How Long Does A GPS Tracker Battery Last?

GPS Tracker Battery Life Fact Sheet & Guide For 2024

Whether you rely on GPS tracking devices to monitor your vehicles or personal assets, it’s crucial to know how long their batteries last. In this article, we’ll explore the factors that affect the battery life of GPS trackers, and list the battery life of popular GPS systems on the market today. We’ll also offer tips to extend the battery life of your GPS devices, so you can make the most out of your investment and avoid losing signals or power during critical moments. So if you ever wondered, “How Long Does A GPS Tracker Battery Last?” this is the article for you! Let’s start by looking at some of the top-selling GPS tracking solutions and their respective battery lives.

How Long Does A GPS Tracker Battery Last – (TLDR): 1 -14 days is the average battery life of the top-selling GPS trackers. However, battery power will vary depending on the GPS device’s make and model, usage, reporting frequency, and power-saving features. The truth is some GPS asset trackers can last for several months, but most only last 1-2 weeks. If GPS tracker battery life is important to you, speak with a security expert before investing in a vehicle GPS.

Comparing Battery Life Across Leading GPS Products

When you’re picking a GPS tracker, knowing how long the battery lasts is key. If the battery dies too soon, it can cause more headaches than it’s worth. Battery life depends on a few things—how often you use the tracker, how frequently it updates, the environment it’s in, and the type of tech it runs on. With so many factors, it’s hard to pin down an exact number, but having the basics in mind makes choosing the right tracker easier.

To help you out, we at Konnect GPS put together a list of popular GPS trackers on Amazon. You’ll find details on battery life so you can compare them and see which one fits your needs. Whether you’re keeping an eye on assets or personal items, this info gives you a good starting point. Hopefully, it takes the guesswork out of finding the right tracker for you.

5 Factors That Affect A GPS Device’s Battery

Fast Location Updates

When a GPS tracker updates every 3 seconds, it stays almost constantly connected to the network. Each time it updates, it has to connect, send data, and disconnect, which takes a lot of energy. Staying connected like that uses power, so the more often it updates, the faster the battery drains.

If the tracker only updates every 3 minutes, it doesn’t need to connect as often, which helps the battery last longer. Think of it like your phone—when you’re streaming videos or using data-heavy apps, the battery drains fast. But when you’re just texting or checking the time, it lasts way longer.

Moreover, studies in the field of wireless communications support this observation. Research indicates that the energy consumption of mobile devices significantly increases with the frequency of data transmission (M. A. Razzaque, M. Milojevic-Jevric, A. Palade, and S. Clarke, “Middleware for Internet of Things: A Survey,” in IEEE Internet of Things Journal, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 70-95, Feb. 2016). GPS trackers, which rely on similar technology for data transmission, also adhere to this principle.

While faster location updates offer more precise tracking, they come at the cost of increased battery consumption. Understanding this trade-off is essential for users to make informed decisions about the type of GPS tracker that best suits their needs, balancing the need for timely updates with the practicality of longer battery life.

Extreme Temperatures

GPS devices are sensitive to extreme temperatures, as they can significantly affect battery life. Why? Because temperature extremes impact the chemical processes inside the battery. In cold conditions, these reactions slow down, diminishing the battery’s capacity to hold a charge. In contrast, high temperatures can accelerate chemical reactions, leading to faster battery degradation.

The concept of internal resistance is also key. As temperatures stray from the optimal range, a battery’s internal resistance increases. This means the battery has to work harder to deliver the same power, reducing efficiency and hastening wear and tear.

Studies in battery technology support these findings. For example, research in the Journal of Power Sources indicates that both high and low temperatures can lead to increased internal resistance and capacity loss in lithium-ion batteries. Understanding this relationship is vital for choosing and maintaining GPS devices in various environments, ensuring longer battery life and reliability.

Poor Reception

When traveling in areas with poor cellular coverage, it’s important to understand how it impacts the battery life of your car tracker. Why does this happen? Essentially, in zones of weak cellular signal, the portable GPS tracker must expend more power to maintain communication with GPS satellites. This increased power usage results in higher battery drain.

This phenomenon is akin to how your mobile phone behaves in areas with poor reception. The device increases its signal transmission power to maintain a connection with the nearest cell tower. A study published in Science Direct highlights this effect, stating that mobile devices in low-signal areas can experience a significant increase in power consumption.

For GPS trackers, a similar principle applies. They must increase their transmission power to connect with GPS satellites and cellular networks, which leads to quicker battery depletion. Understanding this dynamic is crucial, especially when planning to use trackers in remote or poorly-covered areas. It helps users anticipate and mitigate potential battery life issues, ensuring continuous and effective tracking.

Battery Size

Battery size is crucial in determining a GPS tracker’s lifespan. Larger batteries, with greater capacities, inherently last longer because they store more power. This concept is similar to a water tank: the larger the tank, the more water it holds; similarly, a bigger battery holds more energy.

Battery capacity, measured in milliampere-hours (mAh), is directly related to its size. A higher mAh rating means a larger battery with more energy storage, translating into longer operational times between charges.

Choosing a GPS tracker with a larger battery might mean a slightly bulkier device, but it offers the advantage of extended usage and less frequent recharging, ensuring more consistent and reliable tracking.

Power-Intensive Features

Live audio or video streaming eats up battery fast because it takes more processing power, communication, and data transfer. These features put a lot of demand on the tracker, which drains the battery quicker than normal operations.

Think of it like a car—cruising on the highway uses less fuel, but a high-speed chase burns through gas fast. In the same way, streaming puts extra strain on the battery compared to regular tracking.

So, if you’re picking a GPS car tracker, keep in mind how live streaming features affect battery life. While it’s nice to have advanced options, you’ll likely need to recharge more often. That’s something to consider if you need the tracker running non-stop..

Why The Battery Life Of A GPS Device Is Critical

If you’re managing a fleet, you know how important it is to keep an eye on your vehicles all day long. A GPS tracker with a long battery life is your best ally here. It ensures you have continuous access to your fleet’s whereabouts, helping you make better business decisions, like cutting down on idling time and saving on fuel costs. It’s not just about knowing where your vehicles are—it’s about running your operation more efficiently and smoothly.

Now, let’s switch gears to construction sites. Imagine you’ve got expensive equipment sitting out in the open. The last thing you want is for something to go missing. That’s where a magnetic GPS tracker with a long battery life really shines. These little gadgets are easy to hide on your equipment, giving you real-time updates on where everything is at all times. It’s like having a virtual security guard keeping an eye on your gear, so you can focus on the job without constantly worrying about theft.

So why does battery life matter so much? Simply put, if your GPS tracker runs out of battery, it’s not doing you any good. Whether you’re managing a fleet or protecting valuable equipment, having a tracker with solid battery life is key. Without it, you’re left in the dark, and that’s the last thing you want. Up next, we’ll talk about what affects battery life and some easy tips to make sure your tracker stays powered when you need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Happens When You Unplug An OBD GPS Tracker?

Simply put, the GPS locator stops working. An OBD tracking device is great for business fleets because it doesn’t need professional installation. It pulls power directly from the vehicle’s 12-volt system, so you don’t have to worry about the battery running out.

The downside? If an employee unplugs the GPS tracker from the diagnostic port, it’ll stop giving you real-time updates right away.

What Is Power Save Mode, And How Does It Work On GPS Trackers?

Power save mode is a feature that reduces the power consumption of a GPS tracker by turning off features like the display or cellular connectivity when not in use. This mode can be used to extend the battery life of the tracker, providing longer standby time and increasing the amount of time the device can be used before needing to be recharged.

How Does A Motion Sensor Extend The Battery Life Of A GPS Device?

A motion sensor detects when the GPS tracker moves and activates the vehicle tracker to record its location. When the car tracker is not moving, the sensor puts the tracker into sleep mode, conserving battery life. This feature is especially useful in asset tracking applications, where equipment may sit idle for extended periods.

Can I Customize The Reporting Frequency Of My GPS Tracker To Extend Battery Life?

Yes, many GPS trackers allow users to customize the reporting frequency of location updates to conserve battery life. Users can adjust the frequency based on their specific needs, providing longer battery life without sacrificing accuracy.

What Is The Best GPS Tracker To Buy?

It depends on your specific needs. For people in need of a small GPS tracker with long battery life the best device on the market is the Everlast Nano. However, there really is no right or wrong answer when it comes to the question of what is the best GPS tracker to buy because each user has a different need and intended application. The best advice is to contact a GPS tracking expert, let them know what you are trying to do, and allow them to provide you with some options.