This wireless Xbox controller is stunning, but at $150 I need more than just a pretty faceplate

The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless is a bold attempt by PowerA to enter the premium controller market. It is a gamble that doesn't quite pay off for me, but ultimately, I think, there is still a willing audience for a controller like this at a lower price point.

The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless stands out as one of the few wireless third-party controllers for Xbox, joining a market filled with strong contenders like the Razer Wolverine V3 and the SCUF Instinct Pro. While I appreciate the increasing variety of options available this year, I was hoping PowerA could deliver a more budget-friendly alternative.

Visually, the Fusion Pro Wireless is a stunning controller, but its premium price point—likely influenced by the inclusion of customizable RGB lighting—pushes it into the "pro controller" category, where stronger competitors already dominate.

That said, it does have some unique features. The twisting sticks allow you to adjust height on the fly, and the rear button layout, along with the overall grip design, is exceptionally comfortable even in comparison to my myriad of other controllers. Unfortunately, the trigger stops fall short, even for casual FPS players like me, which diminishes its appeal for the "pro" audience it aims to attract.

Overall, the Fusion Pro Wireless isn't a bad controller—it’s well-made and enjoyable to use—but it struggles to stand out in a highly competitive field. If you’re interested, this is a controller best picked up during a sale.

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 Wireless: Pricing and specifications

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Pricing highlights

• The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless retails for $149.99, though at the time of publishing it's on sale for $134.99 at Amazon.
• The controller has many similar features to the Fusion Pro 4 Wired which retails for a much cheaper $69, but forgoes the wireless capabilities and LED lighting.
• The controller comes with wireless USB dongle, 10ft USB wire, carrying case and a magnetic charging stand.

The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless is a higher end offering compared to PowerA's previous line up, featuring wireless connectivity, a built-in rechargeable battery, and customizable RGB lighting. It retails for $149.99, making it a premium purchase compared to the more budget-friendly PowerA Fusion Pro 4, which is a wired controller priced at $69.99.

The Fusion Pro Wireless comes with a 2.4Ghz dongle that fits into its charging stand, seriously bright lighting effects and 'pro' features such as customizable rear buttons and adjustable thumbsticks. However, the Fusion Pro 4 shares many of these features at less than half the price, with the trade-off of requiring a wired connection and the fancy lighting.

Included in the box with the Fusion Pro Wireless is a hard shell carrying case, magnetic charging stand and a USB-C charging cable. PowerA's controllers are backed by PowerA’s 2-year limited warranty.

light em up 🎮

PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless | $149.99 at Best Buy (at time of writing is $134.99 at Amazon)

Officially licensed for Xbox and Windows PC, this controller can be used wirelessly with a USB dongle for up to 30 hours per charge or with the 10ft USB-C cable. Lumectra lighting reveals a hidden design with 6 unique lighting modes across 4 customizable zones. 

👉See at: BestBuy.com or PowerA

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PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless review: The good

The pros highlights

• The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless looks like a perfectly normal Xbox controller until it's RGB lighting is activated, which is pretty neat.
• The 'Quick Twist' technology on the thumbsticks is actually really innovative and handy when switching between games.
• The grips on the controller feel comfortable, and the placement of the rear buttons is the best out of any I own.

Unboxing this controller felt like a special event. Nestled in its own hard case, it wasn't far off my experience first unboxing an Xbox Elite Controller. However, I do have one minor gripe in it's packaging: the magnetic stand doesn’t fit inside the case, which would’ve been more convenient for storage.

At first glance, the controller looks completely unassuming—no visible design or lighting cues to speak of. But in what feels like a nifty party trick, the ghost lighting sprang to life when I plugged it in. I can’t deny, this controller looks absolutely beautiful once lit up. It’s gorgeous, and I had too much fun experimenting with its different lighting modes for the purposes of photographing it for this review, thus the strange plant pot picture below...

The controller features four separate lighting zones that can be customized individually or in sync using a combination of the rear button, face buttons, and D-pad. Admittedly, it took me a while to get the hang of it—I spent a good few minutes squinting at the instructions—but once I got the rhythm, it became a fun way to match the controller’s colors to my games. I went with green for Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred because Spiritborn, duh.

The charging stand itself is handy to have next to your PC or Xbox, and more elegant than simply plugging your controller in to charge via a USB-cable, like a peasant.

The controller boasts an impressive 30-hour battery life, though your mileage may vary depending on how much you use the RGB lighting. With the lights constantly on, you’ll likely get closer to 20 hours, but hitting the full 30 is achievable if you turn them off. Personally, I tend to disable the lighting during games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, where the extra glow feels more distracting than helpful.

Now, enough of the lighting, how does the controller feel? Honestly, it’s pretty fantastic. The grips on the outer edges have a slight cushioned texture that feels great in the hands, especially during long gaming sessions. As for the four rear remappable buttons, they’re some of the best I’ve ever used. Their placement is perfect for me, hitting my middle and ring fingers just right, without any need to stretch or fumble around the back. Of course, this may vary depending on your hand size, but I found them incredibly comfortable.

On the tech front, as expected from a pro-grade controller (looking at you, Xbox, for slacking in this department), it features Hall-Effect sticks and triggers. The sticks feel responsive and precise, though I do have some qualms with the triggers, which I’ll get to later. One standout feature is PowerA’s new 'Quick-Twist' thumbsticks. Unlike other controllers that require you to swap sticks entirely, the Fusion Pro Wireless allows you to twist and adjust the stick height, with three levels to choose from. It might sound gimmicky, but it’s surprisingly handy for FPS games, where tweaking your setup depending on the mode can make all the difference.

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Overall, there's a lot to like about this controller's features, even if its initial appeal is its aesthetics. But where it falls short is most of those features I enjoyed are available on the Fusion Pro 4 which is half the price for the sacrifice of the lighting and wireless capabilities. I simply wish PowerA had pitched this a little cheaper.

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PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless review: The bad

The cons highlights

• The wireless delivery is by USB 2.4Ghz dongle and not native Xbox wireless, so if you also want to plug in your stand you are using 2 USB ports.
• The 3-way trigger stops just don't work very well and may as well be advertised as 1-way.
• The price point for this controller just isn't justified when compared to others at this level, or indeed PowerA's own range of better value controllers.

Where the controller is let down is really with its price point, which makes me stack it up unfavorably with better options from Razer, Scuf and Xbox themselves. Something I've come to use a lot recently is my trigger stops too, and I was really disappointed with their performance here.

I don’t usually play a lot of FPS games, but with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 landing on Xbox Game Pass, I’ve jumped in with gusto alongside friends. It’s also made me appreciate the extra features on my controllers more than ever—particularly trigger stops. At this point, I simply can’t play without setting them to max; they’re a lifesaver for improving my dodgy reaction times.

Unfortunately, the trigger stops on this controller leave a lot to be desired. While it offers 3 levels of adjustment, they just don’t perform as well as they should. As you can see in the photo below, this is the trigger fully pressed down on level 3 —and it’s clear there’s still too much travel. It’s a disappointing flaw in an otherwise well-designed controller.

While this controller is wireless, it connects via a dongle, which was initially a bit of a letdown—I was hoping for native Xbox wireless. That said, I can’t entirely blame PowerA, as Microsoft seems to keep that technology tightly locked down. Even brands like Turtle Beach, which previously utilized Xbox wireless, have started reverting to dongles.

It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does add some inconvenience. For instance, if you like to leave your dock plugged in, that’s two USB ports occupied on your Xbox. It would’ve been a nice touch if the dock itself could also act as the receiver, eliminating the need for the extra dongle. Still, this is a relatively minor gripe in the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately, my final score really came down to the price point. PowerA is a brand I typically turn to for value-oriented recommendations, but I don’t think this controller fully justifies its $150 price tag. When you strip away the lighting and wireless capabilities, it’s actually pretty similar to PowerA's Fusion Pro 4, which is half the price and much easier to recommend. Given the difference in cost, I expected a bit more for my money, and while the controller offers some great features, it doesn’t quite meet the high bar set by its price.

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PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless: Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want a wireless controller for Xbox and enjoy RGB lighting effects

The customizable RGB lighting adds a fun, aesthetic element, with four separate lighting zones that can be adjusted individually or together. This controller definitely has the 'fun factor'.

✅You want a controller with an included charging stand

The charging stand is sleek, practical, and a more polished alternative to using a USB cable for charging.

✅You want a comfortable controller

The cushioned outer grips provide a comfortable feel, especially during long gaming sessions. The four remappable rear buttons are perfectly positioned for your middle and ring fingers, offering a more comfortable gaming experience without needing to stretch.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You play a lot of competitive FPS games

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 don't care about RGB lighting

Without the lighting capabilities, the controller doesn't offer a significant improvement over more affordable options in terms of overall functionality.

When finishing a review, my ultimate test is whether I continue to use the controller in my regular rotation, and sadly, I don’t think this one will make the cut for me or end up on our list of the best Xbox controllers. Instead, I see it as a great gift for a family member who doesn’t game as much as I do. In fact, I put it on my Gaming Gift List recommendations as it's so different from the norm. It’s a shame because PowerA really made a bold attempt to try something different with this controller, and I do think they’ve got the right idea. I just hope they keep pushing for innovation, but maybe with a more accessible price tag next time!

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