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There’s nothing more frustrating than running out of power at the worst possible time. But how long do laptop batteries last, in terms of their overall lifespan? How many years does a laptop battery last on average, and how much does it cost to replace a laptop battery when that time comes?
As you’d expect, there are many factors that play a role in determining average laptop battery life. In terms of battery cycle count – as in how many times a laptop’s battery can be charged – there are enormous differences between one product and user to the next. Also, to be able to replace it or upgrade it, read our ‘What is my laptop model and number?‘ to learn how.
Learning how to check laptop battery health is the first step towards maximizing laptop battery life, ensuring you get the best possible value for money out of your machine. First and foremost, you should learn how to keep laptop cooler. We also answer the question, ”How long do laptops last?”
How Long Do Laptop Batteries Last?
There are three primary factors that come together to determine how long a laptop battery will last for, and when it needs to be replaced:
1. The quality of the machine and the battery
2. The types of tasks you use your laptop for
3. The extent to which you care for your laptop and your battery
If you’re constantly asking “why does my laptop battery die so fast?”, it could be attributed to either the health of your battery or the way you are using it. This issue is also related to “How long should a laptop last?“. By switching your usage habits around just a little, you could significantly extend both the battery life of your laptop and the lifespan of your battery.
Average Laptop Battery Lifespan
It’s often said that the average laptop battery lifespan is 18 to 24 months. What this means is that as you approach the two-year mark, you are likely to notice a difference in how long the battery lasts. It will continue to work for much longer than this, but with a decreased capacity.
That said, it depends largely on the type of machine you pick up in the first place. If you limit yourself to a cheaper machine like laptops under 100 USD, it’s probably going to perform less impressively than a higher-spec machine. The quality of the machine and the battery itself will largely determine its lifespan, which for a quality laptop will usually be in the region of 1,000 charging cycles.
Battery Use
How do I stop my laptop battery from draining so fast? First and foremost, you’ll want to put a stop to certain bad habits. For example, leaving Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity active when you aren’t using it can put a massive strain on your battery. As can having your screen too bright, or running your machine in ‘high performance’ mode when it isn’t necessary. Sometimes, you don’t have to run on high settings, like with laptops for blogging.
Shutting down background programs instead of leaving them running in the background when you aren’t using them can also help. As can turning down the volume of your laptop’s speakers and avoiding using it where it’s too hot, where its cooling system will need to run in overdrive to keep it running.