Buying guide for Best PlayStation controller charging stations
There’s nothing worse than gearing up for a much-anticipated PS4 gaming session only to discover that your controllers are completely out of juice. Now what? To make sure your controllers are always battle-ready, invest in a PlayStation controller charging station.
While you can simply charge your PS4 controller through a USB cord connected to the system, a charging station is far more convenient. Not only does it save space, but many stations also offer faster charging. That means you’ll spend less time waiting for your controllers to power up.
Many PS4 gamers choose a controller charging station because it contributes to the overall appeal of a “wireless” gaming and entertainment setup. Charging stations eliminate the need for the USB cord because you simply dock the controllers in their cradles.
Key considerations
Third-party vs. licensed
Third-party charging stations: As you begin your search for a PlayStation controller charging station, you’ll come across mostly third-party accessories. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it refers to companies that manufacture products for well-known, established brands and products, such as Sony’s PS4. In the past, third-party accessories had a reputation for subpar quality, but now there are far more on the market that are of good quality.
Licensed charging stations: Another phrase you may come across as you compare charging stations is “Officially Licensed by Sony for PS4.” Accessories in this category are made by third-party manufacturers, but they have a special partnership with Sony and receive its seal of approval. As part of the agreement, these third-party sellers are allowed to advertise their products with a special emblem and can put the PS4 logo on the packaging.
Types
You’ll quickly discover that there are countless designs of PlayStation controller charging stations. For the most part, with the exception of advanced features, all the charging stations achieve the same thing. More than anything, choosing a design boils down to preference and aesthetics.
Vertical, or column, charging stations essentially stack the controllers to minimize the overall footprint. They’re ideal if you’re short on space, but some users find it difficult to maneuver controllers out of the station once they’re docked, especially those on the bottom tier. Trying to shimmy the controller out of the space can damage components in both the station and the controller.
Row charging stations simply place the controllers one in front of another. Depending on the design, these can consist of a base that lies flat or is slightly staggered in a staircase design. Generally speaking, row charging stations are recommended for users who have plenty of space on furniture or in an entertainment center. They also remain popular since it’s easier to undock controllers from row stations than vertical stations.
Integrated, or multipurpose, stations charge the controllers, but charging is only one of their features. In addition to charging and storing controllers, these stations can house the PS4 system, games, or accessories, or all of these things. Some integrated stations even come with fans that cool the system while it’s running. While these stations have the largest footprint of all, they save room by keeping all your gaming essentials in one place.
If you have to buy more than one PlayStation controller charging station, try to stick with a specific manufacturer and model. That way, you’ll have charging stations that power up multiple controllers in the same amount of time.
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Features
Speed
It takes approximately 2.5 hours for a dead controller to fully charge through a USB connection with the PS4. Some controller charging stations advertise a “high output” design, in which they’re able to charge controllers more quickly. There are mixed reviews on whether they actually do this, but one thing that remains true is that a corrupted connection or poorly performing charger results in a much longer charge time.
Lights
To keep you abreast of the progress, most PlayStation controller charging stations have indicator lights. The lights vary considerably among designs: some use a system of multicolored lights while others have multiple lights or bars.
Some stations lack indicator lights altogether, and with these, you need to turn on your system and connect the controller to see the battery life. As expected, these charging stations are far less popular than those with indicator lights.
Overcharge protection
Some PlayStation controller charging stations are equipped with overcharge protection. This means your controller completely stops charging once it reaches 100% to prevent the battery from going over a specific voltage. This helps preserve your controller’s battery over the long term, as opposed to degrading the overall battery life prematurely.
Power source options
The vast majority of PlayStation controller charging stations use AC adapters, so you’ll need to place it near an outlet. Most manufacturers include AC adapters with power cords around 3 to 6 feet long, which usually provides enough length to reach outlets. Some charging stations are equipped with a USB or micro USB cord. These either connect via AC adapter or connect to a device with a USB outlet. You won’t find any PlayStation controller charging stations that are battery-powered because the power draw would be too much and wouldn't be an economical investment by any means.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you notice your controller’s battery isn’t holding a charge as long as it should, it might not be the fault of the charging station. Like other electronics, a controller has a limited life, and a key indicator that it’s time for a replacement is when the battery begins to underperform.
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PlayStation controller charging station prices
PlayStation controller charging stations cost between $12 and $50. While most simply differ in design and certain capabilities, more expensive charging stations are often more durable and reliable.
Inexpensive
If your main concern is budget, you can find a decent PlayStation controller charging station for $20 or less, but the quality is very hit-or-miss in this range, so it’s not unusual for these stations to malfunction or give poor, unreliable performance after several months of use.
Mid-range
These PlayStation controller charging stations cost $25 to $40 and include better designs with more reliable charging. There are also some integrated designs in this range, as well as those with premium features like overcharge protection.
Expensive
Speciality PlayStation controller charging stations cost $40 to $60. These include an assortment of premium features and offer the most reliable charging. Some stations in this category also have multiple power source options.
If you’re thinking about investing in an integrated or multipurpose charging station, make sure the design is compatible with your PS4 model.
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Tips
- Take note of any issues with your charging station. If you notice your controller isn’t charging properly, make sure you assess the situation. Not docking the controller completely can result in a poor charge, but if that’s not the issue, you might need to contact the manufacturer because the unit may be defective.
- Listen for the click. Many PlayStation controller charging stations make a noticeable “click” once the controller is docked correctly. If you don’t hear the sound, there’s a good chance the controller isn’t properly connected.
- Hold the base when removing controllers. Most controller charging stations are lightweight, so hold the base when removing a controller. Otherwise, the undocking motion could damage the base as well as the controller.
FAQ
Q. Can I use a PlayStation controller charging station to charge the controllers from my Xbox One or Nintendo Switch?
A. Unfortunately, no. Controller charging stations, more often than not, are system-specific due to variations in controller designs. While there are some universal stations on the market that charge multiple types of controllers at once, they're harder to find and tend to be somewhat glitchy.
Q. How many controllers fit in a PlayStation controller charging station?
A. Most stations allow two controllers to be docked at a time. There are some charging stations that hold four, though they aren’t very popular and are somewhat challenging to find. If you need to charge more than two controllers at a time, it’s recommended that you invest in more than one charging station.
Q. Are third-party PlayStation controller charging stations less expensive than officially licensed ones?
A. Not always. In fact, many officially licensed models fall in the mid-range price bracket. One thing to keep in mind with expensive third-party charging stations is that they often advertise many bells and whistles that you might not need. This drives up their price more than quality does.
Q. Can I mount my PlayStation controller charging station?
A. Very few of them are intended for mounting, and those that can be mounted usually have an integrated or multifunctional design. These charging stations are significantly more expensive, so it might be more cost-effective to invest in some shelving instead.
