Windows doesn't treat every controller the same way, so whether you can see a battery percentage at all depends on which controller you're using and sometimes how it's connected. A DualSense and an Xbox controller already behave differently from each other, and a Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Con behaves differently again. This guide covers controller battery check on PC for all four, platform by platform, plus one method that sidesteps the inconsistency entirely.
PS5 DualSense on PC
To check a PS5 controller battery on PC through Windows itself, there's no dedicated battery readout built in. If you want an exact percentage rather than a rough guess, DS4Windows shows it directly: connect the DualSense by USB or Bluetooth, open DS4Windows, and the Controller section displays the exact battery percentage for as long as the app is running.
Steam has also started showing a battery indicator in Big Picture Mode's header for wireless gamepads, added in a recent client update, which is worth checking if you launch games through Steam rather than running a separate tool just to see a number. Our guide on how long a PS5 controller battery actually lasts covers what a healthy runtime looks like once you have that percentage in front of you.
Xbox controller battery level on PC
The Xbox Accessories app, free from the Microsoft Store, is the closest thing to an official tool for this. Pair your controller, open the app, and it shows a battery reading, though it's worth knowing upfront that this reading is a rough low, medium or full rather than an exact percentage. The Xbox Game Bar (Windows key + G) shows the same kind of rough level if you'd rather not install a separate app. Windows' own Settings > Bluetooth & devices page, which does show an exact percentage for things like a Bluetooth mouse, does not extend that same number to Xbox controllers, which is a common source of confusion if you've seen it work for other accessories.
Our guide on why Xbox controller batteries drain fast covers what's actually normal for battery life versus a sign something's wrong, which is often more useful than the exact number anyway.
Switch Pro Controller on PC
This is the controller Windows supports the least. There's no built-in Windows display for its battery level over Bluetooth, and that's a known limitation rather than something you're missing, since the controller's own driver doesn't always report battery data out over a standard Bluetooth connection the way Windows expects. Third-party tools such as BetterJoy can display a battery estimate, but it's been reported to show a low-battery warning even when the controller is actually full, so treat anything it reports as a rough indicator rather than something to rely on exactly.
Joy-Con battery level on PC
Joy-Con face the same gap as the Switch Pro Controller, whether you've paired a single Joy-Con or a left-and-right pair as one controller. Windows has no native readout for either, and the same third-party tools used for the Pro Controller are generally the only way to get an on-screen estimate at all. Our Nintendo Switch controller buying guide covers how Joy-Con and the Pro Controller differ if you're deciding which one to pair with your PC in the first place.
The one check that works for every controller
Since Windows' own tools are inconsistent and third-party apps vary in accuracy, our battery test gives you a straightforward reading for any of these controllers once it's connected to your PC, regardless of whether Windows itself shows you a number. It's the fastest way to confirm a controller is actually low rather than just acting like it, especially for the Switch Pro Controller and Joy-Con, where that's otherwise close to guesswork.
Make the battery last longer
A few habits stretch any of these controllers further between charges, on PC or console.
- Turn down vibration and haptics. Rumble motors and the DualSense's haptic actuators are some of the biggest drains on a controller's battery, so lowering the intensity in-game or in Windows extends playtime noticeably.
- Disconnect rather than leave it idle. A controller left connected but untouched still draws some power. Turning it off between sessions, rather than leaving it paired and idle, adds up over weeks.
- Go wired when you can. Playing over USB instead of Bluetooth means the controller runs off the cable rather than its internal battery, which is the simplest fix if you're mid-session and running low.
- Keep firmware current. Manufacturers occasionally ship power-efficiency improvements in firmware updates, so an outdated controller can perform worse on a charge than the same hardware running current firmware.
What we recommend
DualSense Charging Station. Sony's official dock charges two DualSense controllers at once without using a USB port on your PC or console, so you can land back on a full charge every time you sit down. Check today's price before you buy.
PowerA Play & Charge Kit. Standard Xbox controllers run on AA batteries by default, and this kit replaces them with a rechargeable pack and cable so you're not hunting for fresh batteries mid-session. Our guide to the best rechargeable batteries for Xbox controllers covers how it compares with other options. Check today's price before you buy.