How to Make a Laptop Battery Last Longer

On this page (9 sections)

1. How can you make a laptop battery last longer right now?
2. Which laptop settings help make a battery last longer?
3. Does screen brightness affect laptop battery life?
4. How can you reduce power use while working?
5. Does keeping a laptop cool help its battery?
6. How should you charge and care for the battery?
7. What should you do if the battery drains faster than before?
8. How do you choose a laptop that can make a battery last longer?
9. Which changes are worth making first?

To make a laptop battery last longer, dim the screen, use battery saver, and close apps and connections you don't need. These steps can help whether you need a little more time for a commute or a full day away from an outlet.

Start with settings that are easy to change and don't disrupt your work. Then check which apps and habits use the most power before buying accessories or replacing the laptop.

How can you make a laptop battery last longer right now?

Lower the screen brightness and turn on your laptop's power-saving mode. These quick changes reduce power use while leaving your main tasks available.

Close extra browser tabs and apps, especially those running video, games, or video calls. Those activities can use more power than reading or writing in a document.

Turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when you don't need them. If you need Wi-Fi to work, keep it on and adjust other settings instead.

Which laptop settings help make a battery last longer?

Use battery saver or low power mode, and set the display to turn off sooner. The names and choices depend on your computer and operating system.

On Windows, open Settings and look for Power & battery. You can adjust power mode, battery saver, and when the display turns off.

On a Mac, open System Settings and look for Battery. Apple's Mac battery settings guide has current steps for different versions.

Chromebooks have their own battery and power settings. Google's Chromebook help center can help you find the options for your version.

When setting up a new computer, our guide to setting up a new laptop covers other useful first steps.

How do you find apps using the most battery?

Check your laptop's battery or activity tools for apps with high energy use. Close an app if it isn't needed, or reduce the work it is doing.

A video call or game can draw more power than an idle document. Don't close system processes or unfamiliar services just because they appear in a list; look up their purpose first.

Does screen brightness affect laptop battery life?

Yes, a brighter display can use more power, so lower it to a comfortable level. You can also shorten the time before the screen turns off when you're away.

Automatic brightness can help if your laptop supports it. In a bright room or outdoors, keep text easy to read instead of dimming the screen too far.

If the battery still drains quickly, look at demanding apps, weak wireless signal, and battery health. Brightness is one factor, so it may not explain a sudden change by itself.

How can you reduce power use while working?

Keep only the apps and connections you need open. Pausing background activity can save power without changing the laptop or its battery.

During a long stretch away from a charger, try these adjustments:

• Use a local copy of a document when you don't need to sync or browse.
• Pause large downloads and file backups until you're plugged in.
• Turn off keyboard backlighting if your laptop has a control for it.
• Disconnect USB accessories you aren't using.
• Save games and video editing for times when you can connect to power.

Make one or two changes at a time, then see whether they fit your routine. If your work requires a video call or large upload, prioritize the task over saving a small amount of charge.

Does keeping a laptop cool help its battery?

Good airflow can help prevent a laptop from running hot. Use it on a hard, flat surface, keep vents clear, and avoid direct sun or a hot car.

Blankets and cushions can block vents. Don't cover a laptop while it's running, and move it to a cooler, ventilated place if it becomes unusually warm.

A cooling pad may suit you if the laptop often runs hot on a desk or you want an adjustable stand for long sessions. The Kootek model has 5 fans, 6 height settings, and fits laptops from 12 to 17 inches.

Skip it if your computer stays cool, you work on your lap, or you want a battery-powered accessory, since the pad needs a USB connection.

Connect the pad's USB cable to a 5V 1A adapter for best performance. Its fan and blue LED controls work together, so the lights can't be turned off while the fans run.

How should you charge and care for the battery?

Follow your laptop maker's charging guidance and enable optimized charging or a charge limit if your model offers one. These options vary by computer, so check the system settings or support guide.

Some laptops let you limit the charge level when the computer stays plugged in. Others manage charging automatically.

Keep the laptop cool while charging, since heat can affect battery health.

Avoid common charging mistakes: don't rely on one rule for every laptop, use an appropriate charger, and don't leave a computer in a hot place while it charges. If you notice a battery warning, swelling, or unexpected shutdowns, contact the computer maker's support team.

A surge protector won't extend battery runtime, but it can organize a desk where the laptop and other devices need power. The Anker power strip has 8 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, 1 USB-C port, and 2000J surge protection.

Choose it for a fixed desk setup, and skip it if you need a portable charger or longer battery life away from outlets.

What should you do if the battery drains faster than before?

Check battery health and compare today's workload with your usual tasks. A demanding app, weak wireless signal, or aging battery can shorten runtime.

If the drain started suddenly, restart the computer and install available system updates. Look for battery warnings, unexpected shutdowns, or swelling, and contact the maker's support team if you see them.

When shopping for a replacement, compare the stated battery life with your screen size, processor, and everyday apps. Our guide to what to look for when buying a laptop explains the specs that matter for your routine.

How do you choose a laptop that can make a battery last longer?

Choose a laptop with a battery estimate that fits your day, plus the screen and performance you need. Treat the estimate as a guide because workload and settings affect actual runtime.

Apple says the 13-inch MacBook Air with M5 offers up to 18 hours of battery life. It suits students and mobile workers who want a compact laptop for classes or general work, with 16GB unified memory and 512GB storage.

Skip it if you need a different operating system, a larger screen, or a computer chosen primarily for features outside this guide.

Compare battery estimates alongside portability, screen space, and app needs. Our guide to choosing a laptop size can help you decide how much display space to carry.

How to make a laptop battery last longer when choosing a new one

Match the battery estimate to your heaviest normal day, not just occasional light use. If you spend hours on video calls or demanding software, leave more room for variation than you would for basic reading and writing.

Think through where you'll use the laptop, how often you can recharge, and whether you can reduce brightness or pause background tasks. A smaller, lighter computer may be easier to carry, while a larger screen can suit work that needs more room.

Which changes are worth making first?

Start with screen brightness, battery saver, and background apps to make a laptop battery last longer. These habits are free and easy to adjust, so try them before buying an accessory.

Choose the Kootek cooling pad if heat and desk airflow are concerns. Pick the Anker power strip for a permanent desk with several devices, not for extra runtime.

If you need a new laptop, compare Apple's stated battery estimate with your workload and preferred screen size.

Frequently asked questions

What settings make a laptop battery last longer?

Lower screen brightness, shorten the time before the display turns off, and enable your laptop's battery saver or low power mode. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you don't need them, and close apps that are using a lot of power.

Menu names vary by computer and operating system.

Should I leave my laptop plugged in all the time?

Follow your laptop maker's charging guidance and use an optimized charging option or battery charge limit if your model offers one. Heat can affect battery health, so keep the laptop in a cool, ventilated spot while charging.

Charging features and guidance vary by model.

Does a cooling pad make a laptop battery last longer?

A cooling pad can move air around a laptop, but it doesn't add battery capacity or guarantee longer runtime. First check whether a blocked vent, heavy workload, or warm room is making the laptop hot.

Use a cooling stand only if it fits your computer and setup.

Does screen brightness affect laptop battery life?

Yes. The display uses power, so lowering brightness to a comfortable level can reduce battery use.

You can also set the screen to turn off sooner when you're away.

Keep text readable in bright rooms or outdoors rather than dimming the screen too far.