The PS5 DualSense Edge™ is durable, but is it worth it?
The DualSense Edge™ Controller for PlayStation 5 was introduced slightly over a month ago, but it has now become widely accessible worldwide to consumers. This is a controller specifically designed for competitive gaming, featuring back paddles, buttons that can be fully remapped, triggers that can be adjusted, and parts that can be easily swapped out. Considering its UK retail price of approximately £209, is it truly worthwhile to invest in a controller that costs nearly half the price of the console? More importantly, let's discover how it measures up against other third-party alternatives, not to mention the Xbox Elite controller.
The Design
Credit: SONY
Now before we go deep into what this controller offers, lets take a look at the design. The Edge arrives in a sturdy, white casing that impeccably complements the PS5, complete with a lengthy braided USB-C cable and an array of extra paddles and joysticks. With a hatch on the back, the case allows for charging the controller, and an additional plastic connector offers the option to securely fasten the USB cable to the controller.
Sony has retained the tried and tested design for the Edge controller. Its size and grip are nearly identical to those of a standard DualSense, with the handles, button arrangement, and stick positioning matching down to the last millimetre. While the controller's weight has increased to 335g from the regular DualSense's 280g, there are some subtle tweaks elsewhere. The bottom section of the controller has a shiny black finish, and the trackpad and buttons are also black. However, this is where the new features begin to emerge, bringing both advantages and disadvantages to the table.
The Price Tag
Credit: SONY
It's no secret that the price of this controller is a hefty one at £209.95 and what benefits does it actually give you that the £55 PS5 DualSense controller doesn't. The PS5 DualSense controller has been widely praised for its innovative features, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, which provide a more immersive gaming experience. It also has a built-in microphone and speaker, touchpad, and a redesigned shape for better grip and comfort. Overall, it has been considered to be a high-quality and impressive controller by many gamers, including industry professionals.
The Performance
Credit: Eurogamer
This is when we can get right into the nitty gritty and directly compare it to the original DualSense. Both the DualSense and DualSense Edge have similar haptic feedback with comparable vibration techniques and intensity. According to reviews, the haptic feedback is immersive and responsive, enhancing gameplay in all compatible titles. However, the DualSense outperforms the DualSense Edge in terms of battery life, lasting up to 13 hours compared to the Edge's five-hour battery life. Sony claims that the Edge's battery drains faster due to its additional features packed into the same controller shape as the original. Disabling the haptic feedback and lighting features may improve battery life for both controllers.
The DualSense Edge features rubberized adaptive triggers with three customizable modes for varying degrees of responsiveness: full range, medium range, and short range. Short range mode is optimal for FPS titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, while long range mode offers a more gradual sense of movement, making it ideal for racing games.
In contrast, the DualSense has triggers on the back of the controller, but there is no option to adjust the range from full to short, making it less customisable than the DualSense Edge. Users have the ability to remap every button on the Edge controller, except for the PS button. Additionally, users can adjust the dead zones in both the adaptive triggers and joysticks to their preference. Sony offers four customizable profiles for users, which can be easily accessed by pressing the Function buttons located at the bottom of the screen. Switching between profiles during gameplay is smooth and unobtrusive.
Our Verdict
The DualSense Edge offers extensive customization options that surpass the DualSense, but it comes with a high price tag. We suggest the DualSense Edge for professional gamers seeking a personalized gaming experience with nearly limitless possibilities.
On the other hand, for casual gamers, the investment may not be worthwhile and sticking to the original DualSense might just save you a pretty penny when overall, the DualSense is still a very good controller.
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