What joystick to buy for a TV Xiaomi Mi: a complete guide

Turning a modern Smart TV into a full-fledged gaming station is one of the most popular tasks for Xiaomi TV owners. Built-in remotes are often not enough for a comfortable passage of shooters or races, and touch control on a smartphone does not give a full immersion in the process.

Choosing a gamepad for the Android TV platform, on which all Xiaomi Mi TVs are based, requires understanding the compatibility of communication protocols and ergonomics. The market is crowded with offers from budget Chinese brands to professional controllers, and it is very easy to get confused in them.

In this article, we’ll break down the technical nuances of connectivity, look at the best models for different use cases, and help you decide which joystick to buy to play fun without delays and driver issues.

Criteria for choosing a controller for Android TV

The first thing to look for when choosing a device for Xiaomi Mi TV, — It's a type of connection. Most TVs today support standard protocol. HID (Human Interface Device, which allows you to connect gamepads like normal ones USB-devices or via Bluetooth.

However, not all controllers are equally friendly to the TV operating system. Some budget models may require additional drivers to be installed. TV-It is extremely difficult or impossible to do boxes without root rights, so priority should be given to devices with native support for Android.

The second important aspect is the presence of a gyroscope and an accelerator. For menu navigation and some specific games, these functions can be critical, although for classic gaming, the quality of analog sticks and triggers is more important. The vibrating also plays a role in creating an atmosphere, but it consumes a lot of battery power in wireless models.

⚠️ Warning: When buying cheap Chinese gamepads with AliExpress, be sure to check for the labeling "For Android" TV" Models that are only sharpened for iOS or PC can be defined by the TV as a keyboard, making the game impossible.

• 🎮 Communication Protocol: XInput (Xbox standard) runs on Android TV DirectInput may require emulation.
• 🔋 Autonomy: Battery type critical for wireless models; built-in Li-Ion better than replacement batteries AA.
• 📶 Delayed input: For dynamic games (shooters, fighting games) Bluetooth delay should be minimal, it is better to use USB-adapter.

It's also important to consider the material and build quality, because cheap plastic creaks over time, and rubber sticks wear off, and for a TV that's often used by the whole family, the longevity of the buttons and their tactile return are important.

Top best gamepads for Xiaomi Mi TV

Analyzing the market and user feedback, we can highlight several leaders who are guaranteed to work with the Xiaomi ecosystem. These models have been tested by time and have stable drivers in the Android core.

The undisputed leader is the original Xbox Wireless Controller (models from Xbox One S and newer, including Series X/S).This is the “gold standard” for Android TV. Xiaomi TVs see it instantly, all buttons work correctly, and ergonomics are considered the industry benchmark.

For those looking for a more budget-friendly but quality solution, take a look at the 8BitDo brand. The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth or Pro 2 model offers great build, programmable buttons on the back and the ability to switch modes of operation.

The third option is specialized TV-boxes and gamepad remotes, such as GameSir. G7 SE or T4 Pros are often recommended for Android consoles, and they are compact and often come with smartphone mounts, allowing you to use the phone as a second screen or streaming device.

When choosing between a wired and wireless option for a Xiaomi Mi TV, consider the distance to the sofa. 2-3 In the meter, Bluetooth can give a subtle but noticeable delay in competitive games. USB-adaptor.

Use in emulators and cloud gaming

Owners of Xiaomi Mi Box and Android TVs often use them as retro consoles. To run emulators (RetroArch, PPSSPP, Dolphin) it is critical to have the right button map. Not all joysticks have pre-installed profiles for these applications.

Special attention should be paid to support for analogue triggers (L2/R2). In PlayStation 1, PSP and Nintendo 64 emulators, these buttons are used often. Cheap gamepads may not have analogue pressure on the triggers, defining them as ordinary digital buttons, which breaks the mechanics of some games, for example, smoothly pressing gas in racing.

For cloud gaming (GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming via browser), the requirements are even higher, not only compatibility, but also connection stability. Any Bluetooth microfreezes can spoil the experience. In this segment, gamepads that support 1000 Hz polling frequency via a wireless network can be used to create a new experience. USB-Adapters give a significant advantage over pure Bluetooth.

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For emulators, use the Button Mapper app or the built-in RetroArch settings to reassign buttons if the joystick is not correctly identified, especially for models that don’t have native Android support.

Also worth mentioning is support for Google Stadia (although the service is closed, the controllers are still there) and Nvidia Shield. Nvidia Shield TV gamepads work well on Xiaomi TVs, as they use a similar Android platform.

Wireless or Wireless Connection: What to Choose

The choice between cable and radio for Xiaomi TV has its nuances: wireless technology has come a long way, and modern standards Bluetooth 5.0+ provide signal transmission with minimal latency.

But wireless connectivity has a perpetual enemy, a dead battery, and when the gamepad goes off in the middle of a game, it's familiar to many, and a Bluetooth channel can be overloaded if you have wireless headphones, a mouse or a keyboard nearby, causing you to jerk the image.

Wired connection through USB It's a lag-free, it doesn't require charging, but it's a problem with the length of the cable. USB-The cable is about 2 meters long, which may not be enough for a comfortable game on the couch. USB-hub.

• 🔌 USB: 100% stable, no delays, but restricts traffic and takes up port on TV.
• 📡 Bluetooth: Full freedom of movement, clean in the interior, but requires recharging and is subject to interference.
• 📶 USB-Adapter (2.4 GHz): Midway stabler than Bluetooth, doesn't take up a port on the TV itself (the whistle can be hidden), but you need your own port for the whistle.

If you plan to play in a company with multiple gamepads, then a combination of one wired (for a host) and multiple Bluetooth controllers will be optimal. Xiaomi TVs usually support connecting up to 4 input devices at a time.

Customization and calibration of the joystick on Xiaomi TV

Once you have purchased the device, it needs to be connected correctly. The process is usually simple, but has its own peculiarities depending on the model of the Xiaomi Mi TV. First turn on the TV and go to the settings menu.

For Bluetooth gamepads, go to Settings → Controllers & Accessories → Add Accessory. On the gamepad itself, you need to pinch the button combination to go into pairing mode (often Home + X or a separate Pair button). When the device appears on the list on the screen, select it.

The path to the checkout menu:


Settings → Device Preferences → Remotes & Accessories → Pair accessory

Once connected, you can check all the buttons, use the built-in input tester or download the Gamepad Tester app from the Google Play Store on your TV to help identify stick dead zones or sticky buttons before you start playing.

⚠️ Warning: If the cursor on the screen moves chaotically after connecting or presses buttons on its own, try turning off the "Absolute Coordinates" option in Bluetooth settings (if available) or switching the gamepad to mode. D-Input/X-Input button-to-button.

For wired gamepads, it is enough to simply insert USB-If the ports on the back of the TV are small and busy, and there are no ports in the front, you may need to USB-externally powered hub to avoid shortage of current for vibration.

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Calibration of sticks through third-party applications (e.g., "USB/BT JoyCenter") can significantly improve control accuracy in games that do not have their own sensitivity settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

In conclusion, we will answer the most popular questions that users have when choosing the peripherals for Xiaomi Mi TV.