Airsoft Batteries How Long

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Introduction

Airsoft guns are tremendously popular hobbyist tools, but as with all mechanical devices, they rely on batteries to remain in full working order. Deciding the battery life of an airsoft gun is a complex balance of budget, game-time and can be affected by a variety if different factors. Below, we explore 8-12 primary threads to answer the question: How Long Do Airsoft Batteries Last?

The exact type of chemistry found in the batteries of an airsoft gun can have a significant impact on battery life. Generally, airsoft gun are powered by nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH). While these batteries tend to have longer life-cycles and provide more reliable power, Li-Polymer or Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) batteries are becoming more popular as they are even more powerful.

Choosing a reliable and well-made battery is key when measuring overall performance. A low-quality or counterfeit battery will not perform as well as a genuine, higher-end version, and may even damage the airsoft gun itself. Investing in an airsoft battery of a well-known manufacturer, or preferably one that comes from the same maker as the gun, will help to ensure that it is both safe and lasts longer.

The capacity of the battery is the measure of how much charge it can hold at any given time. A higher capacity rating means that it can store more charge, leading to longer play time for the user. A standard NiMH battery will usually have a rechargeable capacity of between 1600 and 2500 mAh, while a Li-po version can go up to 10000 mAh.

How often and how quickly an airsoft battery can be recharged, and how many times it can be recharged, all factor into overall battery life. NiMH batteries can generally be recharged more quickly (often as little as two hours) and up to thousands of times, meaning that over the long run they are the better choice. Li-Po batteries, while having much longer initial life-cycles, can degrade in time, meaning they may need replacing sooner, and they should not be recharged more than a few hundred times.

The volts of the battery indicates its power rating, with the higher the volts translating to a higher power setting. This is important for users who want their guns to fire with more power, but it should be noted that using a higher voltage battery will reduce overall life-span of the battery.

How, and how often, the battery is used will also affect the battery life. For instance, if the gun is kept on a high power setting, it will drain the battery of its energy much faster than those in low power settings. Likewise, if the battery is regularly stored with low charge, this could also reduce the life of the battery. It is recommended that users keep the battery stored between 40% and 60% charge whenever possible.

The temperatures that the battery is exposed to whilst in use or during storage will also have an impact. In general, temperatures should be kept in a range between 68 F and 77 F (20 - 25 C). Whenever the temperature exceeds these levels, the battery is being tested and will drain faster, leading to a shorter lifespan.

The amount of time an airsoft battery is used for before it overheats, and the amount of energy it needs to be recharged, will all impact battery life. It is generally recommended to only use the battery for short periods of time (during airsoft games, for example) and then to keep it in an area where it can be cooled and recharged.

In Summary

Deciding how long airsoft batteries last is complex exercise due to varying factors, such as type of chemistry, brand quality and capacity, how often it is recharged and drained, and the temperatures of the surrounding environment. We recommend that users invest in high quality batteries from reliable manufacturers, store energy at an optimal 40%-60% levels, and use the battery on low-medium power settings for short periods of time. These tips will help to ensure the maximum life-span of an airsoft battery.

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