Checking laptop battery health depends on whether you use Windows or macOS. Below are simple, built‑in ways plus what numbers to look at to judge health.
Windows laptops
On Windows 10 and 11, use the built‑in battery report feature.
- Press Windows key, type “cmd”, right‑click Command Prompt, and run as administrator, then enter
powercfg /batteryreportto generate an HTML battery report file.
- Open the report and compare “Design capacity” with “Full charge capacity”; the closer the full charge capacity is to the design capacity (for example 80–90% or higher), the healthier the battery.
macOS laptops
On a MacBook, battery health is shown directly in system information.
- Click the Apple menu, open System Information (or About This Mac → System Report), then under Hardware choose Power to see “Cycle Count” and “Condition”.
- A low or moderate cycle count with a status like “Normal” generally means good health, while very high cycle counts or a service warning suggest the battery is worn.
Extra checks and tips
Many brands (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) also offer diagnostics in BIOS/UEFI or their support apps that can run a battery test and show health status.
To keep the battery healthier for longer, avoid constant 0–100% cycles, keep the laptop cool, and if possible use built‑in battery optimization or “care” modes that limit maximum charge when plugged in for long periods.
