The Xbox controller market is crowded with devices all vying for the top spot, each boasting features designed to enhance your gaming performance. Joining the scene is PowerA's new FUSION Pro 4 Wired Controller, one of the most feature-rich controllers in its price range. It is a device I have been fortunate enough to review to see whether its features really can make me a better gamer.
This isn’t my first PowerA rodeo—I've previously reviewed the budget-friendly Advantage with Lumectra device and more recently tackled the high-end FUSION Pro Wireless. Now, with the mid-range FUSION Pro 4 in hand, I’ve rounded out the PowerA lineup, setting the stage for this review to see whether it can compete with its relatives.
Table of Contents
Design
The FUSION Pro 4 sticks closely to the design of its predecessor, the FUSION Pro 3, sharing a similar layout, color scheme, and carrying over several key features. However, it introduces a few significant performance upgrades that set it apart.
Like the FUSION Pro 3, it boasts three-way trigger locks, four customizable back buttons, and rubberized grips that extend from the back to the front. The most notable addition, though, is the twist-to-adjust thumbsticks, which feature contact-free magnetic sensors to enhance fluidity and durability. These thumbsticks can be adjusted to three different heights independently of one another, offering a custom feel that I found especially useful while fine-tuning my setup for XDefiant.
The ability to tweak these thumbsticks on the fly is a welcome convenience, but it did raise concerns about long-term accuracy. Precision is vital in competitive games, so I wanted to put this to the test. I will touch on the results in the performance section.
Returning to the trigger locks—like the thumbsticks, they can be set independently, which came in handy during FPS sessions. By setting the trigger bumper to its shortest distance, I managed to shave off a few milliseconds in my reaction time. However, the same issue persists from the FUSION Pro Wireless: the exposed switches used to toggle trigger stops. As I mentioned in my review of that controller, these small, exposed switches are easy to accidentally flick mid-game, altering the trigger height without realizing it. A more protected switch, like the vertical toggle on the DualSense Edge, could make a big difference here, providing more reliability during intense gameplay.
As for the four mappable buttons on the back, while they’re a useful addition for quick access to in-game commands, I found them a bit too close together. This positioning makes accidental presses more likely, which is compounded by the fact that they’re buttons rather than paddles. I had the same gripe with the FUSION Pro Wireless and suggested that back paddles could be a better solution. However, given the FUSION Pro 4’s significantly lower price point, a more realistic fix might be to slightly increase the distance between these buttons to reduce accidental clicks.
If you've read my FUSION Pro Wireless review, you’ll notice a lot of similarities here. However, that’s not a knock on the FUSION Pro 4, far from it. In fact, I’m impressed by how close it comes to matching its pricier sibling, especially considering the roughly $80/£80 price gap between the two. It's more of an issue the other way around, but that's not the controller we're here to talk about, so let's move on.
Performance
Judging a controller's performance is tricky, as it’s influenced by so many variables across different games. It’s tough to say for sure whether longer stick heights, shorter triggers, or extra back buttons really boost your gameplay. Nevertheless, I gave it my best shot, testing the FUSION Pro 4 with a mix of games: XDefiant, as mentioned, EA Sports FC, and Forza Horizon 5, covering FPS, sports, and racing genres.
The twistable thumbsticks were the feature I was most curious about. I’ve used thumbstick attachments in the past, but never really felt they made much difference. However, with the FUSION Pro 4’s thumbsticks set to their highest position, I did notice a change. Dribbling felt more precise, minor turning adjustments felt easier, and aiming in XDefiant was smoother than usual. Specifically, for XDefiant, I found my ideal setup was the movement stick at its shortest, the aiming stick extended to its longest, the trigger bumper at its shortest, and the aim-down-sight bumper adjusted to mid-range (since the shortest setting didn’t always register correctly, requiring some tweaking to make it work).
To further test this, I loaded up some controller software and, sure enough, the thumbsticks set to their longest height did result in smoother and more precise movement compared to the shorter settings. However, the software also revealed a slight amount of stick drift after adjusting the heights and general use. While I could reset the drift by maneuvering the sticks a bit more, it raised a red flag that this issue could worsen over time, especially with frequent height adjustments. That said, I’m not overly concerned—stick drift tends to plague most controllers eventually. You’d likely get a solid few years of precise aiming before it becomes a problem, and by then, the FUSION Pro 5 might be out, giving you an excuse to upgrade.
As for the rest of the controller's features, they seemed to work as intended. The headset dial for adjusting volume and muting the mic was handy, the 3.5mm audio jack functioned well, and the dual rumble motors with impulse triggers added some nice immersion. My only real gripe is that this controller isn’t wireless. While PowerA makes up for this with solid features, I still feel a controller priced around $70/£70 should at least offer the option to go wireless. That said, I get that this won’t be an issue for every gamer.
Software
For PC gamers, the FUSION Pro 4 integrates seamlessly with PowerA's Gamer HQ software, giving users access to a range of customization options, including button remapping, deadzone adjustments, and tweaking audio and vibration settings. There's no Lumectra lighting to adjust here, although I didn’t miss it, as RGB lighting is more of a cosmetic bonus than a necessity.
As I’ve mentioned in past PowerA reviews, the Test/Calibrate function is particularly useful. It’s great for ensuring the controller is working as it should, while also introducing some lesser-known shortcuts. For instance, I discovered that holding RT or LT while pressing A activates the controller's rumble motors on either side. You can also adjust each stick’s deadzone by holding A, a feature I might have overlooked without this handy tool. However, this area also showcased the minor stick drift problem I mentioned earlier, which meant there was no hiding the issue.
Another drawback is the lack of an option to save multiple profiles. Users will have to manually tweak settings for each game they play, which isn’t a deal-breaker but can be a bit of a hassle. Having the ability to save and switch between profiles is definitely a real time-saver for some, even if it's not essential for improving gameplay.
Overall, though, PowerA's Gamer HQ is a solid piece of software. It runs smoothly and proves especially helpful when using the controller with a gaming PC or laptop. It’s a nice touch that adds to the overall experience of the FUSION Pro 4.
Verdict
Unlike the FUSION Pro Wireless, which I struggled to rate highly due to its premium price, the FUSION Pro 4 doesn’t face the same issue. Priced only about $10/£10 more than a standard Xbox controller, it offers a host of additional features, such as three-way trigger locks, twistable thumbsticks, rubberized grips, Hall Effect sensors, and four back buttons—all at a relatively affordable price point.
That said, it’s not without its drawbacks. The back buttons are a bit too close together for me, there’s a potential stick drift issue to contend with, and it lacks wireless connectivity. Additionally, some features from the FUSION Pro 3 have been removed, which feels like a step backward. The detachable faceplate is no longer included, and it doesn’t come with a carry case. The FUSION Pro 3 also featured four swappable thumbsticks, now replaced by the twistable thumbsticks. Whether this is an improvement is up for debate, as swappable thumbsticks can make repairs easier if something goes wrong, but are harder to adjust on the fly.
Despite these minor gripes, I still believe this controller offers solid value for money. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly a strong contender for PC and Xbox gamers looking to step up their game to a controller that can provide a more competitive edge.
Where to buy the controller *
* prices are accurate at the time of writing and are subject to change
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