Laptops with the biggest batteries
Battery size is measured in watt-hours (Wh): the bigger it is, the longer a laptop can last, if its chip and screen are efficient. These have the biggest batteries in our catalogue this week. We left gaming laptops out: they have big batteries but drain them fast.
Ranked by battery size, this week
Watt-hours tell the size
Watt-hours measure stored energy. Compare capacities, then check power consumption and independent tests of the exact configuration: capacity alone does not rank runtime.
Efficient chips go further
Apple’s M chips and the newest Intel and AMD processors stretch each watt-hour much further than older ones.
Brightness drains it
A bright or very sharp screen uses more power. Reducing brightness can lower consumption; the effect varies with the screen and workload.
This week’s list
Prices from the shops’ own pages, checked every week. Always confirm on the shop page before you pay.
Watch out for
- Maker claims are best cases“Up to 18 hours” is usually video playback at low brightness. Real mixed use gives less.
- Batteries ageAfter a few hundred charges a battery holds less. Many laptops can limit charging to 80% to slow that down.
- WeightBigger batteries weigh more. Check the weight if you carry it every day.
Light as well as long-lasting? See laptops under 1.4 kg →
Quick questions
How many hours is 70 Wh?
Runtime depends on power draw. As an idealised example, 70 Wh divided by a steady 10 W is 7 hours before allowing for battery wear and the charge reserve. Use our estimator with your own assumptions.
Do Macs really last longer?
Compare tests of the exact MacBook and Windows configurations under the same workload. The operating system or battery capacity alone cannot establish which lasts longer.
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