If you’re thinking of switching from a standard PS5 controller to a custom controller then Hexgaming and Scuf are two of the best options out there.
Using custom controllers gives you more control over the way you want to play. You can choose the color you prefer, the control mapping that suits your style, and the thumbsticks that you find comfortable.
In this review, we’re going to compare two Hexgaming and Scuf controllers side-by-side. We’ll take a look at the price, programming, rear buttons, appearance, and thumbsticks to see which controller comes out on top.
Hexgaming Overview
Hexgaming has three different controllers to rival the regular DualSense controller from Sony. They are the Rival, Rival Pro, and the Ultimate. In this side-by-side, we’re going to focus on the most popular controller, the Rival Pro.
Scuf Overview
Scuff also has three controllers for the PS5. They’re the Reflex, Reflex Pro, and the Reflex FPS. We’ll also be focusing on their most popular offering which is the Reflex Pro.
Hexgaming vs. Scuf
So, the Hexgaming Rival Pro vs. the Scuf Reflex Pro is an “apples to apples” comparison that pits midrange controllers against each other. And even though we say “midrange,” the price tags of these controllers aren’t for the faint of heart.
If you are looking for a good budget controller, you may as well stop reading now. But if you are a serious gamer that wants to upgrade your setup with one of the top PS5 aftermarket controllers available, this article will be worth your time.
Hex Rival Pro Vs Scuf Reflex Pro
Price
When it comes to price there’s a pretty big difference between the two controllers. The Reflex Pro controller will set you back more than $200, whilst the Rival Pro controller comes in slightly under $300.
At ~$60 more, the Rival Pro is one of the most expensive customer controllers on the market. But is the extra cost worth it? Let’s find out.
Rear buttons
The Hex Rival Pro comes with clicky hair triggers which are ideal for fighting games and first-person shooters. In these games, you want to be able the press the rear buttons down as quickly as possible.
This makes the hair triggers really useful as you can fire weapons rapidly and get punches off easily. Rather than an analog trigger, a hair trigger isn’t slowly pressed down like a dimmer switch. You just need to tap the hair-trigger lightly to get a response.
This makes the Rival Pro a better option for games like Call of Duty than its rival controller. However, it’s maybe not the best Esports controller when it comes to racing games.
The back paddles on the Reflex Pro are all programmable. If you’re a fan of customization options then you’ll be a huge fan of this nice feature. The Rival Pro has fully removable paddles and they’re easy to remove as well.
The adaptive triggers are a nice touch but you may prefer hair triggers depending on the games you usually play. Rival Pro controllers don’t have an adaptive trigger feature so Reflex Pros have an advantage there, depending on how you look at it.
Sticks
The Rival Pro custom controller comes with interchangeable thumbsticks that are great for gamers who tend to wear down their sticks quickly. This also gives you more customization options as you can swap short sticks for longer sticks.
If you like using long-range weapons in FPS games then you’ll prefer longer sticks, as they give you a better range of motion.
You can also choose between convex and concave thumbsticks. The concave sticks are more comfortable as your thumb sits nicely inside the groove. This is perfect for long gaming sessions where comfort is needed.
The Rival Pro also has interchangeable thumbsticks with convex and concave options. The sticks can be taken off by removing the plastic panel underneath the touchpad. When the sticks are in place they’re really secure and there are no concerns about them coming loose.
The sticks are made from plastic with rubber-coated tips for maximum comfort whilst gaming. The centers are smooth but the sides are ridged which gives you a good amount of control.
We’d have to say that the interchangeable thumbsticks on the Hexgaming controller are superior to its rival controller.
Programming
When it comes to programming, the Rival Pro really excels. Its 4 rear buttons are all remappable. This means that you can remap the 15 DualSense buttons to the 4 rear buttons.
If you’re an FPS player you’ll love this feature as you can aim, shoot, jump, and run at the same time. For example, Call of Duty usually has a square as the reload button and a triangle as the switch weapon button.
If you remap these buttons to the rear buttons you can reload and switch weapons whilst moving and looking around without releasing the right thumbstick.
The Scuf Reflex Pro controller has 3 control profiles which you can switch between using a rear button. The profiles have presets for sports games, FPS games, and racing games.
If you like, you can also reprogram each paddle manually for different modes and create custom profiles. Remapping is fairly simple but needs to be done manually.
To do it, hold down the profile button until it starts blinking. Then, hold down the paddle you’re remapping and the button you’re programming it to at the same time.
One of the biggest letdowns of the Reflex Pro is that there isn’t any customization software. You can only manually map the back paddles. There’s no option to program macros, remap other controls, or adjust the sensitivity curves on the triggers or sticks.
Considering the price of this controller you’d expect it to have at least some of these features.
Appearance
In terms of appearance, the Rival Pro is fully customizable. There are a huge variety of colors and patterns available including pink, white, black, red, blue, green, and loads more. You can choose from solid color schemes, abstract designs, and two-tone colors.
The shape is the same as DualSense controllers and its ergonomic design means it’s really comfortable. If you’re used to using a Sony controller then you won’t have any issues getting used to the Rival Pro.
The Reflex Pro is also available in a variety of colors such as blue, orange, red, black, white, and grey. Its appearance can also be customized to your heart’s content, from the faceplate to the trim to the bumpers to the home button (and more).
It also keeps the familiar DualSense shape with a big trapezoidal touchpad and curved grips. The face buttons, triggers, and direction pad are almost identical to a DualSense controller.
The only real difference is that it has a circular home button rather than one shaped like the Playstation logo.
Hexgaming Pros & Cons
Pros
- Full customization and remapping capabilities.
- Back buttons are easy to activate and convenient.
- The rumble motors can be removed.
- Really good grips for full control.
Cons
- It’s really expensive.
- Doesn’t have a great warranty for its price.
- Short hair triggers can be a con depending on what kind of gaming you do.
Scuf Pros & Cons
Pros
- Convenient rear paddles that are also comfortable.
- Acts and feels like a DualSense and has the same features.
- Textured, interchangeable thumbsticks.
Cons
- Although it’s cheaper than the Rival Pro it’s still expensive.
- Doesn’t have full button remapping.
- Doesn’t come with many accessories.
- Lacks customization capabilities or trigger and stick sensitivity.
FAQs
How long will my Hexgaming controller take to arrive?
Once ordered, it takes around 3 to 5 days to assemble your customized controller. It’s then shipped from China by Standard International Shipping. This means it takes between 7 to 14 days for your controller to be delivered.
Hexgaming offers free shipping on all of its controllers when bought from its website.
Does the Scuf Reflex Pro have trigger stops?
Neither the Scuf Reflex nor the Reflex Pro has trigger stops. If you’re looking for a Scuf controller with trigger stops then you’ll need to buy a Scuf Reflex FPS. This is the only Scuf model that has trigger stops.
See here for a rundown of the Scuf Reflex lineup.
How long do the thumbsticks on a Scuf controller last?
How long the thumbsticks on a Scuf controller will last depends on your gaming habits. If you play a lot and apply high amounts of pressure to the sticks then they’ll wear down more quickly than if you only use them lightly.
On average, if you use your controller for around 8 hours a day with a lot of pressure then the sticks will probably only last around 6 months.
Final Thoughts
So, what’s the verdict? Both controllers have a lot of positives and there’s not a huge amount to separate them. Both have interchangeable thumbsticks and good trigger setups. Which one you prefer will mainly be down to your own preferences (as well as which one you can find in stock!).
However, we think the Rival Pro just about wins this contest. Although it costs $60 more than the Reflex Pro it has more options for reprogramming and it has an excellent appearance which is fully customizable.
If you’re willing to pay the extra cost then we’d recommend you go for the Hexgaming Rival Pro.
Sources
https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-ps5-controllers/
https://www.thegamer.com/hexgaming-rival-dualsense-pro-controller-review/
https://scufgaming.com/uk/playstation5-scuf-reflex-pro
https://uk.pcmag.com/game-controllers-accessories/139122/scuf-reflex-pro
https://nerdreactor.com/2022/08/25/hexgaming-hex-rival-pro-ps5-controller-review/
