Smartwatches help you track your fitness goals and check on your emails on the go. They can even help you sleep better and find your way home when you get lost. And yes, they also tell time, too. If you’re looking to make the switch from a traditional timepiece to a smartwatch, here is our list of the best smartwatches for every style and every budget.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: Best Smartwatch for Android Users
For less than $300, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is one of the best Android smartwatches available today. This device is the perfect combination of sleek and smart.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 runs on the Linux-based Tizen OS (operating system), but you can easily connect it with any device that runs Android 5.0 or higher. It doesn’t require exclusive use with a Samsung Galaxy phone, and we think this is a major advantage. While the OS and Samsung system may not offer an extensive app selection, you still get all the basic features that make a smartwatch great. You can install apps like Spotify for music, My Fitness Pal for tracking your diet, C25K for getting started on your training, and more.
Complete with heart rate and sleep tracking, this smartwatch will definitely help you stay on top of your health. It will know when you’re stressed and guide you through breathing exercises to help you calm down. It comes with automatic tracking for seven activities: walking, running, cycling, rowing, elliptical training, dynamic workout, and swimming.
Aesthetically, you can customize many aspects of this watch. You can choose between different bezel sizes, an aluminum or stainless steel design, and different faces, bands, and finishes. This smartwatch also has a great battery life, Bixby voice commands, Samsung Pay, iOS compatibility, and a water resistance rating for 50 meters (more than 150 feet).
Apple Watch Series 5: Best Smartwatch for iPhone Users
If you love your iPhone, the best smartwatch for you is the Apple Watch Series 5. While the battery in the newest Apple smartwatch will not last several days, it does offer many other great features that any Apple fan will love. One of these is the new always-on Retina screen that displays the time and watch face at all times.
This smartwatch also comes with great fitness-tracking features for staying healthy. It has heart rate tracking, a loud noise monitor, advanced metrics for physical activities, and Activity Rings that motivate you to reach your fitness goals. For female users, the Series 5 also has a new feature that will track your menstrual cycle.
You can take this smartwatch out in the wild because it has a useful compass. It is also swimproof, too. It can also be a great companion for stylish city strutting, as it has interchangeable straps and more than 100 watch face designs. And, when you connect it to your iPhone, you can text, call, listen to music or podcasts, shop, and enjoy many apps on this beautiful smartwatch.
Garmin Vivoactive 3: Best Waterproof Smartwatch
Dubbed as the best smartwatch for an active lifestyle, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 comes preloaded with apps for fitness tracking, several of which are ideal for water activities. With its 5 ATM water resistance rating and durable Corning Gorilla glass, you can wear this smartwatch in the rain, while swimming, or even diving without worrying about it breaking down.
Aside from being one of the best smartwatches for fitness, the Garmin Vivoactive 3 will also let you pay for purchases, track your heart rate, check the weather, and connect to your smart home devices via the SmartThings app. When connected to a smartphone, you can read texts and check your emails with this waterproof smartwatch.
Fitbit Versa 2: Best Health Tracking Smartwatch
Another great smartwatch for tracking your health is the Fitbit Versa 2. One improvement that Fitbit made for the Versa 2 is its more advanced sleep tracking feature. It monitors the quality of your sleep and gives you great insights into how well you sleep. Using this data, you can change your sleeping habits and make the first step to becoming healthier.
Speaking of health, the Fitbit Versa 2 smartwatch isn’t lacking when it comes to other fitness features. It has heart rate tracking, on-screen workouts and coaching, and more than a dozen goal-based exercise modes.
Available in several beautiful color options, the Fitbit Versa 2 isn’t just an accessory for working out. It’s great for everyday wear, too. You can use Alexa voice commands, check your schedule, make payments, listen to music, receive calls and text notifications, and download lots of useful apps to the Fitbit Versa 2.
Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS): Best Smartwatch Under $200
If the Apple Watch Series 5 is just a bit too pricey for you, we recommend getting the Series 3. It may not have the same advanced features as the newest Apple Watch, but it’s still quite an impressive device. This cheap smartwatch comes in lots of different colors and has an S3 dual-core processor. It helps you reach fitness goals, measure calories, track your workouts, and monitor your heart rate.
With the Apple Watch Series 3, you’ll get call and text notifications. You can listen to music, check the weather, use maps, manage your smart home, and ask Siri for assistance.
Take note that this smartwatch also comes with a more expensive GPS+Cellular version. You can use the GPS+Cellular version even without your iPhone nearby, as it has its own cellular service. For the cheaper GPS-only version to work, your iPhone should be within WiFi or Bluetooth range.
However, you can get the Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS + Cellular for $199 from Wal-Mart during their pre-Black Friday sale.
Huami Amazfit Bip Smartwatch: Best Smartwatch Under $100
Why spend several hundred dollars on a smartwatch when you can get a decent model for less than $100? The Amazfit Bip is one of the best smartwatches under $100. This cheap smartwatch comes with a heart rate monitor, a calorie counter, GPS, and sleep quality tracking. It is dust and water-resistant, and it comes with the Android operating system.
When connected to your smartphone, the Amazfit Bip will notify you when you have calls or texts. You will also get alerts from several social media apps as well. This smartwatch comes in 4 colors: onyx black, white cloud, kokoda green, and cinnabar red.
Karaforna Smartwatch: Best Smartwatch for Kids
Priced at less than $50, this smartwatch for kids is affordable, and it comes with features that will give you peace of mind. This smartwatch has GPS built-in, so you’ll know where your kids are at all times. If they get into trouble, they can press the SOS button to send a signal for help. They can also make emergency calls if needed. It also has a camera, a flashlight, an alarm clock, and history tracking. It even has a learning game that will keep your kids occupied while they’re waiting for you to pick them up.
This smartwatch is compatible with both Android and iOS.
If you want to keep an eye on your kids while they’re out in the world, make sure to check out our list of the best GPS tracker for kids.
Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle: Best Smartwatch for Men
If you’re looking for a smartwatch with style and functionality, you’ll love the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle. It has different strap designs, and you can choose between stainless steel, leather, or silicone. You can even swap the strap with any Fossil band of the same width. Showcasing a classic watch design and packed with smart features, this Fossil smartwatch looks and acts smart.
This smartwatch runs on Wear OS by Google, and it’s compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones. You can receive text notifications, take phone calls, track your heart rate, pay for purchases, play music, check the weather, download apps, and use voice commands via Google Assistant with this smartwatch. It comes with rapid charging, too. Its battery will go from zero to 80% full within one hour.
The Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle has 3ATM water resistance, which means you can wear it in the rain, but you shouldn’t use it in the shower or while swimming.
Fossil Gen 5 Julianna: Best Smartwatch for Women
Fossil also gets our brand recommendation for the best stylish smartwatch for women. In particular, we think the Gen 5 Julianna is just all-around gorgeous and smart. This smartwatch has most of the features as the Gen 5 Carlyle above. It can help you track your fitness goals, make calls, ask for Google Assistant help via voice, play music, read texts, and accomplish many other everyday activities. It is also compatible with both Android and iOS and runs on Wear OS by Google.
As far as looks go, there is nothing more head-turning than the Gen 5 Julianna by Fossil. You can get this with a leather or stainless steel mesh band. The fancy yet feminine rose gold case is the common denominator between the three styles.
If you plan on getting a smartwatch soon, you’ll want to do so during the upcoming holiday sales. Be sure to read our tips on getting the most out of Black Friday deals first.
HelloTech editors choose the products and services we write about. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
