Having recently tried several SCUF products, including the Valor Pro, Valor Pro Wireless, and the Reflex Pro, I’ve gained a certain appreciation for higher-end controllers. They’re usually out of my typical budget range, but trying out all of the new features really does open you up to new gaming habits and playstyles.

While the aforementioned controllers are mainly meant for Xbox and PS5, SCUF offers one specifically for PC use: the Envision Pro. It has some unique features you don’t usually see in other controllers, and while some are useful, others may be a point of contention.

SCUF Envision Pro Review

Designed to resemble the PS5 DualSense Controller, even down to the analog stick placements (though it has an ABXY face button layout), the SCUF Envision Pro is quite the looker. Dressed in a matte gray finish (via the magnetic face plate) with orange accents (similar to the Valor Pro), you’ll immediately notice that there are several G buttons near where you would normally plug in your 3.5mm headset, along with side triggers that stick out like a sore thumb.

The rubber grips are back, and while they’re something that you don’t usually notice when using controllers, you will learn to appreciate them when they’re there. They are grippy, which keeps your hands firmly clasped during long, intense sessions.

The packaging it comes with is quite large, and definitely bigger than your usual controller. Upon opening the box, you’ll immediately see a notice to download the iCUE software first, which is clearly not something you usually see, since controllers are typically plug-and-play (or connect, in the case of a wireless controller). The software is a key point of the Envision Pro experience, so you’ll need to download it.

Other items included in the package are your usual paperwork, a braided USB-A to USB-C cable with a C-to-C attachment, replacement analog grips and back paddles, and a 2.4 GHz dongle. Noticeably missing here is a carrying pouch, similar to that found in the Reflex Pro.

Moving to button placements, there are a couple in the Envision Pro that players may want to consider. First are the side triggers. We already saw a faint resemblance to this in the Valor Pro, and how much the L and R buttons extend to the side, which can lead to accidental presses when your fingers are positioned to hold the controller. In the Envision Pro, there’s an actual additional button on the side. While it is nice that it is programmable, its placement is a bit suspect because it feels very unnatural to press, and accidental presses are way too common. If you’re not feeling them, you can simply cover them up with the included plates.

The back paddles of the Envision Pro are designed similarly to the Valor Pro and are well placed for easy reach. While I would have wanted the P1 and P4 buttons to be slightly more protruded, like the Reflex Pro, it is serviceable and can be used easily without any unnatural hand or finger placement. The P2 and P3 buttons are angled, which helps with “feeling” where they are, compared to a flat button.

The back of the controller also includes a toggle to switch between wired and wireless modes (via a 2.4 GHz dongle; no Bluetooth). The new version (V2) of the Envision Pro already includes hall-effect sticks, ensuring durability over time.

Performance-wise, the Envision Pro does not disappoint. Buttons and triggers are satisfying to press, are clicky (like a mouse), and feel like a high-quality product. The L and R triggers are longer than usual and slightly angled upward, which feels nice, and they also have a switch to toggle between a click and a fully analog mode. The D-pad feels precise, especially for fighting games, because of its 8-direction input. It may be understated, but some players will definitely appreciate the mouse-like, clicky feel of the D-pad and face buttons, thanks to its mechanical switches rather than those on usual controllers.

The advertised battery life of the Envision Pro is “around 19 hours” and will certainly vary depending on usage. I like to keep my lighting to a minimum, so without any fancy effects, playtime reached around 16-18 hours before needing a charge, so it checks out in this department.

While the Envision Pro is mainly similar to other controllers in terms of features, what sets it apart is its integration with the mandatory iCUE software. Controllers like the Valor Pro and Reflex Pro didn’t require a dedicated feature to access their feature sets, but the Envision Pro is quite different. If you have had any Corsair products before, the software will not be new to you.

The iCUE software for the Envision Pro allows you to adjust dead zones, RGB lighting, button mappings, and to set profiles. The number of options is quite impressive, and you can even assign macros to one of the many additional buttons found on the controller. In fact, all buttons are customizable, so feel free to make this your mini-keyboard. The software is powerful, but caution is advised for those who are allergic to opening another program to do or change something in Envision Pro.

Apart from the aforementioned side trigger buttons, the Envision Pro also comes with 5 “G” buttons found below, for various purposes. By default, you can use them to adjust volume settings and mute the microphone, but with iCUE software, you can customize them to anything you need. Personally, I did not play any games that really made use of the five additional macro keys beyond the side buttons and back paddles, so mileage may vary.

Overall, the SCUF Envision Pro is a great PC controller with extensive customizability, fantastic-feeling buttons, and just a solid-looking and feeling peripheral. Mileage may vary depending on how much of a tinkerer you are, especially with the required software for customization purposes, but the options are there if you need them. If you’re someone who doesn’t like fiddling with the hardware too much and wants an out-of-the-box excellent experience, the Envision Pro can still work, but using the software with it is really the key to unlocking its capabilities.

Apart from the weird placement of the side trigger buttons and its heavy reliance on the iCUE software, the SCUF Envision Pro is a great but quite pricey option if you’re in the market for a PC controller that can almost serve as a secondary keyboard (if that’s your thing).

The SCUF Envision Pro is now available for $169.99 on the official SCUF website.