Is it okay to use a third-party battery for MacBook Air?
I have a MacBook Air from 2017 and its original battery has started draining very fast. The Apple original battery will cost me around 17,000 INR so I am thinking of going for a third-party battery. Is that a wise decision?
Third-party batteries are fine but as others have mentioned, look for a reputable seller. Newer Tech NuPower, XINGLT, iFixit. etc. Any 'official' battery you get is likely going to be a second-hand one or a third-party one being sold as official anyway.
I used a Newer Technology NuPower battery for my spouse’s 2014 Air and it has been great for a few years. Bonus: it was super easy to install. It looks like that might be the same battery for a 2017, but I’m not sure. I bought mine from OWC.
I have used no-name batteries from eBay many years ago in a plastic case MacBook, and I was not thrilled with them. They swelled and stopped taking a charge sooner that I would have liked. I recommend spending a little extra on something from a recognized name like Newer Tech if it’s available in your area.
If you can get it from a reputable seller I think so. I'm not in India but I replaced the battery in my partner's 2013 MacBook Air with one I bought from ifixit. It was identical except for no apple logo. Has been working for 2 years now
Original batteries are expensive due to the quality and certifications needed to make it. To buy a no-name battery you are literally rolling the dice in terms of safety and there is no guarantee of how long it will last. Will you save any money if you buy a cheap battery for half the price but have to replace it again in 6 months? I’m more of the mentality fix it once, fix it right, or just don’t bother.
As long as it’s from reputable seller then sure. Safety standards for batteries are high. Just double check if battery is not locked on your model. Apple has been making replacing parts impossible due to serial locks.
There is always an element of risk to 3rd party batteries. That said, a reputable supplier that warranties the battery for a period should be fine. In my experience OEM batteries generally lasts longer and use better quality components.
So it is up to you to decide if the price premium is worth it in your use case.
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