Today’s gaming laptops are truly impressive when it comes to performance. For instance, you can grab an Acer Nitro V 16 for under $1,000, and it’s more than capable of handling most high-end games with ease. However, when it comes to battery life during untethered gaming, these machines still leave much to be desired.
On average, gaming laptops deliver a dismal four hours of playtime — just enough to get through a session of Starcraft 2, if you’re lucky. This stands in stark contrast to many productivity-focused laptops that can run for over 20 hours on a single charge.
To set the record straight, you might squeeze out four hours if you play without considering power-saving strategies. But by implementing a few smart tips, you can significantly extend your battery life:
Disable Keyboard Backlighting and Non-Essential Lights
Whether it’s individual key lighting, chiclet backlighting, or decorative RGB and LED features, these lights are draining your battery. The amount of power saved will vary based on the brightness level and whether dynamic lighting effects are active. If you’re gaming during the day, you likely won’t miss these flashy features anyway.
Disconnect Unused Peripherals
This is quite straightforward. Any peripherals like USB hubs, external keyboards, and headsets can sap your battery’s power. Additionally, if you’re gaming offline, remember to disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi as these can also contribute to battery drainage.
Razer
Reduce Your Display Brightness
Unless you’re diving into a dark horror game, setting your display brightness to around 50% shouldn’t hinder your gameplay. This small adjustment can extend your battery life by as much as 30% in some cases.
Utilize Battery Optimization Features from Your Manufacturer
Most gaming laptop brands offer battery optimization settings that can help prolong usage. You can typically find these options in the manufacturer’s dedicated software. There may be several settings to adjust, so take the time to research what’s available for your specific brand. For instance, Asus users can enable “Silent Mode” in the Armory Crate app, which conserves power by regulating wattage to the CPU and GPU while operating fans only as needed.
Optimize Power Settings in Windows
A quick way to save power is to navigate to Windows’ Settings > System > Power and Battery > Energy Recommendations, and apply all suggested changes. There are numerous additional tweaks like reducing your display’s refresh rate to 60Hz, adjusting processor states, turning off Microsoft syncing, and switching your theme to Dark Mode. For a comprehensive guide on optimizing these settings, consider checking out a relevant video tutorial.
Shut Down Unneeded Programs and Apps
You may be surprised at how many applications are running in the background, consuming your battery life—think VPNs, antivirus software, and unused browser tabs. To manage this, open Task Manager with Ctrl + Alt + Delete, find unnecessary tasks, right-click, and select “End task.” Closing these applications not only saves battery but can also enhance your gaming performance by freeing up CPU resources.
Disable MUX Switch
If your laptop is equipped with a MUX switch, consider turning it off. This can lead to about a 10% increase in battery life. While there may be a slight decrease in FPS performance, for many users, the trade-off is worth it, as the loss is often minimal—about 5fps typically.
Lower Your Game’s Graphics Settings
Using your laptop’s full display resolution is best reserved for when you’re plugged in. Higher graphics settings demand more power from your GPU, which rapidly depletes your battery.
Intel
Start with a Solid Foundation
Remember, gaming laptops differ in hardware components, which affects power consumption and battery capacity (measured in watt-hours). Consequently, battery life varies widely. If prolonged battery life is crucial for you, be sure to read reviews to identify the top contenders in terms of longevity. Make it a point to check out our most recent reviews on the best-performing gaming laptops.