AlDente

AlDente is a menu bar utility for MacBooks that limits how much your battery charges. You set a maximum charge level—say 80%—and AlDente stops charging at that point, even while plugged in. The idea is simple: lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when kept at 100% charge for extended periods, and AlDente prevents that. This isn't snake oil. Apple's own battery management documentation acknowledges that lithium-ion batteries experience increased stress at full charge. The difference between keeping a battery at 80% versus 100% over two years is measurable—batteries maintained at lower charge levels retain significantly more capacity. Apple built Optimized Battery Charging into macOS (it learns your routine and delays charging past 80% until you need it), but Apple's implementation only kicks in if you have predictable charging patterns. If your schedule is irregular, or if you simply want deterministic control, AlDente gives you an override. AlDente was created by David Kattelmann (AppHouseKitchen) and launched in 2021. The free version lets you set a charge limit and shows battery stats in the menu bar. AlDente Pro ($24.99 one-time) adds heat protection (pauses charging when the battery gets too hot), calibration mode (periodically drains to 15% and charges to 100% to recalibrate the battery gauge), sailing mode (draws power from the charger without touching the battery at all), and discharge mode (actively drains the battery to your target level even while plugged in). The question most people ask: is this necessary? If your MacBook is plugged in most of the day (desk setup with an external monitor), yes—keeping the battery at 80% will extend its life. If you use your MacBook unplugged most of the time, the battery naturally cycles between charge levels, and AlDente adds less value. For the plugged-in-all-day crowd, AlDente Pro is one of the best $25 investments you can make for your hardware.