• The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best rechargeable battery
3. Best budget
4. Best rechargeable duo
5. Best rechargable controller
6. Best disposable batteries
Your controller disconnects, your Xbox becomes unresponsive, and the controller won't turn back on — Nothing ruins a great gaming session like finding out your controller batteries are dead. It's an unfortunate reality with any wireless controller, but these charging accessories will ensure it never happens again (or at least alleviate the stress of swapping out those AA batteries).
The current-gen Xbox Series X|S consoles come with a revised version of one of the best Xbox controllers, with new features and a USB Type-C port for improved connectivity and charging capabilities. It still uses standard batteries by default, though, so here are all the very best Xbox controller charging accessories we recommend for any Xbox player equipped with a wireless controller.
The quick list
The best overall charging solution
Sit you Xbox controller down comfortably in this magnetic stand to get it fully charged in under 3 hours. Available in a bunch of different colors and designs to match the catalog of Xbox controller designs. A classic charging solution, and still our best pick.
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The best rechargeable battery
The original Play & Charge kit is designed and manufactured by Microsoft, so good for those who want an official first party accessory. The battery pack fits into your controller eliminating the need for disposable AA batteries, and when it runs out of juice simply plug in and carry on playing.
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Best budget charging station
If you want both a charging and storage solution for your controllers, this one from PowerA is a great budget alternative to the Razer quick charge. You can charge two controllers at once with an LED colour changing indicator to let you know when they're ready. It's pretty much always on offer too, so don't buy at full price!
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Best rechargable duo
If you like the Play and Charge kit, but want more for your money, go with a third party solution. The PowerA version is officially licensed for use with Xbox and you get two battery packs for the price of one official Xbox one.
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Best rechargable controller
You won't need to worry about recharging this controller much, as it has an epic 40-hours of juice for you to run out of first. The Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 is still one of the best Xbox controllers you can get, and is often on sale now it's a few years old.
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Best disposable batteries
Sometimes you don't want to faff with a gadget, you just want to use actual batteries, and that's ok too! Just make sure you get the best so you aren't changing them too often. The Energizer Lithium last longer than alkaline batteries, and are built with gadgetry like gaming controllers in mind.
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The best overall Xbox charging solution
While the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand efficiently charges controllers, it’s also one of the most stylish solutions. The dock proudly displays any Xbox controller from your collection with an assortment of available designs matching the materials and colorways of Xbox's official peripherals. Razer went the extra mile to deliver a highly functional, premium charging stand perfect for solo players, collectors looking to improve their displays, and beyond.
An evolution of older ControllerGear products (which was acquired by Razer), the Universal Quick Charging Stand is hands-down the best overall charging stand / dock for Xbox Wireless Controllers, with the latest models including full compatibility with both Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One-era controllers, convenient magnetic contacts to secure your controller during charging, and an easy-to-use design that can plug directly into your Xbox or into the wall (if you have an extra wall charger lying around).
Razer's charging solution also offers comparable battery life and charging speeds to other fantastic products, and with longevity that guarantees plenty of playtime from your controller for years to come. The product is nearly perfect, but of course there are some caveats; the Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand is more expensive than some alternatives, and there is no option for a multi-controller charging stand.
Best rechargable battery
The Xbox Rechargeable Battery is the latest iteration of the old "Play & Charge Kit," with a more boring (albeit more informative) name and a handful of smart improvements. This new battery is compatible with Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controllers equipped with Type-C ports, and offers best-in-class endurance and longevity thanks to its larger-than-average battery cell and durable construction.
The battery pack is easy to install, slotting into the back of your controller in place of normal AA batteries, and includes an all-in-one charging solution that lets you top off the battery using the controller's existing port. It quotes up to 30 hours of playtime off a single charge, with a full charge from dead only taking four hours (and your controller is fully usable during that period).
Granted, you can find cheaper rechargeable batteries on the market (with some alternatives coming with two batteries in the box), but none will quite deliver the long-term value or ease-of-use as the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, which should last longer both per-charge and over the course of its life. Just remember that this battery is not compatible with any charging stands or dock, and requires a physical cable in order to charge.
Best budget
PowerA has made a name for itself with a wide range of affordable, high-quality accessories for Xbox, and that has continued into the Xbox Series X|S generation. If you're looking for an affordable way to charge multiple Xbox Wireless Controllers at once, it's hard to beat the sheer value offered by the PowerA Dual Charging Station for Xbox.
The PowerA Dual Charging Station comes with everything you need to simultaneously display and charge two Xbox Wireless Controllers, with full compatibility across Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S generations. The simple but effective design ensures your controllers look good, and there's even an effective mechanism to separate your controllers from the charger when they're full without removing them from the stand (which, in theory, should improve the lifespan of the batteries).
The Dual Charging Station's build quality and overall aesthetic doesn't approach more premium alternatives like from Razer, nor does it offer best-in-class battery life or charging speeds with its modest, affordable battery packs. Still, PowerA knocked it out of the park with its value proposition. If you want a little more quality, PowerA also makes the Duo Charging Station for Xbox, which features a more aesthetically pleasing design and superior build quality.
Best rechargable duo
Need to add the convenience of a rechargeable battery on a budget? PowerA has you covered with its Play & Charge Kit, an officially licensed set of rechargeable batteries that carries the name of Xbox's past official solution. This kit includes two rechargeable batteries compatible with both Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controllers, besting the Xbox Rechargeable Battery.
These batteries won't last as long as Xbox's much pricier rechargeable batteries, both on a charge and over the course of their life, but you're getting two batteries for less than the price of one from PowerA. They're also fully compatible with PowerA charging stations, meaning you can either equip more than two controllers with recharging capabilities with only one charging station, or you can replace aging batteries with fresh sets years down the line.
So much value packed into two small batteries doesn't come without cost, however. These rechargeable batteries can't utilize the charging port on Xbox Wireless Controllers, and instead use an awkward microUSB port situated in the battery itself for charging. If you don't want to keep a microUSB cable lying around or want to avoid wires, it's worth investing in a PowerA charging station.
Best rechargable controller
The Xbox Wireless Controller is an incredible peripheral for the vast majority of players, but there are many who may desire a more premium controller with superior comfort, a plethora of extra features, and a level of customization you can't find anywhere else. No Xbox controller fits the bill quite as well as the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which is also the best rechargeable controller for Xbox.
This flagship, pro-grade controller is one of the most versatile Xbox peripherals you can buy, and it also features an incredible, long-lasting rechargeable battery inside. With the Elite Series 2, you're getting four rear-facing paddles, tweakable analog stick tension, optional trigger locks, swappable D-Pads and analog sticks, and the ability to configure and rapidly switch between multiple custom profiles.
In the box, you get all of this, as well as a high-quality carrying case, extra components to customize the hardware to your heart's content, and a fantastic charging cradle to display and charge the 40-hour battery without grabbing a cable. Of course, you'll have to pay a pretty penny for this controller, as the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 runs for an astonishing $180 (three times the cost of a normal Xbox Wireless Controller).
If you want to save some money, you can consider the Elite Series 2 Core variant, which gives you the base controller without the additional components, carrying case, or charging cradle (you can still charge it via an included cable) for a much lower price. You can always pick up those extra pieces in the future with the optional Component Pack.
Best disposable
Opting for rechargeable solutions provides long-term savings and convenience, but Xbox purposefully continues to support traditional AA batteries in its Xbox Wireless Controllers for a reason. It opens up more avenues for players to choose how to keep their controllers charged, and can help controllers outlast the lifespan of the average rechargeable battery (by ensuring the battery can be easily replaced).
If you want to stick with the tried-and-true disposable battery, we suggest the Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA. These batteries may look identical to the oceans of batteries out there, but they provide best-in-class battery life and come from an established retailer you know you can trust. You'll get superior value and greater endurance from these lithium batteries over the aging alkaline standard used by competitors, and you can safely stock up on batteries without worrying about them degrading over time.
We still recommend choosing a rechargeable alternative like those listed above, but you can't go wrong with Energizer as a disposable option. This is also a great option to keep spare controllers ready for action without splashing for a pricier rechargeable solution when it may not get enough use to justify it.
The best charging accessories for Xbox controllers
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Keeping your Xbox Wireless Controllers charged and ready for play isn't always convenient, but Xbox's commitment to using an open-source solution like AA batteries means the market is resplendent with awesome options for every player. For any player intending to get plenty of use out of their Xbox, though, we suggest a rechargeable solution for added convenience and savings over time.
The Razer Universal Quick Charging Stand offers a premium design that perfectly matches the Xbox Wireless Controller, as well as fantastic battery life and charging speeds. The Xbox Rechargeable Battery features similar endurance and charging speeds, but relies on a cable instead of a charging station to top your controller off. You can also turn to PowerA for its more affordable alternatives.
Of course, AA batteries still have their place, and Energizer makes some of the best, longest-lasting batteries in the business. Use its lithium AA batteries for your spare controllers, for your children, or even if you'd rather use disposable batteries in favor of a rechargeable solution. Whatever your preference, there are plenty of ways to stay in the action with the best charging accessories and batteries for the Xbox Wireless Controller.
