Simple habits to keep a retro handheld's lithium battery healthy: charging, storage, heat and what to do if it swells.
Nearly every modern retro handheld uses a lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery. They are reliable, but how you charge and store the device makes a real difference to how long it lasts.
Charging
- Use a decent USB-C charger. Many cheap handhelds charge at modest rates, so a standard 5 V phone charger is usually fine; avoid unbranded fast chargers.
- You do not need to run the battery flat before charging. Lithium batteries prefer partial top-ups.
- Avoid leaving the device on charge in a hot place, such as under a pillow or in a sunny window.
Heat
Heat ages lithium batteries faster than almost anything else. Demanding emulation makes devices warm; that is normal, but do not play while charging under covers or leave the handheld in a hot car.
Storage
If you will not use a device for a few months, charge it to around half, switch it fully off and store it somewhere cool. Top it up every few months. Storing a battery completely empty for a long time can damage it.
Warning signs
A battery that is swelling (a bulging back, a screen lifting, buttons sticking) should not be used or charged. Switch the device off, keep it away from anything flammable and contact the seller or a repair shop. Do not puncture it. Take dead batteries to a battery recycling point rather than household rubbish.
Getting more play per charge
Lower screen brightness, turn off Wi-Fi when you are not using it, and use a lighter performance profile for older systems.
How long should a battery last?
Lithium batteries gradually lose capacity with each charge cycle and with age. After a few hundred full cycles, you might notice noticeably shorter play times. How quickly depends on heat, how often you charge from empty to full, and the battery's quality.
Daily habits that help
- Keep it between about 20% and 80% when convenient. You don't need to obsess, but avoiding regular full drains and long periods at 100% reduces wear.
- Unplug once charged if your device has no charge limit setting. Some Android handhelds offer a charge limit or "bypass charging" mode, which powers the device directly when docked.
- Let it cool before charging after a long, demanding session.
- Use sleep mode wisely: it's convenient, but some devices drain noticeably while sleeping. Power off if you won't play for a few days.
Chargers and cables
Buy chargers from reputable brands and retailers. Electrical Safety First has found counterfeit and unsafe chargers sold online, including on marketplaces. Warning signs include very low prices, missing UKCA or CE markings, poor print quality and unusually light weight. Never leave a device charging unattended overnight on a bed or sofa.
Replacing a battery
- Some handhelds have replaceable batteries held by screws and a connector; others are glued in.
- Use a replacement with the correct voltage, capacity and connector from a reputable supplier.
- If you're not confident, use a repair shop. Puncturing or bending a lithium battery can cause a fire.
Travelling with a handheld
Airlines usually require devices with lithium batteries, and spare batteries or power banks, to go in your hand luggage, not in checked bags. Check your airline's rules before flying, especially for large power banks.
Disposing of old batteries
Never put lithium batteries in household rubbish or recycling bins: damaged batteries can cause fires in bin lorries and recycling centres. Use a battery recycling point at a supermarket or a household waste recycling centre, and tape over the terminals first.
Sources and further reading
- Electrical Safety First
- Recycle Your Electricals: battery recycling
- Civil Aviation Authority: Items in luggage
Facts checked on 20 October 2026. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.