Our laptops are super expensive, so we want to ensure we get as much use out of them as possible. There is a common misconception out there about how to properly charge your laptop to make the battery life last longer, and we’re here to tell you the truth about how to charge your laptop properly.
Should I let my laptop battery drain before charging it?
One of the most common misconceptions about charging laptops properly is that leaving the charger plugged into your device all the time will do more damage.
This is only partially true. It is perfectly fine to leave your laptop plugged in most of the time and have it charge up to 100%. Most laptops contain either lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries, and lithium-ion batteries do not have a “memory effect.” Therefore, they do not require periodic discharge cycles.
However, keeping your laptop battery at 100% at all times can ultimately reduce its overall lifespan, as the battery may degrade faster when exposed to high voltage for extended periods.
To maximize battery life, it’s recommended to keep the battery level between 20% and 80% and store the battery at a cool temperature when not in use. Leaving it on the charger sometimes will not kill the battery right away, however, you should just be aware of how long you’re leaving it plugged in and give it a rest now and then.
Does the quality of my battery and charger matter?
Absolutely. Buying cheap batteries and power chargers for your laptop will only damage it more quickly. Although it is always nice to save money, think about how much more money you will save in the long run if you spend a little extra on quality batteries and power chargers that won’t drain the life of your laptop and force you to buy a new one.
Typically when you buy a laptop, it will come with a charger that works best with that laptop model. If for some reason, that laptop battery fails, malfunctions or you lose it, it is best for you to go back to the retailer you bought your laptop from (Apple, Best Buy, etc.) and see if you can get a replacement.
If you are traveling and cannot find a safe outlet to plug your device into, you can also purchase a quality portable charger with USB ports so that you can plug in your charger wherever you are. Here are a few options we’ve picked for you:
Jackery Portable Power Station
Credit Jackery
This entry-level portable power station is the perfect travel accessory for camping, road trips, and for having a backup power supply handy. It’s easy to carry (under 7 pounds – even a kid can hold on to it) and fits well in a car, so you can stop using your car’s battery for extra power. Additionally, you can purchase a solar panel separately, which is able to charge your power station using the sun, so you can keep power going through an outdoor trip without ever having to find a wall outlet. At the time of publishing, this product had over 19,000 global ratings with 84% giving the product 5 stars.
Includes:
- 1 AC outlet (110V 200W 400W Peak)
- 2 USB ports (5V, 2.4A)
- 1 DC input
- 1 car output
- Will charge your phone up to 24 times, a tablet 5 times, or a laptop twice
- Supports pass-through charging
Get Jackery Portable Power Station
Omni 20+ Portable Power Station
Credit: Omni
One of the most compact portable chargers, the Omnicharge power solution is a great option for travel to keep your laptop, drone, phone or tablet, and camera charged. It also supports wireless charging, so you can carry fewer cords with you, and it can be recharged in under 3 hours. It can even be recharged by solar power and has an OLED display screen to keep you up to date with how charged the Omicharger and your devices are. This will work with both Macs and PCs. At the time of publishing, this product had over 1,800 global ratings with 74% giving the product 5 stars.
Includes:
- Wireless charging
- 2 USB ports (with buttons)
- 1 AC output
- 1 DC input/output
- 1 USB-C input/output
- Charges a laptop up to once, a phone up to 5 times, a camera up to 5-10 times, and a tablet up to twice
Get Omni 20+ Portable Power Station
Have you had issues with keeping your laptop battery charged? Let us know your experience.
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