June 10, 2025

Ever feel like your browser is secretly working against you? Your laptop fan kicks into high gear, your battery drains faster than your morning coffee, and suddenly, you're dealing with lag. If you're a Microsoft Edge user, there's good news: Edge’s efficiency mode is a game-changer for browser performance.

What is Microsoft Edge efficiency mode and how is it a battery saver?

Edge’s efficiency mode is Microsoft’s way of making sure your browser isn’t overloading your system’s resources. It automatically reduces CPU and memory usage by limiting activity in background tabs, which means less strain on your computer.

Let’s say you have 20 tabs open (no judgment, we all do it). Instead of draining your battery by keeping them all active, efficiency mode pauses the ones you're not using. The result? Faster performance, longer battery life, and less overheating. In fact, you can get, on average, 25 minutes more battery life with Microsoft Edge and efficiency mode.1

How to put your browser in efficiency mode in Edge performance settings

Getting started with efficiency mode is super easy. Just follow these quick steps:

1. Open Edge: Fire up your Edge browser.
2. Go to Settings: Click the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of Edge, then select Settings.
3. Find System Settings: On the left-hand menu, click System and performance.
4. Turn it on: Under the Performance section, toggle the efficiency mode switch to On.

Boom, you’re done! You can start enjoying a smoother experience with more battery life.

Customize efficiency mode to improve browser performance even more

Once efficiency mode is enabled, you can tailor it to your preferences:

• Turn on efficiency mode when connected to power: When your device is connected to power, efficiency mode will help improve your device's power consumption.
• Save resources with sleeping tabs: When this is on, inactive tabs will go to sleep after a specified time to save system resource.
• Fade sleeping tabs: Tabs will appear faded when saving memory and CPU to improve performance.

When should you use efficiency mode?

If you’re looking for a smoother, faster browsing experience while saving battery, efficiency mode is your secret weapon. Here’s when to turn it on:

• For everyday browsing: Whether you're watching videos, scrolling social media, or doing light research, efficiency mode helps your laptop last longer by reducing unnecessary power drain.
• For gaming: No need to close every tab—efficiency mode puts idle ones to sleep so your system can focus on delivering fast, uninterrupted gameplay.
• For remote work: Keep your laptop powered through long virtual meetings and multitasking without worrying about sudden slowdowns.
• For older laptops: If your device struggles with too many tabs, efficiency mode lightens the load, helping it run smoother and cooler.

No matter how you use your laptop, enabling this feature means less frustration and more efficiency—without sacrificing performance.

Pro tips: Best Edge browser settings to maximize speed and battery life

Want to go even further? Here are a few Edge performance settings that can supercharge your browsing experience:

1. Optimize startup boost

Startup boost helps Microsoft Edge launch faster. It keeps the browser running in the background with minimal resources, so Edge will start quickly when opened after a device reboot or after you reopen it. Go to Settings > System and Performance > System. Turn on Startup boost.

2. Stop background apps from running

Some Edge features keep running even after you close the browser. To shut them down:

• Go to Settings > System and Performance > System. Toggle off Continue running background extensions and apps when Microsoft Edge is closed.

3. Adjust hardware acceleration

Depending on your device, hardware acceleration can either improve or slow down performance. Experiment by:

• Going to Settings > System and Performance > System. Toggling Use hardware acceleration when available on or off to see what works best.

The best browser for battery life? Edge Is in the running

If you’re looking for the best browser settings for battery life, Microsoft Edge is a top contender. With efficiency mode, you can browse longer without worrying about your laptop dying at the worst moment.

Picture this: You’re watching a movie on a long flight, and your battery usually hits 10% halfway through. With these settings, you could finish the movie and still have juice left for emails. That’s the power of smart browsing.