If you’re a gamer that owns a PlayStation 4, chances are you have the same issues that everyone else has and that’s with the battery life of the DualShock 4. I love my PlayStation ,however, the most glaring issue I have with extended play sessions is that the DualShock 4 controllers don’t last me more than 5-6 hours. There’s nothing worse than dying in the middle of a BloodBorne or a Dark Souls 2 (both of which are my guilty pleasures) session. It really isn’t much fun. It’s also not good for the TV, especially if you happen to toss the now dead controller at your TV – something which I really don’t recommend.
Enter the Energizer 2X Extra Life Charge System from Performance Designed Products, specifically made for PS4.
Name: PDP Energizer 2X Extra Life Charge System for PS4
Manufacturer: Performance Designed Products
Price: $39.99
Release Date: March 1, 2016
For the most part, the Energizer 2X Extra Life Charge System for PlayStation is pretty exciting stuff. Inside the package you’ll find an AC adapter, DualShock 4 charging base, 2x battery packs that plug into the DualShock 4 and an instruction manual. The charging base actually looks like a mini PlayStation 4 , though when I put it side by side next to my PlayStation 4 it was slightly smaller than the system, meaning I couldn’t match it up as I hoped I’d be able to. Not a big deal, but it would have been nice to have been able to do so. Still, it does look good either on the side or the PS4 or on top of it, whatever works for you.
The charm of this specific charging kit are the included battery packs that mount under the DualShock 4 controllers. And they aren’t the massive battery packs that you have seen before that take up the entire back of the controller and instead only takes up a small piece of real-estate on the back of the controller.
So, what exactly is the exciting part you ask? Read on!
Just attach the battery packs into the microUSB port on the DualShock 4, place it into the charging base and that’s it. Oddly enough, there are no lights or indicators on the front of the charging system and instead, they are mounted on the side of the base and are only active when you first plug in the AC adapter, when you set a controller on it or when the controllers are done charging. When the controllers are being charged, there is a bright orange light that gives off a subtle glow and illuminates both sides of the base and once the controllers are completely charged it then changes from orange to a cool blue tint. I actually like that as you can simply glance over at the unit and see if it’s done or not, thanks to the glowing indicators. Though, I’m still waiting for someone to put out a charger that can look at how much charge is left on a battery and give you a countdown to when the battery will complete its charge. Maybe someone will get the hint for next time… wink wink.
Power up two PS4 controllers simultaneously and enjoy the included Energizer PS4 recharge packs for hours of non-stop gaming. Simply lift your controller from the glowing controller ports that light up orange to indicate charging and blue to indicate a full charge and you’re good to go. With a low profile design to match your PS4 system, store and charge your controllers with ease. Grab a charged controller and join in on the fun – Performance Designed Products.
That’s pretty much to this unit and it does what it advertises it does. I did have a slight issue with it, as the controllers don’t sit snug in the base and do move or wobble a bit when charging. It doesn’t take away from the unit, it is prone to be knocked around and a charging DualShock 4 can be easily knocked out of the base. That’s only an issue if you happen to place the charging unit near a busy section of your gaming center or have people that like to randomly smack into the controllers as they’re charging.
For those wondering, the battery packs are rated at 800 mAh, in addition to the DualShock 4’s 1000 mAh battery. Now that may not seem like a lot, however after my initial charging and playing several PlayStation 4 titles as well as using the DualShock 4 on my PC. I was easily able to extend the life of my controller and so far I’ve clocked in 15 hours off a single charge over the span of several days and it’s still going strong. The rule of thumb when it comes to measuring mAh batteries is typically 1 hour of usage per 1 mAh., do in theory you’re looking at a baseline of 18 hours. Which is definitely a far cry from what the life of the DualShock 4 was before the battery was attached to it and this is with the lightbar maxed, the sound volume turned all the way up and vibration enabled. PDP boasts that a full charge will last up to 40 hours, and while I haven’t gotten to that magic number, the status on my DualShock 4 is still showing full per my PlayStation 4, so I’m inclined to believe that claim. In addition, it only took a few hours to charge it from total depletion to maximum charge.
Currently, the Energizer 2X Extra Life Charge System for PS4 is up for pre-order now over at Amazon.com and Gamestop, for $39.99 and are set to be released on March 15, 2016.
*Review Unit supplied by Performance Designed Products*
Overall
All in all, I’m satisfied with Energizer 2X Extra Life Charge System for PS4. It does exactly what it says it does and let’s be honest, extra battery life for the DualShock 4 is a good thing. And while I would have liked an indicator light on the front or top of the charging base, I can’t deny the coolness of having a subtle original glow that surrounds the unit. In fact it kinda of reminds me of the bonfires from the Dark Souls series.
So for under $40 you can pick up not only a charger but also two batteries for your DualShock 4 and that’s a pretty decent deal. Especially for those like my self who find themselves on extended gaming sessions and simply hate placing the controller down for a quick charge or doesn’t want to get the hell of their couch, chair or wherever they’re gaming at.
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It charges and extends my DualShock 4 life? Works for me!
