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11 Things You Didn’t Know Your Mouse’s Middle Button Can

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If there’s one gadget in your home office you can replace without having to relearn it, it’s a computer mouse. But beyond these everyday functionalities, you might be surprised that your mouse actually hides some lesser-known tricks in the form of the middle button. Yes, that scroll wheel is also a button designed to do more than just scrolling. It comes in handy whenever you’re browsing the web and reading documents, providing quick shortcuts to what should have been multistep actions.

In case you’re using a laptop’s trackpad with no middle button, you can configure Windows 11 so that tapping the trackpad with three fingers will act as a middle button click. Just go to Bluetooth & devices in your Settings menu, select Touchpad, then Three-finger gestures, and finally click the dropdown menu next to Taps to select Middle mouse button. On macOS, you can achieve effects similar to a middle mouse button click by holding Command on your keyboard and clicking on the trackpad. So, here are 11 things you can do with your mouse’s middle button to boost your productivity.

Browsing tricks

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Some of the most practical functions for your mouse’s middle button are right in the browser. Generally, you’ll use it to open new tabs, close existing ones, and auto-scroll, but to be more specific, here’s a closer look at those functions:

  • Open a link in a new tab: Just press the middle button on any link. Test it in our article on Windows Touchpad tips and tricks.
  • Open other pages in a new tab: When you middle-click on the back, forward, refresh, or home icon in the top-left of your browser, it opens certain web pages in a new tab. The back button opens the previous page, forward opens the next page (if you’ve just gone back in your recent history), refresh opens the current page, and home redirects you to the home page, but all in a new tab.
  • Open an autosuggestion in a fresh tab: If you type something on the address bar, some autocomplete suggestions appear. Middle-click on one to open it in a new tab.
  • Open a bookmarked page or folder in a new tab: In the bookmark bar, simply middle-click on a bookmark or bookmark folder to open it in a new tab. If the folder has multiple pages, all of them will open in different new tabs.
  • Close a tab: You won’t need to precisely click the X mark to close a browser tab. Just hover over it in the tab bar and click the middle button to exit it.
  • Auto-scroll a web page or PDF: Whenever you’re on a scrollable page or reading a PDF, middle-click on any empty space and move your mouse slightly downward to activate the auto-scroll feature and start scrolling down. Move the mouse slightly up to scroll up the page. The farther you move your mouse from the starting point, the faster it will scroll. To exit auto-scroll, middle-click anywhere on the page.

System and productivity tricks

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Your mouse’s middle-click button works outside the browser too. Here are a couple of hidden tricks you can do on Windows and on some essential Windows apps:

  • Open a File Explorer folder in a new tab: This works just like how you open items in a new browser tab. Middle-click on a folder to open it in a new tab in the same File Explorer window. You can’t, however, use middle-click for folders on the left-side panel.
  • Close a folder in a different tab in File Explorer: If you have multiple tabs open on a single File Explorer window, hover over any of the folders and middle-click. That specific folder will then close.
  • Open a new window of any app in your taskbar: If you have an active app shown on the taskbar and need a new window for it, go to the app icon in the taskbar and press the middle button. This also works for apps pinned to the taskbar that aren’t active yet.
  • Close app windows from the taskbar: You can close minimized windows without having to open them in full screen. Hover over the app icon in the taskbar and middle-click on any window you want to exit. No need to press the X icon.
  • Auto-scroll on Notepad: The same auto-scroll feature in your browser works on your Notepad.

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DHCP Or Static IP: Which Is Better For Your Home

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Most people understand that when you connect to the internet, your internet service provider assigns your modem and network an internet protocol (IP) address. That’s your external or public-facing IP. Your router also assigns internal IPs to every device on your local network. IPs are like identifiers that make it easier to manage and organize all Wi-Fi-connected devices, from smart home gadgets and TVs to phones and laptops. That’s precisely how you check who is connecting to your Wi‑Fi: by looking at the assigned IP addresses.

While external and internal IPs work a bit differently, both accommodate static addresses (static IP) or Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) managed ones. The biggest differentiator is that a static IP is fixed or permanent, while a dynamic IP is automatically chosen and temporary. DHCP is usually the default option and likely what your home router is already using. You can easily set up a static IP on a local network; however, obtaining one from an ISP is not so simple. Often, static public IPs are reserved for premium or business-grade accounts.

In your router’s administrative settings, you can configure static IP addresses for various devices. That way, when you reboot a device or the router, the assigned address stays the same. That is ideal for something like a shared media server. The permanent IP makes it easier to connect to the server across multiple sessions. You always know the right address. As for which option is best for your home network, it depends. Each IP type has pros and cons.

Does the type of IP affect the performance or speed of a connection?

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In terms of general performance, neither static nor DHCP IP addresses has a significant impact on latency, speed, connection quality or throughput for an active connection. Speed and quality are largely determined by your ISP’s network and allotted bandwidth and have almost nothing to do with the assigned IP. Your router’s maximum supported speed may also determine wired or wireless performance for devices connected to it. The exception is when a public IP address has been previously banned or blocked by a platform or service, which prevents all traffic to that address on the server side.

When dealing with public-facing IPs, a static over DHCP can slightly impact performance, but mostly due to establishing the internet connection and retaining access across sessions. That’s because there are fewer disparities during the process with a static IP, since the device or network router already knows the assignment. It doesn’t affect the ongoing performance of internal IP assignments, although devices with fixed IPs may initially establish a connection to the network a few milliseconds faster.

Like all modern tech, it’s a good idea to restart your router. If you’re wondering how often you should reboot your router, experts recommend doing so monthly, if not more often. That power cycle will reset many settings, but also the DHCP-assigned IPs.

Static IP versus DHCP: Weighing the pros and cons

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Choosing between a static IP and DHCP really depends on what you’ll be doing with the affected device.

A static IP makes it easier to identify, track, and manage devices on your local network. You always know which device is what and how to connect internally, which is ideal for a media server or shared setup. Static IPs are more vulnerable because they’re permanent and can be exploited by anyone. Routers may limit the total number of static IPs you can assign. 

DHCP or dynamic IPs are auto-assigned and managed by the network equipment; in this case, your home router. Every time a device joins the network, including when your router power cycles, DHCP IPs are released and renewed. That makes it challenging to pinpoint a specific device across sessions if you’re trying to connect or share data. The complexity makes it more challenging to establish and maintain remote connections, like when you’re trying to stream games from another device. A beefy desktop gaming PC is one of several devices your Steam Deck can connect to locally, for instance. Assigning a static IP makes that easier. Granted, DHCP doesn’t totally eliminate remote opportunities. You’ll have to locate the DHCP IP each time a device power cycles, or if there’s a connection interruption of some kind. 

The best practice is to simply let your router handle IP addresses (DHCP) for devices that connect and disconnect frequently. Assign a static IP to devices that would benefit from a fixed address, such as those you connect to remotely or share with other devices. Viable static IP candidates would be a game console like your PS5, a gaming desktop, a media server, a smart home hub, and other network-related devices.

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4 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Google

The Google Fitbit Air is a lightweight fitness tracker with no built-in screen that looks and feels more like a bracelet than anything else. But what’s special is that it uses Google’s Gemini AI to empower Google Health and fitness tracking from the device and provide guided coaching. It resembles something like Whoop fitness trackers, another low-profile, bracelet-first series of wearables.

The actual device portion is a small, removable module engineered in a puck or slight oval shape that fits in the palm of your hand. That core device can be swapped out with different bands, allowing you to personalize your style pretty much any way you want. There’s even a limited-edition Stephen Curry-inspired version with unique coloring.

Meanwhile, all the functionality and features are delivered not just through the device but also the Fitbit app. A Fitbit app that completely changed with a new redesign, by the way. But as stylish and attractive as they are, before you run out and buy a Fitbit Air from Google, there are definitely several things you’ll want to know. Here are some of those major points laid out and explained in full.

1. There’s no screen at all, not even a small one

It may seem obvious looking at the front of the device or some of the eccentric styles, but there’s no display or screen whatsoever on the Google Fitbit Air, not even a small one for notifications. That’s certainly not a problem for everyone, it can be nice swapping to a more minimalistic design without a large, bright display. It won’t need to be charged every night because of a power-hungry AMOLED, and lasts for seven days on a single charge. But the screen absence is still something to keep in mind. This isn’t a smartwatch.

All the information provided, and tracked, by the device will be accessible through the Fitbit app. So, you’ll need your phone connected. It doesn’t provide real-time data of any kind on its own, but it’s designed to passively collect and analyze your health stats — you’re really not meant to take it off and can even wear it in your sleep.

Another thing to note is that it doesn’t have a built-in GPS sensor. Location data is tracked through the phone, again via the app. These are not deal-breakers per se, but it offers perspective as to how Google intends this device to be used.

2. Not all of Fitbit Air’s features are free

For the most part, you don’t need a subscription or have to pay anything extra to access Google Fitbit Air’s health tracking functionality and basic features within the app. Almost everything is available for free with a Google account, including if you’re using the device with an iPhone — and yes, the Fitbit Air plays nice with both Android and iOS.

However, anything related to the Google Health Premium service, Fitbit’s new premium offering, formerly Fitbit Premium, will require a subscription. That’s mainly tied to the personalized Google Health Coach. Other premium features include more detailed health insights, basic sleep tracking and sleep scores for free, proactive fitness insights, access to a huge workout library and mindfulness sessions for meditation, breathing exercises, and more.

To provide context around Google Health Coach, it’s an AI-powered personal health assistant that gives you direct tips, training plans, and wellness guidance based on your own health data. You can also chat with the tool to do things like share your fitness goals, set up a workout plan, and more. If you want access to that, you’ll need to pay $10 ($9.99) per month or $100 ($99.99) annually. Alternatively, if you’re a Google AI Pro or Ultra tier subscriber, Health Premium bundles are included. Google’s AI Health Coach is also available for iOS Fitbit users, as well.

3. There are three different band types to choose from

It may not be immediately apparent, but the Google Fitbit Air doesn’t just come in different colorways, there are also three band versions, outside of the limited-edition variants. Those are sold as accessories that you can easily swap around.

There’s a Performance Loop Band, the stock band the Fitbit Air comes with that’s also sold for $35 separately, made from recycled materials and sporting a flexible, breathable fit. The Active Band for $35 is silicone-based, with sweat-proof and moisture-proof properties meant for rugged and high-intensity training. Finally, the Elevated Modern Band for $50 embraces modern style and fashion to deliver a blend of form and function.

It’s not hard to imagine Google or third-parties releasing other band options for the Fitbit Air, further expanding the level of customization available to everyone. There are a ton of unique bands available for Fitbit’s other devices on Amazon, like the Charge or Inspire series. The same is probably going to happen with the Air.

4. Google’s AI health coach is hallucinating in early previews

There have been several reports of Google’s AI health coach hallucinating, by making up workouts that don’t really exist, and possibly delivering advice that’s not very helpful. As reported by 9to5Google, the virtual coach is mostly available through an in-app chatbot that’s prone to giving the wrong guidance or referencing the wrong information, like a miles-long run that didn’t happen.

This suggests that the new service may not be ready for primetime, and you may want to hold off on the premium subscription if you’re thinking about getting a Fitbit Air early. While it’s a different platform, Google’s Gemini AI overviews have also suffered from silly hallucinations that went viral, and they’re known to happen with LLM or large-language model tools.

The hang-up here is that it’s all tied to health guidance and insights. Don’t let it hold you back completely if you’re made up your mind, just be wary that it’s happened and it’s something you may encounter yourself.

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7 Hidden Google One Perks You Need To Start Using

The Google One app in the Google Play Store. Mamun_Sheikh/Shutterstock

For many people, the primary reason to sign up for Google One is to add more cloud storage to their Google accounts. You’ll get an extra space of 100GB to as much as 30TB, depending on the tier you choose. However, you may not be aware of all the benefits, especially for the more expensive plans. To help you make the most out of your subscription, we’ve rounded up all of the perks that members can enjoy.

The monthly cost of Google One subscriptions starts at $1.99 for the Basic plan with 100GB of storage, then moves up to $2.99 for Standard with 200GB and $9.99 for Premium with 2TB. You also have the option of signing up for the Google AI Pro plan with 2TB for $19.99, or the Google AI Ultra plan with 30TB for $249.99.

Depending on the membership tier you choose, Google One offers hidden perks such as unlimited photo editing, cashback on purchases, and access to a library of AI tools. Read on to check out these benefits, and if you think any of them will be helpful for your personal or professional purposes, start using them right away to maximize Google One.

Share the perks with family and friends

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When you sign up for any Google One subscription, whether it’s the most affordable one or the most expensive, you’ll be able to share all of the perks that you’ll get with up to five other people — except for one that we’ll reveal below. You’ll be splitting the storage space that comes with the tier level that you choose, but everyone sharing the membership through the “Manage family settings” menu of the Google One app will also be able to access most of the benefits.

You wouldn’t have to worry about privacy, though. While up to six people will share the storage space, they won’t be able to access each other’s files. You’ll be able to check how much storage each person is using, though, and if someone’s hogging most of the space, you can tell them to delete some of their files to free up some GBs for everyone else.

Save unlimited photos from Magic Editor

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The AI-powered Magic Editor is a tool that you can access by choosing the Edit option when you select a picture on Google Photos. Just some of the things that you can do with this feature are moving and erasing subjects, such as removing a photobomber in your photo, or reimagining the picture by adding new elements, such as adding dragons in the background while you’re on top of a castle. You can also use the tool to adjust and reframe a shot that was taken off-center or with the wrong composition.

The Magic Editor is available to all Google Photos users, though phones with at least 3GB of RAM are necessary to handle it. However, unless you’re using a Google Pixel smartphone, you’re only allowed to save up to 10 edited photos per month. To unlock unlimited saves on the Magic Editor while using another Android phone or an iPhone, you’ll have to sign up for a Google One Premium subscription or above.

Receive cashbacks on Google Store purchases

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If you’ve been thinking about replacing your smartphone with any of the models in the Google Pixel 10 series, an active Google One subscription gives you another reason to make the switch. Members are eligible for cashback on anything you purchase on the Google Store, where you can buy Pixel phones, Pixel watches, Fitbit fitness trackers, and a wide range of smart home gadgets, among other products.

Google One subscribers will receive the cash back in the form of Google Store credit. If you’ve signed up for a 200GB plan, you’ll get 3% of the amount that you spent, and if you’ve signed up for the higher tiers, you’ll get 10%. To secure this reward, you just need to sign in with your Google One account on the Google Store before you make your purchase. The amount of the credit will be shown at checkout, and it will be available 30 days after your order ships out, provided you are still a Google One subscriber. 

Unlock extra features on Google Workspace

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For those who are using Google Workspace for remote jobs and other professional purposes, signing up for Google One’s Premium plan or above will give you access to additional features on Google Calendar and Google Meet. These perks will make it easier to manage your schedules and improve team communications, so they’re a nice bonus to your Google One subscription.

With Google One active, you’ll be able to create a page on Google Calendar where other people can book appointments with you. They’ll receive email reminders for their schedules, and you’ll also be alerted to any conflicts. Meanwhile, for Google Meet, you can have group meetings lasting up to 24 hours, compared to just 60 minutes if you’re on a free account. You’ll also be able to activate noise cancellation, save video call recordings to Google Drive, and set up livestreams of meetings on YouTube.

Save on YouTube Premium

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People sign up for YouTube Premium to get rid of ads when they’re watching videos on the platform. There are some hidden YouTube Premium features as well, though, including improved controls on mobile devices and smart downloads so you’ll always have something to watch when offline. With the YouTube Premium price hike, it will hurt your wallet a bit more, but you can save with a Google One subscription at the Premium tier or higher.

To get the discount, go to the Benefits section of the Google One page and add YouTube Premium to your plan. From there, you’ll see the lowered price of the subscription before you sign up. For Google One Premium subscribers, the annual price will be 50% off, while for Google AI Ultra subscribers, the service will be a free add-on. Unfortunately, though, this is the perk that can’t be shared with the other people in the family plan, so they’ll have to sign up for YouTube Premium separately.

Utilize Gemini in Gmail, Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Meet

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Google Gemini, the Google Assistant replacement, is making waves with its presence in Pixel phones, Google Home, Android Auto, and several other applications. If you can’t get enough of the usefulness of the AI assistant, you can get it on a variety of Google apps by signing up for a Google One AI Pro plan.

Gemini already has a wide range of uses in Google apps, such as helping you write emails and reports in Gmail and Google Docs, transforming your ideas into striking visuals in Google Slides, and improving the organization of your thoughts and plans in Google Sheets. Gemini will also make you look and sound better during calls on Google Meet, which will go hand in hand with the upgrade that lets group meetings last much longer. These apps are already very helpful for daily tasks, and adding Gemini’s capabilities will make things even easier for you. 

Access more AI tools

The app icons for Gemini and NotebookLM on a smartphone. Koshiro K/Shutterstock

In addition to Gemini, there are other AI-powered tools that you can unlock with a Google One subscription. Among the most popular ones is NotebookLM, to which you can upload up to 50 sources, such as PDFs and website links, and then it will summarize all the information for easier understanding. The app gets supercharged to NotebookLM Plus with Google One AI Pro, with up to 300 sources per notebook, and up to 600 per notebook with no watermarks on the output if you’re on Google One AI Ultra.

Signing up for Google One’s AI plans also grants expanded access to Deep Research, which can dive deep into the web and even your own Google apps to gather information for your project; Veo 3, a video generation model that can transform your prompts into short-form videos; and Jules, a coding agent that works asynchronously with developers and is designed with GitHub integration.

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Why James Gunn Added George Clooney’s Batman To The Flash

George Clooney smiling at the premiere for Jay Kelly Joe Seer/Shutterstock

Many renowned actors have donned the caped crusader’s iconic batsuit on the silver screen, including Robert Pattinson, (who’s set to return for “The Batman 2”), Ben Affleck, and the late great Val Kilmer. Each actor — and director — has had a unique take on the role, from Christian Bale’s buff, gravelly voiced superhero in Christopher Nolan’s action-packed “Dark Knight” trilogy, to Michael Keaton’s moodier, more serious take on the world’s greatest detective in Tim Burton’s gothic Batman films. Each big screen Batman adaptation is memorable in its own right — but not always for good reasons.

Released in 1997, and considered by critics to be the worst Batman movie of all time, Joel Schumacher’s tongue-in-cheek “Batman & Robin” had — on paper — the ability to be a hit, with George Clooney stepping into the well-worn boots of Batman/Bruce Wayne, facing off against Arnold Schwarzenegger’s diabolical Mr. Freeze and Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy. However, the film was so poorly received that Clooney — who admits he was “bad in it” — more than two decades later, finds it “physically” painful to watch.

Thus, it was surprising to see Clooney reprise his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman for a brief cameo at the end of 2023’s “The Flash” — 26 years after hanging up the cape. Below, we break down how and why DC Studios executive James Gunn brought back Clooney for one of superhero cinema’s most unexpected cameos.

Why did George Clooney appear as Bruce Wayne in The Flash?

In one of the final scenes of “The Flash,” Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) is seen on the phone to Bruce Wayne outside. However, when Wayne pulls up and gets out of his car, it’s not Ben Affleck playing him, but George Clooney. Barry then realizes he didn’t fix the timeline quite as he thought.

This ending featuring Clooney was one of three created for the film, as a result of changing regimes at Warner Bros. Initially, “The Flash” began production under Warner Bros.’ previous studio regime, and was to mark a reset for the DC cinematic universe, with the ending to feature Supergirl (Sasha Calle) and Michael Keaton’s Batman. However, following Discovery’s acquisition of Warner Bros. in April 2022, different executives were brought in to oversee the film instead. Under their leadership, a new ending was conceived, adding Superman (Henry Cavill) and Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) alongside Batman and Supergirl, as means of teasing planned DC projects.

But, in November 2022, James Gunn and Peter Safran were brought in to run DC Studios — who also had their own plans for the film. The pair scrapped the two previous endings — as their plans to reset the DC universe wouldn’t necessarily deliver on the teased returns of Wonder Woman and Superman — but still wanted one that would convey that Barry hasn’t fixed the timeline as he thought. With Keaton already in the film, there had been jokes about including Clooney, too. While it seemed like a long shot, they contacted Clooney’s agent, showed him a cut of the almost-finished film, and miraculously, he agreed to participate.

Will George Clooney appear as Batman again?

Probably not. Following the release of “The Flash” in 2023, the Oscar-winner was asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether his appearance in the film was a one-off, or whether it opened the door to more work as the character. George Clooney confirmed the former. “Somehow there were not a lot of requests for me to reprise my role as Batman,” he told THR. “I don’t know why.” Additionally, in February 2023, four months before “The Flash” was released, James Gunn shut down rumors that Clooney was the DCU’s new Batman. In response to a fan asking on X, “Is it true you’re casting George Clooney as the new main DCU Batman?,” Gunn simply replied: “Absolutely not.”

While “The Batman 2,” starring Robert Pattinson, is set for a 2027 release, the film is part of Matt Reeves’ standalone “The Batman Epic Crime Saga,” which also encompasses HBO’s “The Penguin” TV series. It’s therefore not part of the DCU shared universe. However, DC Studios has confirmed it’s working on a new DCU project titled “Batman: The Brave and the Bold,” helmed by “The Flash” director Andy Muschietti. However, the actor playing Batman hasn’t officially been confirmed yet, and we likely won’t know more about the project for a while.

In response to a Threads user asking when fans can expect an update, Gunn said: “I’m dependent on when there’s an actionable script ready, so there’s no way of me guessing this. Also, frankly, we’re well into “[The} Batman 2,” and I wouldn’t want to cloud the Batsphere until after that.”

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Vertical Or Horizontal: What’s The Best Position For Your PlayStation

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While the console wars continue among PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox, there is another, albeit smaller, battle among PlayStation 5 owners: the fight over how to place your PS5. Like most of its predecessors, Sony’s fifth console can be placed either vertically or horizontally, depending on your preference and your available space. While it’s entirely up to the owner how to place it, there may be some potential issues with the choice.

The PS5 launched with the ability to be placed either way, but placing it horizontally may be for the best. That’s because placing older PS5 models vertically may damage the console. It’s been reported that the liquid metal used to cool the PS5’s system on a chip (SoC) could leak between the heatsink and the SoC if left in a vertical position. This could cause the PS5 to overheat, leading to lower performance. Reports indicate that Sony fixed the issue on newer models when it redesigned its cooling system, though you should know that Sony has not commented on or confirmed the potential risk of a liquid metal leak at all. 

Not only does placing your PS5 horizontally reduce the risk of the liquid metal leaking, but it also reduces the risk of it falling over, as it has a more stable base. Having it vertical increases the chance it could be knocked over, even if it is on its included stand.

Where is the best place for your PlayStation 5?

a PlayStation 5 with a controller Girts Ragelis/Getty Images

Placing a PS5 also comes down to where it’s going to be. Whether it’s on a shelf, in a TV console, or next to the TV, keep in mind the amount of space you have to work with. The PS5 is quite large, so fitting it into your desired entertainment center can be a deciding factor in where you place it. 

Another major consideration is whether it has enough room to breathe. Dust and dirt can cause problems, so make sure to leave enough room around the console for air to circulate, and only place the console itself on hard surfaces to prevent your PlayStation 5 from overheating. The base coming into contact with carpeted surfaces while in the vertical position is likely fine, provided the console is off the carpet and has ample ventilation.

How close the console is to the TV matters, too. Power and HDMI cables need to reach the TV, so make sure they can be connected without straining. The HDMI cable that comes with the PS5 is roughly 1.5 meters long, so you’ll need at least that much room to connect it.

What to do if your PlayStation 5 breaks

PlayStation 5 systems Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Video game consoles are not without their own gremlins, faults, or glitches. The PlayStation 3, for instance, suffered from what has come to be known as the yellow light of death. And just like the console before it, there’s always a chance your PlayStation 5 can break down or malfunction. Sony provides a one-year warranty from the date of purchase, which includes repair or replacement with another console at no additional charge.

Outside the original warranty, extended warranties, like the one offered by Best Buy’s Geek Squad, can offer peace of mind and are available depending on where you purchased the PS5. In that case, you’ll need to contact the retailer for details on how to use the benefits of their extended warranty. If the original warranty expired and you don’t have an extended warranty, your only option is to have it repaired out of pocket by a professional.

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4 Cheap Ways To Upgrade Your 3D Printer

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Buying a 3D printer might be expensive, considering how much these machines can cost, but many upgrades can be cheap. There are several options you can buy online or make yourself that cost only a fraction of what you paid for your printer. Even entry-level models can start to deliver better performance with these upgrades.

In many cases, these cheap components also help address common 3D printing mistakes, such as poor adhesion, calibration issues, or trouble monitoring longer projects. Because of that, many of these small upgrades usually involve simple accessories that do not require much investment. At the same time, they deliver noticeable results in daily use.

So, instead of buying parts only because they seem popular, the best path is to prioritize cheap upgrades that solve problems with your printer. Many of these choices can help you improve the reliability of your project without expending more on this hobby. That way, you can make the 3D printer more efficient without needing to invest in a more advanced model.

Solve first-layer adhesion issues with a flexible build plate

3D printer creating yellow model on textured build plate surface Undefined Undefined/Getty Images

One of the cheapest ways to upgrade your projects is to buy a flexible build plate, which you can find among the 3D printing accessories online for under $30. This accessory helps address one of the biggest problems in many projects: first-layer adhesion. When printing parts that need higher precision, a solid base to support them becomes one of the most important factors.

Flexible build plates use a material that helps ensure the filament stays stuck during the first stage of the thermal process. That also helps prevent warping, which often compromises the integrity and final dimensions of your projects. Another factor that makes this accessory useful is how easy it is to remove printed models once they are ready.

This happens because most of these plates use spring steel with a PEI coating, a material that sticks well during printing but releases the model with ease after cooling. You only need to flex the plate slightly, and the parts come loose without a scraper or much force. This also lowers the chance of breaking the model after waiting hours for it to finish.

A multi-size nozzle pack improves print speed and finer details

If you bought a beginner 3D printer, the nozzle that came with it is most likely designed mainly for standard PLA. Although it works well for that purpose, this nozzle isn’t the best if you want to try other filaments on your projects. That’s why you should buy a nozzle pack when possible, since they cost around $10, come in different sizes, and can improve your printing in many ways.

In addition to giving you an easy way to replace your nozzle whenever it wears out, the different 3D printer nozzles included in the package also come in handy. Wider nozzles are particularly effective whenever you intend to make a less detailed model but require fast results. At the same time, narrow nozzles can produce finer details if you want.

Finally, if you plan to print abrasive materials, such as carbon fiber, you need a hardened steel nozzle. These projects usually wear down the standard nozzles that come with 3D printers very fast. Because of that, these tougher versions usually last much longer and help prevent constant replacements.

A cheap printer enclosure stabilizes temperatures for ABS and PETG

Person inspecting enclosed 3D printer with transparent protective chamber door open Phynart Studio/Getty Images

If you bought one of the cheap 3D printers with an open-frame design, a printer enclosure should become one of your priorities. That is because you can find basic models online for under $30, or even build one at home. Either way, a controlled environment for your printer matters.

When you use it during printing, you can keep the temperature stable around the machine. Open-frame models are sensitive to drafts and cold air, which can hurt projects made with materials such as ABS or PETG. So, when you keep that heat trapped in a closed space, you maintain an ideal temperature and reduce the risk of project failures.

In addition to temperature control, a dust enclosure also offers other benefits. It reduces the external dirt that can reach your 3D printer, and stops filament particles from spreading through the rest of the house. It’s a cheap upgrade that makes your projects more consistent and reduces the mess they create.

Proper filament storage and drying prevents excessive stringing

Although it requires a slightly larger investment, a 3D printing filament dryer justifies the extra cost. Depending on how you store your filaments, they can absorb moisture from the air over time, causing print issues. Common examples include excessive stringing, bubbles, and even material breaking before it enters the machine.

Filaments like Nylon and PVA, for example, are more sensitive, and moisture can affect them within a few hours outside. Other options, such as PLA, PETG, and TPU, can also degrade over time, even though they are more moisture-resistant. So, with a filament dryer, you can address this problem by maintaining a controlled temperature for each material.

For those who do not want to spend too much, the SUNLU FilaDryer S2 is a good recommendation, as it reaches a maximum temperature of 70 °C, which is sufficient for most popular filaments. Its convenient touchscreen display shows temperature, humidity, timer, and the type of material in real time. It may sound pricy at around $55, but it’s worth it when you consider the savings you can make in preserving your filament.

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This Common Phone Accessory Could Have A Major Impact On

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Smartphone cases, while handy, can also be responsible for shaving off your phone’s lifespan. This is because some smartphone cases cannot dissipate heat properly. When your phone is charging, it tends to heat up as a result of the process. If you are charging your phone with your case on, it won’t cool down effectively.

Thermal degradation is why components like batteries often degrade more quickly, even if you use good charging practices, such as disabling fast charging when you don’t need it or capping the maximum charge to limit strain on the battery. If you notice your phone getting too hot, then it’s high time to give it some breathing room to properly ventilate. If you’re worried about going caseless, remember that phone cases aren’t always needed anymore. The fact is that smartphone manufacturers have vastly improved on durability over the past decade, so many premium phones are built with impact and drop resistance and are less likely to shatter if accidentally dropped.

Not all phone cases will harm your device’s battery health

a line of magsafe compatible cases in multi colors laid flat on a surface LUCKY4UU/Shutterstock

If you want to find a phone case you can leave on without overheating the hardware and impacting your device’s battery health, you probably want to avoid heavy-duty cases and leaving them on while charging. Phone cases made of materials like leather, silicone, wood, rubber, metal, and even some lower-quality plastic can be ones to avoid, as they trap heat inside the case. Anything that is tightly bound or is too thick (like rugged cases) can impede airflow or provide poor ventilation. If you are unsure, it is best to avoid charging or running CPU-intensive tasks when these cases are in use, as they do not handle excessive heat well.

Of course, these are general rules, as some manufacturers procure higher-quality materials that help dissipate heat and keep them thin enough for heat to still transfer into the surroundings. If you are charging wirelessly, good MagSafe cases will prevent overheating, the primary culprit in essentially ruining your smartphone’s battery health. But of course, you will need to ensure it is still thin enough, has solid alignment, and that the materials used don’t trap heat.

As a precaution: Consider changing your charging habits

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Going caseless while your phone is charging or for general use doesn’t do you any good if you don’t change your usage habits, since your phone will still generate heat naturally. Phones usually have an optimization setting that makes it easier to set the charging limit to 80%. The 80% limit is designed to protect the phone from high-voltage stress during the final 20% of charging.

Some phones have a bypass charging feature that helps you handle a newly set limit, since you might be tempted to turn it off when you feel you need that extra 20% while playing a game or doing a battery-depleting task. Bypass charging supplies your phone with power without using your battery, as long as you are plugged in, alleviating stress on the battery from overuse. Then, of course, you’ll want to be judicious with fast charging, since it can generate more heat than regular charging.

The last tip for good charging practices is to use high-quality chargers, whether the ones that came with your device or highly rated ones. That way, you know you get the proper wattage and regulated current needed to charge the battery. If it does not meet the standards, your phone could be exposed to unstable voltage, or the charger may be unable to dissipate heat properly (due to poor build quality).

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9 Reliable Wireless Printers You Can Buy In 2026

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Despite advances in technology, printers are one consumer product that always feels like they’re stuck in the past. Everything from poor ink yields, connectivity errors, ink clogs, and misaligned pages to inexplicable print errors and slow print speeds has given printers a terrible reputation among customers. Thankfully, if you’re willing to wade through a sea of similar models, there are still companies making reliable wireless printers in 2026. These printers will deliver when you need them most, like printing an assignment for school or a detailed report before a meeting at work.

Most of these come from a few select brands that make reliable printers. They are the printers that are the least likely to run out of ink or lose connection when you need them, but it’s worth pointing out that they aren’t infallible. Even highly reviewed printers by experts often have middling reviews from customers. For this list, we’ve selected products that are both recommended by experts and hold a 4.0 aggregate rating from customers or higher, so you’re getting a clear consensus printer opinion.

Brother HL-L2460DW

Brother is the brand to know when it comes to reliable wireless printers, with many happy customers sticking with the brand for over a decade. The HL-L2460DW is one of its most basic models. It’s a monochrome printer, so it only prints in black and white, and there’s no scanner to be found. Instead, it’s an affordable entry point into laser printers, and the brand sells several toners (TN830, TN830XL, or DR830) that can comfortably print thousands of pages before you need to replace them. These toners are expensive, but they pay off in the long run, and they won’t clog up your printer if left unused for months at a time like inkjet models.

If you need to print quickly, the HL-L2460DW also has you covered, with an advertised printing speed of 36 pages per minute (ppm). In its review, RTINGS found that those numbers are more than just marketing, measuring a speedy real-world output of 34 ppm. This model has automatic duplex printing, so you can print on both sides without fiddling with the paper. 

In terms of wireless connectivity, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct ,and wireless printing via the Brother Mobile Connect App. When printing from a phone, it’s also compatible with both Apple AirPrint and the Android-enabled Mopria Print Service, which is relatively easy to set up on any device. It has an aggregate rating of 4.1 on Amazon, based on more than 2,000 reviews.

Epson EcoTank ET-2980

Cartridges can be annoying and costly to replace in inkjet printers, but the Epson EcoTank ET-2980 flips this logic on its head by using refillable ink bottles. The company notes that there’s enough ink in the box for up to 6,600 color prints or 5,500 black and white prints, depending on usage. After that, each replacement EcoFit bottle is the equivalent of 80 cartridges. That could be years worth of prints in your home office, with RTINGS writing that “its exceptional page yields make it very economical to run.”

However, be aware that if you don’t print for a long time, it can lead to ink clogs as things dry up. The bottles themselves can also dry up, so this product is best for users who expect to do a lot of printing. Thankfully, the bottles can be purchased individually and you only need to refill what you use.

It’s also worth pointing out that the print speeds are much slower than laser printers, but still decent as far as inkjet printers go. It’s rated for 15 ppm in black-and-white prints, or 8 ppm in color prints. It also has auto duplex for easy double-sided printing, as well as a basic scanning bed for extra versatility. In terms of connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi Direct, and mobile compatibility via the Epson Smart Panel app, Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, or Mopria Scan. It has a 4.2-star rating based on more than 500 reviews on Amazon.

Brother MFC-L3780CDW

For demanding uses like small businesses or offices, the all-in-one Brother MFC-L3780CDW is a reliable workhorse printer. It has all the functionalities you could ever need from a printer, including color prints, copies, a 50-page automatic document feeder (ADF), scans with on-device optical character recognition (OCR) to output searchable PDFs, and even faxing. It also supports auto duplex printing, plus single-pass duplex scanning and copying. 

It’s a laser printer, so pages print fast. It’s rated for 31 ppm for both black and white and color prints. The quality is great, too. PCMag found that documents printed in tiny 4-point size were still clean and legible. Brother claims the included cartridges have enough toner for 2,300 black prints or 1,200 color prints, with high-yield replacement toners available to last even longer. Color toners are sold individually, so you only have to replace the ones that run out. They are expensive, but you can save some money with a Brother Refresh EZ Print Subscription.

This printer also boasts a wide range of wireless connectivity options. In addition to gigabit internet, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, and mobile prints via the Brother Mobile Connect app, Apple AirPrint, or Mopria Print Service. If your company deals with sensitive information, there’s also an NFC scanner for badge authentication, which restricts printer use to authorized personnel. The MFC-L3780CDW costs well over $500, but that actually puts it on the budget end of all-in-one color laser printers with this feature set. It has a 4.1-star rating based on over 700 reviews on Amazon.

Canon PIXMA TS6520 / TR7120

Canon is best known for its DSLR cameras, but it’s also a long-standing player in the printer space. Two of its most reliable models, the PIXMA TS6520 and TR7120, are from the same model. They’re both affordable all-in-one inkjet printers with a small footprint, making them a great choice for home use. The difference between the two is that the TR7120 has a 35-sheet ADF for quick scanning of large stacks of documents. The latter is limited to scanning one document at a time via a flatbed scanner, but it’s more affordable. Apart from that, the two are identical, with a surprisingly solid shared feature set that includes duplex printing.

While both models are affordable, they come with some of the classic drawbacks of inkjet models. They both use a two-cartridge system, so you’ll have to replace the entire color cartridge when one color runs out. Page yields are middling, and you can expect around 250 pages per cartridge. Still, it’s a good budget home printer, with RTINGS writing that it “feels solidly built and delivers sharp documents along with detailed photos.”

Print speeds are decent, coming in around 14 ppm for black & white prints and 9 ppm for color prints. It supports a variety of connection options, including dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service, and the Canon PRINT app. The Canon PIXMA TS6520 has a 4.5-star rating based on more than 500 reviews on Amazon, and the Canon PIXMA TR7120 has a 4.3-star rating based on more than 200 reviews on Amazon.

HP OfficeJet 250

HP is widely considered one of the least reliable printer brands, but the HP OfficeJet 250 bucks the trend, and it’s unique because it’s designed to be completely portable. It weighs 6.51 lbs, so it can easily fit in a backpack or briefcase. It also has a removable battery. In terms of functionality, it’s an all-in-one color inkjet printer that can cover all your bases, with a 10-page ADF scanner for added convenience. There’s no flatbed, though, which can result in tilted scans if the document doesn’t line up perfectly. 

It doesn’t print quickly (roughly 10 ppm for black and white prints and 7 ppm for color prints). It prints a little slower on battery power than it does when plugged in, but the fact that it can print anywhere can be a lifesaver. You don’t have to sacrifice quality, either, with PCMag finding that “output quality is better than you’ll get from many desktop inkjets.”

It’s not surprising for a portable inkjet printer, but the page yields are fairly low. You can expect between 165-200 pages before needing to swap cartridges, with high-yield cartridges available to increase that to up to 415-600 pages. Like most inkjet printers, you’ll also have to switch out the whole color cartridge when one of the colors runs low, and print regularly to avoid nozzle clogs. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth, as well as Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. It holds a 4.3-star rating based on more than 3,500 reviews on Amazon.

Brother HL-L3280CDW

The Brother HL-L3280CDW is a simple, reliable color laser printer that’s designed for small and home offices. It’s a relatively affordable entry point into color laser printers, with a smaller footprint so it’s easier to fit in limited spaces. It has a speedy max print speed of 27 ppm for both black and white and color prints, with automatic duplex printing for added convenience. However, there is no integrated scanner, so you’ll have to rely on scanner apps on your phone or a separate device. 

RTINGS found that document quality is “exceptional,” but it didn’t perform as well for photos, with some visible lines. If you print a lot of family photos, you may want to consider a different printer.

The good news is that yields are spectacular. The in-box toner is rated for 1,000 pages of black and white or color prints, keeping the cost-per-print low. Brother also sells high-yield toners to up those numbers to 3,000 and 2,300, and unlike inkjet printers, the ink won’t dry and clog your nozzle if left unused for a few weeks. For wireless connectivity, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, and the Brother Mobile Connect App. It will also work with Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service. It holds a 4.0-star rating based on more than 700 reviews on Amazon.

Epson SureColor P700

If you’re looking for a reliable wireless printer dedicated to printing high-quality photos, the Epson SureColor P700 is a great choice. It uses a 10-channel MicroPiezo AMC printhead with a minimum droplet size of 1.5 picoliters for extremely precise printing. The printer has 10 25mL cartridges to achieve professional-grade color reproduction, and you don’t have to switch ink between photo and matte papers. It supports papers up to 13 inches wide, with border-free printing and an auto-sheet feed that supports rolls up to 2 inches thick. 

The photo quality here is what really stands out. RTINGS writes that “its color gamut is among the widest we’ve seen, and it’s accurate enough for professional work.” However, Epson notes that the included ink cartridges are only designed to set up the device, so you’ll want to purchase a full set, which will cost you roughly $400, in addition to the printer itself.

While the SureColor P700 is incredible for photos, it’s not a good general-purpose home printer. For starters, the print speeds are low. It will take more than a minute to print a single page on this printer, regardless of page type. It also doesn’t have a scanner, so you’ll need a separate machine or app for that. In terms of connectivity, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz), Wi-Fi Direct, Apple AirPrint, and Google Cloud Print. For more in-depth settings and photo tweaks, you can also use the Epson Print Layout on macOS or Windows. It has a 4.0-star rating based on over 150 reviews on Amazon.

Brother MFC-J4335DW

Most of Brother’s printers are higher-end laser models, but the MFC-J4335DW is a welcome exception. Part of the company’s “INKvestment” lineup, it’s an all-in-one color inkjet printer with a much more affordable price tag than most of the company’s other printers. It’s a great gadget for your home office, with the ability to print, copy, scan, or fax. It also supports duplex printing and quick scans with a 20-sheet ADF, although duplex scanning is not supported. 

This printer comes with four cartridges (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow) in the box, and they’re rated for 3,000 black and white or 1,500 color prints. When they run out, you can replace them individually, so you don’t waste ink, making this a great, cheap ink printer despite having a slightly higher initial cost. PCMag drives the point home, writing that at “0.9 cents per black page and 4.7 cents per color page, [it] will save money compared with most printers with a lower price tag.” Just make sure you print things fairly often, or you may have to deal with nozzle clogs.

The MFC-J4335DW isn’t the fastest printer, but it’s a step above most inkjet printers. It’s rated for 20 ppm black and white prints, or 19 ppm color prints. The compact size (17.1 x 14.2 x 7.1 inches) makes it a great choice for small home offices, where it can easily fit on a standard desk. In terms of connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 4 (2.4GHz band) and Wi-Fi Direct, as well as Apple AirPrint, Mopria, and the Brother Mobile Connect App. It has a 4.0-star rating based on over 4,100 reviews on Amazon.

Brother MFC-L5915DW

For office environments where speed is king, you want a reliable, high-volume monochrome printer. The Brother MFC-L5915W is a highly rated choice that has printing and copy speeds of up to 50 ppm. It’s also a speedy scanner, offering simultaneous two-sided scans at up to 60 ppm with a 70-page ADF. With OCR, you can even scan documents into searchable and editable Word or Excel files, which is a huge bonus for professionals. The printer comes with a toner that should last for up to 3,000 prints, and the brand sells a replacement that promises 18,000 prints. That’s as close to set-it-and-forget-it as it comes in the printer world, and it translates into incredibly low-cost printing.

The Brother MFC-L5915DW is highly rated by experts, earning PCMag’s Editors’ Choice pick for a large office or workgroup. The publication writes that it “delivers fast laser printing and copying, a higher maximum paper capacity than most competition, and a low cost per page” after comparing it to three similar models. 

In terms of wireless capabilities, it supports dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5GHz) and Wi-Fi Direct, as well as Apple AirPrint, Mopria Print Service/Scan, and the Brother Mobile Connect App. It also has secure printing, so the printer stops until you enter a PIN on the screen. It currently holds a 4.2-star rating based on over 100 reviews on Amazon.

Methodology

Wireless printer scanner on a shelf in an office Pressmaster/Getty Images

These wireless printers were selected based on expert and user reviews, with each receiving a minimum score of 4 out of 5 from experts (or equivalent) and 4.0 or higher based on a minimum of 100 reviews on Amazon. In certain circumstances, we have also taken into account user reviews from other retailers, such as Best Buy or B&H, to get a more complete picture.

We have chosen a variety of products for different use cases, from occasional black and white prints to large offices that print thousands of color pages every month. There should be a printer on this list that satisfies the needs of most consumers. All products have been vetted for reliability first, which effectively means they will give you the least amount of headaches when it comes to replacing ink cartridges, performing long-term maintenance, and maintaining wireless connectivity across devices. We also considered other selling points like print quality, ink costs, print speeds, scanning capabilities, price, and other features.

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Stop Believing These 5 Myths About Charging Your Phone

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Almost every smartphone we know uses a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, so it’s safe to say that this technology is ubiquitous. Even so, it remains misunderstood. Having the right knowledge is key and can even impact your safety, such as knowing the warning signs that a Li-ion battery is about to catch fire. On top of safety, you’d want the battery life to last as long as possible since a smartphone is a daily driver. But with charging myths abound, you might be inadvertently doing things that are reducing its lifespan because someone fed you the wrong knowledge about what constitutes good charging habits.

The battery life of a lithium-ion battery is affected by several things, including temperature, age, and charging habits. When it comes to charging, in particular, it helps to know things like when to charge it, how to do it properly, and for how long. This leaves several questions. For instance, can you leave your phone to charge overnight? Can you use any kind of charger (as long as it works)? Are wireless chargers harmful to the battery? Questions like these have led to widespread myths that can easily be dispelled.

You should not use your phone while charging it

A man using a phone while its charging Isman Wiratmadi/Shutterstock

Using your phone while it’s charging seems like a reckless thing to do since you’re simultaneously charging while discharging the battery. It is not unreasonable to believe that this can damage the battery, but that’s not always the case. Yes, the charging might be slower because the phone will split the power between charging and discharging, but unless you notice it’s generating a lot of heat, the battery will be fine.

While you can use it, what you’re doing matters a great deal. You can do some low-intensity tasks since these generally don’t cause the phone to dedicate a lot of processing power to them. These include checking email, reading an ebook, listening to music, writing notes, scrolling through social media, or browsing the internet. It’s those high-intensity tasks, such as playing mobile games, streaming 4K video, or recording a video, that you need to avoid since they generate a lot of heat (on top of the heat already coming from the charging process).

Heat can speed up the rate of thermal degradation within the Li-ion battery, leading to capacity loss or damage to its internal structure that reduces its lifespan. The best thing to do when your phone is charging is to leave it be, especially if you need it to get as much juice as possible quickly.

You can use any charger to charge your phone

A white USB cable and adapter Afi Hermatova/Shutterstock

Sure, a $5 charger works since it essentially does the job it’s meant to, but it’s one of those cheap phone accessories you shouldn’t waste money one. How it chargers could be detrimental not only to the phone’s battery, but also to the overall health and functionality of the phone. The saying that you get what you pay for is usually true because cheap, off-brand chargers are usually made from low-quality materials, which is where several problems arise.

Due to how cheaply they’re made, these chargers don’t regulate voltage properly, leading to fluctuations that go over or below the recommended voltage. Too much or too little voltage stresses the battery and can cause overheating and faster battery degradation. On top of that, they can wear out your charging port, fry something inside your phone, or even short-circuit the motherboard. This is why experts recommend that you only use certified, branded chargers, especially when it comes to fast chargers, since they generate more heat when delivering high current.

While sticking to original chargers is recommended, if you must buy one elsewhere, ensure they won’t damage your phone. For instance, when buying a fast charger for an iPhone, ensure it’s MFi certified. This means Apple has approved that it’s for iPhones and iPads. For Android phones, look for a USB-IF-certified charger. This certification means it’s gone through rigorous testing to ensure it can deliver power safely to your device.

It’s okay to let your phone’s battery reach 0% before charging it

A person charging a phone that is completely drained Studio.image/Shutterstock

While your phone’s battery is protected from overcharging, over-discharging remains a real danger to its lifespan. Its internal components aren’t built to handle full discharges. For instance, as the battery level approaches zero, the voltage becomes unstable, dropping below the recommended threshold of 2.5 volts. When completely discharged, the battery struggles to reach normal charging voltage, which can stress its internal components. Overcharging or over-discharging can also cause the battery’s electrodes to oxidize (lose electrons), dropping their capacity to hold a charge.

To avoid stressing the battery either way, it’s best to keep the charge levels between 20% and 80%. This is known as the 20-80 rule, and it avoids the issues that reduce a battery’s lifespan, including heat and chemical degradation, as well as voltage instability. Also, don’t feel the need to always charge the battery to 80% once you start. You can stop at 40%, 50%, 60%, or 70%. 

However, 50% is the recommended charge level, as this is when the battery achieves an internal equilibrium. But this does not mean you should never discharge your battery. Sometimes it’s necessary when you want to recalibrate it. For instance, it can be helpful when you want to retune the battery’s sensors after noticing that it’s displaying inaccurate readings (e.g., one minute it’s at 49% and then it’s at 55% the next).

Charging your phone overnight will overcharge the battery

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When you know the next day will be busy, and you won’t get a chance to charge your phone, it makes sense to leave it charging overnight, especially if it’s low on power. Then you remember you’ve been told not to because it will overcharge and overheat. While this was true for older Li-ion batteries, newer ones have mechanisms that stop them from charging once they reach 100%, meaning they don’t overcharge. Instead, the phone senses when the battery percentage drops a little and then feeds it enough charge to keep it at 100%.

If anything can impact your phone’s battery life, it’s constantly keeping it at 100%. This puts strain on the battery, but modern Li-ion batteries are built to handle this. Even so, it’s fine to leave it charging overnight once in a while, but not every night. Luckily, some modern phones have features that delay charging to 100%, such as Optimized Battery Charging on iPhones and “Battery Protect” on modern Samsung phones. Be sure to enable these features if you’ll be frequently charging overnight.

To avoid the buildup of excessive heat, it’s best to keep some best practices in mind. Do not put it in an area that is not well-ventilated while charging, such as under the pillow, in your drawer, or between books. Also, use high-quality chargers, and don’t forget to remove the phone from its case, especially if it’s a thick one.

Wireless charging is completely safe and efficient

A fast charging wireless charger Lukasz Jasionowski/Getty Images

It’s important to mention that if you’re going to charge your phone overnight, it’s best to use a wired charger. You might place your phone on a wireless charger since it’s very convenient, and go to bed without thinking much about it. However, wireless chargers are not efficient, which causes them to generate a lot of heat. The heat will age the battery, but if it overheats, things can get dangerous.

A wireless charger transfers energy over the air, but not all of it makes it to the battery due to conversion loss. Even wired chargers suffer conversion loss to some degree, but not to the extent of wireless chargers. For this reason, wireless chargers are generally slower and constantly generate heat. If the charger is not perfectly aligned with the phone’s charging coil, the process becomes more inefficient and generates a greater amount of heat. However, Qi2, the latest wireless charging protocol, allows for faster charging speeds and efficiency. A Qi2-branded charger also has magnetic alignment, which snaps it to a compatible phone, perfectly aligning it with the charging coil.

As with overnight charging, use it only when you have to. Also, it’s important to ensure that your phone is cool while using a wireless charger by placing it on a hard surface in a cool environment and removing any thick case. Also, stick to the 20% to 80% rule, avoid using it while charging, and use a high-quality wireless charger.

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