The DualSense is one of the standout features of the PlayStation 5. Its haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, built-in speaker, and microphone make games feel more immersive than ever. That said, there’s one issue many players quickly notice: the battery doesn’t last as long as they’d like. Few things are more frustrating than being pulled out of an intense moment because the controller needs charging again.
The good news is that, with a few smart adjustments, you can noticeably extend the DualSense’s battery life and enjoy longer gaming sessions. This is especially helpful if you only own one controller and don’t have a backup ready to go.
Below are five practical tips to help your DualSense last longer between charges, without sacrificing the overall experience.
5. Turn On Automatic Controller Shutdown
It happens to everyone. You pause the game to grab a drink, use the bathroom, or reply to a quick message—and suddenly 20 minutes have passed. During that time, the controller is still on, with lights, sensors, and internal components quietly draining the battery.
You can prevent this by setting your DualSense to turn itself off after a period of inactivity. For example, if you choose a 10-minute limit, the controller will power down automatically when it hasn’t been used. When you’re ready to play again, just turn it back on and continue where you left off.
This simple setting alone can save a surprising amount of battery over time.
4. Lower the Controller Speaker Volume
Many PS5 games use the DualSense’s built-in speaker for sound effects, radio chatter, or environmental cues. While this adds immersion, high volume levels can drain the battery much faster.
Reducing the controller speaker volume in the console settings helps cut down on power usage while still keeping the feature active. It’s best not to mute it completely, as some games rely on it for important audio feedback. A lower volume strikes a good balance between immersion and efficiency.
3. Keep the Microphone Muted When Not in Use
By default, the DualSense’s microphone is always on—even if you’re playing a single-player game and not chatting with anyone. This constant audio input consumes battery in the background.
Muting the microphone through the PS5 settings (or using the dedicated mute button) helps preserve battery life. It also has the added benefit of slightly improving other features, such as vibration strength, which can be reduced when the mic is active.
Unless you’re actively using voice chat, keeping the microphone muted is an easy win.
2. Keep the Controller Firmware Updated
The DualSense was designed using technology available back in 2020, and games today often push its features much harder. To help manage this, Sony regularly releases firmware updates for the controller.
These updates can improve power efficiency, fix bugs, and ensure better compatibility with newer games. Keeping your DualSense software up to date helps prevent unnecessary battery drain caused by outdated behavior or inefficient feature usage.
Make it a habit to check for updates every now and then—it only takes a moment and can make a real difference.
1. Adjust Lighting, Haptics, and Adaptive Triggers
The DualSense’s light bar, advanced vibration, and adaptive triggers are some of its most impressive features—but they’re also the biggest battery consumers.
You can reduce their intensity through the PS5’s controller settings:
- Lower the brightness of the light bar
- Set haptic feedback to a weaker level
- Change adaptive trigger strength to “Weak”
These adjustments still let you enjoy the features, just without pushing the motors and lights to their limits. The result is longer playtime without fully giving up what makes the DualSense special.
Extra Battery Care Tips
One final but important reminder: avoid charging your DualSense with phone chargers. Using chargers not designed for the controller can overheat internal components or damage the battery over time. Stick to charging through the console or a certified charging dock to keep your controller safe and reliable.
