How Long Do Chromebook Batteries Typically Last? (Answered!)

Chromebooks have always been marketed as some of the most durable, long-lasting devices on the market, with some sources highlighting the fact that they possess military-grade features. However, how long can you reasonably expect Chromebook to serve you without a significant decrease in performance? For example, how long do their batteries last?

Average Lifespan of Chromebook Batteries

Chromebook batteries typically last three to five years. However, this timeframe is subject to change depending on how well you take care of your device, so we’ll review some maintenance tips in a moment.

Remember that when we talk about a 3-5-year lifespan, we’re talking about how long you can expect the device to operate optimally.

For the average user, the Chromebook’s battery will operate at 80% efficiency after the fifth year.

That means that the device will still continue to operate; however, you’ll likely notice a significant decline in its performance.

So, if you were a bit taken aback by the initial lifespan estimate – don’t worry, your Chromebook won’t suddenly burst into flames after its fifth year of use. However, it’s still a good idea to look out for potential issues during this time and resolve them accordingly.

That’s why we’d recommend getting your device checked by a professional during this time, as you’ll want to prevent more serious issues before they arise. If the battery has degraded beyond repair, there’s no reason why you can’t replace it.

Note that there will be some quality and performance differences between the original battery and the replacement; however, if you’re not looking to get a brand-new laptop or tablet so soon, getting a new battery can squeeze a few extra years of decent performance out of your existing device.

Before taking your Chromebook to a professional, though, it’s a good idea to check your battery capacity.

To do so, you can press Ctrl+Alt+t and type in “battery health” in the prompt that pops up. After pressing “Enter,” you should see all battery-related specs, including its capacity, which, as mentioned, should be around 80% at this point.

If it’s higher than that, you won’t have to take the device for a check-up just yet. However, don’t solely on this information and periodically time how long a charge lasts to see how your Chromebook performs.

For a better idea of how your device is holding up, remember that a brand-new Chromebook can go for close to 10 hours on a single charge. You can see how much your device’s battery health has deteriorated over the years.

5 Factors That Affect the Lifespan of Chromebook Batteries

Knowing the factors that affect the lifespan of Chromebook batteries can help you take much better care of yours. So, without further ado, let’s analyze these factors one by one.

1. Battery Capacity

All batteries go through a vicious cycle that leads to them ceasing to work for good. The more frequently you charge them, the more their capacity decreases. And the more their capacity decreases, the more you need to charge them.

As a result, a lower battery capacity can further contribute to declining battery health. That’s why it’s important not to overwork the device so as to not have to charge it too often.

2. Number of Apps

This usually goes without saying, but the number of apps on your Chromebook can greatly affect its battery health.

Apps drain your device’s battery even when you’re not running them, so it’s best to make sure you don’t keep any unnecessary apps on it “just ‘cause.” They also waste storage space while forcing the system to operate slower, all the more reason why you should be careful.

3. Screen Brightness

Keeping your screen’s brightness consistently at high levels can drain out the Chromebook’s battery far more than you’d think. That’s why you’ll want to keep screen brightness at the lowest acceptable level. This way, the battery gets drained more slowly, you can leave more time between charges, and the battery’s lifespan increases.

You might be surprised to find that touchscreens consume your battery capacity more than regular screens. we’ve explained the reason in my full guide.

4. Heat Exposure

Keeping your laptop in excessively hot spaces can severely damage its battery and reduce its lifespan. That’s because higher temperatures act as a catalyzer to chemical reactions that drain the battery, meaning it’ll get depleted much faster. Though heat exposure won’t immediately put a battery out of commission, its damage can really add up over time.

5. The Way You Charge Your Battery

Though the charging process might seem pretty intuitive, there’s actually more to it than what meets the eye. When you consistently charge your Chromebook to 100%, you create stress on its battery, as it takes increasingly longer to fill out those few last percentages. Instead, do your best to keep your device’s battery between 20 and 80%.

Before moving on to the next section, we want to point out that avoiding a 0% battery is just as important, so keeping the battery percentage somewhere between the suggested range is very important.

Now that you know more about the factors that affect your Chromebook’s battery life, it’s time to explore their practical implications a bit more.

So, what steps can you take to make your device’s battery last longer? Keep reading to find out.

 

How To Make Chromebook Batteries Last Last Longer

Here are a few practical tips that can help you make your Chromebook’s battery last longer:

Keep Your Device Cool

As explained above, excessive heat can slowly but surely damage your device’s battery over time. That’s why it’s important to keep your device cool at all times. Avoid using your device next to a heat source and never place it under direct sunlight for too long. In the same vein, try to not use your Chromebook while charging it to avoid overheating.

Turn Down the Screen Brightness Level

We mentioned that keeping screen brightness to the lowest acceptable level for your eyes is important. You don’t want to look after your Chromebook battery only to strain and damage your eyes.

So, how can you adjust this setting? All you have to do is to click on one of the two keys placed on the top row depicting a smaller and a larger sun icon respectively.

Close Background Apps

As we use our devices, we move from app to app without ever bothering to actually close any of them. What many don’t know though, is that even if you’re not actively using an application, it can still drain the battery operating from the background.

That’s why you should take at least every day to close background apps instead of letting them continue to operate.

Identify the Most Power-Hungry Apps

You’d be surprised at just how much battery some apps consume even when closed. That’s why we recommend checking your Task Manager to better understand how much of your device’s battery goes toward each of them.

You might find that the program that drains your battery the most is one that you rarely use.

Always Lock the Screen After Using It

Unfortunately, you can’t adjust the “Sleep” setting in your Chromebook, meaning that you’ll have to wait the default amount of time before the device goes to sleep by itself.

However, during that time, your battery gets wasted, a waste that can really add up over time. So, as soon as you’re done using your device, make sure to lock the screen to prevent this from happening.

Turn Off Bluetooth

Most Chromebooks come with the Bluetooth connectivity setting already on. Sometimes, you might even think that you’ve turned it off but it was reset during an upgrade or a restart.

The Bluetooth connectivity setting can drain your battery by searching for nearby devices even if you’re not actively using it. So, make sure to check on it from time to time and always turn it off after using it.

Charge Your Chromebook at the Right Time

We’ve already mentioned that the ideal battery percentage for your device to operate is 20-80%. That’s why you’ll want to try your hardest to always start charging your Chromebook at the right time – that’s before the percentage level falls any lower than 20%. Also, it’s okay to use your Chromebook when it’s charging. We have a detailed article about that here.

Avoiding extremely low battery percentages can help reduce the number of charges needed to keep the device running.

Though none of these tips are vital in a vacuum, following them from time to time can really do wonders when it comes to improving your Chromebook’s battery in the long run.

Final Thoughts

By taking adequate care of your Chromebook, you might be able to extend its battery life well beyond the expected three to five years.

However, if you do notice that the device’s battery is starting to degrade, there is nothing wrong with changing it to get a few more years out of your pricey investment.

Just make sure to have a qualified technician perform the replacement for you.