How annoying is it when your mobile phone needs to be plugged in after just a few hours, your laptop is tethered to a socket as a rule, or your tablet won't even last a whole film? Unfortunately, batteries in electronic devices do not stay good indefinitely. Often the device still works fine otherwise, but it becomes a lot less pleasant to use because the battery is degrading. The good news: you have more influence over the lifespan of a battery than you might think. With these good habits, you can ensure that the battery of your smartphone, laptop or tablet lasts longer.
Why looking after batteries is clever
The battery might not be the first thing you think about when using a mobile phone, laptop or tablet, but it is one of the components that often deteriorates first. And that is a shame, because making new electronics takes a lot of raw materials and energy. Batteries also require materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, the extraction of which is usually damaging to the environment. The longer a device continues to work properly, the less often you need a new one and the fewer crisis moments there are. That is not only better for your heart and the environment, but also for your wallet. Looking after the battery might seem like a small detail, but it is precisely those small habits that can ensure a device lasts for years to come.
Tipoften you can replace a device's battery and then your device is as good as new! This is a great intermediate step before buying a whole new device! Just check at a smartphone repair shop near you (lovely Scrabble word).
Not every battery works the same
Before we dive into the tips, just this: not every battery works the same way. Most modern mobile phones, laptops and tablets nowadays contain a lithium-ion battery. That is a type of battery that lasts relatively long, but is sensitive to things such as frequently charging it fully, letting it drain completely and high temperatures. The tips below are therefore mainly intended for this type of battery and not necessarily for all devices with a battery.
Hoe vervelend als de accu van je tablet, smartphone of laptop net leeg is als je het apparaat nodig hebt. Een handige tip om dit tegen te gaan: je kunt ook via de instellingen zuiniger met je batterij omgaan. Zet bijvoorbeeld de energiebesparingsstand aan en kijk per app welke functies echt nodig zijn. Video’s die automatisch afspelen en foto’s of filmpjes die automatisch worden gedownload, kosten ongemerkt veel energie én data. Door dat uit te zetten, gaat je telefoon langer mee op één laadbeurt. Je hoeft hem dus minder snel opnieuw op te laden. Dat is niet alleen handig onderweg, maar kan er op termijn ook voor zorgen dat je accu langer goed blijft.
How to keep a lithium-ion battery in good condition for longer
Fortunately, you don't need to be a tech expert to keep a lithium-ion battery in good condition for longer. With a few simple habits, you can ensure that batteries degrade less quickly.
It is best not to set the default to 100%
Let’s be honest, we regularly leave our devices plugged in until they’re fully charged. It’s a great feeling, isn’t it, seeing that 100%? It means you can carry on using your phone for a while longer. Every now and then, that’s no problem. But if you want to keep your battery in good condition for as long as possible, try not to charge it to 100% as a matter of course, and definitely don’t leave it plugged in for longer than necessary once it’s already full. For many modern batteries, somewhere between 20% and 80% is the ideal range. Do you have a long day ahead or are you taking your tablet with you on a trip? Then you can make an exception. Handy tip: some devices these days have a smart charging function. For example, you can set it so that the battery only charges up to 80% or only reaches 100% just before you get up.
Don't wait until the battery of your smartphone, laptop or tablet is completely flat
Many people only charge their device when there’s just 5% left or when it’s about to switch itself off. It’s a familiar scenario, but for a lithium-ion battery, doing this frequently isn’t ideal. These batteries usually last longer if you top them up a bit earlier in between charges. A handy rule of thumb: try to plug it in as soon as it reaches around 20%. Don’t panic if your battery runs flat once in a while, but try not to make a habit of it.
Don't let your device get too hot
Heat is perhaps the least well-known battery killer. A mobile phone on a garden table in the full sun, a tablet in a hot car or a laptop resting on a duvet for hours: batteries generally do not appreciate that. You have probably had a notification at some point saying that your phone was overheated. It is a pity that you can no longer WhatsApp and scroll when that happens, but it is not great for your battery either. Temperatures above approximately 35 degrees can cause a lithium-ion battery to degrade more quickly. Therefore, try not to leave your device lying in direct sunlight and make sure that your laptop's cooling fan has enough space to dissipate the heat. By the way, charging is also best done in a place that is not too hot.
When you unplug a plug, for example your charger, from the socket, hold the plug (left photo) and not the cord (right photo). This way your charger will last longer.
Don't forget your charger either
To charge a device, you naturally also need a charger that continues to work properly. A small habit that makes a big difference, according to the experts: when you unplug the charger from the socket, hold the plug (the part that goes into the socket) and do not pull the cord. The same applies to the end that goes into your device: pull the plug there too, rather than the cord. This prevents unnecessary tension on the cable and the formation of a break in the wire. You wouldn't be the first person who, as a result, has to buy a new charger or go knocking on a housemate's or colleague's door for another cable.
Good to know: There is quite a bit of difference in quality between chargers (and then we are mainly talking about the plugs). Some people think that a charger with a lower power rating is automatically more energy-efficient. That does not necessarily have to be the case. If a charger constantly has to work at its maximum capacity, it can actually be less efficient than a heavier, high-quality charger that has more reserve capacity. As a result, a more powerful charger can sometimes even be more energy-efficient and better for your device. Does a charger get very warm while charging? Then that is often a sign that a relatively large amount of energy is being lost as heat. A little warm is normal, but a good charger should not become hot.
With a few small habits, the battery of your smartphone, laptop or tablet will stay in good condition for longer
Fortunately, looking after a battery does not have to be complicated. By being a little more mindful when charging and not letting your device get too hot, you can ensure that the battery in your phone, laptop or tablet degrades less quickly. These are small habits that require little extra effort, but which can ensure that your devices continue to work well for longer. Not only does this prevent a moment of stress when it stops working – trust us: this never happens at a good time – but it is also better for the environment!
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Sources: Consumer Association, Apple, Simyo, International Energy Agency (IEA). Photo credits: main image: left: Vlada Karpovich (Pexels), right: Amar (Pexels), tablet: Mibernaa (Pexels), phone: Julio Lopez (Pexels), plug socket: Kirsten Schoner.
