Tips to Extend the Life of your Gadget’s Batteries

Your mobile phones, tablets and laptops have rechargable Lithim Ion batteries that lose capacity as they age but with good care, the batteries may last for 2 to 3 years or even longer. What can you do to increase the overall lifespan of your gadget's battery? Should you keep your mobile devices charged or wait for the charge to drop to 0% before charging them again?

I recently scanned the websites of consumer electronics companies, including HP, Asus, Apple, Dell and also Battery University – for their recommendations on how to maximize the battery life and here's a quick summary of what I learned:

1. Avoid deep discharge meaning you should not continue using the device until the battery drains down to 10% or below. The optimal charge level for Li-Ion batteries is suggested between 40% and 70% and, if possible, charge your device in short bursts multiple times a day.

2. If you are not planning to use a gadget for long periods, like more than a month, charge them to around 50% before storing. If the device is fully charged, discharge to the half-way mark, power-down the device and store in a cool dry place.

3. ...read more