Sony DualSense Edge Review: A well-built Pro controller with a few flaws

DualSense Edge is Sony’s answer to the lack of a first-party professional controller for the PlayStation 5. Professional controllers from companies like Scuff, Aim Controllers and Battle Beaver have long been the only options for hobbyists. They offer fair value, but the reliability of a first-party product is second to none in this regard.

I tested the DualSense Edge extensively over the past month – trying to evaluate the experience from different perspectives and needs. The average consumer is very satisfied with their purchase. It’s almost a blind buy that does almost everything right. But still, if you’re picky about controls, you might want to take a closer look at this review.

First, it is a heavy investment at Rs 18,990. But it feels justified as soon as you unbox it and put your hands on the controller. The carrier bag is top class and feels very premium. It holds all the included accessories very well, and also has a handy velcro-based flap that lets you charge the controller while it’s in the case.

Quality and ergonomics

The controller is well built and feels very solid in your hands. The shape and ergonomics are actually a bit different than the vanilla DualSense. At first I didn’t like the feel of the controller; it was almost hard to hold. But after a long gaming session, I can safely say that it is one of the most ergonomic controllers on the market, at least for larger hands like mine. I suspect that for smaller hands it may be a strain to hold due to the steep and elongated handle.

Analog sticks

Analog sticks are the components that either make or break a controller. Quite literally, a faulty analog stick will break the controller and render it useless. The biggest problem with analog sticks is commonly known as drift. Drift is an effect seen when a game character starts moving on its own or when the camera keeps changing without any real input. It’s a widespread problem in the controller market – almost everyone experiences controller drift at some point. It’s not a question of if, but when.

For the longest time, analog sticks have relied on a physical component called a Potentiometer. Potentiometer-based analog sticks work based on the mechanical movement of components. This potentiometer will eventually wear out and begin to register inaccurate inputs. The only correct solution for drifting on the market is the use of Magnetic Hall Effect sensors. These are still quite rare, but are becoming more and more popular in the Switch Pro controller market.

While Sony didn’t offer a one-stop solution by supplying these hall-effect sensors for joysticks, they did somehow address the stick drift problem in their own way. DualSense Edge offers removable stick modules that can be easily replaced with new ones. These modules retail for $20 each and allow the buyer to not replace the controller directly while drifting continues. I think this is a welcome feature, but Sony doesn’t sell these modules everywhere.

The sticks themselves are well calibrated out of the box and are very smooth. I played Apex Legends and immediately noticed the sophistication of the analog sticks. However, the average player will enjoy playing these. But if you’re into competitive gaming and want to fine-tune your experience, the Xbox Elite controller might be a better option. It offers you the possibility to change the tension of the rod, which is really appreciated by the hobbyist. The Elite also has a better variant with included stick tops. The high bars of the Edge are simply inferior to what the Elite offers.

Paddles

The paddles or buttons on the back are the main defining features of a professional controller, but they also introduce a learning curve. Many people complain of discomfort because they cannot rest their hands properly. Sony solved this problem quite easily. The DualSense Edge has two options for rear paddles – standard lever-based paddles and a half-dome option that fits well without interfering with your natural grip. I tested the half dome paddles and they were actually quite comfortable. They can be used to slowly transition to using the rear paddles without affecting gameplay.

Back paddles are quite useful in almost all game types. I played Apex Legends and God of War Ragnarok. In God of War Ragnarok, I could spin around while always keeping my camera on enemies. This made the game much smoother and more enjoyable.

The included Fn buttons make it effortless to switch between different back button profiles, eliminating the hassle of constantly connecting buttons.

Triggers

Sony took a balanced approach to its DualSense Edge triggers. They included vanilla DualSense adaptive triggers that make their professional controllers appealing to even casual gamers. The best part is that you even have adjustable triggers. While we do get launch stops, the shortest distance is nowhere near comparable to other options on the market. PS5 controllers for Scuf, Aim, BattleBeaver and even Xbox Elite work much better. But I’d be happy to trade the slightly longer trigger distance for adaptive triggers.

Battery life

The biggest downside to the DualSense Edge is undoubtedly its battery life. Even compared to the vanilla DualSense, which costs about a third of the price, the DualSense Edge falls short in terms of battery life. For gamers who primarily use a wired connection, this might not be a significant issue, but if you plan to play wirelessly – expect the controller to only last four to four and a half hours, compared to the five to six hours I could get. from my two year old DualSense release. I sincerely hope Sony addresses this issue in the next iteration.

Verdict: No Brainer for PS5 owners

The DualSense Edge is an expensive but well-built controller that offers excellent ergonomics and a solution to analog stick drift with its detachable stick modules. It has comfortable-to-use rear paddles that can be easily adjusted with the included Fn buttons. However, its trigger stops aren’t as good as other pro controllers on the market, and its battery life is poor. While it may not be the best option for competitive gamers, the average gamer who wants a different experience with their controller will be happy with their purchase.

Read all the Latest Tech News here.