DualSense Edge TEST: the ultimate PlayStation controller for demanding gamers!

The controller is, without a doubt, the accessory most in contact with the player, and if the standard models are largely sufficient for the majority of us, the more advanced versions find takers among professional or simply demanding players. playstation had not yet approached this market and left, until now, third-party manufacturers to offer alternatives like the SCUF Reflex Pro PS5. That day is over and the DualSense Edge arrives with undeniable qualities, in addition to the original ones, who were able to seduce us as we will explain to you in the following lines.

Contents of the box:

• The DualSense Edge controller;
• A shell transport box (with opening for loading);
• A 2.50 m braided USB extension cord;
• Four paddles (two very short, two long);
• Four domed joysticks (two short, two long);
• An accessory to block the USB cable when it is connected to the controller.

The DualSense Edge Comes in a beautiful white clamshell carrying case with logo playstation embossed and filled with glossy selective varnish. The two zipper pullers are in black plastic and have a logo. A small hook is available, either to hang a strap (not supplied) or attach it to a backpack or belt. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, this cover offers a very useful little bonus via its removable hatch at the back which lets the USB cable pass through: charging the controller while it is in the cover. If it seems anecdotal, on a daily basis it is really very practical.

While remaining identical in shape to its big sister, the DualSense Edge benefited from some small arrangements : the buttons and the trackpad are black as well as around the USB port which, as a bonus, now has two notches to hang the supplied cable lock. Two function buttons have been added in front of the joysticks, around the headphone socket, two switches near the triggers have appeared as well as two notches accommodating the famous paddles. To complete the express tour of the beast, it should be added that there is now, below, a button allowing the front shell to be released in order to easily change the joystick blocks in the event of a breakdown.

The palettes are very responsive with a definite click and even when spamming them they never failed us.

Once the controller is in hand, regulars will feel a slight overweight (334 g against 271 g on our scale) compared to the standard model, but will appreciate the more pleasant and firm grip. thanks to the slightly rubbery grip which replaces the initial texture of the plastic of the shell where the three fingers (middle finger, ring finger and little finger) rest to hold the controller. Another nice little change, the triggers (R2 and L2) are no longer smooth, but textured, which “sticks” the triggers better to the indexesespecially in games like Gran Turismo 7 where you have to play the accelerator precisely. A good point for this detail. Another very useful little addition, still for the latter, on the underside of the controller, there are two sliders allowing you to physically adjust their stroke in order to be able to adapt it to your way of playing: long (standard), medium or very short (FPS). Being able to adjust this to your liking without having to do anything other than slide the switch to one of the three positions is really a great innovation. Finally, via the settings menu, it is possible to assign an inert zone to the triggers (a place where moving it does nothing) and to adjust the intensity of the haptic feedback (disabled, low, medium or high). Note, when using the microphone, the vibration level is set to “low” and if the sliders are used to limit the travel of the triggers, it will be set to “disabled”. By using a headset, your choice will then be respected.

With the DualSense Edge, there are two sets of palettes included, a classic pair and another much smaller, moreover closer to a button than a palette. In both cases, the installation is very simple. Just slip them into the notches and let go, the magnetization doing the rest. Well placed, they fall perfectly under the fingers and after several hours of testing, we found them very reactive with a well marked click and even in them. spammingthey have never failed us. In addition, their configuration is childish, but we will see that in the dedicated paragraph below.

The strength of this controller, in addition to its beautiful technical specificities, is that it is produced by PlayStation and that its particularities are directly manageable from the settings in the console menu.

As for the joysticks, the “basic touch” is consistent with that offered with the DualSense original. On the other hand, the thing that changes everything is that fine tuning can be applied via the settings in the system. It is therefore possible to very finely adjust the behavior of the joystick. This can be done manually by adjusting the displacement curve and dead zone or, more simply, by selecting one of six pre-programmed profiles (By default, Fast, Precise, Regular, Digital and Dynamic). The difference is obvious and it’s really worth spending some time tweaking these settings to optimize your movements in game.

But that’s not all. As said above, there is a button that allows you to remove the part of the front shell that covers the joysticks. By doing this, the two blocks of the joysticks are accessible and can be removed by simply lifting a lever to unlock them and then sliding them towards us. To put them back on, just do the reverse. Simpler, you die. By the way, to change a joystick cap (there are two domed pairs included, one with a short shaft, the other with a longer one), just gently pull it off. To replace one, simply place it on the axle and then push until you hear a click. Again, simpler, you die. Know that in the event of a problem with a joystick, it will only take a few seconds – without any tools – to change it, it’s very relaxing. Note, they are for sale on the site playstation.

Read also: DualSense TEST: the PS5 controller is… incredible

The strength of this controller, in addition to its beautiful technical specificities, is that it is produced by playstation and that its peculiarities are directly manageable from the settings in the console menu. A little tour around Settings > Accessories > DualSense Edge and you have the keys to customize your controller. The most interesting feature is, without a doubt, the creation of profiles. In each, you can redefine the key assignment, the sensitivity and the inert zone of the joysticks, the intensity of the vibrations and the trigger effect. You can have up to four profiles accessible on the fly, even in mid-game, via the left or right function keys (FN + Cross, Round, Square Where Triangle) and many more stored waiting to be assigned to a key combination. Moreover, the icing on the cake is that all this is absolutely simple to set up. Everything is clear, everything is intuitive, playstation worked really well on its interface. Our only regret is that it is not possible to assign key combinations to a single key. If it is practical for clumsy fingers, this possibility would prevent this controller from being used in competitions, which would be a shame, you will agree.

In the end, the DualSense Edge managed to get us to put away our DualSense standard in a drawer as it seduced us thanks to its improved grip via a more pleasant, efficient grip and above all its well thought-out functionalities at all levels. This starts from the superb carrying case allowing the charge to be closed, through the function buttons allowing you to zap between several profiles on the fly even in full play, or even by the sliders allowing to adjust the stroke of the triggers, without forget the pallets which are well placed, very reactive and easy to put on and take off. Finally, being able to change your joysticks yourself, without any tools, in the event of a breakdown is a very significant plus, even if the hope of never having to use them is part of our expectations. So yes, the DualSense Edge is not given, but it can offer really excellent playing comfort as long as it can be finely adjusted by hand via a simple interface that everyone can understand.