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Many brands are currently vying for our attention in the ‘pro-controller’ space, wanting their own piece of a very large pie, but Scuf is a brand that’s been doing this particular niche for quite some time, though not at this lower price range — until now.
The Scuf Valor Pro is the latest controller in a long line, alluding to the premise of making you a better gamer, with more bells and whistles and buttons than your average Xbox controller.
The difference being previous efforts have been nearly double the price, this Scuf Valor is $109.99 and for that reason is the first I’ve tried from the brand.
I was probably more negative than I should have been going into this review, as being a console gamer, I don’t particularly want to be tethered to my console with a wire, especially not for $109.99.
This may be cheap for Scuf, but it is not cheap for a wired controller. Nevertheless, it won me over, and I think it’s worth checking out for some of the specific features I enjoyed.
Jennifer Young
Jen has been part of the Windows Central team for two years and has been playing video games since the 90s and is just as adept at Dark Souls and Diablo as she is at Petz 4. Playing mainly on Steam Deck, Xbox and PC, Jen prefers to collect controllers over shoes and handbags. However, only a handful make it into the daily rotation while others are doomed to storage, and she’ll happily tell you why in numerous reviews submitted to this site.
This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Corsair. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.
Scuf Valor Pro review: Pricing and specifications
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- The Scuf Valor Pro controller costs $109.99
- It comes in Black, White, and a Steel Gray edition as standard
- There are a much wider range of designs direct from Scuf Gaming as well as faceplate options
Prior to its purchase by Corsair, Scuf was known as a controller modding company that added paddles and various other pro features to existing controllers.
Scuf Valor Pro wired controller specs
• Price: $109.99 at Amazon
• Variations: Black, White and Steel Gray
• Connectivity: USB-A to USB-C cable, 3.6m long braided.
• Profiles: 3 onboard profiles
• Compatibility: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Windows 10/11
• Extra controls: Trigger stops, 4 rear buttons, audio control dials.
• Sticks: Hall Effect
• Triggers: Hall Effect
• Buttons: Micro-switch
• Customization: Magnetic swappable faceplates, extra thumbsticks included (short and long domed)
• Dimensions: 153(L) x 107(W) x 64(H) mm
• Weight: 258.62 grams
After much expansion and licensing its innovations to Microsoft for its own Elite controller, the company was acquired by Corsair in 2019. Despite the acquisition, Scuf has maintained its identity as a separate brand dedicated to high-performance gaming controllers.
The Scuf Valor Pro is its latest venture, costing $109.99 and available for purchase from Amazon and Best Buy in the standard colors of Black, White, and Steel Gray. Additionally, there are several other interesting colors and designs available directly from Scuf Gaming.
As with the Scuf Instinct Pro before it, the faceplate is magnetic and can be swapped out. However, replacement plates are not currently available, and the existing range of Instinct faceplates is not compatible. This particular feature is marked as ‘coming soon.’
In the box, you get a USB-C cable that is detachable and can be replaced if damaged, along with two additional thumbsticks of varying heights.
Scuf Valor Pro controller review: The good
- The controller has Hall-Effect sticks, something Xbox has yet to implement in its own controllers.
- It includes four remappable back paddles with three onboard profiles to change at will.
- The Valor Pro is covered in small details to make gaming more comfortable, such as contoured bumpers for faster transitions and textures on various surfaces.
Whenever I play games like Monster Hunter, Dark Souls, or Elden Ring, I experience hand pain within an hour of playtime.
Since these games don’t allow pausing and the fights are so intense, I have a bad habit of gripping my controller in an unhealthy way, not quite the ‘furled finger’ but a tension that isn’t good for my hand muscles.
Naturally, I tested this controller with the latest game I knew would cause me discomfort — Monster Hunter Wilds. No pain, no gain.
This controller’s design is incredibly comfortable and lightweight, alleviating much of my discomfort right from the start.
The left and right bumpers offer a satisfying mouse-like click, and I only need to press them very lightly for a response thanks to an exaggerated length and curve around the controller. The level of responsiveness in the buttons is a huge advantage during hunts when every dodge needs to be perfectly timed.
The triggers are smooth as butter and allow me perfect control over charged bow shots and heavy weapon swings with very little physical effort on my part.
With trigger stops on the inner sides of RT and LT, you can activate a hair-trigger mechanism that shortens the throw distance, letting you quickly reset and actuate inputs. This comes in handy for shooters, too, where you want to react fast.
I also used the remapping function to map the ‘focus mode’ to the back buttons. This mode is already controversial for making the game too easy, but it almost feels like cheating when mapped to a more comfortable position on the rear and playing with a bow.
The back buttons, in general, come in handy for executing complex maneuvers that would normally involve hand gymnastics, and being able to program up to 3 profiles means I can have different settings for each of my chosen weapons.
The back buttons are especially useful for shortcuts like potions usage or weapon swaps, of which there are endless menus for consumables in Monster Hunter Wilds. If you find the inner paddles unnecessary, they can be easily removed for a more streamlined grip.
The thoughtful details all over the controller, such as rubberized texture on the grips, sticks, and bumpers, all add up to make it so much more comfortable to use than a standard controller during my marathon hunts, and the weight seems to perfectly balance between not giving me hand fatigue and also not feeling ‘cheap.’
Overall, the controller feels incredibly reliable and was a pleasure to use.
In fact, when sitting at my partner’s Xbox and then using his Elite controller without my carefully mapped settings, it was almost like I forgot how to play the game without the Scuf Valor in hand, and the Elite suddenly felt over heavy and cumbersome in comparison.
Of course, the Scuf Valor Pro is also another in a long line of third-party controllers for Xbox that included Hall Effect tech in the sticks and triggers.
Xbox is trailing behind with this in its own range, leading to many complaints of stick drift early in the lifespan of its controllers. That shouldn’t be a worry with the Scuf Valor as Hall Effect uses magnets to measure distance and movement in the parts, rather than physical contact, and as such, doesn’t experience the same wear and tear.
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The Scuf Valor Pro also comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, at least directly through Scuf’s own store. Right now, while you can remove the faceplate, there are no replacements to be purchased, but these should be made available soon.
I look forward to changing up the style of mine from the dull grey to something more vibrant.
Another future update to the controller will add a 1000Hz standard polling rate for those who wish to use it for PC gaming, which isn’t something I’m particularly concerned with but is worth mentioning.
Another interesting feature of the Scuf Valor Pro is its unique volume dials, reminiscent of mouse wheels, on the bottom of the controller.
The controls remind me fondly of the old Xbox headset adapter, which allowed me to adjust the volume of my game and my party chat separately. Something I used to use frequently, but in the modern day of mainly wireless headsets, I don’t have a use for it.
The inclusion of these controls is a nice touch, but being limited to wired headsets when you are already wired to your console makes it a limited use case.
Scuf Valor Pro controller review: The bad
- The Scuf Valor Pro is only usable with a wire, which can be cumbersome for console players.
- There is no companion software.
Now, to address the elephant in the room: this is a $110 controller, and it’s wired.
For me, and likely for many other consumers, that price feels too steep for what’s on offer here. I can’t help but feel disappointed that Scuf didn’t go the extra mile to make this controller wireless. If they had, I could see myself completely replacing my day-to-day controller with it.
As someone who primarily games on consoles, I don’t want to be tethered to my Xbox. Having children and pets only adds to the obstacles; wired controllers create hazards and hassles I’d much rather avoid.
Sure, there are benefits to a wired setup, like not having to worry about charging a battery, reduced weight, and potentially lower latency. But honestly, the latency difference is so negligible that the vast majority of gamers wouldn’t even notice it nowadays.
It’s a shame because this truly is a fantastic controller. I love the customization options, but I find the price too high to confidently recommend it to most people.
Another letdown is the lack of companion software, something I’d expect from a controller marketed as ‘pro.’ It would be great to plug this into my laptop and fine-tune my profiles for different games rather than relying solely on the onboard options.
While it’s a minor gripe in the grand scheme of things, it feels like it would add to the value somewhat.
Scuf Valor Pro controller review: Also consider
If you’re in the market for a wireless Xbox controller featuring Hall Effect technology, the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro is our top recommendation, even outperforming Xbox’s own Elite series in our opinion. It even comes in white now.
While there are less expensive alternatives, such as the PowerA Fusion Pro with Lumectra, priced at $150, I wouldn’t recommend it at that cost.
If $199.99 feels out of reach and you’re not bothered by a wired connection, the PowerA Fusion Pro 4 Wired is worth considering.
It’s significantly more affordable than the Scuf Valor Pro, retailing for just $69.99 on Amazon, and it offers many of the same ‘pro’ features, such as Hall Effect thumbsticks, remappable buttons, and a comfortable grip.
While I’d say the Scuf Valor edges out the Fusion in terms of overall comfort, the difference may not be enough to justify spending an additional $40 for the Valor Pro. The trigger stops do let the Fusion Pro down, though, so if that particular feature is important to you, stump up for the Scuf.
Scuf Valor Pro controller review: Final thoughts
You should buy this if …
✅ You play intense games that require precision
Features like Hall Effect sticks, hair triggers, and four remappable paddles provide excellent control with little effort.
✅ You want a durable and long-lasting controller
Hall Effect sensors reduce wear and tear, addressing issues like stick drift common in Xbox controllers.
You should not buy this if …
❌ You’re on a tight budget
At $110, it’s pricey for a wired controller, and there are cheaper options with comparable features.
❌ You don’t want to be tethered to your console
This controller is wired, and for many Xbox players, that’s a dealbreaker
In short, I really enjoy using the Scuf Valor Pro and think it’s a fantastic Xbox controller. That said, I have to acknowledge the advantage of receiving it for review rather than spending $110 out of pocket.
If I’m honest with myself, would I personally pay that much for a wired controller? The answer is no, and I suspect that’s the case for most people.
While it’s packed with pro features, the reality is that the audience seeking those features is probably the same crowd willing to drop $199.99 on a wireless option like the Razer Wolverine V3. It makes me question whether there’s enough demand for this middle-man option.
That said, I’ll keep using the Valor Pro for my Monster Hunts — it’s genuinely made my playtime much more comfortable. But I can’t, in good conscience, say I’d spend $110 on it.
