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Jul 22, 2025
Microsoft offers several built-in power plans, Balanced, Battery Saver, High Performance, and Ultimate Performance, each designed to optimize your computer’s performance and battery life in different ways. If you’ve ever wondered which power plan is right for you, or what the real differences are, you’re in the right place.
Windows power plans are settings that manage how your PC uses energy. They control things like screen brightness, processor speed, and when your computer goes to sleep. Picking the right power plan can help you save battery, get better performance, or find a balance between the two.
Balanced is the default power plan for most Windows devices. It automatically adjusts your computer’s performance and energy use based on what you’re doing. If you’re just browsing the web or watching videos, it saves energy. But if you launch a heavy app or game, it’ll give your CPU more power.
Best for: Everyday use; most users
Performance impact: Good mix of speed and battery life
Battery life: Moderate
Battery Saver kicks in when your battery is running low. It lowers screen brightness, limits background activity, and reduces CPU performance to stretch your battery as long as possible.
Best for: Laptops/tablets on the go; when battery is running low
Performance impact: Reduced performance to maximize battery life
Battery life: Best
Battery Saver can noticeably slow down your PC, but will help you squeeze out more battery life.
High Performance does what it says: it keeps your computer running at its maximum potential. Your CPU runs at higher speeds more often, the screen stays brighter, and the system is less likely to go to sleep automatically.
Best for: Power users, gamers, video editors
Performance impact: Maximum performance
Battery life: Drains battery faster
Switching from Balanced to High Performance usually brings a small performance boost, mostly for desktop PCs or in specific workloads.
Ultimate Performance is designed for advanced users, workstations, and high-end PCs. It removes all power-saving features to squeeze every bit of power from your hardware. This plan is usually only available on Windows 10 Pro for Workstations and some newer Windows versions.
Best for: Workstations, demanding professional tasks
Performance impact: Highest possible
Battery life: Worst (not recommended for laptops)
Ultimate Performance is only worthwhile for specialized tasks on high-end desktops. If Ultimate Performance isn't showing up in your Power Plans, check out How to Enable Ultimate Performance Power Plan in Windows.
| Power Plan | CPU Performance | Battery Life | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced | 95 – 100% | 95 – 100% | General use |
| Battery Saver | 70 – 90% | 110 – 130% | On the go, low battery |
| High Performance | 100 – 102% | 90 – 95% | Gaming, video editing, heavy workloads |
| Ultimate Performance | 100 – 103% | 85 – 95% | Workstations, demanding professional work |
Balanced is perfect for most people. It gives you a good mix of performance and battery life.
Battery Saver is great when you’re out and need to make your battery last as long as possible.
High Performance is best if you need every bit of speed, think gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking. Just remember, your device will heat up and battery will drain faster.
Ultimate Performance is overkill for most users. It’s only recommended for high-end desktops or workstations where battery life doesn’t matter and you need every ounce of power.
On a laptop? Stick with Balanced most of the time, and switch to Battery Saver when you’re unplugged.
On a desktop? High Performance or Ultimate Performance can be useful, but Balanced is usually enough.
For gaming or creative work? Try High Performance or Ultimate Performance, but monitor your system’s temperature and power use.
Windows power plans let you choose how your PC balances performance and energy use. Pick the one that matches your needs, and don’t be afraid to switch it up depending on what you’re doing. For most users, Balanced is the sweet spot, but the other plans are there when you need them.
Want to change your Windows power plan? Just search for “Power Options” in the Start menu and select the one that works for you!
