this post was submitted on 27 Apr 2026
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Steam Hardware
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Theyre pairing with ifixit, so you'll be able to replace it.
Also, on the flipside, I'm upset the Frame controllers will use AA batteries because you won't be able to recharge them and will have to fuck with AA batteries, lol
There are rechargeable AA batteries. I prefer this over built-in batteries because I can swap the batteries out immediately instead of waiting for the controller to charge. It is also cheaper and easier to replace the batteries when they eventually begin to wear out.
What kind of rechargeable AA batteries do you use? I've tried a lot over the years for wiimotes/other controllers, but the battery life is kinda terrible.
The new steam controller is supposed to have 35 hours of battery life, I seem to remember my rechargeable AA powered controllers only getting like 2-4 hours per charge. They might have gotten 4-6 hours when they were new, but it wasn't much better. Seems like even if the steam controller battery deteriorates to 50% capacity (17.5 hours) that would still be far better than my results with rechargeable AA batteries.
I use Eneloop batteries. They are widely regarded as the best quality and I have never had a problem with any of them.
The only controller I have that uses AA batteries is an Xbox controller. I am a fairly light gamer, so I have never measured how many hours they last, but I have no complaints about battery life. I often get more than a month of use before needing to charge them, so I would easily guess at least 10-20 hours of battery life.
I did some reading on it after posting my comment, it sounds like there's been a pretty major improvement in rechargeable AA batteries in the last 10 years. Capacity has improved by 70+%, and much less power is lost during standby. So it's probably worth trying again, I had just been avoiding them due to how poor the performance was back then.
I also use eneloops and the same eneloops I used since I got my Steam Controller back in 2015 and would also use on my 360 controller still go about a month before needing a charge.