The Best Smart Watches
Smartwatches do a whole lot more than just tell the time. In fact, these fashionable smart devices have seemingly endless capabilities. They can receive phone notifications, run fitness apps, play music, and so much more. It's one of those products that you don't know you need until you get one. Then, the convenience of hands-free phone calls and real-time weather updates proves too good to go without. There are tons of different makes and models, so we decided to whittle down the options to the best of the best. Read on to discover our a few of our favorite smartwatches, from the Best Overall to the Best on a Budget.
Apple Watch Series 3
The Pioneer of Smartwatches
Is it any surprise that the Apple Watch made the top of our list? Apple is the pioneer of smartwatches, and its Series 3 somehow manages to up the ante once again. In terms of hardware, this option features precise touch controls, a big bright screen, and a battery life that lasts all day long. It’s also surprisingly slim and fashionable and is available in either black or white to match your personal style. Most impressive, however, is the dual-core S3 processor, which delivers unprecedented speed and smoothness. This stylish timepiece also features an optical heart sensor that can track your fitness data. In fact, there are too many features packed into this little watch to list in one article. The Apple Watch S3 is a fantastic all-around option for iPhone users, so we say grab one while you can.
Pros
- Packed with useful features like GPS, heart rate monitor, and audio storage
- Apple is the first and foremost name in smartwatches, so you can rest assured that these watches are fast and reliable
- The aesthetic is sleek, slim, and super stylin’
Cons
- It’s not the latest model from Apple, but the newer (more expensive) series doesn’t seem to improve on the design by all that much
- Doesn’t connect to cellular data, but you can still connect to your iPhone via Bluetooth
Fitbit Versa 2
Get Fit Fast
We’ve all heard of the Fitbit by now and for good reason. These sleek smartwatches have taken the world by storm thanks to their advanced fitness tracking capabilities. And they don’t only track your heart rate and the number of steps. The Fitbit Versa 2 can also gauge your time asleep, restlessness, and calories burned. It’s an amazing bit of technology that we suspect will become a major aspect of the way future human beings monitor their health. And this smartwatch also doesn’t only do fitness. The Versa 2 is capable of giving and receiving calls, firing off text messages, and playing music. It even has storage space for your favorite workout playlists. If fitness is your game, go with the smartwatch with “Fit” in the name.
Pros
- Fitbit has revolutionized the world of fitness tracking, so you can bet that the fitness data is accurate and useful
- The Versa 2 is super comfortable on the wrist and won’t feel cumbersome during exercise
- The “sleep score” is really helpful for regulating your sleep cycles and monitoring your health
- Exceptionally fast touch response
Cons
- Another option that can’t connect to cell data, so if you leave your phone behind on a jog, you’ll only have access to the music stored in the watch
Letsfit Smart Watch
Smart Watch, Smart Price
Letsfit claims that this watch will “overtake your expectations”… and that’s exactly the case. This option comes at an astonishingly low price, yet offers almost all the best features that we look for in a smartwatch. It’s capable of tracking steps, heart rate, and even sleep quality. And when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth, the Letsfit smartwatch can display notifications, texts, and calls through the VerFitPro app. It also lets you control your music through the bright, responsive touch screen. Heck, even the battery life exceeded our expectations, with a long life that can last as long as ten days on a single charge. As Letsfit proves with this affordable option, smartwatches don’t have to break the bank.
Pros
- The price is shockingly low considering the quality of the device
- The look is sleek and fashionable, and Letsfit offers their watch in six different color options
- It’s a fitness-focused smartwatch that can be really useful for cardio
Cons
- You can’t actually speak through the watch, but you can screen incoming calls and hang up through it
Garmin Venu Smartwatch
Look Smart, Live Smart
Before they hosted tiny computers, wristwatches used to be a fashion accessory. Now, in the world of smart devices, fashionability has taken a backseat to functionality. But with the Garmin Venu, you get the best of both worlds. This beautiful watch has a classic round face and a classic-yet-modern design. And Garmin Venu doesn’t only win points in the looks department. This option sports smart software and all the best smartwatch features. It can store and play music files, monitor fitness levels, perform contactless payments, and do GPS tracking. Android users can even respond to text messages on the responsive touchscreen.
Pros
- Available in a wide variety of designs, the Garmin Venu is guaranteed to augment any outfit
- The touchscreen is responsive, bright, and beautiful
- This option sports a vast array of fitness-focused features
Cons
- Some models are quite pricey, so it probably won’t fit into everyone’s budget
Fossil Gen 5
A Premium Watch for a Premium Price
Many tech-heads have lamented the fact that they couldn’t use Apple Watches with their Android phones. Well, wipe those tears away and take a look at the Fossil Gen 5. Comparable to the Apple Watches in terms of speed and abilities, this premium pick can connect to both iOS and Android phones. It’s a dream-come-true for those that want to wear cutting-edge technology on their wrists. All the latest-and-greatest features are here in spades: fitness tracking, Bluetooth phone calls, contactless payments, and the ability to display and respond to notifications. It even sports some extra goodies, too, like a high-quality speaker and 1-hour rapid charging. If you’ve got a little extra moolah, the Fossil Gen 5 is a great choice.
Pros
- Another stylish premium option, Fossil straps are available in a variety of styles, so you can mix and match your watch straps with your outfits
- The operating system (Wear OS by Google) is incredibly fast and intuitive
- The watch is light and the strap is super comfortable
- It has a speaker, so you can take phone calls on the fly, even without earbuds
Cons
- Battery life only lasts about one full day of moderate use, though the fast charge speed all but makes up for it
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my smartwatch-of-choice work with my smartphone?
All of the options on our list work with both iOS and Android except for the Apple Watch. Apple Watches only work with iPhones (or any device running iOS). If you have an Android phone and want something comparable to the Apple Watch, we highly recommend the last two options on our list from Garmin and Fossil.
Will my smartwatch work without a connection to a smartphone?
Without a connection to a smartphone, your smartwatch won’t be able to connect to the internet. Thus, without a smartphone in the vicinity, your smartwatch won’t be able to stream music, receive notifications, take calls, or perform any functions that require internet access. There are some expensive smartwatches out there that can connect to cellular data on their own, but they didn’t make our list. Of course, without a connection to a smartphone, your smartwatch can still perform all the functions that don’t require the internet, like playback of stored music files and running fitness apps.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.