- Best overall
- Best for hard workers
- Best for less
Best overall
Google Pixel 2 XL
See at Best Buy
The Google Pixel 2 XL is very large, but for that size you get a 3520mAh battery capacity to make sure you get through a full day with charge to spare. Google’s software is light, and has power management to make sure your phone is both powerful and efficient. The more advanced “battery saver” features of other phones aren’t present here, but from our experiences you don’t need those — the phone just does optimization on its own, and your battery lasts.
The battery life is hardly the only reason to buy the Pixel 2 XL. You also get Google’s fantastic software, along with years of guaranteed updates, and great performance. The camera is still one of the best available, and the hardware is solid as well. The only downside you can really find here is the below-average display.
Bottom line: Between a big battery, an efficient processor and Android Oreo’s various enhancements, the Pixel 2 XL is easily an all-day phone.
One more thing: The smaller Pixel 2 may be appealing with its lower price, but it doesn’t have proportionately good battery life.
Best for hard workers
BlackBerry KEY2
See at BlackBerry Mobile
The BlackBerry KEY2 is all about getting work done — just look at that hardware keyboard and you instantly figure that out. And you can’t do your work when your battery is dead, or even when you’re worried about running out of juice. So BlackBerry paired up an efficient processor with a 3500mAh battery to make sure you always get through the day.
On top of the larger-than-usual battery and efficient processor, you also get battery controls and alerts that make sure you won’t be caught without battery when you need it. The smaller display and simpler software on the KEY2 also help stretch every mAh to the fullest. You just won’t have to worry about charging mid-day on this phone.
Bottom-line: You won’t all of a sudden decide to use a hardware keyboard phone for the battery alone — but if you’re drawn to that keyboard, you’ll also be reassured the KEY2 won’t die prematurely.
One more thing: You’ll pay a little extra for the KEY2 than the capabilities would lead you to expect, but for specific users it’s definitely worth the money.
Best for less
Moto Z3 Play
See at Amazon
Motorola’s “Play” line has always focused on battery, and even as the battery sizes have decreased in successive generations the Moto Z3 Play still rules the roost in the mid-range segment. A 3000mAh battery doesn’t sound like a lot, but the Snapdragon 636 processor is super efficient and Android 8.1 software helps make the most of it all.
But the Moto Z3 Play’s real benefit is a separate Moto Mod attachment that comes in the box, which in a snap adds another 2200mAh of capacity in a still-thin package . You can easily go through a full heavy day with just the internal battery — but add the included Moto Mod and you have a two-day phone.
The rest of the phone experience is textbook Moto, including clean software, robust hardware and a solid metal build. At $499 it’s quite expensive for the performance, but if you need that battery life on a budget it’s top of the list.
Bottom-line: The Moto Z3 Play can easily be a two-day phone, and the rest of the experience will make sure you actually want to use it that long.
One more thing: Amazon offers the Moto Z3 Play directly at a $50 discount.
Conclusion
Every phone maker has a claim about “all-day” battery life, but only a few live up to it. The Pixel 2 XL is a solid battery performer and also a great overall phone. Hard workers who may benefit from a hardware keyboard will love the BlackBerry KEY2’s battery, and if you don’t want to spend so much the Moto Z3 Play (and its included Moto Mod) will give you two days of charge-free use.
Best overall
Google Pixel 2 XL
See at Best Buy
The Google Pixel 2 XL is very large, but for that size you get a 3520mAh battery capacity to make sure you get through a full day with charge to spare. Google’s software is light, and has power management to make sure your phone is both powerful and efficient. The more advanced “battery saver” features of other phones aren’t present here, but from our experiences you don’t need those — the phone just does optimization on its own, and your battery lasts.
The battery life is hardly the only reason to buy the Pixel 2 XL. You also get Google’s fantastic software, along with years of guaranteed updates, and great performance. The camera is still one of the best available, and the hardware is solid as well. The only downside you can really find here is the below-average display.
Bottom line: Between a big battery, an efficient processor and Android Oreo’s various enhancements, the Pixel 2 XL is easily an all-day phone.
One more thing: The smaller Pixel 2 may be appealing with its lower price, but it doesn’t have proportionately good battery life.
Update July 2018: The entire list has been overhauled, with the Pixel 2 XL taking the top spot from the generally less appealing Huawei Mate 10 Pro. The new BlackBerry KEY2 replaces the KEYone, and the Moto Z3 Play comes in as a great option for less money.
