How much battery does a video meeting use?

Your laptop or phone loses charge during a video meeting, but it can be hard to tell whether the call is using an unusual amount of power. A battery percentage alone is not enough to compare one meeting with another, especially if the screen brightness or network changes.

Use the Battery Meter to compare the device's reported drain rate before and during a call. It can show charge level, charging state, estimated time left, and drain rate when your browser supports battery reporting.

Compare battery use during a meeting

1. Open the Battery Meter on the device you will use for the meeting. The tool appears only if your browser reports a battery.
2. Unplug the device if you want to measure battery drain. Keep the screen brightness, camera, meeting app, and network in the same state you plan to use during the call.
3. Before joining, leave the device idle for about 10 minutes and note the displayed drain rate and charge level. Avoid changing settings during this baseline.
4. Start the video meeting and use it normally for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Note the drain rate and charge level again. Keep the Battery Meter open in a browser tab while the meeting runs.
5. For a fair comparison, repeat the check with the camera off or with lower screen brightness, changing only one thing at a time.

Battery percentage is rounded, so a short test can look like no change even while power is being used. Comparing drain rates over similar periods is usually more useful than comparing a single percentage reading.

What the result means

The drain rate rises during the meeting

The call is adding to the device's power use. Video encoding, the camera, the display, speakers, and network activity can all contribute. A larger increase with the camera on than with it off suggests that video is one factor, but this browser reading cannot isolate the energy used by each component.

The drain rate stays close to the idle rate

The meeting may be a small part of the device's total power use, or the difference may be too small to show clearly. Check that the call actually uses the camera and that the Battery Meter is updating. Compare for longer under similar conditions before drawing a conclusion.

The battery is charging during the call

The adapter is supplying power, but the battery may still charge slowly or briefly lose charge if the device needs more power than the adapter provides. Check the charging state and test again with the manufacturer's recommended charger. A browser reading cannot verify the charger's wattage or electrical condition.

The Battery Meter is unavailable

Some devices and browsers do not report battery information to web pages. This is a browser or device limitation, not proof that the battery is faulty. Use the operating system's battery settings for its estimate, or repeat the browser check on a device where the tool is available.

How to reduce battery use

1. Lower the screen brightness. The display can use a noticeable share of a laptop or phone's power. On Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display and lower Brightness. On a Mac, open System Settings › Displays. On a phone, lower brightness from the quick settings or control center.
2. Turn off video when you do not need it. If the meeting allows it, switch off your camera for parts of the call. This reduces camera and video-processing work, though it may not make a large difference on every device.
3. Close other demanding apps. Quit games, video editors, extra video streams, and unnecessary browser tabs. If the meeting app is sharing your screen, stop sharing when you are finished.
4. Use the system's power-saving mode. On Windows 11, go to Settings › System › Power & battery and turn on Energy saver or Battery saver, depending on your version. On a Mac, open System Settings › Battery and choose a lower-power option if available. On Android, check Settings › Battery for Battery Saver. On iPhone, open Settings › Battery and turn on Low Power Mode.
5. Check the connection if the call is unstable. Repeated freezes or reconnects can make a meeting app work harder. Move closer to the Wi-Fi router or use a reliable wired connection if available. A Wi-Fi quality check can show response time, jitter, and lost requests, but it does not measure battery use directly.
6. Check the charger if charge falls while plugged in. Confirm the adapter and cable are suitable for the device and connected securely. On Windows 11, review Settings › System › Power & battery. On a Mac, check System Settings › Battery. If the device repeatedly loses charge during ordinary calls with its correct charger, have the charger, port, or battery checked.

Why the reading is not a watt-hour measurement

The Battery Meter reports the information your device and browser make available, including a drain rate estimate. It does not measure the exact electricity used by the meeting in watt-hours, identify how much power the camera uses, or tell you how much battery capacity remains in good condition. A reported percentage change also depends on the battery's current charge and the device's estimate.

For a useful comparison, keep the same device, meeting app, brightness, network, and test duration. Change one setting at a time, and treat small differences as estimates rather than precise measurements.