No one wants to be caught in the dreaded low-battery limbo during a crucial meeting or presentation or when you still have an hour of work and only 30 minutes left on your laptop battery.

But with some know-how, you can extend your laptop battery’s lifespan and keep it running optimally for years.

Understanding your battery is key.

Most laptops today rely on lithium-ion batteries with a finite number of charge cycles. A charge cycle equals a full discharge from 0% to 100%, and each cycle diminishes the battery’s capacity.

The golden rule?

Avoid total discharges whenever possible… which means don’t let the battery run out completely. If you need to store your laptop longer than usual, put it away with around 50% charge and if you’re ever in doubt, some battery apps offer real-time insights into your battery’s health.

Customise your battery preferences. For example, hibernation mode is your friend—it kicks in before your battery hits rock bottom. And don’t forget to activate Battery Saver mode, a godsend for preserving power when your battery is running on fumes.

Remember to declutter regularly. Close background apps to save on unnecessary power drains. Toggle off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use and dim screen brightness to conserve energy.

Keep your laptop charged. Contrary to popular belief, keeping it plugged in won’t harm your battery – modern devices are smarter than you think. Just steer clear of extreme temperatures and never let your battery dip below 20% if you can help it.

Lastly, stay on top of software updates. New patches and upgrades can optimise performance and minimise energy consumption, giving your battery a new lease of life,