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Controllers: Do you prefer non-removable batteries (PS4) or removable AA/lithium-ion (Xbox)
- Thread starter Falconbox
- Start date
That's a pretty weak excuse. The average person probably has a half dozen devices that use AA batteries. You you buying new batteries for those every time they go dead?
I paid $18 for a 4 pack of Eneloops w/ charger almost a decade ago and I'm still using them today. If you don't own rechargeable batteries you've probably spent more on batteries than that.
I don't play tethered, and I don't need to lie to about that for some petty internet argument.
Ultimately, forgetting to plug in a controller has never been a problem for me, and even if it was a problem I'd rather deal with tethering for a half hour than having to regularly deal with rechargeable AA batteries as if it's the 90s.
EDIT: For all the people saying "give an option" - as long as that option is that I don't have to ever touch AA batteries and can continue charging my controller's on-board battery during off time, then that's fine.
If the "option" is that I have to ever deal with (rechargeable) AA batteries or otherwise play wired, then screw that.
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Probably because they are confusing batteries being removable with the inclusion of batteries. If every xbox one controller came with a play and charge kit, I don't think we would be having these discussions and everyone would be able to recognize a removeable battery solution is objectively superior.
The best would obviously be removable rechargeable batteries that would be included in the controllers
Removable. 100%.
Non-removable is convenient, but I keep my consoles long term, so I'm legit concerned about my PS4 controller's battery swelling and leaking eventually, and not being able to find an equivalent eventually. Double As will be around for decades, so I don't have to worry about finding batteries for my Xbox 360 and XB1 controllers.
Non-removable is convenient, but I keep my consoles long term, so I'm legit concerned about my PS4 controller's battery swelling and leaking eventually, and not being able to find an equivalent eventually. Double As will be around for decades, so I don't have to worry about finding batteries for my Xbox 360 and XB1 controllers.
This is the way right here. The only controller that gets near the life I get with my Eneloops is the Pro controller.
You make it sound like the ten seconds it takes to replace a pair of batteries is some arduous task.
It was quite a hard decision but in the end I voted non-removable.
I don't like to have any batteries in the house if I can help it as I have a dog that eats anything you leave on the floor, and two young children, one who is still at the eat crayons development stage, so batteries are hugely dangerous to have lying around, (given that they can kill you if you swallow them), so I'd have to keep any spares hidden away somewhere inaccessible, making it a giant stress swapping and charging them etc. Not ideal. I only ever use play and charge packs.
With my Xbox 360 I had pretty much every coloured pad because I have a problem! (turquoise, Resident Evil 5 red one, baby pink, lime green, Fable III, Halo Masterchie with the warthog, Halo 4, Halo Reach, GOW 3, Black, White, ODST, Madcatz Black Ops licenced pad), so it was a faff with play and charge packs! Xbox One I only had the Day One, the Ocean Shadow and the white one that came with the 2TB console.
PS4 was weird at first to get used to but I quite like it now, once I remember to change the pad after I play and charge it overnight! I have two white ones. I'm in controller addiction recovery!
I don't like to have any batteries in the house if I can help it as I have a dog that eats anything you leave on the floor, and two young children, one who is still at the eat crayons development stage, so batteries are hugely dangerous to have lying around, (given that they can kill you if you swallow them), so I'd have to keep any spares hidden away somewhere inaccessible, making it a giant stress swapping and charging them etc. Not ideal. I only ever use play and charge packs.
With my Xbox 360 I had pretty much every coloured pad because I have a problem! (turquoise, Resident Evil 5 red one, baby pink, lime green, Fable III, Halo Masterchie with the warthog, Halo 4, Halo Reach, GOW 3, Black, White, ODST, Madcatz Black Ops licenced pad), so it was a faff with play and charge packs! Xbox One I only had the Day One, the Ocean Shadow and the white one that came with the 2TB console.
PS4 was weird at first to get used to but I quite like it now, once I remember to change the pad after I play and charge it overnight! I have two white ones. I'm in controller addiction recovery!
It's not regular though is it. You charge your controller after EVERY session. That's regular!
I change my batteries every few weeks, and I play regularly 2+ hours per night.
I'll take swapping batteries every few weeks over having to either: religiously charge after every session, play tethered or buy a 2nd controller.
As I said earlier in this page, the question is worded in a purposefully biased way. And I also said that obviously it would be best if there was a built-in rechargeable controller with a replaceable battery (as long as you can still plug in the controller to charge it), but as far as I know a controller like that doesn't exist.
You realize people have said this dozens of times in this thread, right?
Having optional 'standard batteries', 'rechargeable batteries', or 'removable/replaceable charge pack' is exactly what Option B in the poll is. The second option does not require you to ever touch batteries and all the people complaining about digging through drawers to find batteries are missing that point.
With the second option, you could be using the controller exactly as you do right now and the only difference is it'd be your choice and others could use batteries if they felt like it.
Definitely removable batteries. I can still use my wavebird controller wireless without needing to screw it open and hunt down a working proprietary or third-party battery pack to get it working again. Just plug in a fresh pair of batteries and I'm good to go.
Removables such as in the case of the XB1 controller offer the best of both worlds. A battery pack that can easily be replaced and charged through the controller via the USB connector or just put in AAs.
Removables such as in the case of the XB1 controller offer the best of both worlds. A battery pack that can easily be replaced and charged through the controller via the USB connector or just put in AAs.
You don't need to charge after every session. I plug my DS4 into the console using the cable that's already plugged into the console after every few sessions. And for something like my 8bitdo SF30 Pro, I charge it every week or two and it takes one to two hours to fully charge. And then there's the Switch Pro Controller with around 40 hours of battery life.
If the battery pack came with the XB1 controller, I'd completely agree.
Any controller that still makes you buy AA batteries feels so outdated now. Either make non-removable, or include a removable battery pack, but don't include nothing.
That would be really nice. A controller that's immediately ready and can still be easily given a fresh charge through AA batteries once the battery pack dies years down the road.
Still I don't mind paying a little extra knowing that my controllers can still be used wirelessly and don't turn into a paperweight in the future.
No joke, but I had no idea the Xbox1 had removable batteries until I went to a friends, and his controller was dead. Yeh, no thank you. Non-removable all the way.
[FONT=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol]Also, so far still using my ps4 controller from day 1; and same goes for the ps3 ones, they lasted me the whole gen. They [/FONT]probably[FONT=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol] lost charge, but don't really notice since I charge my controller after a gaming session[/FONT]
[FONT=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol]Also, so far still using my ps4 controller from day 1; and same goes for the ps3 ones, they lasted me the whole gen. They [/FONT]probably[FONT=system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol] lost charge, but don't really notice since I charge my controller after a gaming session[/FONT]
I've never had to change the batteries of my controller and I'm so happy for that. I can't even imagine how annoying it would be to charge them separately from the controller itself.
I don't like how Dualshock should represent controllers with non removable batteries: DS4 has THE WORST battery life ever.
Take Switch Pro Controller.
40h of battery life, far better than even the Xbox One controller, i charge it only once every month.
Take Switch Pro Controller.
40h of battery life, far better than even the Xbox One controller, i charge it only once every month.
Regardless of what your preference is in the great "AA batteries vs charging via USB" debate, a removable battery, the way Microsoft has done it, allows you to do both and is just objectively the correct answer. It is the same thing, but better.
Hopefully all wireless controllers will work like this in the future.
Hopefully all wireless controllers will work like this in the future.
Removable, I can't see how non-removable can be a better option unless the controller is so small it cant fit them like the Switch. If you want to use disposable batteries, rechargeable batteries, a docking station with it's own battery or have even have the controller plugged in at least that is a option. I've replaced the battery on my dualshock 4 with a larger capacity battery(DS3) but it's not for everyone.
YOU may not charge after every session RulingRing (who I responded to) does though. Anyone who doesn't, 'deserves' AA batteries apparently.
The Xbox method is clearly the best one. You get the option of rechargeable packs if you choose, those who want the superior performance of Eneloops are covered as well. Neither way requires a pad replacement when the battery dies.
XB1 Controller: 20 hours of battery life
NSW Pro Controller: 40 hours
WiiU Pro controller: 80 hours.
So there is still a big compromise here, you didn't notice this gen cause Sony fucked up so badly with the battery on the Dualshock.
The problem is, if I DO choose that, I have to spend another $20 or so for the rechargeable pack. If I had the choice between one that has it built in but is not removable and one I have to spend an extra $20 but is removable, I could never see myself choosing the latter. And that's not to say your opinion is less valid, but it's just that: an opinion. I don't think it's objective when your factoring in an added cost on one side.
Non-removable plus a little charge dock to keep them on whenever I'm not using them so they're always ready to go.
I've never had to tether my wireless Xbox controller to my console. I can't even imagine how annoying it would be to have to be tethered to my console with my wireless controller.
Removable, rechargeable. Either AA or battery paks. I have dealt with both methods from PS360 to PS4, XBO and I will always prefer removable, rechargeable. Those usually last alot longer. More mAh.
The XBO controller is a nice mix where you can use it without batteries with the micro USB cable.
I'm kind of hoping Sony goes with removable batteries with the next DS controller. Either that or please put a bigger battery in it.
The XBO controller is a nice mix where you can use it without batteries with the micro USB cable.
I'm kind of hoping Sony goes with removable batteries with the next DS controller. Either that or please put a bigger battery in it.
Ideal would be removable battery pack, not those shitty AAA batteries.
But in the end even those wouldn't probably be available when console ceases production.
I find it more problematic in a portable console to be honest, than in a controller you can always use wired
But in the end even those wouldn't probably be available when console ceases production.
I find it more problematic in a portable console to be honest, than in a controller you can always use wired
Don't care either way really. I'm always wired up when I'm playing.
If forced? removable, as it covers the advantage of both.
If forced? removable, as it covers the advantage of both.
Honestly the removable batteries were absurd to me even back when the 360 launched, I thought my friends were joking when they commented about needing to buy new ones (I never owned a 360 myself).
People seem to dig them either way, so I guess a combination of both would be ideal, dunno if that's possible or financially viable though.
People seem to dig them either way, so I guess a combination of both would be ideal, dunno if that's possible or financially viable though.
Yeah the DS4's battery life is an embarrassment but it seems to be a problem exclusive to it. My pro controller for Wii U can last like half a week of long sessions and since I barely use that system anymore, I only have to charge it once a year.
I couldn't chose one because imho both options are sub optimal.
They should have a rechargeable battery pack that comes with the controller that you don't have to remove to charge.
Not a costly add-on but included in the controller package.
This forum truly is a poor reflection of the mainstream market. Controllers that use AA batteries are the worst. My Switch Pro controller lasts 40 hours, why would I ever prefer an Xbox One controller over that?
Its not annoying. This is why you often see people raving about eneloops, but never see anyone complaining about eneloops. Because it makes you realize how annoying it is to constantly have to plug in a controller to charge it.
AA/Rechargeable batteries. There was a thread here not long ago about someone having problems finding good PS3 controllers since the battery in his went out. 10 years from now when peoples batteries die, its going to be a pain in the ass to get another one and overpriced. AA batteries will be around for a long time.
Sure. But that's the difference between removable and non-removable -- you're not stuck with the tiny 1000 mAh (effectively, a single AAA) battery a manufacturer like Sony gives you, as you can buy a higher-capicty rechargeable battery and pop it in instead. And as battery tech advances with new breakthroughs like lithium sulphur polymers, your controller benefits from those new advances. You're not stuck in 2013 with Sony's crappy battery tech.
That's the beauty of a standard form-factor, replaceable battery.
Eneloops can be bought, right now, for £8 (4 pack) or £12 (8 pack). This is not a great cost, over and above the cost of a new console, for the best performance available for a controller power solution.
The batteries you buy now will outlive your current console and you can use them on the next one you buy, and probably the one after as well (I have some from my WaveBird in 2005 that still hold charge better than a DS4).
You can't convince me that £8 over minimum 5 years and new console generations is anything other than exceptional value for premium performance.
Much prefer built in batteries and just plugging my controller in rather than fussing about removing a battery cover and inserting rechargeable batteries. I mean making sure you have a supply of batteries ready charged doesn't seem any more or less convenient to me. I understand obviously you can effectively recharge instantly.. but I guess most of us have at least two controllers for our consoles so we just keep one charging while using the other one and swap them.
Of course the battery life of the DS4 is shocking when coming from the PS3. And this is me talking about the more up to date ones with seemingly better life than the launch controllers.. yeah the battery life is inexcusable and I do pretty much have to plug my controllers in after even just a couple days of use.
Of course the battery life of the DS4 is shocking when coming from the PS3. And this is me talking about the more up to date ones with seemingly better life than the launch controllers.. yeah the battery life is inexcusable and I do pretty much have to plug my controllers in after even just a couple days of use.
A long time ago I used to prefer non-removable batteries for controllers because I thought dealing with buying new AA batteries and swapping them out seemed a bit tedious.
Then I discovered eneloops and never looked back. I've never actually logged how many hours I get on a single charge, but I feel I'm easily getting more than double the battery life with eneloops in an Xbox One controller than I do with a Dualshock 4. Maybe this is more of an issue with the battery in the DS4, but I'm always annoyed how quick it loses charge. I heard the Switch Pro controller is much better in that regard, though I don't own that. I do like with Eneloops and having 2 pairs of batteries, when the battery does die, I can put in the other and keep using it wirelessly without needing to hook up a USB cable to the controller.
Then I discovered eneloops and never looked back. I've never actually logged how many hours I get on a single charge, but I feel I'm easily getting more than double the battery life with eneloops in an Xbox One controller than I do with a Dualshock 4. Maybe this is more of an issue with the battery in the DS4, but I'm always annoyed how quick it loses charge. I heard the Switch Pro controller is much better in that regard, though I don't own that. I do like with Eneloops and having 2 pairs of batteries, when the battery does die, I can put in the other and keep using it wirelessly without needing to hook up a USB cable to the controller.
Wait, DS4's ridiculous battery life is not because it's a 2013 controller: again Wii U Pro controller launched in 2012 and lasts 80 hours with one single charge.
That's totally Sony being incredibly stupid cause not only the controller had a small battery inside, it is also drained by silly gimmicks like the LED. Honestly with so many revisions they made, they should have released a version with an extended battery life or as you say with a removable battery.
Everything is better than what DS4 currently has when it comes to battery.