DualSense Edge Review: So Close to the Perfect PS5 Controller. Playstation 5 dualsense edge

DualSense Edge: Professional PS5 Settings You Need To Know!

DualSense Edge Review: So Close to the Perfect PS5 Controller

Sony’s premium controller checks off all the boxes, except one very important one.

The DualSense Edge controller for the Playstation 5 is the best wireless controller Sony has ever made.

As far as premium or “pro” controllers go, the DualSense Edge is playing catch-up to Microsoft’s Xbox Elite Wireless Controller 2, which was released in 2019 and is considered the gold standard for customizable gamepads.

The DualSense Edge shares similar premium features. It has fully customizable buttons that can be programmed on a per-game basis using custom profiles. There are two pairs of back buttons for additional inputs; the travel for the Adaptive Triggers is adjustable to three heights; and the joysticks are swappable for you abusive — I mean hardcore — players. Changeable joystick caps are also included.

I’ve been using the DualSense Edge exclusively for the past few weeks and the controller has made playing new games and replaying old titles a more enjoyable experience. But Sony’s 199.99 controller also has one major drawback that may make the price tag a tough sell.

Sony finally has an official premium, customizable controller for the PS5.

Play How You Want

While you can remap the buttons on a regular PS5 DualSense controller using the console’s accessibility settings, doing so has its limitations. There is no way to save a controller layout per game and remapping buttons is a tedious process especially if you plan to do so often.

The DualSense Edge lets you remap every button and save up to 30 profiles, three of which are quickly accessible with either of the new Fn buttons along with the default button configuration for a game. Lately, I’ve been grinding through Crisis Core.Final Fantasy VII- Reunion and Like a Dragon: Ishin! while occasionally indulging in a quick round or two of Theatrhythm Final Bar Line, and being able to quickly switch profiles with the long press of the Fn buttons has been a small quality-of-life upgrade that I wish existed on every controller.

I made a custom profile for Crisis Core Reunion.

Three profiles in addition to the default can be quickly accessed with the Fn buttons.

Creating custom controller profiles is easy enough for anyone to get started, but can be simultaneously deep. I spent more time than I’m proud to admit mapping and remapping buttons for the recent games I’ve been playing. Sometimes I became obsessive to the point where I wondered whether I really needed to remap a game’s inputs or if I was better off sticking to the default layout. There’s a lot of trial and error to get a game to handle exactly the way you want it to and there’s an immense sense of satisfaction in playing a game where you feel more connected to the hardware and software. Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, musicians, and anybody who chooses to drive stick know what I’m talking about — the harmonic connection between human and machine.

Like the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller 2, the travel on the DualSense Edge’s triggers can be adjusted to three different heights.

Take your pick for back buttons: a pair of half-dome switches or levers.

I could spend a few hundred words trying to describe to you how much more engaging it feels to use the half-dome/lever back buttons to nail a beat in Theatrhythm Final Bar Line instead of the shoulder buttons or how I’m able to better execute a guard or dodge in a battle in Crisis Core Reunion than using the X and R1 buttons, but the a-ha moment really clicks into place when you have the DualSense Edge in your hands and you’re totally in the zone.

Not every game benefits from adding extra back buttons or adjusting the travel for the Adaptive Triggers. For example, I found driving cars in Gran Turismo 7 was a worse experience when I reduced the travel for the L1 and R2 triggers to its shortest amount; the very delicate haptics that create tension to simulate the brake and gas pedals are eliminated, resulting in less immersive gameplay. The configurable nature of the DualSense Edge means there’s no correct way to play a game, only one that feels personalized for you. For me, I prefer remapping face buttons to back buttons so that my normally unused fingers have something to do, but also to reduce having to take my right thumb off a main button like X.

The joysticks are replaceable, though Sony doesn’t sell replacements yet.

All of the swappable pieces — the joystick caps (available in two heights) with a surface that’s reminiscent of old DualShock controllers and two sets of metal back buttons — are high quality. The DualSense Edge is heavier at 335 grams versus the regular DualSense which weighs 280 grams, but not to the point that it made my hands hurt with hours of play. Sony even threw a thick braided 9-foot long cable; it’s a USB-C to USB-A and I would have preferred a USB-C on both ends since I’ve largely moved away from USB-A charging adapters in my home. Also included is a cable lock that secures the cable to the controller. And all of these parts fit neatly into a hardshell case that’s made of white plastic to match the DualSense Edge and PS5. The case even has a flap for passthrough charging into the controller.

It’s a lot for a 200 controller and the very best you’ll get for the PS5, but as somebody who also owns an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, Microsoft’s premium controller is arguably better in some ways. I prefer its more compact soft-shell case that does not have a velcroed flap for direct access to the USB-C port. There’s a detachable magnetic charging dock that fits inside of the case. And most importantly: The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 supports four back paddles compared to the two back buttons on the DualSense Edge and has a secondary “standard” D-pad. Microsoft also sells its controller for 180 — twenty bucks less than Sony’s.

The hard case the DualSense Edge comes with will keep it protected for sure.

Short Battery Life

The DualSense Edge can be summarized like so: familiar, but better. If you love the shape and features of the regular DualSense, the DualSense Edge controls the same with additional back buttons, adjustable triggers, replaceable joysticks and joystick caps, and custom profiles.

But the weakest thing about the DualSense Edge is the battery life — only around 5–10 hours versus the 12–15 hours in the DualSense. In comparison, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (way too long of a name) and the stripped-down Core model last up to 40 hours on a charge. Sony’s 5-hour estimate is about right; my PS5 would warn me about the DualSense Edge’s low battery almost right on the mark. I’m not going to lie, seeing the notification after such a short gameplay session gave me a small amount of anxiety that I never experience with my normal DualSense or Xbox controllers. The battery is unlikely to conk out at 5 hours, but if you don’t plug it in, you risk it dying in the middle of, say, a boss battle. And you don’t want that. You could use the DualSense Edge plugged in — the cable is long enough to stretch across a large living room — but why should you? Teardowns confirm the obvious: The DualSense Edge has a battery that’s 1/3rd smaller than the one in the regular DualSense. A smaller battery naturally means battery life won’t be as long. Could Sony have included a larger battery? Perhaps, but that would’ve made the controller heavier. It also might have meant a DualSense Edge that doesn’t have replaceable joysticks; the modular design appears to take up quite a bit of space.

Should you buy it?

The touchpad has tiny Playstation symbols.

So-called “pro” game controllers are not new. Microsoft has been making “Elite” Xbox controllers since 2015. Third-party brands like Razer and Scuf make premium controllers that tout improved performance with features like more responsive tactile buttons or additional buttons. And if you go way back to the golden 16- and 32-bit era of gaming, you know all about gamepads with “turbo” buttons.

Sony’s DualSense Edge is a well-made controller. I really like the look, feel, and features. Small details like the textured underside grip made up of teeny-tiny Playstation symbols (X, O, Triangle, Square) just like on the PS5’s plates and the Playstation VR 2 show real attention. The replaceable joysticks point to longevity where you can replace worn-down ones instead of buying a whole new controller; each one costs 20 a pop. The two Fn buttons are questionable — why do you need two when they both do the same thing? And battery life should have been longer — at least double in my opinion.

But do you need the DualSense Edge? Not at all. Nor does anyone need the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller 2. The additional buttons and custom profiles are nice luxuries, but not essential to playing and enjoying video games. Excuse the pun, but can the DualSense Edge give you an, um, edge over other gamers? The DualSense Edge is only a tool. And while you may have access to remappable buttons, adjustable triggers, extra back buttons, and swappable joysticks that can make gaming more convenient in the heat of things, you still need to put in the practice work. You’re not gonna become a Call of Duty god overnight, headshotting enemies with precision just because you have a fancier controller.

Are the luxuries nice? They’re damn nice. If only it didn’t cost so much to get them.

DualSense Edge wireless controller hands-on — key takeaways

Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the controller’s design story.

Playing is believing when it comes to the DualSense Edge wireless controller for Playstation 5. I had the opportunity to go hands-on with the ultra-customizable, high-performance controller, trying out multiple interchangeable pieces, on-console controller setting options, and tested everything out across a variety of games. The key takeaway — regardless of your overall experience with customizable controllers designed for precision play, the DualSense Edge controller experience combines premium construction with intuitive user options.

For a closer look at what inspired the controller’s form factor and customization options, we sat down with the minds who helped design it. Here’s a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how the first-ever, highly customizable controller developed by Playstation was created:

Play Video

High-quality case

The DualSense Edge controller comes with a sleek and sturdy shell-like case to keep your controller and its accessories safe and organized. One nice touch is the removable flap where the included braided USB charging cable can fit, allowing you to charge the controller while nestled within its case.

Familiar form factor

The controller feels immediately familiar since Playstation engineers set out to match the original DualSense controller’s shape and size. Close inspection of the DualSense Edge controller reveals subtle examples of its premium build quality, such as increased surface area for the grippy white plastic around the handles and extra texture on the touchpad and triggers.

Adjustable trigger length

Players can adjust the length of the triggers with built-in switches for both R2 and L2 buttons. This makes on-the-fly customization easy, without needing to adjust any controller profile settings. One example from my time included jumping from God of War Ragnarök, where I wanted full range of the R2 button, to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, where clicking into a shorter trigger length helped me shoot faster.

Switchable stick caps

The DualSense Edge controller features three sets of stick caps that make quick customization easy. The two standard caps the same as the DualSense controller’s snappy sticks, while the sets of high and low dome caps offer a satisfying concave feel. I appreciated being able to swap in a high dome cap on the right analog stick, which provided a greater degree of finesse when taking aim in Call of Duty or Apex Legends.

Back button versatility

The DualSense Edge controller also features optional back buttons. The lever back buttons offer a longer, flatter form factor that’s quick to activate. The half dome back buttons feature a low profile and precise feel. They open up new options for button configurations, and once I acclimated to the new inputs I felt like a nimble powerhouse. One example includes…

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

The function buttons stood out when hopping into a Modern Warfare II match. I immediately realized I had the controller profile still set up for God of War Ragnarök, but thanks to the on-controller trigger switches I quickly adjusted them to a shorter length for snappier aiming and shooting. Following that, I used the function buttons to quickly swap to a profile I set up using the “Quick” preset as a base. I assigned jump to the left back button and crouch/slide to the right back button, letting me smoothly control my movement across the map while keeping my thumbs poised for a firefight. I also swapped the high dome cap in for the right analog stick, providing a greater degree of control while taking aim.

Heading into my hands-on experience with the DualSense Edge controller, I expected to be impressed by top-quality engineering and cool physical controller customization options. What surprised me was the intuitive on-console tutorial and frictionless menu navigation thanks to the function buttons. Whether you’re a competitive player looking for every edge, or simply interested in maximizing your gameplay options in your favorite games, the DualSense Edge controller is poised to deliver when it releases January 26, 2023.

Get it directly from Playstation at direct.Playstation.com

In the US, UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, the DualSense Edge wireless controller is available for pre-order only through direct.Playstation.com (while supplies last). The DualSense Edge wireless controller will be offered at other participating retailers starting February 23, 2023.

Did you like this? Like this

How to optimize your gameplay with the DualSense Edge wireless controller

Deep-dive on game-specific controller setups from the teams behind God of War Ragnarök, FIFA 23, and Destiny 2.

Player choice is a core tenant for Playstation 5’s DualSense Edge wireless controller. The ultra-customizable, high-performance features unlock a wealth of options to tailor gameplay to players’ preferences. The array of choices to select from excites both gamers and developers alike, so who better to share insights on tuning your DualSense Edge wireless controller than the people making the games?

A new Developer Experience Series featuring perspectives from devs at Santa Monica Studio, EA Sports, and Bungie highlights game-specific ways to optimize gameplay with the DualSense Edge wireless controller. From adjusting trigger heights to rapidly blitz on the pitch in FIFA 23 to modifying back buttons for seamless weapon toggling in God of War Ragnarök, here’s a look into how you can make the DualSense Edge wireless controller work for your style of play.

Play Video

God of War Ragnarök

Developer: Santa Monica Studio

In God of War, you’re hitting the triggers a lot because that’s where your primary attacks and aiming are, so I ended up using the low stops for the triggers to make them feel more like regular buttons.Jason McDonald, Design Director, Santa Monica Studio

In God of War Ragnarök, you want to move the character fairly quickly, especially in the middle of combat, so the left analog stick I set to the Quick setting, and I did the inverse of that on the right analog stick, which is used for camera movement, aiming, etc.Mihir Sheth, Lead Combat Designer, Santa Monica Studio

Play Video

FIFA 23

Developer: EA Sports

The DualSense Edge wireless controller enables FIFA/FC players to personalize their FIFA/FC experience further, focusing on what matters more to them regarding the controller. Some players prefer their right stick to be perfectly precise for Skill Moves, while others favor a specific sensitivity when Switching. Some players will want to remap controls at a system level to suit their preferences. In contrast, others will be delighted with the ability to have a quicker-to-activate Sprint by adjusting the length of the triggers.

The DualSense Edge controller helped my defending game tremendously, as I can more easily keep Running Jockey active (L2 R2) while activating Teammate Contain or player Switching by using the new back buttons (as L1 and R1). Having extra buttons on the back of the controller and personalizing them with the command you want can become invaluable when playing a decisive FUT Champions match or a rival derby in Career Mode.Thomas Caleffi, Gameplay Producer, EA Sports

Among the most useful features that make the DualSense Edge controller stand out and particularly suitable for FC enthusiasts are its adaptive triggers and back buttons, which enable players to have faster reactions and play smarter on the pitch by swiftly switching between different team tactics or changing the team mentality without having to take their thumbs off the sticks. In addition to that, having the option to remap any button to match your preferences and adjust the sensitivity of the triggers will give FC fans more control and customization over their gameplay experience. It is certainly a more enjoyable and improved experience.Danillo Abreu, Game Designer, EA Sports

Play Video

Destiny 2

Developer: Bungie

The DualSense Edge Controller has been amazing for letting me dig in deeper with Destiny 2’s pinnacle activities across both PvP and PvE! I’ve currently got two primary configurations I bounce between for Trials of Osiris and Raids – and, I’ve got a matching in-game loadout to compliment each one. Being able to seamlessly swap between the needs of Destiny 2’s pinnacle activities both in-game and out of game has been a game changer!Andy Salisbury, Senior Social Media Manager, Bungie

As a massive fan of PvP modes in Destiny 2 like Iron Banner and Scorched, the ability to map my desired controller settings makes it really easy to tailor to my specific playstyle. If I’m going into Scorched, I want chaos. Being able to charge up this mode’s explode-y goodness and then mapping out exactly how I let that fire rain from above using the switchable back options is a blast. It keeps me in the flow, keeps me out of my head, and lets me enjoy the total mayhem that always ensues when taking this mode head-on. With the different options to both the front-side and back-side of the controller, it’s a more personalized experience and that personalization means more ways for everyone to play.Liana Rupert, Community Manager, Bungie

Did you like this? Like this

PS5 DualSense Edge controller review

The PS5 DualSense Edge controller is a strong customisable ‘pro’ controller, but it feels like there’s a lot missing, considering its premium price.

Image: Sony Interactive Entertainment

‘Pro’ video game controllers – like the Xbox Elite Controller, the Scuf Gaming range, and the Playstation DualSense Edge Controller – are essentially luxury items, let’s make that clear from the outset. Often retailing at double or triple the price of standard first-party Xbox or Playstation controllers (which aren’t an insignificant cost to begin with), the features they give you are great to have, but not essential, and they won’t instantly make you better at multiplayer games.

In some cases, their features may give you a slight advantage, versus a standard controller. But the primary benefit comes from having access to a variety of small conveniences and niceties, additional options for customisation and accessibility, and minor performance optimisations.

As someone who’s meticulous – sometimes to a fault – about the feel of many different kinds of game genres, I’ve long held the Xbox Elite Controller in high regard, for both Xbox and PC gaming. Features like back paddles, swappable analog stick caps and directional pads (D-pads), as well as adjustable trigger stops are things that I find myself missing when I revert to the stock controller. Since the Xbox Elite Controller came out in 2019, I’ve longed for something officially sanctioned for Playstation consoles, the platform I tend to use more often.

The PS5 DualSense Edge Controller finally answers those wishes – but while I’m pleased to finally have some of these pro controller options for Playstation games, the DualSense Edge doesn’t come without some monkey paw-style compromises.

There are several aspects of the DualSense Edge controller that are very impressive. It feels great in the hand, is nicely textured, has a good heft, has the core pro features you need, and integrates fantastically with the Playstation 5’s operating system.

However, it also feels like there are several omissions, especially when compared to what’s offered on the Xbox Elite Controller. These may amount to relatively minor omissions, depending on what you personally find most valuable in a controller like this. But then you also have to consider that the DualSense Edge costs more than the Xbox Elite Controller – significantly more, in some markets.

  • How much does the PS5 DualSense Edge wireless controller cost?
  • What’s included in the box?
  • Feature Breakdown, Analysis, and Comparisons
  • Back Paddles
  • Analog Sticks and D-Pad
  • Analog Trigger Stops
  • The Case
  • User Interface and Profile Switching
  • Gran Turismo 7
  • MultiVersus
  • Apex Legends

How much does the PS5 DualSense Edge wireless controller cost?

The PS5 DualSense Edge wireless controller has a recommended retail cost of:

As a point of comparison, the Xbox Elite Controller (Series 2) costs:

What’s included in the box?

Here’s a list of all the components included when you purchase a DualSense Edge controller:

  • DualSense Edge wireless controller
  • USB braided cable
  • 2 Standard caps
  • 2 High dome caps
  • 2 Low dome caps
  • 2 Half dome back buttons
  • 2 Lever back buttons
  • Connector housing
  • Carrying case

Feature Breakdown, Analysis, and Comparisons

As a pro-level controller, the DualSense Edge offers a variety of conveniences and niceties that can make playing particular video games more enjoyable. Here’s a breakdown of its features:

Back Paddles

Back Paddles are the most obvious boon for this style of controller – buttons situated on the back of the controller that can be programmed serve the function of any other button on the controller – face buttons, shoulder buttons, directional buttons, the lot.

With back paddles, buttons that typically require you to remove your thumb from the analog sticks to press them can instead be activated by your middle or ring finger, allowing you to simultaneously perform multiple actions at once. For example, jumping while rotating your viewpoint, or reloading your weapon while continuing to scan your surroundings.

From an accessiblity point of view, you may want to remap particular buttons to a single side of the controller, so you only need to use one hand to navigate a game.

On the DualSense Edge, there are a total of two back buttons which can be activated with interchangable lever-style paddles or half-dome nub buttons.

For the most part, these work as intended. The mechanism for securing the back paddles is magnetised, with a jagged insertion path that helps lock the removable components in. You’ll need to pull the paddles out at a particular angle to remove them.

This is a positive. It makes it more difficult to accidentally pull the paddles out while fiddling with them, something that’s very easy to do with the Xbox Elite Controller, which uses a similar magnet system but is far easier to pull off.

Where the DualSense Edge falters, however, is that it only has two back buttons in comparison to the Xbox Elite Controller’s four back buttons. While this wasn’t a major issue during use, those who have particular accessibility concerns should take note, given that it provides less options for custom remapping.

Analog Sticks and D-Pad

The theme of less options also unfortunately applies to the DualSense Edge’s replaceable analog sticks.

Replacing analog stick caps allows users to adjust the height and shape of the thumbstick to suit personal preferences. A different dome type will alter the kind of grip the stick has, for example, while altering the height of the stick can allow for a greater degree of precision, or simply provide a more comfortable option for those with larger hands.

The DualSense Edge offers one pair of standard height, convex analog stick caps, which is akin to what you would find on the standard PlayStation 4 or PS5 controller. It also offers two pairs of domed, concave caps, one at standard height, and one of increased height. These caps are akin to what you would find on a Playstation 3 controller. If you like the concave style, you’re in luck.

What it does not offer, however, are convex analog stick caps of increased height. As someone who much prefers the convex style, and also likes to use sticks of increased height, this was a disappointing omission.

By comparison, what the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 offers is a greater variety of different analog stick caps – two different styles of convex caps, one concave cap, and an increased height convex cap. How much of a difference this might make depends on your personal preferences.

Like the back paddles, the DualSense Edge features a more secure locking mechanism for its replaceable parts, relying on you to apply some force to lock the analog caps in, rather than simply using magnets. It’s not conducive to fidgeting, thankfully.

The Edge also features the ability to completely remove each individual analog stick module – and this process is quite easy. The front of the controller is its own faceplate, easily released via a latch at the back of the controller, and each analog stick features a lever to ease it out, and lock it back in.

While not an immediate benefit – at the time of writing, there aren’t any different kinds of analog sticks available for purchase, just a single, standard replacement – the idea is that if any eventual wear and tear occurs, the analog sticks will be easily replaceable. It does raises questions about the long-term durability of each stick module, but that’s not something we can make a definite comment on at this point in time.

What the DualSense Edge’s analog sticks also lack compared to the Xbox Elite Controller is the ability to physically adjust the tension of each analog stick, allowing for a more taut or looser resistance. It also lacks the ability to replace the direction pad (D-Pad) with an eight-way option.

Both of these have a clear practical use, depending on the kind of game you’re playing – fighting games benefit from the eight-way D-pad, for example, and a loose analog stick is nice for sports games – and these stark omissions are keenly felt.

Analog Trigger Stops

Like other pro controllers, the DualSense Edge features the ability to adjust the travel on the analog shoulder trigger buttons (L2 and R2), allowing you to essentially turn them into more responsive buttons, which is very useful for certain games.

The adjustment is achieved through a 3-step toggle on the back on the controller, near the shoulder buttons. The R2 trigger can switch from feeling like an acceleration pedal for a car to a hair trigger for a pistol with the flick of a switch.

I noted that the toggles on the DualSense Edge were a little bit more difficult to reach while holding the controller — the toggles on the Xbox Elite Controller sit where your middle finger naturally rests, while the DualSense Edge places them a bit higher than that, requiring some stretching.

As is the common theme here, we assume this design is intended to reduce fidgeting and accidental changes, so your opinion about these placements may vary by your personal preference.

The Case

The DualSense Edge’s carrying case is another example of a strong feature that also carries some strange compromises.

The zippered case itself is incredibly durable, with the premium-feeling clamshell design featuring a very hard plastic plating on both top and bottom to protect the controller and its included accessories from shock damage – the Xbox Elite Controller’s case is far softer.

It’s also a much larger case – seemingly because it makes room for two other components: an empty space for a spare analog stick module, on the off-chance that you do get a spare, as well as a spot for the USB cord Connector Housing, a small plastic device designed to keep the USB cord locked to the controller, avoiding any accidental unplugging – though honestly, we think it’s probably better that the plug get yanked out of the controller rather than potentially bring a Playstation 5 crashing down, in the event of an accidental tripping incident.

When it comes to charging the controller while it’s stored in the case, however, the DualSense Edge’s solution feels anything but premium.

To charge the DualSense Edge in its case, you first need to pry open a hard velcro flap at the rear of the case, which reveals an opening that lets you directly access the USB-C port on the rear of the controller. If you decide to zip open the case to remove the controller for play, you’ll need to go the extra step of physically unplugging the controller from the cord, and plugging it back in when you replace it.

dualsense, edge, review, close, perfect, controller

Compare this to the Xbox Elite Controller’s way of doing things: A small rubber plug at the rear of the case, perfectly sized to fit the included USB-C cord, allows you to plug into a small charging dock, which sits inside the case. Zip open the case to remove the Elite controller for play, and all you need to do is pick it up – the controller attaches to the charging dock with a light magnet. Simply replace the controller in the case to store and charge it. The case is essentially the charging dock.

The cumbersome nature of charging is compounded when you consider the DualSense Edge’s short battery life – around 5-6 hours in our experience, which is shorter than the standard DualSense controller.

User Interface and Profile Switching

What the DualSense Edge lacks in its physical and hardware-based offerings, it almost completely makes up for in its excellent integration with the PS5’s operating system, as well as the way it handles controller response customisation and controller profile management.

Upon syncing the DualSense Edge to your PS5, a whole new layer of notifications and system-level settings will enable, allowing you to quickly and easily alter settings and button assignments on your controller without ever looking down at it.

Key to this are two dedicated function (Fn) buttons below each analog stick on the DualSense Edge controller. Holding either one will bring up a pop-up menu on screen, displaying a number of shortcuts that allow you to do things like adjust the volume and the game/chat audio balance (Fn the D-Pad), change profiles (Fn the face buttons), or head directly into the controller customisation menu (Fn Menu). Once you’re familiar with these shortcuts, you can reduce or turn off the pop-up menu entirely.

Without getting too sidetracked, this is a much more elegant solution than the Xbox Elite Controller, which relies on physical buttons to change profiles, and going down a rabbit hole of menus and applications to remap buttons and adjust analog stick response.

While the physical options of the Edge’s analog sticks felt underwhelming, its digital input options are far clearer, more user-friendly, and more beginner-friendly than its Xbox counterpart. Concepts like acceleration and dead zones are explained in practical terms, and the software has a number of great presets, which also explain the usefulness of particular settings for genres, in plain terms.

In practice, it allows you to feel confident in building a custom controller profile for your favourite game genres using these presets, and allows you to very quickly and easily make small adjustments to your liking.

Profile switching being controlled by function-based commands is also a genius move. The pitfalls of having a physical button on the controller dedicated to switching profiles come from having to look down at your controller to make sure you’re on the right setting, and trying to remember which setting was in which slot.

Having the profile switching integrated with the operating system is a blessing in a couple of ways: It allows you to map specific profiles to specific Fn commands, meaning you can quickly switch to a specific profile, and it also allows you to see the names of each profile to make sure you’re always switching to the one you want.

Of course, this mean you can switch profiles very quickly and with confidence while you’re in the midst of a game. This is a huge benefit, and potential competitive advantage in games that require shooting with different kinds of weapons. Grab a scoped, long-range precision weapon and you can instantly switch to a more precise analog stick response profile. If the situation changes, you can switch controller profiles to something more suitable for fast-moving targets just as quickly as you switch weapons in-game.

This seamless integration is definitely the DualSense Edge’s most excellent feature.

Use cases for the DualSense Edge on PS5

I spent the better part of a week testing the DualSense Edge on various games of different genres, and despite all the nitpicking and comparisons that make up the bulk of this review, I found the DualSense Edge does the welcome basics of what a pro controller should do very well.

Here are just some examples of some of the tweaks and settings I personally tested during my testing period.

Gran Turismo 7

If you’re serious about a racing game, let’s be honest: you’re probably going to want a dedicated racing steering wheel to play Gran Turismo 7. But as I’ve mentioned, if you’re particular about a bunch of genres and need a customisable controller that can improve the experience of all of them, a controller like the DualSense Edge can certainly help.

The first clear benefit is being able to use the back paddles to shift gears while driving in manual transmission, as opposed to using the face buttons to do so. This makes the act of driving feel a little more natural – most modern cars use paddle shifters, so the feeling is replicated here.

If you mainly drive video game cars in automatic transmission, this probably won’t be of much use to you at all. For me, I love having this option when playing Forza Horizon with the Xbox Elite Controller, and was sorely missing it when I initially began playing Gran Turismo 7, so I’m very pleased to have the option now.

With your thumb free, you can now dedicate it to the right analog stick to look around your surroundings. I typically drive in the first-person cockpit mode, so this is another great benefit. One thing that I didn’t like was how abrupt the camera look speed was with the regular controller – something I was able to change by using the ‘Steady’ preset on the DualSense Edge’s right analog stick, to make sure any input would translate into more gradual, smoother movement, as if I’m just slowly turning my head.

The ‘Dynamic’ preset on the left analog stick is also great for steering in Gran Turismo 7. This setting forces more incremental motion when you apply just a light touch to the stick, but still allows for a broader range of motion quickly, if you really need to crank the wheel.

In both of these cases, the analog stick caps with increased height also helped a lot – though I do wish there was a concave option. At times, it felt my thumb was going to slip off the stick, and off the steering wheel, which is bad news.

This setting profile would also be very useful to have on hand to switch to quickly in any game that involves driving. For example, any time you get into a car in Grand Theft Auto Online.

MultiVersus

Multiversus is a fast paced multiplayer fighting game, requiring lightning reactions to execute moves, and respond to what your enemy is doing. When playing with a PS5 controller, however, there’s a slight issue in that you need to use two kinds of analog inputs for particular actions: movement with the analog stick, and the shoulder button (R2) for dodging.

In MultiVersus, neither of these actions have an analog behaviour to them. That is, the characters have a set movement speed when you tilt the analog stick, and the act of dodging is an instantaneous motion – there are no variable states in between.

So for a ‘Fighting Game’ profile, I set the DualSense Edge left analog stick to the ‘Digital’ stick profile, which forced the stick to register any movement on the analog stick as a full press. If I tilted the stick even just a little, it acted as if I was tilting it the whole way. This allowed for snappier and more responsive-feeling movement.

The Analog Trigger stops are also fantastic to use for this instance. By switching the triggers to create the least travel possible, I only needed to depress the R2 button slightly for it to physically register as an input. Again, the result is snappier, my finger doesn’t have to squeeze as hard, and the action is more responsive.

Did my win rate improve with these tweaks? No – everyone who still plays MultiVersus is far too good now, but the game certainly felt much better to play, and I felt my physical inputs were able to keep up with the frantic action on screen, without fatigue.

This kind of digital input-focussed profile is also great for character action games that emphasise fast combat as opposed to weighty character movement – Devil May Cry 5 is another game that felt great with these tweaks.

Apex Legends

Multiplayer first-person shooters are usually cited as the prime reason you would want to equip yourself with a pro style controller, and being able to have a few more options in a fast-paced game like Apex Legends or Call of Duty can sometimes make having a controller like the DualSense Edge feel completely worthwhile.

Here, I assigned the back paddle buttons to the reload and jump actions, which allowed me to be in full control of where my character was looking, and where my crosshairs were pointing. Reloading while turning a corner, or being able to simultaneously jump and turn around to face an enemy are essential manoeuvres in a first person shooter. It’s something that’s easily done if you play with a mouse and keyboard on PC, but much harder without a controller that features back paddles. You only have so many fingers, after all.

Having different profiles, with different settings for the analog sticks, geared towards different weapons, was also invaluable here, especially with the ability to switch between settings on the fly with a quick button combo.

The ‘Precise’ settings allowed for slower, more gradual movement, which is excellent when using a weapon with a long-range scope, and trying to zero-in on a distant target. The ‘Quick’ setting did the opposite, allowing for faster lookspeed response, in order to chase a close-to-mid-ranged target with crosshairs.

While this can give a competitive edge in multiplayer games, it’s also very useful in any game that involves ranged weapons. For example, these options are also great in Horizon Forbidden West; adjusting different profiles for different bows helps keep your aim a little more precise and steady.

Concluding thoughts

After a week of using the DualSense Edge in different scenarios, there are two big thoughts that continue to pop up.

The first is that it’s great to finally have a customisable pro style controller on the PS5, and I’m thankful that I have all these little options and tweaks to make the experience of playing some of my favourite games that much nicer. When it comes to the core functionality of what a pro controller should do, the DualSense Edge does very well.

The seamless software integration makes it feel like an exceptional piece of gear, and allows you to operate it in a very efficient and organic way, as if it was an extension of your own body. The controller itself feels nice to hold for long periods, with great heft, ergonomics, and textures.

But the second thought is that I can’t help but compare it to the Xbox Elite Controller, and take stock of all the extra attachments, physical adjustments, and quality of life features that the DualSense Edge doesn’t have, especially considering that it’s the far more expensive peripheral. Fewer back buttons, a smaller analog cap variety, short battery life, and a clunky case charging solution are bugbears that keep coming up.

The DualSense Edge is a great accessory, and depending on your preferences and relationships with particular games, it can certainly enhance the experience. But it’s also an expensive accessory. It’s a premium item that falls short of offering the appropriate amount of features for the expense it carries.

If you’re considering DualSense Edge, make sure you consider whether its relatively focussed offerings will cater to your particular preferences and needs, and whether that’s worth the cost of three regular DualSense controllers.

Playstation 5 Dualsense Edge Wireless ControllerManufacturer: Sony Interactive EntertainmentRelease Date: 26th January 2023Price: US 200 / GBP £210 / AU 340

A Playstation DualSense Edge wireless controller was provided for the purposes of this review. GamesHub has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content. GamesHub may earn a small percentage of commission for products purchased via affiliate links.

Edmond Tran

Edmond is the managing editor of GamesHub. He was previously at GameSpot for 13 years, where he was the Australian Editor and an award-winning video producer. You can follow him @EdmondTran

In this review, you’ll learn everything you need to know about the new Playstation 5 DualSense Edge controller.

Eligible For Free US Shipping

Gamers, brace yourselves! For months, we’ve been waiting with bated breath to see what Sony, a leader in the video game industry, has in store for their first-ever pro controller.

dualsense, edge, review, close, perfect, controller

The wait is over—a PS5 DualSense Edge got released at the end of January 2023 and is up for review.

Does it bring something fresh to the highly competitive industry, or is it a flop?

Does it go head-to-head with popular pro controllers like Elite, Scuff, Aim, and Razor, or outperform them?

In this in-depth review, I will answer all these questions and give you the full scoop on the Edge specs and features.

Let’s dive in and see if it lives up to the hype.

Packaging

The PS5 Edge is priced at 200, which is right in line with other popular pro controllers such as the MS Elite 2, Scuf Reflex Pro, and Razer Wolverine V2 Pro. But here’s the kicker: it comes with an ultra-premium carrying case that’s in a class of its own. You can feel the quality in every aspect of the packaging—from a hard clamshell to the nice little cutouts to fit all controller accessories.

The case itself is made of strong white plastic which will protect the controller a lot better than the soft cases most other remotes come with. It’s got a glossy Playstation logo on the front and zipper, small Playstation symbols on the back, a metal key loop at the top, a rubbery port flap to charge on the go, and even a handy QR code on the inside linking to the user manual.

The case is designed to perfectly fit the product, with all accessories neatly stored in the bottom tray and the USB-C cable placed on the case top. You will find four additional thumbstick caps of domed shape (high and short ones), a pair of lever and half-dome back buttons, and a connector housing included.

dualsense, edge, review, close, perfect, controller

Everything is done with amazing attention to detail and is aimed at making the gamer’s life easier, from securely carrying and charging it during transit, to quickly access the controller and other components it comes with.

Design Changes. DualSense Edge vs DualSense

The Edge looks very similar to the original DualSense; both controllers have an identical set of buttons, and both offer triggers and shoulder buttons. As of now, the only color scheme available for the Edge is black on white, while the DualSense is offered in more than a dozen colors.

Ergonomics-wise, the Edge controller is also almost a twin to the original DualSense: same size, same buttons, same sticks, and layout, down to the millimeter.

But they are not identical, and here is what differs:

The Edge feels sleeker but is heavier, with a weight of 335 g compared to the regular DualSense’s 280 g.

Sony added several premium design changes: the Edge comes with a black, cool-looking touchpad with tiny Playstation symbols on it. It is a unique feature that is not seen on other controllers.

The bottom half of the controller, the d-pad, and the buttons come in glossy black plastic.

They added a high-gloss black line on the back that accentuates the back, rounded off the bottom of the controller, and added grips to the inner edge of the product and to the triggers (in the form of Playstation symbols).

Overall, Edge is quite the looker, built with premium materials and authentic design elements.

This Makes Your PS5 Controller Overpowered.

USB Braided Cable Lock

Edge comes with a new feature: a cable lock that has been added to keep your controller securely attached when using a wired connection. Even during the most intense gaming sessions. the cable lock has you covered.

When you open the latch, there is additional foam padding and a symbol indicating where the USB cable should be inserted. By the way, the cable is a ten-foot-long steel braided cord branded with the Playstation logo.

To insert it, just slide in the cable with the Playstation logo, press down the latch until it clicks, press firmly, and make sure the lock button is secured in place. You’ll feel it lock into place, and you can play with confidence knowing it won’t get dislodged.

Adjustable Trigger Stops

These are the must-have attribute of any pro controller today. as they alter the default trigger reaction time, giving you a competitive edge in different gaming genres. For example, you want a full trigger squeeze for a racing game, but the shortest pull possible for a shooter.

Edge trigger stops are, in my opinion, contentious. On one hand, they come with 3 settings to choose from: the default setting, a half-click, or a short clip. And you still get to use the adaptive triggers, which is amazing.

But this comes with a trade-off: these trigger locks allow too much travel. The half-click one is barely different from the full one, while the short position is not short enough.

Another point worth noting is that the haptic feedback in the triggers will be disabled when you use trigger stops.

To sum up, the Edge triggers are a hybrid of standard and Smart (mechanical) triggers found on other brands, such as the Scuff Reflex with its instant adaptive triggers or the Razer Wolverine V2 Pro with its triggers that have two positions: the full default and a short, mouse-like click.

Mappable Back Buttons

Having back buttons on your esports controller is super beneficial in competitive play, as you can make quicker reactions, take faster shortcuts, and outplay your opponents. This is accomplished by assigning the stock controller input to the back buttons. So each time you hit the programmed back button, the controller will press the mapped face button for you.

Different controllers offer different ways to complete the button remapping, and in the case of the Edge, the editing has to be done through the Playstation 5 interface menu, in the Accessories section of your settings. You are not able to remap the buttons on the fly, and this sucks.

Now let’s talk about the back buttons themselves. DualSense Edge comes with two back buttons and offers two styles for them: a half-dome shape and a lever style, both of which are made of metal.

The half-dome ones are similar to the aluminum back paddles on the Microsoft Elite Series 2 controller. You won’t have any confusion during the installation as the spots on the controller are labeled LB and RB.

Once installed, the buttons feel very comfortable and ergonomically placed, as they are positioned very close to the controller’s back shell. They feel very durable and provide a good amount of resistance, so you won’t accidentally activate them during gameplay. This placement allows for quick access to the buttons without having to invert your fingers while aiming or moving.

The half-dome paddles are not labeled RB or LB, but you cannot install them the wrong way. The lever-style ones fit comfortably as they are placed exactly where your fingers rest on the controller, so there won’t be any fatigue. You will have your fingers on them effortlessly, and once needed, you will actuate them by squeezing them in. Don’t worry about accidental presses, the dome shape will tuck them away.

Which style do I prefer better? Honestly, both styles feel tactile and ergonomic to me, but the unique design of the half-dome ones got me hooked a little more.

The main disadvantage of the Edge’s back buttons is that there are only two of them, whereas most pro controllers offer four. Why settle for two rear buttons when you can have four?

It’s a no-brainer—with four face buttons, there is no reason for you to remove the thumbs from strafing and aiming. And with those extra back buttons, you can add some flair to your gameplay—a sneaky crouch here, a quick hop there, maybe even a slide cancel into a hop for good measure.

If you are new to using a pro controller, having two back buttons may be a good way to get used to the feature. However, for a hard-core gamer like myself, it’s the lack of two more extras that gives me a competitive advantage in my game.

Changeable Thumbsticks

The thumbsticks that come with the Edge controller are the same as those that come with the original PS5 DualSense. They are still short hybrid sticks made of plastic, but their tops feel much grippier due to the silicone or rubber used for the center section.

The sticks are swappable and pop off once you grab them and pull them off. There are two alternate thumbstick designs included, which are great for accommodating different styles of play; both are dome-shaped, one being regular height and the other being medium height. The choice of sticks comes down to your preference; for me, a low dome on the left and a mid-rise dome on the right work best.

How to Change the Stick Module

After a certain amount of gaming, everyone suffers from stick drift. The issue has been known for years now. Some third-party gaming companies have been trying to resolve the issue by adding swappable stick modules to their controllers. Astro Gaming C40 TR Wireless Controller and Victrix Pro BFG for PS5 are among those models. With their swappable stick modules, you can swap out the default thumbsticks and play with different shapes and heights.

By the way, the Pro BFG one is an exciting controller, that will be individually reviewed by our team soon. Not only does it offer a greater level of customization than the Edge with three different D-pad styles, extra stick caps, and octagonal stick gates, but it can also be converted to an Xbox-style layout with rectangular modules and transformed into a fight pad with enabled six-button module.

Back to the Edge stick module, Sony followed the suit of the mentioned brands and upgraded the Edge with the component. It is a double win: now you don’t have to throw away the controller once sticks start to drift and you get to find the perfect thumbstick height and shape that fits your gaming style the best.

Edge makes it easy to upgrade your controller’s thumbsticks—just slide the release tab, pop off the faceplate, and replace the old modules with the new 20 ones. Problem solved.

New Feature: Function Buttons (FN)

Sony has taken it to the next level with the Edge’s two function buttons, which reside just beneath the analog sticks. These are super convenient and so well-placed that you can access the key options instantly without taking your hands off the controller. And at the same time, you can’t just accidentally press on them.

Simply press down on a function button and tap one of the four action buttons to activate one of your four saved profiles. Or, use the function button left/right on the d-pad to adjust the audio balance, or up/down on the d-pad to adjust the headset volume.

Keep in mind that your headset doesn’t need to be plugged into your controller to utilize that function.

Playstation Software: Controller Customization

When connecting your Edge to the console for the first time, you are presented with a Welcome menu that highlights the controller’s features. The level to which you can customize the PS5 Edge through the Playstation interface is profound.

You can adjust things like thumbstick sensitivity and dead zones, the adaptive trigger vibration intensity, trigger effect, and dead zones, also remap controller buttons, including the back buttons.

Once you’re happy with your settings, save them to your user profile to access the configuration on the fly. You can save the best settings for each game to up to five custom profiles.

Custom Profiles

To begin creating our first custom profile, give it a name and begin mapping the buttons. You can assign, rearrange, and even disable the buttons to your heart’s content. When you’re done, just hit “apply” to save it. When activating your desired profile, the controller’s light bar will show which profile you are choosing. And if you ever need to get back to this page, just head to the settings menu on your Playstation.

Features You May Not Know About

You can’t take full advantage of the Edge trigger stops for games that require half-pressing for alternative functions, as they will automatically activate the full press on Edge triggers instead of the half-press. The good news is, you can switch it back by adjusting the settings, though it may take some time to do so quickly.

You get more control over your buttons with the Edge as you can disable the touchpad surface, its clickable button, the options and share buttons, and even the PS button. This is a handy feature to prevent those pesky accidental presses during crucial moments in the game. These options are not available on the standard DualSense controller.

You can map the touchpad button and the options button to any trigger or face button if you want. You can’t do it with the PS and Share buttons though.

Battery Life

The Edge’s battery energy capacity is 1050 mAh vs Standard Dualsense’s (1560 mAh), which may be the reason behind the poor battery life of the controller. You get five to five and a half hours with haptic feedback and rumble settings turned off—that’s half the battery life of the standard PS5 controller, which clocks in at 10 to 11 hours.

Is this a dealbreaker for me as a hardcore gamer? Not really, as I prefer playing wired anyway. But would a longer battery life make a controller more appealing to the masses? I believe so.

Verdict. DualSense Edge Pros Cons

I must say that I am impressed with the Edge design and carrying case, as well as the fact that they retained all of the fantastic DualSense features such as adaptive triggers and haptics while enhancing the controller with extensive customization capabilities.

The swappable stick module alone is priceless and has the potential to change the game in the pro controller market.

But while all these upgrades speak in favor of Edge, I can’t get rid of a lingering feeling that some aspects could have been done better.

The first thing is the two-back button system, which doesn’t sit well with serious gamers, esports pros, or folks who are used to four-button setups. It feels very awkward to use two back buttons versus four, and you can’t get rid of the feeling that you’re not being given all the tools to gain an advantage over the competition. However, if you’re just starting with a pro controller, the simpler two-back button setup is the perfect way to go for you.

The next aspect is trigger stops, which are a cool addition, especially the fact that they work with adaptive triggers. However, the travel distance is too long, and there is no noticeable difference between the full and middle click settings.

The short battery life raises questions about whether Sony rushed the release and didn’t spend enough time testing and optimizing for longer play sessions on a single charge like the DualSense offers.

My verdict is this: if you’re willing to spend big bucks on a high-end, great-looking pro controller from a reputable brand, even if it doesn’t give you peak performance, then go for it. But if maximizing your chances of winning is your top priority, you may want to explore other options.

Share VIA Social Media Pages: