The PlayStation 4 was released in 2013 and has been a massive success for Sony. It’s the company's second-highest selling console of all-time, behind only the original PlayStation, although the PlayStation 5, released in 2020, outsold the PS4 in its first year.
The DualShock is the signature controller used for the PS4. It can be used wired or wirelessly to play all PS4 games. Charging the controller can be a pain because you’re meant to plug it into the console directly using a USB port. Luckily, there are a ton of options for charging stations that let you wirelessly charge your DualShock controllers with ease.
The best device is the Oivo PS4 Charging Station, which can stack two controllers simultaneously and charge in just over an hour each.
If you’re a PS4 player, the DualShock controller is your best friend. It’s the main tool you use to navigate the console’s menu and of course, play all the exciting games the PS4 has to offer.
The controller has both a USB and wireless magnetic charging hookup. When you buy the PS4, your package will come with a USB cord that directly connects to the DualShock controller. This will let you plug in the controller straight away and begin playing. However, if you purchase a wireless charging station you can charge your controller without plugging it in.
One of the downfalls of charging your DualShock controller wirelessly is that you can’t play while it's charging. This is the main reason Sony designed its devices to charge using a USB cord — to avoid any downtime in gameplay. But charging your controller wirelessly can be a much more convenient way to keep things up and running. Also, there’s no need to worry about cable management with a wireless charger.
Most charging stations use magnetic ports to keep controllers in place. The magnetic hookup on the controller lets you fully connect to the charging station. This means you no longer have to assume your controller is connected, only to come back hours later and realize it wasn’t plugged in enough.
Charging stations usually use two types of designs. One is a horizontal design in which the device sits flat on a table. With this setup, you’ll put your controllers down on their backs with the handles barely sitting above the table top. The second design is more vertical, meaning the controllers will nearly sit on top of each other. There is no real advantage or disadvantage to either style. Decide based on which you like better.
While most users will want to charge their DualShock controllers wirelessly, you never know when you might need to charge using a USB cord. Ideally, you want a charging station with both options, just in case the magnetic charger stops working. Charging via a cord is usually faster than wireless charging, which can save you some time if you’re in a rush.
Input voltage is the amount of volts the charging station can hold, and higher voltage equals faster charging. If you’re looking for the fastest charge possible, look for a charging station that has as close to 240 input volts as possible. While smaller voltage can get the job done, higher is always better. Just be sure it doesn’t exceed 240 volts or it can fry your DualShock controller.
PS4 charging stations cost $12-$21.
A. The best charging stations include a LED light that lets you know when your controller is perfectly situated on the device and charging has begun. The light will turn green when the controller is fully charged.
A. Yes. This is one of the main reasons why charging stations are more convenient — you aren’t required to constantly be plugging and unplugging your controller.
Ovio PS4 Controller Charging Dock
What you need to know: As one of the highest-rated PS4 charging docks on Amazon, this is a go-to for thousands of gamers.
What you’ll love: Its clever level design lets you stack your controllers on top of one another for easy insertion and removal. Each charger takes approximately 1.5 hours to fully charge and includes a LED light indicator to let you know their status. You can charge two controllers at once using a wall adapter or USB hub.
What you should consider: It only has 3 volts of input wattage, making it less powerful than other options.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
PDP Gaming Ultra Thin Charging Station
What you need to know: If you’re looking for a space-saving device with an unassuming design, the PDP Gaming charger is the way to go.
What you’ll love: Save space on your entertainment center or gaming desk with this thin device. Charge two controllers at the same time and look for the ambient light indicator to know when charging is complete. This device is officially licensed by Sony and PlayStation.
What you should consider: While the charging is wireless, it will need to be plugged into a wall outlet.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
PowerA DualShock Charging Station
What you need to know: PowerA is known for top tier-gaming accessories. Its DualShock PS4 charging station is among their best devices.
What you’ll love: This beast of a station puts out 240 volts for quick and powerful charging. Not only that, the design matches perfectly with the PlayStation 4 and its accessories — so much so that Sony has officially licensed this product.
What you should consider: This station does not come with a charging cord. It can only charge wirelessly.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Jordan Beliles writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
