The Scuf Omega costs $220, but my favorite feature can be found in controllers at a fraction of that price

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The Scuf Omega launched yesterday and, while I've only had a little time to get my hands around this pro gamepad, there's one standout feature for me already. Clicky, mechanical face buttons have always been an end goal for me. Years spent testing the best gaming mouse models has left me with an intolerance for unreliable repeat presses and soft, spongey clackers. I want the crisp, clean finish of a tactile mechanical switch - and the Scuf Omega nails the brief.

These face buttons (and d-pad) make for shorter (and therefore faster) actuations that feel tighter and far more precise in repeat presses. Ultimately, the main benefit is speed - and that's going to be felt most by competitive players. That's not why I like them though.

It's that tactile feedback that keeps bringing me back to mechanical face buttons. Every button feels like it's clean and precise - more controlled, with less of the 'space' around a more traditional membrane button. That means even single player games benefit and, if you're just looking for that snappier feel outside of ranked leaderboards, where the Scuf Omega starts to shrink away from the limelight - at least outside of the PS5's more limited market.

That's because there are a ton of PC controllers offering those mechanical face buttons for far less than the $219.99 MSRP of the Scuf Omega. While you're pretty locked into higher priced gamepads if you're specifically hunting down the best PS5 controllers (the Razer Raiju V3 Pro also offers similar features), the realm of Windows-only gamepads drops that price significantly. Enter the EasySMX X10.

This $40 controller isn't going to keep up with the Scuf Omega's vastly superior customization options. Those six additional back button / side bumpers are replaced by a modest set of two, and there's little in the way of keybinding settings. If you're locking in on a more tactile single-player experience on PC, though, it's vastly better value for money.

The Scuf Omega retains its place in the hands of PS5 players looking for a nifty competitive advantage over DualSense users, but ultimately it's those face switches that are sealing the deal for me so far. Are they better than the EasySMX implementation? Absolutely. They're crispier, snappier, and offer a smoother actuation overall. If you're just buying a gamepad for the mechanical buttons, though, EasySMX is going to be my recommendation every time.

• See all controller deals at Amazon

We're also rounding up all the best Xbox Series X controllers and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers on the market. Or take a look at the best TMR controllers for more thumbstick options.

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Tabitha BakerManaging Editor - Hardware

Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector. 

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