How long does Magnetic GPS Tracker last?

How long does Magnetic GPS Tracker last?

Alternate questions:
What is the average battery life of the Magnetic GPS Tracker?
Does using my GPS tracker indoors affect battery life?
What’s the ideal temperature range for GPS trackers to function efficiently?

The SmartWheels Magnetic GPS Tracker is equipped with a 10,000mAh rechargeable battery, designed to provide long-lasting performance for vehicle and asset tracking. However, battery life is not fixed—it depends on how the tracker is used, how often it reports its location, and the environment it operates in.

Typical Battery Life

With the default SmartWheels settings:

  • 30-second updates while the tracker is moving
  • 10-minute updates while the tracker is stationary

and moderate day-to-day vehicle usage, you can typically expect:

Battery Life: 3–4 weeks

This provides a good balance between timely location updates and long battery life.

Why Battery Life Can Vary

Every tracking scenario is different. The following factors have the biggest impact on battery life:

1. How Often the Tracker Reports

The more frequently the tracker sends its location, the more battery it consumes.

For example:

  • 30-second updates while driving provide near real-time tracking.
  • Longer reporting intervals significantly extend battery life.
Setting the tracker to update every 5-10 minutes is a good balance between battery conservation and reliable tracking.

2. How Much the Asset Moves

A vehicle driven several hours every day will use more battery than one that remains parked most of the time.

3. Cellular Signal Strength

In areas with poor cellular coverage, the tracker works harder to maintain a connection, increasing battery consumption.

4. GPS Conditions

Parking indoors, underground, or in areas with limited sky visibility may require the tracker to spend more time acquiring a GPS fix, using additional power. Using a GPS tracker indoors where signals are weaker forces the device to work harder, consuming more battery.

5. Temperature

 GPS trackers work best in moderate temperatures, typically between 0°C and 35°C. Very hot or very cold environments can temporarily reduce battery performance and overall battery lifespan.

Using the Tracker Only for Stationary Asset Monitoring?

If you're tracking equipment, trailers, containers, or other assets that rarely move, you probably don't need frequent location updates.

Our support team can configure your tracker to report less frequently, helping extend battery life even further.

Contact SmartWheels Support if you'd like your reporting interval adjusted for long-term stationary asset tracking.

Need More Frequent Live Tracking?

If you require more frequent updates while driving, we can configure the tracker to report location more often.

This is ideal for applications such as:

  • Fleet monitoring
  • High-value asset tracking
  • Recovery scenarios
  • Real-time vehicle visibility

Please note that more frequent reporting significantly increases battery usage.

With very frequent live updates, the battery may last approximately one week, depending on usage.

Tips to Maximize Battery Life

To get the best possible battery performance:

  • Charge the tracker before the battery becomes critically low.
  • Install the tracker where it has good GPS and cellular reception.
  • Avoid leaving the device in extreme heat or freezing temperatures for extended periods.
  • Use reporting intervals appropriate for your tracking needs.
  • Reduce update frequency if real-time tracking is not required.

How can I check remaining battery life of my magnetic GPS tracker?

  • Learn how to view the current battery percentage and charging status in the SmartWheels app.

If your battery life is significantly lower than expected even with normal usage, we recommend contacting SmartWheels Support for assistance.


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