Last Updated on October 24, 2018
Smartwatches are starting to become very popular tech gadgets. One day these devices might become mandatory. Smartwatches are emerging as status symbols for techies. The era of the smartwatch is upon us with companies like Fitbit, Apple, Samsung, and various others, working diligently to improve the watches, and truly make the smartwatch experience more ideal.
Smartwatches can track your activity, open you up a new world of apps. They also stop you from needing to take out your phone every time you receive a message. With Apple recently releasing its fourth Apple Watch, and Google continuing to enhance its Wear OS, smartwatches are getting better all the time. Smartwatches are a lot more attractive and comfortable than they used to be. You don’t get to wear a clunky, futuristic gadget on your wrist anymore. We’ve looked at dozens of smartwatches over the years, and these are the very best ones we’ve come across.
While the difference between smartwatches and fitness trackers can be blurry. It all comes down to whether you want a wearable device that’s crafted to help you keep track of exercise and health or communicate and deliver notifications. Fitness trackers and bands are designed with sports and exercise in front of mind while smartwatches display all the necessary information that comes to their phone, all tied into one ecosystem.
There’s a smartwatch for everyone on this list, whether you’re an iPhone user who needs the latest and ultimate Apple Watch, an Android fan who wants a top smartwatch for their smartphone, the pick of the Wear OS bunch, or a fitness buff, or simply a good smartwatch that won’t be a big burden to your wallet, we’ve got you covered.
Time to get a new smartwatch? there are many contenders vying for a spot in the best smartwatch list. This guide hopes to make your decision easier.
OUR PICK
Samsung Galaxy Watch
- OS: Tizen OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2″ or 1.3″ 360 x 360 Super AMOLED
- Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz
- Band sizes: 22mm or 20mm
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: 4 days on 46mm / less on 42mm
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Unlike the other Samsung smartwatches named after the Gear series, this watch is called the Galaxy Watch. Next in line to the Gear S3 series and the Gear Sport in 2017.
The Galaxy Watch is a much-improved smartwatch. The larger 46mm version of the Galaxy watch is equipped with a terrific four-day battery life even when you’re using it heavily. That’s impressive considering a lot of other watches on this list last a day or so from a single charge.
The user interface of the galaxy watch is quite fluent and can be easily picked up. The rotating bezel remains a highlight of navigating around the Tizen OS on the watch,
The galaxy watch offers the core basics even though the apps available on the watch are more limited than that of the Wear OS. Samsung has provided a watch that’s solid at fitness as well as sporting a great design and lots more functionality too and takes top spot in our lists of best smartwatches.
ALSO GREAT
Apple Watch 4
The best Apple Watch money can buy
- OS: watchOS 5
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.78″ OLED
- Processor: Apple S4
- Band sizes: Varies based on watch size
- Onboard storage: 16GB
- Battery: 1 to 2 days
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
The Apple watch series 4 is the first updated design of the company’s smartwatch line. Although the device is pricey its larger display and lightweight design more than compensates for it. The speaker on this watch is louder than before and you can use all your existing Apple Watch straps with this latest generation too.
The most amazing feature of the Apple watch series 4 is the ECG feature within the heart rate tracker. It can test your heart to see if you’re at a high risk of atrial fibrillation, which will allow you to seek help earlier if your health is in danger.
This smartwatch host lots of fitness features as well as the latest watchOS 5 apps onboard so you’ll likely love this smartwatch. The Apple Watch 4 is the best smartwatch you can use with an iPhone although the watch doesn’t work with Android devices.
ALSO GREAT
Huawei Watch 2
- OS: Wear OS
- Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 9+
- Display: 1.2″ 390 x 390
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: Up to 48h
- Charging method: Conductive USB-C charger
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G + 4G LTE
While the first Huawei Watch offered classy good looks and high-tech features that won it much recognition from reviewers. The Huawei Watch 2 is a more powerful watch but with a more sporty look.
Huawei watch 2 is great for your wrist, with features such as GPS, NFC all packed into the wearable device. The watch is a great companion on intense workouts and long runs. Leaving your phone behind is no issue, all thanks to onboard music storage and the ability to connect Bluetooth headphones to the watch.
The Huawei Watch 2 is a well-built watch with Wear OS, Google Assistant, mobile payments with Android Pay and also has the 4G model if you’re looking to have a connection while you’re on the move and without your phone. The Huawei Watch 2 may be right for you if you are slim as it looks good on slimmer wrists.
The Huawei watch 2 is the best WearOS watch you can buy.
ALSO GREAT
Ticwatch Pro
- OS: Wear OS
- Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 8+
- Display: 1.4″ 400 x 400 OLED paired with LCD screen |
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: Up to 48h, 5 extra days in Essential mode
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC
The Ticwatch Pro is one of the best Wear OS watch you will find out there. This smartwatch is both compatible with an iPhone and Android phone. Ticwatch Pro features a unique dual-screen feature.
The two displays on this watch are layered one on top of the other. The top screen is a transparent LCD display that can display the time, your heart rate and more when the battery is low. The screen below is a bright and bold full color OLED screen that will give you all of the benefits of Wear OS. That means you can have a normal smartwatch, which we found would last around two days, and then have the time and some other features still available when your battery is running low.
There are claims that the Ticwatch Pro can last for 1 – 4 weeks, although such claims have not been verified.
This smartwatch features GPS, NFC for Google Pay, Bluetooth for listening to music and the top Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset as well.
Got any questions about smartwatches or our selections? Let us know in the comments section below.
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