The SCUF Reflex series has been around for a while now — we even reviewed it back in 2023 — but in 2025, it’s stepping things up by joining the Valor Pro and Nomad line with the addition of Hall effect technology. Enter the SCUF Reflex Pro, now equipped with anti-drift tech, which I’ve been kindly sent to review.
At its core, the SCUF Reflex Pro is essentially a souped-up DualSense controller, fine-tuned for competitive play and a more premium feel. The version I received, featuring the aforementioned anti-drift sticks, comes in at a hefty $249.99 (£249.99). That’s a steep price tag, but if it genuinely enhances performance, it might just be worth it...
Design and Build Quality
The SCUF Reflex Pro sticks closely to the iconic DualSense controller layout, featuring a symmetrical button design and familiar ergonomic shape. It weighs in at 300 grams, which is around 15–20 grams heavier than the standard DualSense. While that difference might not sound like much on paper, it's noticeable when you first pick it up. The difference isn't huge, sure, but I did notice it upon unboxing the device.
What stands out most is the high-performance grip, which gives the Reflex Pro a premium, non-slip feel that enhances comfort during extended play sessions. The overall aesthetic is clean and minimal, too, with the controller I tested arriving in simple matte black, though a wide range of colors and patterns are available for those who want something more eye-catching.
However, the key improvement over the standard DualSense, and the reason this review exists, is the inclusion of Hall effect anti-drift technology, designed to address the common issue of stick drift. It's a welcome upgrade for sure, especially considering how prevalent drift issues have been in the original DualSense, in my experience.
The controller also includes all the usual features you get with the DualSense: built-in mic and speakers, a mute button, and vibration motors that offer immersive haptic feedback. These elements function on par with Sony’s official offering as far as I could tell.
In the box, you’ll also find a black fabric hard shell carry case, which provides snug protection for both the controller and its swappable thumbstick box. Unfortunately, there's no space for a USB charging cable inside, which is slightly disappointing for those who want to carry a complete setup while traveling.
Compatibility and Connectivity
The SCUF Reflex Pro is compatible with PS5 (including the Pro), Windows 7 or newer PCs, macOS Catalina and up, and iOS 10+ and Android devices. Xbox consoles are not supported, which is worth noting, though that is made obvious on the SCUF Reflex Pro's product page.
In terms of connectivity, it offers both wired (USB-C) and wireless (Bluetooth) options. Pairing is quick and straightforward with either method, and in practice, there was no noticeable difference in input delay between wired and wireless gameplay. This means you can opt for wireless comfort without sacrificing performance.
The wireless range is stated to be up to 45 feet, which should be more than enough for typical living room setups. While I didn't test this to the limit, the range did appear to be pretty solid and consistent during use.
Interestingly, there’s no dedicated PC software for configuration or remapping, which is a bit of a surprise considering the level of customization the controller offers. That said, most in-game button remapping options on PC and PS5 work well enough, and SCUF’s three onboard profiles help mitigate the need for external software. While the lack of software could be limiting for some users, console players especially won’t feel the absence too strongly, given how restrictive external customization tends to be on PS5 anyway.
Customization Options
You get a wide array of customization options here, designed to give a competitive edge while catering to personal preferences. The headliners are the four remappable paddles, swappable thumbsticks, adjustable triggers, and three onboard profile slots.
The four back paddles come with three preset profiles that can be cycled through using the Profile Switch button on the back of the controller. These include:
- BLUE = FPS/Battle Royale, with the standard face buttons mapped to the paddles
- RED = Sports Mode, replacing triangle and square with D-pad inputs
- GREEN = Racing Mode, where the entire D-pad is shifted to the rear
While the paddle feedback is incredibly tactile, the ergonomics may divide users. The P2 and P3 paddles fall under the fingers nicely, but the P1 and P4 paddles could be slightly longer. As it stands, getting a comfortable grip while maintaining easy access to all paddles can be a challenge (more on this later).
The Reflex Pro features adaptive triggers with haptic feedback, just like the original DualSense, offering immersive resistance in supported games. However, FPS enthusiasts may prefer the Reflex FPS variant, which swaps adaptive triggers for instant triggers that better suit fast-paced shooters.
Thumbstick customization is also possible, with tall concave and convex options included. Unfortunately, the swapping process is not user-friendly. Removing the front faceplate is simple, but pulling off the sticks requires significant force, and reassembling the faceplate can affect stick responsiveness.
During my first attempt at swapping the sticks, the reattachment of the faceplate caused sticks to not return to center, which is a serious issue that took considerable trial and error to resolve. It took upwards of five attempts to stop this from happening, and if you press down on the faceplate too hard when reattaching, you'll get the sticks stuck in their pressed-down position. I think aligning and re-adding the sticks is also a contributor to the issue, though I found re-adding the default sticks the easiest to align correctly, but still not user-friendly. For me, this is the biggest issue with the DualSense Reflex Pro.
Lastly, the Profile Switch button, while functional, is placed on the rear of the controller. It works well to store and toggle between configurations, but I think it would be more convenient if placed on the front somewhere, though that could clutter the front of the device.
Performance in Gameplay
In gameplay, the controller delivers excellent responsiveness across a wide variety of genres. The adaptive triggers stand out in particular, which I found to be especially noticeable in shooters like Rainbow Six Siege. There’s a satisfying realism to how the resistance drops mid-press, mimicking the feel of an actual trigger when firing a weapon, which adds to immersion.
The four back paddles are practical, enabling you to execute commands without lifting your thumbs from the sticks. However, the P1 and P4 paddles could be improved, as touched on earlier. On several occasions, I accidentally pressed them when using the inner P2 and P3 paddles, which became frustrating during intense moments. This definitely supports my idea that making the P1 and P4 slightly longer could help reduce these accidental presses and improve comfort, as it gives a bit more distance between them and the inner paddles.
When it comes to the swappable thumbsticks, the three different height options provide great flexibility depending on your control preferences. I personally found that using a taller stick on the right for aiming and a shorter concave stick on the left for movement worked well. The default sticks also performed consistently across all games, but swapping between them is seriously off-putting, considering the issue I mentioned earlier. The Hall effect technology appears effective, though, as I’ve experienced no stick drift so far. However, that should be a given considering SCUF has upped the price of the SCUF Reflex Pro for the anti-drift technology.
Battery Life and Charging
The controller offers over 8 hours of battery life, according to SCUF, which in practice felt comparable to the regular DualSense, if not slightly better. It’s also reportedly superior to the DualSense Edge in this regard; however, battery life overall isn’t particularly impressive, especially when stacked up against the Xbox Elite Series 2, which lasts significantly longer.
During testing, I did need to recharge the controller within a couple of extended sessions, which isn’t ideal, especially given the premium price point. For those who play longer or more frequently, this could become annoying, unless you use it while wired more often than not.
You don’t get a charging stand included, so the primary method is to charge via USB-C using your PS5, which is thankfully straightforward. The upside is that the charging time is relatively quick; I found it took just a couple of hours to reach a full charge from low battery.
Ultimately, while battery performance is adequate, it’s not exceptional, and the lack of charging accessories makes it feel like more could’ve been done to round out the experience.
Price and Value
Priced at $249.99 (£249.99), the SCUF Reflex Pro, with the anti-drift tech, is placed firmly in the premium tier of gaming controllers. For that amount, you're getting a device that’s essentially a DualSense Edge with swappable sticks and extra rear paddles, and while it does feel more premium in the hand, the added value is debatable.
Compared to competitors, especially the DualSense Edge, which retails for a similar or lower price, it’s hard to say the Reflex Pro justifies its cost. Controllers with more features and fewer reported issues, like the stick alignment problem I encountered, can be found for less money.
If you ask me, $250 is a steep price for what this controller offers, particularly considering its limitations. That said, SCUF does provide a 1-year warranty, which adds some peace of mind, though it doesn’t entirely offset the questionable value for money.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Hall effect sticks do work well at preventing drift (so far)
- Premium grip and build quality make it seem like a premium gamepad
- It has great haptics and adaptive triggers
- Four remappable rear paddles are a nice bonus
- Swappable thumbsticks are handy to have, on paper
Cons:
- High price for what it offers
- Stick swapping is awkward and causes issues with the sticks getting "stuck"
- Paddle layout can cause accidental presses, in my experience
Final Verdict
The SCUF Reflex Pro is a pretty premium-feeling controller that genuinely elevates gameplay thanks to Hall effect sticks, tactile rear paddles, and solid adaptive triggers. But for $249.99, it really needs to be flawless, and it’s not.
Between awkward thumbstick swapping, accidental paddle presses, and average, at best, battery life, it feels like a great gamepad held back by some design flaws. If you’re dead set on avoiding stick drift and love customization, it might be worth a look. But personally? I’d think twice before dropping this kind of cash unless SCUF smooths out those key issues.
