Top 10 Smartwatches of May 2020

Here are the best smartwatch in each segment available for iPhone and Android users

A smartwatch is a wearable computer in the form of a wristwatch. Modern smartwatches provide a local touchscreen interface for daily use. While an associated smartphone app provides for management and telemetry. While early models could perform basic tasks, such as calculations, digital time telling, translations, and game-playing, 2010s smartwatches have more general functionality closer to smartphones, including mobile apps, a mobile operating system, and WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity. Some of the smartwatch functions as portable media players, with FM radio and playback of digital audio and video files via a Bluetooth headset. Some models, called ‘watch phones’ (or vice versa), have mobile cellular functionality like making calls.

Hardware

While internal hardware varies, most have an electronic visual display, either backlit LCD or OLED. Some use transflective or electronic paper, to consume less power. They are generally powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Peripheral devices may include digital cameras, thermometers, accelerometers, pedometers, heart rate monitors, altimeters, barometers, compasses, GPS receivers, tiny speakers, and microSD cards, which are recognized as storage devices by many other kinds of computers.

Software

Software may include digital maps, schedulers, and personal organizers, calculators, and various kinds of watch faces. The watch may communicate with external devices such as sensors, wireless headsets, or a heads-up display. Like other computers, a smartwatch may collect information from internal or external sensors and it may control, or retrieve data from, other instruments or computers. It may support wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS. For many purposes, a “watch computer” serves as a front end for a remote system such as a smartphone, communicating with the smartphone using various wireless technologies. Smartwatches are advancing, especially their design, battery capacity, and health-related applications.

The best smartwatch for Apple users

1. Apple Watch Series 5

OS: WatchOS 6 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.78″ OLED | Processor: Apple S5 | Band Sizes: Different based on watch size | Onboard Storage: 32GB | Battery Duration: 24 hours to 36 hours | Charging Method: Wireless | IP Rating: 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC

Check price on Amazon:

Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm): Click here

Apple Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm): Click here

Review

Apple’s latest smartwatch Apple watch series 5 is the best smartwatch available in the market but it’s for iPhone users. Because it won’t work with an Android phone.

Trust Apple to nail it when it comes to unique pieces of technology. Although there are smartwatches dime a dozen, there is hardly anything better than the Apple Watch in the market right now, all things considered.

What’s new?

The one major upgrade this watch offers over its earlier version is an Always-On display. There are of course other upgrades to the software and hardware, but from a user perspective. This is the one you’ll notice most. This helps the watch feel more like a real watch and less like a novelty athletic tracker. If you’ve worn a smartwatch before, then you’ve probably stopped noticing the time it takes your watch to wake up after you’ve flicked your wrist. But as soon as you wear a watch with an Always-On display, you’ll realize you’ve been missing something.

You now get a bigger display with the choice of 40mm or 44mm dial sizes. As well as all the rest of the tech we’ve come to expect from the Apple Watch. The speaker is now louder, the build is still lightweight while feeling just as premium, and you can use your old straps with this new watch.

ECG features in the watch

The most exciting tech is the fact there’s an 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.

Since its launch, Apple has expanded the availability of the ECG feature to more markets outside of the US, including India. While it may not be used as often as other regular features, it could still save lives. It has already done a couple of times.

Display

There is a lot of hype around the LTPO technology used in the Apple Watch 5. Apple claims it’s the reason for the device’s longer battery life. However, a little research suggests that it’s only an incremental upgrade from the OLED display in the Apple Watch 4. Of course, the new Watch 5 has a bunch of new display drivers that make things more efficient, and a better light sensor than its predecessor, but it’s nothing that couldn’t have been done to the Watch 4. The cynic in me wonders whether Apple really needed an extra 12 months to develop this tech, or if it was just holding off for 2019 to exploit it to market a supposed upgrade to the previous version.

Between the new LTPO technology and the new drivers and sensors, the watch can go from a refresh rate of 60Hz to just 1Hz in 1 second, making for more efficient dimming and a longer battery life. The speed of the whole process is a win for Apple; other manufacturers have a hard time making displays that can make those switches fast and dynamically.

Design

As far as the external design is concerned, you don’t get any revolutionary change in the Apple Watch 5. Models in the Apple Watch series are notorious for all looking the same from one generation to the next – the look is part of their brand. The frame is the same curved aluminum for silver, space grey and gold finishes, and stainless-steel material for stainless steel, space black (DLC) and gold (PVD) finishes. The display is as square as ever, and the digital crown, which you can use to scroll through the menus on the watch, hasn’t changed either. You can use a small button next to the digital crown to see the apps you opened recently and activate Apple Pay.

There are still tons of fitness features and the latest watchOS 6 apps onboard so you’ll likely love this smartwatch. The Apple Watch 5 is our favorite watch you can use with an iPhone (this won’t work with Android devices), but it’s just been pipped to the title of best overall smartwatch.

The best smartwatch for Samsung Users

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch

OS: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android and iOS | Display: 1.2 inch or 1.3 inch 360 by 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz | Band Sizes: 22mm and 20mm | Onboard Storage: 4GB | Battery Duration: Max of 4 days on 46mm; lower duration on 42mm | Charging Method: Wireless | IP Rating: 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE (as an add-on/costs extra)

Check price on Amazon:

Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 46 MM: Click here

Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch 42 MM: Click here

Review

Coming in a close second from Samsung, it’s the Galaxy Watch. Following on from the Gear S3 series and the Gear Sport in 2017, the Galaxy Watch is much improved.

Samsung’s line of Galaxy Watches is another entrant on our list with an Always-On option. This makes sense, as its direct competitor is the Apple Watch 5. These are both great watches, and if you don’t mind spending the money and are looking for a generalist watch with lots of apps, the real decision between the Samsung Galaxy and Apple Watch 5 is which OS you need.

Design

The rotating bezel remains a highlight of navigating around the Tizen OS on the watch, and the interface is one of the easiest to pick up that we’ve seen on a smartwatch.

This feature is more beneficial than it may at first sound. Samsung has repurposed a style from classic watches and delivered a feature that allows users to more easily interact with their watch. Rotate it left to see your notifications. Rotate it right to quickly access widgets. In combination with physical buttons and a touch screen, this is among the most intuitive watches to use.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch comes in two different sizes: a 46mm version and a 42mm version. The 46mm version has a silver and black theme while the 42mm version comes either in rose gold or midnight black. Both are comfortable. The larger version looks best on a big wrist in more formal wear. The smaller version looks more natural on slimmer wrists and more activewear.

However, looks aside, there is an important technical component to the different sizes. The larger, 46mm version has a larger screen and a battery that lasts as much as 24 hours longer. These are both crucial components of any wearable tech, and for that reason we recommend the 46mm version.

Software

Samsung watches – the Galaxy included – runs on the Tizen OS, which Samsung uses in its TVs (and other devices). Tizen’s nature as a multi-platform OS is part of what allows the Galaxy’s rotating bezel.

The Tizen OS is also responsible for the Galaxy’s long battery life. The 46mm version will easily last 4 days (the smaller, 42mm version lasts 3 – which is still good). This is normal use, fetching notifications and messages, tracking workouts, and making honest efforts to communicate with Bixby.

Like all smartwatches, Samsung’s Galaxy has fitness tracking capabilities, with a wide array of sensors and the Samsung Health app. These will nudge you along when you get too sedentary and can auto-detect six different exercises (you can set it to detect an additional 33 exercises). It also has a sleep tracker and is waterproof for a maximum depth of 50 meters.

Downsides

The problems with this watch are mostly on the software end, rather than the hardware. For starters, some often used, arguably important, third party apps are missing, including Facebook Messenger, Google Maps, and WhatsApp. Other issues include not having any of the fitness apps that come with Wear OS, such as Google Health and others. The only apps you get are those that exist in the Tizen ecosystem, which is not as diverse as those in Wear OS or even iOS.

The voice assistant, Bixby, is also less than satisfactory. It has issues understanding most voice commands, a problem that could be resolved with time as the company upgrades its algorithms.

Apps available on the watch are more limited than Wear OS or watchOS 4 – two rival smartwatch operating systems – but it still offers a satisfying experience. It offers a great smartwatch experience, has plenty of fitness features and the design is good – there’s not much more you can ask from a smartwatch.

The best Smartwatch for Android Users

3. Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch

OS: Wear OS | Compatibility: Android and iOS | Display: 1.28 inch 416 by 416 AMOLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 3100 | Band Sizes: 22mm | Onboard Storage: 4GB | Battery Duration: 30 hours | Charging Method: Proprietary method | IP Rating: water-resistant up to 3 ATM | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC

Check price on Amazon:

Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle: Click here

Review

The Fossil Group has become synonymous with Wear OS smartwatches as mainstream manufacturers slowly left the market. The fifth-generation brings improvements to performance and battery life, while bringing Google’s extensive app store to wearables.

Fossil has been in the watch-making business since 1984, and developed a reputation for making great watches… in their mid-priced range. In their 35 years, they have branched out into other fashion products such as wallets, fragrances, handbags and purses, as well as higher-end watches in their “Fossil Swiss” line. However, their brand still seems focused on mid-priced watches.

With their Gen 5 smartwatch, Fossil has kept to those roots; as of this writing, the Fossil Gen 5 is priced roughly $100 less than the Apple Watch 5, and $50 less than the Samsung Galaxy. Considering its price, features, and functionality, it lies squarely in the middle of the pack of watches from this reviewer’s standpoint.

Still, it’s a good enough watch that I think it would be the right choice for some consumers – particularly users of Android devices. If you love your Android device and want the most seamless communication between it and your watch, then this is the watch to get.

Design

In appearance, you have seven options of bezel/band, from classic stainless steel to the more athletic look of black silicone. Fossil is, at heart, a fashion company, and so their watches are accordingly stylish – which you choose depends on your look.

The one issue I do take with Fossil’s style is where it crosses into function. As with their previous generations of watches, their Gen 5 has three buttons that protrude from the right of the watch face. This may be something unique to me, but I found that when I flexed my wrist far enough (especially while wearing cycling gloves and riding on the tops), I could inadvertently toggle the watch’s features.

Display

The display is an AMOLED screen with a 328ppi pixel density. It’s pretty sharp to look at, but in bright sunlight becomes unreadable – you have to adjust the settings, which can be tricky when it’s hard to see the screen well enough to interact with it.

The chipset for the Fossil Gen 5 is the Snapdragon Wear 3100, and this is what makes this watch one of the most viable watches on the Wear OS platform. It has 1GB of RAM, which allows the watch to run faster and more smoothly than any other watch in the Wear OS world. While navigating through the apps, you’ll still notice a bit of lag – but not so much that it’s frustrating or challenging to work the watch’s features.

Battery life

In terms of battery life, Fossil’s Gen 5 advertises itself as having “24+ hrs” with “Multi-Day Modes.” What this means in practice is that, in terms of settings, there are perhaps too many options. There are the “Daily” and “Extended” options, which most tech users will be familiar with. But then there are also “Custom” and “Time Only” options, which doesn’t seem so bad. Until you realize that each of these also has 12 different settings that you can choose between. There are certainly tech junkies who will love messing with these settings and maximizing their battery use… but most of us would feel better with fewer options, and the trust that the watch is smart enough to give us a functional amount of battery life.

The watch comes with features that are pretty standard for this generation – built-in NFC, GPS, heart rate monitoring, and speaker. With the Cardiogram app, Fossil claims the ability to detect sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. The watch is water-resistant to 3 atmospheres of pressure – making it more than enough for showering, bathing, or even active swimming.

Fitness tracking

The primary app for fitness tracking is the Google Fit, which works both with an Android phone and an Apple phone. It tracks your performance using heart points and move minutes, which is great for those who don’t like to be bombarded with too many technicalities on their smartwatch display. If you want finer, more comprehensive stats, though, you’re always welcome to install a third-party application.

While we still don’t think they are the best for the price due to inconsistent performance and battery life, but if you are insistent on a Wear OS watch, there’s no better option than one of Fossil’s Gen 5 watches. Luckily, these come in many options and designs to not just look geeky.

The best smart watch with Battery Life

4. Mobvoi TicWatch Pro

OS: Wear OS | Compatibility: Android 4.3+ and iOS 8+ | Display: 1.4 inch 400 by 400 OLED and second LCD screen | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Onboard Storage: 4GB | Battery Duration: 7 days in essential mode and 48hrs otherwise | Charging Method: Magnetic pin | IP Rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, NFC

Check price on Amazon:

Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro: Click here

Review

Our favorite Wear OS watch is the Ticwatch Pro. You may not have heard of Ticwatch before, but the latest from the company it a top-end watch with a unique dual-screen feature.

Mobvoi TicWatch is a new entrant to the field. However, even though it’s a new brand with new products, it’s managed to take hold of its share of the market with a savvy business strategy and sound designs. The Mobvoi TicWatch E and S were both impressive, and now we have the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro, which also is its most premium product to date.

Mobvoi started out making artificial intelligence voice technologies. They then expanded into smart home devices and wearables, focusing on the underserved Chinese market.

Their main design philosophy has been to deliver high-end specs on a budget by skimping on external designs. Which is a reasonable trade-off.

But with the TicWatch Pro, they’re offering a high-end design with their usual quality specs, plus some truly innovative features.

Like most smartwatches, there are no rotating bezels or crowns – most of your interaction will come through the display itself, or the two buttons on the watch’s side. The top of which acts as a home button, while the bottom is a programmable shortcut.

Display

The first major innovation that Mobvoi has brought to the market is this watch’s display. Not because it’s a touchscreen, but because it’s two screens combined in the same watch face.

The top screen is a transparent LCD. This is the screen that’s used in low-power, or “Essential,” mode. Data such as the time and date, step count, and heart rate, can all be displayed on a low-power screen that’s still visible even in direct sunlight.

Underneath this LCD is layered the kind of touchscreen that most smartwatches use. This more power-hungry display is high resolution (at 400×400 pixels) and is used for navigating and displaying apps, and other key functions of the smartwatch.

This clever combination of screens is the reason for the second innovative feature of the TicWatch Pro – a battery life that can be measured in days instead of hours. Putting the watch into Essential mode (which it will do itself once the battery gets too low) whenever possible means the watch uses very little juice. It gives you limited access to the other features of the smartwatch, but allows you to use the watch for days at a time without having to even think about recharging.

In terms of looks, Mobvoi has stepped up their game here, but they’re still not going to compete with Fossil, Samsung, or even Apple. The TicWatch Pro has a round face, and the bezel is marked in 5-minute intervals – at a glance, it has the appearance of a higher-end watch. But closer inspection will show it to be what it is – middle priced.

Downside

On the wrist, it feels a little thick and weighty, but not uncomfortably so. There are 8 different options for straps, from colored silicone to brown leather. More interestingly, there are also options for straps that combine silicone and leather.

The biggest downside to this watch is that it isn’t as user-friendly as other watches. For starters, there is no LTE version yet offered. It uses the Wear OS, but also requires that the Mobvoi app be downloaded for the watch to work at all. Not only is the Mobvoi app itself lackluster, but other important functions, such as the phone app, aren’t quite as good as what you’ll find on other smartwatches.

The TicWatch Pro’s fitness tracking functions are okay, and will work well enough for many users. Unless those users want to go swimming – while the watch is water-resistant, Mobvoi recommends that it not get much wetter than a hot shower. If fitness tracking is high on your list of needs in a smartwatch, there are others on our list that are more accurate and have better options.

In terms of smartwatch features there’s GPS, NFC for Google Pay, Bluetooth for listening to music, and the slightly old Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset in here running the watch as well.

The Ticwatch Pro costs Rs 22,999 in India, which makes it a noteworthy option if you don’t mind the slightly old chipset that powers it.

The best smartwatch for Fitness Accountability

5. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

OS: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android and iOS | Display: 1.2 inch 360 by 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz | Band Sizes: 20mm | Onboard Storage: 4GB | Battery Duration: Approximately 2 days | Charging Method: Wireless | IP Rating: 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Check price on Amazon:

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 44 MM: Click here

Review

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active 2 released a mere 6-months after the original Galaxy Watch Active, and the two aren’t that different. There are minor upgrades to the software and hardware, with proportional improvements in screen sizes, battery life, etc.

The biggest difference between the two is that the Active 2 has a virtual version of the Galaxy Watch’s rotating bezel (which is a big deal, and I’ll talk more about in a few paragraphs).

Another difference in the Active 2 is the introduction of the built-in fall detection and ECG – which Samsung promises, but isn’t yet available. They first need FDA approval, which they expect to get in the first months of 2020. Features like these, though, really target the watch’s audience – people interested in fitness and activity.

However – and this may be a real problem for the Active 2 – their tracking isn’t as accurate as other devices. This is true both for GPS tracking and steps counted; the Active 2 tends to overestimate distances.

There are cases where this won’t matter. If you’re buying the watch to help yourself be more accountable, and want to track activity more than train for an event, this watch will work fine. Also, if you’re going to use this watch and only this watch to track your progress in training, then it’s consistent enough with itself that you can make gains. However, if you use this watch too, for example, train for a half-marathon, then you may be surprised when, on the day of the event, you reach mile 11 and realize the event is two miles longer than you’d been training for, or that your average times are far lower than you’d thought they’d be.

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Watch has a physical bezel that rotates to allow users to move between apps. The Active 2 doesn’t have this physically rotating bezel, but uses haptic technology to imitate it well enough that it felt intuitive and was certainly fast.

The round face of the Galaxy Watch Active 2 gives it a traditional look, and it comes in a variety of colors to match your style. The stainless-steel variants are a little more expensive, and the bands are interchangeable.

The Active 2 also has apps for YouTube, Twitter, Spotify, and more. And while these worked well enough, whether or not watching YouTube videos or reading texts on such a small screen is a plus is up to you.

However, the Spotify app allows you to download playlists and listen offline, which is a great plus for users either in the weight room or on the trainer or in nearly any other exercise environment. Moreover, features such as tracking sleep (with a clever “goodnight” mode that dims the screen) and water, food, and caffeine consumption are a great plus for people who are interested in holding themselves accountable, but maybe aren’t training to win the next New York City marathon.

Fitness

The Running Coach is also improved, and now gives real-time pace metrics and a rundown of what to expect in your workout before you start. Audio cues can be heard either through the watch’s speakers, or over Bluetooth headset.

For casual fitness buffs or people just getting into fitness, all of this might sound great. And these features make Active 2 a great smartwatch for fitness and can last amateur athletes for years. However, be warned that if you’re hoping to reach even high-collegiate levels of training, then you will outgrow this watch.

The chipset on the Active 2 is the Exynos 9110 dual-core processor, which is the same used on the Galaxy Watch. It’s fast enough to feel intuitive, and the 768MB of RAM is more than enough for switching between apps. If you go for the more expensive LTE model, you get even more RAM (1.5GB).

The bottom line on this watch is that, for consumers with an iPhone, this isn’t for them – hands down, they should go with an Apple Watch. This watch, in contrast, pairs most easily with Samsung phones. Its kit is pretty standard for this generation of watches – with heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, etc. While its name implies it’s targeted at active users, it may not be accurate enough for collegiate-level athletes or hardcore trainers who need to track their progress to make gains. However, it’s still a Samsung watch, which is a reliable brand. For users who just want to stay fit and want a device that can help keep them accountable, this watch is great. And for people concerned with ECG monitoring and fall detection, this may be one of the best watches on the market (once those options are approved by the FDA).

The best smartwatch for Budgets or Gifts

6. Mobvoi TicWatch E2

OS: Wear OS | Compatibility: Android 4.3+ and iOS 8+ | Display: 1.39 inch 400 by 400 OLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Onboard Storage: 4GB | Battery Duration: Approximately 48 hours | Charging Method: Magnetic pin | IP Rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi

Check price on Amazon:

Mobvoi TicWatch E2: Click here

Review

About the Mobvoi TicWatch E2, there is one remarkable thing – its sticker price. At only $160, it’s one of the cheapest smartwatches running Wear OS.

On first look, you’ll probably think that the E2’s design favors function over fashion – and you’ll be right. The watch is available in all of one color – black polycarbonate. Its round face is unadorned. Its single button nondescript.

But if you’re in the market for a cheap smartwatch then you may not find one as functional as the E2. It uses Google’s Wear OS, which will give its user access to one of the biggest platforms on the market.

Its chipset is an unfortunately dated Snapdragon 2100. In its day, this was a fine chipset, but modern demands are a little too much for it. Navigating between apps is slow enough that, if you’re at all used to higher-end tech, it will feel frustrating.

That being said, Google’s transition from Android Wear to Wear OS has focused on keeping dated chipsets viable. What this means is that, even though its performance may not be up to your standards, it will still run most things you could want.

Battery life

In terms of battery life, you’ll see about a full day of use before it needs to be recharged. On a device such as a Fitbit, this wouldn’t be enough because many users like the sleep tracking features those watches offer. However, since the E2 doesn’t have sleep tracking, wearing it for a full day and charging it at night is a completely viable option.

Features

The TicWatch E2 offers fitness tracking. However, we found consistent problems with accuracy. The heart monitor seemed to take a while to register changes. This resulted in some exercises not being counted, and in calories burned and other metrics being demonstrably wrong. For serious fitness buffs or for people who truly need to track fitness, this may not be the watch for them.

The watch does include a “Swim” feature. It’s water-resistant up to a pressure equivalent to 5 ATM (about 50 meters or 170ft of depth). On the pool swim option, the display automatically locks itself so you don’t swipe accidentally while underwater. Later, when you’re out of the water, you just press the power button to wake the display again. You can also set the length of the pool, so long as it is not more than 100 meters. You can set such things as your target distance, duration, and the number of lengths you want. I’m not much of a swimmer, but this wasn’t an option included on all smartphones, and seemed intuitive enough to be useful for people interested in this feature.

Hardware

In terms of storage, you get 4GB, which is pretty much standard for most smartwatches out there. Importantly, however, it’s not standard on most $160 smartwatches. This provides enough space to download a lot of different apps and also your music tracks to listen to on your next workout or during a boring car ride, etc. Bluetooth headphones can also be connected to the watch so music can be listened to without relying on a smartphone, or annoying other people.

The watch is enabled with GPS, which allows for things such as fitness tracking. However, it does not come with NFC (near-field communication). This is used most often for things like Google Pay, to make payments without taking out your wallet or credit card. There is also a version with LTE available.

Like other Mobvoi watches, I found the user interface to be less than friendly. It insists that the Mobvoi app be installed for the watch to work – but the app doesn’t have to be used. And in fact, I would recommend not using it, and instead going straight to Google Play.

Display

The display is the same as the previous-gen TicWatch E2 at 1.39 inches. It’s an OLED screen with a resolution of 400 by 400 and a pixel density of 404ppi. It’s colorful and bright and has enough detail that any text displayed on it is legible. Like most features on this watch, the display is adequate.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, this isn’t a bad watch. If you want to get into the smartwatch game but don’t want to drop a lot of money, this is a perfectly good watch. It does all of the important things that people want in a smartwatch – music playback, interacting with different apps, health tracking, and (let’s not forget) telling the time. But it’s not an objectively great watch. When I think about the phrase, “You get what you pay for,” it doesn’t apply to this watch. With the E2, you’re getting more than you’re paying for. But it’s not going to be as fast, as accurate, or as stylish as some of the more expensive watches on our list.

The best smartwatch Mid-priced iOS

7. Apple Watch 4

OS: Watch OS 5 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.78-inch OLED | Processor: Apple S4 | Band Sizes: Depends on watch size | Onboard Storage: 16GB | Battery Duration: Between 24 hours and 48 hours | Charging Method: Wireless | IP Rating: 50m | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE, NFC

Check price on Amazon:

Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm): Click here

Apple Watch Series 4 (GPS + Cellular, 40mm): Click here

Review

In design, Series 4 and Series 5 are more similar than different. They have similar sizes and shapes and bands. They have the same amount of memory, use the same processor, and have the same digital crown that’s used to navigate apps and to access the EKG. And both offer fall detection. They also (like all Apple Watches except the original) run on the WatchOS 6.

The Series 5 has some upgraded drivers and an improved display that give incremental upgrades in its user interface and battery life, but there are only two downsides to buying the Series 4.

The first, and arguably least important, is that the Series 4 lacks a built-in compass. This makes it a little less accurate on runs or cycling, etc. But not enough to matter even for fitness gurus – if fitness tracking is what you want, then both Series 4 and 5 are good enough even for professional athletes.

The other downside to the Series 4 – and this one is a major difference in terms of user interface, but not necessarily functionality – is that the Series 5 offers the Always-On display. For my money, for that reason alone, it’s worth investing in the Series 5. But if that isn’t a deal-breaker for you, or if you’re thinking of getting the watch as a present for someone (especially someone younger or older, who isn’t concerned with having all the latest features), then the Series 4 is still a great watch.

Features

Importantly, the Series 4 is the watch that took wearable tech from novelty items to medical devices when the FDA approved its use as an EKG and irregular heart rhythm monitor. These features are also available in the Series 5, but since the Series 4 innovated this feature, I want to talk about it here.

To check for irregular heart rhythms, the watch works in the background to check your heart rate every two hours. If an irregularity is detected, the watch sends you a notification.

The EKG is an active system, meaning it isn’t done in the background but has to be done intentionally. After an easy setup, you simply sit still and hold your finger on the watch’s digital crown. An electrical pulse is sent through your body, and the watch then gives you a reading of your heart’s rhythms. A reading of “Atrial Fibrillation” means an irregular rhythm was detected (a “Sinus Rhythm” is normal).

While this information isn’t good enough to diagnose anything other than an irregular heartbeat, it is good enough to take to your doctor for further tests.

The Apple Watch 4 also innovated fall detection – a great feature for at-risk populations. And while the Series 5 promotes upgrades to all of these systems, in practice you probably won’t see a difference between it and the Series 4.

The bottom line here is probably what you expect. The Apple Watch Series 4 sits between the Series 5 and Series 3 in terms of price and function. The Series 4 offers most of the features of the Series 5, but is an upgrade from the Series 3 (discussed below) in some important ways.

The best smartwatch in the world for a reason

8. Apple Watch Series 3

OS: watchOS 5 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.53″ OLED | Processor: S2 dual-core | Band sizes: Varies drastically per watch size | Onboard storage: 8GB / 16GB (Non-LTE and LTE respectively) | Battery: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IPX7 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC

Check price on Amazon:

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular, 42mm): Click here

Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS, 42mm): Click here

Review

The Apple Watch 3 (or Apple Watch Series 3, if you’re picky) was the best smartwatch but has recently been bumped off the top spot and down a few places since the launch of the Apple Watch Series 5.

The Apple Watch 3 is essentially just the Apple Watch 2 frame with some new innards… but they make a big difference. Plus, the price has recently dropped, making this a much more attractive proposition now.

It’s still water-resistant so you can swim with it and you won’t have to worry about getting it wet in the rain when you’re out for a jog. There’s GPS onboard to make running that little bit easier plus it can now upgrade to watchOS 5 too.

The Apple Watch 3 can be a little difficult to justify, especially now that the Watch 4 is here. However, if you still want an Apple Watch and don’t want to spend a lot, Watch 3 is a good option.

Factoring in the new price drops, this one’s a steal with all the features and battery life it has.

The best smartwatch with Fully-loaded Wear OS at budget prices

9. Mobvoi Ticwatch E

Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 8+ | Display: 1.4″ 400 x 400 OLED | Processor: MediaTek MT2601 | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Up to 24h | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1

Check price on Amazon:

Ticwatch E Series Smartwatch: Click here

Review

Ticwatch is still a relatively new brand, but the company has a few noteworthy smartwatches out in the market. The Ticwatch, in particular, is an excellent option if you’re looking to dip your feet in the world of smartwatches.

That’s mostly because it is priced reasonably and the fact everything works well. We also love the Ticwatch E for its built-in GPS, accurate heart rate sensor, and great design.

All of the basic fitness features are available; you can even use it without having to take your phone out while you exercise, but you won’t be able to receive phone calls like on the Apple Watch 3.

If the Ticwatch Pro is out of your budget and you want a Wear OS smartwatch, the Ticwatch E is a great option. The design is premium, but it won’t be for everyone so be sure to check out our review to see if it works out for you.

The best smartwatch for Sleep Tracking

10. Fitbit Versa 2

OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: Android 7+ and iOS 11+ | Display: 300 by 300 AMOLED | Onboard Storage: 2.5GB | Battery Duration: 5 Days max | Charging Method: Magnetic pin | IP Rating: Water-resistant | Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, NFC

Fitbit Versa 2 (NFC): Click here

Fitbit Versa 2: Click here

Review

Forbes named Fitbit’s Versa 2 as the reason Google wants to buy Fitbit. That’s because, with this watch, Fitbit has come closer than any of its competition to matching the style and functionality of the Apple Watch series, which has long dominated the smartwatch market.

The first iteration of this series, the Fitbit Versa, targeted users who wanted a fitness watch with some of the functions of a smartwatch. They wanted to get and respond to notifications, without the distractions that hundreds of apps can bring.

With the Versa 2, Fitbit has moved this model firmly into the smartwatch market – though it’s still a fitness-focused accessory.

Design

In terms of style, casual users will be forgiven for mistaking the Versa 2 for an Apple Watch. The Versa 2, still focused on fitness tracking, has bands that are mostly silicon (which doesn’t absorb sweat), and doesn’t offer the more upscale bands of something like the Fossil line. However, the only real difference in appearance between the Versa 2 and Apple Watch 5 is that the former is squarer and the latter more rectangular.

The original Fitbit Versa has 3 buttons. The Versa 2 only has one, which you can use both as a back button and as a select button. You therefore never need to do more than 2 presses to get to the feature you would like to access. Any other actions you need to do can be done on the touchscreen.

Display

The screen is also a huge improvement over its predecessor. On the Versa, it was an LCD. However, the Versa 2 features a Gorilla Glass 3 protected AMOLED touchscreen – that has an Always-On option. While leaving this feature on will drain the battery twice as fast, it’s a great option for when I’m working out and want to be able to see how much time I have left on a plank (for example) without having to raise my wrist to activate the watch.

The Versa 2 also has an upgraded processor, which allows it not only to handle more of the functions of a smartwatch – including more functionality with apps – but also to navigate between them smoothly.

Features

Because Fitbit bills itself as a fitness tracker first, battery life is among the most important features. That’s because many watches are only meant to last a day before being charged – which means they can’t track sleep. Sleep tracking, however, is one of Fitbit’s selling points, and the Versa 2 doesn’t disappoint. Not only are its sensors accurate, but its battery can last up to 5 days (assuming you are sparing with the Always-On display).

To access the app launcher, swipe on the screen from the left to the right. There are 4 app shortcuts on each page, which you can rearrange as you want; all you have to do is press lightly on the screen until you get haptic feedback. If you want to see the day’s data, you can swipe up and Fitbit Today will be launched. It displays up to seven items that you can choose from, including steps per hour, total steps, sleep stats, heart rate, and water and food intake.

If you swipe down you get access to the notifications and also the Quick Settings, Fitbit Pay, and music controls. In Quick Settings, you can choose between screen brightness, Always-On display, Sleep Mode, and Do Not Disturb.

While the Versa is an adequate smartwatch and a great fitness tracker, many of its best features are now behind a paywall. For example, the sleep tracker essentially has two versions – the paid and the unpaid. The unpaid version will take your sleep habits into account and give you a score. Someone struggling with poor sleep could record this to monitor their sleeping habits over days or weeks, and see the effectiveness of any changes in their routine.

Fitbit Premium

The cost of Fitbit Premium is only $9.99/month (as of this writing, which is pre-Google buyout). For some, that will be a deal-breaker. However, the math is made complicated by the relatively low sticker price on the watch itself – which is $230 less than an Apple Watch 5 (as of this writing).

The paid version, however, will not only monitor their sleep, but show them periods of restlessness and total sleep duration, as well as periods of REM. It will show heart rate fluctuations, deep sleep vs light sleep, and compare their sleep from the past 30 days.

Fitbit Versa 2 works with iPhones – however, iPhone users will benefit from the seamless blending of applications between their phones and an Apple Watch, making the Versa 2 a less attractive option for Apple users. However, with a sticker price lower than the Galaxy Series, the Versa 2 is a real contender in the Android market, especially for users who want a fitness-focused accessory.