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You’re coming around the final turn in first place, and the finish line is in sight. Suddenly, you’re in last place because your Xbox One controller ran out of power mid-race. Yikes!
Those annoying times when your Xbox One controller completely loses its charge don’t just cost you some sweet wins. If you’re constantly buying AA batteries so you can keep playing, you’re also spending a lot of extra money.
For Xbox One fans, a controller charging station is an investment that quickly pays for itself. Many great Xbox One games — Sea of Thieves, Gears of War 4, and Forza Horizon 4 — place heavy emphasis on online multiplayer mode. If you prefer playing with others, it is a fantastic feeling to focus exclusively on watching your opponents instead of your shrinking battery icon.
With so many Xbox One controller charging station models on the market, how do you know which is best for you? Price, quality, and the rate at which the device charges your controller are all major factors.
The finest Xbox One controller charging stations will keep a fully charged controller in your hands for over 30 hours. Those on the lower end of the spectrum will keep the controller powered for 10 to 12 hours before needing to tank up. The price difference between a controller charging station that provides mediocre battery life and one that would keep you playing longer is fairly small, so you may find it worth the splurge.
Allowing you to play for as long as you can without stopping is the biggest reason to get a controller charging station. Therefore, a shorter charging time is always better. The difference between waiting for two hours versus waiting for four hours may seem minimal on paper, but those extra two hours could be spent having a blast on Xbox Live with your friends.
A quality Xbox One controller charging station will make it easy to pop in your controllers. It may sport bright LED lights that alert you when a controller is fully charged. Most importantly, it will do its job of powering you up quickly and efficiently. You may need to spend a little more on a charging station that gives you more play time or one that doesn’t fight you back when you try to insert a controller. For many diehards, however, the expense is worth it.
As previously stated, the biggest difference between Xbox One controller charging stations is how quickly they will fully charge a controller and how many hours of playtime you can get from a single charge. However, there are a few extra features you may find on some charging stations and not others, including the following.
With consoles that cost several hundred dollars and games that cost over $50, gaming is an expensive hobby. Thankfully, you can pick up a decent Xbox One controller station for a much lower price — usually between $20 and $30.
Pricier charging stations work faster and often hold a charge for longer than cheaper models. Thankfully, there are so many Xbox One controller charging stations on the market, it isn’t too difficult to find one that is both excellent and affordable.
Q. Can I charge my Xbox One controller and play at the same time with my controller charging station?
A. This is rarely the case. Many Xbox One controller charging stations require a controller to be snugly inserted into the device at angles that would make it uncomfortable or impossible to use and play with at the same time. However, there are some Xbox One controller charging stations that allow you to charge and play simultaneously. If this matters to you, make sure you check the specs before making a purchase.
Q. Will a controller charging station work with all Xbox controllers?
A. No. Only Xbox One controllers are compatible with these devices. Wireless Xbox 360 controllers are not compatible with Xbox One controller charging stations.
Q. Do I need an Xbox One controller charging station that can charge multiple controllers at once?
A. It’s not a requirement, but it would certainly come in handy at parties or when friends are over. Besides, it’s better to have the option to charge two controllers at once than to risk leaving Player 2 in the cold for a few hours.
