Recently, smartwatches have become very popular and have ground from simple timekeepers to being multifunctional devices which are both stylish and technologically more advanced. They offer numerous attractive features to cater for different aspects of daily life, and while some might still find them unnecessary, it is undeniable that they are almost indispensable to a significant number of persons. Smartwatches aim to provide unmatched convenience right from your wrist whether you are simply watching your health or trying to connect to the world. They serve as fitness trackers, communication hubs, and even personal assistants. 

When selecting the best smartwatches, several factors come into play. Key criteria include health and fitness tracking capabilities, battery life, compatibility with different smartphones, design and comfort, and additional features such as GPS, music storage, and mobile payment options. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top smartwatches available today, helping you find the perfect device to complement your lifestyle.

Criteria for Evaluation

When choosing the best smartwatch, several key factors should be considered to ensure you find the perfect device that meets your needs and preferences. Here are the primary criteria for evaluating smartwatches:

Design and Build Quality: The aesthetics and materials used in the construction of a smartwatch play a crucial role in its overall appeal and durability. Look for a design that suits your style, whether it’s sporty, elegant, or casual. High-quality materials like stainless steel, titanium, and durable plastics contribute to a long-lasting and comfortable wear.

Display: A smartwatch’s display is a central feature, affecting readability and user experience. Consider screen size, resolution, and visibility in various lighting conditions. An AMOLED or Retina display typically offers vibrant colours and sharp text, ensuring the watch face and notifications are easily readable in both bright sunlight and dimly lit environments.

Battery Life: The duration a smartwatch can operate on a single charge is essential for convenience. Battery life can range from a single day to several weeks, depending on the device and its features. Additionally, consider the charging time and whether the watch supports fast charging or wireless charging for added convenience.

Health and Fitness Features: For many users, health and fitness tracking is a primary reason for owning a smartwatch. Look for features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, step counting, and various exercise modes. Advanced options may include ECG monitoring, blood oxygen level measurement, and guided breathing exercises.

Software and Compatibility: The operating system and app ecosystem of a smartwatch significantly impact its functionality and compatibility with your smartphone. Ensure the smartwatch is compatible with your device, whether it’s iOS or Android. A robust app store with a wide range of applications enhances the watch’s versatility and utility.

Additional Features: Beyond basic functionalities, smartwatches can offer a range of additional features. Built-in GPS is useful for tracking outdoor activities, while music storage allows you to listen to your favourite tunes on the go. Notifications for calls, messages, and apps keep you connected, and mobile payment capabilities like NFC add a layer of convenience for daily transactions.

Price and Value: Finally, consider the cost of the smartwatch relative to the features it offers. High-end smartwatches come with a premium price tag but often include advanced functionalities and superior build quality. Evaluate whether the price aligns with your budget and the value you expect from the device.

Top Smartwatches to Buy

Apple Watch Series 9

The Apple Watch Series 9 continues Apple’s tradition of blending sleek design with cutting-edge technology. It features a refined, minimalist look with a variety of case materials including aluminium, stainless steel, and titanium. The always-on Retina display is brighter than ever, ensuring clear visibility in all lighting conditions. The watch is available in various sizes and finishes, allowing users to choose a model that best suits their style.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is packed with comprehensive health and fitness tracking features. It includes advanced sensors for heart rate monitoring, an ECG app to detect irregular heart rhythms, and a blood oxygen monitor to gauge oxygen saturation levels. The watch also offers sleep tracking, which provides insights into your sleep patterns, and supports numerous workout types, from running and cycling to yoga and swimming. Additionally, the new mindfulness app helps users manage stress through guided breathing exercises.

One of the standout features of the Apple Watch Series 9 is its seamless integration with iOS. This connectivity allows for smooth synchronisation with your iPhone, enabling features like message notifications, call answering, and app interactions directly from your wrist. The watch supports Siri for voice commands and offers unique functionalities such as the ability to unlock your Mac, use Apple Pay, and control smart home devices through the Home app. The Series 9 also introduces a temperature sensor for better cycle tracking and family setup, which lets you manage multiple Apple Watches from a single iPhone.

The Apple Watch Series 9 boasts an all-day battery life, providing up to 18 hours of usage on a single charge. This includes regular use of health tracking features, notifications, and occasional workouts. The watch also supports fast charging, allowing you to get a significant power boost in a short amount of time, making it convenient for users with busy schedules.

The Apple Watch Series 9 is available in a range of models to fit different budgets and preferences. Prices start at around $399 for the aluminium case model, with higher prices for stainless steel and titanium options, most of which can be found on Amazon. There are also various bands and accessories available for customization, allowing users to tailor their watch to their personal style. The availability of cellular models adds another layer of functionality, enabling phone-free connectivity for calls and messages.

Pros:

• Brighter, more powerful screen
• Useful new double-tap gestures
• Upgraded S9 chip
• Eco-friendly materials
• Ultra Wideband support

Cons:

• Same 18-hour battery life
• Identical design and sizes
• watchOS 10 covers most bases on older watches

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 boasts a sleek and modern design, combining form and function seamlessly. It features a circular AMOLED display with a slim bezel, providing an elegant look that’s also highly practical. The watch is available in various materials, including stainless steel and aluminium, offering durability and a premium feel. The customizable watch faces and interchangeable bands allow users to personalise their device to match their style and needs, whether it’s for a workout or a business meeting.

The Galaxy Watch 6 is packed with impressive features and top-of-the-line specifications. It runs on Samsung’s latest One UI Watch, providing a smooth and intuitive user experience. The watch is powered by an advanced processor, ensuring quick responses and seamless multitasking. It includes 16GB of internal storage, allowing users to store music, apps, and more. The Galaxy Watch 6 also features an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, making it suitable for various environments and activities.

Health and fitness tracking are at the core of the Galaxy Watch 6’s functionality. It offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities, including heart rate tracking, ECG readings, and blood oxygen level measurements. The watch supports advanced sleep tracking, providing detailed insights into sleep stages and quality. For fitness enthusiasts, it includes a wide range of workout modes, from running and cycling to more specialised activities like HIIT and yoga. The Galaxy Watch 6 also features body composition analysis, giving users detailed metrics on body fat percentage, muscle mass, and more, helping them track their fitness progress more accurately.

The Galaxy Watch 6 is designed to work seamlessly with Android devices, especially those within the Samsung ecosystem. It provides deep integration with Samsung smartphones, allowing for features like answering calls, responding to messages, and accessing apps directly from the watch. The watch supports Google Assistant and Samsung’s Bixby, giving users flexibility in voice assistant preferences. It also works with a wide range of third-party apps available on the Google Play Store, enhancing its functionality and versatility.

Battery life is a significant consideration for any smartwatch, and the Galaxy Watch 6 delivers solid performance in this area. It offers up to two days of usage on a single charge, depending on usage patterns and settings. The watch also supports fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge and get back to their activities. In terms of cost, the Galaxy Watch 6 is competitively priced, with models starting at around $299 and can be purchased here. The price varies based on the chosen materials and features, but it generally provides excellent value for the features and performance it offers.

Pros:

• Sleek design and comfortable to wear
• Bright AMOLED display
• Reliable performance
• Improved wellness and sleep metrics
• High-heart-rate alerts and fall detection

Cons:

• Battery life could be better
• Limited fitness data sharing to Google Fit

Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro

The Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro stands out with its elegant design and premium build quality. It features a refined look with a choice of materials, including a titanium or ceramic case and sapphire crystal glass, ensuring durability and a luxurious feel. The watch is available in different sizes and styles, catering to both sporty and formal occasions. Its high-resolution AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and sharp details, making it easy to read notifications and track fitness metrics at a glance.

The Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro is equipped with an array of health and fitness tracking features designed to help users maintain a healthy lifestyle. Much like the Galaxy Watch 6, it includes continuous heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement, and advanced sleep tracking that provides insights into sleep quality and patterns. And also supports over 100 workout modes, ranging from running and cycling to swimming and yoga. Additionally, it offers professional-grade ECG monitoring and arterial stiffness detection, providing users with comprehensive health data to make informed decisions about their wellbeing.

One of the standout features of the Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro is its impressive battery life. Depending on usage, the watch can last up to 14 days on a single charge, making it one of the longest-lasting smartwatches on the market. This extended battery life ensures that users can rely on the watch for continuous health and fitness tracking without the need for frequent recharging. The watch also supports wireless charging, adding convenience to its robust performance.

The Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro offers broad compatibility, working seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices. This cross-platform functionality allows users to enjoy the watch’s features regardless of their smartphone preference. Through the Huawei Health app, users can sync their data, receive notifications, and manage settings. While some features may be optimized for Huawei smartphones, the overall experience remains consistent and reliable across different operating systems.

The Huawei Watch GT 3 Pro is positioned as a premium smartwatch, with prices starting around $299 (click here to buy). This price reflects its high-end materials, advanced health tracking capabilities, and exceptional battery life. The watch offers a comprehensive suite of features, including GPS for precise location tracking, NFC for contactless payments, and built-in music storage. These features, combined with its elegant design, make it a compelling choice for those seeking a sophisticated and functional smartwatch.

Pros:

• Premium design and build quality
• Responsive interface
• Compatible with iOS and Android
• Excellent fitness and wellness features

Cons:

• Wallet app still needs improvement
• Limited third-party app support

Other Smartwatches to Consider

Amazfit Bip U Pro (Best Budget Buy)

The watch is available in two flavours: Titanium and Ceramic. The Titanium version features a matte, blasted metal finish, while the Ceramic variant is polished white. The 1.43-inch LCD colour display is bright and clearly readable even on sunny days. The Bip U Pro retains the core experience of its predecessor, the Bip U. It offers reliable fitness and health tracking features, including heart rate, SpO2, sleep, and breathing monitoring. The inclusion of built-in GPS sets it apart from other budget wearables, providing accurate outdoor tracking. Amazon Alexa integration is also available, but its usefulness is limited, however, notification mirroring, music control, and camera shutter functions enhance the overall experience.

Pros:

• Built-in GPS for outdoor tracking
• Precise sleep tracking
• Excellent value for money

Cons:

• App sync issues
• Notification management
• Alexa isn’t very useful

TAG Heuer Connected (Best Luxury Buy)

The TAG Heuer Connected boasts an unmistakable case design, reflecting the brand’s luxury heritage. The watch is available in stainless steel, titanium, and ceramic variants. The 45mm size ensures a bold presence on the wrist. Powered by Wear OS, the watch delivers zippy performance. It’s open to future updates, including Wear OS 3.0. And its well-designed software enhances the overall experience. It also boosts enhanced fitness features, including heart rate monitoring and GPS and is suitable for active lifestyles and sports enthusiasts.

Pros:

• Luxury construction and unmistakable TAG Heuer design. 
• Comfortable to wear.
• Advanced sports tracking.
• Well-designed TAG Heuer apps.

Cons:

• Battery life could be better.
• Limited wellness features.
• Only one size option (45mm).

Conclusion

Smartwatches are helping us stay connected, track our health, and enhance our productivity, and each watch discussed offers unique strengths that cater to different needs and preferences. Ultimately, the best smartwatch for you depends on your specific requirements and ecosystem preferences. Whether you prioritise seamless connectivity, advanced health tracking, or a blend of both with a touch of luxury, these smartwatches provide impressive capabilities that can enhance your everyday life. As technology continues to advance, these devices will undoubtedly play an even more significant role in our daily routines, making the decision to invest in a quality smartwatch a worthwhile consideration.