Is the PowerA Fusion Pro 4 the best affordable controller for 'professional' gaming?

The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is a nice upgrade from the Fusion Pro 3 that also manages to be cheaper MSRP than its predecessor and introduces PowerA's proprietary 'Quick-Twist' technology to its range of budget-friendly pro-grade controllers.

Released alongside the premium and wireless Fusion Pro, this model comes in at half the price with many of the same pro gaming features like Hall Effect sensors and remappable controls.

The cushioned grips provide an exceptionally comfortable and ergonomic experience, possibly the most comfortable I own, and while the trigger stops could be more intense, they are an improvement over the more expensive model. Overall, the Fusion Pro 4 is a great controller. If using wired isn't a dealbreaker for you and you're craving that zero latency, it’s well-made and enjoyable to use.

Jennifer Young

Jen has been part of the Windows Central team for two years and has been playing video games since the 90s. Her Xbox obsession came into full force during the Xbox 360 era, and she's put many controllers through the wringer since then, contributing numerous reviews to this site.

PowerA Fusion Pro 4: Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

• The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless retails for $69.99 at Amazon.
• The controller has many similar features to the Fusion Pro Wireless which retails for a much higher price of $149.99 but has wireless capabilities and LED lighting for the extra price.
• The controller comes with a 10ft braided USB cable.

The PowerA FUSION Pro 4 is a more budget-friendly offering in the 'pro-grade' controller space, priced at $69.99.

Unlike its wireless counterpart, the Fusion Pro 4 does not have RGB lighting or a built-in rechargeable battery, but it still packs many of the same practical features at half the cost.

The Fusion Pro 4 includes adjustable thumbsticks, Hall Effect sensors for precision, and mappable rear buttons, and it's another choice in the pool for gamers seeking pro-level customization at a more affordable price than the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament Edition, for example.

The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 comes with a 10-foot braided USB cable included in the box and is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.

PowerA Fusion Pro 4 | $69.99 at Amazon

The PowerA FUSION Pro 4 offers a range of customizable features. It includes 'Quick-Twist' adjustable thumbsticks, Hall Effect sensors for precision, mappable buttons, and three-stage trigger locks. The controller also features dual rumble motors, impulse triggers, and a downloadable app for further customization.

👉See at: Amazon or PowerA

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PowerA Fusion Pro 4 review: The good

The pros highlights

• The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is solidly constructed, durable, and offers impressive quality for its price point.
• The 'Quick Twist' technology on the thumbsticks is genuinely innovative and convenient for switching between games.
• The controller's grips are excellent, and the placement of the rear buttons makes them my favorite feature.

The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 stands out primarily for its price point, which, like most of PowerA's range, is more affordable than many competitors. At $69.99, this pro-grade controller offers impressive value, and it certainly feels worth the price. One of its standout positives is just how comfortable it is to use. The rubberized texture on the grips extends across the front, rear, triggers, and bumpers, making it feel great to use over long periods and, for want of a better word, giving it a pleasing 'squish.' While the shape and size are in line with most modern Xbox controllers, it wisely sticks to a proven design that works.

The controller is packed with features that let it sit in the 'pro' category, including dual rumble motors, impulse triggers, and Hall-effect sticks. It also includes a convenient headset dial for easy volume adjustments and muting when using a wired headset. I've broken many Xbox headset adapters in my time, having to plug into a controller on repeat, so I do appreciate whenever this is included, even if it is a little unsightly.

The rear buttons are another highlight; I personally prefer their flat design over the paddles found on the Xbox Elite Series 2. They’re perfectly positioned for my fingers, making actions like sliding in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as simple as squeezing the back of the controller. While some might prefer the more protruding rear controls of other brands, I find these flat buttons much more comfortable.

Since the controller is wired, there's zero latency to worry about—so when I lose a game, I have only my own terrible reaction times to blame. Despite being wired, the controller doesn’t feel overly light or cheap; it’s sturdy and well-made, giving it a premium feel.

A standout feature new to PowerA is the 'Quick-Twist' thumbsticks. Unlike other controllers that require you to swap sticks entirely, the Fusion Pro 4 lets you adjust the stick height with a simple twist, offering three levels to choose from. While it might sound like a gimmick, it’s surprisingly useful for FPS games, where customizing your setup to suit the mode can make a big difference.

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Overall, this is a pretty decent controller for $79.99, and if you already use something like the KontrolFreek performance sticks and want a permanent solution, this controller is worth a look.

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PowerA Fusion Pro 4 review: The bad

The cons highlights

• The 3-way trigger stops aren't as effective as other controllers I've used with this feature, though they are an improvement over the more expensive Lumectra model.
• The previous Fusion models allowed you to swap the faceplate, and this does not.
• The price point is cheap, but GameSir has even cheaper options with similar features if you aren't sold on the twisting sticks.

The controller as a whole is impressive, but I was particularly curious about the trigger stops. On the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless, they fell short of expectations, so I really wanted to see if the Fusion Pro 4 would perform better in this area.

I don’t typically play a lot of FPS games, but with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 now available on Xbox Game Pass, I’ve found myself in the thick of some sweaty lobbies. Despite my embarrassingly low level of skill, I do appreciate the extra features on my controllers now more than ever—especially trigger stops. I’ve grown so reliant on them that playing without max settings feels really odd, and they massively compensate for my old lady reaction times.

Like the wireless Fusion Pro, this controller includes three levels of trigger-stop adjustment. While they’re an improvement over the wireless, they still don’t reduce trigger travel quite as much as I’d hoped. As shown in the photo below, even on the highest setting, the trigger still travels farther than ideal.

It’s also worth mentioning that, unlike previous Fusion Pro models, this version has dropped the swappable faceplates. If that was a feature you enjoyed, you might be disappointed. On the bright side, this change allows the controller to launch at $10 less than the Fusion Pro 3.

If you’re deciding between this and the Fusion Pro Wireless, this wired version offers far better value, especially if you can live without RGB lighting. However, if your primary focus is on Hall-effect sticks and rear buttons, you might want to consider GameSir’s range too, which offers similar features at an even lower price point (but without the luxury of those cushioned grips.)

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PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless: Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want a wired controller for Xbox that's comfortable to use for long periods

If a wire isn't a deal breaker, and you want a really comfortable controller, this is a pretty good pick.

✅You want a controller Hall Effect tech and adjustable thumbsticks

If you play FPS games a lot, there's plenty of features to improve your game here without shelling out too much.

✅You use a wired headset

The included volume and mute control is handy for wired headsets.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You use trigger stops a lot for gaming

While the controller offers three levels of trigger stops, they don’t function as well as expected, with too much travel even at the highest setting.

❌You just want the Hall-Effect tech for no stick drift

You can get this at a cheaper price from GameSir.

When wrapping up a review, my ultimate test is whether the controller earns a spot in my regular rotation—and in this case, it absolutely does. The Fusion Pro 4 is incredibly comfortable, and the grips make a noticeable difference during games with repetitive movements. I look forward to trying it with Monster Hunter Wilds when that launches, as Monster Hunter always gives me hand cramps with its 40 minute hunts.

Actually, dealing with my Monster Hunter sessions will be the final test of whether this makes it to our best Xbox controllers list. I also appreciate PowerA's inclusion of the innovative Quick-Twist thumbsticks and look forward to experimenting with them further. Having tested both this and the wireless PowerA Fusion, I can confidently say this is the better value option by far.

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