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We have written this review by keeping both beginners and experts in mind. If you are here, you probably are looking for your first controller with paddles or a replacement for your current one. We have reviewed five great models that come with extra analog sticks, D-Pad, multiple customization options, and wireless connectivity. These controllers are designed for comfort and performance so you can enjoy and take advantage of paddles while playing your favorite MMORPGs and FPS games. 

 

SCUF Prestige Wireless Controller 

 

 

The Scuf Prestige offers significant upgrades over its predecessor, the Scuf Elite. The programmable paddles are placed vertically, so accidental presses are not an issue. It weighs only 269 grams, has a comfortable design and a long battery life. The Prestige also has an interchangeable faceplate and offers other ways to customize the controller.  

Design & Features

The Scuf Prestige is available in three colors: Black & Red, Blue & Gray, White & Red, and there are more colors available on their official site. The Black & Red model has a matt faceplate, which is magnetically held, so you can easily replace it with other faceplates sold by scuf gaming. Its buttons and the D-pad are pretty similar to the standard Xbox One gamepad. The analog sticks are concave, and the controller also comes with a set of domed sticks that can be swapped easily. 

The back of the controller has rubberized grips with a nice texture that keeps your hands in place. It has four adjustable textured paddles with two switches for turning on and off the hair triggers. Right above the toggle switches, you’ll find screws for adjusting the travel distance of the triggers using an electromagnetic key; the feature is pretty useful for FPS gaming. 

It has an internal Lithium-Ion battery which can be charged with a USB cable. A single charge lasts around 30 hours, and you can also play while the controller is connected with the braided cable. The controller has a micro USB port for charging and features a 3.5mm headphone jack and Xbox chat adapter input. 

 

Razer Wolverine Ultimate 

 

 

The Razer Wolverine Ultimate is a wired controller that comes with six remappable rear buttons and triggers. Its analog sticks and the D-Pad are interchangeable, and the controller also has Razer Chroma lighting. The Wolverine Ultimate almost outclasses Microsoft’s Elite Series 2, but there is no wireless support, which can be a dealbreaker for some people. 

Design & Features

The front of the controller has menu and option buttons, A/B/X/Y buttons, a directional pad, and analog sticks. The plus-shaped D-pad can be replaced by four separate directional buttons, and you get the option to choose convex tip or concave tip analog sticks. 

The bottom edge of the gamepad has a quick control panel, which is pretty similar to the Xbox chat adapter; it lets you control headset volume, has a button for switching controller profiles, and another button for setting inputs to the additional triggers.

On the backside of the handles, you will find a textured finish, which feels pretty good. The controller has two remappable bumpers and four additional triggers, and just like most controllers with paddles, this model also has switches for tweaking the travel distance of the triggers. If you are an eSports player, you’ll love this. It also comes with software that lets you change RGB effects, joystick sensitivity, and haptic feedback levels and allows more customization options. 

 

 

Microsoft Elite Series 2

 

 

The Xbox Elite Series 2 is the successor to the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller. Microsoft has refined its most features and added USB-C, Bluetooth connectivity, and adjustable-tension thumbsticks. It is one of the best Xbox controllers with paddles, but just like SCUF Prestige, the Elite Series 2 is also expensive. 

Design & Features

The controller comes in a carry case with a USB-C cable, wireless charger pack, extra sticks, D-pad, and of course, four small paddles. The first thing you will notice is that there are no more accents at the controller’s top. The fully blacked-out design looks excellent, but the matt material is an oil magnate. Thankfully, both legs have rubberized grips that do not attract fingerprints like the rest of the material. 

The front has A/B/X/Y buttons, a share, a menu, and a profile button. The D-pad and sticks are magnetically held and can be swapped with the included pad and sticks. As mentioned before, it has adjustable-tension thumbsticks, which is a nice addition and something we have never seen before. 

On the back, you’ll find four horizontal paddles that feel a little tactile and clicky. The back also has two toggle switches for adjusting the travel distance of the triggers. The Series 2 allows multiple customization options through the Xbox Accessories app; the app allows you to set up paddles, configure stick sensitivity, vibration, and more. You can also create multiple profiles with different configurations and switch them using the profile button. 

 

 

 PowerA Fusion Pro 

 

 

If you are looking for an inexpensive controller that performs like other third-party Xbox One controllers, the PowerA Fusion Pro is an excellent option. It does not offer a swappable D-pad and wireless connectivity, but it has comfortable grips, mappable underside buttons, swappable joysticks, and also allows you to adjust trigger sensitivity.

Design & Features

The front has all the required buttons and joysticks, its faceplate is made of matte plastic, and the handles have a nice texture on the backside. The triggers are slightly curved, and just like most Xbox controllers, their travel distance can be adjusted using the switches on the back.

Its paddles are attached with a locking mechanism so they can be easily removed if you don’t want to use them. Mapping the buttons is also pretty easy; you can long-press the program button, and the program light will start flashing, and then you can press the input you want to map, and then click the paddle you want to assign. 

 

 

Microsoft Xbox Elite Wireless Controller

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller is the official model by Microsoft. It comes with six thumbsticks, two D-pads, and four paddles. The controller allows you to remap buttons to detachable paddles using a dedicated Xbox app, and the Elite has onboard memory for saving your two profiles, which can be accessed using the profile switch. 

Design & Features

The Elite comes in a fantastic carrying case with extra paddles and sticks. The front has required controls, and the faceplate is made of matt material that looks and feels premium. This model came before the Elite series 2, which we have placed on the third number in this article because of its comfortable design and impressive performance. 

Both models have a similar design, but the Elite has silver accents at the top of the controller, and its paddles are slightly bigger than Elite Series 2. On the back, you’ll find a compartment for 2 x AA batteries and two levers with 2-settings for changing the travel of triggers.

The reason this model is placed on the 5th number instead of 2nd or 3rd is, the Elite series 2 is the newer and better model, it has 3-stage trigger locks and 3 configuration profiles while the Elite has only 2-stage trigger locks and 2 configuration profiles and the biggest difference is, there is no built-in battery.

 

What to consider before buying a controller for Xbox

Compatibility

You are probably here for Xbox one controller, but if you want a controller that is also compatible with other consoles or your gaming PC, you need to check compatibility before making a purchase. 

Ergonomics and Comfort

Some gamers play all day without taking frequent breaks; an ergonomically designed controller will feel comfortable even if you hold it for hours. The models we have included in this review feature extra analog sticks and D-pad, so you can use the ones that feel more comfortable. 

Build Quality

Good ergonomics and comfort are not enough; a controller should be made of high-quality material, so it lasts long. Consider a well-known brand like Razer and Scuff gaming. 

Hand Size

Make sure you also check the controller’s size if your hands are extra small or extra-large, especially when buying a model with paddles; some paddles are small, and some are big; thus, they may feel different. 

 

FAQs

How do paddles help?

Paddles help reduce hand movement so you can control your in-game character quickly. If you have used a gaming mouse with a number pad or any other MMO mouse, you probably know how paddles can improve your gaming experience. You can map your inputs to your paddles and quickly press them, and do multiple things while playing games like Fortnite, PUBG, Free fire, e.t.c. Paddles are banned from some tournaments; they can make your gameplay easy that’s why some gamers also consider using them as cheating.

Do paddles help with Fortnite?

Yes, as mentioned before, you can assign hard to reach buttons to your paddles and quickly reload, aim, and shoot while playing Fortnite or other games. 

Are Scuf or other controllers with paddles cheating?

No, using Scuf or other controllers with paddles isn’t cheating. Most of these models have a similar design as official Xbox controllers, and the only advantage paddles provide is reduced hand movement, which allows the gamers to take actions without lifting their fingers from analog sticks.

Do Scuf paddles work on a regular controller?

No, Scuf paddles can’t be attached with regular controllers, but you can install a mod pack. 

Are paddles hard to install?

No, you can easily attach the paddles and quickly remove them when not using. You can easily assign your inputs to your paddles by following the procedure provided by the manufacturer. Some models require the software for mapping, and some can be mapped without the software. 

Can you use Xbox Elite Controller on PS4?

Yes, connect the Xbox Elite to port one of your hub and connect the PS4 controller in port four. After connecting both of them, power on your PS4 and start playing with the Xbox Elite. 

 

Sources

1. Rami Tabari, Scuf Prestige review, Laptopmag.
2. Will Greenwald, Razer Wolverine Ultimate, PCmag.
3. Tom Warren, Xbox Elite 2 Ccontroller review, Theverge.
4. Jeff Bakalar, Microsoft Xbox Elite Controller review, CNET.

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