Even the Energizer Bunny wears down after a while, but there are some steps you can take to extend the life of your laptop battery…

Not all batteries are alike, so it is good to know what you are dealing with. However, all laptop batteries were designed with the capacity for handling somewhere around 500 charging cycles or so; and this doesn’t necessarily mean all the way. Drain your laptop battery halfway down two times and that counts as a complete charging cycle. The idea here is the less you drain your battery, the longer it may last.

Consequently, your settings are important. For example, you can extend your battery life by employing battery economy tactics such as sleep mode during down time and battery saver mode. Dark mode can even save energy, prolonging the life of your battery. Quitting any battery depleting apps which are constantly running in the background can also help.

Try to keep your laptop battery charged at all times. Having to charge up after running your battery completely down to zero can take its toll. Leave your laptop plugged in whenever you’re not on the go, further reducing your number of battery discharges, and try to remember to charge your battery at least part way before you stow your laptop.

I know we live in Florida, but try to keep your laptop cool. Extreme heat can wear down and even permanently damage the inner workings of your laptop battery. Freezing temps aren’t the best either. Laptops also need adequate ventilation so they don’t overheat. So, avoid putting them on places like your bed comforter or your lap.

You can also download apps, such as Battery Care for Windows and Battery Monitor for Mac, to keep track of your laptop battery health. Plus, it is always a good idea (not just for your battery!) to keep your operating system up to date.