How to Maximize Your Laptop’s Battery Life

We all know the feeling – you’re in the middle of an important project, and your laptop battery dies. And, of course, you failed to bring your charger with you. Or worse, you’re on a trip, and your adapter doesn’t fit the foreign outlet.

Laptop users are always concerned about battery life – we want to make sure that our device can last through a day of work or even a cross-country flight.

While there are many tricks and tips out there to improve battery life, not all of them are well known. In this post, we’ll share some of the best ways to get more juice out of your laptop. So read on, and start conserving that battery!

How to check your laptop’s battery health

Before we get into the tips for saving battery life, it’s important to know how to check the condition of your battery. Whether it’s brand new or refurbished laptop batteries, you should always have an idea of how strong your battery is.

Windows 10 has a Battery Report feature that will show you detailed information about your laptop battery, including its design capacity, full charge capacity, and current charge level.

To initiate a Battery Report in Windows 10 or Windows 11:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

2. Click on System.

3. Click on Battery.

4. Under Battery usage by app, you’ll see a list of programs and how much battery power they’re using.

If you’re using a Mac, you can verify your battery health by going to the Apple Menu and selecting About This Mac. Then click on the System Report button and select Power in the left sidebar. This will show you your battery’s cycle count and condition.

Tips to maximize your laptop’s battery life

Now that you know how to check your laptop’s battery health, let’s look at some tips to improve its lifespan and performance.

1. Keep your laptop clean

This may seem like a manageable one, but it’s important to keep your laptop clean – both on the outside and the inside. Dust and dirt can pile over time and cause your laptop to overheat, which will shorten its battery life.

To clean your laptop, start by using a can of compressed air to remove any dust from the keyboard and vents. Make certain not to put too much force, as you don’t want to damage the delicate components inside.

You can also wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth – just be sure not to use any harsh chemicals or cleaners.

2. Reduce screen brightness

One of the major factors that drain your laptop battery is the screen. To help conserve power, lower the brightness of your screen. You can usually do this using the Fn key + F2 (or the brightness keys on your laptop).

3. Use power-saving mode

When your laptop’s battery is running low, it’s important to know how to enable power-saving mode. This will help extend your battery life by reducing the amount of power your laptop uses.

To enable power-saving mode on Windows 10, go to the Settings app and click on System. Then click on Battery and select Battery saver. Alternatively, you can hit the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and then type in “battery saver.”

On a Mac, you can enable power-saving mode by going to the Apple Menu and selecting System Preferences. Then click on Energy Saver and enable the battery saver mode.

4. Disable features that you don’t use

There are a lot of features and programs that come pre-installed on your laptop that you may not need or use. Disable these unnecessary programs and features to help conserve battery power.

You should also consider disabling any unnecessary device connectivity, such as Bluetooth or WiFi. If you don’t need to be connected to the internet, there’s no reason to have these wireless turned on.

5. Turn off automatic updates 

Most laptops come with automatic updates enabled by default. While it’s important to keep your laptop up-to-date, these updates can sometimes drain your battery. To help conserve power, turn off automatic updates.

6. Remove the battery when the laptop is not in use 

If you’re not going to be using your laptop for an extended period of time, it’s best to remove the battery. This will help avert the battery from draining and will prolong its lifespan.

To remove the battery from a laptop, first shut down the laptop and unplug it from any power source. Then locate the battery release latch (usually located on the bottom of the laptop) and release it. The battery should then pop out.

7. Store the battery in a dry and cool location  

When you’re not using the battery, it’s important to store it in a cool, dry place. Extreme temperatures can damage the battery and shorten its lifespan.

8. Calibrate your laptop battery 

Over time, your laptop’s battery may become uncalibrated – meaning that the amount of charge it holds doesn’t match the amount of charge it’s supposed to hold. This can happen if you often allow your laptop to run all the way down to 0% or if you frequently charge it to 100%.

To calibrate your battery, first, discharge it completely. Remove your laptop from any power source and use it until it shuts off from a lack of power. Once it’s shut off, plug it in and let it charge until it reaches 100%. Unplug it again once it’s fully charged and use it until it shuts down. Repeat this process once per month to help keep your battery calibrated.

9. Use a laptop cooling pad 

If you put your laptop on your lap or in bed frequently, investing in a laptop cooling pad is a good idea. These devices help to dissipate the heat generated by your laptop, which can help prolong the life of your battery.

Bottom Line

While we have explored some ways that you can get more battery life out of your laptop, it is significant to keep in mind that many factors affect battery life. By following the tips we’ve outlined in this post, you should be able to eke out a bit more juice from your machine and stay productive while on the go. 

Have any other tips for getting better battery life? Let us know in the comments below!