Best budget all-rounder or premium PS5 stick? The clear answer is here

Display

Neither product includes a display or screen, so there is no direct advantage here in terms of visual output quality. In practice, this category is irrelevant for both, because arcade fight sticks are controllers rather than display devices. Winner: tie.

Performance

For raw plug-and-play performance, the Hori PS5 Fighting Stick wins. Hori is the more premium fight-stick brand here, and its 4.6/5 rating across 813 reviews suggests strong satisfaction among buyers who are likely using it on PS5 and other supported platforms. That said, the MAYFLASH F300 is no slouch: its 4.5/5 rating from a much larger 6,672-review sample shows it performs reliably enough for a very broad audience. The key difference is that the Hori is the more purpose-built, likely more responsive-feeling choice for modern console fighting game players, while the MAYFLASH prioritizes compatibility over refinement. Winner: Hori PS5 Fighting Stick.

Build quality and design

This is where the Hori pulls ahead again. At £184.75, you are paying for a more premium build, and Hori has a strong reputation for making sticks that feel sturdier and more “arcade-authentic” in hand. The MAYFLASH F300 is widely respected for the price, but its lower cost usually means a more basic shell and a less premium overall feel. If you want a stick that feels like a serious long-term centerpiece on a desk or lap, the Hori is the better-designed product. Winner: Hori PS5 Fighting Stick.

Battery life

Neither product is a battery-powered wireless controller, so battery life is not a meaningful decision factor here. Both are wired-style arcade fight sticks, which is actually a plus for competitive play because it avoids charging concerns and wireless latency. Winner: tie.

Price and value for money

The MAYFLASH F300 wins this category decisively. At £59.99, it is £124.76 cheaper than the Hori PS5 Fighting Stick, and that price gap is enormous. The F300’s 4.5/5 rating from 6,672 reviews is especially impressive because it shows that thousands of buyers think it delivers solid performance and versatility for the money. If your goal is to get into arcade sticks without spending nearly £200, the MAYFLASH is the smarter purchase by a wide margin. Winner: MAYFLASH F300.

Game library/features

The MAYFLASH F300 is the clear winner on compatibility and feature breadth. Its product title explicitly lists Switch/Switch 2, PS4, PS3, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Xbox 360, macOS, Windows, Steam Deck and more, which makes it one of the most flexible fight sticks in this price range. That matters a lot if you play on multiple systems, use a PC, or want a single stick that can travel between consoles. The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is more focused on the PS5 ecosystem, which is fine if that is all you need, but it is simply less versatile. Winner: MAYFLASH F300.

Overall user experience

The overall experience depends on what kind of buyer you are. The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is the better premium experience: it should feel more refined, more durable, and more satisfying for players who mainly use PS5 and want a higher-end stick. The MAYFLASH F300, however, offers the better day-to-day ownership experience for most people because it works across so many platforms and costs so much less. Its enormous review count also suggests a proven, low-risk purchase for beginners and multi-platform gamers. If you want the best “buy once and use everywhere” option, the F300 is the more practical choice. If you want the best-feeling PS5-focused stick and do not mind paying extra, the Hori delivers the nicer experience. Winner: MAYFLASH F300 for most buyers, Hori for PS5-only enthusiasts.

Overall summary: The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is the better premium controller, with stronger build expectations and a more specialized feel. But the MAYFLASH F300 is the better overall buy for most shoppers because it is far cheaper, supports far more platforms, and still has excellent user feedback. Unless you specifically want a higher-end PS5-first stick, the MAYFLASH F300 is the one to buy.