Battery cycle count is a measure of how many times a battery has been fully charged and discharged.
It’s an important metric for understanding the health and lifespan of your battery, especially for devices like MacBooks that use Lithium-ion batteries.
Understanding Battery Cycle Count
What is a cycle?
One complete cycle is when you’ve used 100% of your battery’s capacity, but not necessarily from a single charge.
For instance, if you use 50% of your battery one day and then recharge it fully, and then use another 50% the next day, that equals one cycle.
Why does it matter?
Lithium-ion batteries have a limited number of cycles before their performance starts to decline noticeably. 1As you accumulate cycles, the battery’s ability to hold a charge diminishes. This is a natural process and is why older batteries don’t last as long as new ones.
Good Battery Cycle Count for Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries, like those found in MacBooks, are designed to retain a certain amount of their original capacity even after a large number of cycles. Here’s a general guideline:
Typical Lifespan:
Most modern Lithium-ion batteries are designed to last for at least 500 cycles while retaining around 80% of their original capacity.
This means that even after 500 full charge/discharge cycles, your battery should still hold a decent charge.
Factors Affecting Battery Health
While cycle count is a key factor, other things can also affect your battery’s health:
- Temperature: Extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) can accelerate battery degradation.
- Charging Habits: Frequent deep discharges (down to 0%) and keeping your device constantly at 100% charge can put stress on the battery.
- Storage: If you’re not going to use your device for an extended period, it’s best to store it with around a 50% charge in a cool, dry place.
Also Read: If you’re evaluating battery longevity across devices, you may also want to know how long a GoPro battery lasts, especially for action-packed adventures where reliability is key.
MacBook Batteries Cycle
Apple states that MacBook batteries are designed to retain up to 80% of their original capacity at their maximum cycle count.
This table lists the maximum battery cycle counts for various MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models. Once a battery reaches its maximum cycle count, it’s considered consumed.
Most newer models (generally those from 2009 and later, including all “Retina” models and newer) have a maximum cycle count of 1000. Some older models from 2008 have a limit of 500, and the earliest models have a limit of 300.
Checking Your Battery Cycle Count on a MacBook:
- Hold the Option key.
- Select “Apple Menu”
- Click “System Information.”
- Under the “Hardware” section in the sidebar, select “Power.”
- You’ll find your cycle count under the “Battery Information” section.
MacBook Battery Cycle Count Buyer’s Guide
Here’s a simplified breakdown of cycle count ranges and what they suggest about a used MacBook’s battery:
| Cycle Range | Description |
|---|---|
| 0–300 | Excellent. The battery is in excellent condition, indicating light use and being relatively new. Expect minimal degradation and good battery life. |
| 301–500 | Good. The battery is in good condition with some expected wear. Battery life may be slightly reduced but still reasonable for purchase, especially at a good price. |
| 501–700 | Fair. Moderate wear is evident. Battery life will noticeably decline. Factor in the cost of a potential replacement when considering a purchase. |
| 701–1000 | Approaching Limit. The battery is nearing its design limit, with significant reduction in battery life. A replacement is highly likely soon. Only consider at a very low price. |
| 1000+ | Consumed. The battery has exceeded its cycle limit. Expect drastically reduced life, possibly lasting only a short time on a full charge. Replacement is essential. |
Making an Informed Purchase
When buying a used MacBook, consider these factors in conjunction with the cycle count:
- Model and Age: Older models naturally have older batteries. Even with a lower cycle count, age can still affect battery health.
- Price: Factor in the potential cost of a battery replacement when evaluating the overall value.
- Battery Health Status: In macOS, you can also check the battery’s condition (Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now). This provides additional insight beyond just the cycle count.
- Testing (If Possible): If possible, test the MacBook’s battery life by unplugging it and using it for a while.
Example Scenario:
Two used MacBooks are available:
- MacBook A: 400 cycles, Asking price: $500
- MacBook B: 800 cycles, Asking price: $350
While MacBook B is cheaper, the higher cycle count suggests you’ll likely need a new battery soon, which can cost $100-$200. In this case, MacBook A might be the better long-term value, even with the higher initial price.
Also Read: If you’re exploring battery performance and alternatives, compare the SR44 and LR44 batteries to understand their differences and best use cases for various devices.
FAQs
Q: My MacBook Air M1 has a battery health of 92% after 157 cycles. Is this normal? I was expecting something closer to 94-95%.
A: A battery health of 92% after 157 cycles on a MacBook Air M1 is a little lower than what you might ideally expect, but it’s not unusual.
Apple designs their batteries to retain 80% of their original capacity after 1000 cycles. Since your cycle count is quite low, your battery is still performing within acceptable parameters.
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