How to Judge a Good Laptop Battery

Laptop computers are designed for portability; poor-quality batteries limit your working time.

In order to maximize your laptop's convenient portability, you need to ensure you are using a top-quality battery. With so many laptop batteries on the market, it can be difficult to judge which laptop batteries are best. Luckily, there are a few certain battery specifications that you can consider to make the process easier. If you focus on certain laptop battery qualities, you can get the best battery for your needs.

Instructions

1. Make sure the laptop battery is compatible with your individual computer. This may seem like an obvious step, but many laptop batteries claim to "fit most" brands and consumers mistakenly assume their laptop will be included in that grouping of compatible brands. Any good laptop battery will include a list of compatible computers. Make sure both the make and model match your individual unit.

2. Look for lithium-ion batteries. When judging the differences between each battery, keep in mind that lithium-ion batteries have a longer shelf life and they are capable of holding a greater charge. Older nickel-based batteries may claim to hold a charge for several hours. However, over the lifespan of the nickel battery, this maximum charge potential will degrade rapidly, leaving you with limited charge potential after just a few months of use. Lithium-ion batteries degrade only slightly over time.

3. Decide whether or not you need a "smart" battery. As explained by Battery University, a smart battery is able to communicate the battery's charge and overall condition directly to your computer. Smart batteries typically cost a little more than standard batteries, but they are ideal for most laptop users. Without a smart battery, there is no way for you to accurately know how much charge is left in your laptop battery.

4. Compare warranties. When judging competing laptop batteries, the battery's warranty options can help you make a final decision. If a company does not back up its product with a performance guarantee, then you may want to consider a brand that does. Laptop batteries can cost upward of $100, so having a good warranty will help you avoid paying extra money later if the battery fails.

References

• Battery University: The Smart Battery