Razer Wolverine V4 Pro Wireless Controller Review

Sharp and Precise.

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I use the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro several times a week. It's become my favorite wireless controller (among the many options on my shelves) because of its shape, grip, and build quality. It's very responsive, has great triggers and face buttons, and is one of my favorite pieces of gaming gear. Always, in fact.

Then came the Wolverine V3 Pro 8K, and I wasn't too turned on. Sure, the 8K resolution is a good thing, but it wasn't enough to sway me to shell out $200 for another controller. However, I now have a review sample of the Wolverine V4 Pro in my hands, and I have to admit – I'm sorely tempted to upgrade.

Razer hasn't messed with the original recipe that made the V3 Pro great. It still has the same comfortable chassis shape, super heavy weight, dual triggers and all the right controls in the right places. What it has done, however, is upgrade the underlying hardware, while adding plenty of customization options that improve the experience significantly.

I thought I wouldn't use it a little lighter than the previous model, but I was wrong. It still has a very controllable resistance, which is now combined with the incredible movement accuracy of the new non-contact sensors.

It feels sharper without losing its smooth, slightly heavy ride. Battery life has increased up to 27 hours. You can remove the back buttons and block the holes with flush magnetic plates. And you get 8K voting support, complete with wrist-shaking tactile audio. Individually, these may seem like small changes. Together they make one of the best controllers I've ever used... well, even better.

We need to talk about the price. $200 / £200 is asking a lot for a game controller, especially when there are so many great options on the market for a fraction of that amount. But the Wolverine V4 Pro has a list of kitchen-sink-worthy features that all combine to make a brilliant gaming machine — even if your bank account disagrees.

You want the best in controller technology: you name it, the Razer Wolverine V4 Pro probably has it. Except for the TMR or hall effect bars, which have been replaced by Razer's new (and rather excellent) capacitive sensor technology.

✅ You want to do modular customization: I've used enough modular gear to know that sometimes they can feel a little...half-baked. Not so here, where everything clicks together seamlessly.

❌ You're on a budget: There are plenty of great game controllers out there for much less than the Wolverine V4 Pro.

❌ You won't use the extras: If the customization features, 8K upscaling and the rest leave you cold, the Wolverine V4 Pro might be overkill.

The Razer Wolverine V4 Pro takes some of the best parts of the previous model and improves upon them, while keeping the same overall design. I'm a big fan of the V3 Pro, but even I'm tempted by the faster thumb sensors, quick response rates, and modular party-switching control tricks. Too bad it's so expensive - but if you've got the cash, I highly recommend giving one a try.

Take a deep breath, because there's a lot to go through here. At its core, the Razer Wolverine V4 Pro is an Xbox-style asymmetric controller with 2.4GHz wireless and USB Type-C wired connectivity, alongside a maximum polling rate of 8K via both wireless and wired connections. Razer says the Wolverine V4 Pro achieves sub-1ms response times thanks in part to fast polling.

Beyond the usual controls, there are two additional customizable buttons between the shields and triggers on the top, along with four additional "mouse click" buttons on the bottom. The triggers can also be locked with two toggle switches on the back, meaning they can be switched between a full throw and a precise click on the fly.

Up front, there's a set of PBT face buttons with touch and tactile switches below, which have a slightly shorter action than the buttons on the bog-standard V3 Pro. Diagonally across from it is a very clicky D-pad.

Then there are the new thumbs. These feel a bit lighter and snappier than the V3 Pro versions, though they still pack a punch. Razer has imbued these handles with 'next-generation' capacitive sensors that represent the 'future'. A step forward in non-contact sensor design."

According to the company, these sensors offer higher resolution and are more resistant to magnetic interference than the TMR and Hall effect models found in other high-spec controllers, while still preventing stick drift. When coupled with the on-chip 16-bit ADC, the new tracking results in approximately 3,000 motion tracking steps per sensor.

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still with me Good, because I haven't gotten to the customization options yet. The front panel of the V4 Pro is now magnetic and can be removed by digging your fingernails under a hidden groove at the top and giving it a firm tug. Razer says more display options are coming soon—so I guess brace yourself for the inevitable Minecraft tie-in.

You can also choose from six interchangeable thumb caps. By default, your standard short concave models are fitted, but there's also a pair of taller versions and a pair of convex alternatives for the more eccentric. I mean, there are those who prefer a completely different experience.

The rear pedal buttons are also removable and the holes can be filled with magnetic locking plates that sit flush with the frame. All of this explains the switch's magnetic additions to interference-resistant capacitive sensors, that's for sure. You can also switch between software profiles using a dedicated button combination. phew

What is left? Oh yes, battery life. Razer estimates you'll get up to 27 hours of use from the V4 Pro, a seven-hour improvement over the old model. Of course, this depends on the polling rate and touch settings. Charging from empty to full via USB Type-C connection takes three hours.

The last change is a raised edge around the USB Type-C port on the back. This is to prevent the bent cable from damaging the port over time, although my old V3 Pro charges regularly and has never had a problem. If you ask me, the raised part is a little... over pronounced. The lip stands out on what is otherwise a seamless design. Still, if nothing else, I appreciate the durability bonus.

I've been holding the V4 Pro up against my V3 model for a while now and it looks (and feels) exactly the same chassis shape. This is a very good thing. Looking closely, I'd say the textured grip on the back of the V4 Pro is a bit more subtle, though it might not be used on my older version.

However, it is the different textures under different controls that stand out. The triggers still have heavy resistance to them, with a smooth and delicious action. The main shocks click with precision, while the longer macro buttons below them have a longer, "snippier" type of click. I found that you won't mix them easily while staring at the screen.

The matte PBT used in the face buttons feel very grippy under the fingertips, and while the switches below are nearly identical, they feel a bit snappier when placed next to the V3 Pro. Again, it could be covered on my second-hand model, but there's definitely an improvement under my thumb that I appreciate.

And as for the faster thumbsticks, I didn't think they were much of an improvement when I tried them at the Gamescom booth earlier this year. However, after spending some quality time with them, the lighter stick resistance really makes a difference in my target speed. There's still a bit of recoil with a fixed aim, along with a quicker return to center.

Speaking of sticks, I can't help but be impressed by how strong the V4 Pro's customization system is. The thumbs themselves can be pulled out with reasonable force and pushed back firmly without incident. The top plate is similarly secure, but still easy enough to place once you know where to put your nail.

There's no need to remove the faceplate to change the rods, but I thought I'd try both together to see if I could remove the front of the controller with it. One-handed:

And yes, I can. But the biggest advantage to customization happens on the back, where any (or all) rear pedal buttons can be removed and replaced with magnetic locking plates. These snap into place to create an incredibly smooth fit, which makes the plates practically disappear under my fingers.

I'm used to putting my ring and pinky fingers on my V3 rear paddles, but if you don't use them all the time, they can get in the way a bit.

There is no such concern here. Block them all individually or keep one or two for specific tasks if you like.

Despite all these modular features, the V4 Pro feels like a solid, complete product. There are no rattles, no jagged edges, no bits of cheap plastic. It might be expensive, but this controller really feels like you bought a ticket to the executive lounge.

To test the Wolverine V4 Pro, I launched three controller games from my Steam library: Elden Ring, Crimson Desert, and Control Resonant. I have many hours on each, most of which have been spent with the V3 Pro or the standard Xbox Wireless controller. I also took a stab at Apex Legends to test its shooting capabilities.

And to my surprise, I could feel the difference right away. Control Resonant in particular, a game with a lot of aim shifting and button juggling, actually feels comfortable with the new Wolverine. The stronger thumbsticks make a real difference in how quickly it changes direction, and while I won't judge the 8K polling and sub-1ms latency, the V4 Pro is definitely quicker to respond.

Touch responses are also incredibly powerful. Because of this, I think most people will probably dismiss them - but vibration fans are clamoring. Turning this controller on for the first time actually made me jump because it was shaking on my desk with such force.

The face buttons are quick to press and are a bit more positive as well, which adds to the responsive feel. And I really enjoy the heavy-duty trigger, which makes firing a single shot through the crimson desert more purposeful than most. My Elden Ring performance has also felt the benefit, though I still enjoy it overall. No fancy controller is going to change that.

And while I personally would never choose a controller over keyboard and mouse controls in a shooter, the Wolverine V4 Pro is responsive enough in Apex Legends. What if I have to use my thumb for accurate shooting? I'll take one of these please, it's better than any other controller I've tried for fast first person aiming, let me say.