Some customizations stop at a new faceplate, and some go all the way. The eXtremeRate Full Set Shell for the PS5 Edge takes the all the way route, delivering clear black front and back plates, matching buttons, triggers, bumpers, a D pad, and even a replacement touchpad in one kit. It is a complete cosmetic rebuild of Sony's premium Controller, and it asks a real question in return: is the finished look worth the work of a full teardown? After installing this kit on my own Edge and gaming with it for three weeks, I have a clear answer.
First, the disclosure: this review contains affiliate links, and purchases made through them support the site at no extra cost to you. My opinions are independent of any commission.
Design and Build
The clear black shell has a distinctive look that photographs well and looks even better in hand. The plastic is transparent with a dark smoke tint, which lets you see the controller's internal structure through the shell while keeping the overall appearance dark and cohesive. Held up to the light, the internal board and frame become visible in a way that appeals to anyone who likes seeing how their gear works.
The kit is remarkably complete. Beyond the front and back plates, you get replacement face buttons, a D pad, triggers, bumpers, and a touchpad, all molded in the same smoke finish. The pieces are smooth and well finished, with no rough edges on the buttons and clean legends on the D pad. eXtremeRate clearly tuned the clear parts to match the stock controller's feel, because the buttons press with the same crisp travel as the originals.
Build quality is solid across the whole set. The plates flex slightly under pressure like any shell, but the tabs align precisely, and the screw posts line up with the stock frame without any forced fitting. The clear buttons have a subtle transparency that lets light pass through the legends, which gives the controller a subtle premium glow under LED lighting.
Key Features
The standout feature is the included touchpad. Most shell kits leave the touchpad stock, but this full set ships a clear black replacement that matches the rest of the build. That completeness is what separates this kit from a trim shell, because it means the entire visible surface of the controller gets the new treatment in one package.
The kit is built specifically for the PS5 Edge, so the rear paddles, the swappable stick modules, and the trigger stops all remain functional after the rebuild. The back plate includes the same openings as the stock shell, and the included trigger and bumper parts are shaped for the Edge's adjustable triggers rather than a generic DualSense layout.
The install is a genuine teardown, which is the honest cost of a full set. You remove the stock touchpad, which is connected by a flex cable, transfer your stick modules, and reassemble everything in the new shell. The process is documented with clear instructions, and it took me about an hour with a small screwdriver and steady hands. For a current look at pricing, the Amazon listing for the eXtremeRate full set shell is a useful reference.
Because the kit ships with spare screws, a set of pry tools, and a small adhesive pad for the touchpad, you do not need to buy anything extra to finish the job. I recommend doing the rebuild on a clear, well lit desk and keeping the screws organized by their original position, since several of them share the same thread but differ in length. Taking a few photos with a phone before you start makes reassembly much easier for a first timer.
Real-World Performance
After the rebuild, I used the clear black controller as my daily driver for three weeks. The most important finding is that the rebuild changed the look without degrading the feel. Buttons and triggers registered exactly as before, the D pad clicked with the same precision, and the rear paddles worked perfectly, which is the highest compliment a cosmetic rebuild can earn.
The touchpad replacement deserves special mention because it was my biggest worry. In testing, the clear pad tracked swipes, taps, and the click action without any dead zones or missed inputs, and the glass coating felt just as smooth as the stock surface. Gesture controls in games and the system UI both worked flawlessly, which told me the flex cable connection was seated correctly and the part itself was well made.
The clear black finish is a fingerprint magnet, and I will be honest about that. The transparent surface shows oils and dust more readily than a matte shell, so keeping it looking pristine requires the occasional wipe. That is the price of the look, and it is a fair trade for anyone who loves transparent electronics. After three weeks the shell showed no scratches, chips, or loosening, and the buttons kept their color and gloss. I would also recommend keeping the box and the leftover stock parts, since they give you a backup if you ever decide to return the controller to its factory appearance.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Complete rebuild includes plates, buttons, triggers, D pad, and touchpad
- Striking clear black look that reveals the controller's internals
- Buttons and D pad keep the crisp factory feel
- Replacement touchpad tracked all inputs perfectly in testing
- All Edge features stay functional after the rebuild
- Well molded parts with clean alignment and no rough edges
Cons:
- Full teardown is time consuming and needs care with flex cables
- Clear finish shows fingerprints, oils, and dust quickly
- Installing the touchpad is fiddly for a first timer
- Cosmetic upgrade only, with no functional benefit
How It Compares
The obvious question is whether a full set is worth it over a simpler trim shell. I compared the eXtremeRate full set with a basic front and back trim shell to put the extra cost and effort in context.
| Feature | Full Set Shell | Trim Shell Only | Stock Controller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front and back plates | Yes, clear black | Yes | Stock white |
| Buttons and D pad | Included | Not included | Stock |
| Touchpad | Included | Not included | Stock |
| Install time | About one hour | About thirty minutes | None |
| Flex cable work | Required for touchpad | Not required | None |
| Visual change | Complete | Partial | None |
The trim shell is faster to install and lower risk, but it leaves the buttons, D pad, and touchpad in their original white, which creates a mixed look that not everyone loves. The full set produces a coherent, complete transformation, and for the small price difference it is the more satisfying result. The only reason to choose a trim shell is if you specifically want to keep the stock touchpad or if the idea of flex cables makes you nervous. For anyone comfortable with a careful hour of work, the full set is the better buy.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the eXtremeRate full set shell if you want a complete color transformation of your PS5 Edge, if you love the look of transparent electronics, or if you enjoy the satisfaction of rebuilding your own gear. It is also a strong pick for anyone who wants every visible part of the controller to match, since the touchpad is the piece most other kits skip.
Skip it if you want A Quick swap with minimal risk, if you are uncomfortable working near flex cables, or if you dislike glossy transparent finishes. For everyone else, this is the most complete and satisfying way to personalize a PS5 Edge. You can check the current price of the full set shell on Amazon when you are ready to rebuild.
How We Test
I rebuilt my own PS5 Edge controller with the clear black full set and used it as my primary gamepad for three weeks. I played across racing, shooter, and action genres, verified every button, trigger, paddle, and stick input, and tested the replacement touchpad with swipes, taps, and gestures in both games and the system menu.
I also checked the shell for scratches, loosening, and color wear after extended use, and I confirmed that the swappable stick modules and trigger stops still worked after reassembly. For independent context on the DualSense Edge, resources such as The Verge's review of the DualSense Edge describe the hardware this kit customizes. The eXtremeRate full set shell listing on Amazon shows current pricing and available finishes.
eXtremeRate Clear Black Full Set Shell: Questions People Ask
What parts come in the eXtremeRate full set for the PS5 Edge?
The kit includes clear black front and back shells, matching face buttons, D pad, triggers and bumpers, and a replacement touchpad for the Edge controller.
Do the included buttons keep the original feel of the DualSense Edge?
The clear buttons use a similar dome design to the stock parts, so the press feels close to factory, though the surface texture is a touch different.
Is the replacement touchpad difficult to install?
The touchpad install is the fiddliest step because it involves a flex cable and light adhesive, but a careful pull and reseat keeps the gestures working.
Will the clear black shell show fingerprints and smudges?
Yes, the clear finish shows oils and dust more than a matte shell, so it needs an occasional wipe to stay looking its best.
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