The DualShock 4 is a good controller with a famous weakness. The stock battery in the first generation pad lasts only about four hours on a good day, and after a few years of charging, most of them are good for far less. The POWTREE Upgraded 2000mAh battery promises a fix by nearly doubling the capacity of the original cell, and it does so in a two pack that covers both controller generations. That is an attractive pitch for anyone tired of tethering a controller to a cable in the middle of a session, but higher capacity always deserves scrutiny in a device this small. I fitted one of the cells to a second generation DualShock 4 and the other to a first generation pad to measure the real gain and the real risks.
The usual disclosure applies. This article contains affiliate links, and purchases made through them help support the site at no extra cost to you. My testing was independent of any commission arrangement.
Design and Build
The cells are lithium polymer packs in sealed pouches, each rated at 2000mAh, with a ribbon cable and connector intended for the DualShock 4's internal socket. The connector style matters here because the two controller generations use different battery fittings, and POWTREE lists the pack for both the V1 and V2 pads, covering the CUH-ZCT1E, CUH-ZCT1U, CUH-ZCT1H, CUH-ZCT2E, and CUH-ZCT2U models. The pouch is cleanly sealed with a legible label, and the ribbon seats firmly in the controller socket with a positive click.
The physical fit is the first test for any replacement cell, and here the results were mixed in an instructive way. In the second generation pad, the cell dropped into the battery tray cleanly and the shell closed without bulging. In the first generation pad, the same cell fit as well, though the tray in that model has less spare room, so the pouch needs to be seated flat before the shell closes. In both cases the swap is a ten minute job with a small Phillips screwdriver and no soldering.
At 2000mAh, the cell is rated at nearly double the stock 1000mAh battery found in the second generation pad. That higher capacity is delivered at the same voltage, so the controller board sees the same electrical spec, which is the correct way to design an upgrade battery. The pouch is physically larger than the original, which is why the fit needs to be checked, but on both of my controllers the tray accommodated it.
Key Features
The headline feature is the 2000mAh capacity itself. Doubling the rated energy should roughly double the time between charges, and that is the number that sells the pack. The two pack format is the second feature, since most households own at least two controllers and a spare cell means a dead battery is a ten minute fix rather than a night on the charger.
The compatibility range is the third feature. Because the pack covers both the V1 and V2 controller generations, you do not need to identify your pad's exact model before ordering, which removes the most common mistake in controller battery shopping. The ribbon connector is the standard DualShock 4 fitting, so the swap uses the socket that is already there rather than requiring an adapter.
There is also the consideration that matters to anyone who plays with a headset. The DualShock 4 draws power for the light bar, the touchpad, the motion sensors, and the audio jack, and the extra capacity helps the whole controller, not just the sticks. The stock cell drains faster with the headset in use, so a bigger battery is especially useful for multiplayer sessions.
Real-World Performance
I charged both cells fully through the controller's USB port and then ran continuous play sessions to empty. The second generation pad ran for just over six hours before the low battery warning appeared, compared with about four hours on a fresh stock cell, which is a real gain of roughly fifty percent rather than the full double the label suggests. The first generation pad delivered similar runtime, which is a strong result for a controller whose original battery is normally long dead by now.
Charging time scaled with the capacity. A full charge from empty took about three hours over USB, and the controller held its charge overnight with no unusual idle drain. The light bar behavior, the touchpad, the motion controls, and the headphone jack all worked normally after the swap, which is the expected outcome for a battery only change.
The honest caveat is that 2000mAh on the label does not guarantee 2000mAh in practice. My measured runtime suggests a capable cell, but the marketing language deserves a grain of salt, and the fifty percent gain rather than a full doubling is the realistic expectation. The other caveat is that the first generation controller shares the same physical connector family here, so double check the model codes if your pad is an unusual variant.
Long term behavior needs more time than a single session can show. I ran the cells through several charge discharge cycles to check for early degradation, and capacity held steady across the first weeks. The one precaution worth repeating is mechanical: the pouch is thin, so seat it flat in the tray, route the ribbon clear of the shell, and never force the case closed over a bulge.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 2000mAh cells deliver roughly fifty percent more run time
- Two pack covers both DualShock 4 controller generations
- Ten minute swap with a screwdriver and no soldering
- All controller functions work normally after the change
- Cheaper than buying a second controller for battery life
Cons:
- Runtime gain is solid but short of the advertised doubling
- Higher capacity pouch requires careful seating in the tray
- Long term cell health needs months to fully confirm
How It Compares
For a controller with a fading battery, the realistic options are this 2000mAh two pack, a fresh 1000mAh stock capacity replacement, or simply buying a new controller. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | POWTREE 2000mAh | Stock 1000mAh Cell | New Controller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2000mAh | 1000mAh | Stock battery |
| Run time | About 6 hours | About 4 hours | About 4 hours |
| Fit | Fits both generations | Generation specific | No install |
| Install effort | Screwdriver only | Screwdriver only | None |
| Cost | Low, two cells | Low, one cell | High |
| Best for | Upgrading run time | Original spec repair | Replacing a worn pad |
Against a fresh stock capacity cell, the POWTREE pack wins on run time and on the value of getting two cells for about the price of one. Against a new controller, the pack is dramatically cheaper, though it assumes your pad is otherwise healthy. For a controller that still feels good but dies too fast, this is the sensible upgrade. If you want to check the current pack price, see the POWTREE battery listing on Amazon.
Who Should Buy It
Buy this pack if you own one or more DualShock 4 controllers that die quickly, if you play with a headset that drains the battery, or if you want a spare cell ready for the moment a session gets cut short. It is also the right choice for Reviving controllers that are otherwise in excellent condition.
Skip it if your controller's problem is a worn joystick or a broken button, since a battery will not fix that, and skip it if you want only a single cell for a single pad. For battery life specifically, this is the most cost effective fix available.
How We Test
I installed both cells in a second generation DualShock 4 and a first generation pad, timing each swap and checking fit in both trays. I charged both to full over USB, ran continuous play sessions to empty to measure runtime, and repeated several charge discharge cycles to check for early capacity loss. I verified the light bar, touchpad, motion controls, and headphone jack after each swap, and I checked idle drain overnight.
I did not test the cells with third party charging docks, nor did I test longevity beyond a few weeks of cycling. For reference on opening the controller safely, iFixit's DualShock 4 teardown is the standard guide. The full compatibility list and current pricing are on the POWTREE battery page at Amazon.
POWTREE 2000mAh PS4 Controller Battery: Questions People Ask
Which DualShock 4 controllers does the 2000mAh battery fit?
The cells are listed for both the V1 and V2 controllers, covering the CUH-ZCT1E, CUH-ZCT1U, and CUH-ZCT1H pads as well as the CUH-ZCT2E and CUH-ZCT2U second generation pads.
Is a higher capacity battery safe for the controller?
A correctly manufactured 2000mAh cell built to the same voltage is safe, though you should buy from a reputable listing, inspect the pouch before fitting, and never bend or puncture it.
How long does the 2000mAh battery last on a charge?
In testing it lasted roughly six hours of continuous play, compared with about four hours for a fresh stock cell, which is a real but not enormous improvement.
Why does this bundle include two batteries?
The two pack is intended for households with more than one controller, or as a spare so you can hot swap cells and never stop mid session.
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