Above: The Scuf Infinity1 gamepad.
The Xbox One Elite Controller is still the best gamepad I’ve ever used, but I can see why some people may choose Scuf’s Infinity1 instead. Scuf, which also works with Microsoft on the Elite, provides similar functionality in its Infinity1 customizable controllers. You can swap out thumbsticks and use back paddles to activate face buttons. But it is also much lighter and also much more likely to survive use as your everyday input on Xbox One and/or PC.
The Scuf Infinity1 custom controller is available now starting at $120. You can also get it in a PS4 variation. For Xbox One or PC players, however, you may wonder if this is worth it compared to some of the other options on the market, and I think Scuf makes its case in a few key ways.
You can compare the Infinity1 in two directions. The more affordable, standard Xbox One controller is better than ever at $60. Microsoft has made constant updates to dial in the right feel for the analog sticks and bumpers, and it has also added crucial features like Bluetooth. But every Xbox One controller is still essentially the same. On the other side of the price spectrum, you have the $150 Xbox One Elite Controller. That is a phenomenal gamepad that uses expensive polymers and metals to give you a premium feel. It also comes with multiple analog sticks, D-pads, and removable back paddles so you can customize it depending on your play style. Compared to those alternatives, the Infinity1 fits right in the middle and does some things better than both.
If you play a lot of shooters, the optional paddles and a taller stick can make a big difference on a console. Even playing something like Assassin’s Creed: Origins on the PC can feel a lot more comfortable if you have a stick that fits the size of your hands. The Infinity1 can do that. Scuf sells extra sticks, but unlike the Elite’s magnet system, you can lock these into place so they don’t inadvertently fall off. This is big for me because it means I can leave the Infinity1 laying around, and I don’t have to worry that I’m going to come back to find pieces missing.
So the Infinity1 gives me a lot of freedom to control my games how I want, but it is also sturdy enough to stand up to daily use.
Scuf has also built a pro controller that is still light. I love the Elite’s heft, but I also tend not to game with a pad for a half-dozen hours at a time. For those of you who do get into those kinds of lengthy gaming sessions, the Infinity1 may help because it has significantly less mass.
At the same time, the gamepad uses nice external materials to ensure you can maintain a comfortable grip. You can also get a textured grip add-on for the Infinity1 from Scuf for $7, and that adds even more friction to the device. I used it both ways, and while I was fine with the standard plastic, the Scuf grip did give me more stability.
The Infinity1’s lightweight design has a cost. The gamepad has a cheap feel. It is especially plasticy, and the materials have a toy-like quality to them. Nothing is rattling around or falling apart, but Scuf’s controller doesn’t have the premium, high-end feel of the Elite. Even after a couple of years, I’m still stunned by the build quality whenever I take my Elite out of its case. I’ve never felt that way about the Infinity1.
Everyone’s hands are different, but I really don’t like how Scuf has arranged the rear paddles. They are all in a row pointing straight down from the battery-compartment door in two groups of two. I have no trouble reaching the outside paddles, but I’ve struggled enough with the inside paddles that I’ve given up on using them.
Scuf’s gamepads are popular among pros who use controllers for their competitions, and I can see why. Even if I think the Elite is better, the Infinity1 will survive on the road a lot better. It also reduces fatigue due to its lightweight design. If you are considering a new Xbox One controller, you should probably get the latest updated Xbox One controller with Bluetooh for $60. But if you are serious about gaming and competing, and you think other people might use this gamepad or you’re going to throw it into a travel bag, then I can recommend the Scuf Infinity1 even over the Elite.
Scuf provided a sample unit for the purpose of this review. The Team Scuf Infinity 1 is available now starting at $120.