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The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is a nice upgrade to the Fusion Pro 3 that also manages to have a cheaper MSRP than its predecessor and introduces PowerA’s own ‘Quick-Twist’ technology to its range of budget-friendly professional controllers.
Released alongside the premium and wireless Fusion Prothis model is available at half the price, with many of the same professional gaming features, such as 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 a cable isn’t a deal breaker for you and you crave zero latency, then it’s well made and a pleasure to use.
Jennifer Young
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Jen has been part of the Windows Central team for two years and has been playing video games since the 90s. Her Xbox obsession was on full display during the Xbox 360 era, and since then she’s put many controllers through the wringer and written countless reviews on this site.
This review was made possible with a review sample from PowerA. The company has not influenced or previewed the content of this review.
PowerA Fusion Pro 4: prices and specifications
The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is officially licensed for use with Xbox. (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
Price highlights
- The PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless retails for $69.99 at Amazon.
- The controller has many similar functions to the Fusion Pro Wireless which can be bought for a lot higher price of $149.99 but has wireless capabilities and LED lighting for an additional cost.
- The controller comes with a 3 meter braided USB cable.
The PowerA FUSION Pro 4 is a more budget-friendly offering in the ‘pro-grade’ controller space, priced at $69.99.
PowerA Fusion Pro 4
• Price: $69.99 at Amazon
• Connectivity: USB-A to USB-C cable for use with Xbox One, Series X|S and Windows PC.
• Additional checks: Adjustable thumbsticks, 4 buttons on the back that can be remapped
• Features: Anti-drift Hall Effect analog thumbsticks, Hall Effect triggers.
• Dimensions: 156 x 107 x 65 mm (6.14 x 4.21 x 2.56 in)
• Weight: 365.14g (0.8lbs)
Unlike its wireless counterpart, the Fusion Pro 4 doesn’t have RGB lighting or a built-in rechargeable battery, but it still packs many of the same practical features at half the price.
The Fusion Pro 4 includes adjustable thumbsticks, Hall Effect sensors for precision, and assignable buttons on the back, and it’s another choice in the lineup for gamers looking for pro-level customization at an affordable price than the Razer Wolverine V3 Tournament edition for example.
The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 comes with a 10-foot braided USB cable in the box and is backed by a 2-year limited warranty.
PowerA Fusion Pro 4 review: The good
PowerA Fusion Pro 4 with the supplied cable. (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
The positives highlights
- The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is solidly built, durable and offers impressive quality for its price.
- The ‘Quick Twist’ technology on the thumbsticks is really innovative and useful for switching between games.
- The controller grips are excellent, and the button placement on the back makes them my favorite feature.
The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is particularly notable for its price, which, like most of the PowerA range, is more affordable than many competitors. At $69.99, this professional controller offers impressive value for money, and it certainly feels worth the price. One of the standout positives is how comfortable it is to use. The rubber texture on the grips extends across the front, back, triggers and bumpers, making it feel nice to use for long periods of time and, for lack of a better word, giving it a pleasant ‘squish’. While its shape and size match that of most modern Xbox controllers, it wisely sticks to a tried-and-tested design that works.
The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 has a simple design with some details that make it more comfortable, such as the rubber grips. (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
The controller is packed with features that put it in the ‘pro’ category, including dual rumble motors, impulse triggers and Hall effect sticks. It also includes a handy headset button for easy volume adjustments and muting when using a wired headset. I’ve broken a lot of Xbox headset adapters in my time due to repeatedly having to plug in a controller, so I appreciate when this is included, even if it’s a bit ugly.
The rear buttons are another highlight; Personally, I prefer their flat design to the Xbox Elite Series 2’s paddles. They’re perfectly positioned for my fingers, making actions like sliding in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 as easy as squeezing the back of the controller. While some may prefer the more protruding rear controls of other brands, I find these flat buttons much more comfortable.
The rear buttons are in a comfortable position. (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
Since the controller is wired, you don’t have to worry about latency, so if I lose a game, I only have my own terrible response times to blame. Despite being wired, the controller doesn’t feel overly light or cheap; it is sturdy and well made, giving it a premium feel.
One notable feature that is new to PowerA is the ‘Quick-Twist’ thumbsticks. Unlike other controllers that require you to completely swap the sticks, the Fusion Pro 4 allows you to adjust the stick height with a simple twist, with three levels to choose from. While it may sound like a gimmick, it’s surprisingly useful for FPS games, where adjusting your settings to the mode can make a big difference.
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The poles rotate to adjust the height, you can see the left side at max here(Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
(Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
Overall, this is a pretty decent controller for $79.99, and if you already have something like the KontrolFreek performance sticks and want a permanent solution, this controller is worth a look.
PowerA Fusion Pro 4 review: the bad
The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 and the Fusion Pro Wireless look almost identical, but the wired Fusion Pro 4 is half the price. (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
Highlighting the disadvantages
- The 3-way trigger stops aren’t as effective as other controllers I’ve used with this feature, although they are an improvement over the more expensive Lumectra model.
- With the previous Fusion models you could change the front plate, but that is not the case.
- The price is cheap, but GameSir has even cheaper options with similar features if you’re not sold on the spinning sticks.
The controller as a whole is impressive, but I was especially curious about the trigger stops. On the PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless they didn’t live up to expectations, so I was keen to see if the Fusion Pro 4 would perform better in this area.
I don’t normally play many FPS games, but with Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 now available on Xbox Game PassI found myself in the middle of some sweaty lobbies. Despite my embarrassingly low skill level, I appreciate the extra features on my controllers now more than ever, especially trigger stops. I’ve become so dependent on them that playing without max settings feels very strange, and they greatly offset my old lady’s reaction times.
Like the wireless Fusion Pro, this controller includes three levels of trigger-stop adjustment. While they are an improvement over the wireless connection, they still don’t reduce trigger travel as much as I would have hoped. As can be seen in the photo below, even at the highest setting the trigger still travels further than ideal.
I really shouldn’t be able to press the trigger that far at max, which is disappointing. (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
It’s also worth noting that unlike previous Fusion Pro models, this version has dropped the interchangeable faceplates. If that was a feature you liked, you might be disappointed. On the plus side, this change allows the controller to launch for $10 less than the Fusion Pro 3.
If you’re torn between this and the Fusion Pro Wireless, this wired version offers much better value, especially if you can live without RGB lighting. However, if your primary focus is on Hall effect sticks and buttons on the back, you might want to consider this GameSir’s range toowhich offers similar features at an even lower price (but without the luxury of those cushioned handles.)
PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless: Final Thoughts
The Fusion Pro 4 and Fusion Pro Wireless are functionally the same, but the wireless one comes with handy lighting, a charging stand and a case) (Image credit: Jennifer Young – Windows Central)
You should buy this if…
You want a wired controller for Xbox that is comfortable to use for long periods of time
If a wire isn’t a deal breaker and you want a really comfortable controller, this is a pretty good choice.
You want a controller with Hall Effect technology and adjustable thumbsticks
If you play a lot of FPS games, there are plenty of features to improve your game here without spending too much.
You are using wired headphones
The included volume and mute controls are useful for wired headsets.
You shouldn’t buy this if…
You use trigger stops a lot when gaming
Although the controller offers three levels of trigger stops, these don’t work as well as expected, with too much travel even on the highest setting.
You just want the Hall Effect technology without stick drift
You can get this at a cheaper price from GameSir.
When wrapping up a review, my ultimate test is whether the controller deserves 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’m looking forward to trying Monster Hunter Wilds when it 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 it passes ours best Xbox controllers list. I also appreciate PowerA’s addition of the innovative Quick-Twist thumbsticks and look forward to experimenting with them further. After testing both this and the wireless PowerA Fusion, I can confidently say that this is by far the most affordable option.
PowerA Fusion Pro Wireless
The PowerA Fusion Pro 4 is an impressive wired controller that delivers professional-level features at an affordable price of $79.99. It has Hall effect sticks, dual rumble motors, impulse triggers and innovative Quick-Twist thumbsticks, which allow adjustable stick height without swapping parts. Ultimately, it offers a much better value than the wireless Fusion Pro.