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Can You Answer Calls on Smartwatch? (The ULTIMATE Guide)

Are you curious about the capabilities of a smartwatch? Are you wondering if you can answer calls on a smartwatch? If you are, you have come to the right place! In this ULTIMATE guide, we will discuss all the features of a smartwatch, how you can answer calls on one, what else you can do with a smartwatch, the benefits and drawbacks of answering calls on one, and the best smartwatches for answering calls.

So, lets get started!.

Short Answer

Yes, you can answer calls on a smartwatch.

Most smartwatches are designed to be compatible with your phone, meaning that you can receive calls on your watch and answer them using the device.

Many smartwatches also include Bluetooth capabilities, allowing you to make and receive calls without having to take out your phone.

Some smartwatches also include a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to talk directly into the watch.

What is a Smartwatch?

A smartwatch is a wearable device that combines the functionality of a smartphone with that of a traditional watch.

Smartwatches are essentially miniature computers that are connected to your phone via Bluetooth and can monitor your daily activity, track your fitness goals, and even make and receive calls.

Smartwatches allow you to stay connected and answer calls quickly and easily without having to pull out your phone.

They are becoming increasingly popular and more functional, with more and more features being added all the time.

Smartwatches are able to monitor heart rate, track steps taken, and even receive notifications from your phone.

In addition, they can also answer calls, access your contact list, and make calls directly from the watch.

The microphone and speaker on the watch make it easy to have a conversation directly from your wrist.

Smartwatches are perfect for people who want to stay connected and always be available to answer calls, but dont want to be weighed down by carrying a bulky smartphone.

What Features Do Smartwatches Offer?

Smartwatches are becoming a more popular and fashionable accessory that offer a range of features.

In addition to being able to answer calls, the features of a smartwatch include the ability to track fitness activity, store music and media, take pictures and videos, and access notifications.

Not only do smartwatches have the ability to answer calls, they also come with a microphone and a speaker, so you can have a full conversation with the person on the other end.

Smartwatches also come with a contact list so you can easily identify who is calling and decide whether or not you want to answer.

You can also make calls from your watch, so you dont have to reach for your phone or fumble for it in your pocket.

In addition to the ability to take and make calls, smartwatches are also designed to be a personal assistant.

They offer a range of features that can help you stay organized and on top of your tasks.

You can set reminders, calendar events, alarms, and other notifications to help you stay on track and make sure you dont miss any important events.

Smartwatches also come with health and fitness tracking features.

You can track steps, calories burned, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more.

These features can help you stay active and healthy and make sure youre getting the right amount of exercise.

Overall, smartwatches offer a range of features that make them an incredibly useful tool.

With the ability to answer calls, take pictures and videos, access notifications, and track fitness activity, smartwatches are a must-have accessory.

How Can You Answer Calls On a Smartwatch?

Answering calls on a smartwatch is easier than ever before.

With the latest advancements in technology, it is now possible to answer calls directly from your wrist.

Smartwatches are equipped with a microphone and speaker, allowing you to have a conversation directly from the device.

You can also access your contact list and make calls from the watch.

The process of answering calls on a smartwatch can vary from device to device, but generally, you will receive an alert when someone is trying to call you.

From there, you can either accept or reject the call.

If you accept the call, it will be routed to the speaker and microphone on the device.

You will then be able to hold a conversation with the caller directly from your smartwatch.

For those who dont want to answer calls directly from their device, some smartwatches also offer the ability to send the call to your paired smartphone.

This allows you to answer the call from your smartphone instead.

Some smartwatches also offer the ability to reject a call and send a pre-set message to the caller.

Answering calls on a smartwatch is a convenient way to stay connected while on the go.

You can quickly and easily answer calls directly from your wrist, and you dont have to worry about missing important calls.

Additionally, smartwatches also offer a variety of other features such as fitness tracking, notifications, and more.

What Else Can You Do With a Smartwatch?

Smartwatches are not just for taking calls, they offer a variety of features that can make your life easier.

You can use a smartwatch to access your music, listen to podcasts, and control your smart home devices.

You can also get notifications and alerts right on your wrist, so you dont have to constantly be checking your phone.

You can even use a smartwatch to track your workouts and monitor your health, such as your heart rate, steps taken, and calories burned.

Smartwatches also come with a variety of apps that can help you with daily tasks, such as managing your calendar, finding directions, and even ordering food.

With a smartwatch, you can stay connected and productive without having to constantly be reaching for your phone.

What Are the Benefits of Answering Calls on a Smartwatch?

Answering calls on a smartwatch offers several unique advantages for users.

First, it allows for hands-free communication, meaning that users can multitask without having to constantly pick up and put down their phones.

This is especially useful when driving, cooking, or performing any other task that requires the use of both hands.

Additionally, answering calls on a smartwatch is much more discreet than using a phone.

This is especially true for those who find themselves in situations where answering a call on a phone would be inappropriate or rude.

Moreover, answering calls on a smartwatch is much faster than using a phone.

This is because the user does not have to take the time to unlock their phone and open the phone app.

Instead, they can simply press a button on their watch to answer the call.

This makes it easier to respond to calls in a timely manner and to avoid missing important calls.

Finally, answering calls on a smartwatch is more secure than using a phone.

This is because the users watch is connected to their phone, meaning that the users data is encrypted and more secure.

Additionally, the users watch is harder to steal than a phone, making it more difficult for an attacker to access the users data.

In short, answering calls on a smartwatch offers several distinct advantages for users, including hands-free communication, increased discretion, faster response time, and increased security.

What Are the Drawbacks of Answering Calls on a Smartwatch?

Answering calls on a smartwatch can be a great convenience, but there are also some drawbacks.

For starters, not all smartwatches are equipped with the same features and capabilities.

Some models may not have a microphone and speaker, or may not be able to access your contact list.

Additionally, many smartwatches dont have the same battery life as a smartphone, so you may find yourself needing to recharge your watch more often if youre frequently answering calls.

Furthermore, it can be difficult to hear the caller on a smartwatch when youre in a noisy environment.

This is because the speakers on a smartwatch are usually not as powerful as the speakers on a smartphone.

And, depending on the model, you may also have to hold your arm up close to your ear in order to hear the caller clearly.

This can be uncomfortable and awkward.

Finally, answering calls on a smartwatch can be a bit of a security risk.

Smartwatches are much smaller than smartphones, so its easier for someone to overhear your conversations.

Its also easier for someone to access your contacts and other personal information stored on the watch.

So if youre concerned about your privacy and security, its best to stick with your smartphone for answering calls.

What Are Some of the Best Smartwatches for Answering Calls?

When it comes to answering calls on a smartwatch, there are many options to choose from.

It is important to consider the features of each watch to determine which one is best for you.

Many smartwatch manufacturers offer devices that are designed to make answering calls easy and convenient.

The Apple Watch Series 6 is a great option for those who want to be able to answer calls on their wrist.

It offers a large selection of features, including the ability to make and receive calls directly from your wrist.

The watch also features a microphone and a speaker, so you can have a conversation directly from your wrist.

The watch also has a customizable contact list, allowing you to quickly and easily access your contacts and make calls.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is another great option for answering calls on your wrist.

The watch has a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can have a conversation directly from your wrist.

It also has a large selection of features, including the ability to make and receive calls directly from your wrist.

The watch also offers a customizable contact list, allowing you to quickly and easily access your contacts and make calls.

The Fossil Gen 5 is also a great option for answering calls on your wrist.

It has a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can have a conversation directly from your wrist.

The watch also has a large selection of features, including the ability to make and receive calls directly from your wrist.

The watch also offers a customizable contact list, allowing you to quickly and easily access your contacts and make calls.

The Fitbit Versa 3 is a great option for those who want to be able to answer calls on their wrist.

The watch has a built-in microphone and speaker, so you can have a conversation directly from your wrist.

The watch also has a large selection of features, including the ability to make and receive calls directly from your wrist.

The watch also offers a customizable contact list, allowing you to quickly and easily access your contacts and make calls.

When it comes to answering calls on a smartwatch, there are many options to choose from.

It is important to consider the features of each watch to determine which one is best for you.

With the right smartwatch, you can stay connected and answer calls quickly and easily.

Final Thoughts

Answering calls on a smartwatch is a convenient and efficient way to stay connected.

With a smartwatch, you can answer calls directly from your wrist and access your contact list.

You can also make calls and have a conversation directly from your watch.

With the many features offered by smartwatches, you can make the most of your device and stay connected on the go.

Now that you know all about answering calls on a smartwatch, why not give it a try and see how it can make your life easier?.

Best smartwatch 2024: Top picks for every budget

The best smartwatches I've tested are more advanced than ever. They're now everything in one: a comprehensive health and fitness tracker, digital wallet, and an extension of your smartphone, even if your smartphone is nowhere nearby.

Several smartwatches I've reviewed recently can also measure your heart rate, detect elevations, and automatically connect you to emergency services if you have a fall. Electrocardiogram (ECG) and blood oxygen (SpO2) readings are perks of certain models, too.

That said, the best smartwatches go above and beyond, housing various features and apps while keeping up with your day-to-day needs. And of course, there's style: many smartwatches can be customized, from their straps to their faces, to fit your personality.

With options from Apple, Fitbit, Garmin, Google, Samsung and more, see all of my picks for the best smartwatches below.

Google announced the Pixel Watch 3 in 41mm and 45mm on August 13. Preorders are open now and units are expected to ship on September 10. The smaller model starts at $349, the same launch price as the Pixel Watch 2. We're in the process of testing the new model and will potentially add it to this buying guide when our final review goes live. In the meantime, read our Pixel Watch 3 hands-on.

Written byWritten by

Kate Kozuch

My name is Kate and I oversee our guides to the best smartwatches, best Android smartwatches, best Apple Watches, best Samsung watches and more. This means I usually walk around like a cyborg with multiple devices on my wrists. I've been testing wearable tech for Tom's Guide for more than 5 years, documenting my experience on the site, on our YouTube channel and on my Instagram.

The quick list

Here's a quick overview of the best smartwatches you can buy right now based on my testing and reviews. In-depth analysis on each of the products can be found further down this page.

Best smartwatch overall

The Apple Watch Series 9 is the most well-rounded smartwatch I've tested. It has first-rate communication, fitness, health and safety features, making it the best smartwatch for most people.

Read more below

Best Android smartwatch

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the ultimate Android smartwatch, with impressive AI-backed holistic insights, accurate fitness tracking and deep integration with other Galaxy devices.

Read more below

Best smartwatch for Pixel

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is the first dedicated smartwatch for Pixel smartphone users, offering Google apps and the most Fitbit fitness tracking features. I like this watch's minimalistic design, too.

Read more below

Best value smartwatch

The Apple Watch SE (2022) offers an excellent smartwatch value, with many of the best Apple Watch features at a fraction of the price. It even comes in an LTE option, making it a low-cost watch for safety and connectivity.

Read more below

Best Fitbit smartwatch

The Fitbit Sense 2 is one the most intuitive smartwatches you can buy thanks to a proactive stress-detection feature. It has robust fitness tracking and a handful of Google apps, even if it's not a true Wear OS watch.

Read more below

Best fitness-tracking smartwatch

The Garmin Venu 3 is a versatile Garmin watch with a bright AMOLED display, thorough fitness tracking and accurate GPS. It has a long-lasting battery Garmin Coach for custom training plans, too.

Read more below

Click to view more products

Best smartwatch for safety

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is a safety-first smartwatch with dual-band GPS, backtracking, a built-in siren and Emergency SOS. It's also the Apple Watch with the longest-lasting battery, so it can keep up with adventures.

Read more below

Best smartwatch for runners

The Garmin Forerunner 265 is the best smartwatch for runners of all experience levels. It has a bright AMOLED screen, comes in two different screen sizes, has accurate GPS, and advanced training metrics.

Read more below

Best battery life

9. Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is Samsung's take on an ultra-premium, tough-built wearable similar to the Apple Watch Ultra series. The sportiest and longest-lasting Samsung watch, it also boasts impressive AI health insights.

Read more below

Best smartwatch for step-counting

The Fitbit Versa 4 is a well-priced Fitbit smartwatch that is decent for accomplishing the basics, but I'd say more than anything, it's a solid step-counter. Get this if you care most about getting your 10,000 steps per day.

Read more below

The best smartwatches you can buy today

The best smartwatch overall

The best smartwatch overall

Specifications

Sizes: 41mm, 45mm

Battery Life (Rated): 18 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

Heart Rate Monitor: Yes

LTE: Optional

Mobile Payments: Apple Pay

Compatibility: iOS

Reasons to buy

+

Siri works offline

+

Double-tap gesture is awesome

+

New UWB chip helps find your phone

+

First carbon-neutral Apple device

Reasons to avoid

-

Find iPhone feature only works with iPhone 15

The Apple Watch 9 is the best Apple Watch yet, and the smartwatch I myself use on a daily basis. Its not a major upgrade over the Apple Watch Series 8 in terms of features, but it does introduce some useful updates. What's new is the S9 processor, which is 25% more efficient before, powering a brighter 2,000 nit display and neat new double-tap gesture. The double-tap gesture makes it possible to navigate the watch one-handed, while a next-gen ultra-wideband chip helps you track down a misplaced iPhone more easily.

Latest news

Due to a patent dispute between Apple and Masimo, the Apple Watch 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 are banned from sale with the blood oxygen feature. That said, you can purchase them nowand I'll update this story if that changes.

What's more, the Apple Watch Series 9 is one of Apple's first carbon-neutral certified devices. Using more recycled parts, less packaging, and coming with a 82% recycled yarn Sport Loop, the Series 9 takes a big step in an eco-conscious direction. I consider these kinds of efforts in my ratings.

Otherwise, the Apple Watch Series 9 is a full-featured health tracker and communications tool. With watchOS 10, this smartwatch packs the latest and greatest of what the Apple Watch experience has to offer. Whether you want a smartwatch for working out, answering calls from your wrist, or using the best Apple Watch apps, this is the best smartwatch for you. As long as you have an iPhone, of course.

Read our full Apple Watch 9 review.

The best Android smartwatch

Image 1 of 6

The best smartwatch for Android

Specifications

Sizes: 40mm, 44mm

Battery Life (Rated): 40 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

LTE: Optional

Mobile Payments: Samsung Pay

Reasons to buy

+

Accurate and detailed sleep insights

+

Useful AI-powered wellness features

+

Comfortable design and responsive user interface

+

Double the storage capacity of its predecessor

Reasons to avoid

-

One day of battery life

-

Health-monitoring features like sleep apnea detection require a Galaxy phone

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the best smartwatch for Android users thanks to impressive AI-underpinned holistic insights, a lightweight and comfortable design, practical health monitoring tech and loads of useful apps.

Available in 40 and 44mm, the design of the device remains unchanged from its predecessor. However, under the hood, the Watch 7 boasts an upgraded GPS antenna with outstanding accuracy, double the storage capacity of its predecessor, and a faster, more power-efficient processor.

Battery life is good for roughly 24 hours using the always-on display and 40 hours in power-save mode, which is par for the course.

Sleep insights are provided after only one night of use, unlike the competition, and are detailed yet highly digestible. However, my favorite feature on the Galaxy Watch 7 has to be Samsung's near Energy Score metric, which is updated daily and takes into account sleep quality, recent workouts and more to help keep you motivated.

Read our fullSamsung Galaxy Watch 7 review.

The best smartwatch for Pixel

The best smartwatch for Pixel smartphones

Specifications

Sizes: 41mm

Battery Life (Rated): 24 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

LTE: Optional

Mobile Payments: Google Wallet

Reasons to buy

+

Stress-detection sensor

+

Safety Check feature

+

Improved battery life

Reasons to avoid

-

Big bezel

-

No wireless charger

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is the best smartwatch for Pixel phone users, and one of the most enjoyable watches I've worn from a reviewer's standpoint. A full collection of Google apps and fitness tracking powered by Fitbits platform make for a compelling smartwatch. In many ways, the Pixel Watch is the best of both worlds, pairing a top-notch Wear OS experience with Fitbits holistic health-tracking (which is further enhanced with a Fitbit Premium membership.) There are plenty of tools on-board for staying connected and getting active.

But theres some room for improvement: the thick bezels and singular size option will still deter some users in terms of design. Luckily, an improved battery life compared to the original Pixel Watch makes up for it. Plus, I love the reassurance offered by the new Safety Check feature that shares your location with emergency contacts when you might need their help most.

Read our full Google Pixel Watch 2 review.

The best value smartwatch

Image 1 of 4

The best smartwatch value for iPhone users

Specifications

Sizes: 40mm, 44mm

Battery Life (Rated): 18 hours

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

Heart Rate Monitor: Yes

LTE: Optional

Mobile Payments: Apple Pay

Compatibility: iOS

Reasons to buy

+

Lower price than previous Apple Watch SE

+

Color-matched bottom case

+

Same chipset as Apple Watch Series 8

The Apple Watch SE is kind of a hybrid device, pairing an older Apple Watch design with the Apple Watch Series 8's chipset. The $249 smartwatch doesn't have all the Series 8's features, but still stands out for its great fitness tracking and safety features. It also offers an LTE option, making it a good choice for those interested in trying out Family Setup.

When choosing between the Apple Watch Series 8 vs. Apple Watch SE (2022), your ultimate decision will be if you want to spend an extra $150 for a brighter display with an always-on option, an ECG monitor and skin-temperature, and a bigger display. If those tools aren't deal-breakers for you, the SE is a highly capable option for iPhone users. It even gets watchOS 9, the most up-to-date Apple Watch software with low power mode, fresh new watch faces, an upgraded workout interface, a redesigned compass tool and the new Medications app.

Read our full Apple Watch SE (2022) review.

The best Fitbit smartwatch

The best smartwatch from Fitbit

Specifications

Sizes: 40mm

Battery Life (Rated): 6 days

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

Heart Rate Monitor: Yes

LTE: No

Mobile Payments: Fitbit Pay, Google Pay

Compatibility: iOS, Android

Reasons to buy

+

Proactive stress management with cEDA

+

Comfortable design

+

Robust fitness and health tracking with Fitbit Premiums

Compared to the originalFitbit Sense, the Sense 2 features an upgraded design, interface and EDA sensor, making for Fitbit's most holistic smartwatch yet. Thanks to advanced health analysis and deep integration with Fitbit Premium, the $299 Sense 2 also sustains an edge in fitness-tracking over many of thebest smartwatches on this list.

An update to the stress-detecting EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor plays a large role in the devices success: now called cEDA ('c' for continuous,) the sensor monitors stress levels or heightened responses throughout the day, prompting the user to take action on mood monitoring with Body Response notifications. However, added support for Google Wallet and Google Maps, while useful upgrades, wont be available for the Fitbit Sense 2 at launch. Theres oddly no third-party app support, either. Still, for a smartwatch that helps you get in touch with how you feel, the Sense 2 succeeds.

Read our full Fitbit Sense 2 review.

The best fitness-tracking smartwatch

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The best fitness-tracking smartwatch

Specifications

Sizes: 41mm, 45mm

Battery Life (Rated): 14 days

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

Heart Rate Monitor: Yes

LTE: No

Mobile Payments: Garmin Pay

Compatibility: iOS, Android

Reasons to buy

+

Intuitive sleep and workout advice

+

Borrows features from high-end Garmin watches

+

Up to 14 days of battery life

Reasons to avoid

-

Not enough third-party apps

The Garmin Venu 3 is one of thebest Garmin watchesthats both a capable workout companion and stylish lifestyle device. The $449 Garmin Venu 3 maintains Garmins reputation for thorough fitness tracking and accurate GPS, while having the smarts of mirrored notifications and an on-wrist voice assistant.

Though Garmin still lacks a large third-party app store and continues to steer clear of LTE support, nap-tracking and a new sleep coach work on tracking your rest while daily summaries offer behavioral insights. An abundance of sport profiles, added Recovery Time suggestions, and on-watch interval creation keep you tuned into your activity, too. What's more with a 14-hour battery life, you rarely need to stress about keeping the Garmin Venu 3 charged.

Read our full Garmin Venu 3 review.

The best smartwatch for safety

The best smartwatch for safety and sports

Specifications

Sizes: 49mm

Heart Rate: Yes

GPS: Yes

LTE: Optional

Battery Life: 36 hours

Swim-Proof: Yes

Mobile Payments: Apple Pay

Reasons to buy

+

Best battery life of any Apple Watch

+

Action Button

+

Emergency siren

Reasons to avoid

-

Battery life doesnt compare with competitors

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the best smartwatch to buy if you're a serious athlete or prioritize safety features on your wrist. For me personally, it's the later that stands out. In addition toexcellent watchOS running features, the Ultra has an extra third button the Action Button, which comes in handy for workouts but also serves as a quick way to access safety features, such as Emergency SOS and the Apple Watch Ultra's Siren which is a huge difference between Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Its 49mm screen is huge while the entire watch built for adventure. The bezel is made from titanium, with a lip around the screen to add more protection. The display is made from sapphire glass, and the watch has an increased water resistance of 100m. With up to 60 hours of battery life (in low power mode), it also has the stamina to keep up with me for multiple days. It's still not the best battery life option compared to Garmin's sports watches, but it's better than any other Apple Watch.

The Apple Watch Ultra is a serious smartwatch. I found it's not for everyone, but depending on your needs, it could strike the right balance.

Read our fullApple Watch Ultra 2 review.

The best smartwatch for runners

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The best smartwatch for runners

Specifications

Sizes: 42mm, 46mm

Heart Rate: Yes

GPS: Yes

LTE: No

Battery Life: 24 hours with GPS

Swim-Proof: Yes

Mobile Payments: Yes

Reasons to buy

+

Two sizes available

+

Bright, beautiful AMOLED screen

+

Accurate GPS

Reasons to avoid

-

Not a ton of "smart" features

Our pick for the best running watch is the Garmin Forerunner 265. This lightweight device gives you everything youd want in a running watch, from accurate tracking to music controls to the ability to create custom workouts, for the price of an Apple Watch. The device also offers access to Garmins wide range of training metrics, which help you not only plan workouts but also recovery time.

During testing, my colleague found the Garmin Forerunner 265's beautiful AMOLED display to be bright and easy to read, even in direct sunlight. It also has a touchscreen, which makes it easy to navigate around the watch. The battery is long enough to last through a few workouts, even with music playing.

he Forerunner 265 has inherited some of the more advanced health features usually reserved for Garmins more expensive running watches.It also now has the ability to track multisport training sessions in the triathlon mode, and Garmin's Training Readiness Score. It's a fantastic improvement on an already fantastic watch, and a great buy for all levels of runner.

Read ourGarmin Forerunner 265 review

The best smartwatch for battery life

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The best smartwatch for battery life

Specifications

Sizes: 47mm

Heart rate: Yes

GPS: Yes

LTE: Yes

Battery life: 48 hours

Swim-proof: Yes (not dive-proof)

Mobile payments : Yes

Reasons to buy

+

Premium materials and color options

+

Added quick button

+

Accurate sensor readings

+

Solid battery life

Reasons to avoid

-

Similar performance to cheaper Galaxy Watch 7

-

Many features require Samsung phones

-

Limited use for water sports

The Galaxy Watch Ultra is the best sporty Samsung smartwatch and the ultimate Android wearable for outdoor adventures. Boasting the same competent BioActive sensor found in the Galaxy Watch 7, the Ultra is capable of advanced sleep and workout tracking, monitors for health anomalies like sleep apnea and irregular heartbeats, and provides valuable AI-backed insights and tips aimed at well-being.

This is the longest-lasting Android smartwatch currently available, with up to 48 hours of battery life. It also boasts an eye-catching titanium finish, a customizable 'Action' button, and a bright, easy-to-view AMOLED screen that reaches 3,000 nits the same as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 making it easy to view even in direct sunlight.

The only downsides to the Galaxy Watch Ultra are the steep $650 price and the fact that it's not meant to be worn while scuba diving or for other extreme watersports, despite 100 meters of water resistance.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review

The best smartwatch for step counting

The best smartwatch for step counting

Specifications

Sizes: 40mm

Battery Life (Rated): 6 days

GPS: Yes

Swim-Proof: Yes

Heart Rate Monitor: Yes

LTE: No

Mobile Payments: Fitbit Pay, Google Pay

Compatibility: iOS, Android

Reasons to buy

+

Great, slim-profile design

+

Accurate step counting

+

Good battery life

Reasons to avoid

-

Trouble with heart rate accuracy

-

No third-party apps

The Fitbit Versa 4 is the best smartwatch for step tracking based on my testing. I will say it's not the best smartwatch for fitness tracking overall, as it struggles to provide accurate heart rate readings. But if you're looking for something that will get you moving with hourly step reminders and alerts when you've reached your daily goal, this smartwatch is a great choice.

Not only that, the Versa 4 a lovely-looking smartwatch with a slim profile and sleek metallic finishes. It looks very similar to the Fitbit Sense 2, yes, but this is the better choice if you're on a tighter budget or aren't as interested in stress-tracking. The Versa 4 still has reliable sleep-tracking and other perks available via Fitbit Premium.

Read our full Fitbit Versa 4 review

Also tested

We test a lot of smartwatches to make sure that we're genuinely recommending the best options available right now. But if you're after a bit more choice, these are the watches that didn't quite make the cut.

How to pick the best smartwatch for you

When looking at the best smartwatches for you, you're somewhat limited by the smartphone you own. If you want an Apple Watch, for instance, you'll need to have an iPhone. And while Wear OS watches work with both Android and iPhones, you get far less functionality when not connected to an Android device.There are plenty of differences between Apple Watch vs. Fitbit and Apple Watch vs. Garmin as well.

Samsung's smartwatches offer the greatest in terms of cross-functionality, but even here, Android phone owners will get more in terms of replies to notifications and the ability to make and receive phone calls.

After that, when picking a smartwatch, you also want to get one that fits your wrist comfortably. Those with smaller wrists may find larger smartwatches ones with case sizes larger than 44mm to be too bulky and cumbersome to wear.If you need features like cycle or pregnancy tracking, you might find our list of the best smartwatches for women helpful, too.

Similarly, you want to find a smartwatch that fits your style. Although the Apple Watch is limited to one shape, you can purchase it in different finishes. Samsung's smartwatches offer a little more choice, while Wear OS watches, which are made by a number of companies including Fossil, Tag Heuer, Diesel, and others, give you many more options when it comes to their design. Does your smartwatch come with a metal strap? Here's how to remove a link from a watch.

And if you need smartwatches for certain fitness goals. see our guides to the best running watches and best GPS watches. You also might be better suited for one of the best fitness trackers instead.

How we test the best smartwatches

My team and I test every new smartwatch to gauge its design and comfort. If its not stylish and comfortable enough to get you from an early morning workout to the office to a night out, you probably wont wear it every day. Most smartwatches are also fitness trackers, so we put all of its sensors to the test, from step counts to heart rate to GPS (when applicable).

We install apps and use them to see if the devices app store is robust enough to elevate it to smartwatch status. If the watch has built-in LTE, we test cellular connectivity and call quality to make sure the device can actually stand on its own without a smartphone nearby.

And we measure battery life using everyday scenarios including workouts, using apps, and getting notifications to make sure you can get through an entire day without needing to charge up.

For more smartwatch tips, see our smartwatch buying guide.