Best Smartwatches for Android Users A Comparison of Top Brands
The best Android smartwatches you can buy: Expert tested
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Prospecs: Display:1.4 inch, 450 x 450 pixels AMOLED|Battery life:Two days|Dimensions:45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5mm|Weight:46.5 g|Water resistance:5 ATM+IP68|LTE cellular option:Yes
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the ultimate health companion when it comes to Android smartwatches. With improved sensors from its predecessor, this smartwatch can better track your sleep, body composition, and tough workouts. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is rather large, but is encased in lightweight titanium, which I found to feel great and not too heavy on my wrist.
From night to day, this watch has features for analyzing your health around the clock. Advanced Sleep Coaching provides a sleep score based on how long and deep your sleep was, as well as insight into how many calories you burned in your sleep. But the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro truly excels in tracking your workouts and analyzing your body composition via an improved, curved sensor for greater accuracy.
This Pro model is a bit more rugged than the base model, as users can import GPX files for hiking and biking. With a 590mAh battery, you will get all-day power for crushing your workout after a long day in the office. Additionally, when you sync your watch with your Galaxy devices you can access your phone notifications from your wrist.
As I wrote in my review, "the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is easily the best wearable for Android smartphone owners and it excels in all of the smartwatch categories."
Review:Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The best wearable for Android fans
Best Android smartwatch 2024
The best Android smartwatch needs the right balance of comfortable feel, accurate health sensors packed under a bright display, easy controls, and the right software experience. You'll also want a reasonable price tag and a sleek design you can be proud of!
We've reviewed, rated, and of course, worn just about every wearable on the market, so if you're looking to choose the right Android watch for your needs and budget, you've come to the right place.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2 predictably top our list, as the two best smartwatch options for most Android users. If they're not the right fit, rest assured that we've got plenty of other options, from gorgeous hybrids to fitness trackers and cheap last-gen models.
We're highlighting all types of wearables across a range of prices, so keep reading to find the watch that's right for you.
At a glance
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Best overall
The Galaxy Watch 6 ticks just about every box imaginable, with excellent Wear OS software, a sleek durable construction, and up to 40 hours of battery life blazing fast charging.
Read more below.
Best for Wear OS
Google took the Pixel Watch 2 to the next level in terms of performance, battery, lightweight design, and health sensors. It's great for Pixel users, but also Android users in general.
Read more below.
Best budget option
If phone notifications are all the "smarts" you need, the GTR 4 has fantastic fitness tracking and battery life, plus a classic design, for significantly less than our other top picks.
Read more below.
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro
Best premium pick
Although it's been replaced somewhat by the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, the Watch 5 Pro's incredible battery life and ultra-durable construction keep it firmly on the list.
Read more below.
Best last-gen option
Although we certainly recommend the Pixel Watch 2 first, you can snag this for at least $70 less, with a very similar software experience and stylish look.
Read more below.
Best battery life
The OnePlus Watch 2 has its flaws, but its 100-hour battery life certainly isn't one of them. We also love its gorgeous steel design, large display, and reasonable price. If only OnePlus could fix our noted issues with heart rate tracking, it would be much higher on this list.
Read more below.
Load the next 3 products
Best for fitness
Nearly any Garmin watch gives you fitness tools and battery beyond a typical Android watch; only the Venu 3 gives you a mic & speaker, gorgeous AMOLED, and Sleep Coaching.
Read more below.
Best for health tracking
The Fitbit Sense 2 boasts about every health feature you could ever need, including 24/7 heartrate and stress monitoring, sleep quality tracking, and much more.
Read more below.
9. Garmin Instinct Crossover
Best hybrid
Get the best of both worlds with the Garmin Instinct Crossover, a rugged smartwatch that features analog hands alongside GPS, heartrate monitoring, and an epic battery life.
Read more below.
Best overall
Best overall
Specifications
Display: 1.3- (432x432) or 1.5-inch (480x480) AMOLED
Processor: Samsung Exynos W930
Memory: 2GB + 16GB
Battery life: 40 hours
Water-resistant: (5ATM)
LTE: Yes, Optional
GPS:
NFC:
Health sensors: HRM, ECG, BIA, SpO2, skin temp
Reasons to buy
+Blazingly fast charging
+Sapphire glass scratch protection
+Better health sensor fit for more accurate results
+Excellent Wear OS software
+Google Assistant and Wallet available
Reasons to avoid
-Battery life isn't a huge upgrade
-Some sensors seem to be inaccurate
-Not a huge upgrade over the Galaxy Watch 5
If you own the Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 5, you'll find a lot of familiar elements in the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. Samsung made it slightly slimmer and faster, with smaller bezels for a wider display that's also twice as bright at 2,000 nits. Compared to the Watch 5, the Galaxy Watch 6 made the key upgrades you'd expect without changing the overall design, software, or health sensors.
As our Galaxy Watch 6 review explains, the standard Watch 6 is more comfortable than the heavy Watch 6 Classic, and the capacitive touch bezel works better than in previous generations for menu controls. While we prefer the Classic for style and for its physical rotating bezel controls, the sporty Watch 6 is our recommendation for most people because of its affordability and comparable specs.
We consider the Galaxy Watch 6 the best Android smartwatch because of the reliable hardware, but also because Samsung works closely with Google on every new Wear OS software update. Aside from the Pixel Watch series, no other Android watch will sync with your Android phone as well, nor will any offer the same level of software support.
The Galaxy Watch 6 isn't perfect. Our reviewer dealt with some frustration with the accuracy of the health and sleep tracking data, and we'll have to wait until summer for Samsung's AI-backed "My Vitality Score" data announced at Galaxy Unpacked. But we can't name another watch that deserves its spot at the top.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 still offers the best combination of Samsung's hardware ingenuity mixed with Google's software. While a couple of health-tracking features are exclusive to Samsung phones, it otherwise will work perfectly well with your Android phone of choice. It'll only last you a little over a day, but twice-as-fast recharging solves this issue.
Best for Wear OS
Best for Wear OS
Specifications
Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED (450x450)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon W5, Cortex M33
Memory: 2GB + 32GB
Battery life: 24 hours (AOD on)
Water-resistant: (5ATM)
LTE: Yes, Optional
GPS:
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, ECG, cEDA, SpO2, skin temp
Reasons to buy
+Same stylish design
+Snappy performance
+Revamped heart rate sensor
+Fitbit integration and Premium trial
+Wear OS 4 with Google Assistant
Reasons to avoid
-Only comes in one size
-Still needs daily charges
-No display upgrade over PW1
We polled the Android Central staff as to whether the Pixel Watch 2 or Galaxy Watch 6 is the "best" Android smartwatch, and it led to some passionate debate. In the end, although several staff members said they preferred the Pixel Watch 2 personally for its design and UI, the Galaxy Watch 6 beats the Pixel Watch 2 for battery life, multiple size options, display brightness, durability, and other key areas.
Still, as our Pixel Watch 2 review indicates, Google's latest watch gets a ton of things right and may be a better choice depending on what you want. The improved rotating crown gives you more control than a digital bezel while weighing less than the Watch 6 Classic's physical bezel; the Pixel Watch 2 itself "barely even feels like it's on [your] wrist." And the Pixel Watch 2, while it pairs best with a Pixel phone, doesn't have any features that require it something that can't be said about the Galaxy Watch 6.
The Pixel Watch 2 has double the Galaxy Watch's storage, plus the benefit of Fitbit Premium fitness tracking and health reports where Samsung falls short. Performance is also a major step up between the last gen's Exynos chip and this model's Snapdragon W5 chip, paired with a healthy 2GB of RAM; in our tests, the load time for apps seems comparable between both watches.
Bottom line: If you want "one of the most striking and beautiful smartwatches on the market" that bundles Wear OS and Fitbit in a natural way, this is the watch for you.You may want to wait for the Pixel Watch 3, which has some major design changes in store, but the Watch 2 is a great option right now!
Best budget option
3. Amazfit GTR 4
Best budget option
Specifications
Display size: 1.43-inch AMOLED (480x480)
Processor: Unknown
Storage: 2.3GB
Battery life: 14 days (7 w/ heavy use)
Water-resistant: (5ATM)
LTE:
GPS: (Dual-band)
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+Vibrant always-on AMOLED display
+2-week battery
+Affordable
+Bluetooth calls and Alexa support
+Dual-band GPS and training algorithms
Reasons to avoid
-No third-party apps
-Notification issues
Amazfit has about a dozen smartwatches that it sells at any given time, most of which fall into the budget category for anyone who can't spend much on an Android watch. Among the best Amazfit watches, the Amazfit GTR 4 is among our favorites thanks to its Alexa voice commands, music storage, and Bluetooth calling. Traditional smartwatch tools, plus the classic-style design, makes it a better choice than most.
Our previous choice for this spot, the Amazfit GTS 3 Pro, had most of the same perks but has now fallen behind a generation. With the Amazfit GTS 4, you also get the ability to continuously track heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, and sleep quality, with an extra two days of battery life (14 days in total). Unlike most of the best Android smartwatches, this won't make you charge it daily.
You won't get the same Android phone integration for actionable notifications or any third-party apps, since this uses Amazfit's own OS instead of Wear OS. But in terms of fitness, it's smarter than the competition: It can auto-detect multiple sport or weight-lifting activities, track your location more accurately with dual-band GPS, and tell you how long to rest after a workout based on your VO2 Max fitness level.
Bottom line:With the Amazfit GTR 4, you're getting a large AMOLED screen and a gorgeous design, lag-free interface with lots of customizability, and at least a week of battery life with all features active. Yes, it's not as "smart" for phone connectivity, but it excels at the basics and does better than most at fitness smarts.
Best premium pick
Best premium pick
Specifications
Display: 1.4-inch AMOLED (450x450)
Processor: Exynos W920
Memory: 1.5GB + 16GB
Battery life: 80 hours
Water-resistant: (5ATM)
LTE: Yes, Optional
GPS:
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, ECG, BIA, SpO2, skin temp
Reasons to buy
+Three-day battery life & fast charging
+More durable titanium case with sunken bezel
+Wear OS 4 with Google Assistant
+HR, SpO2, ECG, BIA, temperature sensors
+Optional LTE
Reasons to avoid
-Heavy, thick design
-Much pricier than GW5
-Only a couple of exclusive features
Samsung switched this generation from a Pro design to a Classic design. While we love the Classic for its style and rotating bezel, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro brings something unique to the table for Samsung: a consistent 3-day battery life and titanium build, making it lighter and longer-lasting than the Classic.
Despite the last-gen numbering, the Watch 5 Pro holds up to scrutiny today, not least because it received the Wear OS 4 update shortly after the Watch 6 launch. We suspect that Samsung will launch a Galaxy Watch 7 Pro this year, swapping away from the Classic; without any guarantee of that, though, this is your best Galaxy Watch option for longevity.
In our Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review testing across multiple units, it consistently lasted three days even with continuous heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking, as well as a couple of hours of GPS-backed workout and regular app use three times longer than the average lifestyle watch and twice as long as the standard Galaxy Watch 5. Since the Galaxy Watch 6 battery life is shorter than the Watch 5, it tells you just how far ahead the Watch 5 Pro is if you use battery-guzzling features like AOD, music streaming, or always-listening assistant.
The other Pro perk is that, along with the sapphire crystal display, the case itself is made of titanium materials that are more likely to withstand heavy falls without anything getting damaged or scratched. The design itself has the display recessed underneath the outer bezel, whereas the flat Galaxy Watch 6 display is more exposed to possible damage.
Bottom line:The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro isn't meant for pro athletes, but rather for pro Android users who plan to use it for frequent health sensor tracking, music storage and streaming, LTE phone calls, and other mobile tools squeezed into its relatively massive display all without having to recharge it daily like you would with most other picks on this list.
Best last-gen option
Best last-gen option
Specifications
Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED (450x450)
Processor: Exynos 9110
Memory: 2GB + 32GB
Battery life: 24 hours
Water resistance: 5ATM
LTE: , optional
GPS:
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, SpO2, ECG
Reasons to buy
+Attractive, lightweight design
+Fantastic Wear OS 4 software with Google app connections
+Surprisingly smooth performance
+Fitbit Premium integration
+Bright, vivid display with great watch faces
Reasons to avoid
-Somewhat expensive
-Only one case size and proprietary bands
-Has now been supplanted by Pixel Watch 2
Most smartwatches don't get many updates after launch. The exceptions are Samsung and Google, which promise four or three years of post-launch software updates, respectively. So if you're going to buy a last-gen smartwatch to save money, you should look at either the Galaxy Watch 5 or the first Pixel Watch.
When you weigh the Pixel Watch vs. Galaxy Watch 5, each has their strengths and weaknesses. Samsung's watch, for example, provides a better battery life and offers a larger size option. But Samsung has stopped selling the Galaxy Watch 5, so you'll have to buy it refurbished; the Google Pixel Watch is still available, and is still worth considering.
Why? For starters, the Pixel Watch 2 kept the same design for a reason: it's stylish and comfortable. In fact, the first Pixel Watch uses stainless steel instead of aluminum, making it look slightly more premium than its successor. Comparing the Pixel Watch 2 vs. Pixel Watch, you'll find that the first-gen watch matches its successor in RAM, storage, display resolution and brightness, Wear OS software, and most Fitbit functionality.
Our Pixel Watch reviewer praised many of the same positives that ported over to the Watch 2, such as the "subtle and satisfying" rotating crown and "snappy" performance. While the Pixel Watch 2 is slightly better for battery, this should still last you a day per charge.
Bottom line:The Google Pixel Watch remains one of the best Android watches despite being supplanted by the Pixel Watch 2. Look at the newer watch first, but if you spot this on sale, it's still a reliable watch.
Best battery life
Best battery life
Specifications
Display: 1.43-inch AMOLED (466466)
Processor: Snapdragon W5 + BES 2700
Memory: 2GB + 32GB
Battery life: 100 hours
Water-resistant: (5ATM)
LTE:
GPS: (Dual-band)
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+Really does last 100 hours per charge
+Rugged stainless steel design
+Dual-band GPS
+Fast performance w/ plenty of storage
Reasons to avoid
-Issues with notifications and inaccurate health tracking
-Crown is only for show
-No smaller display or LTE options
Long-time Android brand OnePlus made its first Wear OS watch in 2024, and immediately jumped to the front of the Android smartwatch pack for battery life. Our OnePlus Watch 2 reviewer noted that it truly does last about four days per charge, or slightly less than three with the always-on display enabled.
OnePlus made the best Android watch for battery life by relying on a dual-OS system: It uses the powerful Snapdragon W5 chip and 2GB of RAM for demanding app tasks, but for background tasks, it uses a proprietary RTOS that relies on a co-processor, which itself barely uses any battery life. It's part of a new Wear OS Hybrid interface that Google developed in tandem with OnePlus.
The downside to this system, as our reviewer noted, is that OnePlus' watch can be more of an RTOS watch than a Wear OS watch in many ways, and its own system has issues with notifications and health tracking that OnePlus still needs to resolve. Since the OnePlus Watch 2 will get two Wear OS updates, we're hopeful that these issues will be fixed with time; for now, it's a bit of a risky purchase.
Still, this is an excellent smartwatch, thanks in large part to its beautiful 1.43-inch AMOLED display surrounded by durable stainless steel. If you compare the OnePlus Watch 2 and Pixel Watch 2, you'll find that OnePlus' watch is much better for simply using Android apps, thanks to the extra display space. But people with smaller wrists may wish OnePlus sold a smaller version that's more comfortable to wear.
Bottom line: TheOnePlus Watch 2 lasts longer than any other true smartwatch on the market, with years of promised support as well. If OnePlus can resolve our noted issues with its heart rate tracking, as well as fix some notification settings problems our reviewer found, then this could find its place next to the Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2 as one of the best Android watches.
Best for fitness
Best fitness smartwatch
Specifications
Display: 1.2- (390x390) or 1.4-inch (454x454)
Processor: Unknown
Storage: 8GB
Battery life: 14 days; 5 days with AOD
Water resistant: (5ATM)
LTE:
GPS: (All-systems GNSS)
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, SpO2, ECG, skin temp
Reasons to buy
+Two weeks of battery life
+Bluetooth calls and Google Assistant support
+AMOLED touchscreen and button controls
+Garmin suite of fitness software is free
+Sleep Coaching and ECG app
Reasons to avoid
-No third-party apps, messaging
-Missing some Garmin Forerunner tools
You can't discuss the best Android watches and not mention Garmin. Frankly, any of the best Garmin watches could be in the conversation to join this list, but the Venu 3 is the closest Garmin comes to a mainstream smartwatch with traditional tools like a mic/speaker and ECG sensor, so it claims this spot.
A Pixel Watch 2 with Fitbit Premium can take your health and fitness data and give you a Daily Readiness Score and recommendations for how long to work out at what exertion level. The Garmin Venu 3 does the same thing, only with more specificity and without a subscription. It tells you how many hours of recovery time you need after a workout, how much your Body Battery has recharged based on HRV and sleep data, and lets you follow a Garmin Coach training calendar with specific workouts.
When testing the Garmin Venu 3, our reviewer noted how this watch modernized the Garmin OS software to make it more accessible. It added a Sleep Coach, an app folder, a more accessible workouts widget, and a fantastic wheelchair mode. It even added a keyboard for replies, though it's slow enough that pulling out your phone or using the voice assistant makes more sense.
The Venu 3 itself lasts a ridiculous 2 weeks per charge, or 26 hours of GPS tracking, where your typical Android watch will probably die after maybe 5 hours of satellite data. Along with continuous heart rate and blood oxygen data, you can check for AFib rhythm or measure your skin temperature while sleeping. Plus, it looks much more stylish on your wrist with its thin, steel-bezeled design instead of Garmin's usual thick and plastic aesthetic.
Bottom line: Although not as "smart" as the other picks on the list, the Venu 3 makes up for this by running much more efficiently, lasting for weeks at a time without issue. Athletes who want animated exercise guidance and non-stop sensor tracking without fear of their watch dying on them should take a close look.
Best health tracking
Best for health tracking
Specifications
Display: 1.58-inch AMOLED (336 x 336)
Processor: Unknown
Storage: N/A
Battery life: 6+ days
Water-resistant: (5ATM)
LTE:
GPS:
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, SpO2, ECG, cEDA, skin temp
Reasons to buy
+Built-in GPS, HRM, SpO2
+Temperature sensor
+Continuous stress testing
+Google Maps/ Wallet
+Wear OS-lite interface
Reasons to avoid
-No music storage
-No Google Assistant
The Fitbit Sense 2 tracks your heart rate, heart rate variance (HRV), possible atrial fibrillation (AFib), blood oxygen, sleep quality, stress levels, and skin temperature. The last two, in particular, are where the Sense 2 stands apart: the new continuous electrodermal (cEDA) sensor has all-day body response tracking to warn you if you're overstressed, while the temperature sensor can warn you if you're possibly unwell and judge if your body temperature is hurting your sleep quality.
When reviewing the Sense 2, we appreciated how Fitbit used its Google connections to implement Wear OS-like menus, a physical side button that's a major improvement over the capacitive button on the original Sense, and implemented some Google apps like Wallet and Maps, making it the best Fitbit device available.It also has a stylish design with a bright AMOLED display, and a six-day battery life with standard use. That consistent battery life and extra sensors are why you might consider the Sense 2 over the Pixel Watch, which also has Fitbit integration but lacks the health data to provide the comprehensive reports that make Premium worth using.
Bottom line: As one of the most popular names in the wearable world, Fitbit is always a good option. The Sense 2 is centered around health and fitness tracking, ideal for workout enthusiasts or anyone who needs to keep a close eye on their heart health.
Best hybrid
Best hybrid
Specifications
Display: 0.9-inch (176x176) MIP
Processor: Unknown
Storage: N/A
Battery life: 28 days in smartwatch mode
Water-resistant: (10ATM)
LTE:
GPS:
NFC:
Sensors: HRM, SpO2
Reasons to buy
+Physical watch hands
+Lightweight yet rugged design
+Jaw-dropping battery life
+10ATMwater resistance
Reasons to avoid
-No on-board music storage
-Expensive
-Watch hands can block display
Garmin excels at making versatile hybrid smartwatches that dont skimp on the features you need, and the Instinct Crossover is no exception. At first glance, the Garmin Instinct Crossover appears to be another ultra-rugged wearable, with an analog face and physical hands that keep track of the minute and hour. The watch is constructed from durable fiber-reinforced polymer and stainless steel, while the 10ATM water-resistance rating guarantees that you can take this watch just about anywhere.
Despite its no-frills, analog appearance, the Garmin Instinct Crossover is compatible with both Android and iOS, and you get all of the health and fitness tracking sensors you could ever need, such as heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and Pulse Ox. The watch also comes with built-in GPS and Garmin Pay. When we reviewed the Garmin Instinct Crossover, we also found that the watch is truly incredible in the battery life department; even when you dont buy the Solar edition, the Crossover will last up to 28 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode and a whopping max of 71 days when its in battery saver mode.
Bottom line:If youre looking for a hybrid smartwatch that you can count on, dont sleep on the Garmin Instinct Crossover. Complete with a rugged design and analog hands to mark the minute and hour, this watch gives you old school reliability with modern smartwatch features, such as GPS, heart rate monitoring, Pulse Ox, and more. Plus the battery will last almost a full month on a single charge in smartwatch mode.
FAQ
What is the best smartwatch for an Android user?
Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
First and foremost, Android users should look at the best Wear OS watches, since they have the best integration with your smartphone. But not all Wear OS watches are created equal.
Secondary brands like Fossil and Mobvoi have struggled to update their watches regularly since the transition to Wear OS 3 and 4, meaning their watches lost key features like Google Assistant for years before they could rectify the situation.
OnePlus and Xiaomi have entered the Wear OS field, but the OnePlus Watch 2 was a flawed (though promising) first attempt, and while we're still testing out the Xiaomi Watch 2, we'll note that it's only available in Europe and Asia.
That's one key reason why we recommended the Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2 above the rest: Google will release new Wear OS updates every year between summer and fall, but only Google and its close partner Samsung are guaranteed to get the new features. With other watches, you can only count on the features available out of the box.
You don't have to choose a Wear OS watch, of course. Brands like Garmin and Fitbit are better suited for fitness fans, but also for folks that don't like using smartwatches beyond basic functions. Some people don't need watch apps, if they'll happily use their smartphone for the same functions.
How do I choose smartwatch size?
Brands like Samsung and Garmin sell their watches in two sizes, so you can either prioritize comfort or display size. A Pixel Watch, on the other hand, only comes in one size, and it's on the smaller side.
A large display is very tempting to get the best view of apps and custom watch face data, but it could also make the watch heavier than your wrist can handle. If you prioritize comfort, you may not like having to bring the display closer to your eyes to read your notifications.
We can't forget about aesthetics, either. After all, you're still shopping for a watch, and it should be compatible with your style. You can always opt for one of the fashionable options. If you're looking for the best smartwatch for women, you might prefer something more subtle like the Fossil Gen 6. We'd point you to the Pixel Watch 2, with its fantastic edge-to-edge look that others can't match.
What features should I look for in a smartwatch?
These are some key smartwatch features that you won't see by default, and may have to go out of your way to find:
- More than one day of battery life
- NFC
- Third-party app support
- Fitness training apps or plans
- LTE support
- Passive AFib detection
- Fall detection
- Multiple tracking satellites
- MIL-STD-810G protection
- Specific controls (e.g., crown, rotating bezel, multiple buttons)
- Specific sensors (e.g., temperature, gyroscope, altimeter)
Of these, we have specific guides on the best smartwatches with LTE so you can make calls or check in without your phone on hand, or the best smartwatches for GPS tracking that offer more than the standard watch antenna that can only follow one satellite at a time.
You'll want to check if your watch supports tap-to-pay, or will register if you've fallen while working out or walking around your home. Folks with heart issues will also want to make sure you can check for irregular heart rhythm, either actively with an ECG or passively with a standard optical HRM.
Also, check the smartwatches' specifications page before buying to make sure you know what you're getting. For example, if you don't see an altimeter, that means your watch can't tell how many flights of stairs you've climbed or properly judge how hard you're working out.
Which smartwatch OS is best?
Choosing an operating system can be tricky, especially now that you have to factor Wear OS 4 and Wear OS 3 into the equation. If you're new to the smartwatch world, you might be indifferent on the matter, but it can affect your overall experience, so it's worth mulling over. One of the most common concerns is how well your smartphone will work with your smartwatch.
Is it easier and more fluid to have an Android smartwatch paired with an Android smartphone? Absolutely. Should that be the deciding factor? Not necessarily. You can use an iPhone with some Android smartwatches, but be prepared for some hiccups. There can also be certain limitations, like not using the quick reply feature to respond to a text message from your watch.
Other smartwatch companies such as Garmin and Fitbit use their own operating systems. This can involve a bit of a learning curve in some cases, but it just might be worth it. For example, if you're a passionate runner who frequently tracks your workouts and other stats, Garmin is an excellent choice. On the other hand, casual athletes might find the simple nature of FitbitOS to be user-friendly and easier to navigate.
How much battery life do I need in a smartwatch?
Some users can't stand having to take their watch off every 24 hours to charge it. Luckily, there are many multi-day battery life picks on this list. You can also go for a model with advanced technology that helps extend battery life, like the Ticwatch Pro 5 and its Essential mode.
Or, you can simply prioritize watches with fast charging speed, and accept that you'll need to find times before or after bed to set it on the charger before you go about your day or use sleep tracking.
If you're still determined to find a watch with superior battery life, Garmin and Fitbit offer some of the best options for a week or more of battery life. For example, you can get a full fourteen days of battery with Garmin Venu 3 or a solid six days with the Fitbit Sense 2.
Once you've hammered out these essential details, you should be able to form a general idea of what type of Android smartwatch you should buy. No matter which option you choose, you can look forward to owning a nifty piece of tech that will help you track your health and fitness while also giving you a fun accessory to pair with your style.
What are the best Android smartwatches?
If you're currently in the market for the best Android smartwatch, you should consider our best overall pick, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. This wearable is loaded with many features that users are looking for, while maintaining an attractive design. However, if you don't mind spending a bit more money on a premium watch, you should consider upgrading to the battery-packed Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. These are some of the most impressive Android wearables to date.
What makes the Galaxy wearables so great is the new Wear OS 4 platform mixed with beautiful hardware. For example, the Galaxy Watch 6 and 5 Pro have a "virtual" bezel that lets you move around the software by rotating around the edge of the vivid AMOLED display, while the Watch 6 Classic has an actual physical bezel to rotate through apps and tiles.
Samsung Health has also improved immensely over the last couple of years, and features a well-rounded selection of workout tracking options, as well as a built-in GPS for monitoring outdoor runs or bike rides. Battery life tops out at around 40 hours, and the included sports bands are comfortable enough that you'll forget you're wearing anything on your wrist at all until a notification comes in, which is easy to activate or dismiss.
If you're not interested in a Samsung smartwatch or simply prefer how Google does things, we recommend the Google Pixel Watch 2 for obvious reasons. It gives you most of the same perks, but with a Pixel-like flair that other Android users will love.
