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Whether you need a smartwatch for monitoring your heart health, tracking your activity while exploring nature, or keeping a library of handy apps a tap away, there are so many genuinely impressive options available in 2024 that it may be difficult to select the best model for your needs.
Prospective buyers should take note of a smartwatch’s operating system (OS) to ensure that it will effortlessly work with the devices you already own. Other important factors to consider are its price, available apps, and durability when comparing brands and models. This will help you narrow down the field of best smartwatches, but don’t forget to match your new high-tech timepiece to your unique style!
Apple continues to innovate and impress with each iteration of the Apple Watch, and the Series 9 is no exception. The Series 9’s brilliantly bright display is easy to read in direct sunlight, and its premium ECG sensor, blood oxygen monitoring, and heart rate monitoring features are worth the baseline $399 investment for those of us who need precise records of their health stats. Sporting a water resistance of 50 meters and crack-resistant display, as well as eight tasteful case finishes and endless band combinations (including some carbon neutral options,) Apple Watch Series 9 smartwatches are as rugged as they are fashionable, making these adaptable, environmentally friendly, and stylish wearables a must-have for dedicated Apple fans.
Versatile, comfortable, and stylish, the Apple Watch SE provides the wrist-bound connectivity options that the average iPhone user needs for far less than Apple’s expensive flagship models. The SE pairs perfectly with iPhones and utilizes an impressive array of fitness, music, productivity, payment, and other key apps, making this smartwatch an excellent fit for everything from jogging on the beach to a long day in the office, and everything in between. Some of its other standout features include a heart rate monitor, a durable swim-resistant frame, and a myriad of ways to customize its layout, face, and bands. With its health and fitness tracking tech, sharp screen resolution, safety features like crash detection and fall detection, and a $249 entry point, the Apple Watch SE is easily the best companion smartwatch for most iPhone owners.
I liked Google’s first smartwatch when it was released in 2022, and the Google Pixel Watch 2 continues to impress with its new sensors for advanced heart and health monitoring, speedier performance, and lightweight aluminum frame. This smartwatch seamlessly connects to a suite of Google apps and other Pixel devices, but the Google Pixel Watch 2 includes its share of all-new and upgraded features as well, such as its stress monitoring sensor and companion stress-managing app, comprehensive fitness and activity tracking, as well as an improved battery life over the original model.
Although Garmin’s Instinct 2 Solar Surf Edition should be on the radar of anyone who spends a considerable amount of time in the great outdoors, due to its exceptionally rugged design and precise GPS tracking across land and sea, the ability to get unlimited battery life via solar charging is a game-changer. Whether you’re shopping for a smartwatch to monitor your health while surfing, hiking, climbing, or windsurfing, you’ll never have to worry about recharging this innovative device as long as you spend a lot of time outside. Sure, this smartwatch and its unlimited battery is priced at $399.99, but accessing up-to-the-second surf data, a huge collection of workout trackers, and heart rate monitoring on your wrist is worth the investment for dedicated fitness enthusiasts.
Not only does Samsung make some of the best wireless earbuds and smartphones out there, their Galaxy Watch6 Classic is impressively adept at keeping close tabs on your health as you go about your day. Some of its best health-focused features include a skin temperature sensor that’s surprisingly helpful at noticing when something is “off” with your body, as well as a comprehensive ECG, blood pressure, and blood oxygen level measuring health app. With the ability to track over 90 unique exercises while keeping tabs on your overall sleep quality, the Galaxy6 Classic is no slouch when it comes to tracking your fitness levels, too.
Withings flawlessly merged the beauty of a premium analog watch with the high-tech health tracking sensors of an advanced smartwatch with the ScanWatch Nova, making it a top pick for anyone who appreciates the best of both worlds. Available in eye-catching green, blue, and black watch faces, the ScanWatch Nova sports swappable bands, a rugged stainless steel case, and anti-glare sapphire glass, as well as a user-friendly interface for accessing smart features such as body temperature, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and more.
The Apple Watch Ultra is hands-down the must-own Apple Watch for Apple fans who won’t settle for anything less than the best of the best. Although Apple’s best smartwatch starts at $799, buyers can rest easy knowing that their Ultra’s incredibly rugged titanium shell will easily endure the worst bumps and drops your daily life will put it through. In addition to its unmatched durability, the Ultra sports the biggest and brightest display to date, a maximum battery life of 60 hours, and a unique Action button that’s easily customized to perform a huge array of actions with a single press. With its pixel-perfect compass, extreme temperature resistance, and range of specialized bands for diving, hiking, and mountain climbing, the Ultra is without a doubt the best Apple Watch for exploring nature.
The Fitbit brand has become synonymous with high-end, yet accessible fitness trackers, and the Fitbit Sense 2 continues that trend with its heart rate tracking sensor, array of dedicated exercise modes, water resistant design, and range of health-monitoring tech. Not only does the Sense 2 excel at keeping tabs on your breathing, heart rate, sleep schedule, and other vital health stats, it presents your data in an easily digestible way that makes it a snap to track and manage over time. While it’s easily the nicest fitness-focused wearable of 2024, I appreciate its other smartwatch functions, such as Google Wallet integration, Alexa voice controls, GPS with Google Maps, and the handy ability to take calls via Bluetooth.
If you’re searching for a stylish smartwatch to match every outfit in your wardrobe, Fossil’s Gen 6 Smartwatches should be on your radar. It is no surprise that Fossil would develop a range of tastefully designed smartwatches, but the advanced tech specs–the ability to charge up to 80% of its battery in half an hour, swimproof durability, and a blazing-fast processor–prove that these devices are far more than a pretty face. This classy Google-powered smartwatch is a chic option for Android fans who need high-end heart, health, and sleep tracking wrapped up in a slick package.
If you’re in the market for a rock-solid smartwatch that won’t break the bank, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch4 is a budget-friendly option for fitness tracking, keeping your favorite Google apps on your wrist, and anyone who appreciates a sleek and lightweight design. With its bright and colorful display, the convenience of having your health and fitness data automatically monitored and logged, and a sizable and growing library of apps, makes this a value-packed smartwatch considering its relatively low price tag.
Although the Apple Watch SE is an attractive pick for those of us seeking an affordable way to instantly connect with the most important seniors in our lives, the SE has a lot to offer seniors beyond its budget-friendly price of $249. The SE sports an extremely bright display that the vision-impaired will appreciate, a rugged and swimproof design, and is able to take and receive crystal-clear calls and texts. The Apple Watch SE is also the best option for watching over a senior’s day-to-day wellness, as this smartwatch features active heart rate monitoring, an emergency SOS feature that activates after a sharp, sudden fall, as well as continuous activity and fitness tracking.
With 11 days of battery life, a bright display, and reliable GPS tracking, Garmin’s fēnix 7S is the most stylish outdoor smartwatch of 2024. Active wearers will enjoy this model’s collection of specialized fitness tracking modes, which range from daily workouts and bodybuilding to surfing and skiing. Between its collection of 42,000 golf course maps, pulse oxygen sensor, variety of music apps, and extreme durability, the Garmin fēnix 7S feels like it was made to handle anything you throw at it.
Garmin understands that modern sporty smartwatches don’t match everyone’s personal style. That’s why the Lily and its slim band and featherweight frame is a clear standout alternative for health-conscious people who appreciate a more slender and chic aesthetic. The Lily’s selection of precise health tracking apps will keep tabs on your heart rate, manage your stress, monitor your breathing, energy, blood oxygen level, and beyond, making it the best smartwatch for people who need a reliable health tracking device without extras they may not need, such as voice controls or multiple exercise apps.
Although kids are capable of using the average smartwatch, the TickTalk4 was specifically made to cater to children and their parents. Some of this durable model’s key features include a steadfast rule of parental approval for new contacts added to the smartwatch, GPS tracking, user-friendly voice and video chatting, as well as the ability to send reminders, and remotely lock the smartwatch down as needed via “Do Not Disturb Mode.” While parents will appreciate its safety and communication features, kids will love the TickTalk4’s iHeartRadio Family music app, dual cameras, fitness tracking, and text messaging with approved friends and family.
The comprehensive heart monitor for keeping track of your resting heart rate, blood oxygen level, ECG app for keeping tabs on heart rhythm, and more is worth the reasonable price of entry alone, but the Fitbit Charge 6’s week-long battery life, more than 40 dedicated exercise tracking modes, and limited smartwatch functionality makes it the best Fitbit of the year. What sets the Fitbit Charge 6 apart from other Fitbits is its integrated Google Wallet app for instant purchases, Google Maps for instant directions, and YouTube Music so you don’t have to rely on your smartphone for workout tunes. In addition to its sizable collection of health and fitness tracking functionality, this edition stands out for its crisp color display, slim design, and comfortable fit, and tappable side button for smoother and more intuitive menu navigation.
Although there are plenty of health and fitness-focused smartwatches out there, the Garmin Forerunner 265 finds a useful niche as the go-to smartwatch for runners due to its array of specialized fitness training apps, precise GPS mapping for planning a new route mid-run, and attractive, colorful, and bright AMOLED display that makes it easy to read at a glance. Whether you’re training for an upcoming marathon or running for your health, this watch’s detailed daily health reports (blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, sleep, stress, etc.) customized workout plans to support your fitness level, and convenient on-wrist features like Spotify, Garmin Pay, and phone notifications will make you want to wear it before, during, and long after you’ve stopped training for the day.
Our exhaustive research of smartwatch manufacturers and each one’s range of models, extensive daily testing, and previous experience with wearable tech helped us to pick the best models on the market. Some of the most important factors we considered to identify the best smartwatches available include:
Whether you aren’t sure what sort of smartwatch you may need, or are having a difficult time choosing between a handful of attractive options, here are the most important points to consider to pick the best smartwatch for you:
Whether you need to track your fitness activity to the last calorie burned, a collection of high-tech productivity tools that are always within arm’s reach, or an advanced health monitoring device, it’s vital to compare each smartwatch’s list of key features to ensure that it will best suit your daily life.
If you’re considering a smartwatch to wear for trips to and from the office, the average wearable will likely be more than durable to survive your commute. However, adventurers, fitness enthusiasts, and athletes will need a much more durable smartwatch designed to shrug off impacts, moisture, dust, and extreme temperatures.
There are countless fitness, productivity, entertainment, and other handy apps designed for the on-wrist convenience of a smartwatch. If you absolutely need to listen to Spotify, track your location via GPS mapping, or call a Lyft ride from your wearable device, it’s worth the research to find smartwatches that utilize your favorite apps.
Simply put, some smartwatches work with both Android and iOS smartphones, but others are compatible with only one or the other. Always be certain that the smartwatch you have your eye on is designed to connect with your smartphone before you buy.
Since it’s going to sit on your wrist all day, every day, do yourself a huge favor and choose a smartwatch that fits your unique sense of style. Some smartwatches are offered in multiple face colors and feature swappable bands, so you can wear a sweatproof athletic band at the gym and a stylish metal band when you hit the town afterward.
We utilized comprehensive research and hands-on testing to determine the 13 best smartwatches you can buy in 2024:
There are many reasons to invest in a smartwatch, such as monitoring your core health stats, keeping tabs on your training regimen, and instantly accessing many of your favorite mobile apps without pulling out your smartphone.
With that said, the best smartwatches of 2024 outperform their competitors by offering advanced features that make them worthwhile on their own merits. ECG sensors will keep close tabs on your heart activity and other health metrics, you get access to advanced maps and tracking, and NFC (near-field communication) technology makes contactless payments frictionless. On top of it all, the best smartwatches of 2024 are incredibly durable and beautiful personal accessories.
Someone monitoring a heart condition will appreciate a quality smartwatch with a suite of health features, but anyone interested in their personal fitness will appreciate following their day to day progress to see what’s working for their exercise or training routine and what isn’t.
Note that most smartwatches are designed to pair with a companion smartphone, and while the functionality of both devices may overlap, an iPhone or Android phone simply will never be able to deliver the beneficial health stats or near-instant smart assistant convenience that the best smartwatches on the market provide.
While most smartwatches may seem to have similar base features, such as sleep tracking, phone notifications, and some of your favorite apps, it’s worth taking the time to find the best smartwatch for you and your needs.
The best place to begin comparing smartwatches is by looking at your smartwatch. Some devices are designed to pair exclusively with an iPhone or Android phone, and others will effortlessly connect to either platform. This is a quick and easy method for whittling down your list of potential purchases.
What does your average day look like? Your current (or aspirational) lifestyle is another important factor to consider when shopping for a smartwatch, as some prefer a lightweight wearable for answering calls in the office, while others need a bulkier smartwatch to easily survive their adventures in the great outdoors.
Some universal concerns to keep in mind include battery life, comfort, and customizability. No one wants a smartwatch that runs out of battery before the end of your work day, or one that doesn’t let you swap out the included band for a more stylish option. Remember, it isn’t necessarily about finding the best smartwatch of them all, but the best smartwatch to suit your daily life.
A hybrid smartwatch fuses traditional timepiece style with the advanced sensors and technology found in a smartwatch. Some people prefer a hybrid watch because they appreciate the classic appearance of mechanical hands moving across the watch face, an analog dial, and the added perk of not needing to charge it as often as the average smartwatch.
The best hybrid watches available are the Withings ScanWatch Nova, for its comprehensive heart monitoring features and slick combination of mechanical and stylish design, and the Fossil Machine Gen 6 , for its long battery life and quality fitness and wellness tracking app.
Apple fans have two top choices to choose from: The Apple Watch Series 9 is loaded with impressive heart, activity, and fitness monitoring technology, and is Apple’s most durable, versatile, and visually impressive smartwatch to date.
However, the Apple Watch Series 3 is a far more affordable option, which despite being an older smartwatch, is just as useful for keeping a capable smart assistant, reliable sleep, and heart health tracking, and your favorite apps on your wrist.
There are plenty of attractive smartwatches available for anyone who prefers an Android device in 2024, such as the inexpensive Samsung Galaxy Watch5 and stylish Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch.
When it comes to smartwatches that were specifically designed for camping, boating, snowboarding, and hiking, Garmin’s extremely rugged Instinct 2S Solar and versatile fēnix 7S smartwatches are easily 2024’s best picks.
The Instinct 2S Solar is especially attractive to cyclists, climbers, golfers, and anyone else who regularly enjoys outdoor activities, as this incredibly durable smartwatch has up to 51 days of battery life, thanks to the way it constantly replenishes its energy via an innovative solar charging lens.
There are many standout smartwatches available for gathering and closely maintaining your heart, sleep, and overall health. Some of the best include the Apple Watch Series 9, Withings ScanWatch Nova, and Fitbit Sense 2.
Both the Series 9 and Scanwatch include an ECG sensor that takes an electrocardiogram to check your heart’s rhythm, rate, and electrical activity, followed by a series of easy-to-read stats detailing the wearer’s current heart health. This incredible feature is well worth the investment for someone managing high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease.
If you need a smartwatch that accurately monitors your activity as you swim, lift weights, or get your daily steps in, the comprehensive fitness tracking capabilities of the Garmin fēnix 7S, Garmin Instinct 2S Solar, and Fitbit Sense 2 makes them the top smartwatches for exercise in 2024.
Between its user-friendly design, secure video and audio calls, adorable colors, and GPS tracking, the TickTalk4 is easily 2024’s best smartwatch for kids.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 sports quality sleep, heart monitoring, and activity tracking, a suite of Google apps, and plenty of attractive designs for just $329, but the $229.99 Fossil Gen 6 Smartwatch and $159.95 Fitbit Charge 6 are also excellent, and even more affordable smartwatches.
Although there is no definitive “best” smartwatch brand, Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit, and Google are the most innovative, popular, and highest rated smartwatch developers on the market. Although these five tech giants are known for their premium smartwatches, there are still excellent models offered by lesser-known brands as well.
Yes, but only certain smartwatches have a texting feature. Some of 2024’s best smartwatches that allow their wearers to send and receive texts include the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic, Apple Watch Series 9, and Google Pixel Watch.
Yes, but this feature is limited to specific smartphones. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic can be used to monitor your blood pressure levels, however this can only be done if you pair it with a Samsung smartphone and the official Samsung Health Monitor App.
Maybe–only specific models are able to connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth, and even then, you may not have access to the Samsung Watch’s entire list of features.
Some of the Samsung Galaxy watches that are compatible with iPhones include the Galaxy Watch3, Galaxy Fit, and Gear Sport, however most modern Galaxy watches, such as the Galaxy6 Classic and Galaxy Watch5 Pro, are incompatible with devices running iOS.
Tech companies continue to incorporate eye-catching innovations with each new generation of smartwatches, and 2’s lineup is no different. Some of the standouts include:
Apple Watch Series 9, SE, and Ultra wearers can allow their smartwatch to automatically contact emergency services if the device detects what it believes to be a severe car crash.
Sometimes bigger is better, and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch6 Classic smartwatch sports a huge display that makes it easier to see at a glance, while making navigating its apps a snap without needing to pull out your glasses.
Brands such as Fitbit and Apple are starting to incorporate skin temperature sensors into their latest smartwatches to help wearers monitor their overall health. For example, a temperature sensor may help you identify symptoms of an illness far earlier than you normally would have.
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