With Microsoft continuing to use AA batteries in their Xbox Series X, we await HyperX‘s upcoming Series X|S solution to that age-old problem. Well, 16-year-old problem. Until then, we’ve been testing their 8th-gen. charging dock. As the name suggests, HyperX ChargePlay Duo for Xbox One’s main attraction is its two batteries and room for two controllers on its charging cradle.
The Name ‘Turbo Duo’ was Taken
The package consists of two batteries, two battery covers to facilitate charging, the dual-charging dock and the mains power cable.
To use the kit, place the battery in your controller, then simply replace their original battery covers with those provided. Sitting your controller in its cradle will begin charging – there are recesses and small grooves to guide your controller on to the perfect charging position. A breathing white light on the corresponding area will show it’s working. There is a light for each charging recess, which is nice.
HyperX ChargePlay Duo’s rear covers each have a square opening to allow the batteries’ charging pads to touch the corresponding blades. It’s a clever solution that allows easy charging and retrieval. It means we can’t charge and play as the name might also suggest. It takes two hours to charge the other battery completely so you will have to play a one-player game for a while.
The base is weighted and has rubber feet to keep it steady on your desk or TV stand. These details are sometimes overlooked in these types of charging docks and then missed greatly when absent.
The two batteries are rated at 1,400mAh each. This is around half of what a decent pair of AA batteries is packing and the difference is definitely noticeable. A pair of AA will run for over 40 hours whereas ChargePlay Duo won’t reach 20. ChargePlay Duo’s 16 hours or so is quite a bit better than PS4’s standard battery but less than Microsoft’s first-party offering of 30-ish hours per charge.
Discharge
HyperX ChargePlay Duo is only for use with Xbox One. There are very small differences between the battery cover of Xbox Series X|S and its predecessor that render it incompatible. As mentioned, the Xbox Series X|S version is coming soon.
The use of the mains as a power source is mostly a good choice. HyperX’s ChargePlay Duo is always on regardless of whether your console has power going to its ports. It also has the juice to charge both batteries at the same time at the same rate. And finally, it means you don’t use a precious USB port on your Xbox. On the other hand, the TV and Xbox are taking two sockets already so a few of you will need a extension cable.
As previously mentioned, being unable to literally charge and play is a bit of a pain. It could have been solved if HyperX ChargePlay Duo allowed users to charge a battery without being housed in a second controller. If you lack a second controller, you will have to endure some downtime.
Compromises and Commendations
So long as you consider the quirks of HyperX ChargePlay Duo before purchase, you will be satisfied. The stamina is serviceable and the ease-of-use is commendable. It works superbly with a second controller ready to house the second battery. It’s faultless with another socket handy.
ChargePlay Duo makes the best of its layout with some smart design. The ease with which you can drop them on for a charge and its steady base being two that stood out to me.
