Phone dying too fast throughout the day? Try one or all of these tips for more juice.
$16K for a car battery? Only if you drive an EV …
Here’s a shocker you need to know: Replacing the battery in an electric vehicle can set you back up to $50,000. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s more than a brand-new Tesla Model 3. I’m not beating up Tesla. All EV carmakers hope you don’t figure this out.
OK, how long do EV batteries last?
Hmm, 10 years? 20? Nope. According to a Daily Mail investigation, the average EV battery lasts about eight years — and after that, there’s no hard and fast rule for knowing how much time you have left.,
Many EVs lose up to 12% of their charge capacity by the sixth year, and some lose even more. Case in point: By the time a Nissan Leaf reaches eight years old, it may have lost up to 20% of its battery life — in other words, 99 miles per charge versus the 124 you got while it was new.
Why so pricey?
EV batteries use high-demand metals like nickel, cobalt, lithium and manganese, which are also used in phone and laptop batteries. Plus, you need a specialist to replace them. Most car companies only let you get a replacement at one of their dealerships.
EV batteries typically come with eight-year warranties — but beyond that, to replace it, you’re looking at $16,000 minimum.
If you’re considering an EV or already have one …
- Charge at home. When you can, use a home-based, mains-connected charger (e.g., wall outlet) vs. a high-speed charger.
- Weather makes a big difference. EVs operate best between 77 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Colder temps slow down EV batteries. It also reduces their capacity over time.
Buying a used EV
Most EV battery warranties cover the first eight years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Make sure you know exactly how much time is left on the EV battery’s warranty and how much it’s going to cost to replace it.
🤣 Before you say “Tesla” backward, make sure everyone’s ready. All set? (Oh, tough crowd today!)
They made too much
Amazon has a hidden overstock outlet section. Items up to 70% off? Yes, please!
- Nice power strip with four outlets, four USB ports, a 6-foot cord and a wall mount, if you’re feeling fancy, for 50% off.
- Mount your phone in the car with this holder that goes right into the air vent (just $13). Works with bigger phones or your chunky case.
- Sweet laser distance-measuring tool that’s 26% off. It works up to 328 feet!
- Set of six mini box cutters for packages and envelopes for 50% off (only $4).
- Big, bright flashlights (990,000 lumens!) with impressive battery life. A two-pack is 50% off.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Only you can prevent garbage fires: Batteries, especially lithium-ion and nickel-cadmium types, should be taken to a hazardous waste collection center, not tossed in the trash. Search online for your city or town’s name plus the term “electronics disposal.” Or use this handy site.
It’s miles ahead: Toyota’s long-awaited solid-state battery is nearing production. It will go 745 miles on a single charge, tackling “range anxiety” once and for all. They’re also lighter and more compact than lithium-ion batteries, which means more legroom and cargo space. Finally.
If you won’t be using your e-bike for a while, how much charge should you leave on the battery? Is it 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%?
Stud muffin
Mike wrote in to ask me for stud finder recommendations. I told him to look in the mirror. Then, I asked around and found three I can confidently recommend.
- Old reliable: The price is steep (29% off, $52.95), but this one’s 13 sensors track stud locations and 13 LED lights show you the center and edges of your studs. It reads depths up to 1.6 inches and runs on two AA batteries.
- Cheap: Find the edges of wood and metal studs with this no-frills model from Craftsman. It scans up to a 0.75-inch depth and requires a 9V battery (not included). It’s 9% off ($10.97).
- Magnetic: Run this little guy ($11.95) along the wall, hit the metal stud, and pop! goes the super magnet. This is the one for me. Maybe for you, too?
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
Keep your battery level over 0%: Letting your phone die does more than leave you without a way to play Wordle. It can also degrade your battery over time. Keep a portable charger on hand and power up before you hit 0%.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
🚴 Have an e-bike? Here’s one thing that ruins the battery: Letting it drain completely before you recharge. Lithium-ion batteries perform best when kept charged between 20% to 80%. Keep your e-bike inside, too, once the temps drop for winter. Anything below 32 degrees is no bueno for your battery life.
📺 Your remote is dirtier than your toilet: Remove the batteries and blast it with compressed air if you have it, then clean it with a disinfectant wipe. Cotton swabs and toothpicks are great for removing stubborn gunk. Remember: Don’t put the batteries back in until it’s fully dry.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
MacBook battery widget: It’ll regularly remind you how much juice is left in your laptop. On your Mac, click the date and time in the top right corner. In the notification center pop-up, click Edit Widgets at the bottom. Search for “batteries” and pick your favorite options.
32 hours of battery life: Hey, your old earbuds don’t have that! Raycons are so much more affordable than AirPods, have studio-quality sound and they fit securely in every ear. Score 15% off and free shipping right now at BuyRaycon.com/kim.They come with a 30-day happiness guarantee, too!
Excellent price, excellent audio: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Rayconshave studio-quality sound, 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. Grab ‘em for 15% off and free shipping right now at BuyRaycon.com/kim. They come with a 30-day happiness guarantee, too!
Need a new phone? Samsung accidentally leaked an ad for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. So, what’s new? Sharper edges on the Fold 6 and a vertically stacked triple camera. The Z Flip 6 looks pretty much the same, but rumor has it the battery life is a lot better. They’re both scheduled to launch next month.
Good price, excellent audio: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Rayconshave studio-quality sound and a whopping 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. Grab ‘em for 15% off (and free shipping!) right now at BuyRaycon.com/kim.
Affordable, quality tech: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Raycons have studio-quality sound, noise cancellation, 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. They also pair with two devices so you can share them. Grab ‘em for 20% off (and free shipping!) right now at BuyRaycon.com/kim.
On Windows, get a detailed report that includes usage, capacity and battery life estimates. Open the command prompt by hitting the Start menu, then typing in cmd or cmd.exe in the Run command box. Press Enter. Now, smarty-pants, type or paste in the following: powercfg /batteryreport
Top-of-the-line earbuds under $65: I just checked, and Apple’s AirPods are $129 for the lame basic model … and the ones you really want are almost $200. Try Raycon earbuds instead for studio-quality sound and a whopping 32 hours of battery life. Grab ‘em right now for 20% off (and free shipping!) at BuyRaycon.com/kim.
Tech on a budget: You don’t have to spend $200 or more for high-quality earbuds. Raycons have studio-quality sound and a whopping 32 hours of battery life, and they fit comfortably in every ear with precise fittings. Grab ‘em for 20% off (and free shipping!) at BuyRaycon.com/kim.
🛳️ Cruisin’ together
Five little essentials to pack for your voyage on the high seas — or, really, any summer vacay:
- Pocket-sized router: Think of a travel router as your own private hub on the ship’s network. Pay for the internet for one device but share it using this. Score: Under $34 right now.
- Outlets for everyone: Buyer beware: Cruise staff will confiscate regular surge protectors. Opt for this cruise-approved model with three outlets, two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports — now 29% off ($9.98).
- Li’l nightlight: Cruise cabins get dark at night. Light your path to the loo with a motion sensor nightlight that runs on AAA batteries. Right now, it’s 25% off ($17.99).
- Hangin’ out: Hang your towels, shirts, toiletry bag, sunnies — whatever ya got — on these super-strong magnetic hooks.
- Cruise juice: A dead phone battery on an off-ship excursion? What a disaster. This portable power bank is 40% off ($17.99).
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.