Not every PS5 accessory is worth buying – I look sternly in your direction, the currently offline PS5 HD camera – but I've found that one particular console add-on from Sony is an absolute must-have for this generation: the DualSense charging station.
Like many others, I quickly grew tired of searching for a USB cable to charge the DualSense controller after nearly every gaming session, and eventually ended up leaving a cable permanently sticking out of the front of the PS5. Barely perfect.
Although it was incredibly hard to find when the PS5 launched, thankfully the DualSense charging station is more widely available and a crutch every PlayStation gamer should lean on.
The PS5 DualSense charging station really shouldn't have that much of an impact on the whole "PlayStation 5 experience", but sadly, it does. The unpredictable battery life of Sony's new smart pad makes it a necessity, and I've found that since I picked up the charging dock shortly after the console's launch, it helped alleviate any feelings of frustration I have when "battery of the wireless controller is low". . notice appears.
follow, follow
Not only does the DualSense charging station not require any of the PS5's precious USB ports (it plugs directly into a power outlet), but I now sleep easier knowing that every time I tire of delivering packages in Death Stranding: Director's Cut, I just put my clip on the dock and it's ready to go when I get back.
Even better, if you have an extra DualSense controller handy, you can switch between pads on the fly if you've been leaning in for a particularly long gaming session. While you play, your other controller will charge, so technically you'll never run out of battery again.
game without limits
In an ideal world, of course, the PS5 DualSense controller's battery life would be good enough that you wouldn't have to rely on an accessory to fix your biggest problem. What complicates matters is that the DualSense's battery life is hard to predict because it really depends on the games you're playing.
If a title takes full advantage of the controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, you'll sometimes be lucky to get five hours on a single charge. Play something that's not as liberal with DualSense features, and you might not see the charging message for more than 10 hours. It also doesn't help that the "Wireless controller battery is low" warning often appears too soon, giving the false impression that the DualSense could die at any moment.
Of course, Sony's excellent platform is still my favorite part of the PS5, but if you want to spend more time gaming and less time waiting for things to charge, grab the PS5 DualSense charging station when you can. . It's the easiest recommendation I can make, and luckily not too expensive at €30/€24.99 (it's only €20.82 at Currys right now). You'll never need to see an unsightly cable dangling from the front of your PS5 again, unless you're charging the Pulse 3D headset, that is...
Today's best Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense charging station deals
How to enable 120 Hz on PS5 | How to change your PSN name | How to enable PS3 5D audio for TV speakers | How to upgrade PS5 internal SSD storage | How to clear cache on PS5 | How to turn off a PS5 | How to use a PS4 controller on PS5