Scuf Reflex Reviews: Better Than DualSense?

Scuf’s controller is a superb entrant to the market and, in our view, should be the default choice for most players looking for a major upgrade. Its customization options are really excellent, but the stock controller is a great bet, as well.

The addition of paddles makes for huge leaps forward in terms of control scheme options – and the ease of reprogramming them shouldn’t be overlooked – while offering different profiles for your layouts is another superb touch.

Between how much control you have over its looks and how you use it, the Reflex could be a seriously potent tool in the hands of an aspiring professional gamer – or just someone who wants to get a leg-up on the competition in public servers.

We wish it came a little cheaper, but, still, this might just be the new standard-setter for those trying to go the extra mile on PS5.

In the end, the SCUF Reflex is a slightly leveled-up PS5 DualSense. That is to say, it’s managed to improve on Sony’s excellent hardware, if only by slim margins, but the margins do exist.

Whether or not consumers think remappable paddles, swappable thumbsticks and some extra grip are worth more than half the price (literally!) of a digital edition PS5 console will determine the Reflex’s viability. For reference, a standard DualSense retails for around $69.99. For further reference, that is way cheaper than any version of the Reflex, and the stock gamepad does most of the same things.

There must be a market for these kinds of controllers, though, because SCUF keeps pumping them out. For me, it’s a tough sell, not because the Reflex isn’t a commendable peripheral (it absolutely is) but because the value proposition is a bit weak. For something closer to $100, this would be a must-buy. As it stands, I can only recommend this to SCUF diehards and gamers with deep pockets.

Having paddles on a controller isn’t for everyone, but it’s one of those things you may not be able to live without after you’re accustomed to it. And for people who have never bought a controller like this, you may only realize what your preference is by trying it out. It’d be easier to recommend that more people give it a try, if only the $199.99 starting price for Scuf’s Reflex wasn’t so high. And unfortunately, with practically no wireless alternatives to the DualSense currently available, Scuf charges more for these extra features than they’re worth.

Scuf knows how to make already-good controllers a little better. But these prices only serve to keep most players from being able to experience them. In the absence of other equally customizable options, I still can’t recommend this to most people. I’ll just sit here, crossing my fingers, and hoping that Sony will eventually make a PS5 version of its Back Button Attachment, or an even more premium wireless controller of its own that costs less than this one.

Do you need more «pro» in your controller? The Scuf Reflex Pro does what it says on the tin. Thanks to better grip, extra paddles that you can practically assign anywhere, and removable analog sticks, you have more control over your games. Does it make you game better? Maybe. For me, the main benefit is that it’s customizable. The four extra buttons provide more flexibility and don’t require as much finger gymnastics.

Without a doubt, the Reflex Pro feels like it’s better finished than the normal Dual Sense controller. The problem is the price tag. For 250 francs, I expect more than a few paddles and increased grip. 100 francs less would bag Xbox players (and PC players) the Elite controller. It sits just as well in your hand.

Not only does it let you make more adjustments, but it’s also easier to do so. That’s what makes it difficult to recommend Scuf’s controller. That being said, there aren’t many alternatives to a Pro controller in Dual Sense design. Assuming the price tag doesn’t put you off, when you invest in the Reflex Pro, you get a top-quality controller. But for everyone else, the wait for Sony to release its own Pro controller continues.

The Scuf Reflex Pro is a nice upgrade to the stock DualSense, but it isn’t a very significant one. Of course, Sony already packed a startling number of advanced features into its PlayStation 5 controller, and maybe there isn’t much further it can be taken. The rear paddles are convenient, and the swappable thumbsticks are pleasantly textured.

Otherwise, the Reflex Pro is nearly indistinguishable from the DualSense. That doesn’t really justify spending more than three times as much as the DualSense, especially when the Reflex Pro doesn’t come with a case, and lacks an app for more extensive customization.

Still, there are no gamepads besides the Reflex and Reflex Pro that do everything the DualSense can do, and that makes them worth considering if you want a rear-bumper upgrade to the standard PS5 controller.

If you want to game on Xbox, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller remains one of our favorites, and the 8Bitdo Pro 2 stands as our pick for Nintendo Switch gamepads. The Elite has more swappable parts and a case, while the Pro 2 costs less than the standard DualSense.

Both controllers have apps for even more tweaks, and can be used on PCs without relying on driver wrappers or customization modes.

For PS5, though, your choices so far are the DualSense and the Reflex.