How many hours should I charge my PS5 controller?
It takes approximately 3 hours to fully charge a PS5 DualSense controller from completely empty (0%) to 100% battery capacity, according to official specs from Sony.
The Optimal Charge Time
While a full charge takes around 3 hours, Sony actually recommends charging the controller when it shows only 1 or 2 battery bars left for the most efficient and fastest charge time.
This is because lithium-ion batteries charge faster when they are mostly depleted versus nearly full. Charging from 1-2 bars can take as little as 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge.
Key Facts on Charging the PS5 Controller
- Full 0-100% charge time: Approximately 3 hours
- Best to charge at 1-2 battery bars for fastest charge
- Can safely charge overnight, has overcharge protection
- Phone chargers need 5V/1.5A minimum to charge
- Disabling features like rumble extends battery life
Below, we‘ll take an in-depth look at these key facts and other important charging considerations for the PS5‘s DualSense wireless controller to help you keep it powered up for your epic gaming sessions.
PS5 Controller Battery Life
Before we dive into charging, it‘s helpful to understand the expected battery life for the DualSense controller.
According to tests, the average battery life per single charge ranges from 6-15 hours depending on usage. Games that utilize features like adaptive triggers and haptic feedback more heavily drain the battery faster.
| Game Type | Battery Life |
|---|---|
| Standard gameplay | 12-15 hours |
| With adaptive triggers/haptics | 6-8 hours |
So battery life can vary quite a bit. Keeping charging times quick is therefore essential!
Charging Overnight & Overcharge Protection
Is it safe to charge your PS5 controller overnight or for extended periods?
The answer is yes, absolutely. The DualSense has built-in circuitry that prevents overcharging once the battery reaches 100% capacity.
This protects the longevity of the battery by avoiding damage from trickle charging. So feel free to charge up before bed and let it go overnight without worry. The controller will simply stop charging on its own once full.
Some players even choose to regularly charge overnight since it ensures the controller stays topped up and minimizes disruption to gaming sessions.
Using Phone Chargers & USB Power
Can you charge your PS5 controller with a regular phone charger? Again the answer is yes, but there are some requirements:
- The charger must provide at least 5V of power delivery
- It should supply 1.5 amps (1500mA) or higher
So check your phone charger – if it meets those specs, then it will charge your DualSense controller without issue. Slow chargers may take longer.
Fast chargers with voltages above 5V are not recommended and won‘t work properly. Stick to standard 5V/1.5A USB chargers for best performance.
And you can always charge via any USB port as well, though charge times will vary depending on the exact power delivery.
Extending Play Times Between Charges
To maximize the hours you can game between charges:
- Disable controller rumble – vibration motors draw big power
- Turn off adaptive triggers if game doesn‘t require them
- Lower lightbar brightness under settings
- Update controller firmware for optimizations
Players who take these steps typically see battery life extend by 30% or more, buying you extra hours of play time.
For example, you might get only 8 hours playing a heavy adaptive triggers game. But disabling them could extend that to over 10 hours per charge instead.
Comparing Regular and Edge Controller Battery Life
Sony‘s newer premium PS5 DualSense Edge wireless controller actually has worse battery life compared to the standard edition DualSense.
Whereas regular DualSense controllers average 12-15 hours per charge, early hands-on testing shows the Edge controller lasting only 6-8 hours on a full battery.
This is likely due to the more advanced haptic feedback motors in the Edge gamepad. As a tradeoff for performance and features, expect to charge the Edge controller more frequently.
In Conclusion
I hope this detailed breakdown gives you all the key details on charging and battery life for your PS5 wireless controller. Let me know if you have any other questions!
Pro tips: Charge at 1-2 bars for fastest charge times, disable rumble/trigger effects to extend battery life, and take advantage of the built-in overcharge protection to safely charge overnight.
Now get back to gaming!
