Smartwatches take on a new meaning in everyone’s everyday life. Earlier, they were meant to keep track of time, but the further they go, the more functions they can perform. I’ve always been a fan of smartwatches, but after having them for a while, I’ve been swapping them out for the good old Casio G shock watch just because of the battery life.
It was like this until I started looking into smartwatches on the market in 2022. Therefore, I decided to try using a smartwatch again and put my old G shock to rest until the next time.
These articles will be a list of smartwatches from which I chose, and at the end of the article, I will write about the one I chose. The article will also contain affiliate links, which this page relies on. But, of course, you can always not click on the affiliate link and find my recommended watch elsewhere.
I will also mention that I have owned such smart watches as Garmin Fenix 3 Hr Sapphire, Amaze Bip, Suunto 9 Baro Black, Garmin Fenix 5, and Garmin Vivo classic. The list may not be long, but I tried to analyze each watch in detail, and the biggest problem was the battery life (not the Garmin Vivo classic, of course).
Best battery life smartwatch list
When compiling this list of smartwatch with longest battery life, I was guided by the main criteria:
- Battery life
- Looking
- Performance (accurate fitness tracker)
- Software
- Price
Also, remember that I chose the watch for myself, so my evaluation results may not match yours. However, I measured each of the mentioned watches on my arm, judged, and sought feedback on the actual battery life during daily use and sports.
Also, it is difficult to say the exact battery life for a solar watch because each of us spends a different time outside, where the sun charges the watch most efficiently.
Casio GBD-H1000 battery life: Average 3 days with HR and up to 12 months without
As an old-time G shock series watch user, this one came first in my mind when I wanted a new smartwatch. And yes, this watch has kept the Casio G shock tradition and is solid and almost indestructible.
- Battery life: 6/10, using solar 9/10
- Looking: 8/10
- Performance: 7/10
- Software: 6/10
- Price: 8/10 new from 370 USD
Casio GBD-H1000 Battery life
Twelve months without heart rate and 66 hours (almost 3 days) with heart rate monitoring. But don’t forget that this is a Solar watch, and it can be almost non-dischargeable if it gets even a little light. Casio declares that “When charged about eight hours every day under indoor fluorescent lighting (500 lux), and charged at window side on a sunny day for two hours in a week (10,000 lux).”
The interesting thing is that this watch has two batteries. One battery is for timekeeping and a pedometer, and the second is for GPS, HR, and other performance things.
Casio GBD-H1000 Design
When you see this watch, it’s easy to tell that it’s a Casio G shock version watch because it has kept all aspects of the design. I like this rugged design, big buttons, and everything.
Casio GBD-H1000 Performance
This watch is designed for running, so it is not a multi-sport watch. I also like to do other sports without running, which is a big minus. As far as I have seen in the feedback, running is the strong point of this watch, which it handles well. I’ve also noticed many users complaining about the HR being inaccurate, so if this feature is as important to you as it is to me, it’s something to look into before purchasing a watch.
Casio GBD-H1000 Software:
It is the weakest part of the Casio watch. The MOVE app still needs a lot of upgrades compared to Garmin Connect. Trying to sync your watch with the Move or Strava app can be a real pain. It is worth mentioning that Android phone users mostly face these problems. Also, this watch does not have music storage, which can be a problem with headphones, as you will need to run with a music device.
Conlusion
Casio GBD-H1000’s Strongest Aspects are impact resistance, running features, display, and design, but Casio still needs to work on notifications and other software problems. Also, the battery is not so good if you always leave HR on.
As soon as this watch came out, I thought it was just for me, but the battery and the high price discouraged me from buying it. If HR is not that important to you, then the battery of this watch will satisfy all your needs.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Battery life: up to 28 days in the smartwatch and 51 days with solar
To my eye, the design of this watch is quite similar to the Casio G-shock series, which I like because I love military-style watches that also have a military-grade protection level.
And yes, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Battery is underwhelming compared to the Casio GBD-H1000 battery. For me, charging the watch once a month is not a problem, so this watch meets the battery requirements with the highest scores.
- Battery life: 10/10, using solar 10/10
- Looking: 9/10
- Performance: 8/10
- Software: 9/10
- Price: 9/10 new from 450 USD
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Battery life
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar has a super long battery life of up to 28 days in smartwatch mode and 51 days in solar charging, assuming all-day wear with 3 hours in 50000 lux conditions. Garmin promises unlimited battery life if you use it in battery saver watch mode, so you will not have all smartwatch features.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Design
The design is really solid. It looks like a real rugged military watch. And it is like that this rugged watch is water-rated to 100 meters and is thermal and shock-resistant, rated to MIL-STD-810.
It has a Monochrome Display which is always on. You can see it very well in sunlight, but you can meet some problems at night because it is hard to see from some angles.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Performance
Instinct 2 comes with many of the same training and performance feedback features on Garmin’s Fenix 7 line of sports watches and Garmin’s higher-end 4runner watches. Instinct 2 solar now can estimate your v2 max for running and cycling. GPS accuracy is good. It can be easily compared to other premium GPS watches. The HR sensor also does its job well. I was satisfied with the results.
Garmin Instinct 2 Solar Software
Does not have maps and music storage, but have Garmin pay and other important apps. For a long time, Garmin has been one of the leaders in the smartwatches category, and their software updates happen very often. Therefore, after purchasing this watch, there should be no software problems.
If you need maps on your watch, Instinct 2 solar is not the right companion for you.
Conclusion
I like this watch very much. It has perfect battery life, good looking, and good performance features, but only one thing is dragging it down for me – music storage. I like to run and listen to music. In this case, I will need to take a phone every run.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Battery life: up to 21 days in the smartwatch and 24 days with solar
When we start talking about the Garmin Fenix series, we can sense that the device will be of premium class. Garmin Fenix 6 pro-solar is not the latest watch. It was released on the market in July 2020. But it is a Garmin Flagman premium watch, which was already widely watched for its functionality and battery capabilities. It is on the list because, with the release of the Garmin Fenix 7 series, its price has dropped significantly and become much more affordable.
- Battery life: 8/10, using solar 8/10
- Looking: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Software: 9/10
- Price: 8/10 new from 729 USD
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Battery life
Garmin claims that Fenix 6 Pro Solar watch battery life is up to 21 days in the smartwatch mode and 24 days with solar. The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar was the first Fenix series watch with a Solar panel. Therefore, this technology is not as effective as Instinct 2 Solar or Fenix 7 series watches. An extra 3 days doesn’t sound very fancy for such a watch.
The Garmin Fenix 6 Pro Solar has a decent battery life, but if you use the watch with options like the Pulse Oximeter enabled, the battery life can drop to 7-10 days, which is still bearable.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Design
The Garmin Fenix series has been a king in the outdoors watch section for a long time. The 6 Pro Solar is no exception. It looks great even with a suit. Therefore, you should not be afraid to go on dates with this watch. I like it very much, how it stays on the wrist and when you touch it, you can feel premium quality. For example, Garmin Instinct 2 Solar or Casio, for me, looks like a little cheaper watch.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Performance
The features of this watch are super solid. You can make payments with the watch and listen to music. Fenix 6X Pro has the most advanced training features. Also, this watch has an integrated topographical map that enables simple turn-by-turn navigation just like your smartphone or car GPS.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Software
Garmin watches time by time and gets huge updates that fix the problems. Garmin does this job well compared to Casio smart watches. As long as I had and used Garmin watches, all the software was top-notch.
Conclusion
After the release of the Fenix 7 series watch, the 6 series watches have become significantly cheaper. Currently, the Garmin 6x Pro can be purchased on the secondary market at a really good price.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar has all the features I need and a sufficiently long-lasting battery.
Garmin Fenix 7X Solar battery life: up to 28 days in the smartwatch and 37 days with solar
Garmin 7x Solar is a quite fresh arrival. It was released on 17th February 2022. This is the second generation Fenix watch with a solar panel, which is significantly more efficient this time. Compared to the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar (the solar version adds 3 extra days), this 7th generation Fenix watch with a Solar panel gets an extra 9 days of battery life.
When reviewing the Fenix 7 series, I will compare it with the 6 series because their price difference is very significant, and the functionality is not so significant.
- Battery life: 8/10, using solar 8/10
- Looking: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Software: 9/10
- Price: 7/10 new from 879 USD
Garmin Fenix 7X Solar battery life
The battery has been improved compared to the 6X Pro series, and now instead of 21 days, the battery can last 28 days in smartwatch mode if there is no additional energy from solar panels.
Garmin Fenix 7X Solar design
Fenix 6X Pro solar and Fenix 7X solar are very similar in design. Both watches have screens of identical size, only now, the version 7 Solar watch can also have sapphire glass. Also, the 7-series Fenix has become somewhat lighter.
Garmin Fenix 7X Solar performance
Fenix 7X solar has almost identical performance compared to Fenix 6x Pro Solar. If it weren’t for the minimally more accurate GPS, I would see almost no difference in performance between the two watches.
Garmin Fenix 7X Solar software
Again, it is Garmin, and the software is superior. It has all the same features as the Garmin 6X Pro.
Conclusion
As someone looking for a watch, the biggest issue with this watch for me is the price. Since I don’t plan on spending more than $500 on a watch, getting a Fenix 7x Solar at this point makes it mission difficult. I’ve never been against buying smart watches on the secondary market because, in most cases, you can buy a watch with a valid warranty, and even premium-class watches have a really good service life.
Also, there hasn’t been a revolution since the Fenix 6X Pro version, so I’d rule this option out. But that’s me. If your budget is bigger and you don’t want to change your watch anytime soon, the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar is a great choice.
TicWatch Pro 3 battery life: 3 days in smartwatch mode
When I saw 45 days battery life, I got excited, but after that, I checked, and it only has 3 days of battery time on smartwatch mode. So for me, it is a deal-breaker.
The TicWatch company is not as well-known as Garmin or Casio, so it was really interesting to look into this watch. It’s a pity that I didn’t have the opportunity to touch it in my hands, but after reading a lot of articles and watching a lot of video reviews, I formed an opinion about this watch that I will share with you.
Let’s start with the fact that Mobvoi (TicWatch) is a Chinese company founded in 2012.
Battery life: 3/10
Looking: 5/10
Performance: 6/10
Software: 6/10
Price: 7/10 new from 299.99 USD
TicWatch Pro 3 battery life
As you already understood, battery life is very important for me. Also, I want to use basic smartwatch features like HR, notification etc. If you do not use the heart rate monitor or other smartwatch options, the battery of this watch can last up to 45 days in Essential Mode. But if you still use these options, the battery can last up to 3 days.
TicWatch Pro 3 design
Also design. I wouldn’t say I like it. For me, it looks like an office watch, something similar to Samsung gear watches.
TicWatch Pro 3 performance
Only has limited training features. Also, it has a very weak vibration.
TicWatch Pro 3 software
It is a fully android watch that uses WearOS, which still has quite a few bugs. Also, this watch has endless spammy apps, which don’t look reliable to my eye.
Conclusion
I wouldn’t say I like this watch. Personally, it looks like those cheap Chinese watches with many bugs. But maybe I am wrong because I never touch one. The price is good; if you break it, you will not lose like 600 USD. But yes, this watch is not for me.
Coros Vertix 2 Baterry life: up to 20-30 days in the smartwatch mode with HR always on.
The Coros Vertix 2 is also not as popular as Garmin or Casio, but that’s probably because the manufacturer of the Coros Vertix 2, COROS Wearables Inc, was only founded in 2014 in California. This watch is still new on the market, but it has already impressed me in some aspects.
Also, the more I looked into this watch, the better I found it. This watch is a real premium watch that can compete with Garmin series watches.
Battery life: 9/10
Looking: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Software: 9/10
Price: 7/10 new from 699 USD
Coros Vertix 2 baterry life
Coros Vertix 2 has a huge battery, and the battery can last in smartwatch mode for up to 60 days. But for justice, it should be mentioned that if you always use HR, the battery life will decrease to 20-30 days.
Coros Vertix 2 design
This watch has many similarities to the Garmin Fenix series watches, but at the same time, it has unique details. It also has the same screen size as the Fenix 7X solar – 1.4-inch. The Coros Vertix 2 stands out with its bright orange bracelet, perfect for running marathons or simple everyday activities.
Coros Vertix 2 performance
It is a top-end device, and it does its job perfectly. It is a top-end device, and it does its job perfectly. Some claim that Coros GPS accuracy is more accurate than Garmin watches.
Coros Vertix 2 software
At first glance, it is very similar to what Garmin uses on the menu, where everything is needle compact and quite good organized. And the software is easy to use, it works almost without glitches. Compared with Garmin, Coros lacks map details and does not have Spotify music or Amazon music. You can only listen to uploaded music.
Conclusion
The biggest downside of this watch is the price. Despite this, the watch is ideal if it has a solar function. Even without a solar panel, this watch outperforms many of its competitors in terms of battery life.
Related articles:
- How accurate is Garmin body battery?
- Casio G-Shock GW-7900B. Battery change.
- Garmin Battery Replacement. Full tutorial.
- Does Garmin Fenix (Non-Sapphire) need a screen protector?
Final verdict
I want to remind you that this was not a detailed review of every watch. The Internet is full of them. I wanted to write an article on how I chose a watch based on battery life and functionality.
I chose the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar
After doing a lot of research, I realized that the most suitable watch for me would be the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar because this watch has all the functions I need, such as Music, Garmin pays a lot of sports modes, lots of information about your body. At the same time, it has a pretty good battery.
So I bought a used but still in great condition watch for 380 USD.
I hope you liked the article and found it useful. If you have any observations or comments, leave them in the comment section.
