M1 MacBook Air vs M2 MacBook Air: M1 still wins on battery life

The M1 MacBook Air gets 1.5–2 hours more battery life in light use and about 1 hour more in mixed use than the M2, despite the same 52.6Wh battery. The M2’s larger, brighter display and more power-hungry chip drain faster, and it runs warmer under load. If battery life is your top priority, the M1 is the smarter buy.