Turtle Beach Afterglow Wave Wired RGB Controller for $18.29

The Afterglow Wave drops to under $20, making it one of the cheapest new wired RGB controllers around. Here's whether it's worth picking up as a backup or starter option.

What you're actually getting at this price

The Afterglow Wave is a wired RGB gaming controller — the kind with light-up accents that cycle through colors while you play. At $18.29, you're in genuine impulse-buy territory for a brand-new controller. Wired means zero latency from wireless signal and no batteries to swap or charge, which is a real advantage for some setups. The Turtle Beach Afterglow branding puts it in recognizable territory without being a no-name drop from an unfamiliar seller, which matters when you're buying at this price floor.

Good fit for a backup, honest pass for a main

This makes the most sense as a second controller for couch co-op, a dedicated PC gaming spare, or a first controller for someone just getting into gaming who doesn't want to spend $70 upfront. The limitation worth knowing: wired-only means you're tethered to your console or PC, so if you're across the room from your setup, that cord length will matter. Budget controllers at this price also typically reflect the cost in build materials — don't expect the feel of a premium pad. But for occasional use or a guest controller, $18 is hard to argue with.