Energizer Xbox 360 Power & Play Charging Station – Review

Energizer, one of the most well known battery companies in the world has recently started powering up game console controllers. But how does Energizer’s unit compare to others on the market?

Hands down, this Energizer model is probably the coolest looking charger I have seen for the 360.  With two tiers, the unit’s stackable design looks great.  Built on a very sturdy platform, your 360 controllers sit on top of each other like branches on a tree.  Even when not charging, it is a great way to display your controller. 

Unfortunately, the biggest flaw with this unit is the complete lack of rechargeable batteries.  Both the Play And Charge Kit from Microsoft and all Nyko Chargers come with a charger and its own rechargeable battery pack.  This means that you have to supply your own rechargeable batteries to use this Energizer unit.  But this begs the question: why should I buy this product if I could just buy a regular rechargeable battery charger? 

You could go to any local store, or even a gas station, and probably find some type of AA rechargeable battery set, complete with four rechargeable batteries, on the shelf for somewhere around $30.  This Energizer unit alone retails for around $30, but does not include any rechargeable batteries.  The only factor that this unit has over any other basic AA rechargeable battery pack on the market is that it displays your 360 controllers in a neat fashion. 

What is even stranger is that the unit does not even come with any instructions; the only indication on how to use the product is inferred by looking at the single image on the packaging.  The box also states in fine print “rechargeable battery required for use – not included.  Designed to be used only with Microsoft Xbox 360 Battery packs.”  This means that Energizer does not even want the user to charge Energizer batteries in their own charger.  WTF!?

Considering that you most likely would purchase a Microsoft battery pack from the Play And Charge Kit anyway, why would anyone buy this product?  The only two reasons I could come up with is that the unit looks nice for display purposes and you want to charge your batteries from a wall outlet as opposed to the USB cable plugged into your 360 system.  However, for about $20–$10 less–you can purchase a Microsoft Play and Charge Kit, which comes with one battery and one cord to charge while you play, something that you cannot do with this Energizer unit. 

Unfortunately, I do not recommend the purchase of this unit at all.  It just doesn’t make any sense.  The user has to buy a Microsoft rechargeable battery pack anyway.  For $30, you are way better off purchasing the Nyko Charge Base – it comes with two rechargeable battery packs, the charging dock, and still looks pretty cool.   

Positives:

          Great way to display your controllers

          Do not have to remove battery pack to charge

          Bright and easy to read indicator lights

          Comes in paper/cardboard packaging, not that hard to open plastic stuff

          Runs on AC power adapter instead of USB so you can charge from any wall outlet instead of turning on your console

Negatives:

          Does not come with rechargeable batteries

          Can only use Microsoft Battery packs (cannot even use Energize rechargeables)

          High price point

          Cannot play while charging

          No instructions

          Need to purchase rechargeable batteries separately

          Better off just buying a typical AA rechargeable battery pack set

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