If you’re looking for your first smartwatch or replacing an old one, there are a lot of factors to consider when trying to figure out the best smartwatch for your needs — especially since it will probably be strapped to your wrist 24/7. You’ll want to decide on your preferred shape for the watch face, whether you want a model with a fitness emphasis versus other smart features and which operating system you want (iOS versus Android).
But that just scratches the surface. A smartwatch should be able to offer everything from heart-rate monitoring and activity tracking to GPS tracking and smart notifications. Some smartwatches can even be used for contactless payment. They should all work seamlessly with smartphone notifications: Both Android and iPhone users should be able to make the most of their device.
We’ve rounded up six of the best smartwatches based on function, price and compatibility to help you decide which one is right for you.
Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
The Apple Watch Series 6 may be the most expensive one on our list, but it’s the gold standard when it comes to smartwatches. It has all the smartwatch features we loved about its predecessors plus a few new perks like a brighter alway-on display and a new sensor that measures blood oxygen levels. It’s now also the only Apple smartwatch with an electrocardiogram (also called ECG or EKG) app.Â
The biggest downsides to the Apple Watch: It’s iPhone-compatible only, and it has shorter battery life than most of its competitors.
If you’ve never owned an Apple Watch, this is the one to get. The Apple Watch SE is a cheaper alternative to the Series 6 with a lot of the same great features plus a slightly longer battery life. Aside from the extra health sensors (ECG and SpO2), the most notable difference between the two is that the SE doesn’t have an always-on display. But you probably won’t miss it if you’ve never had this feature.
Angela Lang/CNET
The Versa 3 is compatible with both iOS and Android phones and lets you choose between Alexa or Google Assistant as your go-to voice assistant. It doesn’t offer all the apps and smart features as some of its competitors, but it’s a well-rounded smartwatch with plenty of health and fitness features to keep you on track like onboard GPS and live heart rate zone notifications. It’s the best sleep tracker on this list and even gives you a breakout of your SpO2 and body temperature data overnight (Fitbit Premium users). Battery life is also better than most: I got about four full days (and nights) of use with the screen always-on.
Angela Lang/CNET
The Active 2 offers almost all of the same features as the new Galaxy Watch 3, including an ECG app and fall detection, for about half the price. It’s not as flashy as the Watch 3 with its physical rotating bezel and thicker frame, but it’s less bulky and more comfortable to wear at night and during workouts. The Active 2 handles calls, texts and app notifications, and it offers Spotify support as well as all the basic fitness features you’ll need. You can also get an LTE edition of this smartwatch, which can receive calls on the go without your Android phone nearby.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
If you’re looking for a fitness-focused watch without too many distractions, that works with both Android and iOS, the Garmin Venu Sq is the watch to get. It has a built-in GPS, plenty of workout options to choose from, and lots of data about your workout like heart rate zones and running dynamics in the mobile app.Â
It also doubles as a health tracker with high and low heart rate alerts, a comprehensive sleep analysis and SpO2 tracking. It measures blood oxygen levels on demand, or automatically throughout the day and night just like the latest Apple Watch Series 6, but for half the price. But you do compromise on design. The watch has a plastic frame, and the screen isn’t as big or as vibrant as those on some of the other watches on the list.
Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
If you’re looking to get more value for money, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better deal than the Amazfit Bip S. This $70 smartwatch is compatible with both Android and iOS devices and checks most of the boxes when it comes to features: heart rate sensor, always-on display, built-in GPS tracking 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 heavy usage with the GPS on and brightness up (a time that’s still above and beyond the rest).Â
You may have to make some sacrifices when it comes to aesthetics, though, as it has a plastic casing and the screen isn’t as bright or responsive as the ones on the Galaxy and Apple Watch.
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Best smartwatches and best fitness trackers of 2020
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