Should You Charge to 80% or 100%?

For most lithium‑ion devices, charging to around 80% for daily use preserves battery health better, while charging to 100% is fine when you need the extra range or runtime—ideally leaving the battery at 100% for as little time as possible. The best practice depends on the device and battery chemistry: many EVs with NMC/NCA cells benefit from an 80–90% daily limit, LFP-based EVs tolerate 100% more often, and phones/laptops increasingly manage this automatically.

What “better” means for lithium batteries

“Better” generally means slower long‑term degradation without sacrificing your practical needs. Lithium‑ion batteries age from two main forces: cycle aging (wear from charge/discharge) and calendar aging (time spent at high state‑of‑charge and high temperature). High voltage near 100% increases calendar aging, especially in NMC/NCA chemistries common in many EVs and laptops. Heat accelerates both types of aging. Partial charges (for example, 20–80%) and cooler temperatures reduce stress, while keeping a battery full or empty for extended periods hastens decline.

Electric vehicles: daily limits and important exceptions

For EVs with nickel‑based chemistries (NMC/NCA), most manufacturers recommend setting a daily charge limit around 80–90% and using 100% for trips. For LFP packs (common in some entry trims and in several Chinese‑made models), charging to 100% regularly is typically acceptable and sometimes advised to aid calibration, though avoiding long dwell times at 100% still helps. Always check your owner’s manual or in‑car guidance.

What major automakers recommend

The following examples summarize typical guidance from well-known brands and reflect current industry practices; consult your vehicle’s manual for specifics that may change with software updates.

• Tesla: For NCA/NCM packs, set daily to roughly 80–90% and use 100% right before trips. For LFP packs (e.g., many Model 3 RWD variants), charging to 100% regularly is recommended, with occasional full charges helping battery management system (BMS) calibration.
• Hyundai/Kia (e-GMP platform): Recommend daily charging up to about 80–90%; reserve 100% for trips and minimize time spent parked full.
• Volkswagen ID. series: “Battery Care” modes target ~80% for daily use; 100% is fine for journeys, preferably departing soon after reaching full.
• Ford (Mustang Mach‑E, F‑150 Lightning): Daily target often around 80–90%; use 100% when needed and avoid keeping the vehicle full for long periods.
• Rivian: Defaults and guidance often steer to 70–85% for daily driving; raise to 100% for trips and depart promptly.
• Polestar/Volvo, Lucid and others: Commonly advise ~80% for routine use and 100% for trips, with features to limit daily charge or enable “care” modes.

These policies reflect the trade‑off between longevity and range readiness. Even where 100% is permitted, limiting the time at full charge and avoiding high heat will generally improve battery lifespan.

Fast charging and the 80% norm

On DC fast chargers, stopping around 80% is often time‑efficient because charge rates taper sharply above ~80% to protect the battery. If time matters, it’s usually faster to drive to the next charger than to wait for the last 20%—except when you need the extra range cushion.

When to use 100% in an EV

Use the following list to decide when a full charge is beneficial rather than harmful.

• Long trips or infrequent charging opportunities where maximum range matters.
• LFP-equipped vehicles, where regular 100% charges can be normal and aid BMS calibration (follow your OEM’s instructions).
• Occasional BMS calibration on non‑LFP packs if the manufacturer recommends a periodic full charge for range‑estimate accuracy.
• Cold weather trips, where extra buffer helps offset range loss.

Even in these cases, try to finish charging near your planned departure to minimize time sitting at 100%—especially in hot weather.

Phones, laptops, and other gadgets

Modern devices use software to limit peak charging stress. Partial charges (20–80%) are still gentler, but built‑in features make routine charging to “100%” less harmful by slowing near full and by avoiding prolonged full‑voltage exposure.

What popular platforms do today

These common features can automatically protect your battery; enabling them is an easy win.

• Apple iPhone: Optimized Battery Charging delays the final portion of charging until you’re likely to unplug; recent iOS versions also offer an 80% cap option in Battery settings.
• Samsung Galaxy: “Protect Battery” caps charging at 85% to reduce stress, with modes for sleep and routine use.
• Google Pixel: Adaptive Charging learns your schedule and tapers to complete near wake time; some models offer an 80% limit.
• MacBook: Optimized Battery Charging and battery health management reduce time at high voltage; macOS can learn usage patterns or allow a charge cap.
• Windows laptops: Many OEM tools (Lenovo Conservation Mode, Dell Battery Extender, ASUS Battery Health Charging, Microsoft Surface Battery Limit) cap charge around 50–80% for longevity.

If your device lacks these features, manual habits—unplugging around 80–90% when convenient and avoiding heat—still help. Don’t worry about occasional 100% charges when you need a full day or a trip.

How to maximize battery longevity

The following practices apply broadly across EVs and consumer electronics to slow battery aging.

• Aim for a midrange state of charge day-to-day (roughly 20–80%).
• Minimize time spent at 0% or 100%, especially in hot conditions.
• Keep devices cool; avoid charging in direct sun or on soft surfaces that trap heat.
• Prefer gentler charging when time allows (AC/home charging for EVs; standard chargers for phones/laptops).
• Use scheduled charging so full charge completes near departure or typical unplug time.
• For storage over weeks, leave batteries around 40–60% and in a cool place.
• Limit frequent DC fast charging to 100%; tapering makes it slow and adds thermal stress.
• Keep software/firmware up to date for improved battery management.

Following these steps can measurably extend usable battery life without sacrificing convenience when full capacity is needed.

Bottom line

For most situations, charging to about 80% for everyday use is “better” for long‑term battery health, while charging to 100% is appropriate when you need the range or runtime—ideally finishing close to departure and avoiding extended time at full. EV owners should follow chemistry‑specific guidance (LFP vs. NMC/NCA), and phone/laptop users can rely on built‑in battery optimization or enable charge limits.

Summary

Daily target: ~80% for longevity; 100% when needed. EVs with NMC/NCA: keep daily at 80–90% and limit time at full. LFP EVs: 100% more acceptable, sometimes recommended. Phones/laptops: use built‑in charge optimization or caps. Heat and time at high state‑of‑charge drive aging, so schedule full charges to finish near use and store around mid‑charge when idle.

Is it better to charge a car to 80 or 100?

You should charge your electric vehicle (EV) to 80% for daily driving, but you can charge to 100% for long trips. Regularly charging to 80% helps preserve battery health and can reduce the time it takes at a charging station, while 100% is reserved for situations where you need the maximum possible range. 
Why charge to 80% daily?

• Battery Health: Opens in new tabMaintaining a lower state of charge for extended periods puts less stress on the battery, which helps to slow down its gradual degradation and extend its useful life. 
• Charging Speed: Opens in new tabThe charging rate slows down significantly once the battery level passes 80%. Charging to 80% allows you to get sufficient range quickly, saving you time compared to waiting for a full charge. 

When to charge to 100%

• Long Trips: Opens in new tabWhen you’re on a long journey and need the maximum range for the distance between charging stations, a full charge is necessary. 
• Cold Weather or Towing: Opens in new tabIn very cold conditions or when towing, you may also need a full charge to ensure you have enough power for your drive. 

How to do it

• Most EVs have a setting in their infotainment system that allows you to set a maximum charge level, typically around 80%, for your daily routine. 
• This is a good compromise between maximizing your daily utility and preserving your battery’s long-term health. 

Is it better to charge an iPhone to 80 or 100?

It’s better to charge your iPhone to around 80% and avoid fully depleting it to prolong battery life, as keeping a lithium-ion battery at 100% for extended periods increases stress and degradation. While charging to 100% is unlikely to cause immediate damage, consistently doing so can accelerate wear. Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging and Charge Limit features are designed to manage this by delaying charging past 80% based on your usage patterns or by capping the charge at 80%. 
Why 80% is better

• Reduces stress: Lithium-ion batteries experience less physical and chemical stress when not kept at their absolute maximum or minimum charge levels. 
• Extends lifespan: Keeping the battery’s charge within the 20-80% range minimizes the conditions that cause faster battery degradation over time. 

How to manage your iPhone’s charging

• Use Optimized Battery Charging: Opens in new tabThis feature is enabled by default and learns your daily charging routine to only charge your iPhone past 80% when needed. 
• Enable the Charge Limit: Opens in new tabFor iPhone 15 models and later, you can manually set a charging limit. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and select Charge Limit to set a maximum charge level, such as 80%. 
• Charge overnight without worry: Opens in new tabIf you charge your iPhone overnight, the Optimized Battery Charging feature will manage the charging process to reduce battery wear. 

When to charge to 100% 

• For heavy use: If you know you’ll need a full charge for a long day of heavy usage, it’s perfectly fine to charge to 100%.
• When you need it: You can always turn off the 80% limit feature on days when you need your phone’s full battery.

Is it better to charge a battery to 80 or 100?

No batteries last for ever, of course, but staying proactive and aiming for 80% charge can help them last longer. This is because the battery finds it easier to charge when it is slightly empty, rather than nearly full, and therefore has less stress within its charging cycle.

Why should I not charge my phone to 100%?

Charging to 100 all the time does reduce battery life in a way because it puts more strain on the battery and reduces battery holding capacity in the long run. Less stress = less degradation = more battery.