DualSense vs. DualSense Edge: Which PS5 Controller Should You Buy?

Choosing Between the PS5 DualSense and DualSense Edge Controllers: A Detailed Comparison

The PlayStation 5 boasts two excellent first-party controllers: the standard DualSense and the premium DualSense Edge. This comparison will help you decide which best suits your needs, considering price, features, and playing style.

Price Point

The most significant difference lies in cost. The standard DualSense, included with every PS5, retails for $69.99 (though sales often offer discounts). The DualSense Edge, however, commands a premium $199 price tag, aligning with other high-end controllers like the Xbox Elite Series 2.

Features and Specifications

Both controllers share core features: haptic feedback for precise vibrations and adaptive triggers for realistic resistance. They maintain a similar design and button layout, ensuring a familiar feel. Both include dual thumbsticks, face buttons, a D-pad, touchpad, integrated speakers, headphone jack, and microphone.

DualSense Edge: Advanced Customization

The DualSense Edge distinguishes itself through extensive customization options. Interchangeable back buttons and thumbsticks cater to individual preferences. Replaceable thumbstick modules mitigate stick drift, a common controller issue. Four customizable profiles, accessed via function buttons, allow remapping of any button. This level of personalization is unparalleled.

DualSense: Familiar Comfort and Extended Battery Life

The DualSense, while lacking the advanced features of its counterpart, offers a familiar and comfortable design. Its 1560 mAh battery provides approximately 10 hours of playtime on a single charge, significantly longer than the DualSense Edge's 5-hour battery life (1050 mAh). It also offers a wider variety of color options and special editions.

Which Controller Should You Choose?

The DualSense Edge is a superior controller in most aspects except battery life. Its customization features, especially the interchangeable back buttons and thumbsticks, provide a competitive advantage in multiplayer games and shooters. The replaceable thumbstick modules alone might justify the higher price for frequent gamers experiencing stick drift.

However, casual gamers or those who primarily play single-player games might find the DualSense Edge's advanced features unnecessary. The DualSense's longer battery life and diverse color options make it a more attractive option for these users.

What's Your Priority in a PS5 Controller?

Battery lifeHaptic feedbackCustomizable buttonsBuilt-in microphoneComfortable designStyle and lightingAnswerSee Results