SCUF Reflex Pro PS5 controller review — Finding the meta attachments

SCUF is a brand I’ve long heard of but never tried myself. There are many PS5 pro controllers out there after an original scarcity at launch. With so many to pick from, why choose a SCUF? After spending some time using SCUF’s Reflex Pro, I see the appeal.

Reaching into the box you’ll find the SCUF Reflex Pro controller inside a nice carrying case, along with a set of four additional thumbsticks and a USB-C charging cable. I always love seeing a carrying case included, and even though this universal one is a bit basic, it will protect the investment you made in a SCUF controller. The braided cable is also six feet long, which will work well for people like me who prefer to use their controller wired, or that have their PC or console sitting in a spot where you can’t slip a controller close by for charging.

The standard PS5 controller form is already fantastic, so it’s nice to see SCUF didn’t change its feel. I really appreciate the added rubber grip on the handles, which sits in the perfect spot to keep the controller firm in my grip. SCUF’s custom back paddle module rests directly on the back, with a profile button to swap between three on the fly. The thumbstick plate is also a custom SCUF design, allowing it to be easily removed for you to switch out thumbsticks. Tweaking the formula that already works is a smart decision, allowing for innovation on top of familiarity.

For those who like more customization, SCUF has a ton of cool designs and works with a lot of cool partners to give you a cool looking controller. I went with the incredible Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 design, and all the orange, gray, white, and black really pops on this controller. You can choose from quite a few designs on the Reflex page, or scroll over to the collabs for even more. Content creators like TeeP and Butters have some great choices for you, along with orgs like SpaceStation Gaming or 100 Thieves. It’s truly not hard to find something you like from SCUF.

Now, when you go to the SCUF website, you’ll notice two different controllers: the Reflex Pro which I have in hand, and the Reflex FPS. Both feature specific qualities that make them better for the kinds of games you’ll be playing. The Reflex Pro will work for competitive play, but retains the DualSense’s haptic vibration and adaptive triggers. The Reflex FPS meanwhile ditches both of those for a lighter body and instant triggers. While both will work well playing something like Black Ops 6, the Reflex FPS is probably the best choice if you’re mainly interested in competition over immersion.

Back buttons are something that no two controllers do the same, and at first I wasn’t sure as to the feel of the SCUF solution. The paddles that sit towards your grip are fine, with a lot of real estate to press. The paddles that rest inside of them are tougher to press at first, feeling like they might be more pull than press given the ridge built onto them. After some time however, they’ve become a natural extension while gaming, and even with smaller hands they’re comfortable to use. The best thing about them is a quick remapping process, as within a minute I can have a completely different set of back button inputs. Pair that with the three profiles, and the ease of use is exceptional.

One of the more interesting features of the SCUF Reflex Pro is the removable plate around the thumbsticks to allow you to switch them out. SCUF decided to add a few steps compared to other controller makers, allowing for swapping out the entire plastic piece when you change sticks rather than just the top. I’ll admit, it’s more scary this way, as I worried the entire time about damaging one of the thumbsticks. While it’s easy to do, and the sticks attach tightly, I still think I prefer the opposing method. That said, these sticks do feel great to use, with good grip for steady aim.

Playing any game with the SCUF Reflex Pro so far has felt natural. I’ve already spoken of this feeling with the back buttons, but it extends to the entire controller. Some of that is the choice to build this controller on top of the DualSense, so the familiarity is there. After very little time adjusting to the dead zones and response times of my inputs, I was right back to slaying in Black Ops 6 like usual. Moving over to Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, the remaining haptic feedback and adaptive triggers kept me immersed in what I was playing, but with the added benefit of a textured grip and back buttons. This is a do it all controller, from intense moments on the battlefield to precise hops in a platformer.

My only disappointment with the overall package is a lack of software. Plenty of other companies use software for updates or virtually tweaking your controller, but SCUF hasn’t done that. Some of it is because these aren’t custom from the ground up but customized first-party controllers. In any case, I’d love for the design team at SCUF to figure something extra out, as being able to make adjustments on my PC is a nice touch.

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