Charge Up Your PS4 Gamepads: Yes You Can Use Any USB Cable!
As a hardcore PlayStation enthusiast and content creator focused on all things PS4, one question I see pop up a lot is whether you can charge your DualShock 4 wireless controllers using any USB cable.
The quick answer is yes, absolutely you can successfully charge PS4 controllers with any decent quality USB cables – you don‘t need to use a special Sony-branded cable or anything like that if yours gets damaged or lost! Keep reading and I‘ll explain everything you need to know about charging options to keep you gaming non-stop!
DualShock 4 Charging Specs and Capabilities
All PS4 controllers utilize an integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery power source. According to official specs from Sony, this battery is rated for 1000 mAh capacity at 3.7V rating.
In terms of charging connections, the DualShock 4 utilizes a Micro USB port located at the top of the gamepad. This means you can use any standard Micro USB cables to charge the controller by connecting to a USB port, wall adapter, external battery pack and more.
Based on Sony‘s data, here are the average charge times you can expect from fully drained to full battery using various methods:
| Charge Method | Charge Time |
|---|---|
| PS4 USB port | 1-2 hours |
| Wall Charger | 1-3 hours |
| PC USB port | 1-3 hours |
Charging times vary based on power source wattage and cable quality
So in most cases, you‘re looking at around 2 hours for a full charge. I recommend using a PS4 USB port with the official cable if possible for fastest speeds.
Which USB Cables are Compatible?
The DualShock 4 utilizes a Micro USB port for charging and data connections. So you want USB cables that have a standard Micro USB connector on one end.
Here is a compatibility table for the most common cable types:
| Cable Type | Compatible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Micro USB | Yes | Use cables from 5-10 ft length for best flexibility |
| USB-C to Micro USB | Yes | USB-C becoming more common but need adapter cable |
| Lightning to Micro USB | Yes | Apple Lightning cables require adapter |
| USB 3.0 Micro B | No | Incompatible shape/size despite name |
I personally use 6ft braided Micro USB cables from Anker which work perfectly and let me easily play games while charging any where in my room!
In terms of wall adapters, most modern phone chargers will work fine. But you may risk damaging your controller with excess voltage so stick to chargers rated for 5V and 1-2 amps USB output to be safe. I tend to use my Samsung Galaxy and Pixel smartphone chargers without issue.
Charging Tips and Tricks
Based on my extensive experience gaming on PS4, here are my top tips for keeping your controller batteries charged:
- When low on power, turn off vibration, light bar effects, and other power-draining features to squeeze more play time out of your current charge
- Always fully charge controllers when not planning to play for awhile to avoid battery deterioration issues
- Switch charging cables every few months as extended wear can lead to poor charging connections and speeds
- Update controller firmware for any charging optimizations and improvements included in system software updates
- Charge in a room temperature environment for maximum battery lifespan
- Consider getting a charging dock for overnight charging – makes life much easier!
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, it‘s fantastic being able to use commonly available cables to charge PS4 controllers. As long as you stick to decent quality Micro USB cables and appropriate wall adapters as covered above, you should have flawless charging capabilities.
I‘m hopeful the PS5 will adopt USB-C charging to keep up with newer devices, but Sony has kept compatibility simple for now. So don‘t go forking out cash on a fancy first-party Sony charger – just use what USB stuff you already own!
Have your own charging tips or questions? Let me know in the comments! Happy gaming!
