PowerA OPS v3 Pro review

Our VerdictThe sheer amount of controller that PowerA is offering here for a fraction of the price of its rivals is hard to ignore. It’s not perfect but it has everything the pro gamer really needs.

Our Verdict

The sheer amount of controller that PowerA is offering here for a fraction of the price of its rivals is hard to ignore. It’s not perfect but it has everything the pro gamer really needs.

ForIncredible value for moneyErgonomic design with wild RGBHall effect sticks and triggersEasy customisationAgainstBuild quality can’t match premium controllersVery occasional disconnects in testingRear buttons may feel awkwardly placedNo physically swappable parts

ForIncredible value for moneyErgonomic design with wild RGBHall effect sticks and triggersEasy customisation

AgainstBuild quality can’t match premium controllersVery occasional disconnects in testingRear buttons may feel awkwardly placedNo physically swappable parts

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PowerA OPS v3 Pro Wireless…

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PowerA - OPS v3 Pro Wireless…

Best Buy

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$85.99

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PowerA OPS v3 Pro Wireless…

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$99.99

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Finding real value in pro gaming peripherals is tough, especially when you look at premium options like theRazer Wolverine V3 Pro, which costs $200. So when PowerA offered its latestOPS v3 Pro Wireless Controller for PC and Cloud Gaming with Lumectraat just $99, I was pretty sceptical—especially with that mouthful of a name. But, against all odds, PowerA has crafted a controller that delivers a ton of functionality and performance, genuinely rivalling high-end options like the Wolverine andMicrosoft’s Elite Series 2 controllers.

At first glance, the PowerA OPS3 looks like your typical Xbox controller. But when you pick it up, the rubberized grips and textured shoulder and trigger buttons immediately stand out. Sweaty gamers will love this one. Weighing in at just 270 grams (30 grams lighter than the Wolverine V3 Pro), it’s very well-balanced and comfortable to hold for hours of gaming. While it certainly doesn’t feel as premium as the Elite Series 2, for $100, it doesn’t have to. Durability might be a concern down the line, but nothing stands out as particularly flimsy or weak—it just feels more toylike than higher-priced controllers.

A standout aesthetic feature is the Lumectra RGB lighting, which features four customizable zones, including a strip that runs all around the controller’s face. The lighting looks rather bling and can be adjusted via an app or on the controller itself. It’s definitely on the flashy side—many might turn it off to save on battery life—but for those who love RGB, it’s a fun addition.

Despite the budget price, PowerA hasn’t skimped on features. The OPS3 comes equipped with Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers, meaning no drift issues, ever. And while the thumbsticks aren’t swappable, they have a neat twist mechanism to adjust their height—a smart touch that eliminates the need to swap physical sticks between games. So if you decide to swap characters in the game from say a shotgun-wielding bruiser to a deadly sniper, a quick twist will set your thumbstick for the best precision.

OPS v3 Pro specsCompatibility:Windows 11, Cloud and Mobile devicesConnectivity:2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, USB wiredPorts:USB-CThumbsticks:Hall effectThumbstick layout:Asymmetric (Xbox-style)Weight:274 gPrice:$100|£100

OPS v3 Pro specs

Compatibility:Windows 11, Cloud and Mobile devicesConnectivity:2.4 GHz, Bluetooth, USB wiredPorts:USB-CThumbsticks:Hall effectThumbstick layout:Asymmetric (Xbox-style)Weight:274 gPrice:$100|£100

The tactile mechanical ABXY buttons, D-pad, and LB/RB buttons are satisfying to use, though they don’t quite match the crispness of Razer’s buttons, feeling slightly mushy in comparison. Still, they’re responsive enough for most players. The four remappable back buttons and two extra shoulder buttons are great for customization, although I found the rear buttons a bit awkward to use. I ended up sticking to the lower two back buttons, combined with the shoulder buttons, for the most comfortable grip.

On the connectivity front, the OPS v3 supports 2.4 GHz low-latency wireless, Bluetooth, and USB, making it versatile for PC, consoles, and mobile devices. It’s great for cloud gaming too, easily connecting over Bluetooth to a smart TV. That said, while connection in general was solid, I did encounter some glitches — occasionally, the controller would briefly disconnect from the dongle, which was frustrating in the middle of sessions. Another few times, the controller would simply hang, and become unresponsive to any inputs necessitating a hard reset. However, these issues didn’t happen enough for me to see a pattern to worry about.

When it comes to actual gameplay, the OPS v3 performs like a champ. I tested it across a variety of games, from fast-paced shooters like Destiny 2 and Call of Duty MWIII to slower-paced titles like Diablo IV and Lies of P. In every case, the controller’s responsiveness and accuracy impressed me. It’s snappy enough for competitive gaming, with inputs registering instantly, which is critical in fast-paced environments. I’m no pro gamer, as my KD will inevitably show, but having the option of multiple buttons to map to my preference certainly improved my enjoyment.

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Image1of7

(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)(Image credit: Future)

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

(Image credit: Future)

PowerA OPS v3 Pro controller

Buy if…✅You want a pro controller on a bit of a budget:The OPS v3 Pro has anti-drift hall-effect sticks, doesn’t compromise on performance or customisation and cost’s half the price of the competition.✅You love RGB on your controllers:If you like to flex with RGB lighting and hang the battery life, then the OPS v3 Pro has you covered.

Buy if…

✅You want a pro controller on a bit of a budget:The OPS v3 Pro has anti-drift hall-effect sticks, doesn’t compromise on performance or customisation and cost’s half the price of the competition.✅You love RGB on your controllers:If you like to flex with RGB lighting and hang the battery life, then the OPS v3 Pro has you covered.

Don’t buy if…

The 30-hour battery life is another strong point, though your mileage will vary depending on how much you use the RGB lighting. I think PowerA has struck a good balance here—Razer sacrificed RGB for battery life on the Wolverine V3 Pro, but PowerA gives you that choice to make yourself. Wireless charging isn’t available, but the OPS v3 does come with a magnetic charging dock which can also act as an extender for the dongle. This makes it easy to plop the controller down without even looking, though it would still have been nice to have a carry case.

In the end, the PowerA OPS v3 Pro Wireless Controller offers everything you could want in a pro wireless controller: solid build quality, Hall effect sticks, easy customization, and a bunch of programmable buttons. No, it’s not as premium-feeling as Razer or Microsoft’s offerings, but for $100, you’re getting an excellent deal. It’s a fantastic controller for the price and an easy recommendation for anyone who values performance over aesthetics and premium materials.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro: Price Comparison

$81.34View$99.99$85.99View$99.99View

$81.34View

PowerA OPS v3 Pro Wireless…

Amazon

$81.34View

$81.34

$99.99$85.99View

PowerA - OPS v3 Pro Wireless…

Best Buy

$99.99$85.99View

$99.99$85.99

$85.99

$99.99View

PowerA OPS v3 Pro Wireless…

GameStop

$99.99View

$99.99

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

The Verdict82Read our review policyPowerA OPS v3 ProThe sheer amount of controller that PowerA is offering here for a fraction of the price of its rivals is hard to ignore. It’s not perfect but it has everything the pro gamer really needs.

The Verdict

82Read our review policyPowerA OPS v3 ProThe sheer amount of controller that PowerA is offering here for a fraction of the price of its rivals is hard to ignore. It’s not perfect but it has everything the pro gamer really needs.

82Read our review policy

PowerA OPS v3 ProThe sheer amount of controller that PowerA is offering here for a fraction of the price of its rivals is hard to ignore. It’s not perfect but it has everything the pro gamer really needs.

PowerA OPS v3 Pro

The sheer amount of controller that PowerA is offering here for a fraction of the price of its rivals is hard to ignore. It’s not perfect but it has everything the pro gamer really needs.

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Our Verdict#

Our Verdict