Hall Effect vs. TMR Thumbsticks: What’s the difference?

James Dela Cruz / Sunday, April 16, 2025

What are Hall Effect Thumbsticks?

This fundamental difference eliminates the #1 cause of drift: mechanical wear. Over time, potentiometers degrade due to constant contact and resistance, especially in high-intensity gaming. Hall Effect sticks remove that wear point entirely, resulting in a longer-lasting, smoother, and more stable experience

Every time you move a hall stick, you’re triggering a magnetic response –– not grinding a part. That means:

• No sensor degradation
• No internal grinding or scratching
• No physical wear introducing variance over time

At HYPR, we’ve made Hall Effect our standard for a reason. It doesn’t just sound good on paper –– it performance in real-world use. Whether you’re running competitive matches, logging hundres of controller hours on stream, or just want a controller that holds up over time, Hall sticks are a game-changer

Why we included Hall Effect in our controllers

• Eliminates analog drift common in stock dualsense, dualshock, and xbox controllers
• Lasts significantly longer under daily wear
• Smoother movement and analog feel
• Better aim stability aided by tighter recentering tolerances
• Peace of mind knowing your controller is built to last

For most players, Hall Effect is the smart upgrade — especially if you’ve already dealt with stick drift before. It’s an easy win that boosts both performance and durability.

Hall Effect thumbsticks use magnetic sensors to detect movement instead of relying on physical contact like traditional potentiometer sticks. That means there’s no internal friction — and no parts grinding against each other over time. Hall Effect sticks measure voltage changes caused by a magnet moving nearer or further a sensor with zero direct friction.

What are TMR Thumbsticks (Tunnel Magnetoresistance)?

TMR Stands for Tunnel Magnetoresistance –– a next-generation magnetic sensor technology used in elite gaming controllers. Like hall effect, it uses magnets instead of mechanical contact, to determine the position of the joystick in any given movements along the range. This also eliminates friction and sensor wear. But where TMR goes further is sensor sensitivity, speed, and raw accuracy.

The Difference

Unlike Hall Effect sensors, which measures the distance between a magnet and a sensor and then converts that into a signal readable by the game, TMR sensors work by detecting variations in magnetic resistance as the entire magnetic field shifts. This gives them more accurate resolution, especially for small, rapid changes in direction or subtle movements.

Think of it this way. Hall effect is like a ruler, measuring how far a magnet moves and translating that distance into a signal readable by the game. TMR Sensors behave more like a radar. They sense subtle shifts in the magnetic field itself, picking up the slightest flicker of movement.

Instead of tracking how far, TMR senses the changes in the field when the thumbstick is pushed in any direction — making it perfect for twitch-based gameplay. There’s no guesswork — when you push the stick to a specific position, TMR sensors will register that same coordinate with pinpoint accuracy every time. That consistency makes it easier to build true muscle memory, because you can trust that your input will match your intent — more reliably than with Hall Effect sticks.

Hall Effect vs. TMR – What’s the Difference?

Both are contactless, anti-drift technologies — but when you’re chasing precision, every sensor matters. Here’s how Hall stacks up against TMR.

Feature	Hall Effect	TMR
Sensor Type	Magnet distance → voltage	Magnetic resistance field sensing
Drift Resistance	✅ Zero contact = no wear	✅ Even higher long-term stability
Input Precision	Accurate + fluid analog input	Sharper resolution + low deadzone noise
Ideal For	All-around, casual to ranked play	FPS, esports, aim training
Sensor Response	Smooth & consistent	Ultra-fast snap detection
Upgrade Cost	Included in all HYPR HE models	Optional premium upgrade

Which one should you choose?

Both Hall Effect and TMR sensors eliminate drift and offer massive improvements over stock analog sticks –– but the right choice depends on how you play.

If you’re looking for smooth, responsive thumbsticks that hold calibration and last longer than anything you’ve used before, Hall Effect is the perfect default. Every HYPR HE controller includes Hall Sensors already tested and calibrated for consistency and comfort.

But if you’re the kind of player who wants the consistency, accuracy, and the ultimate competitive edge, then TMR is worth the upgrade.

Whether you choose Hall or TMR, you’re investing in precision that outperforms standards alps stock sticks in every way. No more drift. No more guessing. Just reliable, calibrated control.