PS5 Dualsense Edge Review: Is Sony’s New Controller Worth It?

Gaming controllers matter more than you think. The greatest games of all time can quickly devolve into frustrating experiences if the controllers used to interact with them falter. Unfortunately, a myriad of issues can strike seemingly trusty gamepads.

The good news? First-party console makers Microsoft and Sony offer elite, pro-level controllers that can handle everything from Activision’s first-person shooter to blockbuster action games like God of War — and every other video game that requires pinpoint control for an unparalleled experience.

Microsoft created the blueprint with the Xbox Elite Controller and has refined it with the Xbox Elite Series 2, leaving Sony in a prime position to offer PlayStation enthusiasts their own premium controller experience. The DualSense Edge is Sony’s shot across the bow at Microsoft, but does it stand on its own as another fantastic, customizable controller with a decidedly high price tag? Keep reading to find out.

Release Date and Price

PlayStation 5 fans saw a simultaneous global release of the DualSense Edge controller on January 26, 2023. When Sony first announced that it was creating a competitor to the Xbox Elite Controller, fans couldn’t help but speculate on the price tag. After all, Sony and Microsoft are constantly fighting for the consumer’s entertainment dollar. They were left wondering: would it be possible that Sony could undercut the competition with a cheaper product?

As it turns out, Sony’s pricing model stayed consistent with that of the PlayStation 5 in general when compared to its rival: the Xbox Series X. While the Xbox Elite Series 2 debuted at $179, the DualSense Edge hit stores checking in at $199 — a price that only serves to reiterate Sony’s stance on its console and accessories being the cream of the crop in the gaming space.

Design and Build Quality

The regular DualSense controller is a fantastic device. It was demoed to great effect with Astro’s Playroom. Included with every PS5 console, the game was more than just a glorified tech demo, as it showed off the haptic feedback, improved touchpad, adaptive triggers, and other features that PlayStation fans appreciate. The DualSense Edge uses a lot of what made that controller great. In fact, this model improves upon its predecessor with premium features that made the Xbox Elite controller and its siblings so popular.

Performance and Battery Life

Serious players willing to spend $199 on a controller demand peak performance — and that’s exactly what they get with the DualSense Edge. Users looking for larger or smaller dead zones with their adaptive triggers and analog sticks can set custom profiles. These can be changed on the fly by using the new function button. Several different options are available to tweak via this function button, such as remapping the actions on each of the face buttons, not to mention lowering or raising the sensitivity of the adjustable triggers and trigger stops.

With so much horsepower packed into a game controller, players can’t help but wonder about battery life. Unfortunately, the original DualSense wireless controller wasn’t known for its stellar battery life — and the same problem occurs with the DualSense Edge. While Sony promises between five and ten hours of battery life, the real number is much closer to five.

If there’s one saving grace, it’s that the included braided USB-C cable is phenomenal, and features a locking connector mechanism so that players don’t accidentally unplug themselves in the heat of the moment. This USB cable lock was an ingenious idea — one that will almost certainly be “borrowed” by the competition.

In-Game Experience

Setting up the DualSense Edge controller is a breeze, thanks to the wealth of customization options not only at the software level but also included in the box. Three swappable stick caps allow players to get the perfect feel for their thumbstick. Should those sticks eventually wear out, replacement stick modules can be easily installed. This added element of repairability is great to see in the modern console accessories space.

In some ways, PlayStation gamers can thank Microsoft for the design and functionality of the DualSense Edge since a lot of the features that made the Xbox Elite controllers so popular were brought to Sony’s own premium controller.

Pros and Cons

There’s a lot to love about the DualSense Edge, but it’s certainly not perfect. As mentioned earlier, the inferior battery life (even as compared to the standard DualSense) is incredibly disappointing. The price tag is also a slight sticking point compared to the Xbox Elite Series 2, which can be found for cheaper but offers almost as much functionality.

Where the DualSense Edge shines is in the continued availability of the fantastic features brought over from the regular DualSense controller, combined with the ability to tweak the analog sticks, adaptive triggers, back buttons, and more. Unfortunately, players can’t swap out the D-pad on the DualSense Edge. Still, given that it’s arguably the greatest feeling D-pad in game controller history, it’s doubtful that anyone would want to accomplish this.

The Final Verdict

There’s a first time for everything in the gaming world, and Sony’s initial attempt at a premium game controller is a solid one. Still, the question remains: is it built to take the kind of abuse that serious players put their game controllers through on a regular basis? Another question worth asking: will the same stick drift issues that plagued the Nintendo Switch pop up over time?

Yes, these questions are concerning. Still, with a proven track record of durability from the original DualSense controller, there's still a lot to be excited about. Early controller reviews for the DualSense Edge have been favorable, giving PlayStation 5 players more than enough reason to pick one up for themselves.

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