12 Best Battery Life Smart Watches in 2023 – Ultimate Review and Buyer’s Guide

Smartwatches with the Longest Battery Life

Introduction

In the modern world, it is sometimes very tough to rely simply on our cell phones all the time. Smart gear and wearables have become essential tools to help improve our lives and make them more efficient by using advanced sensors, algorithms, and data analysis to provide us with valuable information and insights.

One of the most popular smart wearables today, are smartwatches.

A good smartwatch offers above-par sleep and health tracking and a beautiful design to carry around. But aside from these many features, one of the most important things that define the best smartwatches is a durable battery that lasts at least two to three weeks. 

Many smartwatches out there only last one to two days before needing to charge them again. But these do not necessarily mean that the battery life is bad. If we keep using many of the features non-stop, we will find our smartwatches draining faster than expected.

However, if we dig a little deeper, we will find very few smartwatches that seem to have an unlimited battery life while providing a user experience beyond our expectations. In this article, we will look at 12 of the best smartwatches with excellent battery life that you can buy in 2023.

Here are the things we are looking for in the best smartwatches:

• Tracks blood oxygen level

• The smartwatch has a long lasting durable battery

• It is an Apple and Android compatible smartwatch.

• Access to Google Play Store

• Third-Party app support

Our Favorite Smartwatch: Garmin Vivoactive 3

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and features

• Price: $259.99

• Contactless mobile payments

• Personalized watch face, apps, and widgets.

• 15+ preloaded GPS tracking apps (i.e., yoga, swimming, etc.)

• Battery Life – Smartwatch Mode: Up to 7 days. GPS Mode: Up to 13 hours

• Accurate navigation for advanced running

Since Garmin released its first smartwatch, it has accumulated a cult following for most smartwatches. One of their most popular watches is the Garmin Vivoactive 3.

After testing the Garmin Vivoactive 3, it is safe to say that the shortest battery life when using most of its features will be seven days, while the maximum is almost twice the estimate (14 days).

One of the most significant factors that affect the battery is the GPS feature. Our test showed that this watch could last almost 13 hours if the GPS feature were enabled the entire time. However, the test showed that many of the standard features used for physical activity will still bring the watch to the six-to-seven-day benchmark.

Nevertheless, Garmin makes up for this battery life by including one of the market’s most advanced fitness tracking technologies.

If you buy the Garmin Vivoactive 3, you also have direct access to the app that works for android and iPhone users. This interface uses the built-in GPS feature to track your running without needing to use your android phone. This app also shows the heart rate monitoring feature to show your stress data throughout the day.

Overall, what Garmin gave up in battery life made up for it in a highly accurate heart rate monitor, exercise features, and a sleep companion every night. However, it would still need to find its competitive edge over the iPhone and Android products before it can fully conquer the market.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Accurate heart rate sensor

• Fitness tracking designed for a range of activities through body temperature

• Intricate mobile interface

• Larger watch display than other smartwatches

• GPS is perfect for fitness enthusiasts and beginners

• Accepts Garmin Pay

• Water resistant

• Weather updates for outdoor adventures

• Hybrid smartwatch

Cons

• iPhone users cannot choose which smart notifications to receive

• No music storage on the device

• Little competitive edge over Apple Watch

Next Best Option for a Long Battery Life: Fitbit Sense Advanced Smartwatch

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $229

• Built-In GPS

• Stress tracking features

• Effectively tracks oxygen levels

• Uses skin temperature for more accurate readings during training mode

• Answer phone calls

• Compatible with Google Assistant for android phones

• Accepts Fitbit Pay

Fitbit has already been known among fitness lovers for its small but reliable devices for its fitness features. This is something about the Fitbit fitness tracking system that makes it superior to its competitors. Unlike the Fitbit Versa 3, the Fitbit Sense is more of a health watch, along with its EDA sensor, altimeter, and accelerometer.

The best feature is its stress monitoring system which is only accessible to premium users. But Fitbit made mobile payments so easy that premium users will not experience any inconveniences in their transactions.

However, what is accessible to all Fitbit users is the fantastic fitness features that help athletes who want to focus more on heart rate zones. After your intense workout, Fitbit will show you your exercise statistics to make the necessary adjustments in your next workout.

Overall, Fitbit’s innovative features provide a more convenient lifestyle — an opportunity for a better self and better sleep through advanced sleep tracking features. There are very few weak points that are worth mentioning. The Google Assistant integration also works well, and we expect to see more Fitbit-related commands on the device. The Fitbit Sense is the best smartwatch for those who want to spend more.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• The best smartwatch for daily lifestyle

• Battery lasts more than 7 days

• App is compatible with android users

• Advanced sleep tracking and other health features

• Various sports modes to choose from

Cons

• Needs improvement in the menstrual cycle tracking

• Needs improvement in skin temperature features

A Close Runner-Up: Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Fitness Smartwatch

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and features

• Price: $84.99

• Alexa built-in for advanced microphone features

• A fully optimized battery to last 14 days

• Advanced health tracking features to track blood oxygen saturation

• Water resistance: 50 meters

• 1.55-inch always on display

• Borderless design

• Built-in GPS features

• AMOLED display with touch support

One of the first things you will notice is the borderless design that makes it more comfortable to touch and play around.

This aesthetic design also creates a solid exterior to increase the watch’s water resistance during exercises. The watch’s numerous health features also provide accurate heart rate fluctuations and effective blood oxygen monitoring. Amazfit also made sure its watches support music to accompany you in your everyday workouts.

The best part about this watch is its built-in GPS. This built-in GPS mode allows athletes to use the watch during workouts without carrying their cell phones. Despite all these features, the watch’s battery power ensures that it will take weeks before you need to charge it again.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Beautiful aesthetic watch exterior

• Brighter display

• Great battery life that lasts up to 14 days

• GPS mode enabled to offer phone-less workouts

• Supports Amazon Music

Cons

• The watch screen is getting smaller

• Does not support third party apps

• Health tracking features might be less reliable during high intensity workouts

• Unable to control smart home devices

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $229.99

• Advanced fitness tracker

• Long lasting battery life that lasts over 80 hours

• Health fitness tracker calculates active zone minutes

• Sapphire crystal design

• Increased dust resistance

Which Samsung smartwatch has the best battery? We should not forget the Samsung smartwatch is among the coolest smart watches in the world. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is one of your collection’s most excellent intelligent watches.

If you are a watch enthusiast like us, we both know that this Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 offers one of the best sleep-tracking technologies, and Samsung advertises this watch as the industry’s best sleep coach.

Even before you sleep, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 informs you to start winding down, so you don’t miss even an hour of sleep. After your sleep, your android phone will show you how well, and the watch will then provide you with all the necessary information and tips to get the most out of your sleep for the next night. Samsung has also heavily advertised a new technology that provides better battery life than its last iteration.

This watch offers %13 more battery life than the previous model. The battery can last for up to 80 years, more or less will depend on usage.

Also, since its last iteration, the charging speed of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has improved by 30%.

These improvements also highlight the fantastic health tracking features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. This watch also has an automatic exercise detection feature that initiates when it detects an increase in heart rate.

This watch can track over 100 sports modes designed for almost any environment. The watch uses the heart rate and blood oxygen levels to provide the most accurate workout results, which are vital for the athlete’s overall improvement.

While the improvement in battery life compared to the previous model might not be too significant, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 becomes another excellent option. Its fast charging makes up for its decent battery life.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Compatible with Android phones

• Supports over 100 sports modes

• Smart features to support sleep tracking and heart health

• Lightweight

• Bright and excellent display

• Pretty accurate steps counter

• Supports Samsung Pay

Cons

• Not optimized for smart notifications

• No dual layer display

Molocy Q23 Smartwatch

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $35.98

• 25 Sports Features

• Health features: heart rate monitor and SpO2 monitoring

• Real-Time Notifications

• Remote control picture taking

• Weather Notifications

• Waterproof IP68

• Third party app support

If you are shopping for a smartwatch on a budget, the Molocy Q23 is less popular than the smartwatches of Samsung and Apple. However, Molocy placed itself in the top-tier smartwatches with the latest release of the Q23 Smartwatch.

This smartwatch has all the basic features such as a smart mode that allows its users to connect their phones to the watch in a matter of seconds. The 25 sports modes are designed for more efficient health tracking while providing accurate heart rate readings and blood oxygen levels.

More importantly, this watch also offers a very long battery life of two to three weeks with its basic features. Although the battery life will drain naturally faster when you use them more often, its charging feature ensures that it takes less than an hour to fully charge.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Offers 20+ sports features to choose from

• Compatible with android users

• A powerful battery that lasts two to three weeks

• Effectively tracks sleep quality

• Perfect for those on a fixed budget

Cons

• Not compatible with Bluetooth calls

COROS PACE 2

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $199

• One of the lightest GPS products on the market

• Longest battery life – 20 days of regular use and 30 hours in GPS mode.

• Ongoing support and updates

• Nutrition and hydration alert

• Measures remaining energy after aerobic and anaerobic efforts.

We always get the question, “Are COROS watches better than Garmin?”

If you want to compare smartwatches, the circular design, app interface, and wristbands are relatively similar. But the most significant difference between the two is the price. The COROS PACE 2 smartwatch sells on Amazon at $199, a $50 difference from the Garmin Vivoactive 3.

Despite the price difference, there is nothing in this android smartwatch that seemed cheap or made of weaker material. Despite the plastic case, the entire watch design is very light on the wrist and has a matte finish. In other words, any user of this watch will receive the best value for money for the price they pay.

The best part about this watch is that it is for the everyday user, not only for fitness activities. If you choose this watch for everyday use, you will enjoy the smartphone notifications of your favorite apps.

You also get all the necessary features of a smartwatch, like the sleep tracker, accelerometer, and thermometer. This watch features GPS technology that accurately calculates your stride and cadence by your GPS positioning for more accurate results.

Overall, the main downfall of this watch is its overall design and minimalist mobile app. However, everything that makes an exceptional smartwatch will still be present in this watch.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• More affordable than its competitors

• High-quality resolution

• Accurate fitness trackers

• Long lasting battery

• Extremely lightweight

• Improves overall breathing quality

• Aids in training load

Cons

• Lesser features than other high-end smartwatches

• Does not have AMOLED display

Polar Vantage M2

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $249.99

• Supports 130+ fitness activities

• Accurate sleep tracker

• Music, weather, and notification control

• Long battery life

• Waterproof 30,

• Bluetooth Low Energy

• A-GPS, GLONASS

• Water resistant

This watch is stylish both as sportswear and casual wear. This adaptability is a significant improvement from the Polar Ignite 2 iterations.

For $249.99, you get a stylish sports watch coated around a ridged carbon fiber-effect band and glass. This sport watch also comes in Black-Grey, Gold-Champagne, Grey-Yellow, and Brown-Copper.

The most important feature is Polar’s trademark FitSpark Function.

Aside from the traditional fitness tracking features, Polar’s flagship tracker provides its users with a custom workout designed to meet certain fitness goals. Polar’s FitSpark seems to learn more about the user’s workouts, recovery, and sleeping patterns to craft the perfect workout for them.

However, the main downfall of this fitness watch is that it would take more than a month for it to consolidate all the necessary information about you. Without the necessary data like stress levels, the fitness trackers will only give few notifications and alerts for you to walk around or if you are too static for a long time.

Just like many of the smartwatches on this list, a moderate workout throughout the week will usually last the smartwatch a week or two. This battery life is powered by a larger 230mAh battery, which provides the needed boost to last the week.

Overall, the Polar Vantage M2 provides everything you could possibly look for in a multisport watch. For the price that you pay, you will receive accurate fitness tracking, sleep tracking for different sleep stages, and a versatile design.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Versatile design

• Sturdy smartwatch batteries

• Different features to show training status

• Accurate readings on heart rate

• Fitness tracker shows calories burned throughout daily life

Cons

• Intermittent lag in synching devices

• Too much unnecessary notifications on app

• Requires extra money for more features

Apple Watch Series 8

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $399

• Case Size: 41 mm or 45 mm

• Always-On Retina LTPO OLED display

• S8 SiP with 64-bit dual-core processor

• Digital crown with haptic feedback

• Always-on Altimeter

• Fall detection and body composition data

• Noise Monitoring and activity tracking

• Blood oxygen sensors

• ECG app

• Water resistant

The Apple Watch Series 8 is one of the best watches in the market. Despite its authoritative position in the market, Apple has not stopped innovating this product line.

The display size on this smartwatch is significantly bigger than its counterparts. The built-in S8 chip allows the smartwatch to support crash detection, blood oxygen monitoring, and the like.

If we compare the Apple Watch Series 8 with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, we can significantly see the difference in the price range. Despite its features, you will still need to pay $120 more than what you would pay for its competitors. It is also very hard to give more clarity to the significant price increase when the designs have not significantly changed for the past few iteration cycles.

Before the launch of the Apple Watch Series 8, iPhone users needed to use the location services on their phones to preserve the battery. But since this Apple watch already has a built-in GPS, this apple watch will have better battery stamina than its previous iterations. However, many users reported use of almost 16 hours of typical use, significantly lower than its competitors. Unfortunately, there are very few battery backup products to charge your watch on the spot. You might need to charge these at the end of the day.

Overall, it is safe to say that Apple’s intention in this release was to bring smartwatches to casual users. Because of its stylish designs, we would most likely see these smart watches as the go-to companions to those getting through a jam packed day.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• S8 microchip brings better performance

• Accurate readings on stress levels, fitness and sleep tracking through heart rate monitoring

• Stylish design and beautiful silicone strap

• Connected to smart home devices and GPS enabled

• Easy to view Facebook Messenger notifications

• Large display size

Cons

• Smartwatch battery is still weaker than Galaxy Watch products

• No smart recognition

• Requires constant updates

• Not compatible with Google Maps

• There is no solar variant

• Harder to download apps

Google Pixel Watch

Buy Now From Amazon

Features and Specifications

• Price $349 (LTE); $399 (Cellular Connectivity )

• Circular domed design

• Heart rate tracker for accurate health metrics and pulse ox scores

• Make mobile payments easier

• Emergency SOS enabled

• Battery life lasts 24 hours

• Voice Assistant enabled

• Compatible with Wear OS

This Google Pixel Watch has the basic software for Pixel phone users, a beautiful design, and a minimalist look on the overall piece. But this is not one of the smartwatches with significantly long battery lives. If the watch was promised to last only 24 hours, we would have expected a battery saver mode at least.

However, one of the reasons why the Google Pixel Watch ended up on this list is because the Wear OS is significantly different and more innovative than the more expensive counterparts. Google’s Wear OS platform is an app where you can manage your smartwatches, set meetings, and set important notifications.

If you were looking to buy a Fitbit, this watch is the smarter version of that. However, if you are not a Google Pixel user, keep scrolling to find the best smartwatch for you.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Best watch for Google Pixel smartwatch users

• A smarter version of Fitbit

• Innovative OS

• Supports Google Pay

• Perfect for treadmill running

Cons

• Features does not justify the price range

• Weak battery life than other watches

• No rotating bezel

Garmin Venu 2

Buy Now From Amazon

Features and Specifications

• Price: $279.98

• 25 built-in indoor, GPS, and preloaded workouts.

• Incident detection

• Built in microphone

• Display resolution: 416 x 416 pixels

• AMOLED Display with optional always-on mode

• 200 hours of activity data

• Waterproof: 5 ATM

• Fiber Reinforced Polymer

• Accurately records pulse ox scores

Before this product, many Garmin fanatics thought that this brand only focused on watches designed for running like the Garmin Forerunner. The Garmin Venu 2 proved them wrong.

Think of the Garmin Venu 2 as the bridge between a smartwatch and a running watch. The Garmin Venu 2 has a silicone metal band and bezel accompanied by an encompassing polymer case.

The hero of this watch is the vivid AMOLED screen designed to provide a crisper and clearer display. The display is also large enough that you do not need to check your phone whenever you have to look at a graph.

Additionally, Garmin Pay allows you to search through third party apps to include them in your watch’s music storage. You can also use the watch to control the music playback and volume adjustment. This Garmin watch can last up to 11 days when all you are using is the 24/7 heart rate monitor. However, this battery life will naturally decrease as you continue using more of its features.

Overall, this watch is an excellent alternative because of its versatility and compatibility for both android and IOS. However, the significant price increase compared to its other alternatives might discourage customers to purchase this product.

Pros and Cons

• Long battery life

• Beautiful design

• Innovative fitness tracking capabilities

• Perfect for various sport

Cons

• Relatively more expensive than counterparts

• Limited apps on Garmin Connect store.

Apple Watch SE2

Buy Now From Amazon

Features and Specifications

• Price: $249 (GPS-only version); $299 (Cellular + GPS)

• Software: watchOS9

• Long Lasting Battery Life: 15+ hours

• Processor: S8 microchip

• Storage: 32GB

• Sensors: Optical heart sensors

• Water resistance: 50 metes

• Easily customizable

• Compatible with all Apple devices

Apple released the Apple Watch SE as the budget version of the Apple Series 8 since not all smartwatches should cost as much as the latter. Aside from the premium Apple feeling, the watch is very lightweight and feels nice to hold. Each SE2 has a beautiful Retina display that does not require any backlight when you are using it in the dark.

However, Apple had to give up the always-on display to justify the lower price of the product. However, this might not be a large requirement for you if you intend to use the watch faces for daily or casual use.

Unfortunately, Apple was also unable to solve the lower battery life of the SE2. The Apple Watch SE 2 does not provide days of battery life, only lasting up to 10 hours if you’re lucky.

Nevertheless, the magnetic charging dock will ensure that the charging process remains quick and efficient for you to use it when you wake up. Overall, there is no denying the benefits of entering the Apple ecosystem, with all your Apple devices being connected to each other.

However, there are other more affordable and valuable smartwatches that cost lesser than this device and also provide a longer battery life. The best thing you can do is to treat the Apple Watch SE like your iPhone: use it throughout the day and charge it throughout the night.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Lightweight and durable design

• Increased performance in different sports modes

• Interchangeable stylish bands

• Perfect for everyday and sports activities

• Long lasting batteries

• Perfect for virtual running

• Low power mode enabled

Cons

• Relatively more expensive than its counterparts

TicWatch Pro 3

Buy Now From Amazon

Specifications and Features

• Price: $299.99

• 12nm Quad Core A53 Processor

• Clock Speed: 1.7 GHz – 2.0 GHz

• GPU: Adreno 504

• Single display

• Bluetooth: 4.2 and 5.0

• Advanced health and fitness monitoring

• Fatigue assessment

Despite its conservative design, its watch faces seem to be inspired by the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. Its lightweight material, with its matte black metal case and glossy dial, just speaks volumes about the expert craftsmanship.

Most of the apps inside the watch have Tic- preffixes, and are able to feed biometric data on your mobile devices.

However, the main downfall of this device is its occasional unresponsiveness in GPS tracking, which should be a rarity in a price range like this. Although, all its important features will return to normal in the middle of a workout.

As a result, many of its users might find this an inconvenience, especially when they want to get more accurate data from the device. Users also report having a problem with the inaccuracies of the sleep tracker. On the bright side, the Tic Watch Pro 3 is powered by a 577 mAh battery, which can last two to three days.

However, the watch’s Essential Mode increases the battery’s stamina to 45 days. In other words, this device can potentially be one of the longest lasting batteries on our list. But you will also need to decide whether you are willing to give up occasional unresponsiveness for a better battery.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Impressive battery life through Essential Mode

Cons

• Too similar to Galaxy Watch products

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ#1: Which Smart Watch Has the Longest Battery Life?

In this list, the average life of a battery before charging is one to two weeks. However, with the Essential Mode turned on, the TicWatch Pro 3 can last up to 45 days without needing another charge. However, if you want to save yourself from the unresponsiveness of the TickWatch Pro 3, you can also consider getting the Molocy Q23 Smartwatch which provides two to three weeks of battery performance.

FAQ #2: Should I Buy a Garmin Watch Instead of an Apple?

Garmin and Apple watches are usually competing in the same price range. These products also have their own unique advantages and disadvantages that make them the largest competitors in a market like this. Thus, it might all come down to personal preference. If you are looking for a watch that you can carry with you on your runs, and intense workouts, and with strong battery life, look to Garmin. You might want an Apple Watch if you want to remain in the ecosystem and enjoy its incredible operating software performance.

FAQ #3: Is an Apple Watch Worth Buying?

An Apple watch is an excellent device to track your fitness and to be your overall companion throughout your day. You will also experience significant joy in the fast operating system of the company and how accessible your notifications will be on the display. However, the main caveat that Apple has yet to solve is to create a watch that can last as long as its competitors. Unfortunately, an Apple Watch can only last for 16-24 hours before you will need to charge it again.

Conclusion: Best Battery Life Smart Watch in 2023

There you have it! We have shown you twelve of our favorite smartwatches known for having a very strong battery that will last you a few weeks before charging it again. We also showed you that good battery life should go with exceptional performance and a design that will leave you drooling. You will also notice that many of these features are relatively the same, and the battery life of most of the products is also alike. If you are still confused about what smartwatch to get in 2023, rely on your personal preference and your needs