Round versus square dial, emphasis on fitness versus other smart functions, iOS Compared to Android compatibility … Whether you’re looking for the first one or replacing an older one, there are many factors to consider when purchasing a smart watch, especially since it will be attached to your wrist almost 24/7 if you ‘plan to wear it for follow your dream. We’ve rounded up five of our favorite smartwatches based on function, price, and compatibility to help you decide which one is right for you.
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The Apple Watch Series 5 may be the most expensive on our list, but it’s the gold standard when it comes to smart watches. It has everything we love about its predecessors, including seamless compatibility with other Apple devices, advanced fitness tracking, and life-saving health features like a built-in EKG and fall detection.
Apple Watch’s biggest drawbacks: It’s only compatible with iPhone, and it has a shorter battery life than most of its competitors. Read our Apple Watch Series 5 review.
It’s been almost three years since Apple Watch Series 3 made its debut, but it’s still the only one. You might not have the always-on display, EKG, or the fall detection feature that the 5 Series has, but it has everything else for half the price. And with the update to WatchOS 7 in the fall, Series 3 will also add sleep tracking to its long list of health and fitness features.
A possible drawback to Series 3 is that the older watch may stop receiving updates before Series 5. This year’s WatchOS 7 update, for example, omitted Series 2, Series 1, and the original Apple Watches. Read our Apple Watch Series 3 review.
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The Versa 2 is the best Fitbit you can buy if you’re looking to do more than just follow the steps. With a battery that lasts longer per charge than most other portable devices on this list, the Versa 2 also runs on Android or iPhone and has Alexa on board. You don’t get built-in GPS (unlike Fitbit’s latest tracker, the Charge 4), so you’ll need to take your phone with you to track route and distance in races.
But the Versa 2’s biggest strength is the Fitbit app, which presents your training details clearly so you can easily interpret your efforts. Read our review of Fitbit Versa 2.
Angela Lang / CNET
There’s no question that the Galaxy Watch Active 2 is Samsung’s most stylish smartwatch to date, with two sizes to fit more wrists. The combination of a touch bezel and touch screen makes navigating the interface a breeze, and you can also get an LTE edition so you can receive calls on the go, without having to have your phone close by. However, the battery life may be inconsistent and the ECG is not yet active outside of Korea. Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review.
If you’re looking to get more for your money, you’ll have a hard time finding a better deal than the Amazfit Bip S. This $ 70 smartwatch is compatible with Android and iOS devices and ticks most boxes when it comes to features: always-on display , Built-in GPS and the best battery life of any device on this list. You can get up to 40 days of use on a charge, or about two weeks of intensive use with the GPS turned on and the brightness increased (a time that’s still above the rest).
However, you may have to make some sacrifices when it comes to aesthetics as it has a plastic casing and the screen is not as bright or responsive as those on the Galaxy and Apple Watch. Read more about Amazfit Bip S.
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