PS5 gamers finally have a high-end PlayStation controller to hand. Is Sony catching up with the DualSense Edge?
The PS5 has been on the market for two years now, and Sony’s console has managed to rack up more than 30 million sales worldwide. It took us all this time to find ourselves the DualSense Edge, an improved version of the famous PlayStation controller which has already caused a sensation since its release. Making the almost perfect even more perfect is the challenge of this new accessory that we were able to test for a few days.
At the heart of an already well exploited market, Sony still has a card to play to stand out: its PlayStation stamp, directly linked to its identity and the quality of its products. Did the pro controller wow us or is it still an expensive paid gadget? The answer in this review of the DualSense Edge.
@journaldugeek We received the DualSense Edge! #dualsenseedge #dualsense #ps5 #playstation #gaming #video games #ps5 controller #journaldugeek
Design
From the outset, the DualSense Edge scores points. The pro controller is not delivered alone, but with a protective case and accessories. This is an effort that we appreciate, especially since the box is particularly pretty. Made of hard plastic, it sports the proud white color of the classic PS5 and opens with a zipper. Inside, we find the famous DualSense which does not disorient us so much in terms of its design.
We find the same majority colors, black and white, although a few details make all the difference. The action buttons as well as the arrows are blackened, and this is also the case for the touchpad, which has a slightly raised pattern that adds to the charm of the controller. The black part that surrounds the joysticks at the front also swaps its matte coating for a more glossy effect that is not convincing.
If everything else appeals to us, this change of material tends to mark more fingerprints with use and is more complicated to polish. For a controller intended for experienced players who proceed to long gaming sessions, this is a damaging point. Just below, we see the presence of two Fn buttons. Finally, at the back, there are also some new features with two notched wheels for the triggers as well as two locations to place paddles / buttons (supplied with the rest).
Ergonomics
At the level of the grip, a detail saddens us. The DualSense seems heavy, and it is indeed the case since it takes almost 50 g on the scale compared to a classic model. An inevitable thing for a pro controller as the components and options are added. It is nevertheless good to remember that the classic DualSense weighs 280g, against 300g for the Scuf Reflex and 328g for the DualSense Edge. If the feeling of heaviness allows you a better anchorage, players often prone to tendonitis should refrain from investing in this model at the risk of having problems. For others, this small weight gain should not affect your feelings too much.
One thing that might disturb you, however, is its tendency to express itself through “mechanical” noises. The DualSense Edge is not a silent controller and occasionally, quite frequently, makes small clicking noises. This happens when the lighting around the touchpad turns off and on again, or when you press any button. They are never loud noises, so it shouldn’t be disturbing, but it is still an aspect to take into account.
Finally, Sony has a thought for players who are never in tune with recharging and offers you a very useful, although anecdotal, accessory. Supplied with the rest, the connector housing allows you to integrate your charging cable, also included, and lock it to your controller to prevent it from disconnecting at the slightest sudden movement. A nice attention that is also confirmed on the case with an openable compartment to pass your cable and power your controller directly in its bed.
Performance
Sony therefore adds a panoply of buttons – all in all classic – to its original controller, but for what purpose? The two buttons located under the joysticks will not be used in game, they are in fact shortcuts for changing profiles, so you will need them once you have finished configuring your DualSense Edge. It all happens right in the PS5 settings, so you don’t need to download third-party software to take full control of your accessory.
All buttons can be reassigned as you see fit, and up to 4 profiles can be saved. The personalization experience goes even further with the rear controls. Two slots allow you to place buttons or paddles, very simply thanks to a magnetic system. This addition is particularly appreciable, Sony aims just without overdoing it. In addition, the material quality of the accessories provided reassures us as to their longevity.
In-game, paddles allow you to perform actions faster by reassigning the commands you want. Two for PlayStation while its competitors generally offer four, it’s a bias that does not bother us that much but which could slow down some, more picky. Nevertheless, the ease of installation and the robustness of the whole, as well as the very natural location of the holes and the choice in the buttons are enough to convince us.
The classic DualSense is known, and acclaimed, for its adaptive triggers. However, these can be an obstacle in certain games that require speed and precision. To overcome this problem, Sony incorporates notched wheels to adjust the travel of the triggers, ranging from standard to short, passing through an intermediate level. For shooting games, the benefit is undeniable. The simple fact of being able to change this aspect in real time on a controller is already a great first for the console. However, we would have liked more effort for the level of the shortest race, which is not yet reactive enough in our opinion to be really competitive.
We end with the joysticks, also subject to several changes. First of all, you should know that the joystick blocks are interchangeable in their entirety and this thanks to only a button and a lever. If you just want to change the caps, you just have to dislodge the old ones by pulling on them, and replace them with one of the heads provided… which we really regret.
Four caps are in the box, but are unfortunately far too similar to be of much use. With a curved and short pair, and another curved and long pair, it is difficult to find our balance knowing that all are extremely slippery. Some players will surely find their account there, but for us it is one of the biggest black points of the DualSense Edge. It’s a shame knowing that the simplicity of replacement is largely proven.
In the settings, you will also find a tab to adjust the dead zone of the joysticks and their sensitivity pattern. You can define a profile according to the type of game you use, which is very effective in theory and in practice. All these changes have a cost, and it is on the battery that it is reflected. Already famous for its weak autonomy, the DualSense Edge takes a little hit and will surely not last you more than 5 to 7 hours. Battery usage can vary depending on usage, but this average recurred in our test.
Does the DualSense Edge measure up?
As you will have understood, the DualSense Edge has almost everything to please, especially in terms of its ergonomics and quality. However, its price is talked about, and rightly so since the pro controller is displayed at a price of €239.99, almost half the original price of the PS5, and €170 more than the classic DualSense. It is therefore a purchase that represents a hell of an investment, which does not lack advantages over the competition, but which has a hell of a hard time showing off.
As a historical competitor, Microsoft also offers its own version of a professional controller. The Xbox Series Elite 2 controller is similar in every way to the DualSense Edge, except that it has more customization options for a price starting at €149.99. Also sold with its case and accessories, it incorporates several models of joysticks (convex and concave), a pair of additional paddles and has better ergonomics, especially in terms of the triggers and non-slip surfaces.
It also has the huge advantage of being customizable from head to toe for only €199.99, which PlayStation does not offer. The DualSense Edge is therefore undeniably a good controller, but struggles to cope in the professional environment and is still wrong about its value for money. Compared to the Scuf Reflex, it has the advantage of being designed in durable materials, and of having more accessories to eat, but struggles to compete once again in terms of the physical customization of the product. .
Unlike the gifts we give to loved ones, Sony can’t tell itself that it’s the intention that counts with so much competition on the market. The brand had the opportunity to bring its mark with an elegant and qualitative controller, but which unfortunately misses the mark in terms of relevance for players.
