Browsers are one of the most resource-intensive applications you can run on a laptop. They’re constantly processing web pages, running scripts, and rendering multimedia content, all of which consume power. The more efficient your browser, the less strain it puts on your CPU and RAM, and the longer your battery lasts.

After trying a few options, I found that Microsoft Edge offers the best balance between performance and power efficiency.

screenshot showing browser performance on edge browser

How Microsoft Edge Compares to Other Browsers

Edge is built on Chromium, the same open-source web browser project that powers Google Chrome. However, Edge comes with several optimizations that make it stand out in terms of power efficiency.

One feature that makesEdge so efficient is Sleeping Tabs, which automatically puts inactive tabs to sleep. I find this especially useful when I have multiple tabs open during long work sessions.

screenshot showing edge sleeping tab on edge browser

Google’s Chrome browser is notorious for being resource-heavy. Whereas Edge’s lighter touch on system resources means your laptop doesn’t have to work as hard, resulting in a cooler device and a longer battery life. Firefox, though improved, still can’t quite match Edge’s efficiency, especially during tasks like streaming or handling multiple tabs.Microsoft Edge’s Efficiency Modeoffers substantial battery savings on Windows devices, giving it the edge over Chrome and Firefox. OlderGitHub testsalso illustrate Edge’s power efficiency over its competitors.

Opera is another browser that deserves mention. Its built-in battery-saver mode significantly extends battery life. However, Opera’s efficiency kicks in when you manually enable the battery save mode, whereas Edge can do this automatically.

Why Microsoft Edge is a Great Choice for Efficiency

Microsoft Edge stands out for anyone looking tomaximize battery lifewithout sacrificing performance. The Sleeping Tabs feature reduces CPU load and frees up memory, directly contributing to lower power consumption.

Edge’s efficiency modeis another key feature. It adjusts your browser’s performance based on your laptop’s battery level. This helps extend battery life and keeps your laptop powered up longer.

Needless to say, Edge is developed by Microsoft, and it’s a no-brainer that it’s as efficient as it is on (Microsoft Windows) laptops. While Opera offers a useful battery-saver mode, Edge’s consistent power-saving performance makes it a better all-around choice for everyday use.

Power efficiency isn’t always the priority when choosing a browser, but if you’re using a laptop, it can make a huge difference. Edge’s efficient performance and power-saving features make it my go-to browser when I’m on the go and need to conserve battery power. You should give it a shot and see what efficiency gains it gives you.