SCUF Valor Pro Wireless Performance controller review — Locked and reloaded

SCUF’s Valor Pro is a great controller. I thought so in my review at the beginning of the year. SCUF wanted to take it up a notch, and have introduced a wireless variant to the formula. It’s more than just chopping off the cable, however, and after using this controller for a bit, the tweaks are just the latest in SCUF innovation.

Opening the box you’ll find the SCUF Valor Pro Wireless Performance controller, a USB-C charging cable, the wireless dongle, and two blanking plates for the inner back paddles, and two additional thumbsticks. The cable has a braided sheath, along with being six feet long, which meets my high expectations when it comes to included cables. If you like changing out your thumbsticks, the extra ones are nice, with one tall for those that prefer that style.

Taking the Valor Pro out of the box, it looks just like its wired brother, maintaining that premium look. Remember, this is the first line of controllers SCUF crafted themselves, and they’ve done a fantastic job in building something of high quality. In hand, it feels fantastic, with a good weight and incredible non-slip grip. Where I’ve had to readjust my grip regularly with other controllers, that doesn’t exist with the Valor Pro.

Even if you like the aesthetic, I love SCUF’s commitment to flair. The Valor Pro follows the removable magnetic faceplate choice SCUF has implemented, allowing you to swap out new styles if you want a change. Better still, the faceplates from the wired model will work on the wireless, meaning if you already have a few, you can switch things up immediately and plenty of styles are available.

Moving into the features, this Valor Pro has a big upgrade in Endurance TMR (Tunneling Magnetoresistance) thumbsticks. This new advancement of thumbstick input is even more precise and durable than Hall Effect thumbsticks; you’ll hit what you aim at and they’ll last longer. I’ve used these before, and my takeaway has been that there’s less of a learning curve. Going from analog sticks to digital in Hall Effects required a short transition – that doesn’t exist with TMR. Maybe it’s simply my being used to digital inputs, but at any rate, it’s a good thing. Accuracy is king on a controller, and the Valor Pro has it in spades.

The other biggest upgrade is of course, the wireless modes. I say modes because it’s not limited to just 2.4GHz, as Bluetooth is also included for this controller. With Tri-mode Connectivity – Xbox, PC, and Bluetooth – you’re pretty set for using this where you play. Sure, no PlayStation or Switch, but your Steam Deck or iPad will be thrilled with the extra oomph your Valor Pro provides. PC even gets a 1K polling rate, which will help you win gunfights you shouldn’t by boosting your input response.

Although they work well and I adjust quickly to them, I’m still not as big of a fan of SCUF’s back buttons. They’re clicky and responsive (and remappable manually or through software), but where they sit in your grip doesn’t feel as comfortable as other controllers do. The outside buttons aren’t the issue, it’s all on the inner ones that are more flat to the back. They don’t grip well, and I’ve missed them occasionally. I do have smaller hands, so that could affect my comfort, but there are better back buttons out there. If you only want two buttons, however, SCUF includes two plates to blank out those inner buttons, leaving you with the more comfortable outside ones.

What I am a big fan of are the triggers. SCUF’s instant triggers are fantastic, feeling like a mouse click. There’s just enough pressure there to be pulling on them without it being too quick. They’re responsive and fast, exactly what I like. Being able to change between regular and instant is also a nice touch. On the wired Valor Pro, I didn’t like the bumpers, feeling like it was too easy to hit them with the wrap around build. I don’t know if minor adjustments have been made or if I’m just holding it better, but that’s no longer an issue.

I won’t dwell on the face buttons long, but they feel as good as any first-party Xbox controller. Set up to mimic the face of one, everything is in its correct place with good spacing for use. The D-pad isn’t one I’d want to use with say a fighting game – you want a D-pad with better range of motion – but for most other games it has a satisfying press.

Coming back from the wired Valor Pro: the audio controls. These are two rollers that sit beside your 3.55mm jack, and control your game and chat sound. It’s a nice addition, especially considering what genre this controller will be used for most – competitive shooters. Being able to crank your audio to hear a sound cue in a 1v1 or lower your chat volume to tune out friends on the fly isn’t something you usually get on a controller. Given you can also click them to instantly mute, this is an inspired extra. 

Battery life generally doesn’t mean much to me as competitive controllers are better used wired. The 1K polling rate on PC via wired mode also makes it less of a sell. That said, the SCUF Valor Pro advertises 17 hours of charge, and it seems to get there. I say it seems because I couldn’t ever find an indicator on percentages through the app, and Xbox isn't very detailed (I get it, it's full). In my testing, I’d call it correct. If you’re on PC, it’s probably better to go wired for the benefit of the polling, but you’ll do fine on battery life however you decide to roll.

While I’ve bemoaned the lack of a companion app before for SCUF products (although understandably missing due to them not being designed wholly by SCUF), that’s no longer the case. With the Valor Pro wireless, in comes the Valor Pro Companion App. I won’t call it the most exciting software out there – it’s somewhat barebones with only the ability to remap the buttons for your three available profiles. That said, it does its job quickly and admirably, allowing you to cycle through profiles built for your favorite games via a button on the controller. It’s also available natively on the Xbox, which is a win.

One of my few qualms with this controller comes in its price point. The wired Valor Pro was of budget variety, coming in at only $100. The wireless model is double that, costing $200. While the wireless connectivity, addition of Xbox compatibility, and TMR thumbsticks are great, I do question that big of an increase. As silly as it sounds, if SCUF would throw in a simple case for the controller it would mitigate the increase alongside the feature additions. Is it worth the price? Probably. But will people balk at it? There’s certainly a chance.