20 Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Laptop battery replacement cost (and when it's time)
A laptop that dies off the charger usually needs a battery, not a new laptop. Here is what it costs, how to check the battery's health yourself, and the warning sign you should never ignore.
A battery is the part of a laptop that wears out by design. After a few years of charging it holds less and less, until the laptop only works plugged in. It is also one of the cheapest repairs that adds years to a laptop.
Typical price: $120–$250
| Most Windows laptops (HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, ASUS)Part and fitting, depending on the model | $120–$250 |
|---|---|
| MacBook Air and MacBook ProSome models have the battery glued in, which takes longer | Quoted per model |
| DiagnosisWe confirm it is the battery, not the charger or charging port | Free |
We quote the exact battery for your model before ordering, so the price you agree to is the price you pay.
Check the battery's health yourself
- Windows
- Search for Command Prompt, open it, type powercfg /batteryreport and press Enter. Open the report it saves and compare Design capacity with Full charge capacity. Below about 60% of the original, most people notice it.
- Mac
- System Settings > Battery > Battery Health. "Service Recommended" means the battery is due.
Is it the battery, or the charger?
If the laptop won't charge at all, the battery isn't always the culprit. A worn charger cable, a loose charging port or a dead charger causes the same symptom, and costs less to fix. That is what the free diagnosis sorts out. See laptop won't turn on for the checks you can do at home first.
Is it worth it on an older laptop?
Usually, yes. A new battery on a laptop that is otherwise fine costs a fraction of a replacement, and you keep all your programs and files exactly as they are. If the laptop is also slow, an SSD at the same visit often makes it feel new. If it isn't worth it, we will say so before ordering anything.
Your files are safe through a battery replacement. More on laptop repairs, or see what a screen costs.