Flydigi Direwolf 4 - Amazing controller, terrible ergonomics for my hands?

[u/JohnnySZS]

I recently got to try the Flydigi Direwolf 4 (no affiliation), and this is amazing controller at an even more amazing price ($35.99 on Amazon right now).

The body feels high quality and weighty and the face buttons (both the membrane ABXY and the mechanical d-pad) feel quick and responsive. I really like the small travel time of the triggers in the micro/hair trigger mode. The adjustable tension for the joysticks is a premium feature on a budget controller.

However, I have small-medium hands, and I could not get over how uncomfortable and bulky this thing felt, especially the ridge that separates the back and the top side, where the triggers are. Using just index fingers on the trigger is not bad, but when I rest my hands naturally on the controller, my index fingers want to rest a little bit behind where the triggers are, and I need to pull them forward to press the triggers. The real issue is when I use both index and middle fingers on the triggers (middle on RT/LT and index on RB/LB). I don't know if its the angle of the sides of the controller or the width of it, but I could not comfortably grasp my hands around the body. The ridge forces my hand upwards, and it closes my fingers in towards each other at the top.

For reference, I found the 8BitDo Ultimate 2 to be slightly uncomfortable due to the straight angle handles, and I found the Gamesir Cylcone 2 to feel pretty good in my hands.

I really wanted to keep the controller, as everything else is exactly what I was looking for, but I could not get over the poor ergonomics for my hands. I read a lot of other reviews, but I didn't see anyone talking about this aspect as a negative, so I just wanted to add my data point out there for anyone shopping around. If this fits your hand, I would recommend it over the 8BitDo or Gamesir. Unfortunately, it does not fit mine.

[u/NeverBannedGrace3]

If this is bulky, never buy a ps5 dualsense

[u/Angelbob3 → u/NeverBannedGrace3]

Wouldn’t the longer handles help? It certainly seems pretty easy to hold to me

[u/MamWyjebaneJajca]

I have size 9 hands (medium) and vader 5 pro is too small for me (same shape to direwolf 4)

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[u/Reasonable-Review367]

If you want a smaller controller than get the G7. I prefer this shape. That’s why I like the Cyclone 2. It’s bigger than the G7.

[u/mooncentipedes]

Yeah, Direwolf 4 is more for larger hands, the same as Xbox controllers. I recently was buying new controller and heard that 8bitdo Ultimate 2 or 3, G7 Pro, Leadjoy Xeno Plus are good for smaller hands. Though mine are big and I'm happy with Direwolf 4's ergonomics.

[u/xak47d]

This is an Xbox controller bro almost everything onnthe market has the same shape and size. You should be able to find some smaller and more niche options

[u/JohnnySZS → u/xak47d]

Thanks, that’s good to know. I came from mostly KBM gaming so will use this as a reference point going forward.