Does the M1 MacBook Air have better battery life than the M2?

Yes, the M1 MacBook Air gets noticeably better real-world battery life than the M2. Same 52.6Wh battery, but the M2 has a larger, brighter display and a chip that pulls more power under load. In light use you’ll see 1.5–2 hours more on the M1; in mixed use it’s about 1 hour more. If battery life is your top priority, the M1 is still the smarter buy.