Nyko Charge Base for Xbox Series X/S & Xbox One Controllers Review!

In this video, we unbox and test out the Nyko Charge Base with rechargeable batteries for Xbox One & Xbox Series X/S controllers.Show more

One of my biggest criticisms of Xbox wireless controllers has been the dependence on AA batteries. While Nintendo and Sony both went the rechargeable route, Microsoft has stayed with traditional AA batteries dating from the Xbox 360 to their latest Xbox Series X and Series S. Nyko has been producing rechargeable batteries and charging stands for sometime, and have brought their expertise to the latest from Big Green with their Charge Base and Batteries.

One of the best features is that Nyko includes controller backs for both the One line of controllers, and the Series S/X line of controllers. That is awesome for households that have a mixed collection of controllers, similar to myself. I have 2 Call of Duty controllers from the original Xbox One, and now a Shock Blue controller for the Series S/X. While I don't have one of the new Xbox systems, the Shock Blue controller is also backwards compatible with the Xbox One, another reason why Nyko's inclusion for the One lineup of controllers a great feature.

From the box, the kit includes 2 1100mAh NiMH batteries, 2 Xbox One-compatible controller back plates, 2 Xbox Series S/X controller back plates, a USB-C charging cable, and the dock itself. I was pleased to see the Charge Base uses USB-C for power, meaning it should be able to charge at a higher current, reducing charge time. I was a bit bummed that they didn't include a power supply, however, you can power it right off of your system.

The Charge Dock is fairly low-profile, and can charge 2 controllers at any one time. LED indicators on the front of the unit specifies the charging status of a controller in the Dock; red indicates charging, green indicates fully charged. For aesthetic, there is a greed LED strip down either side of the Charge Dock, simply as a power indicator. They are subtle and definitely add that "Xbox Green" flair to the dock. The USB-C input is on the back of the Dock, as is a secondary USB-A port to charge additional controllers or provide power to other accessories.

The included batteries are 1100mAh NiMH batteries. While less expensive to produce, NiMH batteries don't last as long per-charge and overall cycle life-wise as LiPO or LiIon batteries. Since these need to be installed into the controller itself in a shape designed for AA-alkaline batteries, Nyko was likely somewhat painted in the corner with the chemical composition of the cells. NiMH are ok, you'll want to drain them completely occasionally and cycle them regularly to get the most out of them. Compared to the weight of the controllers with Alkaline AA's, there wasn't much of a different in-terms of weight and feel in the hand compared to stock.

To test the batteries out, I charged both battery packs up and played for quite some time. I played some Disney Afternoon games, Rare Replay, even some Halo. I was able to get several house of gameplay out of each charge of the batteries, and they charged up in relatively short order. With NiMH batteries, you can sometimes feel them get warm while charging. These really didn't do that, which indicates a safe charge rate from the Base to the batteries themselves.

Why it RoX:
- Less expensive & more environmentally friendly than disposing of Alkaline AAs
- Compatible with the Xbox One and Series X/S controllers
- USB-C for power
- Additional USB power port
- LEDs look great
- Budget-friendly

What Could be Improved?
- Power supply sold separately
- Higher capacity would always be welcomed
- NiMH vs LiPO or LiIon
- No indicators for front vs rear controller
- White back stands out on other colored controllers

Should You Buy One?
Do you hate replacing AA's in Xbox controllers? If so, and I do for what it is worth, the Nyko Charge Dock is a good investment. Being compatible with the 2 most recent Xbox controllers means there are a TON of controllers this will work with. The Dock itself is subtle yet attractive in its design, and the extra USB port for additional accessories is a welcomed touch. Priced at $29.99, there is a lot to like here. I would prefer a more updated chemical type for the batteries, and having optional back covers would be great too, but in the end these are minor gripes. Overall, this is a great addition to your Xbox, and something I'll be using myself going forward.

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