The DualSense Edge is Sony's flagship gamepad for the PS5, designed to take your gaming experience beyond what a standard PlayStation controller offers. The thing is, SCUF, a legendary name in the custom controller space, also delivers high-performance PS5 gamepads, making it tricky to choose which gamepad to buy if you're unsure where to start.
This comparison breaks down the key design, performance, and feature differences between the two, so you can decide which is best for your gaming needs. Although both the DualSense Edge and a SCUF controller can be great, it's important to know the differences to make the best decision for you. So, let’s not waste any more time and dive in to see which comes out on top.
Which SCUF Controllers Compare to the DualSense Edge?
While most PlayStation-compatible SCUF controllers share similarities with the DualSense Edge, one model stands out as a closer rival in terms of features, price, and overall design. Enter the SCUF Reflex.
Similarities - DualSense Edge vs SCUF Reflex:
- Price: At $199.99 (£199.99), the SCUF Reflex is the same retail price as the DualSense Edge ($199.99 / £199.99) at the time of writing.
- Adaptive Triggers: Both controllers feature adjustable triggers that let you shorten the activation distance, but the DualSense Edge offers more flexibility with three distinct length settings.
- Wireless Connection: Both can be connected to a PS5 wirelessly, although the DualSense Edge's battery life is slightly shorter.
- Saveable Profiles: Both controllers let you save customized setups as profiles, but the DualSense Edge supports up to four, while the SCUF Reflex allows for three.
- Vibrations: Both offer feedback, with the DualSense Edge delivering a haptic response to on-screen action, and the SCUF Reflex bringing vibration rumbles to your setup.
Differences - DualSense Edge vs SCUF Reflex:
- Back Buttons: While the SCUF Reflex has four programmable back paddles, the DualSense Edge only has two.
- Swappable Modules: The DualSense Edge's entire stick module can be replaced if damaged or no longer operational—something that isn't an option with the Reflex. You can even buy official stick replacement modules from PlayStation Direct.
- Stick Options: The DualSense Edge has two high dome and two low dome caps, whereas the SCUF Reflex has a set of tall and a set of domed caps.
- Color Customization: The DualSense Edge comes in just one color scheme (white and black), while the SCUF Reflex offers two standard options: black or white. However, SCUF also lets you customize your own design with colors ranging from pink to red to bright orange—though any custom combination comes at an extra cost.
- Easy Setup: Being made by Sony, the DualSense Edge is completely compatible with the PS5's built-in customization suite, making it easy to change the button assignments, stick input sensitivities, and back bumper input range.
SCUF also offers two higher-end Reflex models—the Reflex Pro ($219.99 / £219.99) and the Reflex FPS ($249.99 / £249.99).
The Reflex Pro builds on the standard Reflex by adding performance grips and a unique grey design with orange stick rings, though other color options are available. The Reflex FPS, on the other hand, introduces instant triggers for ultra-fast response times in games like Rainbow Six Siege and Black Ops 6, along with removable vibration modules to minimize distractions during intense gameplay.
That said, both models are pricier than the DualSense Edge, making them less of a direct competitor to Sony’s premium controller than the standard SCUF Reflex.
Should You Buy a DualSense Edge or SCUF Controller?
This is tricky to answer as a lot of the decision will come down to personal taste and preference. Both are undeniably premium and, ultimately, kind of a luxury; however, they both offer plenty of features to give you a competitive edge across various game genres. With that in mind, and if your heart is truly set on a 'pro' controller, there's a solid case for the DualSense Edge edging out SCUF’s standard Reflex.
Despite both controllers being similarly priced—sometimes even favoring the Edge at certain retailers (Amazon being one of them)—Sony’s option simply offers more in terms of customization.
The Reflex has four back buttons compared to the Edge’s two, which is a slight downside, but the Edge makes up for it with its replaceable stick modules. No matter how well controllers are made, stick drift is always a risk. With the SCUF Reflex, that could mean shelling out for an entirely new controller, but with the DualSense Edge, swapping out a stick module is a much cheaper and easier fix.
Ultimately, if longevity and customization matter most to you, the Edge might just be the better investment and the right 'pro' controller for your PS5 gaming needs.
Final Thoughts
Both the DualSense Edge and SCUF Reflex are excellent premium controllers, each one coming with its own strengths. However, the DualSense Edge is arguably the more complete 'pro' controller thanks to the number of customization options and replaceable modules to improve its overall longevity.