3 tablet charging mistakes to avoid

ZDNET's Kerry Wan outlines three common tablet charging mistakes and how to fix them, saying these habits can shorten a tablet's battery life. First, leaving a tablet plugged in overnight can cause trickle-charging that stresses the battery over time. Wan says tablets typically charge to 100% and stop, but staying plugged in can cause the device to top the battery back up repeatedly; the author advises unplugging at 100% and keeping the battery between 20% and 80%.

She also notes that leaving a tablet plugged in once or twice won’t permanently damage it, but habitual practice wears the battery faster. Second, letting the battery drain to 0% and forgetting it can irreparably damage a lithium-ion battery. Wan recounts leaving a discharged Nintendo Switch Lite in a drawer for months and finding the battery damaged.

The piece explains tablets actually shut down with a little charge, but if left discharged for days or longer the battery can continue to lose voltage until its internal chemistry is harmed. To prevent this, avoid letting the battery drop below 20% and, if you won’t use a tablet for some time, charge it to about 50% and shut it down before storing it.

Third, using the wrong, cheap, or non-certified charger can deliver inconsistent power, cause overheating or fluctuating voltage, and increase stress on the battery.

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