Longest Battery Life GPS Trackers 2026

Battery life is one of the most important considerations from GPS trackers. After all, you wouldn’t want the tracker to suddenly die out when you need it the most.

Spytec GPS is a self-serve GPS tracking platform for small and mid-size fleets, with plans starting at $8.95/vehicle/month and no long-term contracts.

It’s a bit tricky to answer the question of which GPS tracker has the longest battery life–on the one hand, we’re a brand, and we’re obviously going to be biased towards our own products. On the other, we don’t know all the GPS tracker manufacturers out there, and we don’t know the specs of those other manufacturers as well as their brands do.

What we can offer is an honest, complete assessment of our own product line, each GPS tracker’s respective battery life, and how they can help you. So, to answer your question:

Spytec Max Long-Term GPS Tracker - 18 months

At Spytec, when we say “long-term,” we mean long-term. The Spytec Max GPS Tracker offers almost a year and a half of battery life on a single charge.

What is the Max Long-term GPS Tracker used for?

This extra-long battery life is useful for tracking things that don’t move very far or very often:

Seasonal vehicles (boats, RVs)
Static valuables or assets (shipping containers, storage bins, raw materials)
Heavy equipment (farming equipment, construction vehicles)

The reason the Max GPS tracker has such an extended battery life is due to its update speed. Generally speaking, the more often a GPS tracker sends location updates, the faster its battery drains. Standard GPS trackers give updates every 5 to 30 seconds. The Max GPS tracker can be set to ping every 10 minutes, every 12 hours, or once a day (aka “Extreme Power Saving Mode”).

How long will the battery really last?

Here are the predicted battery life ranges based on usage:

Performance mode (60 second updates) = Average of 38 days
Normal mode (10 minute updates) = Average of 58 days
Power Saving Mode (12 hour updates) = Average of 438 days
Extreme Power Saving mode (Daily updates) = 570+ days

Does that mean you have to wait for an entire day before finding out someone stole your RV? Absolutely not! GPS trackers like the Max go into “standby mode” when not in motion, which slows down updates and saves on power. The moment the tracker starts moving, it will go active and start pinging its location more often.

You can even set up a geofence around its location that notifies you if the tracker (and whatever it’s attached to) leaves the area. It’s an effective way to extend your tracker’s battery life while still ensuring you’re instantly notified of any potential problems.

Also, the Max GPS Tracker comes with a light-sensitive sensor that instantly triggers and notifies you when it’s moved–like say if a potential thief is trying to get rid of the tracker. This will alert you immediately if something suspicious is going on.

→ See fleet tracking plans starting at $14.95/mo

Max GPS Tracker: A set-and-forget tracking solution

The Max GPS Tracker is an excellent tracking solution for things that need to stay secure but don’t require a lot of close monitoring. The combination of extended battery life, IP67 waterproof and dustproof construction, and an optional magnetic mount is perfect for low-maintenance security and monitoring applications.

Have any additional questions about Spytec GPS Trackers? Reach out to our team of experts today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to put a GPS tracker on my own vehicle?

Yes. In the United States, it is legal to place a GPS tracker on a vehicle you own. If you are tracking a company-owned vehicle, most states allow it with employee notification. Laws vary by state, so check your local regulations for tracking vehicles you do not own.

How accurate is Spytec GPS real-time tracking?

Spytec GPS trackers are accurate to within 6 feet in open-sky conditions using GPS satellite signals. In urban areas with tall buildings, accuracy is typically within 15–30 feet. Location updates can refresh as often as every 5 seconds.

Do I need a monthly subscription for GPS tracking?

Yes. GPS trackers use cellular networks to transmit location data, which requires a data plan. Spytec GPS plans start at $14.95/month (monthly) or $8.95/month (annual) with no long-term contracts. Every plan includes a free tracker device.

What is the difference between OBD and portable GPS trackers?

OBD trackers plug into your vehicle's diagnostic port and draw power from the car battery — they never need charging. Portable trackers run on a rechargeable battery and can be placed on any asset (vehicles, equipment, packages). Choose OBD for vehicles you always want tracked; choose portable for flexible, multi-asset tracking.

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