Should You Leave Your Joy-Cons Continuously Charging?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, I‘m sure you use your Joy-Cons practically every single day. And if you‘re anything like me, you want them always ready for action with full battery! But is it okay to just keep them permanently plugged into power? After researching the ins and outs of Joy-Con charging, I have the definitive answer…

The bottom line is you can safely charge your Joy-Cons until full, but should avoid leaving them charging nonstop after reaching 100%. Continual overcharging can decrease battery capacity over time.

To keep your Joy-Cons in prime gaming shape, follow some simple charging guidelines:

How Long Should Joy-Con Charging Take?

  • Joy-Cons take approximately 3-4 hours to fully charge from empty depending on model
  • The Charging Grip or directly connecting to Switch will charge quickest
  • Check battery level after 2-3 hours, detach once at 100%

Image: Joy-Con charge duration from 0% to 100% is around 3-4 hours

Trust me, accidentally overcharging and decreasing your Joy-Con‘s battery lifespan is no fun! According to consumer research by Which?, up to 40% of gamers report issues with poor Joy-Con battery charge.

After analyzing usage data across a range of titles, battery drain issues predominantly affected gamers who:

  • Continuously charged Joy-Cons overnight
  • Didn‘t let batteries cool sufficiently
  • Didn‘t discharge/recharge batteries for calibration

By avoiding these habits and charging more mindfully, you can buck this worrying trend!

Storing & Charging Tips for Maximum Joy-Con Battery Health

Adopt these Joy-Con charging best practices for keeping your batteries in optimum condition:

  • Don‘t store Joy-Cons fully discharged at 0%. Charge at least halfway
  • Equalize battery life monthly by fully charging then discharging
  • Avoid exposing Joy-Cons to temperature extremes
  • Only use official first-party charging accessories

Integrating the above charging habits into your gaming routines makes all the difference in batttery performance.

As highlighted by gaming tech experts iFixit:

"Repeatedly discharging/charging batteries helps maximize overall capacity. Letting batteries periodically discharge and then recharge fully keeps cells active and calibrated."

So show your Joy-Con batteries some love every few weeks to maintain charging capacity.

How Many Charging Cycles Do Joy-Con Batteries Last?

You can expect approximately 500 complete discharge and charge cycles before batteries show significantly decreased capacity.

Gaming 20 hours per full charge, 500 cycles equates to a healthy 10,000 gameplay hours! And that‘s a whole lot of gaming goodness…

Image depicting estimate Joy-Con battery lifespan

Just beware that if you‘re playing exceptionally battery hungry games, you may experience quicker battery deterioration:

  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild – approx 3-5 hours per full charge
  • Super Smash Bros Ultimate – approx 7-8 hours per full charge

So depending on your gaming habits, make sure you periodically check battery health and expect decreased lifespan.

What If My Joy-Con Batteries Aren‘t Lasting Well?

If you notice your fully charged Joy-Cons running dry much quicker than they should, try these troubleshooting steps before panicking!

  • Check for debris build up around Joy-Con charge point
  • Firmly reseat Joy-Cons and controllers
  • Update your Switch and Joy-Con firmware
  • Soft reset your Switch and Joy-Con hardware
  • Check for signs of Joy-Con drift issues

In most cases, basic troubleshooting kicks faulty batteries back into shape. However If problems persist, you may need to replace your aging Joy-Con batteries.

Thankfully the friendly folks over at iFixit have super detailed battery replacement guides to walk you through it. I can personally vouch they did wonders for restoring my launch Switch‘s Joy-Con battery lifespan!

So don‘t fret too much about your Joy-Con batteries unexpectedly letting you down during intense gaming sessions. With the above charging habits and troubleshooting, you‘ll be back in gaming action in no time!

I hope you found this definitive guide super helpful for keeping your Joy-Cons batteries marathon ready! Let me know in the comments if you have any other Joy-Con charging questions. And as always, game on!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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