The Best Smartwatch Options for the Year 2023

What to Consider When Choosing a Smartwatch

Compatibility: Find a smartwatch that works with your smartphone.

When selecting a smartwatch, it’s crucial to consider compatibility with your smartphone. Apple Watches are exclusively designed for iPhones, while Wear OS devices are compatible with both iOS and Android phones. Other brands like Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit also offer smartwatches that work with both operating systems, but you may need to install a companion app.

Price: Determine your budget and weigh the features.

Smartwatches vary in price range, with the best options generally costing between $300 and $400. These pricier devices come with advanced features like communication capabilities, music storage, and fitness tracking. Budget smartwatches, priced between $100 and $250, offer basic functionalities but lack advanced features such as GPS tracking and NFC payments. Specialized fitness watches can exceed $500, targeting serious athletes, while luxury smartwatches from brands like TAG Heuer and Hublot can reach exorbitant prices.

Battery life: Consider the duration between charges.

Battery life remains a significant concern for smartwatch users. Apple Watches and most Wear OS devices typically last for about two full days on a single charge. However, smartwatches equipped with the Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor can extend battery life up to five days with limited functionality. While some models can last up to seven days, they often sacrifice features and display quality. Additionally, certain fitness watches boast battery life lasting weeks on a single charge.

Communication: Ensure seamless call and notification integration.

A valuable feature of smartwatches is their ability to deliver call, text, and app notifications to your wrist. While all smartwatches provide call and text alerts, devices with LTE connectivity allow for standalone calling and messaging without relying on a connected smartphone. App notifications can be conveniently viewed on the watch face, eliminating the need to frequently check your phone.

Fitness tracking: Look for comprehensive activity monitoring.

Smartwatches serve as capable fitness trackers, recording steps, calories, and workouts. Most devices include a heart rate monitor and built-in GPS for accurate distance tracking during runs and bike rides. Water resistance has become a common feature, allowing swimmers to use smartwatches in the pool. Fitness-focused brands like Garmin offer advanced features such as heart-rate-variance tracking, recovery time estimation, and onboard maps.

Music: Enjoy your favorite tunes on the go.

Many smartwatches support music playback, allowing you to listen to music while exercising. Some devices offer onboard storage, enabling you to save music directly on the watch and connect wireless earbuds. Others provide on-watch music controls, enabling you to control playback without accessing your phone. Smartwatches with LTE connectivity can even stream music directly to paired earbuds without the need for local storage.

Always-on displays: Easily check the time and information.

Flagship smartwatches often feature always-on displays, allowing you to check the time and other information at a glance. While this feature may impact battery life, most devices dim the display’s brightness in always-on mode to conserve power. Cheaper smartwatches lack this feature and automatically turn off the display to extend battery life.

NFC: Convenient contactless payments from your wrist.

NFC technology enables contactless payments through your smartwatch. Different watches use various payment systems, such as Apple Pay for Apple Watches, Google Pay for Wear OS devices, and Samsung Pay for Samsung devices. By saving your card information, you can easily make payments by holding your smartwatch near an NFC reader, providing a seamless and wallet-free transaction experience.

Choose the Perfect Smartwatch for Your Needs

Consider these factors when choosing a smartwatch to ensure it meets your specific requirements. From compatibility and price to battery life, communication features, fitness tracking, music capabilities, always-on displays, and NFC payment support, each aspect plays a crucial role in finding the best smartwatch that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.

Best Smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch has become synonymous with excellence in the wearable technology market since its introduction in 2015. It remains the top choice for iPhone users, offering seamless integration with Apple’s ecosystem. The latest iteration, the Apple Watch Series 8, continues to impress with its robust fitness-tracking capabilities suitable for users of all fitness levels. Moreover, it boasts additional features such as car crash detection, electrocardiogram (ECG) tests, blood oxygen level measurement, NFC payment support, onboard music storage, and a wide range of messaging options.

While the Apple Watch Series 8 shares similarities with its predecessor, the Series 7, in terms of design, it introduces subtle enhancements. The newer S8 SiP (System in Package) powers the Series 8, although its performance boost may not be as noticeable in everyday usage. Battery life sees a slight improvement, and the introduction of a low-power mode allows the watch to last an additional two hours even when the battery is critically low.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Apple Watch Ultra, a formidable choice tailored to the most adventurous individuals. While it may offer more features than the average user requires, it excels in areas such as extra waterproofing for diving enthusiasts, enhanced GPS accuracy, and the largest battery ever seen in an Apple Watch. This rugged variant is purposefully designed for those seeking durability and extensive functionality.

For those on a tighter budget or first-time smartwatch buyers, the Apple Watch SE stands as an ideal option. Priced at $250, it provides essential Apple Watch features while offering cost savings. The Watch SE includes valuable features like fall and crash detection, noise monitoring, and emergency SOS. However, it lacks certain advanced hardware capabilities found in the Series 8, such as an always-on display, blood oxygen sensor, ECG monitor, and skin temperature sensor.

With the Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch SE, there is a suitable option for every user. Whether you seek cutting-edge technology and comprehensive features, rugged durability, or an affordable yet functional smartwatch, Apple has provided a range of choices to cater to different preferences and budgets.

Best Budget Smartwatch: Fitbit Versa 2

Not everyone can justify spending $400 on a smartwatch, which is why the Fitbit Versa 2 emerges as the top recommendation in the sub-$200 price range. Offering a wide array of features at an affordable price, it has secured its position as our preferred budget-friendly smartwatch. The Versa 2 encompasses Fitbit’s renowned exercise-tracking capabilities, including auto-workout detection, along with features like sleep tracking, water resistance, connected GPS, blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, and an impressive battery life of up to six days. It also boasts Fitbit Pay functionality through NFC and incorporates Amazon Alexa as a built-in voice assistant. Despite its usual retail price of $150, it has been observed to be available for as low as $100.

The Fitbit Versa 2 stands out by delivering a comprehensive set of features that surpass its price point. It excels in exercise tracking, accurately monitoring your workouts, and providing valuable insights. Additionally, its sleep-tracking capabilities aid in understanding and improving your sleep patterns. With water resistance, the Versa 2 is suitable for wear during swimming or intense workouts.

Furthermore, the inclusion of connected GPS enables precise tracking of outdoor activities by leveraging your smartphone’s GPS signal. The Versa 2 also incorporates SpO2 monitoring, allowing you to monitor your blood oxygen levels. Its remarkable battery life of up to six days ensures that it remains functional for an extended period without constant charging. To add convenience, Fitbit Pay enables seamless payments through NFC, while the integration of Amazon Alexa provides voice assistance for various tasks.

Priced at a reasonable $150, the Fitbit Versa 2 delivers exceptional value for budget-conscious consumers. It offers a multitude of features that are typically found in higher-priced smartwatches, making it an attractive choice for individuals seeking an affordable yet capable wearable. Its ability to frequently be found at even lower prices, such as $100, further enhances its value proposition.

For those looking to invest in a smartwatch without breaking the bank, the Fitbit Versa 2 presents an optimal choice. Its extensive feature set, including fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, water resistance, connected GPS, SpO2 tracking, and long battery life, makes it an outstanding option in the sub-$200 category. With the added convenience of Fitbit Pay and built-in Amazon Alexa, the Versa 2 proves to be an exceptional value for its affordable price.

Best Andriod Smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Samsung’s latest iteration of the Galaxy Watch may not boast groundbreaking upgrades, but that doesn’t diminish its status as the top smartwatch for Android users. Despite seemingly subtle enhancements like a sturdier screen and refined curvature, the Galaxy Watch 5 excels in resilience and dependability. Furthermore, Samsung’s commitment to comprehensive fitness and health tracking, including body composition analysis, distinguishes it within the Wear OS ecosystem. Notably, this year’s addition of a sleep coaching feature aims to guide users toward better rest.

For those unfazed by larger watch sizes, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offers a compelling choice. With a price tag of $450, it comes with a 45mm titanium case, a more robust screen, and an extended battery life. While Samsung positions this Android smartwatch as ideal for outdoor activities, it also serves as a notable timepiece with an extended lifespan compared to the standard model. Apart from supporting the GPX route format for workouts, enabling turn-by-turn directions during hikes and bike rides, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro shares the same suite of smartwatch features as its 40mm and 44mm counterparts.

All three models of the Galaxy Watch 5 series exhibit water resistance, allowing for swim tracking and survival during unexpected downpours. With a battery life that extends beyond a day (excluding the Always On Display), these watches offer longevity. Additionally, they operate on Wear OS 3.5, which closely resembles Samsung’s previous Tizen OS, ensuring a seamless transition for long-time users. Overall, the Galaxy Watch 5 series stands as a capable and well-rounded selection of smartwatches that cater to the needs of most Android users.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, with its enduring reliability and extensive feature set, remains the optimal smartwatch choice for Android users. Its notable enhancements in durability, health tracking capabilities, and the introduction of sleep coaching solidify its position as a top contender in the Wear OS ecosystem. Furthermore, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro offers an enticing option for watch enthusiasts seeking a bolder, long-lasting timepiece. Whether opting for the standard models or the Pro edition, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 series ensures a satisfying and comprehensive smartwatch experience for Android users.