cheap or generic LED strips from anonymous brands found on Amazon or AliExpress.
I already started testing the existing one. Non-RGB version of the Advantage controller for a future update to our Xbox controller buying guide, without IR emitter. It’s a very competent wired controller for Xbox and PC, offering a low price for a gamepad with additional rear buttons and three-stage trigger locks for faster shooting in FPS games. But not once did I think while using it, “Do you know what I really need to do right now? Controlling some dumb lights.”
There may be people who find $55 for a controller and some simple light strips worth it for a basic gamer setup (and we all know they’ll be getting discounts soon), but my esteemed colleague Umar Shakir has a simple solution. alternative for your own generic LEDs that is cheaper and even more wireless:
