My 16 year old son just told me this would save money and asked for it for Xmas

[BPA]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/energizer-energizer-xbox-one-controller-charging-station-0018/10273724.aspx?path=fc9812c2a226a02bfdfb73b7145751b2en02

What about the rechargeable batteries we already have?

Sometimes I wonder if any of my conscious spending has rubbed off on him.  Gah!

[homehandymum]

He knows enough to know that "it would save money!" is worth a try as a sales pitch :D

Given time I'm sure he'll be able to work out whether or not it would actually save money.  But maybe not this year :)

[BPA]

I guess it would save over buying non-rechargeables.  He's been hanging out with my brother whom I've also been trying to teach to be better with his money. 

[MrsPete]

I think it'd be worthwhile IF you were looking to add a new controller. 

[Gwyddyon]

I'm not positive of the math, but given my own experiences it might not actually be totally unreasonable. My XBox controllers burn through rechargeable batteries pretty effectively. Not in the "I have to replace these with a freshly recharged pair" sense, but in the "these batteries can not be recharged anymore" sense. I have 8 2-year old batteries that will no longer hold enough charge to get 20 minutes of play time.

If the XBox is getting used enough, and if you don't have a great coupon for rechargeable batteries, it's probably worth at least considering.

[TeresaB]

My siblings have the rechargeable Wii controllers and it's extremely convenient not to have to be constantly running around trying to find batteries. Like someone else said, the controllers destroy the batteries pretty fast, and those things aren't cheap either. But I haven't done the math.

[BPA]

I've got about 20 rechargeables so we'll see if I need to buy new ones or a docking system.  :)  Will update after Xmas.

[RWD]

I got fed up with the rechargable batteries on my Xbox 360 controllers and just switched to wired controllers that don't use batteries at all.

[BPA]

I got fed up with the rechargable batteries on my Xbox 360 controllers and just switched to wired controllers that don't use batteries at all.

I like this idea the best and that's what his 360 has.  Do they have wired controllers for Xbox One?  I'll have to look into this.

(Another bonus of wired controllers is that I don't find them random places in the house like beside the toilet or in the fridge.  He has ADHD, but my boyfriend says pretty much all teenage males have their heads up their asses.)

[Self-employed-swami]

Your son is a gem :)

[Daley]

I got fed up with the rechargable batteries on my Xbox 360 controllers and just switched to wired controllers that don't use batteries at all.

I like this idea the best and that's what his 360 has.  Do they have wired controllers for Xbox One?  I'll have to look into this.

(Another bonus of wired controllers is that I don't find them random places in the house like beside the toilet or in the fridge.  He has ADHD, but my boyfriend says pretty much all teenage males have their heads up their asses.)

Apparently, the controllers have a USB Micro B port already on them right on the top. Just buy some standard generic 8-10 foot USB to Micro B cables (the kind like most smartphones take for charging now, but longer) for $2-3 a pop off Amazon. Cheapest solution yet!

[BPA]

I got fed up with the rechargable batteries on my Xbox 360 controllers and just switched to wired controllers that don't use batteries at all.

I like this idea the best and that's what his 360 has.  Do they have wired controllers for Xbox One?  I'll have to look into this.

(Another bonus of wired controllers is that I don't find them random places in the house like beside the toilet or in the fridge.  He has ADHD, but my boyfriend says pretty much all teenage males have their heads up their asses.)

Apparently, the controllers have a USB Micro B port already on them right on the top. Just buy some standard generic 8-10 foot USB to Micro B cables (the kind like most smartphones take for charging now, but longer) for $2-3 a pop off Amazon. Cheapest solution yet!

What a great idea!  Thanks!

[Guses]

I'm not positive of the math, but given my own experiences it might not actually be totally unreasonable. My XBox controllers burn through rechargeable batteries pretty effectively. Not in the "I have to replace these with a freshly recharged pair" sense, but in the "these batteries can not be recharged anymore" sense. I have 8 2-year old batteries that will no longer hold enough charge to get 20 minutes of play time.

If the XBox is getting used enough, and if you don't have a great coupon for rechargeable batteries, it's probably worth at least considering.

Panasonic Eneloop. You are welcome!


Seriously, we have been using these batteries in EVERYTHING for the last 10(?) years. We still have the first ones we ever bought and they still work fine.

[Beaker]

I'm not positive of the math, but given my own experiences it might not actually be totally unreasonable. My XBox controllers burn through rechargeable batteries pretty effectively. Not in the "I have to replace these with a freshly recharged pair" sense, but in the "these batteries can not be recharged anymore" sense. I have 8 2-year old batteries that will no longer hold enough charge to get 20 minutes of play time.

If the XBox is getting used enough, and if you don't have a great coupon for rechargeable batteries, it's probably worth at least considering.

Panasonic Eneloop. You are welcome!


Seriously, we have been using these batteries in EVERYTHING for the last 10(?) years. We still have the first ones we ever bought and they still work fine.

+1. I bought a set of Eneloops in 2008 (I think?) and they're still going strong after a few dozen recharges each. Definitely cheaper than buying all those AA's, not to mention all the waste saved. I use them in XBox controllers (among other things) and they last long enough that I don't know how long they last. Maybe 30-40 hours?

I did get a nicer charger that supposedly helps batteries to last longer than with the standard quick charger. Not sure if that really makes a difference.

[BPA]

I'm not positive of the math, but given my own experiences it might not actually be totally unreasonable. My XBox controllers burn through rechargeable batteries pretty effectively. Not in the "I have to replace these with a freshly recharged pair" sense, but in the "these batteries can not be recharged anymore" sense. I have 8 2-year old batteries that will no longer hold enough charge to get 20 minutes of play time.

If the XBox is getting used enough, and if you don't have a great coupon for rechargeable batteries, it's probably worth at least considering.

Thanks, peeps.  I'll check out those (even if the other Xbox One solutions work this is about as close to BIFL as batteries get from the sounds of it).

Panasonic Eneloop. You are welcome!


Seriously, we have been using these batteries in EVERYTHING for the last 10(?) years. We still have the first ones we ever bought and they still work fine.

+1. I bought a set of Eneloops in 2008 (I think?) and they're still going strong after a few dozen recharges each. Definitely cheaper than buying all those AA's, not to mention all the waste saved. I use them in XBox controllers (among other things) and they last long enough that I don't know how long they last. Maybe 30-40 hours?

I did get a nicer charger that supposedly helps batteries to last longer than with the standard quick charger. Not sure if that really makes a difference.

[Guses]

These batteries are rated for up to 1000 (or more, depending on version) charge/discharge cycles without memory effect.

If you charge one, put it in a controller and not use it for 2 years, it will still have 80% of its charge remaining. I can't say that for other rechargeable batteries I have used. They tend to be dead after a few weeks/months of non use.