PowerA has built a solid line-up of third-party controllers for Xbox. With options ranging from standard wired replacements to elite controller alternatives, players have an abundance of choices when seeking out alternative input methods. One particularly interesting option is PowerA’s Spectra Infinity Enhanced Wired Controller.
Blending aspects from both its standard and higher-tier controllers, the Spectra Infinity brings solid performance to every game it plays. What sets this controller apart from the rest is the inclusion of RGB lighting spread across multiple lighting zones. For players looking to light up their gaming experience, the Spectra Infinity is ready to play!
PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced Wired Controller
The PowerA Spectra Infinity is an officially licensed controller for the Xbox Series X and S. Offering 20 color presets and three lighting zones, players can give it a unique look.
- Great Lighting
- Trigger-Locks
- Programmable Rear Buttons
- Lock-In USB Cable
- No Software Required
- Lighting Is Dim In Places
- Limited Lighting Effects
Aesthetics And Build Quality
The Spectra Infinity is a flashy controller and PowerA makes this known the second you see its glossy box on store shelves. The controller's profile and buttons match a traditional Xbox pad with a number of key differences. The face of the controller has a soft-touch finish while the back is textured plastic that provides excellent grip and a pleasing feel. Two programmable buttons reside within the grip and align nicely with natural finger placements. A three-stage trigger lock system has been added to both triggers and PowerA’s traditional volume rocker once again makes an appearance.
The main selling point however is the RGB lighting effects. Surrounding the thumb sticks, D-pad, and face buttons, and running along the controller halves are a series of white plastic light pipes that distribute lighting effects from LEDs within the shell. When ignited the effect is stunning to behold! With five different shades of red, green, blue, and yellow to choose from and three distinct lighting zones, players can easily showcase their preferred styles. The brightness of each zone can be tuned or have a breathing effect applied to allow for further customization.
Flashiness aside, the Spectra Infinity is a solid controller able to withstand everyday wear and tear without issue. Even more aggressive players will be pleased with how it holds up under pressure. The weight is even on par with a standard Xbox controller. The 10-foot braided USB cable further helps enhance the overall quality with its snap-lock mechanism keeping it securely attached to the controller. The breakaway design for the console side helps keep your system safe in case of any cord-related mishaps.
Gameplay
Thankfully, for as good as the Spectra infinity looks, it handles in games just as well! Being a perfect blend between the PowerA Enhanced Wired Controller and FUSION Pro 2 ensures it will match a first-party Xbox controller in performance regardless of title or genre in most regards. Face buttons and bumpers all feel fantastic in use and register perfectly in-game. Quick presses are no problem with zero dropped inputs. Thanks to the wired nature of the controller they also register with less latency.
Thumb sticks replicate the feel of standard Xbox controllers with excellent resistance and grip. Each stick is benefited from the presence of an antifriction ring to further smooth out rotations during play. Pitting the sticks against Apex Legends and a number of other titles made for an enjoyable experience. The Spectra Infinity again features a traditional D-pad like other offerings from PowerA, and it is one of the best the company has provided on the Xbox yet! It feels good to the touch and offers solid input for every game with the slew of retro compilations available on Xbox and PC being a particular highlight.
Triggers are one area where the Spectra Infinity stumbles. They have less resistance than any Microsoft or PowerA controller, making them have an awkward performance profile. On one hand, they perform beautifully in shooters and fighting games where rapid presses are ideal. Combined with the trigger locks, achieving quick rapid fire is a breeze. Titles that require more precision, however, take far more adjustment to achieve preferred results. It can be done, thus keeping the triggers from being a deal-breaking experience.
Thanks to the trigger locks and duo of programmable rear buttons, the Spectra Infinity crosses into the lower-tier elite-style controller alternative category. While not as suited to the role as the FUSION Pro 2 due to the lack of swappable thumb sticks, it makes a great starting point for players curious about the benefit such features offer. No additional software is needed to program the rear buttons, making it a quick process to adjust them on the fly for any game. This extends to adjusting the RGB lighting effects as well with each color corresponding to the face button of the same color with the D-pad controlling brightness and zone selection.
What It Could Have Done Better
As cool as the Spectra Infinity is, it would greatly benefit from more colors and effects for its RGB lighting. More lighting zones would also be a plus for ultimate customization. Adding an additional LED to the bottom of each handle would help boost the lighting effects which are particularly dim in this area of the pad. The soft-touch finish also proves problematic, being a massive fingerprint magnet, thus giving the controller an always dirty appearance. The longevity of soft-touch finishes is also a concern as it typically degrades over the years into a sticky mess. Chances are players will replace the controller before it happens, but it is still a concern.
Conclusion
For the $45 asking price, the PowerA Spectra Infinity brings both flash and substance to player's hands. The build quality is excellent and the soft-touch finish is pleasing. Lighting effects, though limited, are stunning to behold. Performance in games is top-tier and easily rivals first-party pads while also providing a number of elite-style options like trigger locks and programmable rear buttons. Triggers are a bit of a letdown, but even they couldn’t be considered deal-breaking. For any players looking to add an RGB controller to their setup, the PowerA Spectra Infinity is an easy recommendation.
PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced Wired Controller
The PowerA Spectra Infinity is an officially licensed controller for the Xbox Series X and S. Offering 20 color presets and three lighting zones, players can give it a unique look.
- Great Lighting
- Trigger-Locks
- Programmable Rear Buttons
- Lock-In USB Cable
- No Software Required
- Lighting Is Dim In Places
- Limited Lighting Effects
Similar Products
As cool as the PowerA Spectra Infinity looks, here are some other RGB controllers available for Xbox.
Alternatives To The PowerA Spectra Infinity | Link To Amazon Page |
|---|---|
PDP Afterglow Wave | |
Razer Wolverine V2 Chroma |
The PowerA Spectra Infinity Enhanced Controller is available now. Game ZXC was provided a sample for review purposes.