Download Article
The best way to charge lithium-ion batteries
Download Article
To charge your device, check the battery level, plug it into a charger, and disconnect it when the charge is below 100%. Take simple measures to preserve your lithium-ion battery such as practicing shallow discharge, not letting it continuously charge, and storing it at the correct temperature. [1] X Research source
Steps
-
Check that the battery has 50% remaining or less before charging it. You only need to charge the battery of your device once the charge is low enough, as always having a fully charged battery will not improve the functioning of your device. To check the battery of your device, look for a small battery icon in the menu bar. If you are on a laptop, hover over the icon to see the percentage. If you are on a smartphone or a tablet, either click on the icon or expand the menu to see the percentage reading. [2] X Research source
- Many devices will also be able to tell you how much operating time the current battery percentage will give you. This can be helpful if you are planning when you need to charge your device.
-
Turn off your device before you charge it if possible. Once you have determined that your device needs to charge, shut it down completely with the power switch or button if you don’t need to use it. This allows the lithium-ion battery to charge more effectively. [3] X Research source
- When your device is turned off during charging, the lithium-ion battery is able to reach the set voltage threshold without being hindered. Overall, if the device is still left on, the lithium-ion battery is prevented from charging as it should.
- Don't worry too much if you cannot have your device switched off while it is charging. Although turning the device off is ideal, it won't have a significant, negative effect on the battery if it is left on.
Advertisement -
Connect your device to the charger and a power outlet. Connect your device to its charger before connecting the charger to a power outlet. Make sure that the power outlet is switched on. [4] X Research source
-
Disconnect your device from the charger when the battery reaches 85%. Keep an eye on your device as it is charging and try to avoid letting it charge to 100%. This is because constantly charging the lithium-ion battery to 100% and leaving it plugged in can damage the battery health. [5] X Research source
- Sometimes letting your device charge fully is unavoidable. Don’t worry about it if it does happen, but try to reduce how often it does and get into a routine of not letting it charge fully.
- You can also download apps which will set a charging limit on your device. These are particularly useful for smartphones and tablets.
Advertisement
-
Practice shallow discharges with your device. Lithium-ion batteries operate best when they are charged off and on throughout the day. Try to charge your device in bursts from approximately 40% up to approximately 80% at a time. Limit the number of times that you charge your device to 100% or let the battery drop down to 0%. [6] X Expert Source Garnik Ovsepyan
Computer Specialist Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.- Shallow discharges are better for the long-term health of the lithium-ion battery. This is because it helps to maximize the finite number of charge/discharge cycles that the battery has. This means that shallow discharges will help to maintain the lifespan of the battery. [7] X Research source
- Ideally, never let your battery fall below 10%. [8]
X
Expert Source
Garnik Ovsepyan
Computer Specialist Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
-
Unplug your device once it has charged. When the battery reaches a charge of approximately 80% or higher, disconnect your device from the charger. This prevents the battery from fully charging. It also stops the battery from entering a state of high-stress if it does remain plugged in after the battery has reached 100%.
- Lithium-ion batteries do not tolerate overcharging well. Keeping your device charging once the battery has reached 100% degrades its lifespan. [9] X Research source
-
Discharge the battery completely once per month. There is a benefit to letting the battery reach 0% occasionally. Some devices have a "smart battery" that tells you how much longer you can use the device for at the current battery rate. Shallow discharging can cause the smart battery to become de-calibrated and to give inaccurate readings. Discharging the battery completely recalibrates the smart battery.
- If the smart battery is giving inaccurate readings, this means that it will be more difficult for you to plan when to next charge your device. This can have a greater negative impact on the lifespan of your lithium-ion battery than letting it drop to 0% once per month.
-
Charge the battery when the temperature is 50–86 °F (10–30 °C). Lithium-ion batteries run the most effective within the recommended temperature range. However, lithium-ion batteries can be charged at temperatures between 32–113 °F (0–45 °C) if necessary. [10] X Research source
- It is possible to charge a lithium-ion battery at below freezing temperatures, however, due to the nature of the battery it takes a long time to do so.
-
Charge lithium-ion batteries to 40-50% before they are stored. If you are going to be not using your device and will be storing it away for some time, let it discharge to this level before you store it. This is the most effective level to store the lithium-ion battery at because it allows the battery to self-discharge slightly, remain operational, and minimize capacity loss. [11] X Research source
- The best temperature for storing the battery and maintaining its lifespan is at 59 °F (15 °C). However, technically lithium-ion batteries can be stored at −40–122 °F (−40–50 °C). [12] X Research source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionIs it better to keep lithium-ion batteries charged?Garnik Ovsepyan is a Computer Specialist and the Owner of HeliX PC based in Burbank, California. With over 25 years of experience, Garnik specializes in custom computer builds, computer repairs, virus removal, computer tune-ups, hardware and software troubleshooting and installations, diagnostics, and data backup and recovery.It's good to keep your batteries charged, but you should only charge them in short bursts. Try to unplug your device before it reaches 100%.
-
QuestionHow do I revitalize a wheelchair battery?Community AnswerParallel charge your dead batteries with a good, fully charged battery for approximately 30 seconds to revive, and then plug it in your normal lithium ion charger.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Tips
- Although there are many measures that you can take, all lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of only a few years or around 500 charge-discharge cycles. The proper charging and maintenance of a lithium ion can only help you to make the most of its lifespan, rather than extend it. [13] X Research sourceThanks
- When your lithium-ion battery reaches the end of its life cycle, be sure to dispose of it properly by recycling it . Do not throw it into the normal trash, as it contains hazardous materials that can leach into the environment.Thanks
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
References
- ↑ https://www.popsci.com/charge-batteries-right
- ↑ http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2016/09/why-you-should-charge-your-phone-when-it-hits-50-percent.html
- ↑ https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/smarter-living/what-to-do-phone-tablet-wont-charge.html
- ↑ https://android.gadgethacks.com/how-to/set-charging-limit-your-android-device-avoid-excess-battery-wear-0176280/
- ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.popsci.com/charge-batteries-right
- ↑ Garnik Ovsepyan. Computer Specialist. Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.
- ↑ https://www.radio-electronics.com/info/power-management/battery-technology/lithium-ion-battery-charging.php
- ↑ https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/charging_at_high_and_low_temperatures
- ↑ https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries
- ↑ https://batteryuniversity.com/index.php/learn/article/how_to_store_batteries
- ↑ https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/five-apps/five-tips-for-extending-lithium-ion-battery-life/
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,220 times.
Advertisement