7 of the Best Smartwatches for Phone Calls, Fitness, and More

Glancing at the smartwatch on your wrist lets you know who is calling, read messages, and stay on top of your health and fitness. Of course, it also tells you the time, but with some of the features these best smartwatches offer, that’s almost irrelevant.

Good to know: read on to learn which fitness tracker/smartwatch is better, Fitbit or Apple Watch?

1. Best Budget Smartwatch: Tozo S3 Smart Watch

Price: $39

For under $40, the Tozo S3 Smart Watch has a surprising array of features. Resembling Apple’s hugely popular watch, this device is compatible with Android and iOS devices.

It might not be as feature-rich as its Apple or Samsung counterparts, but it still includes plenty of features you’ll find helpful. You can see who’s calling, read new messages, track health metrics, and more on the 1.83-inch color display.

The S3 comes with a rubber/silicone strap, and while some people might find it uncomfortable when sweating, it can be swapped out when needed.

Pros

• IP68 waterproof rating
• Includes fitness tracker, heart rate monitor, and sleep detection
• Compatible with Android and iOS

Cons

• Proprietary software (not Wear OS or watchOS)
• Not compatible with all smartphone apps
• Large, sometimes uncomfortable strap

Good to know: our staff writer Sayak Boral loves his cheap Fire-Boltt smartwatch.

2. Best Smartwatch for Android: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Price: $379

If you have an Android phone, the best Android smartwatch for you is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. The user interface of the 1.4-inch color display is powered by Wear OS and protected by sapphire crystal glass.

The smartwatch features a host of apps and functions that make exercise and workouts a breeze, in addition to all the things you can do by pairing it with your phone. While taking calls and emails, you can also track your location during a hike with the built-in GPS.

Other features include 1.5GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, a 590mAh battery, and a 45-millimeter band. The sensor on the back can also give your BMI, BMR, and blood oxygen levels.

Pros

• Improved sensor accuracy over previous models
• Waterproof up to 164 feet
• Titanium frame

Cons

• GPS route tracking requires a third-party download
• Only compatible with Android phones

Also helpful: if you specifically want a watch for your Android phone, check out these top Android smartwatches.

3. Best Smartwatch for iPhone: Apple Watch Series 8

Price: $429

If you prefer an iPhone, check out the Apple Watch Series 8, the best smartwatch currently available for Apple users. It pairs seamlessly with your iOS device to bring all your information to your wrist using Apple’s watchOS.

It has a 45-millimeter watch face, which many find large enough to see on-screen information but not too large to be obstructive. Through a powerful sensor on the back, it measures all sorts of health indications, such as your heart rate, sleep patterns, and blood oxygen levels.

The Apple Watch is also an excellent gadget for keeping tabs on elderly loved ones. The fall detection sends a message to emergency services and contacts when a possible accident occurs. You can also connect it with an iPad or iPhone set up for senior use.

Pros

• 1.4-inch always-on retina display
• Built-in body heat and ECG sensor
• Compatible with Apple Pay

Cons

• More expensive than most smartwatches
• Only compatible with Apple devices

4. Best Rugged Smartwatch: Garmin Instinct 2

Price: $299

Smartwatches are usually delicate devices, chipping or cracking at the slightest drop. That’s not the case with the Garmin Instinct 2, the best Garmin smartwatch developed especially for the wilderness. The rugged and raised frame protects the 1.1-inch color display, while the watch is waterproof up to 328 feet. It runs on the company’s proprietary Garmin OS.

This watch features a built-in GPS and compass, so you’ll always find your way back home – no matter where you are outdoors. If you want other statistics, the watch provides an altimeter and barometric pressure reading anytime.

It also comes packed with all the features you’d expect from a smartwatch, like a phone call and text message capabilities and health metric readings.

Pros

• Built-in GPS
• 30-hour battery life
• Thermal and shock-resistant

Cons

• Not the most elegant smartwatch
• Separate app is required for watch faces

Good to know: you can enable offline GPS apps on your Android phone.

5. Best Hybrid Smartwatch: Garmin vivomove HR

Price: $349

The Garmin vivomove HR is a rarity: it’s a hybrid smartwatch that combines old-school ticking hands with a digital display. The round 1.7-inch face runs using Garmin’s proprietary OS, and the entire watch remains on your wrist, thanks to a sleek suede band.

While it looks slightly different from a smartwatch, it has features that bring a traditional watch into the tech era. It has a 24/7 heart rate monitor and displays your steps, calories, distance, and workout intensity.

The hybrid watch also makes it easy to control your music when paired with a mobile device and headphones. With the tap of a button, you can skip tracks, change the volume, and view song details.

Pros

• Built-in heart rate monitor and all-day stress tracking
• Battery lasts five days in “smart” mode
• Ticking hands dynamically move

Cons

• Not built for outdoor use
• Hybrid watches have far fewer functions
• The moving hands interfere with some on-screen elements

6. Best Smartwatch for Kids: Accutime Kids Spider-Man Smart Watch

Price: $34

Don’t worry, Mom and Dad; kids can enjoy the great tech of smartwatches. And if your young one is a fan of Marvel’s Spider-Man, there is no better gift than this Accutime Kids Spider-Man Smart Watch. It uses proprietary software, so it’s completely different from Wear OS and watchOS.

Naturally, this smartwatch is designed for kids and features a host of child-friendly applications and functions. It has a step counter, interactive games, changeable watch faces, and a built-in selfie camera.

To help with schoolwork, there is also a calculator, voice recorder, alarm, and stopwatch. There are several other designs as well, so every kid can find a watch they like.

Pros

• No Internet connectivity
• No smartphone pairing
• USB cable to recharge the battery

Cons

• Children may outgrow it quickly
• Bulkier than other kids’ watches

Tip: If you allow your child to use an Android device, set up parental controls for Android first.

7. Best Waterproof Smartwatch: Apple Watch Ultra

Price: $799

Several smartwatches can reach depths of 300 feet, but almost none can function as a diving computer. That’s what makes the Apple Watch Ultra so unique. It’s certified for recreational scuba diving up to 130 feet, water resistant up to 328 feet, has a built-in depth gauge with critical stats, and incorporates the Oceanic+ app, a competent dive computer.

In addition to gorgeous watch faces that perfectly fit the aquatic theme, it also features several functions for when you are on land, thanks to Apple’s watchOS. This includes a heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, fall detection, and body temperature monitoring.

And, of course, you can also do the regular smartwatch things, like check emails and messages, take calls, see app notifications, and check your elevation.

Pros

• Large 1.9-inch display
• Built-in ECG and precision GPS
• 36-hour battery life

Cons

• More expensive than a regular Apple Watch
• Watch face may be too large

Pick the Best Accessories for Your Phone

There is no doubt a huge selection of smartwatches available, but hopefully, this list helps narrow down your options. While you’re at it, you may want to consider picking up a pair of the best smart glasses or investing in some high-quality noise-canceling earbuds.

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