Among the most important factors to consider when choosing a pet tracking device is its battery life. After all, a device that has to be recharged frequently can be a pain for pet owners who rely on continuous tracking for their pets’ safety. The battery life can differ greatly depending on the model, features, and usage patterns. In this guide, we shall be looking at how long your pet tracking device can last with a single charge and what factors affect battery performance to give you tips on how you can extend the life of your device.
How Long is the Battery Life of Pet Tracking Devices?
The battery life of a pet tracking device varies depending on the model and pattern of use.
Battery Life after One Charge in Normal
Generally, with a complete charge, a pet tracking collar may last anywhere between 1 to 10 days. This is normally subject to the frequency at which the GPS updates take place along with the activity range of the pet. A pet tracking device that would locate the pet’s position very often for instance, in seconds dispense the battery sooner than normal (approximately 1-3 days).
Battery life for most pet trackers also depends on how often you track the pet, whether the device is in power-saving mode and the strength of the GPS signal in the pet’s environment.
Battery life of Beardpet’s pet tracking devices
Here we mainly introduce two Beardpet trackers.
- Usage Time: 7–15 days depending on tracking frequency and the dog’s activity. Ideal for longer tracking periods without frequent recharging.
- Battery: 1300mAh battery provides extended use, supporting longer battery life even with regular tracking.
- Low Battery Indicator: When the battery is low, the red or blue indicator flashes slowly, giving you ample time to recharge before the tracker stops working.
- Performance: Great for pet owners who want a reliable tracker with a long-lasting battery and the option to adjust update frequency based on needs.
- Usage Time: 2–10 days, depending on the tracking settings. More frequent updates (e.g., every 10 minutes) will reduce battery life, but can still last up to 10 days with low-frequency updates or when inactive.
- Battery: 500mAh high-density battery (4.35V)efficiently balances power and performance, making it a solid choice for moderate tracking needs.
- Low Battery Indicator: Red indicator flashes slowly to alert you when it’s time to recharge.
- Performance: A versatile option for those who need a cost-effective tracker with adjustable settings for optimal battery management.
| Feature | Dog GPS Tracker V41 | Dog Tracking Collar V43 |
| Usage Time | 7–15 days | 2–10 days |
| Battery Capacity | 1300mAh | 500mAh |
| Low Battery Indicator | Slow red or blue flash | Slow red flash |
The overall lifespan of the pet tracking device
A pet tracking device can last 2 to 5 years on average, depending on its quality and how well it’s maintained. The device’s longevity is influenced by factors like battery wear, the durability of its components, and the level of exposure to outdoor conditions (e.g., water, and extreme temperatures).
What Factors Affect Battery Life?
There are a number of factors that can influence the battery life of a pet tracker.
Tracking Frequency
The more often the device updates your pet’s location, the more power it consumes. Real-time tracking (e.g., every minute) will burn through the battery faster than periodic updates (e.g., hourly). Adjusting the update frequency to match your needs helps conserve battery life.
GPS Signal Quality
A good GPS signal requires less power. In cases of a weak satellite connection, like dense forests or buildings, the pet tracker has to work harder to hold a signal, which uses more energy. This stress can be minimized if a device supports better GPS or even assists with Wi-Fi.
Pet’s Activity Level
The more active your pet is, the more frequently the tracker needs to update its location. For a highly active pet, the device uses more energy. On the other hand, reducing the update frequency when your pet is resting can extend battery life.
Battery Capacity and Type
Large batteries-usually 1300mAh can last even longer. Most pet trackers, being lithium-ion batteries themselves, offer good efficiency and are relatively lightweight; aside from that, they’re easily rechargeable to maintain performance over longer terms.
Power-Saving Mode
Many pet trackers contain modes that can reduce battery drain during sedentary moments, hence increasing battery life while it doesn’t track down real updates because of putting the device at extremely low power when not in use.
Temperature and other ambient factors
Cold temperatures can slow the reactions of the batteries, consequently draining them faster, while high temperatures can lead to overheating and thus reduce the life span. Keeping the device within a moderate temperature range optimizes performance.
Software and Firmware
The software efficiency affects how much power the battery consumes. Sometimes, firmware updates contain improvements in battery optimization, such as modifying tracking intervals or limiting superfluous power consumption, which helps the device last longer.
Connectivity and Communication Technology
Most Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-based devices have a low power consumption compared to GPS and cell-based signal devices, which consume battery pretty fast, especially when covering an area with poor network strength.
The various variables to consider are the tracking frequency, the strength of the GPS signal, and your dog’s activity level, through which you can optimize your pet tracker for better battery life.
How to Extend Battery Life?
In order to extend the life of your pet tracking device, battery usage needs to be optimized.
Adjust Tracking Frequency
If real-time tracking isn’t essential, reduce the tracking frequency. For example, setting the device to update location every hour instead of every few minutes can make a significant difference in how long the battery lasts.
Enable Power-Saving Mode
Use the device’s power-saving features. Many trackers automatically switch to low-power mode when your pet is stationary, reducing updates and conserving battery.
Optimize GPS Signal
A strong GPS signal helps the device use less power. Try to keep the tracker in areas with clear skies or minimal interference (e.g., avoid dense forests or tall buildings). Devices with better GPS sensitivity can also conserve power in challenging environments.
Keep the Device at Moderate Temperatures
Cold temperatures can slow the performance of many batteries; high heat causes a battery to degrade faster. Keeping the device within ideal temperature ranges of 50–86°F or 10–30°C can prevent excessive battery drain from occurring.
Use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for Connectivity
Instead of using cellular networks, use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity when possible. For the most part, the former options use less power, especially in areas where signals are strong.
Update Firmware Regularly
Keep the device’s software and firmware updated. Most manufacturers publish updates that help in improving battery efficiency, optimizing tracking intervals, and reducing superfluous power consumption.
Monitor Pet Activity
Highly active pets require more frequent updates by the tracker, which means using more battery. If your pet is indoors most of the time or less active, you can adjust settings to lower the tracking frequency or turn off some features to save battery.
With these, you can definitely extend the life of your pet tracker’s battery to serve for a much longer time in terms of remaining operational on a single charge.
Conclusion
While selecting any pet tracking device, it is very crucial to keep in consideration the aspect of the life of a battery. After all, a device that keeps on asking for recharge can be a hassle for pet owners who rely on continuous tracking for their pets’ safety. Battery life varies highly depending on the model, features, and pattern of use.
In this guide, we put some attention on two trackers that have good battery quality. Beardpet is committed to innovating pet solutions to solve your pet nurturing worries. If you want to understand whether Beardpet’s pet tracking devices are suitable for your pets in all aspects or looking for more innovative pet solutions, welcome to contact our experts and discuss how our trackers can meet your needs.
