With so many controllers vying to outdo each other these days, PowerA’s OPS lineup still manages to stand out—especially for PC, cloud, and mobile gaming fans. Unlike the console market, where options are nearly endless, dedicated PC gamepads are surprisingly rare. That’s where the OPS v3 Pro shines: a premium controller built with PC players in mind, standing out in a sparse crowd.
But it doesn’t go unchallenged. Its biggest competitor might just be its own family, from the more affordable OPS v1 to other PC-compatible but Xbox-focused PowerA models like the budget-friendly Advantage, the mid-tier FUSION 4 Pro, and the top-shelf FUSION Pro Wireless. Having tested them all, I was excited to see if the OPS v3 Pro could stack up to some of the best PC controllers out there.
Design
The PowerA OPS v3 Pro is a PC controller designed with an Xbox button layout. Now, I personally lean toward the PlayStation style, but I know the asymmetrical layout hits the sweet spot for many. This controller feels like a solid upgrade over the OPS v1, with a refined, premium touch thanks to a textured grip that wraps from the back to the front, making it a better fit for longer sessions. I’d say it was comfortable overall, but it did feel a little heavy, tipping my scales at 0.653 lbs. A few of the button placements feel slightly off as well… more on that in a moment.
Feature-wise, the OPS v3 Pro is loaded. It connects via Bluetooth, a USB cable, or low-latency 2.4GHz wireless, giving you flexibility for various setups. It also has multi-zone RGB Lumectra lighting, mappable buttons, adjustable height, twistable thumbsticks, Hall Effect joysticks, mecha tactile buttons, three-way trigger locks, dual rumble motors, a Turbo button, a profile switch, and even a charging stand. Plus, it comes with a two-year warranty for extra peace of mind.
PowerA claims a 30-hour battery life here, but I didn’t quite put that to the full test, splitting time between wired and wireless modes during my time with it. That said, I’ve had no battery issues with PowerA controllers before, so I am happy to assume this claim holds up pretty well.
Here’s a breakdown of my thoughts regarding a few key features:
- The twistable thumbsticks are an improvement on the thumbstick caps of the OPS v1, letting you set three different heights independently. My only worry is whether the twisting mechanism might impact accuracy or contribute to stick drift over time—more on that in the performance section.
- The AGR3 and AGL3 buttons on top are well-placed and easy to reach from the triggers. The back buttons, however, could use a rethink. They’re placed too close together and sit a bit too high, making them tough to reach and prone to accidental presses. On the bright side, they have a satisfying click compared to the rather dull feedback on PowerA's FUSION Pro.
- Interestingly, the left rumble motor seemed stronger than the right. I’m not sure if that’s intentional, but it’s worth noting for those who like balanced feedback.
- As for the mecha tactile buttons, they give a nice click, but my initial thought was they didn't bring much more to the table beyond that.
- The trigger-length switches feel good but are a bit softer than those on the OPS v1. This makes them easier to adjust but also a bit prone to shifting mid-game if nudged by mistake. It's also worth noting the shortest trigger height is incredibly short, reaching only about 0.3 in Gamepad Tester, so it’s ideal if you’re after rapid inputs.
Finally, about that charging stand… I would argue it's more like a mat than a stand as you just lay the controller on it to charge. The magnetic connection feels solid, though, and the grip underneath keeps it stable, so no worries about it sliding around.
Performance
The OPS v3 Pro mostly delivered on the performance front, although it's tricky to measure exactly how much it boosted my reaction times and accuracy in games like XDefiant and Fortnite with so many variables at play. I even gave it a spin on FC 25, where, while some features felt overkill for a sports game, it still held its own.
Starting with the Turbo button—I didn't test it as much as I'd have liked, so no strong comments there. I can, however, vouch for the wireless connection, which performed comparably to a wired setup in terms of lag and input delay. PowerA notes a difference in polling rates—wired hits 1000 Hz, while wireless caps at 500 Hz. I didn’t feel a difference in real-time gameplay, but it’s good to know if you’re considering a purchase.
The mecha tactile buttons are interesting. At first, I thought they just added a nice click sound without much of a performance boost. PowerA claims these buttons respond faster, which I initially questioned. However, after using them in FC 25, where quick button presses matter, I noticed they did feel slightly more responsive than traditional buttons.
Speaking of buttons, I found the four rear buttons proved useful in gameplay despite some layout flaws. I assigned actions like sliding and reloading to them, which was especially handy during intense gunfights. That said, the AGR3 and AGL3 buttons on top didn’t feel as natural to reach; they’re positioned well, but stretching from the triggers wasn’t something that came naturally to me, meaning I rarely used them while testing this device.
As for the adjustable triggers, these were a highlight. I’d read that some users had issues with the shortest setting not registering in-game, but in XDefiant, I had no problems. The shortest setting fired accurately and seemed to speed up my reaction time by reducing trigger travel. It may be a placebo effect, but I did feel quicker in close-range gunfights where speed often outweighs accuracy.
I also enjoyed the twistable thumbsticks, which offer three different height options for each stick. The caps on the OPS v1 were comfortable, but these adjustable height sticks on the v3 Pro add a new level of control. Setting my aiming stick to its highest level helped me rack up some impressive scores and high K/D ratios.
Unfortunately, the twistable thumbsticks weren't completely flawless. Despite the Hall Effect technology, I noticed occasional stick drift, though it was inconsistent. Sometimes it was there and noticeable in-game, but other times it wasn't noticeable at all.
For example, the image above shows the almost non-existent drift with both thumbsticks set to their shortest height. However, the image below shows the extreme drifting that occurred with the right stick set at its maximum distance after just 10 seconds, even after recalibrating. But then, after recalibrating the sticks again, the right thumbstick didn't seem to drift at all in-game, even with its height set to its tallest setting.
In summary, while the drift issue varied and never entirely disappeared on testing apps, I rarely noticed it in actual gameplay. For what it’s worth, the OPS v3 Pro probably had the least drift of any PowerA controller I’ve used, which is a significant improvement. And with the PowerA app, you can fine-tune each stick’s inner and outer deadzones, along with stick curves, for more personalized control.
Software
Instead of PowerA's Gamer HQ, used for its FUSION series, the OPS v3 Pro relies on the PowerA PC HQ app, which offers a complete suite for testing and calibrating the controller. Here, you can remap buttons, tweak the turbo function, adjust joystick settings, modify triggers, and test the rumble motors. The app also allows you to save up to three custom profiles—switchable via a dedicated button on the underside of the controller—and personalize the Lumectra lighting across four zones, each with independent color and effect settings (static, breath, and cycle).
The software feels like an upgrade from Gamer HQ, with a more refined and intuitive interface. The menus are easy to navigate, and since the app is still in beta, according to PowerA, there may be even more improvements to come.
I particularly liked the fact I got an immediate prompt for a controller update upon plugging it in, which signals PowerA’s proactive approach to maintaining the controller’s software and addressing any potential issues.
Verdict
The PowerA OPS v3 Pro stands out by catering specifically to PC gamers looking for a premium, versatile controller. Its design features, like the textured grip and Xbox-style layout, make it relatively comfortable for extended play sessions, though I did find it a bit on the heavier side and some of the button placement to be inconvenient. PowerA has packed this controller with features, though, including multi-zone RGB lighting, twistable thumbsticks, and adjustable triggers, adding plenty of customization to the device.
Performance-wise, the controller delivers solid gameplay, with smooth wireless connectivity and mecha tactile buttons that, while subtle, were satisfying and responsive to press. Although the twistable thumbsticks occasionally experienced minor drift, it’s the best PowerA has achieved on this front in my experience. And with customizable deadzones and button mapping through the PowerA PC HQ app, you can easily fine-tune the experience to your liking.
All in all, the OPS v3 Pro is a well-rounded option for dedicated PC and mobile gamers seeking flexibility and customization in their controller, especially if you’re after a feature-rich controller for your setup and have just under $/£100 available to spend. Unfortunately, the $/£99.99 price tag is a lot, which does hinder its score in my eyes.
Where to buy the controller *
* prices are accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change