Flydigi Vader 4 Pro
A masterclass in controllers.

First Impressions

The Vader 4 Pro’s buying experience admittedly isn’t the best, as local retailers for this controller seem non-existent. However, there’s nothing to worry about as genuine, reliable, and fast shipping stores do exist on AliExpress, including Flydigi’s own official store.

The thing is, we’ve tested hundreds of controllers here—and on a personal level, I’m a bit of a controller collector. However, controllers that meet my specific needs for every day use are few and far between. So what are those needs? Well, the controller actually being ergonomic is an obvious one, but I also require extremely precise thumbsticks, and a 2.4GHz dongle for latency-free (and pairing free) gameplay.

Although a minor grievance for some, I am endlessly irritated by Bluetooth controllers—random disconnections and pairing issues drive me mad, I see no benefit from the endless repairing issues I have with most bluetooth controllers, including the go-to Xbox controllers.

The Vader? It supports everything: basically zero-latency gameplay via wired a detachable and non-proprietary USB-C, the 2.4GHz dongle, or Bluetooth. Whatever way you prefer to play, the Vader 4 Pro has you covered, it's also possible to have the controller setup on one device via Bluetooth, and another with the dongle and easily switch between devices using the "Connection Method" switch on the back of the controller.

But what’s really appealing about the dongle though, is being able to leave it permanently plugged into your system—it offers a seamless, instantaneous connection whenever you pick up the controller. It never requires pairing and the connection is rock-solid stable.

There’s nothing more important than a product just working, and the Vader? It just works.

Build Quality

Before moving to the Vader 4 Pro, I went through three ROG Raikiri Pro controllers as my daily drivers. Each one suffered some kind of failure within hours of gameplay, and every time I had to deal with warranty returns and long RMA processes with ASUS. It was frustrating, time-consuming, and honestly made me hesitant to trust any “pro” controller again.

Why is that relevant? Because after almost a year of using the Vader 4 Pro regularly, I’ve had zero problems.

Part of that comes down to the hardware. It uses Hall Effect thumbsticks, which are quickly becoming the gold standard for reliability. No drift, no early failures—just consistent, accurate input. The face buttons, D-pad, and bumpers all use ultra-tactile, mouse-click-style switches that feel fast, responsive, and satisfyingly premium. Seriously, even when the controller is off, pressing the buttons just feels right. They're sharp, crisp, and addictive to tap.

As for the triggers, you’ve got the same pro-tier trigger stops found on high-end controllers, letting you switch between full-range analog pulls and short, clicky digital presses. They’re snappy and precise either way, and they really complement both casual and competitive play.

Material-wise, it’s made from standard ABS plastic, like most modern controllers—but Flydigi has done a good job making it feel high quality. The underside is textured for grip, while the top side is smooth and resistant to fingerprints (at least on the black version I’ve been using). It’s not super light, but it’s also not as heavy or front-loaded as something like the Xbox Elite controller. It feels solid, well-balanced, and well-built. Honestly? There’s nothing to complain about here.

Features

We’ve already talked a little about the features, but this thing is absolutely loaded.

Of course, it’s got all the high-end controller stuff you'd expect—Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, tactile face buttons, and that beloved 2.4GHz dongle—but then it goes ahead and adds dozens of little things that genuinely make a difference.

Let’s start with the 1000Hz polling rate, because that’s kind of ridiculous (in a good way). In simple terms, this means the controller is sending input updates to your PC a thousand times per second. So every little movement, every button press, gets picked up faster than most gaming mice. The result? Smoother, more responsive input—especially noticeable in fast-paced or competitive games. Even if you're not chasing esports-level precision, you feel it.

For context, the Xbox Series X controller polls at just 124Hz, and the PlayStation DualSense doubles that with 250Hz. The Vader 4 Pro? Quadruple that again, sitting at a full 1000Hz. That’s a massive leap in responsiveness, and it shows.

Next up is one of the standout features for me—thumbstick tension adjustment. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to how a thumbstick should feel. Some like them light and loose, others—like me—prefer a bit more resistance. I personally associate a heavier tension with more control and a premium feel. It’s not technically more “accurate,” but to me, light sticks often just feel cheap. Case in point: the ROG Ally’s sticks, which I’ve always found way too soft and almost flimsy.

The Vader 4 Pro fixes that completely with physical tension rings around the thumbsticks. No software menus, no tools—just twist the ring and set the tension exactly how you like it. You can go light, heavy, or somewhere perfectly in between. It’s the Goldilocks of thumbstick feel, and the best part is that you can adjust it anytime, on the fly.

Another one I love: the trigger stops. Flip a little switch and you can swap between full analogue trigger pulls or a crisp, mouse-click style actuation. If you’re playing a shooter and want those lightning-fast inputs, you’ll definitely appreciate it. If you're cruising in a racing game or flying around in a sim, flip it back and enjoy full analogue control.

There’s also a surprising amount of thought put into the extra buttons. You’ve got two face buttons labeled “C” and “Z”, positioned right where your spare fingers naturally rest. And then on the back, you've got four paddles—M1, M2, M3, and M4. All of these are customisable through the Flydigi Space Station software, and we’re not just talking simple remaps. You can assign rapid-fire, macros, hotkeys, or even computer mouse clicks.

Speaking of mouse inputs—this controller actually goes there. Yes, it has gyro, and not just for Switch games. In the Flydigi software, you can enable gyro aiming across any PC game, even ones that don't natively support it. You can map it to behave like a right thumbstick, giving you precise, motion-based aiming anywhere. You can even enable gyro as a mouse, and when paired with those rear paddle buttons (set as left/right clicks), you basically get a full mouse experience—from cursor movement to scroll wheel, all straight from your controller.

Basically—whatever you can think of, this controller probably has it. No exaggeration.

Software

Finally, we’re at a section that isn’t just blind, glowing praise—but even here, the software is still above average and more than acceptable.

Flydigi’s Windows software, called Flydigi Space Station, allows you to customize most aspects of the controller, and it’s relatively simple to use.

Whether it’s enabling gyro controls, adjusting vibration intensity, managing RGB lighting (the RGB on this controller is great, by the way), or mapping the back buttons—or heck, even the two front C/Z buttons—it all works, and it’s all easy to configure.

For example, I usually have the C button (which is just below the A button) set as a rapid-fire A. This makes scrolling through text or managing in-game inventories a breeze. You could also map these to act as Steam Menu or Quick Settings buttons on a machine running SteamOS. (Yep, it’s an incredible Steam Deck controller.)

I just wish this app was also available on Android or iOS. As of now, it requires a Windows PC to use. Again, not a huge issue—but if you're picking this up for a Linux or SteamOS gaming rig, in-depth controller customization isn’t currently possible, at least not easily.

Compatibility

In my opinion, the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro is the ultimate PC controller, and it’s quickly become my all-time favourite for both desktop and docked handheld PC gaming.

While it does support Android and iPhone, I’d personally recommend something like the Gamesir G8 for mobile gaming—or a genuine Nintendo Switch Pro Controller if you're specifically after something for the Switch. Not because the Vader 4 Pro is a bad option (it actually handles both platforms surprisingly well), but because those respective controllers offer unique benefits that make them better suited for their specific use cases.

It’s clear that the Vader 4 Pro’s main focus is PC gaming, and it absolutely nails that priority—just like the Gamesir G8 does for mobile, and the Switch Pro Controller does for the Switch.

At the time of writing, the Vader 4 Pro does not support Xbox consoles at all, and it doesn’t feature an Xbox-style guide button either. That might be a dealbreaker for Xbox users, but for everyone else, it’s a total non-issue.

Accessories

Flydigi has a range of accessories available, and while they’re functional, this is the one area where the controller falls a little flat.

The two main accessories worth mentioning are the Flydigi Charging Dock and the Flydigi Storage Shell. You can also find various aftermarket skins, silicone covers, and other bits and pieces—but results may vary there.

Let’s start with the dock. In concept, I love it. Having the controller connected via 2.4GHz is about as seamless as it gets for PC gaming—and one of the best ways to improve on that is with a dock. Just throw it down when you’re done playing and never worry about battery life again.

The controller has exposed charging points, and the dock has pogo pins—so in theory, all you’d need to do is drop it in and boom, charging.

Except… it almost never lines up on its own.

The dock is a universal design meant to support several Flydigi controllers, so the fit is just a bit loose. You often have to wiggle the controller for a second or two until the orange charging light kicks in.

Is it a big deal? Not really. But with how well everything else on this controller works, even small missteps stand out. Honestly, that’s just Flydigi’s fault for setting the bar so high.

As for the Flydigi Storage Shell, there’s not much to say—it works. It’s a decent-quality hard case with a carry handle, and it includes a mesh pouch to stash a USB-C cable and the 2.4GHz adapter.

We also tested a few third-party silicone covers and grips, but they were frankly just bad—flimsy, loose-fitting, and they completely ruined the controller’s excellent feel. To be clear, these weren’t genuine Flydigi accessories.

Value for Money

A while back, I mentioned that I was daily driving the ASUS ROG Raikiri Pro—a significantly lower-featured “Pro” controller. At the time, it was the best controller that met my needs. That controller cost $269 AUD.

Personally, that’s a bewildering amount of money to spend on a controller—but it’s well within the realm of “normal,” with the DualSense Edge costing $329, and other pro controllers from Turtle Beach and Victrix selling for over $250.

Now, I genuinely believe the Vader 4 Pro is a wildly better controller than all of those examples. So, what do you think it’s worth?

Well, the value proposition here is far lower than you’d probably expect. It costs between $90–$110 AUD, depending on sales and the exchange rate (unfortunately, prices do fluctuate a fair bit on AliExpress). Add roughly $35 for the (useful but slightly finicky) charging dock, and $10 for the hard shell case, and you’re looking at around $150 AUD for a fully loaded Vader 4 Pro setup.

Is it worth it? Hell yes. It’s worth every penny—and then some.

Conclusion

You tell me—want a controller that’s ergonomic, ultra-tactile, jam-packed with features, works flawlessly across PC and handhelds, has zero drift, and costs a fraction of the “Pro” brand-name competition?

Then yeah. You want the Flydigi Vader 4 Pro.

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