Recommendations for the best PS4 controller charging stations?

Question

What is the absolute best charging station I can get for PS4 controllers that actually works? I am so confused and honestly have no idea what I am doing here. I bought a used console for my sons 8th birthday which is this Saturday so I am in a huge rush to get this sorted out before the party. Right now we just have one messy cable and the controllers are always dying and it is driving me crazy. I live in Chicago and need to find something by Friday at the latest. I checked on Amazon and there are a million different brands and I dont recognize any of them and I am terrified of buying a cheap one that might ruin the battery or something. Sorry if this is a really dumb thing to ask but do these things plug into the wall or the actual PlayStation? I have about $25 left in my budget for this. I saw some official ones but they look expensive or out of stock everywhere I look. I just need something reliable that can hold two controllers at once so they are ready to go when he wants to play. Is there a specific brand that everyone trusts for this or should I just buy whatever has the most stars...

404_NameNotFound · Accepted Answer

Tbh, you should definitely look for a dock that plugs into the wall instead of the console itself. Its way more convenient because the controllers will charge even when the PS4 is totally powered down and you dont have cables hanging everywhere. Since youre in a rush, check these two options:

PowerA DualShock 4 Charging Station: This is the gold standard imo. It uses the EXT port on the bottom of the controller which is way more durable than the top port.

HyperX ChargePlay Duo PS4: This one is also super reliable and has a heavy base so it doesnt slide around your TV stand. Both usually run about $20-25 and you can probably find them at a Best Buy or Target in Chicago today. TL;DR: Get the PowerA dock if you can find it. It plugs into the wall, saves your USB ports, and is super easy for an 8-year-old to use without breaking anything.

AestheticAstronaut · Answer

Re: "Honestly, I have been through so many of..." - its so annoying how many top rated ones have terrible voltage regulation. I had issues with a cheap dock that basically killed my battery life. Unfortunately, most generic docks use the flimsy micro-USB port. You gotta use the EXT port on the bottom. Try these:

PowerA DualShock 4 Charging Station

HyperX ChargePlay Duo PS4 The PowerA plugs into the wall for faster charging.

BambooBanshee · Answer

Honestly, I have been through so many of these over the years and there is a lot of junk out there. Since youre in a rush and on a budget, you gotta stick to the names that actually have a reputation. Those generic ones on Amazon can be hit or miss and sometimes the pins bend easily... basically a nightmare when you have an 8-year-old trying to jam the controller on there. In my experience, these are the two best options that wont kill your budget:

PowerA DualShock 4 Charging Station

This is usually around $20 and it is super reliable. It uses an AC adapter so it plugs straight into the wall, which answers your question! You dont have to leave the PS4 on to charge the controllers this way.

HyperX ChargePlay Duo for PS4

This one is also great because the base is heavy. Kids tend to be rough and a light charger will just slide around the desk. This one stays put. Tbh, I would avoid those ones that look like a little tower where you have to flip the controller upside down. They are a pain to line up. The PowerA one is the gold standard for most of us because the controllers just click right in. Since you need it by Friday, check a local Best Buy or Target in Chicago if Amazon shipping looks slow. They usually stock these for about $25 or less. Good luck with the party, hope the kid loves the PS4!