How Long Does Apple Watch Take to Charge? A Full Breakdown

by | May 11, 2023

The Wearable Guy is powered by readers. By clicking on links within this page, we may get an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Short Answer:

The Apple Watch SE charges 80% in 1.5 hours and 100% in 2.5 hours. The Series 8 charges 80% in 45 minutes and 100% in 75 minutes. The Apple Watch Ultra charges 80% in 1 hour and 100% in 1.5 hours.

Are you wondering how long it takes to charge an Apple Watch? This common question is important to maximizing the usage and longevity of your device. 

Whether you’re looking to buy a new watch, or you’re just in pinch and need to know if you have enough time to fully charge your watch, you’re in the right place.

This guide will explore the factors affecting Apple Watch charging time and provide practical tips to ensure efficient charging.

Towards the end, we’ll even throw in our favorite product that will help charge your watch 3x as fast, so keep reading!

How Long Does Apple Watch Take to Charge?

Knowing the time an Apple Watch takes to charge is important to optimize when you will need to charge your device.

Roughly speaking, most Apple Watches will take between 45minutes to 1.5 hours to reach an 80% charge, and between 75 minutes and 2.5 hours to reach a 100% charge.

Here’s a typical timeline for charging for each Apple Watch model (If you’re unsure of your model, check out our Apple Watch model guide):

Series
0% - 80% Charge Time
0% - 100% Charge Time
Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
1.5 hours
2.5 hours
Apple Watch 8
45 minutes
75 minutes
Apple Watch Ultra
1 hour
1.5 hours

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE charge time takes 1.5 hours to reach 80%, and 2.5 hours total to reach 100%.

Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch Series 8 charge time takes 45 minutes to reach 80%, and 75 minutes total to reach 100%.

Apple Watch Ultra

The Apple Watch Ultra charge time takes 1 hour to reach 80%, and 1.5 hours total to reach 100%.

Factors Influencing Apple Watch Charging Time

Several factors can influence how long your Apple Watch takes to charge. These include:

Battery Health

Over time, the efficiency of your Apple Watch battery can degrade, leading to longer charging times.

Regularly updating your watch’s software and avoiding extreme ambient temperatures can help maintain battery health.

Power Source

Charging your Apple Watch from a wall outlet is generally faster than charging it from a USB port on a computer.

Also, there are fast chargers on the market that drastically cut down the time. We list our favorite fast charger further down this post.

Watch Model

Different models of the Apple Watch may have varying battery capacities, which can affect charging time. As you can see above, there is a wide range of the amount of time it takes to charge a watch.

The Apple Watch Ultra only takes 15 minutes longer than the Series 8, despite its battery being much bigger.

How to Speed Up Apple Watch Charging

If you’re finding that your Apple Watch takes too long to charge, there are several strategies you can use to speed up the process.

Charge Daily

If you charge your Apple Watch daily, it won’t have time to completely drain. Subsequently, it will take less time to charge it.

Use a Fast Charger

Using a fast charger can cut down the time it takes to charge your Apple Watch significantly. The Anker nano charger can charge your watch 3x as fast as the Apple branded charger.

Limit Watch Usage During Charging

Using your Apple Watch while it’s charging can slow down the charging process. It can also be helpful to close apps on your Apple Watch.

If there are too many apps running in the background, it could take it longer to charge.

Apple Watch Super Charger

If you’re looking for a super charger for you Apple Watch, you’ve come to the right place.

The Anker Nano charger is capable of fully charging an Apple Watch Ultra from 0%-100% within 45 minutes. I own about 5 of these and they are hands down the best chargers. You can even use them for your iPhone!

To purchase the Anker charger click the link below. Please not that you will have to purchase a USB-C to lightning cable to go along with it. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when my Apple Watch is fully charged?

When your Apple Watch is fully charged, a green lightning bolt icon will appear on the watch face.

Can I charge my Apple Watch overnight?

Yes, you can charge your Apple Watch overnight. The watch’s charging process slows down as it approaches 100% to prevent overcharging.

Is it safe to charge my Apple Watch every day?

Yes, it is safe to charge your Apple Watch daily. The watch is designed to handle regular charging, and it’s recommended to maintain a consistent charging routine.

Ken Lynch

by Ken

Ken is a Data Analyst in the Healthcare industry and the owner and sole contributor to The Wearable Guy.

Subscribe To Our Newsetter

You'll get our AI Tech Support for FREE, as well as bi-monthly wearable tech news, deals, and more.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This