Tips and Tricks for Getting the Most Out of Your Camera Batteries

Just imagine—you're out and about with your camera and in the middle of taking the shot of a lifetime... and then the battery dies!

This nightmare scenario happens more often than you'd think. Whether you're filming moments with the family, an action-packed adventure on the slopes, or something as simple as a beautiful sunset, a stable battery is an absolute must. Therefore, battery care is an essential part of maintaining your equipment. In this blog, we'll take a closer look at the charging cycle, the best temperatures for storage and use, and how to maintain your batteries when not using your camera.

The charging cycle: The basis of battery care

A charging cycle consists of a complete charging and discharging process. Modern lithium-ion batteries, the type used in many cameras including our own, usually have a lifespan of 300 to 500 charging cycles—but whether you actually reach this number depends on how you charge your batteries. To maximize their lifespan, we recommend the following:

1. Partial charging: Don't let the battery completely discharge, no matter how tempting it may be. It's best to charge it when it is at about 20-30% of capacity.
2. Avoid overcharging: Modern chargers usually stop charging the battery when it is full. However, it is still advisable not to leave the battery plugged into the charger for long periods of time.
3. Use appropriate chargers: Always use the charger provided, or one recommended by the manufacturer, to preserve the battery.

Temperature: A crucial factor

Camera batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. This can significantly affect the performance and the lifespan of a battery so it is crucial that you avoid leaving your camera and its battery in direct sunlight or in a car on a warm day. Heat can cause permanent damage to the battery cells.

The cold can also affect the lifespan of a battery, but in this case, the issue is that the low temperatures can cause power to discharge more quickly when it's being used. While shooting in colder climates, we recommend keeping spare batteries ready in an insulated bag.

Storage: Long-term care for batteries

Unless you're a committed content creator, you're probably not shooting every day. In fact, it's not uncommon to go for weeks at a time without using your camera. You may think downtime won't affect your battery, but in fact, it's here when a significant amount of damage can occur. To prevent this from happening, make sure you do the following:

• Check the charge level: Store your batteries at around 50-60% charge. If a battery gets completely discharged, it may never be able to hold a charge again, and an overfilled battery will lose capacity over time.
• Dry, cool storage locations: Store the batteries in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid damp or hot storage locations in particular.
• Regular monitoring: Check the charge level every few months and recharge the battery if necessary to avoid a full discharge.

Signs of Battery Damage

In some cases, even the best storage and care won't prevent your battery from becoming damaged in some way. Damaged batteries can cause a variety of problems, including serious injury to the user, so always look for these signs:

1. Rapid discharge: If your battery is running out of power much faster than usual, this could be a sign that it has lost capacity.
2. Overheating: If the battery becomes unusually hot while charging or in use, this could indicate internal damage.
3. Physical changes: Dents, swells or leaks are clear signs of damage. If you encounter these, the battery should be replaced immediately.
4. Corrosion or leaks: Green or white residue on the contacts or visible liquids indicate corrosion or a leaking battery.
5. Charging problems: If the battery no longer charges fully or the charging process is taking an unusually long time, a replacement may be necessary.
6. Unpredictable performance: Fluctuating performance or an inconsistent remaining charge indicator are signs of a weakened battery.

In the case of physical damage, it is especially important to replace the battery immediately. When buying a new battery, it is best to choose original or Insta360-recommended replacement parts to ensure the best performance and compatibility. If possible, use the original charger to charge the new battery. This will ensure a long lifespan and optimal performance.

Insta360 Battery Accessories

Our action cameras, such as Insta360 X4 or Insta360 Ace Pro 2, come with specially made batteries. With its 2290 mAh battery, Insta360 X4 has up to 27% more capacity than the previous generation and, by using the Insta360 Ace Pro 2's quick charge function, you can get the battery full and your camera up and running again in no time. But, besides for these features, we have other accessories that can extend the life of your batteries.

Fast Charge Hubs: If you own Insta360 Ace Pro or Insta360 Ace Pro 2, we recommend the Fast Charge Hub for Insta360 Ace Series, which allows you to charge up to three batteries at the same time. There's also the Fast Charge Hub for Insta360 X4, which supports fast charging, so you can get your batteries to 80% within 26 minutes. Both have an intelligent charge protection system that prevents overcharging, guaranteeing that your batteries not only charge quickly but don't get damaged in the process.

Portable Charging Case: Do you travel a lot? No problem! Our Portable Charging Case keeps you powered on the go so you never run out of power (at least with your camera!). Simply insert your Ace or X series camera batteries and the 11,000 mAh battery will charge them while you head out on your next adventure.

Insta360 GO 3S Battery Pack: While Insta360 GO 3S doesn't have a removable battery, we have an accessory that doubles the battery life of your camera and charges it while you film. Plus, the Battery Pack can be charged to 80% in 20 minutes and to 100% in 35 minutes.

If that's not enough, we also have a wide variety of cables that can charge your batteries quickly and safely, meaning you can always stay powered up, no matter where your adventures take you.

Keen to keep up to date on Insta360 stories? Keep an eye on our blog and sign up for our mailing list. Got a story to share? Email yours to communitystories@insta360.com and win up to US$50.