As someone who loves listening to music on the go, having a reliable Bluetooth speaker is essential. However, I’ve found that the battery life can really vary between different models. After going through a few speakers with batteries that drained quickly, I realized the importance of proper battery maintenance. The type of battery a speaker uses can determine the best practices for getting the most longevity. In this article, I’ll provide an overview of common speaker battery types and the optimal ways to care for them.
Properly maintaining your Bluetooth speaker’s battery is crucial for extending its usable lifetime. Batteries gradually lose capacity over time and through charging cycles. However, you can minimize this degradation with some simple habits. Well-cared-for batteries can provide hundreds of charges versus poorly maintained ones that may only last for a couple dozen cycles. Implementing good maintenance practices helps you get the most value from your speaker purchase.
There are a few main rechargeable battery types used by portable Bluetooth speakers. The most common options are lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium polymer (LiPo), lead-acid, and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Each has its own ideal usage and charging practices. I’ll break down the maintenance steps for the various battery types in the sections below.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Li-ion batteries are currently the most popular rechargeable battery type. They offer high energy density, low self-discharge, and no memory effect. Li-ion batteries pack a lot of capacity into a small, lightweight package. They have a typical lifespan of 2-3 years with 300-500 full charge cycles.
Best Practices for Maintaining Li-Ion Batteries
Here are the top tips for caring for the Li-ion batteries in your Bluetooth speakers:
1. Store the Speaker in a Cool Location
Heat can accelerate battery degradation. When not in use, keep your speaker in a relatively cool place, ideally around 60°F – 70°F.
2. Maintain an Optimal Battery Level for Storage
Li-ion batteries should be about 30-40% charged when being stored for extended periods. Completely draining or fully charging the battery can stress it over time.
3. Power Down If It Gets Excessively Hot
If you notice your speaker getting uncomfortably warm while playing music, turn it off to let it cool down. High heat damages Li-ion batteries.
4. Charge at Lower Levels
Avoid waiting until your battery is nearly empty before charging. Recharge it when the level drops to around 15-20%. Frequent full discharges put strain on Li-ion batteries.
5. Avoid Overcharging
Once your speaker indicates a full charge, unplug it. Don’t leave it charging for extended periods after reaching 100%. Overcharging can degrade the battery.
Benefits of Li-Ion Batteries
When properly maintained, Li-ion batteries offer:
- High energy density
- Slow self-discharging
- No memory effect
- Good lifespan of 2-3 years
Potential Drawbacks of Li-Ion Batteries
Li-ion batteries have a few disadvantages to be aware of:
- Capacity loss in extreme heat or cold
- Require protection circuit to prevent overcharging
- Can be damaged by deep discharging
Popular Speakers Using Li-Ion Batteries
Many top Bluetooth speaker models run on Li-ion batteries, such as:
- Ultimate Ears BOOM 3
- JBL Charge 5
- Anker Soundcore Rave Neo
- Sony SRS-XB43
Lithium Polymer Batteries
Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries are a variant of Li-ion batteries. They offer high energy density like Li-ion but can be made thinner. This makes LiPos well-suited for compact devices. They have potential for 300-500 charge cycles.
Best Practices for LiPo Battery Care
Follow these tips to maintain your speaker’s LiPo battery:
1. Store at Around 40% Charge
LiPos should not be fully charged or discharged for storage. Keep the battery level around 40% to prolong its lifespan.
2. Charge to 80-85% for Daily Use
For regular daily usage, charge your LiPo speaker battery to 80-85% rather than 100%. This reduces strain from high voltage.
3. Avoid Full Battery Depletion
While occasional full discharges are okay, try not to let your LiPo battery completely drain frequently. This can shorten its lifespan.
Benefits of LiPo Batteries
The advantages of LiPo batteries include:
- Very high energy density
- Low self-discharge rate
- Thin and flexible form factors
- No memory effect
Potential Drawbacks of LiPo Batteries
Some downsides to consider with LiPo batteries:
- Risk of damage from overcharging or over-discharging
- Degrade faster than Li-ion at high temperatures
- Require protection circuitry
Popular Speakers Using LiPo Batteries
LiPo batteries are common in ultra-portable Bluetooth speakers like:
- Bose SoundLink Micro
- JBL Clip 4
- Anker Soundcore Wakey
- Marshall Stockwell II
Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are known for providing surge power and high discharge currents. They have a long lifespan of 4-6 years but are larger and heavier than lithium-based batteries. Lead-acid batteries are most often used for loud portable speakers.
Best Practices for Lead-Acid Battery Maintenance
Here are some tips for caring for lead-acid batteries:
1. Fully Charge Before Use
Make sure to charge your lead-acid speaker battery to 100% before taking it on the go. They cannot deliver their full rated power from a partial charge.
2. Be Patient With Charging Time
Lead-acid batteries take longer to charge than other chemistries – often 10 hours. Don’t rush the charging process.
3. Recharge Before Dropping Below 50%
Avoid depleting your lead-acid battery beyond 50%. Recharge it when the level falls to around 50-60% for optimal longevity.
Benefits of Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries offer:
- Very high discharge currents
- Long lifespan of 4-6 years
- Low self-discharge rate when not in use
- Inexpensive compared to lithium-ion
Potential Drawbacks of Lead-Acid Batteries
Some disadvantages of lead-acid batteries include:
- Large, heavy size and weight
- Sulfation can damage unused batteries
- Not designed for deep discharge cycles
- Require lengthy recharge times
Popular Speakers Using Lead-Acid Batteries
Some loud Bluetooth speakers running on lead-acid batteries are:
- Anker Soundcore Rave Mini
- AOMAIS Life 2
- ETON Rukus XL
- Pyle PWMA930IBT
Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries offer high capacity and perform well in high-drain devices. They have a shorter lifespan than Li-ion though, with around 300-400 full charge cycles. NiMH batteries need special care to maximize longevity.
Best Practices for NiMH Battery Maintenance
Follow these guidelines for properly maintaining NiMH batteries:
1. Fully Deplete Before Charging
NiMH batteries work best when fully depleted between charges. Run them down completely each cycle.
2. Charge Fully
Always charge NiMH batteries to 100% capacity for maximum runtime. Partial charges may lead to battery “memory.”
3. Avoid Overcharging
Once the battery indicates full charge, remove it from the charger to prevent damage from overcharging.
4. Handle With Care
Dropping or severely jarring NiMH batteries can reduce their lifespan. Handle them with care.
Benefits of NiMH Batteries
Advantages of NiMH batteries include:
- High capacity rating
- Good performance for high-drain devices
- Low cost per capacity
- Minimal self-discharge when not in use
Potential Drawbacks of NiMH Batteries
Some downsides to NiMH batteries:
- Prone to “memory effect” if not fully depleted
- Shorter lifespan than Li-ion – around 300-400 cycles
- Gradual power loss over time
- Damaged by overcharging
Popular Speakers Using NiMH Batteries
Affordable Bluetooth speakers running on NiMH batteries include:
- OontZ Angle 3
- Anker Soundcore
- JBL Flip 3
- Photive HYDRA
Conclusion
The optimal maintenance practices can vary quite a bit depending on the type of rechargeable battery used in a Bluetooth speaker. When shopping for a new speaker, take battery requirements into account based on how much effort you are willing to put into proper care and charging habits.
Certain maintenance procedures like fully depleting NiMH batteries before recharging may not always be practical in everyday usage. Find a reasonable balance between ideal battery care and your real-world needs. Getting 80-90% of optimal longevity is fine for most consumers.
With some basic preventative habits, you can extend the usable life of your Bluetooth speaker’s rechargeable batteries considerably. Show your battery a little TLC and your speaker will thank you with hours of vibrant audio enjoyment for years to come!
