PS VR2 charging station review: handy – once you figure out how to use it
3/4/2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
The battery in PS VR2 controllers doesn’t last long. Sony’s charging station helps with that and looks chic. I just felt a bit stupid when attempting to plug in the controller.
The PlayStation VR2 headset has one advantage with its cable: you never have to charge it – unlike its controllers. Their battery lasts half as long as that of the DualSense, meaning it’s empty in about three to four hours. Even though a VR session rarely lasts that long, you have to charge the controllers regularly. The fact that this requires two USB cables doesn't make things any easier. Enter Sony’s charging station.
Am I stupid?
The charging station works like any other charging dock. Place the controller on it, wait until it’s charged, finito. At least in theory. As usual, I ignore the instructions. I mean, c’mon. I’m a gaming editor, and this is a simple charging station. How hard could it be?
Source: Philipp Rüegg
The charging station has one port, located on the back. I connect the included power supply, then try to dock the two VR controllers. Due to their unusual shape, I’m not entirely sure where the front, back, top and bottom are. I end up having to fumble around with them. Logically, the charging port of the controller has to make contact with its counterpart on the dock. But getting the controllers in the correct position proves to be a minutes-long undertaking.
Once I finally get the PS VR2 controllers properly onto the station, the next problem arises: shouldn’t they light up when charging? They do seem to be sitting a bit loosely ...
Source: Philipp Rüegg
RTFM, eh? Feeling resigned, I open up the instructions. In the process, I stumble across two adapters in the box. Naturally, it turns out the USB-C ports on the VR controllers don’t fit the charging station. First, I have to plug the two adapters into each controller’s USB-C port. They kind of look like wireless USB dongles. Et voilà – the controllers now magnetically snap onto the dock. Wow. And I call myself a gaming editor ...
Source: Philipp Rüegg
Now the controllers light up and are charging (side note: the standard DualSense isn’t compatible with the dock). Charging takes 1.5 hours, which is the same as via USB cable. The dock looks really fancy with the controllers. It fits perfectly with the PS5. If my kids weren’t constantly absconding with the controllers, I’d leave the station on top of the TV cabinet instead of hiding it inside.
Fire hazard?
There are some reports circulating on the web that the charging station burnt people’s controllers, but I haven’t come across too many. This doesn’t seem to be a general problem. Sony didn’t want to comment on this when asked. Admittedly, I feel a tad uneasy about stowing the dock in my wooden TV cabinet. But hey, so far my living room hasn’t burnt down. 🤞
Source: Philipp Rüegg
Ideal buddy for the PS VR2
I don’t have a charging station for my dual-sense controller yet. But with two VR controllers added to the mix, there are frankly too many cables for me to deal with. Sony’s charging station solves this problem. It’s a shame I can’t charge the regular controller with it, too.
The VR controllers attach relatively easily once you’ve figured out how to position them – and once you’ve plugged in the adapters. To top it all off, the dock looks real chic. Its price tag of around 50 francs / euros is also alright. Long story short: if you’re on the hunt for a suitable charging station for the PS VR2, you can feel good about grabbing this one.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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