Google Chrome is a Windows 10 battery vampire, and Microsoft Edge is the garlic

Windows 10 is a great operating system, offering a solid user interface and advanced security. The default browser, however, is not so great. Don't get me wrong, Microsoft Edge has a lot of potential, but Chrome is arguably the superior browser for now.

Google's browser is not perfect on Windows 10, apparently, as according to Microsoft, it is a battery vampire. In other words, Chrome -- as well as Firefox and Opera -- will drain your battery faster than the default browser. Using Microsoft Edge is like garlic to these vampires, as it can help you reclaim precious battery life.

"We connected a Surface Book to specialized power monitoring equipment and measured the actual power usage during typical browsing activities in Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. We then automated each browser to perform the same series of activities: opening websites, scrolling through articles, and watching videos, opening new tabs for each task. We used the same websites you spend your time on -- Facebook, Google, YouTube, Amazon, Wikipedia and more", says Jason Weber, Director, Web Platform Team, Microsoft Edge.

Weber further says, "for these browsing activities, our tests show Microsoft Edge is a more energy efficient browser on Windows 10, with up to 36 percent-53 percent more battery life to get what you need done -- whether you're studying at the library, researching dream vacation destinations, or checking in with your friends on social networks".

I know what you are thinking; using a single computer for the experiment -- especially Microsoft's own Surface Book -- isn't ideal. Well, the company took it a step further. Using the sometimes controversial telemetry data, it was able to monitor real-world computers in use -- from people like you and I. Microsoft found that Edge was significantly more efficient than Chrome from a battery perspective (seen above). Firefox was pretty close to Edge.

Right now, Chrome is a more feature-full browser with better website compatibility. For some folks, however, the benefits will outweigh the battery drain. With that said, Edge is a pretty good browser that is getting better all the time. You should definitely give it a try, especially after the upcoming Windows 10 anniversary update, which will support plugins -- including LastPass.

Is battery life more important to you than functionality and website compatibility? Tell me in the comments.

Photo credit: Ollyy / Shutterstock