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[DoubleClutch]

This may be an unpopular opinion to some, but I far prefer AA/AAA batteries to built in ones.

I bought Eneloops in 2008 for use in my 360 controllers. I use the same batteries to this day in my Series S/X controllers for gaming on PC. They still give me about 15-25 hours of battery life which is really good I think after 16 years of long service life. Don’t know how many times I’ve recharged them from empty but it is well over 500 for sure. Haven’t spent a dime on disposables.

Here’s the cool thing too, if I want more battery life, I use AA’s. If I want a lighter (and more comfortable) controller, I use AAA’s (just use an adapter to make them fit in). This reduces the life a little bit, but extends the comfort for very long gaming sessions (super light!).

It’s pretty great to be able to use my controllers from decades ago. The same can’t be said for the ones with built in batteries.

I don’t see why everyone wouldn’t just use $2/battery rechargeables. It’s more environmentally friendly, it’s cheaper, it’s universal, and I believe it’s safer. Even if you can replace a lithium, good luck sourcing a legitimate battery for cheap (if at all). I’m not risking a fire by replacing it with a knock-off lithium that might not have protection built in or proper safeties.

For example, you can’t find a battery for a DualShock 3/4 anymore. Now, at least with a DualShock 3/4, you can remove its battery and use it wired (if you wanted). With a DualShock 5, once the battery is dead, the controller cannot be used at all, even plugged in if you’ve removed the battery. Yes, you could leave the battery in and use it plugged in that way, but I don’t like the idea of charging a dead lithium all the time.

Plus batteries weaken with usage. With an AA/AAA’s you just replace them and you’re back to the full 40-60 hours of battery life in your controller. With most built in battery controllers, you’re looking at replacing the entire controller.

Lastly, swapping out and charging AA/AAA’s takes 30 seconds. Remove cover, swap, put emptied into charger, plug into wall. Done in less than a minute without rushing.

 

[rofif]

yes absolutely.
Get some rechargables from ikea + chargers. it's cheap and your controller will never die.
drained, you can swap and continue playing.
controller is 20-30 years old? no problem. Look at all the ps3 controllers barely holding a charge now.
You can easily get inside dualsense but good luck finding good, not crappy batt that fits in 10-20 years

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

I'm right there with you, actually. Brand and all. I bought Eneloop rechargables around when I got the 360 - those suckers are still working to this day and I use them all over the place. I much prefer being able to change my batteries in real time - plus when the pack in battery dies in one of those newer controllers, it's just a brick (or a tethered controller). You can replace the battery, but it's effort. etc.

 

[ResilientBanana]

Same.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Plus Hall Effect sticks as I seem to get stick drift before the internal battery gets worn out

 

[Miles708]

It would be enough to not be absolute assholes and do non-replaceable batteries but with some luck EU is going to kick some asses on this front

 

[Magic Carpet]

Boo, Boo this post.

I've spent the time and money to USB-C all the things in my Home Theater.
AA/AAA is the new 3.5" Floppy standard of the gaming world.

 

[TGO]

I still have my PS3 Dualshocks and they last as long as modern controllers.
My experience with "AA/AAA batteries" controller's are from friends.
And that was mostly the controller didn't have any batteries because the girlfriend nicked them for the TV remote...

 

[chakadave]

Yeah that’d be nice or at least a removable battery charged with usb c.

Honestly the Switch Pro is pretty great. And the 8bit do I’ve had was great.

 

[Drew1440]

The 360 controller gave you the best of both world's, since you could pickup up a rechargeable battery pack that you inserted into the controller along with a USB cable that plugged into the console to charge. Was called the Play & Charge kit and was bundled with the Chrome design controllers IIRC.

 

[rofif]

Boo, Boo this post.

I've spent the time and money to USB-C all the things in my Home Theater.
AA/AAA is the new 3.5" Floppy standard of the gaming world.

You are wrong.
Look at playncharge kits for xbox controllers?
You have a controller with battery door, you can put AA rechargables in there or usbc play n charge kit.
NOBODY IS HURTING HERE.

And wow. you are using usb c cable for everything. Such a home ivnestment lol

 

[Kvally]

 

[R6Rider]

With a DualShock 5, once the battery is dead, the controller cannot be used at all, even plugged in. Yes, you could leave the battery in and use it plugged in that way, but I don’t like the idea of charging a dead lithium all the time.

Isn't this a contradiction?

 

[Magic Carpet]

You are wrong.
Look at playncharge kits for xbox controllers?
You have a controller with battery door, you can put AA rechargables in there or usbc play n charge kit.
NOBODY IS HURTING HERE.

And wow. you are using usb c cable for everything. Such a home ivnestment lol

I bought recharable lithium ion battery packs for my xbox one controller and simply moved them over the the Series Contorllers.

 

[rodrigolfp]

Why not both?

 

[rofif]

I still have my PS3 Dualshocks and they last as long as modern controllers.
My experience with "AA/AAA batteries" controller's are from friends.
And that was mostly the controller didn't have any batteries because the girlfriend nicked them for the TV remote...

that's very anecdotal.
Truth is, many if not most ps3 controllers are dying now.
My nephews have ps3 and ps4 and ps4 controllers are even worse lasting only 90 minutes.

 

[Gamer_By_Proxy]

I don't. AA and AAA for toddler toys is annoying me enough as it is.

 

[Big Baller]

The 360 controller gave you the best of both world's, since you could pickup up a rechargeable battery pack that you inserted into the controller along with a USB cable that plugged into the console to charge. Was called the Play & Charge kit and was bundled with the Chrome design controllers IIRC.

I used to buy them but they degraded over time so I went with rechargeable AA's and been using them for years now.

 

[DownLikeBCPowder]

Why not both?

 

[DoubleClutch]

Isn't this a contradiction?

Sorry, I meant to say plugged in with the battery removed.

The battery must always be inside the DS5 or it will not work at all.

Hard typing on a phone sometimes.

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

It's funny to me how just about everyone (including me) used to complain about controllers not having a rechargeable battery, and now we realize that we didn't know how good we had it.

 

[DoubleClutch]

Plus Hall Effect sticks as I seem to get stick drift before the internal battery gets worn out

I think most controllers are moving to Hall Effect which should significantly increase their service life, all the more argument for easy accessible/replaceable batteries.

I think the Switch 2 might be Hall Effect.

 

[TGO]

that's very anecdotal.
Truth is, many if not most ps3 controllers are dying now.
My nephews have ps3 and ps4 and ps4 controllers are even worse lasting only 90 minutes.

that's very anecdotal too

 

[SweetTooth]

Yeah..I also sometime wish we have horse carriages

 

[Lorianus]

They want you to buy a new original pad every 6 months to a year, so replacable battery and hall effect/tmr sticks/triggers are out of the question.

 

[rofif]

that's very anecdotal too

but my anecdote is supported by physics or something like that.
Lithium batteries, used or not, trash out.
I collect 90s sony digicams and it's a lottery. Some battery from 1997 might still hold like 40 minutes of charge and other from 2001 might be completely dead or other way around.
But then I take a new batt and it's 250 minutes charge compared to best old stock I have (40 mins)

 

[Magic Carpet]

I also want the Qi2 standard on all the controllers complete with magnets that snap to a dock like my iPhone for wireless charging.

 

[HRK69]

OP fucks.

 

[RoboFu]

Yeah it's defiantly better overall.

 

[Topher]

This is an age old debate. Disagree that "all" controllers should be AA/AAA. Ideally folks should be given the option for either. Personally, I like having two controllers, one playing and one charging.

 

[yurinka]

Nah, spend the money of the rechargable batteries and charger in a 2nd gamepad and keep them charged.

If you play many hours with one and runs out of battery, put it to charge and play with the second one. Or plug it to a usb charger and continue playing while it charges.

 

[64bitmodels]

Why not a built in battery that can be swapped for AAs like how 8bitdo does it with the SN30 pro+. Seems like the better approach than recharging 2 AAs for reuse.

Besides, built in batteries can be replaced too. Just need a screwdriver, replacement battery, and 15 minutes.

 

[ReBurn]

I would prefer to furnish rechargeable batteries that I can easily replace. I hate built-in batteries in things like remotes and video game controllers.

 

[Rambone]

Ideally I'd like to have the best of both worlds where I have a controller that has an accessible battery compartment for easy hassle free replacement of failed or worn out batteries as well as the controller being able to be charged over a dock or cable as I have become accustomed to.

 

[DoubleClutch]

Why not a built in battery that can be swapped for AAs like how 8bitdo does it with the SN30 pro+. Seems like the better approach than recharging 2 AAs for reuse.

Besides, built in batteries can be replaced too. Just need a screwdriver, replacement battery, and 15 minutes.

That’s the problem. That’s far harder than it sounds. Where do I get a legitimate replacement for my DS3?

 

[Grildon Tundy]

I collect 90s sony digicams

That's not something I expected to read. Can I ask why?

 

[DoubleClutch]

Ideally I'd like to have the best of both worlds where I have a controller that has an accessible battery compartment for easy hassle free replacement of failed or worn out batteries as well as the controller being able to be charged over a dock or cable as I have become accustomed to.

Build in capability to charge rechargeable AA/AAA’s while they’re inside the controller.

 

[adamsapple]

Controllers with choice are the ideal solution, users can decide themselves.

I've been happy with the 4 pair of eneloops I bought like 5 years ago. Two in the controller, two in the charger.

 

[PaintTinJr]

This may be an unpopular opinion to some, but I far prefer AA/AAA batteries to built in ones.

I bought Eneloops in 2008 for use in my 360 controllers. I use the same batteries to this day in my Series S/X controllers for gaming on PC. They still give me about 15-25 hours of battery life which is really good I think after 16 years of long service life. Don’t know how many times I’ve recharged them from empty but it is well over 500 for sure. Haven’t spent a dime on disposables.

Here’s the cool thing too, if I want more battery life, I use AA’s. If I want a lighter (and more comfortable) controller, I use AAA’s (just use an adapter to make them fit in). This reduces the life a little bit, but extends the comfort for very long gaming sessions (super light!).

It’s pretty great to be able to use my controllers from decades ago. The same can’t be said for the ones with built in batteries.

I don’t see why everyone wouldn’t just use $2/battery rechargeables. It’s more environmentally friendly, it’s cheaper, it’s universal, and I believe it’s safer. Even if you can replace a lithium, good luck sourcing a legitimate battery for cheap (if at all). I’m not risking a fire by replacing it with a knock-off lithium that might not have protection built in or proper safeties.

For example, you can’t find a battery for a DualShock 3/4 anymore. Now, at least with a DualShock 3/4, you can remove its battery and use it wired (if you wanted). With a DualShock 5, once the battery is dead, the controller cannot be used at all, even plugged in if you’ve removed the battery. Yes, you could leave the battery in and use it plugged in that way, but I don’t like the idea of charging a dead lithium all the time.

Plus batteries weaken with usage. With an AA/AAA’s you just replace them and you’re back to the full 40-60 hours of battery life in your controller. With most built in battery controllers, you’re looking at replacing the entire controller.

Lastly, swapping out and charging AA/AAA’s takes 30 seconds. Remove cover, swap, put emptied into charger, plug into wall. Done in less than a minute without rushing.

Did you check ebay for sixaxis/dualshock 3 batteries? There's loads of them available, and it take 2secs to fit them. Although all of mine still work fine.

 

[cormack12]

You chose the wrong battery op

 

[Grildon Tundy]

You all got me to buy AA rechargeable batteries just now, btw. Not sure why I hadn't before!

 

[Soodanim]

I agree with the OP. Microsoft, for all their faults, and even their controllers' faults, get it right. You can stick to batteries or you can get something you can plug in to recharge.

I would happily compromise if there were battery bays accessible by a simple screw of two. Spare me the "But taking apart a controller is easy" noise, taking apart controllers isn't new to me. But you shouldn't have to. At least then you would have options. But that would be pro-consumer, and who would want that?

 

[adamsapple]

You all got me to buy AA rechargeable batteries just now, btw. Not sure why I hadn't before!

 

[TGO]

but my anecdote is supported by physics or something like that.
Lithium batteries, used or not, trash out.
I collect 90s sony digicams and it's a lottery. Some battery from 1997 might still hold like 40 minutes of charge and other from 2001 might be completely dead or other way around.
But then I take a new batt and it's 250 minutes charge compared to best old stock I have (40 mins)

Sure batteries deteriorates, they all do
But there is reason why lithium batteries from 10 years ago don't work and ones from 20 years ago do.
Same reason why a identical phones bought at the same time have different battery life 10 years later
Doesn't mean you apply the logic across the board based on the 10 year old dead lithium battery because the reason behind it being dead now isn't taken into account.
The only physics and facts are being ignored.
But draining a battery dead continuously before recharge will shorten the life and this applies to all batteries.
In my case, maybe because I docked my controller for charging after every gaming session contributed to it lasting longer.
Nothing is black & white.
But people making out you have to replace a whole controller because the battery dyes within the consoles lifespan is nonsense unless you you severely bleeding that controller dry with every use.

 

[RCX]

Agreed OP.

Eneloop is the one true king.

 

[Gaiff]

Only good for PC nerds and Xbox losers. Those who game on PS prefer a shorter battery life so we can do stuff like having sex or finding the cure for cancer while our controllers are recharging.

 

[existensmaximum]

Yeah until you drop your Xbox controller to the floor and the battery door breaks. Eh, I think it's a lot "cleaner" with built-in. Less fiddly too.

 

[rofif]

That's not something I expected to read. Can I ask why?

Because it's cool af. I like especially sony flopyp disk cameras and I love the grainy quality of photos. Different vibe.
I also have some digicamslate 90s/early 2000s that can capture nightvision pics in complete darkness. Examples below too

Spoiler: sample pics

Just a bit of my "collection". It's few months old pic. it was meant to be only Floppy disk stuff but grew. I had to put breaks on it because I don't have room for this
Stuff goes from 0.3mp to 5mp

 

[JimboJones]

I liked 8Bitdo's approach, comes with rechargeable battery but you can take it out of the battery compartment and put in some AA's if you want.

 

[DoubleClutch]

Did you check ebay for sixaxis/dualshock 3 batteries? There's loads of them available, and it take 2secs to fit them. Although all of mine still work fine.

I won’t use knock off batteries due to safety concerns.