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
Understanding the battery life of GPS trackers is essential, as it can significantly impact their usefulness and convenience. The longevity of a tracker’s battery depends on several variables, such as usage patterns, frequency of location updates, environmental conditions, and the specific technology used in the device. Given these variables, it’s challenging to provide an exact figure for the battery life of a GPS tracking device.
To assist you in making an informed choice, we have compiled a list of the most popular asset and personal GPS trackers available on Amazon. This list includes details about each device’s battery life, helping you to compare and evaluate options based on this crucial aspect. This information should serve as a guide to aid you in selecting a GPS tracker that best meets your needs in terms of battery performance and other features.
GPS Tracker | Battery Life | Notes |
SpaceHawk GPS | 18-24 Days, or 6 months on low power mode. | Monthly subscription required, 4G LTE + satellite technology. |
Apple AirTag | About 1 year. | Bluetooth tracker, no subscription fee. |
SpyTec GL300 GPS Tracker | Up to 14 days, customizable update speed. | 4G satellite technology, subscription required. |
Vyncs | No battery needed, powered by OBD2 port. | Requires annual subscription, no monthly fee. |
LandAirSea 54 GPS Tracker | 10-14 Days. | Monthly fee requried. |
Tracki | Less than 10 days. | Waterproof case required for outside placement. |
Trak4 GPS Asset Tracker | Up to 18 months on a single charge. | Monthly subscription required, Cellular + WiFi + GPS technology. |
Brickhouse Security Spark Nano 7 | Up to 15 days on standby and 8 days while active. | $29.95 monthly fee. Works in USA, Canada, and Mexico. |
EverLast Nano | Up to 6 months real time GPS tracking. | Comes with waterproof case + extended battery pack. |
5 Factors That Affect A GPS Device’s Battery
Fast Location Updates
GPS trackers that update every 3 seconds are in almost constant communication with the network. Each update requires the device to establish a connection, transmit data, and then disconnect. This process consumes significant power due to the energy required for establishing and maintaining a cellular connection. Frequent updates mean more connections, leading to quicker battery drainage. In contrast, trackers updating every 3 minutes require fewer connections over the same period. This principle is similar to how a smartphone battery drains faster when using data-intensive applications compared to less demanding tasks.
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 drains battery power because they require more processing power, communication, and data transfer, leading to higher battery drain. These features demand more processing power, communication bandwidth, and data transfer, all of which contribute to increased battery consumption. This constant data processing and transfer strain the battery much more than standard operations.
To put it in perspective, it’s like comparing a car’s fuel consumption at steady cruising speeds versus during high-speed chases. The latter demands more energy, just as live streaming demands more from a tracker’s battery.
Therefore, when selecting a GPS car tracker, it’s important to consider how features like live streaming will impact battery life. While these capabilities offer advanced functionality, they come with the trade-off of more frequent recharging, which is crucial to keep in mind for users requiring long-term, uninterrupted tracking.
Why The Battery Life Of A GPS Device Is Critical
The importance of battery life in GPS tracking devices is best illustrated by real-world scenarios. One example is fleet tracking. GPS trackers with long battery life are essential in fleet management because they can track a vehicle’s location for extended periods. This allows a business to have consistent GPS data on driver behavior that can help reduce vehicle idling and fuel consumption.
Another example is on construction sites. For example, a magnetic GPS tracker with a long battery life can be an excellent tool to protect construction equipment from theft on job sites. These trackers are discreet and easy to attach to equipment, providing real-time location data to ensure that equipment is safe and secure. These mini GPS trackers can provide accurate location data without interruption, giving construction companies peace of mind and reducing the risk of theft.
These examples show how important it is to have a GPS tracker with a long battery life. Now, let’s check out some factors that affect the battery life of GPS trackers and simple tips on how to extend battery power.
Best Real Time GPS Tracker With 100+ Days Battery Life
- Free Waterproof Case With Magnet Mount
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- Longest Battery Power Of Any GPS Vehicle Tracker On The Market Today
- See Where Any Car Is At From Your Cell Phone
Are you looking to bust a cheating partner? Maybe you want to safeguard a piece of equipment for months at a time. Whatever your situation, if you need a powerful GPS locator the EverLast Nano is the solution. Why? The GPS device is recognized as the best GPS tracker with the longest battery-life, providing over 138 hours of continuous real time tracking! That makes the battery-powered GPS the only solution capable of giving you an average of 6 months of battery power!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens When You Unplug An OBD GPS Tracker?
Simply put, the GPS locator stops working. An OBD vehicle tracking device is a great solution for business fleet tracking because it does not require professional installation. The vehicle tracker will also pull power from the vehicle’s 12-volt system so you never have to worry about the portable GPS tracker running out of battery life. The problem? If your employee disconnects the personal GPS tracker from the onboard diagnostic port it will instantly stop providing you real-time location updates.
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.
Ever wonder how do you tell if there is a tracker on your car? Then check out the Tracking System Direct blog for information on the latest surveillance topics and news articles.
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