Storing electronics for a long time can be a gamble. You risk the battery leaking, dying completely, or ruining the device itself, leading to costly replacements and frustration.
Yes, you should generally remove batteries from devices before long-term storage. This prevents two main problems: corrosive leakage from single-use batteries and parasitic drain, where the device slowly depletes a rechargeable battery, causing permanent damage to both the battery and the electronics.
Making the right choice about battery storage isn't just a small detail. It can be the difference between a product that works perfectly when you need it and a box of expensive junk. The decision depends on the type of battery, the device, and how long you plan to store it. Getting this wrong has serious consequences, especially for businesses with large inventories. Let's break down the key questions to help you protect your investment and ensure your devices are ready to go when you are.
Should you remove batteries before storing them?
You put a device away, thinking it's safe. But inside, a tiny battery could be a ticking time bomb, slowly leaking chemicals or draining to zero, destroying your product from within.
Yes, removing the battery is almost always the safest option. For disposable batteries like alkaline, it eliminates the risk of leakage and corrosion. For rechargeable lithium-ion batteries1, it stops the device's "parasitic drain," which can permanently kill the battery over time.
Let's dive deeper into why this is so critical. The biggest enemy of a stored device is something called parasitic drain. Even when a device is turned "off," its internal circuits often draw a very small amount of power to maintain memory, internal clocks, or be ready for a remote signal. Over weeks or months, this tiny, constant power draw can completely drain a lithium-ion battery. When a lithium battery's voltage drops below a certain critical level, it enters a state of deep discharge. This can cause irreversible chemical changes, permanently reducing its capacity or killing it altogether. I once had a client, let's call him Michael, who stored a warehouse full of new medical monitoring devices for six months. He left the batteries inside. When he was ready to ship them, nearly 30% of the units wouldn't turn on. The parasitic drain had destroyed the batteries. It was a costly lesson in storage logistics.
Here's a simple breakdown of the risks:
| Storage Method | Main Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Left In | Parasitic Drain / Leakage | Very short-term storage (days) or devices with ultra-low drain. |
| Battery Removed | Minimal Risk | Long-term storage (weeks, months, or years). |
By simply taking the battery out, you isolate it from the device and eliminate parasitic drain. This protects your two separate investments: the device and the power source. For businesses, this simple step in your storage protocol can save thousands of dollars in written-off inventory.
Should you leave batteries in devices?
Sometimes, removing the battery isn't an option. Many modern electronics are sealed shut. But leaving the battery in feels like a risk you can't control, and you're right to worry.
You should only leave batteries in devices if they are non-removable. In these cases, it is critical to know the device's parasitic drain and the battery's self-discharge rate. Storing the device at the correct charge level becomes your only defense against permanent battery failure.
The trend of sealed, non-removable batteries has created a huge challenge for product storage and longevity. However, big changes are coming. The European Union recently passed a new regulation that will require most consumer electronics sold in the EU to have user-replaceable batteries by 2027. This is a game-changer. As a manufacturer, I can tell you this shifts the entire landscape. It means my clients who design wearables, IoT devices, and even some medical products for the European market have to completely rethink their designs. It's not just about adding a battery door. It’s a logistical puzzle. How do you manage warranty claims when a user can swap the battery? How do you control the quality of third-party replacement batteries? Most importantly, it creates new inventory risks. If you have products sitting in a warehouse in Europe, the batteries are aging. If they die, a simple swap is possible, but that requires a new process for service and support that many companies aren't prepared for. This regulation forces manufacturers to face the reality of battery aging head-on, making the question of storage more critical than ever. It's no longer a "set it and forget it" situation.
How to properly store batteries long term?
You've successfully removed the battery to protect your device. But now what? Tossing it in a drawer is just as bad, as improper storage can still ruin the battery.
For long-term storage, keep lithium-ion batteries at a 40-50% state of charge (SoC) in a cool, dry place, ideally between 15°C and 25°C (60°F and 78°F). Avoid temperature extremes and store them separately in a non-conductive box.
Here’s where business logistics and battery science collide. For safety, international air freight regulations (IATA) mandate that lithium-ion batteries can't be shipped with more than a 30% state of charge. This reduces the risk of thermal events during transit. But here's the problem: a battery at 30% has a much shorter shelf life before it self-discharges into the danger zone compared to one stored at the ideal 40-50%. I always warn my clients about this. Imagine your product is manufactured in China, shipped by air to the United States, sits in customs for a few weeks, and then waits in a distribution center for another month. That 30% charge could be nearly gone by the time it reaches the end customer. This leads to "dead on arrival" products and massive return headaches. The most important question you can ask your battery supplier is: "What is the battery's self-discharge rate, and what is the device's parasitic drain?" Knowing these two numbers allows you to calculate a realistic maximum storage time. At Litop, we provide this data so our clients can build safe and reliable inventory plans.
Here are the ideal conditions for long-term battery storage:
| Factor | Ideal Condition | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| State of Charge (SoC) | 40-50% | Balances chemical stability and prevents deep discharge. |
| Temperature | 15-25°C (60-78°F) | Heat accelerates aging; extreme cold can also cause damage. |
| Humidity | Dry Environment | Prevents corrosion of terminals and potential short circuits. |
| Container | Non-conductive, separate | Prevents accidental shorts between battery terminals. |
Managing this is key to ensuring your products have a long and healthy shelf life.
What is the 80 20 rule for batteries?
You've probably heard tips and tricks for extending battery life. The "80/20 rule2" is one of the most common, but what does it really mean, and does it apply to storage?
The 80/20 rule is a guideline for daily use, not long-term storage. It suggests you can maximize a lithium-ion battery's lifespan by keeping its charge between 20% and 80%. Regularly charging to 100% or draining to 0% puts stress on the battery's chemistry.
Think of a battery's charge level like stretching a rubber band. Keeping it at 100% is like holding the band fully stretched all the time—it wears out faster. Letting it drop to 0% is like letting it go completely slack, which can also cause issues. The range between 20% and 80% is the comfortable middle ground where the internal chemistry is most stable. This is why many modern smartphones and laptops have features for "optimized charging" that hold the battery at 80% until you need it. This rule is for batteries in active, daily use. For long-term storage, the ideal state of charge is lower, around 40-50%. Why? Because even when stored, a battery slowly loses charge. Starting at 40-50% gives it a large buffer before it drops to a critically low voltage. Storing a battery at 80% or 100% is actually harmful, as the high voltage state accelerates chemical degradation over time. At Litop, we design our Battery Management Systems (BMS) with these principles in mind. We can customize the BMS to include storage modes or optimized charging limits, giving our clients' products a real competitive advantage in longevity and reliability.
Conclusion
To protect your devices and batteries, remove them for long-term storage whenever possible. Store lithium-ion batteries at a 40-50% charge in a cool, dry place. For daily use, follow the 80/20 rule to maximize lifespan. Understanding these rules is key to avoiding costly failures.
