First, it’s important to recognize that batteries are consumables and have a limited number of charge cycles. So the important thing is not to find the perfect solution, but to understand the best charging strategies for your device. 24 Channels it will tell you what to watch out for and give simple tips to help extend the life of your laptop battery.

What not to worry about

The myth that a laptop battery can be recharged is permanent, and you may have heard of it. However, most laptops have built-in overcharge protection, and connecting the original charger or a quality replacement product to the network will not damage the battery.

Benefit from smart charging

Many modern laptops have smart charging functions designed to conserve and extend the life of the battery. For example, MacBooks have a feature called Battery Health Management, while Windows 11 laptops have a feature called Smart Charging. Additionally, many laptop manufacturers offer proprietary battery management tools that allow you to configure similar battery management policies.

Remove the battery to avoid overheating

Excessive heat is one of the clear threats to battery life. If you have a laptop with a removable battery, it’s a good idea to remove the battery when you use the laptop instead of a desktop PC. If your laptop doesn’t have a removable battery, you can use it to help dissipate heat and charge it on a laptop stand.

Discharge cycles can help “calibrate” the battery

Periodically performing a full charge cycle of the laptop can help calibrate the battery and extend its life. This includes discharging the battery to zero and then charging it to 100% in one go.

Will it damage the laptop if it is plugged in all the time?

At this point, you may be wondering what exactly you should do with your laptop: leave it plugged in, plug it in only to charge, or check the battery percentage etc. Balance the two options carefully.

Unfortunately, there are no clear recommendations in this regard. Many laptop manufacturers don’t give a clear answer on this (or at all). Apple used to recommend not leaving the MacBook plugged in at all times, but the battery advice pages no longer include that advice.

In essence, charging the battery increases its wear and tear, which is impossible to avoid, and partial charging significantly extends the life of the battery. In general, manufacturers recommend charging the battery as infrequently as possible. This is technically sound advice, but somewhat impractical in real life.

So what to do?

We recommend that you evaluate your usage scenarios and act accordingly. If you use a laptop for work and it is constantly on your desk, it is better to monitor its charge and work only from the battery, and while it is discharged, connect the device to the network until it is 100% charged.

Technology “loves” maintenance, so if you take care of your laptop, it will last longer, but you should understand that sooner or later you will have to go to the service center to replace the battery.

In conclusion, while it’s good to do things that prolong battery life like using smart charging features, removing the battery to prevent overheating, and performing periodic full charge cycles, we encourage everyone to use their laptop as they see fit. Because battery technology and the hardware that powers it have evolved over the years, it’s unlikely that your battery will become a noticeable problem before you replace your laptop.