You’re settled in at your favorite coffee shop, finally making progress on that big project, when you see it—the dreaded low battery warning. It’s a moment of panic we’ve all experienced, and it makes you wonder: how long should a laptop battery actually last before it needs to be replaced?
While you might hope for a simple number of years, the answer is a bit more nuanced. A laptop battery’s lifespan is measured in two ways: its lifespan per charge and its overall lifespan before it won’t hold a charge effectively anymore. Let’s look at what you can reasonably expect.
What to Expect from a Single Charge
For a new laptop, a single charge should typically get you through a standard workday of light to moderate use. This generally translates to between 6 and 10 hours of screen-on time for tasks like web browsing, writing documents, or streaming video. High-performance tasks like gaming or video editing will drain the battery much faster, sometimes in just an hour or two.
How Many Years Will Your Battery Last?
Over time, all lithium-ion batteries degrade. A good rule of thumb is that after about 300 to 500 full charge cycles, your battery’s capacity will have reduced to roughly 80% of its original capacity. For most people, this translates to two to four years of typical use before you notice a significant drop in how long it lasts on a single charge.
Simple Habits to Extend Your Battery’s Life
You can’t stop battery aging, but you can certainly slow it down. One of the best things you can do is avoid constantly keeping your laptop plugged in at 100%. If you primarily use it as a desktop replacement, consider using manufacturer-provided software to limit the maximum charge to around 80%. Also, extreme heat is a battery’s enemy, so try to keep your laptop from overheating.
When It’s Time for a New Battery
You’ll know it’s time for a replacement when your laptop can’t hold a charge for more than an hour or two, even when you’re just doing simple tasks. The battery might also swell, or your computer might unexpectedly shut down even when it reports having charge left.
While a laptop battery won’t last forever, understanding its typical lifespan and adopting a few good habits can help you get the most out of it for years to come, keeping those low-battery warnings at bay.
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