User profile for user: AnunayMahajan
AnunayMahajan Author
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MacBook Air M3 Battery Health Concern & Optimal Charging Practices

I purchased a MacBook Air M3 three months ago and have completed 20 charge cycles so far. I’ve been following the recommended charging range (30%-80%), yet my battery health has already dropped to 98%. What could be the reason for this? Is there an optimal charging method to maintain battery health, and is there any chance it could return to 100%?


Additionally, I recently started using an LG Ergo 27QN880 monitor, which continuously charges my MacBook via Thunderbolt at 60W PD. Could keeping my MacBook plugged in at 100% affect battery health over time?


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 9, 2025 8:56 AM

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User profile for user: D.I. Johnson
D.I. Johnson
User level: Level 8
36,893 points

Posted on Mar 10, 2025 10:30 AM

Charge cycles are only a part of battery aging.  Other factors include age, patterns of use and environmental factors like heat and cold.


If you continue to get respectable usage time on battery then all is good. Apple considers a health of 80% to be the replacement threshold. All batteries will die eventually. Some faster than others. The battery health drop rate may not be linear, and may even increase from time to time.


The best advice I can give for getting the most from your battery:


• Plug in when using the computer near available power.

• Use on battery when ac is unavailable.

• Don’t subject the computer and battery to extreme temperatures.

• Let the OS and charging circuits manage the charging.

• Try not to allow the battery to discharge deeply regularly before plugging in. Yes, it may happen from time to time, just don't make it a habit.

• Don't obsess over battery life and/or health.  


Here is Apple's guidance on the subject.

Batteries - Maximizing Performance - Apple Support

About battery health management in Mac laptops - Apple Support 



❝Worry is the misuse of imagination.❞ – Zadra

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User profile for user: D.I. Johnson
D.I. Johnson
User level: Level 8
36,893 points

Mar 10, 2025 10:30 AM in response to AnunayMahajan

Charge cycles are only a part of battery aging.  Other factors include age, patterns of use and environmental factors like heat and cold.


If you continue to get respectable usage time on battery then all is good. Apple considers a health of 80% to be the replacement threshold. All batteries will die eventually. Some faster than others. The battery health drop rate may not be linear, and may even increase from time to time.


The best advice I can give for getting the most from your battery:


• Plug in when using the computer near available power.

• Use on battery when ac is unavailable.

• Don’t subject the computer and battery to extreme temperatures.

• Let the OS and charging circuits manage the charging.

• Try not to allow the battery to discharge deeply regularly before plugging in. Yes, it may happen from time to time, just don't make it a habit.

• Don't obsess over battery life and/or health.  


Here is Apple's guidance on the subject.

Batteries - Maximizing Performance - Apple Support

About battery health management in Mac laptops - Apple Support 



❝Worry is the misuse of imagination.❞ – Zadra

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MacBook Air M3 Battery Health Concern & Optimal Charging Practices

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