The 8 Best Arcade Button Encoders (2023 reviews)

We are personally inclined towards eg starts arcade button encoder, it is not so pricy, but it overachieves its purpose and outstanding in important aspects. This set of encoders requires to use 5pin joystick and 2.8 mm ( 0.11 in) size terminal push buttons. It is perfect fit for a sanwa type push button and 5pin joystick. It can adjust the size for the encoder board just 8.5 cm x 3.5 cm x 1 cm. It is simple to add buttons and configure functions with this device. Each one of the slots maps to a Joystick button in Windows and it provides both a 5-pin Sanwa-style Joystick input (and cable) as well as separate inputs for up/down/left/right for those that are.

All of this is saved onto the device and gives you the ability to set 32 individual buttons/inputs meaning that it can easily support 2 players if not more. It is great encoder for making a fight stick. It is not only does it perform better, but it allows you to customize the hardware to send whatever keyboard commands you want including multiple keys, shift+key, etc.

Why We Like This:

Support all 5pin joystick and 2.8mm terminal push button
Support function key turbo and auto mode with led twinkle
Good brand reputation

Best For digital Button based Controllers: Aukuyee Arcade Button Encoder

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The aukuyee arcade button encoder is capable of outshining several other encoder featured in this list in overall features for the price point. These wires are for Happ style microswitch connectors rather than the Sanwa type plugs. It can be used in a virtual pinball machine to map the keys, and works great with joytokey. It connects to the PC as a standard usb gamepad.

It is perfect for digital button based controllers, it works and comes with solderfree wires for connecting to standard joystick electrical terminals. It can be used in a virtual pinball machine to map the keys, which works great with joytokey. The board itself is nice and easy to seller on. The wires to connect the buttons/joysticks should be about 3" longer ideally suited for a standard usb gamepad.

Why We Like This:

Make a diy pc controller of your liking with ease
You can use on/off or momentary toggle switch’s
Good brand reputation

Best For Pubg: EG STARTS Encoder board

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate encoder. The eg starts encoder board is exactly that - it's a simple encoder that hits all the right notes. This is a joystick board. It's designed for just buttons. It provides joystick inputs and also works with micro switches. It is perfect fit for a happ type push button and joystick.

This set of encoders requires to use 2pin joystick and 4.8 mm size terminal push buttons. It will work natively with the windows plug and play drivers and will just show up as a gamepad. It is perfect fit for a virtual pinball build.

Why We Like This:

Came with enough wires to function with buttons
Support function key turbo and auto mode with led twinkle
Plenty of extra spots to add buttons for other stuff too
All joystick and push button types which with 4.8mm terminal

Best For phone: Fosiya Arcade Button Encoder

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The fosiya arcade button encoder should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. If you're unfamiliar or new to the arcade hobby this set up works well. It is a square 8 way professional joystick. Each encoder has its own USB cable to make sure that multiplayer can play the games in the same condition. They work flawlessly and the fact that they light up is a bonus.

The encoder is plug and play no drivers required and does work with retropie. It's supposed to work with Raspberry and Orange pies also. It is great for making your own arcade controller. They work well and there is no lag which is great. It is not the best quality, but easy to install and gets you going with your home arcade system.

Why We Like This:

Very loose and responsive for fighting games
Great value for easy install, questionable quality for arcade gaming
Super easy to install and use for your home arcade or pinball
Response of buttons and joysticks are great

Best With trackball: Hikig Arcade Button Encoder

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The hikig arcade button encoder's high-end materials makes sure that it ages well with use. The joysticks are "digital" joysticks. If you run retropie, during your first startup sequence it'll give you the opportunity to program all the key strokes and buttons and hotkeys. It includes no mounting hardware and also it is easy to use on a retropie setup. It is used to make a four player arcade cabinet.

There are 4 total joysticks and 4 USB encoders, so you can split them as you like. The encoders would need to be hooked to something to light them up. It is a great deal for 4 joysticks and 40 buttons. It's one plug for both LEDs and the button.

Why We Like This:

Very easy to install, just works
Well packaged, short but useful manual, works immediately for windows mame, no drivers needed
Good investment for long term

Best For TV: Sjjx Arcade Button Encoder

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We know from years of feedback from readers, customers and amazon sellers, what most people want in a convenient and appropriate encoder. The sjjx arcade button encoder is exactly that - it's a simple encoder that hits all the right notes. There are lots of other games that double the D-pad and analogue stick (Mario Kart, Ultimate Chicken Horse, Towerfall all worked) but Smash did not work. It works great until you want to exit the game and then you can't exit. An analogue will allow you to move slowly or at any number of angles, whereas this will allow you to go left, right, up, down, and diagonally, and that's it.

This is cool for the encoder for Nintendo switch and PC. It takes a bit of set-up, and every time you switch from one system to the other, it takes some unplugging and plugging, but it works. The default is still D-Pad as of this writing, so a button press is required every boot up to swap it over.

Why We Like This:

Developed for nintendo switch game console
Two circuit boards can be used simultaneously
Suitable for ps3, nintendo switch, raspberry pi, retropie, mame and all windows systems

Best Encoder: Sjjx USB Encoder

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This set of encoders requires a joystick and led arcade buttons with sanwa style style. It can support not only pc but also raspberry pi 1/2/3 with retropie. You can use these encoders set so you can easily diy your own arcade game machine. It is great encoder for making a fight stick.

The encoder comes properly labeled and installation is pretty easy even for a beginner as myself. It can support all the windows system including windows xp, windows 7, windows 10 and ect. This item is support for one player, if you want to build a multiplayer machine, just need to add the quantity for your player.

Why We Like This:

Zero delay usb encoder for pc windows and raspberry pi
Support for joystick with sanwa style and led arcade buttons with 2.8mm terminals
One of the new comers and featured product

Best Feature: Easy To Install: Hikig High Quality Encoder board

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If you often find yourself scrambling for appropriate and satisfactory encoder, hikig high quality encoder board is your end point. It is a great kit for building a controller or arcade stick (or even custom input device) for PC, an emulator cabinet etc. It is used to connect to push buttons of 2.8mm terminal. It also can support most Arcade Emulations, such as MAME, JAMMA & other PC gaming console emulation. It is also a compact encoder.

Why We Like This: