Use a more efficient power setting
Most laptops include built-in power modes that control how the system uses energy. Higher performance settings keep the processor running at higher speeds and allow more background activity, which uses more power.
Switching to a more efficient mode reduces that load. It may slightly limit performance, but for everyday tasks like browsing, writing or streaming, the difference is usually minimal while the battery savings are noticeable.
Lower your screen brightness
The display is one of the largest sources of power use. Running it at full brightness can significantly reduce battery life.
Set brightness to a level that is comfortable but not excessive. If your laptop includes adaptive brightness, enabling it can help keep usage lower without constant manual adjustment.
Manage background activity
Many apps continue running even when you're not actively using them. These can include cloud storage services, messaging apps, update services and browser tabs.
Close apps you don't need, reduce the number of browser tabs open, and review which programs are allowed to start automatically. This reduces ongoing CPU and network activity, which in turn reduces battery use.
Be aware of browser usage
Web browsers are often one of the biggest battery drains, especially with multiple tabs, extensions or media-heavy sites.
Streaming video, running web apps, or leaving many tabs open increases processor and memory use. Using fewer tabs, removing unnecessary extensions and avoiding constant video playback when on battery can make a noticeable difference.
Turn off wireless features when not in use
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth regularly search for and maintain connections, which uses power. If you're working offline or don't need connected devices, switching these off reduces background activity and saves battery usage.
Disconnect unused accessories
External devices - including USB drives, external hard drives, dongles and even some wireless receivers - draw power from your laptop. Removing them when they're not in use reduces this constant drain.
Reduce visual effects
Visual features such as animations, transitions and transparency effects use system resources. Reducing or disabling these features lowers the workload on your system, which can slightly improve battery life, particularly on older devices.
Adjust sync and update behaviour
Frequent syncing of email, cloud storage and other services increases network and processor activity. Extending sync intervals or limiting which apps update in the background can reduce this constant demand. Similarly, allowing large updates to run while plugged in rather than on battery avoids unnecessary drain.
Monitor battery usage
Most laptops include built-in tools that show battery usage by app or process. Checking this occasionally helps identify which programs are using the most power, making it easier to decide what to close, limit or uninstall.
Charge habits and battery lifespan
Battery health is affected by how it's charged over time. Keeping a battery at 100% for long periods, or regularly draining it to 0%, can increase wear. Many laptops now include a built-in battery health setting - often found in power settings or the manufacturer's software - that automatically stops charging before the battery reaches full.
Enabling this is one of the most effective things you can do for long-term battery health and removes the need to monitor charge levels manually. If your laptop doesn't include this feature, avoiding frequent full charges and deep discharges will help extend battery life over time.
Use the correct charger
Use the supplied charger or a reputable compatible charger that meets the manufacturer's specifications.
Chargers that don't meet these specifications can lead to slow charging, overheating, or long-term battery damage. Inconsistent power delivery can also affect system performance while charging. Low-quality or unverified chargers may lack proper safety protections, increasing the risk of electrical faults.
Keep your laptop cool
Heat increases battery drain and accelerates wear over time. Make sure ventilation openings are not blocked, and use your laptop on a hard, flat surface so air can circulate properly. Dust buildup inside vents and fans can also trap heat, so occasional cleaning helps maintain proper airflow.
Use sleep and shutdown appropriately
Leaving a laptop running continuously increases background activity and power use. Sleep mode is useful for short breaks, but if you won't be using the device for several hours, shutting it down reduces unnecessary drain and heat.
Keep software up to date
System and driver updates often include improvements to power management and efficiency. Running outdated software can lead to unnecessary background activity or poor hardware optimisation, both of which affect battery life.
