Best multi-platform fight stick? MAYFLASH F500 Elite vs Hori PS5

Display

These are arcade sticks, so there is no display or screen quality to compare. On that basis, this category is effectively a tie. If you were expecting onboard screens, RGB panels, or any visual interface beyond standard controls, neither product offers that. The real decision lies in compatibility, responsiveness, and build quality.

Performance

Winner: Hori PS5 Fighting Stick

The Hori has the edge in overall performance because it is purpose-built for PS5 fighting game use, which usually means tighter integration, lower risk of compatibility quirks, and a more refined plug-and-play experience on Sony hardware. Its 4.6/5 rating from 815 reviews suggests consistently strong user satisfaction. The MAYFLASH F500 Elite is no slouch, especially with Sanwa buttons and joystick, but its 4.4/5 rating from 1,604 reviews indicates slightly more mixed experiences. If your priority is the most seamless competitive play on PS5, Hori is the safer performance pick.

Build quality and design

Winner: Hori PS5 Fighting Stick

MAYFLASH deserves credit here because the F500 Elite includes Sanwa buttons and joystick, which are widely respected in the fighting game community for responsiveness and reliability. That said, Hori’s higher price is reflected in a more premium overall package and a design tuned specifically for PS5 users. The stronger review score also points to a better long-term ownership experience. MAYFLASH feels like the better mod-friendly value stick, but Hori wins on fit, finish, and confidence out of the box.

Battery life

Winner: Tie

Neither product is presented as a wireless, battery-powered arcade stick, so battery life is not a meaningful differentiator here. Both are best understood as wired controllers for consistent latency and competitive use. If wireless operation matters to you, neither should be your first choice.

Price and value for money

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

This is the clearest win in the comparison. The MAYFLASH costs £128.95, while the Hori PS5 Fighting Stick costs £190.69, a difference of £61.74. For that lower price, you get Sanwa buttons and joystick plus far broader platform support: Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PS4, PS3, Switch/Switch 2, Android, Windows, macOS, and more. That combination makes the MAYFLASH the stronger value by a wide margin, especially for players who use more than one system or want maximum flexibility.

Game library/features

Winner: MAYFLASH F500 Elite

Again, this is where MAYFLASH separates itself. The F500 Elite’s platform list is dramatically broader, covering Xbox, PlayStation generations, Switch/Switch 2, Android, Windows, macOS, and more. That means it can serve as a single stick for fighting games across multiple ecosystems, which is a major advantage for households with several devices or players who travel between platforms. The Hori PS5 Fighting Stick is likely the better choice if your library is mostly on PS5, but it simply cannot match the MAYFLASH’s cross-platform versatility.

Overall user experience

Winner: Hori PS5 Fighting Stick

The Hori delivers the more polished premium experience, and that matters when you’re spending nearly £191. Its higher rating, Sony-centric design philosophy, and likely smoother PS5 integration make it the easier recommendation for someone who wants a straightforward, high-confidence purchase for modern PlayStation play. The MAYFLASH is more versatile and much cheaper, but the Hori feels like the more refined product for a buyer who knows they want a PS5-first stick. In day-to-day use, that simplicity can outweigh the extra cost for the right person.

Overall summary

The MAYFLASH F500 Elite is the better value and the better multi-platform stick by a clear margin, especially because it includes Sanwa parts and supports far more systems for £61.74 less. However, the Hori PS5 Fighting Stick wins on premium feel, review score, and PS5-focused user experience. If you need one stick for many platforms, buy the MAYFLASH. If you want the best choice specifically for PS5 and are happy to pay more for a more polished experience, buy the Hori.