• Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Perspectives on all eras of videogames, computers, technology, and pop culture since 2003

Login

Login
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
Armchair ArcadeArmchair Arcade
  • Home
  • Our Books
  • Our Film
  • Games
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Login

HC Gamerlife Xbox One Thumbstick Grip Upgrades Review

The HC Gamerlife Xbox One Thumbstick Grip packaging is consistent across all models.
The HC Gamerlife Xbox One Thumbstick Grip packaging is consistent across all models.

HC Gamerlife Xbox One Thumbstick Grip Upgrades Review

May 13, 2015 Posted by Bill Loguidice Review No Comments

Update: Scroll to the bottom of this blog post to enter the contest to win your own!

Whether the analog thumbsticks on your Microsoft Xbox One controller are worn, or you’re just looking for a different feel, Hardcore (HC) GamerLife offers a choice of four different pairs of silicone grips that just might be the solution you probably didn’t even know was available. No matter what grip selection you make, they all slip on easily over one or both of the analog sticks.

The HC Gamerlife Xbox One Thumbstick Grip packaging is consistent across all models.

The HC Gamerlife Xbox One Thumbstick Grip packaging is consistent across all models.

The four grip types, which I’ll explain in more detail below, are:

  • Gripmax Close Combat
  • Gripmax Sniper Combat
  • No Sweat Close Combat
  • No Sweat Sniper Combat

 

Gripmax Close Combat

These grips are said to be tuned for games where quick snap aiming and fast reaction times are needed. Examples cited include: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Madden NFL 15, and Dragon Age: Inquisition. The design is concave (curves inward) with four precision texture points (raised dots).

The Gripmax Close Combat.

The Gripmax Close Combat.

Gripmax Sniper Combat

These grips are taller and are said to increase sensitivity and accuracy. Example games cited include: Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Sniper Elite III, and Forza Motorsport 5. The design is concave (curves inward) with four precision texture points (raised dots).

The Gripmax Sniper Combat.

The Gripmax Sniper Combat.

No Sweat Close Combat

Like the regular model of Close Combat, these are meant for games that favor snap aiming and quick reactions. The design is convex (curves outward) with many texture points (raised dots), which are meant to prevent sweaty thumbs from creating a slick surface.

The No Sweat Close Combat.

The No Sweat Close Combat.

No Sweat Sniper Combat

Like the regular model of Sniper Combat, these taller grips are meant for games that need increased sensitivity and accuracy. Like the other No Sweat model, the design is convex (curves outward) with many texture points (raised dots).

The No Sweat Sniper Combat.

The No Sweat Sniper Combat.

Each grip is priced on Amazon from $12.99 – $13.99.

If you buy more than one model, mixing and matching then becomes an interesting option.

If you buy more than one model, mixing and matching then becomes an interesting option.

So what do I think? These all more or less do exactly what they say they do. However, controller feel is intensely personal, so some will find that one or more of these pairs of grips will help their game(s), while others will simply find them a hindrance. If you think you may be in the former group, these are definitely worth a try, with quality construction and design, as well as reasonable pricing. I know I’ll be strategically working the use of these into my own game library, because with my elder statesman status, i.e., 40+, I can use all the gaming help I can get. In fact, I’ll probably even experiment with mixing and matching the grips.

Thanks to HC GamerLife for the review units.

Want to win one? Enter this contest:

Related

Tags: gripmaxhc gamerlifeMicrosoftno sweatXboxXbox Onexboxnegrips
No Comments
Share

About Bill Loguidice

Bill Loguidice is a Founder and Managing Director for Armchair Arcade, as well as a critically acclaimed technology author and journalist.  He is also the co-founder of creative services firm, Armchair Creative Services, and a noted videogame and computer historian and subject matter expert. See full bio

You also might be interested in

The new Legend of Zelda is coming to both Wii U and NX
The new Legend of Zelda is coming to both Wii U and NX

Editorial: Is the Nintendo NX already doomed?

Jun 21, 2016

In an already infamous “it’s not about the specs” type[...]

Microsoft Xbox Series X Diablo IV bundle
Microsoft Xbox Series X Diablo IV bundle

New low price for seamless Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X and S

May 2, 2023

There's a new low price for the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series S and X.

Surface Pro 4 Type Cover
Surface Pro 4 Type Cover

First Impressions of the Surface Pro 4 Type Cover and Pen Upgrades for Surface Pro 3

Oct 26, 2015

Although tempted, I resisted the urge to upgrade from a[...]

Leave a CommentCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

  • Up to 74% off 2025 ACEMAGIC laptops! $349.99 or less!
  • Digitale ontspanning trends onder Nederlanders tijdens werkpauzes
  • Decode Casino: Where Crypto Meets Class for Aussie Players
  • Kingdom Casino — A Realm of Riches for the Brave and the Bold
  • Powerful ACEMAGIC ACEMAGICIAN Matrix Mini 1 Gaming PCs on sale, starting at just $309!
  • What are the most popular UK online casino games?
  • Evercade announces Rare Collection 1 cartridge, plus updated game list!
  • Top Video Game-Based Slots: Pixels Turning into Huge Jackpots
  • Loot Table Showdown: Finnish vs. U.S. iGaming – Drop Rates, Taxes & Cash‑Out Speeds Explained
  • High Scores, Higher Payouts: Finland’s Tax‑Free Slots vs. U.S. and Other Nordic Countries

Recent Comments

  • Sharon Hill on Never before seen Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant WWF photos from 1981!
  • leads dubai on Should You Be Focusing More On Local Marketing?
  • Aiodensghost on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • keyboredom on Quick guide on how to play on the Internet Arcade
  • Bill Loguidice on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • Melanie Levenstein on Official Game List for My Arcade Atari Gamestation Pro
  • George on How to Predict CS:GO/CS2 Skins Prices?
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Derek on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!
  • Bill Loguidice on Retro Games Ltd to release The Spectrum, fully working ZX Spectrum, and here’s the game list!

Archives

Categories

Explore

android (46) apple (37) ar (38) Arcade (169) Atari (76) atgames (173) augmented reality (33) book (99) books (98) casino (551) esports (47) firmware (43) Flashback (45) gambling (575) Gaming (41) home arcade (115) htc vive (42) humble bundle (282) humble store (67) ios (37) led (35) legends (40) legends arcade family (46) legends pinball (39) legends ultimate (71) Microsoft (40) Nintendo (72) pc gamer (67) pc gaming (53) pinball (43) playstation (55) PS4 (36) retro (34) Sega (38) slots (91) sony (51) steam (145) switch (34) technology (36) update (42) virtual pinball (36) virtual reality (117) vive (34) viveport (42) vr (122)

Affiliates

+ Amazon

The everything store

+ ACEMAGIC

Amazing PC, mini PC, and laptop deals

+ Humble Bundle

Game deals, including name your price bundles

+ Playasia (Play-Asia.com)

Import games and collectibles

+ DJI Store

Amazing drones and related technology

+ Razer

Amazing PC gamer products!

fullSTEAMahead365 Your total news and information resource for all things Science, Technology, Engineering / Mathematics, Art, and Medicine / Health.

Human Advancement Never Stops.

Key Site Statistics

Posts published: 2,642
Latest publish date: August 8, 2025 @ 10:04 am
Registered user count: 99,026

Contact Us

If you have a question, would like to provide feedback, or otherwise wish to get in touch with us, use this form.

Send Message

Blog Posts by Date

May 2015
M T W T F S S
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Apr   Jun »

Social Media and RSS

Support Armchair Arcade

All editorial content © 2003 - 2025 Armchair Arcade, Inc., an Armchair Creative Services, LLC, property. All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated. All trademarks and copyrights are retained by their respective owners. No content is to be removed or reused from the Armchair Arcade Website for commercial purposes without explicit permission from the principal Armchair Arcade staff, or the original trademark or copyright holders. Armchair Arcade, Inc., is not responsible for the content of any external sources or links. Further, endorsement of any external sources or links is neither implied nor suggested.

We thank you for your support and encourage you to contact us for any reason, including, but not limited to, questions, concerns, business endeavors, or praise. Especially praise.

Armchair Creative Services, LLC, may earn compensation for sales from links on posts through affiliate and other programs. Editorial rigor and objectivity standards are strictly adhered to and any compensation has no effect on coverage or opinions.

Prev Next