Pokemon GO Plus+ Review: Is It Worth It?

What Is the Pokemon GO Plus+?

The Pokemon GO Plus+ is a Pokeball-shaped Bluetooth accessory made by Nintendo that connects to both Pokemon Go and Pokemon Sleep. It launched in July 2023 as the successor to the original Pokemon Go Plus, and it’s still the only auto-catching device that’s officially supported by Niantic.

If you are untangling the confusing lineup, our explainer on what Pokémon GO Plus is breaks down the original, the Poké Ball Plus, and this Plus +, our Poké Ball Plus guide covers that older device on its own, and our auto-catcher comparison weighs it against the third-party field.

That “officially supported” part matters, and it means zero ban risk; our guide on whether you can get banned for using an auto-catcher explains why third-party devices are considered safe too. Third-party auto catchers like the Megacom DuoMon 3 and Go-tcha Generation technically violate Niantic’s terms of service. Enforcement has been nonexistent so far, but the Go Plus+ is the only device that carries zero risk. If you’re new to the idea of companion devices, our Pokemon Go beginner guide covers how they fit into the game.

I’ve used the Go Plus+ daily across Community Days, raid hours, egg-hatching walks, and overnight sleep tracking. Here’s how it actually holds up after extended use.

Design and Build Quality

The Go Plus+ looks like a small Pokeball. It measures 64.5mm in diameter and 18.3mm thick, weighing about 50 grams. That’s light enough to clip onto a bag strap or toss in a pocket, though the Pokeball shape makes it less discreet than something like the Brook Auto Catch Light, which is about the size of an AirTag.

Build quality is solid. The matte plastic shell hasn’t picked up any scratches despite months of daily carry, and the single button on the front has a satisfying click to it. It comes with a wrist strap and clip, both of which work fine.

Charging and Battery Life

Charging is via USB-C, which takes about 3.5 hours from empty. Battery life is the real standout here. With 2-3 hours of daily Pokemon Go use plus overnight sleep tracking, I was getting roughly 5-7 days between charges. That’s significantly better than the Go-tcha devices, which need daily or every-other-day charging.

The LED and Vibration Problem

Here’s the first real knock against the Go Plus+: you cannot disable the LED lights or vibration motor. Every catch triggers a rainbow light show and a buzzing vibration that’s surprisingly loud. During a busy Community Day, the thing is going off every few seconds. In a quiet office or on a bus, it draws attention. At night, the LEDs can wake up a light sleeper even from across the room. The original Go Plus had the same issue, and it’s disappointing that Nintendo didn’t add a silent mode.

Pokemon Go Performance

The Go Plus+ auto-spins every PokeStop and Gym within range without any input. That part works perfectly and is the most consistently useful feature. You’ll never miss a stop on your walking route again.

Auto-Catch: The Good and the Frustrating

Auto-catching is where things get complicated. When set to auto-throw, the Go Plus+ will throw regular Poke Balls at every wild Pokemon without you touching it. That’s great for grinding stardust and catching commons during walks. But regular Poke Balls have the lowest catch rate, so anything with a higher CP or a colored circle is likely to flee.

The Go Plus+ does support Great Balls and Ultra Balls, which was a big upgrade over the original device. But here’s the catch: using better balls requires a manual button press. The device vibrates and flashes when it detects a Pokemon, and you press the button to throw a Great or Ultra Ball. That means it’s not truly hands-free with better balls. If you want auto-throw, you’re stuck with regular Poke Balls only.

If your phone struggles with GPS accuracy or battery drain during long sessions, the Go Plus+ helps by reducing screen time significantly. The app still needs to run in the background, but you’re not actively interacting with it.

Connectivity

The Bluetooth connection is fast and reliable in my experience. Pairing takes seconds, and I rarely had random disconnects during a session. The device does disconnect after about an hour of continuous use, which is a Niantic-imposed limit that applies to all companion devices. You’ll need to reconnect from the in-game settings, which takes about 10 seconds but is still annoying during a long walk.

One issue worth noting: the Pokemon Go app must stay active in the background for the Go Plus+ to work. If your phone kills background apps aggressively, you’ll find the connection drops when you switch to another app or lock your screen. This is more of a phone problem than a Go Plus+ problem, but it affects the experience.

Pokemon Sleep Integration

Pokemon Sleep is the Go Plus+’s killer feature and the single biggest reason to buy it over any third-party auto catcher. No other companion device supports Pokemon Sleep at all.

The way it works: you tap the button before bed, and the Go Plus+ tracks your sleep using its built-in accelerometer. In the morning, tap the button again and it syncs your sleep data to the Pokemon Sleep app. You don’t need to keep your phone on the bed or running any apps overnight. The Go Plus+ handles everything locally and syncs when you wake up.

Based on your sleep duration and patterns, you’ll attract different sleeping Pokemon to Snorlax’s research island. Longer and more consistent sleep earns better rewards. You also get a Nightcap Pikachu that interacts with you based on your sleep habits, plus exclusive research tasks and stardust bonuses in Pokemon Go that are only available to Go Plus+ owners.

Is it a groundbreaking sleep tracker? No. It won’t replace your Apple Watch or Fitbit for health data. But as a gamification layer that rewards consistent sleep with Pokemon rewards, it works surprisingly well. I found myself actually going to bed earlier just to hit the 8.5-hour target for the best research results.

Go Plus+ vs Third-Party Auto Catchers

The Go Plus+ isn’t the only auto catcher on the market. Our full auto catcher comparison covers all the options, but the main rival is the Megacom DuoMon 3. Here’s how they stack up.

The DuoMon 3 wins on raw automation. It catches everything without touching it, reconnects itself, and supports dual accounts. The Go Plus+ wins on safety, sleep tracking, and the peace of mind that comes with using Niantic’s own hardware. If Pokemon Sleep matters to you at all, the choice is made for you since no third-party device supports it.

Pros and Cons

FAQ

Final Verdict

The Pokemon GO Plus+ is the right auto catcher for a specific type of player. If you value the safety of an official device, you use Pokemon Sleep, and you’re okay with pressing a button for better balls, it’s a solid purchase at around $55. The battery life is excellent, the build quality is good, and Pokemon Sleep is a genuinely fun addition that no competitor can match.

But if you want true hands-free automation, the Go Plus+ isn’t it. The DuoMon 3 catches everything without touching it, reconnects automatically, and supports two accounts. If Pokemon Sleep doesn’t interest you and you don’t lose sleep over a theoretical ToS risk, third-party catchers offer more for less hassle. Check our full auto catcher comparison for the complete breakdown.

For more gear that makes long Pokemon Go sessions easier, see our complete accessories guide covering power banks, phone grips, and everything else worth carrying.