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The PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller sticks out among current generation competitors, like the Xbox Series X|S’ wireless controller or the Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller. The others are capable in their own right, but Sony’s offering has a sleek design, adaptive triggers, haptics, and a host of cool things you may not even know it could do. Some avid gamers have even called the DualSense the best gaming controller on the scene. However, like any other product, the DualSense isn’t perfect, and some users may eventually find they’ve put enough wear and tear on it to require either a new internal battery or a complete replacement. For those still mulling over their options before they pull the costly trigger, here’s what to consider between swapping out your DualSense’s battery, or investing in a new controller all together.
Online outlets including Amazon and eBay offer a variety of DualSense battery replacements with prices ranging from $6 to $44 apiece, depending on the battery’s brand, capacity, and durability. In contrast, new PS5 controllers, as of 2026, cost between $74 and $84, if purchased on the official PlayStation website. Retailers like Walmart and Target also offer open-box and refurbished models going for $64.99, and you might even find them cheaper during sales like Black Friday. Still, the glaring price difference, alone, shows replacing your PS5 controller’s battery is almost always a worthwhile alternative to purchasing a new unit. However, one should also consider the labor involved in installing them, the potential risk of battery quality, and the possible frequency of replacement before deciding which option to go for.
DualSense batteries are simple to replace
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If you are looking to remedy your PlayStation 5 controller’s poor battery, manually replacing it is not as involved a process as some may think. Certain YouTubers and other internet users have demonstrated simple procedures for installing new DualSense batteries. In a June 2022 video, the channel What Happens When showed how any PS5 owner may easily replace their controller’s battery. All you need is a small, Phillips-head screwdriver and pry tool to delicately remove its front and back covers, as well as the R1 and L1 buttons–thus exposing the battery. It can then be easily disconnected and replaced with a new one. Accounts from What Happens When and other owners who performed battery replacements indicate it takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete the process.
Once completed, you might want to reconsider how you treat your DualSense when not playing any games. Practices like leaving your PlayStation 5 controller charging overnight could deteriorate its long-term battery health. Some Reddit users have found changing the battery is a simple way to increase a controller’s time between charges and overall lifespan. “Upgraded [my controller] when the OEM ones started lasting only about an hour,” one user wrote. “Now they can easily go 10-12 hours between charges.” Though opting for a brand new DualSense may be warranted in other situations–like if the thumbsticks aren’t working correctly–a battery replacement is well worth the investment for those whose controllers still have life left in them.
