Next Gen: Which controller has the best battery life?

tidus04 | February 02, 2008 | News | Playstation 3 Wii

Have you ever wondered which Next Generation Console offers the longest time available for battery life whilst playing?.. Well Gamepro over the last month has tested the Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii and Playstation 3 controllers to see which one will last longest through wireless gaming.

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For our tests, we cleaved to the following criteria: We only used out-of-the box hardware -- that means no charger packs for 360 and Wii, which must be purchased separately. We played a wide variety of games on each console, including lengthy single-player adventures and shallow down loadable games, both online and off. We played for varying time intervals, from fifteen minutes to upwards of eight hours (Hello weekends!). We used Duracell CopperTops for 360 and Wii testing. And we deemed all battery(s) dead after attempting to reconnect the controller for a third consecutive time. Behold, the results:

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Comments

Comments with -10 or lower "thumbs" are removed from display.

2 thumbs!
Storm | February 02, 2008

I noticed that, after playing all three consoles, the 360's controller does in fact last longest. The Wii's can go for a few days, but then with the added motion and sounds that come out from the Wii-Motes, it tends to die down easily. The PS3...well by the end of the day I charge it so I can't speak for it.
0 thumbs!
tidus04 | February 02, 2008

quote
We used Duracell CopperTops for 360 and Wii testing.
When doing the article I bold-ed this section as I was not to sure but wouldn't this have tampered the whole result and made it unfair for the PS3?
-2 thumbs!
Guticb | February 02, 2008

This is a BS article. Why?

They claim that buying a 360 controller and a play and charge kit will save you money over a PS3 controller. o_0

360 controller + Play and charge = $70
PS3 controller = $50

Very ignorant of them to say that.
- 1 thumbs!
  Krunal | February 02, 2008
  
  Can you quote the part where they said that?
- 1 thumbs!
  Ameer | February 02, 2008
  
  quote GamePro
  Consider an Xbox 360 Quick Charge Kit or alternative to avoid disposable batteries, though you'll get a bit less mileage between charges.
  Someone is overtly sensitive.
-1 thumbs!
Krunal | February 02, 2008

At the end of the day it doesn't matter to me if the PS3's batteries last less, because at the end of the day, I can connect my controller to my Laptop which is RIGHT NEXT TO me whenever I play the games and thus, it charges whilst I'm playing, and sure it's got a short cord, but I'd prefer to have that, then the controller dieing on me when I'm playing a game

Plus, I'm fairly sure my controllers lasted 36hours + whilst I've been gaming, they've been weeks between the time I've charged my controller and it's always worked
0 thumbs!
dmf_dynasty | February 02, 2008

I charge my PS3 controllers and bluetooth headset through my Wii. I haven't turned it on in a long time, but standby works great for a close by power supply. USB was a great idea. I barely ever have to change my Wii batteries, but as stated above, I rarely ever use my Wii. However, I did turn it on last night for the new updates and the indicator was flashing red
- 0 thumbs!
  black doom | February 02, 2008
  
  Red? I have never seen a Wii glowing red.
  - 0 thumbs!
    dmf_dynasty | February 02, 2008
    
    I meant the on-screen battery indicator, not the disk slot. That would be cool though.
1 thumbs!
Red 9 | February 02, 2008

Guess what; the PS3 controller's battery is built in, so you're not buying batteries. Plus you can play whilst it charges. You need 2 sets of batteries if you want to use the other controllers while the other batteries charge. PS3 controller is most efficient by a long shot. And I've been going all week on a single charge.
- 1 thumbs!
  Cdemon | February 03, 2008
  
  You can use the X360 "whilst" charging the batteries as well.
0 thumbs!
iLLmatic | February 02, 2008

Well I don't play Wii, but my 360 controller definitely seems to last a good amount of time longer than my PS3 controller..but maybe thats because I don't play it as much
0 thumbs!
RKOed | February 02, 2008

Well i've had my 360 since late November, and the batteries on my control still haven't run out. But I don't play it that much because it hurts my eyes if I play for extended amounts of time.
0 thumbs!
slumpy monkey | February 02, 2008

ya its true that batteries do lst for ages. I got mine in august and its on 1 bars now.
- 0 thumbs!
  Jai Poke Manic | February 02, 2008
  
  Well not all of them do but most
0 thumbs!
tallteen86 | February 02, 2008

I wonder how much quicker a Dualshock 3 will run out of juice though?

Well, I keep my controller plugged in most of the time >_>
2 thumbs!
Sonic Flash | February 02, 2008

Rechargeable batteries are a must.
2 thumbs!
Final Blade | February 03, 2008

Who cares which ones lasts longer. The only thing that matter is does it work great during your gaming periods thats it. And yeah the PS3 batteries is built in, but seriously who plays video games for 55 hours straight other than addicted losers with no life.

Seriously another waste of an article. My PS3 controllers lasts weeks before charging it, but i only play 4 hours or less during my time of playing it.
0 thumbs!
InnerDemon | February 03, 2008

Strange, my 360 usually dies faster than my wii's. o_0
0 thumbs!
SvR2008 | February 03, 2008

The PS3's lasts a long time. Its good enough for me.
0 thumbs!
Steel Magnolia | February 03, 2008

I find that the PS3 pad lasts longer, but then my 360 one is a launch console, so it might not be a fair test. Both pads should be the same age if you want an accurate result I guess.
0 thumbs!
Kinetic | February 03, 2008

I thought that the 360's was the worst. 0_o

Oh well. My PS3 controller last long enough for my liking.
Even if it does get close to dying, I can just plug it up to the system and play wired for a while.
-1 thumbs!
Catboy14 | February 04, 2008

I bet the Wii remote's life nearly doubles once you turn off sound and rumble (like I do) and not use the nunchuck.
0 thumbs!
Blackfalcon | February 04, 2008

I doesn't really matter, so long as you charge your controller every night.
0 thumbs!
SSJ3 Trunks | February 05, 2008

For some reason, my wii mote dies often...
0 thumbs!
SS4Gogeta | February 05, 2008

Considering the size difference this should come as no surprise. This is a Sixaxis battery and a 360 battery. The iPod nano is there for scale. Sorry, I don't have a Wii for comparison.
0 thumbs!
m xdogz | February 05, 2008

Hmm whatever one it is they're still both good.
0 thumbs!
Red 9 | February 07, 2008

Didn't realise that the PS3 controller battery was so small!