A battery that dies partway through a session is a common annoyance, and it happens whatever the capacity of your device. A handful of habits around charging, storage and care can stretch how long a battery serves you.
One caveat first: nobody can tell you exactly how long a given cell will last. A typical rechargeable lithium-ion battery is expected to manage up to 350 cycles, but the real figure depends on things you cannot see, such as how it was stored before you bought it or whether it has a small manufacturing flaw. A maker’s estimate is only an estimate. The six tips below are long-standing ways to keep performance as good as it can be.
Charging habits
Recharge before the battery runs flat
Studies show lithium-ion cells last longer when they are not fully drained between charges. Try to plug in before the level drops under the 50% or 40% mark. Kept up over a long period, this helps the battery hold its quality.
Stop short of a full charge
It sounds backwards, but the same logic applies at the top end. Take the battery off charge before it reaches 100%, somewhere around 90% or 95%, and it will keep its capacity better.
Once it reaches the level you want, remove it from the charger. Leaving a battery plugged in overnight means it hits 100% and then sits connected for hours, which shortens its lifespan and cuts its capacity.
The right cell and the right charger
For devices that take removable batteries, check which type the manufacturer specifies and use that. The correct battery matters for performance and for your safety. Avoid bargain cells: top-tier batteries cost more because of the materials in them, and a high-end one will far outlast a cheap one.
The charger has to suit the battery as well. Every battery is built to charge at a particular amperage, and batteries give off heat both in use and on charge. A mismatched charger might still work, but it will hurt performance and can be a safety risk.
Day-to-day care
Switch the device off between uses
This one is obvious, yet few people do it. It is easy to take a puff or two and put the device down still switched on. Turning it off each time you finish takes deliberate effort until it becomes routine, and the gain in battery life is noticeable.
Keep the contacts clean
Cleaning is often overlooked. Do not let residue build up on a battery. Wipe it with a Q-tip now and then, and clean up any spill straight away. A clean battery makes a stronger connection, so you get its full capacity, and that in turn helps it last.
Store batteries with care
Where and how you keep vape batteries affects their lifespan. Tossing them loose into a box with other items is not good storage. Temperature matters most, during storage and also while charging and using them, because high heat can affect the chemicals inside the cell and its performance.
- Use a dry plastic bag or box, away from direct sunlight and other heat sources.
- Never leave batteries under heavy objects.
- Remove the batteries from the device before storing it.
- Charge them before putting them away. They last longer that way and are ready when you need a spare.