Charging a controller

[thorn hazel]

So with the xbox series s, I know that it comes with a controller, 2 AA batteries, and 2 cables (hdmi & power cable) but not a usb-c charging cable for the controller so I am confused seeing as the controller has a usb-c slot. So my question; do we need to buy a usb-c to usb separately (to fit in the concole usb port) in order to charge it, and if yes, why do we need to charge it with batteries and a cable? (I apologise if it seems like a stupid question I'm just super confused so sorry :)

[keen wadi]

It's not rechargable out of the box. It uses AA batteries, which is why it's supplied with 2 to start with.

You can either replace the batteries when they get low, or purchase rechargable battery kits.

The USB port is so you can use the controller wired without having batteries at all if you want (or while the batteries may be low / needing to replaced and you don't have any handy), or if you purchase an official Play and Charge kit, then for charging that battery through the controller.

[thorn hazel]

Ohh I understand this

So something for me to do is just keep using AA batteries everytine my current one runs out

so the use of a usb-c cable in that case isn't necessary?

Unless I want to use it without batteries, and connected to the concole instead right?

[mental basalt]

correct

[thorn hazel]

Alright thanks, so from my knowledge, people are given a choice to use it wirelessly with AA batteries or wired to your console

[keen wadi]

Yep. If you are going to use AA batteries, I recommend looking into eneloop AA rechargable batteries (they don't charge in the controller, you take them out and put them in a wall charger), but they are great because you can use them for lots of things, anything that uses AA batteries in your house.

I always keep a set on the charger so when my controller is low, I put the ones on the charger into the controller and take the ones from the controller and start them charging

[thorn hazel]

I was looking on the xbox website, and they have a great official xbox rechargable battery

[keen wadi]

Yep, that's the play and charge kit, which is also great

[thorn hazel]

which I consider buying (when I get my xbox because I haven't got it yet but I have gotten really interested recently

[keen wadi]

I personally use eneloops because I have so many devices around the house that use batteries, I have a good ~60 AA eneloop batteries 😂

[thorn hazel]

Another question, if I decide to use AA batteries all the time, how much play time do the batteries provide alone, before I recharge (with a rechargable one) or replace with regular ones?

[thorn hazel]

and what are eneloops?

are they just a good branded of batteries?

[keen wadi]

It's a brand of rechargable batteries: https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-K-KJ17M3A4BA-Individual-eneloop-Rechargeable/dp/B010U57MSW

How long a battery will last will depend on a variety of things, like how much rumble is used within the game, if you are using a headset with the controller, etc.

without a headset connected, on average, for starting from a fully charged set of new batteries (good quality, not the cheap brand that has a reasonable charge level), I'd say it's reasonable to expect 30+ hours

[thorn hazel]

Alrightyy thank you so much

I was really confused when I saw it had batteries and a usb-c slot but you've cleared things up for me a lot

tyy ❤️