Maximising performance often comes at the expense of battery longevity. Battery-saving modes limit your computer’s performance, but the trade-off ensures your laptop battery lasts longer. Remember, whether inbuilt or removable, your laptop battery has a finite number of recharge cycles—usually 500 or more. With each cycle, the battery’s capacity diminishes slightly. To make your battery last as long as your laptop, you’ll need to adopt some good habits, as high-performance modes can accelerate battery wear. Follow these tips to keep your battery in top condition.

1. Keep It Plugged In When Running High-Power Applications

Some suggest unplugging your laptop as soon as it reaches a full charge. However, with most modern laptops and lithium-ion batteries, this is unnecessary. They automatically stop charging when full, allowing you to enjoy full performance while plugged in without overcharging the battery. Gaming laptops and those used for heavy-duty applications or extended browsing sessions should remain plugged in during intense use. Doing so reduces strain on the battery, minimising the number of recharge cycles required.

2. Choose a Less Power-Hungry Browser

Microsoft Edge is advertised as a power-efficient browser, helping extend battery life by up to 35–50%. Browsers like Google Chrome, while popular, are resource-heavy, often syncing emails and running numerous background processes. Consider using a lightweight browser like Edge or another alternative when operating on battery power to minimise energy consumption.

3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Batteries are highly sensitive to temperature. Overheating or using your laptop in freezing conditions can significantly impact battery health. Always keep your laptop in a temperature-controlled environment. Avoid direct sunlight, leaving it in a hot car, or placing it near heat sources. Similarly, ensure it’s not exposed to excessively cold environments.

4. Cool Down an Overheated Laptop

Batteries charge more efficiently at cooler temperatures. If your laptop or battery overheats, it may stop charging until it cools. Overheating often indicates poor ventilation. Turn off your laptop and let it cool before resuming use. Avoid placing the laptop directly on your lap or other surfaces that restrict airflow, as this exacerbates overheating.

5. Disconnect Unnecessary Devices

External devices like USB drives, webcams, and other peripherals draw power even when idle, accelerating battery discharge. Unplug any devices you’re not actively using to conserve energy and extend the time between recharge cycles.

6. Store Your Laptop With a Partial Charge

When storing your laptop for extended periods, avoid leaving the battery completely drained. Modern laptops typically enter hibernation at around 10% charge, but a fully discharged battery risks permanent damage during storage. Ensure your laptop has at least 50% charge before storing it to maintain battery health.

7. Recharge Before Your Battery Drains Completely

Research suggests laptops last longer when charged before the battery drops below 20%. Keeping the charge between 20% and 80% reduces strain on the battery and optimises its lifespan by minimising recharge cycles.

8. Upgrade Your RAM

A larger RAM allows your laptop to perform tasks more efficiently without relying heavily on the hard drive. This reduces energy consumption and improves overall battery life. If your laptop supports it, upgrading your RAM is a worthwhile investment.

9. Reduce Screen Brightness

High brightness settings consume significant power. Reduce your screen brightness manually or enable battery saver mode to optimise energy use. Additionally, switching to dark mode or darker themes can help conserve power while improving battery life.

10. Use Battery Saver Settings

Modern operating systems like Windows and macOS offer built-in battery-saving settings. Access these from the taskbar or system preferences to prioritise battery life over performance. Adjust idle times for sleep and hibernation to ensure your laptop conserves power when not in use.

By implementing these tips, you can extend the lifespan of your laptop battery and reduce the cost of replacements. Do you have any other strategies for conserving battery life? Let us know in the comments below!