I have an 8bitdo that sits in a cradle and turns on automatically when you pick it up. Never having to worry about batteries is so nice I would never have it any other way.

All my Xbox360 controllers still work fine, but none of my PS3' Dualshock 3s.

The Steam Controller battery is user replaceable. It's not AA "pop it out and throw a new one in from the charger" like a Logitech F710, but you can open the back cover and replace the battery.

My main concern about that is that using AA and AAA form factors promotes the use of disposable dry cell batteries, even if nickel or lithium cells are just as widely available. And, realistically, not even the closest Li-ion form factor is fully compatible with AA, and Ni-MH sucks balls.

The controller is also filled to the gills with hardware. Doesn't look like there's enough volume left for AA or AAA receptacles without giving it an underbelly to rival the Xbox Duke.

Why not all 3 options, sell a controller with a removable, rechargable battery pack & able to play with a cable in while charging, and if you remove it it leaves room for batteries instead.

I bought a ~~Dualshock~~ Dualsense because of the trackpad, didn't realize it didn't have replaceable batteries.
Battery life is bad and it really annoys me.
I think I'll try again to fix the stick drift on my Xbox controller...

Gross, no thank you.

18650 would be cool though.