Google Pixel Watch 2 battery life, and how to improve it

Battery life on the original Pixel Watch was our biggest complaint when we first got our hands on the device. Google’s second-generation attempts to alleviate some of those concerns with improved battery specs and an upgraded charger. Learn more about the battery life of the Google Pixel Watch 2 and how to stretch it out.

How long does the Google Pixel Watch 2 battery last?

The Google Pixel Watch 2 claims a battery life of 24 hours between charges, with always-on display enabled. During our Pixel Watch 2 review, we found this estimate accurate. With the display on and fitness tracking for an hour-long GPS workout, our watch lasted just over one full day. However, device usage will greatly impact battery life. Streaming music, for example, drains the battery quickly, as does GPS tracking.

The following breakdown details Pixel Watch 2 battery life usage according to Google:

• Phone calls
  
  • 2 hours of LTE talk time
• Exercise
  • 18 hours of tracking indoor exercise
  • 10 hours of tracking outdoor exercise with GPS
  • 9 hours of tracking outdoor exercise with GPS and LTE
  • 3 hours tracking outdoor exercise with GPS and LTE while listening to downloaded music
• Music
  • 6 hours listening to downloaded music
  • 5 hours of streaming music over LTE

While the original Pixel Watch also claims a 24-hour battery life, this is only with the always-on display disabled. Even still, we were rarely able to hit those specs during our Pixel Watch review period. Generally speaking, we found the original’s battery life much more of a nuisance than the newer model.

If you feel the wearable’s battery life isn’t quite up to scratch, consider using our Pixel Watch 2 tips to maximize your time between charges.

The Pixel Watch 2 also ships with a fast-charging cable that further mitigates battery woes. This magnetic Pogo pin charger is only compatible with the second generation.

How to make the Pixel Watch 2 battery last longer

As mentioned, battery life is impacted significantly by specific usage. Some features drain battery life quickly, and others help save power. Consider the tips below to elongate your device use between charges.

• Disable Always-on Display
  • From your watch face, swipe down and tap the settings cog.
  • Tap Display, then turn off Always-on Display.
• Disable Tilt-to-wake
  • From your watch face, swipe down and then tap the settings cog.
  • Tap Gestures, then turn off  Tilt-to-wake.
• Turn on Battery saver (which disables both Always-on and Tilt-to-wake)
  • From your watch face, swipe down and then tap the settings cog.
  • Tap the battery icon, then tap turn on battery saver.
  • Tap OK.
• Turn on Bedtime mode
  • From your watch face, swipe down and then tap the moon icon.
• Reduce screen timeout period
  • From your watch face, swipe down and then tap the settings cog.
  • Tap Display, then tap Screen timeout.
  • Select 15 seconds instead of 30 seconds.
• Download music
• Set Mobile Mode to Automatic (LTE models only)
  • From your watch face, swipe down and tap the settings cog.
  • Tap Connectivity, then tap Mobile, and then Mobile again.
  • Set to Automatic or Off.

How does the Pixel Watch 2 battery compare to other smartwatches?

The Pixel Watch line still has a ways to go before competing with the best smartwatches in terms of battery life. The newer generation’s 24-hour claim closes in on Apple’s real use specs, but the latter still lasts slightly longer with regular use. Apple Watches also offer a useful Low Power Mode to help users eke out extra time with their device on the wrist.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy Watch 6 series clocks in around 30 hours and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offers even longer specs. The souped-up model boasts two solid days of use between charges, including GPS workouts, dropping about 10% after an hour-long run. The Garmin Venu 3 is another fitness-focused option that claims up to five days of battery life in smartwatch mode. Finally, the OnePlus Watch 2 features a unique dual-chip architecture to offer the most impressive battery life of the bunch. In smart mode, the watch boasts up to 100 hours between charges.

Your best bet is a hybrid smartwatch if you want even better battery specs. Hybrid devices drop battery-draining features like AMOLED displays to offer longer use between charges.

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