Razer Raiju V3 Pro review – peak PS5 and PC controller performance

Official third-party PlayStation controllers are one thing of a rarity, with solely a handful of choices in comparison with the numerous Xbox and generic controller options. That is why the brand new Razer Raiju V3 Professional is a major entry for individuals who need a top-tier controller for his or her PS5 and PC, or simply those that favor the PlayStation structure with its symmetrical thumbsticks.

Filled with additional buttons, and with nearly each button utilizing a hair-trigger/mouse-click-like microswitch, this new Razer controller feels each bit like a taut, lithe gaming machine aimed toward bringing lightning-fast responses and precision to your inputs. If plenty of RGB lighting or customization are your priorities for a premium controller, this is not one of the best PC controller for you (although it does have some swappable options). Nonetheless, for severe aggressive controller players, it may be a tempting, if costly, improve. Learn on to search out out the place it does and does not excel.

Specs

Options

The Razer Raiju V3 Professional is, on the one hand, full of options, however there are a couple of pretty notable omissions, which I will tackle later. Beginning off with what it does have, although, that is an official PlayStation controller, so it contains all the same old PS5 controls, together with the touchpad.

Becoming a member of this commonplace set of two thumbsticks, two triggers, major shoulder buttons, and triangle, circle, cross, and sq. face buttons are a number of extras. On the entrance edge is a headset jack, with a microphone mute button simply above it. Then, on the highest edge, there are two additional shoulder buttons (labelled M1 and M2), designed to be used when utilizing a claw grip, whereas on the again are 4 additional again buttons (labelled M3-M6). These additional again buttons are detachable, with additional blanking items offered to fill the holes left by any buttons you do not use.

Additionally, across the again are two pairs of sliding switches. Two of them change the triggers between their commonplace long-throw analog mode and a hair-trigger mode. In contrast to some controllers, the hair set off mode does truly use additional microswitches for a clicky, responsive really feel, slightly than simply shortening how far the set off strikes.

Speaking of a clicky really feel, all the principle buttons – face buttons, D-pad, bumpers, and again switches – use mouse-style microswitches slightly than a extra conventional face button change. This offers them a really taut, snappy really feel, which I will focus on a bit extra within the design part.

The opposite two switches on the again are for altering between wi-fi and wired modes, in addition to between PC and PS5 modes. A USB-C port on the entrance edge offers the wired connection, whereas a USB-A dongle will get you a wi-fi connection to your PC. Notable by its absence is Bluetooth assist, so you may’t use this controller on cellular units, which severely dents its enchantment as a single controller for all makes use of.

Trying extra carefully on the thumbsticks, they appear like they’ve a normal design, however beneath, they pack within the newest pressure magnetic resistance (TMR) sensing tech. This works equally to Corridor Impact thumbsticks, utilizing magnetics to trace motion, however makes use of much less energy and is extra correct, all whereas having the identical wear-resistant, stick drift-immune advantages of Corridor Impact sticks.

What’s extra, the sticks are swappable, although bizarrely, you solely get one in all every of the choice stick sorts within the field. There is a tall model of the usual sticks and a standard-height domed stick.

A USB-A to USB-C cable can also be included within the field, together with a screwdriver for eradicating the swappable switches, and a carry case that may maintain the spare thumbsticks, the USB dongle, and the screwdriver, plus it has a pouch that may maintain the USB cable.

Again to the controller, and its closing most important function is that its D-pad has an 8-way design with microswitches for all eight instructions. It may’t be swapped for a standard cross design, although, which damages its enchantment when you favor that type.

As for one closing lacking function, this management does not embody any haptic suggestions, nor does it have adaptive triggers. Razer’s logic is that aggressive controller gamers simply flip off these options anyway, which is true, however there is no doubting it dents this controller’s sense of worth.

Design and luxury

We hope you want black or white… Sure, these are your solely choices with the Raiju V3 Professional. Monochromatic musings apart, this can be a smart-looking controller, though there are a few touches right here and there that do not fairly give off the premium really feel you may anticipate for a $220 controller.

Particularly, the principle plastic of the physique of the controller has a barely shiny textured end that does not really feel as good as soft-touch finishes. It additionally is not as finely textured as some plastics that find yourself with an nearly matte look from their finer-textured end, as is the case on the official DualSense controller.

To me, the truth that the PlayStation button is only a plain circle that sits practically flush with the physique of the controller appears a bit low-cost, too. It is neither the identical PlayStation logo-matching design as official controllers, neither is it backlit. Razer hasn’t even added a bit chamfer or related design flourish to distract your eye from any slight unevenness within the hole across the button.

In the meantime, when you do not just like the design of this controller, you have no choices by way of modifying it. There isn’t any swappable faceplate or another swappable components, aside from these again buttons and thumbstick caps. What’s extra, there’s nearly no RGB lighting right here. There’s only a single small gentle above the PlayStation button that signifies connection and battery standing by shining completely different colours.

In any other case, this can be a very snug and light-weight controller to carry. At 258g, it is barely lighter than the 278g of an official DualSense controller (regardless of being fairly a bit bulkier), and is even lighter than the wired-only Scuf Valor Professional, which after all does not have a battery.

Serving to the consolation of this controller are its grips, which have a extremely textured, over-molded, rubberized end. This offers a extremely grippy really feel, whether or not your palms are sizzling and sweaty or chilly and dry.

Nonetheless, regardless of the addition of the additional M1 and M2 bumpers, I personally did not discover this controller significantly snug to make use of for claw grip. That is as a result of the face buttons are positioned a bit additional away from the best stick than different controllers. On the DualSense, there is a hole of 12mm from the sting of the best persist with the cross button and 25mm to the triangle button. Nonetheless, on the Raiju V3 Professional, these gaps are 18mm and 28mm, respectively.

It could sound like a small distinction, however mixed with the Rajiu V3 Professional being barely taller than the DualSense – and thus requiring extra of a attain to the bumpers and triggers – it left my hand feeling each a bit stretched and cramped on the identical time, when making an attempt to make use of a claw grip. Nonetheless, your expertise will very a lot rely in your hand dimension and form, in addition to your grip type.

In the case of the reachability of buttons, although, I additionally discovered the again buttons to be far too delicate. To truly attempt to grip the controller in a manner that introduced these buttons into play simply meant I used to be always unintentionally urgent them. That’s, when you grip in a manner that places your little and ring fingers over the buttons, it is nearly not possible to hover over them with out urgent them.

In the meantime, when you grip the bottom of the grips along with your little fingers and solely press the again buttons along with your ring fingers (or your center and ring fingers), the area in your little fingers feels a bit cramped, and it is a lengthy attain to the bumpers/triggers.

Efficiency

Whereas a few of the ergonomics of this controller did not fairly swimsuit my preferences, there is no denying the exact really feel of the controls. The thumbsticks specifically really feel unimaginable. They’re simply so effortlessly exact and easy, thanks partially to the preliminary snap away from the center place requiring much less pressure than many controllers.

I might nonetheless favor a protracted, domed cap for the sticks, however I used to be impressed by the convenience with which I used to be in a position to settle into utilizing this controller over my most well-liked long-stick setup on the Scuf Valor Professional.

I used to be much less instantly taken with the D-pad, because it has a few of the identical overly delicate really feel because the again buttons. Nonetheless, with time, I obtained used to it and significantly favored the best way the massive, dished form and snappy microswitch buttons allow you to rock in a short time backwards and forwards between instructions – you may nearly pivot it like a digital model of a thumbstick.

As for the face buttons, these have an intriguing really feel. They do not really feel identical to regular mouse microswitches, just like the again buttons. As a substitute, they’ve a bit extra journey earlier than being triggered, and much more pressure general is required to press them. As such, they really feel a bit extra like a traditional face button however with the snap and click on of a microswitch.

Regardless, they do really feel good, though they’re nearly too stiff for my liking. They require about 200g of pressure to set off, in line with my checks, in comparison with round 100g for the Scuf Valor Professional and 120g for the DualSense. That additionally compares to only 60g for the again buttons.

As for the triggers, they are not my favourite by way of really feel, however they positively provide a exact response. I truly barely favor the non-linear really feel of the DualSense triggers, which agency up barely as you backside them out. This, I discover, makes it simpler to fine-tune your analog inputs, whereas the marginally lighter, extra linear really feel of the Raiju V3 Professional is not fairly as straightforward to regulate. The hair set off mode for the triggers feels nice, although, offering a extremely tight, snappy really feel.

Battery life

Razer hasn’t, on the time of writing, offered a claimed determine for the Rajiu V3 Professional battery life, and I am nonetheless testing it a bit extra to get a full sense of its skills. Nonetheless, its battery is rated at 2,350mAh, which is sort of massive for a controller.

Value

The Razer Raiju V3 Professional worth is $219.99 / £199.99, making it a really costly controller, although it does put it consistent with the Sony DualSense Edge, which additionally comes with an analogous case and spare components. Nonetheless, that controller additionally contains extra swappable components and haptics. As a substitute, what you are paying for right here is all these snappy-feeling mouse-style switches and people TMR thumbsticks.

Options

Sony PlayStation DualSense

It may be stating the apparent, however when you’re not pursuing elite ranges of efficiency out of your controller, a $220 controller might be overkill, and the usual DualSense remains to be an incredible controller for $70. Its commonplace sticks will ultimately develop stick drift, and its buttons really feel mushy compared to the Raiju V3 Professional, nevertheless it nonetheless provides nice worth when you think about the inclusion of intelligent haptic triggers, in addition to the touchpad and rechargeable battery.

Learn our full Sony PlayStation DualSense assessment for extra element.

Razer Wolverine V3 Professional

In order for you the premium options of the Raiju V3 Professional, however aren’t wed to having a PS5 form, the Wolverine V3 Professional is the one to go for. It is mainly an Xbox equal to the Raiju V3 Professional, and it is $20 cheaper than the Raiju V3 Professional 3 at MSRP, whereas additionally being extensively out there for a lower cost at retail.

Learn our full Razer Wolverine V3 Professional assessment for extra info.

Verdict

There isn’t any doubting the tournament-grade credentials of the Razer Raiju V3 Professional. Its TMR thumbsticks really feel superb, and its mass of clicky mouse-like microswitches makes for a much more exact and responsive really feel than commonplace controllers.

The addition of customizable again buttons, additional bumpers, and a extremely snug grip design additionally provides to the premium really feel, as does the inclusion of a very nice carry case with area for all of the controller’s equipment. Nonetheless, the shortage of haptics or adaptive triggers dents its worth, as does its lack of a swappable faceplate.

What’s extra, you will both love or hate a few of the ergonomics. The ultra-sensitive again buttons weren’t to my liking, whereas the robust pressure required to press the face buttons appeared nearly an excessive amount of of a pivot within the different course. The additional area from the face buttons to the best thumbstick and the general peak of the controller additionally brought about me a couple of points with getting a snug grip. It is positively a controller I might suggest you strive before you purchase.

Then, after all, there’s simply the actually excessive worth. The extras and high-end internals all justify the price to a robust diploma, however the lack of a extra premium exterior really feel to the controller – such as you get on the Xbox Elite 2, as an example – means it does not fairly really feel like the posh buy you anticipate when paying this worth. Nonetheless, when you actually do exactly want tournament-grade controls for PS5 and PC, it is positively one of the best on the market.

When you’re searching for extra methods to regulate your PC video games, take a look at our greatest gaming mouse and finest gaming keyboard guides for our prime KBM choices.