Smartwatches are already replacing traditional wristwatches, and the demand is quite strong, but if you want the best smartwatch, you’re searching for a true maid of all work. You need a watch that will monitor your health, track your exercise attempts, last a long time when charged, include helpful features like flashlights and timers, and, maybe most significantly, be fairly priced.
Aside from that, if you own an iPhone, you immediately think of the Apple Watch — but it’s 2021, and there are three versions to choose from: Series 3, SE, and Series 6. Perhaps Fitbit’s Sense or Versa, which combine advanced health features with communication ease, piques your interest. And, if you’re an Android user, is the new Wear OS on the Samsung Galaxy Watch worth a look?
We’ve evaluated all of the top smartwatches on the market, including products from the major brands as well as up-and-comers and smaller names, allowing us to definitely rate them so you know which to consider.
We’ve tried it all, from high-end Apple Watches and Fitbits to Garmin watches and Tizen-powered Samsung watches. There’s also Wear OS, Google’s own wearable operating system similar to Apple’s watchOS, and, spoiler alert, you’ll find it in a number of these devices – including the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, which is a new arrival.
If you’re searching for the best smartwatch, it’s also worth considering the best phone for you, since there is often additional functionality based on the handset you have, though some smartwatches don’t even require a phone to connect to.
It should be noted that certain smartwatches are only compatible with specific phones. You won’t be able to use an Apple Watch with one of the top Android phones, for example.
When we examine each of the best smartwatches, we take into account, the design, feature set, battery life, performance, fitness smarts, pricing, and more, so you can be sure we’ve thought of everything.
The best smartwatches available on the market now
1. Apple Watch SE
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
3. Apple Watch 6
4. Fitbit Versa 3
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
6. Fitbit Versa Lite
7. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
8. Honor Magic Watch 2
9. TicWatch Pro 3
10. Apple Watch 3
1. Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is the best smartwatch money can buy, but it’s solely for iPhone owners. If you have an Android phone, scroll down to see our second pick on the list.
If you own an iPhone, you might be wondering why the Apple Watch 6 isn’t the best wristwatch we’ve ever mentioned. That’s because the Apple Watch SE offers nearly all of the features of a smartwatch at a considerably cheaper cost.
The Apple Watch SE has high-end technology, a high-end design, and a wide variety of functions that aren’t currently available on any other wristwatch.
Although the battery life isn’t the best on the market and there isn’t an always-on display, the Apple Watch SE is an excellent value for money option for your next wrist companion.
Apple Watch SE Key Features
- OS: watchOS 7
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.78″ OLED
- Processor: Apple S5
- Band sizes: Varies based on watch size
- Onboard storage: 32GB
- Battery: 18 hours
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is a wearable that has generated a lot of buzz. Samsung is returning to Wear OS after using Tizen in recent models. But this isn’t your typical Wear OS – it’s a brand-new version of the operating system developed in collaboration with Samsung and with a Tizen-like overlay on top.
That means you get the best of both worlds, with Wear OS’s functionality and applications combined with Tizen’s appearance and feel.
This is a wonderful smartwatch, especially for people interested in tracking their health and fitness, because it has outstanding performance, a comfortable fit, a lightweight design, and fascinating new body composition measuring features.
However, because some of its capabilities require a Samsung phone and there is no compatibility for iPhones, we can’t recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 to everyone. If you already possess a recent Galaxy Watch, it’s also debatable whether it’s worth upgrading to.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Key Features
- OS: Wear OS
- Compatibility: Android
- Display: 1.2″ 396 x 396 / 1.4″ 450 x 450 Super AMOLED
- Processor: Dual-core 1.18GHz
- Onboard storage: 16GB
- Battery duration: 3 days on 44mm / less on 40mm
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE (for extra)
Today’s Best Deals for Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 – $279.99 — View at Amazon
3. Apple Watch 6
The Apple Watch 6 isn’t on top smartwatch of our list, but it is the absolute best device you can get if you own an iPhone. Why isn’t it closer to the top than the Apple Watch SE? Because it is far more expensive than that one.
The Apple Watch 6 is certainly worth considering if you expect to remain with Apple’s phones for at least a few years.
However, it isn’t a significant advance over the Apple Watch 5. There are some new features, such as blood oxygen monitoring and a faster processor, but it’s essentially the same device with the same screen and design.
All of that said, if you’re looking for an Apple Watch, this is the best one so far, and it may have been designed just for you to wear on your wrist and sync with your iPhone.
Apple Watch 6 Key Features
- OS: watchOS 7
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.78″ OLED
- Processor: Apple S6
- Band sizes: Varies based on watch size
- Onboard storage: 32GB
- Battery: 18 hours
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
Today’s Best Deals for Apple Watch 6 – $379.99 — View at Amazon
4. Fitbit Versa 3
Don’t like anything from Samsung or Apple? Fitbit Versa 3 is one of the best wrist companions for people who want to focus on fitness features, and this newest smartwatch from the firm is one of the best wrist companions for those who want to focus on fitness features.
There’s GPS integrated in, the design is comfortable to wear, and the display is clear and easy to read. This, like previous Fitbit smartwatches, is primarily designed for exercise and will not appeal to everyone.
The Fitbit Versa 3 is a wonderful option for general wearable enthusiasts, and it’s also more inexpensive than some of the other alternatives on this list.
Fitbit Versa 3 Key Features
- OS: Fitbit OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.58″ AMOLED
- Onboard storage: N/A
- Battery duration: Up to 6 days
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: Water-resistant
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC
Today’s Best Deals for Fitbit Versa 3 – $229.00 — View at Amazon
5. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 3 is one of the best smartwatches for Android users. It does, however, function with an iPhone. It’s a follow-up to the Galaxy Watch from 2018, and it retains many of the same design aspects while improving on them.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 has a rotating bezel that makes navigating the wristwatch a breeze. We found this far more convenient than attempting to utilize the display, which is required on many of the other top smartwatches on this list.
The watch’s app availability is restricted compared to Wear OS and watchOS, two competing smartwatch operating systems, but it still provides the essentials, and Samsung has created a watch that is ideal for fitness as well as having a stunning design and a lot more functionality.
If you’re using this with an iPhone, the features are more limited, but it’s still compatible. However, we’d recommend considering an Apple Watch though if that’s your phone of choice. Overall, if you’re looking for a smartwatch that can track your fitness, look beautiful on your wrist, and do a lot more, the Galaxy Watch 3 is the whole deal.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Key Features
- OS: Tizen OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2″ or 1.4″ 360 x 360 Super AMOLED
- Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz
- Band sizes: 22mm or 20mm
- Onboard storage: 8GB
- Battery duration: 3 days on 45mm / less on 41mm
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE (for extra)
Today’s Best Deals for Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 – $279.99 — View at Amazon
6. Fitbit Versa Lite
The Fitbit Versa Lite is the second best Fitbit on our list, a less expensive version of the Fitbit Versa with fewer features.
The Versa Lite offers a good variety of fitness functions, a battery that will last you a few days (and outlast many of the other devices on our list), and a compact and light design that will easily fit on your wrist without you realizing it.
Fitbit Pay, onboard GPS, and a somewhat less stunning screen are just a few of the things the Versa Lite lacks over the Versa or the Versa 2 and 3. If you’re searching for a decent smartwatch on a budget, though, some of these exclusions may not concern you.
Fitbit Versa Lite Key Features
- OS: Fitbit OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 300 x 300 LCD
- Onboard storage: N/A
- Battery duration: Up to 4 days
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: Water resistance to 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Today’s Best Deals for Fitbit Versa Lite – $169.99 — View at Amazon
Also Read: 15 Best GPS Smartwatches For Kids
7. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Samsung compressed the best features of the Galaxy Watch into this sporty smartwatch that’s smaller, lighter, and, perhaps, more comfortable – then introduced a second version months later that included a spinning digital bezel and an LTE variant.
Overall, not much has changed, which isn’t necessarily a negative thing because it’s still a good smartwatch at a reasonable price. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 has a 1.2-inch 360 x 360 display that is bright and attractive while being smaller than many of the other products on our list.
It still has all of the high-end fitness capabilities you’d expect from a Samsung Tizen watch, like 39 workout modes, a heart rate and ECG sensor, and a health app with stress and sleep tracking. There’s even a means to keep track of your blood pressure, though it won’t be available for a while.
While it’s still less expensive than the most popular Apple Watch, it’s now more expensive than the original Watch Active, reducing its value in comparison to the competition. It’s not a cheap smartwatch, but when compared to the Galaxy Watch 3, you could want to go with this version, which is surprisingly comparable.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Key Features
- OS: Tizen OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2″ 360 x 360 Super AMOLED
- Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz
- Band sizes: 20mm
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: Around 2 days
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Today’s Best Deals for Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 – $149.44 — View at Amazon
8. Honor Magic Watch 2
If you enjoy working out but don’t believe a dedicated sports watch is suitable for you, the Honor Magic Watch 2 might be the smartwatch for you owing to its fitness capabilities.
The Honor Magic Watch 2 keeps track of a variety of sports and provides extensive data, as well as training guidance and feedback for specific activities. It’s ideal for those who want to become in better shape.
The watch also lasts a long time without needing to be charged, up to a week or two weeks depending on the model, and it has a stylish design.
Even if there are a few disadvantages with the watch, such as its lack of non-fitness features, the fact that its design may easily become dusty and require cleaning, and the fact that many of its fitness features aren’t available on iOS, we can still recommend it as an excellent smartwatch.
Honor Magic Watch 2 Key Features
- OS: LiteOS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2-inch / 1.39-inch 454 x 454 AMOLED
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: 7 days / 14 days
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: Water-resistant
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Today’s Best Deals for Honor Magic Watch 2 – $169.99 — View at Amazon
9. TicWatch Pro 3
This is one of the best Wear OS watches available, and it works with both iPhones and Android phones. It has a good battery life and easy functionality.
We found this wristwatch to be one of the most powerful on the list, since it features the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor with 1GB of RAM. Apps load rapidly, and we didn’t see any instances where you had to wait for things to start.
The smartwatch’s battery life is where it really shines, with the firm claiming that it can survive for over a month in ‘Essential Mode.’ Do you want to keep your smartwatch’s functions operational? This smartwatch can still last three days on a single charge.
Furthermore, the pricing undercuts many other high-end smartwatches, making it a little less expensive than many of the other choices on our list.
TicWatch Pro 3 Key Features
- OS: Wear OS
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.4″ 454 x 454 OLED paired with LCD screen
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 4100
- Onboard storage: 8GB
- Battery duration: Up to 72h, 45 extra days in Essential mode
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC
Today’s Best Deals for TicWatch Pro 3 – $299.99 — View at Amazon
10. Apple Watch 3
Wait, you say, what does a three-year-old Apple Watch have to do with this list? The Apple Watch 3 isn’t the best piece of Wristwear the iPhone manufacturer has to offer, but it is the most affordable right now.
Apple continues to sell the Apple Watch 3, and the new pricing, which is the lowest it’s ever been, has prompted us to reintroduce the wearable to our top ten list, although at the very end.
When compared to the Apple Watch 6 above – or the Apple Watch 4 and Apple Watch 5 – the design is a bit out-of-date, but it’s still a lovely piece of Wristwear with a lot of the hardware you’d want.
It can also be upgraded to the current watchOS 7 software, making it an excellent addition to your Apple device collection. If you don’t have an iPhone, it’s not for you, but if you’re looking for a less expensive wristwatch, it may be ideal.
Apple Watch 3 Key Features
- OS: watchOS 7 (with update)
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.65″ OLED
- Processor: Apple S3
- Band sizes: Varies based on watch size
- Onboard storage: 16GB
- Battery: 1 to 2 days
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
Today’s Best Deals for Apple Watch 3 (Refurbished) – $189.99 — View at Amazon
