Smartwatches don't come cheap, so it's important to pick the right one. The best way to do that: Carefully consider why you're interested in a smartwatch in the first place. For example, are you looking for a watch that can monitor your sleep or help you train for your next race? Or do you only care about meeting your step goal and seeing notifications on your wrist? Most people likely fall somewhere in between.
The good news is that you can narrow down your options with just three questions. Do you use an iPhone or an Android device? How much are you willing to spend? And how do you plan to use it?
You'll also want to consider comfort, size and style. After all, a smartwatch isn't useful if you don't enjoy wearing it. Comfort is especially important if you're looking for a smartwatch to use as a sleep tracker.
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Early smartwatches were clunky, expensive and limited in functionality, but there are plenty of worthwhile options on the market today. The best modern smartwatches expertly balance quality design and health and fitness tracking alongside smart features that take some of the burden off your phone. They typically cost anywhere between $200 and $1,000 depending on your needs, but prices will always vary depending on the brand.
Answering this question will dictate which choices are available. Brands like Fitbit, Garmin, Withings, Fossil and Michael Kors make smartwatches that are compatible with both iPhones and Android phones. But some of our top picks are only compatible with one platform or the other.
The Apple Watch only works with the iPhone, while Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 and Google's Pixel Watch 2 are only compatible with Android devices. If you're considering the Galaxy Watch 6, know that the ECG feature is only supported on Samsung's Galaxy devices, unless you side load Samsung's Health Monitor app onto a non-Galaxy phone.
Smartwatches come in several different price brackets, and finding which one is right for you depends on your budget and what you want from a smartwatch.
Google's Pixel Watch.
Most mainstream smartwatches fall around the $300 to $400 range, although you may pay a higher price for extras like LTE connectivity or a fancier finish. These watches provide health monitoring tools, fitness tracking and the ability to replicate some of your phone's functionality. These are the right choice if you want a well-rounded experience, especially when it comes to health and wellness. The Apple Watch Series 9, Fitbit Sense 2, Google Pixel Watch 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 fall into this category.
Below are some examples of features you'll find on smartwatches in this price range.
Features will vary depending on the model, but that's the general package you can expect from watches at that price. Some watches have their own specific extras, too.
The $399 Apple Watch Series 9, for example, has car crash detection and an ultra wideband chip that should make it function better as an iPhone locator and a digital key for your car and home. Google's $350 Pixel Watch 2 and $300 Fitbit Sense 2 have sensors that can passively monitor for signs of stress, while Samsung's $270 Galaxy Watch 6 can measure body composition. Garmin's $349 Forerunner 255 has more of a fitness focus, with built-in programs for triathlon and duathlon training. Fitbit and Garmin's watches also typically excel in battery life over watches from Apple, Google and Samsung. The latter, however, offer a larger selection of third-party apps.
The second-gen Apple Watch SE.
You can also find smartwatches that cost around $250, give or take. These watches include many of the features mentioned above, but not all of them. If you mostly want to see notifications on your wrist, make mobile payments, track workouts and don't care much about deeper health insights, this type of watch is the right choice. Watches like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa 4 are examples of value-priced smartwatches.
While watches in this price range are usually the right choice for many people, it's important to remember what you're missing. The $249 second-gen Apple Watch SE, for example, lacks an always-on display, ECG, blood oxygen measurements and temperature sensor. But it has the same software, high- and low-heart-rate notifications, car crash detection, fall detection and selection of exercise modes as the Series 9.
The $230 Fitbit Versa 4 has many of Fitbit's most notable fitness features -- like active zone minutes, sleep tracking, built-in GPS and the daily readiness score (which requires a Premium subscription). You can also get phone notifications and access Amazon's Alexa on your wrist, and can access Google Maps and the Google Wallet. But you'll need the pricier $299 Fitbit Sense 2 to get Fitbit's more sophisticated health capabilities, like sensors that scan for potential signs of stress, ECG and a skin temperature sensor.
Garmin's $250 Venu Sq 2 offers a long battery life (an estimated 11 days) and many health and fitness features for the price (GPS, blood oxygen measurements and sleep tracking). But it doesn't have a speaker or microphone for taking calls, onboard music storage (unless you buy the $299 Music Edition) or access to Google Play Store apps.
It's hard to find new smartwatches that cost less than $200, although there are some options out there. If you want to pay less and don't necessarily care about using apps, you might want to consider a fitness tracker instead. (Fitbit also works with certain insurance companies to provide devices for members, so it's worth checking if your provider offers this benefit).
The Withings ScanWatch Horizon
Hybrid smartwatches are a cross between a smartwatch and a regular wristwatch. These types of watches usually resemble classic analog watches, and therefore lack some smart features you may find on devices like the latest Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch.
For example, hybrid watches usually have standard, round analog watch faces with hands for the hour and minute rather than color touchscreens. Don't expect to get a full-screen view of your incoming alerts; that's what a regular smartwatch is for. Hybrid watches are designed to be more discrete, so they typically include a small screen located on the watch face for showing notifications and fitness stats. Hybrid watches also usually offer significantly longer battery like compared to standard smartwatches, which is one of their biggest benefits.
Examples of hybrid watches include the Withings ScanWatch and ScanWatch Horizon, Garmin Vivomove lineup and Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid. These watches typically cost around the same price as regular smartwatches, meaning you can expect to pay around $150 to $500 depending on the model. A hybrid watch is best for those who prefer the look of classic watches and prioritize having long battery life over smart features like color touchscreens and full app stores.
The Garmin Epix Gen 2.
There's another major smartwatch category to consider: premium fitness-focused watches. These devices usually have everything you'd find in regular flagship smartwatches, but with more rugged designs and additional characteristics aimed at sports enthusiasts. If you're training for a marathon or work in remote environments that may require a more precise GPS signal, one of these watches may be for you.
You can expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 for these types of watches. Garmin's Epix Gen 2 and Fenix 7 Standard start at $800 and $650 respectively, and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is available for $799.
You may wonder what makes these watches better for fitness buffs than their cheaper counterparts. While the specifics will vary, expensive fitness watches tend to have better durability, longer battery life, more accurate location positioning, customizable buttons and extra features that target specific sports, like running, scuba diving or golf.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2, for example, has a 36-hour battery life compared to the Series 9's 18-hour battery life, water resistance of 100 meters compared to the Series 8's 50 meters, a depth gauge with a water temperature sensor, dual-frequency GPS, a titanium build, a larger screen and a programmable Action button.
Compared to the Forerunner 255, Garmin's Fenix and Epix watches also have increased water durability (100 meters versus 50 meters), lengthier battery life, dual grid mode for showing location coordinates in different formats, customizable hotkeys and an array of golf-oriented features. (The Forerunner 255 still has plenty of running-focused tools, like a race predictor to help with marathon training, since it's largely aimed at runners.)
The Fitbit Sense 2.
The best times to buy a smartwatch are generally around Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday and Cyber Monday, when the most discounts are available. For example, several Garmin devices were on sale during the July Prime Day, while Fitbit wearables just saw plenty of discounts during Amazon's second event in October. Smartwatches from Apple and Garmin were also on sale during Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2022.
If you're shopping at any other time during the year, the biggest factor you'll want to consider is when the new version of the smartwatch you're interested in might launch. Doing so ensures that you'll avoid paying a potentially high price for a device that may be outdated shortly. Plus, older models may go on sale once the new version launches.
Here's a look at when the major smartwatch makers tend to release new smartwatches based on previous launches.
The Fitbit Charge 5
If you want to spend less than $200 and don't care about features like LTE connectivity, virtual assistants or third-party apps, a fitness tracker could be the right choice.
Fitness trackers typically provide health metrics like sleep and activity tracking, heart rate, multiple exercise modes and blood oxygen saturation in a smaller (and less expensive) package, but skimp on some smart features like those mentioned above. Since fitness trackers usually have smaller screens, you also won't be able to see as much information at a glance as you would on a smartwatch.
But fitness bands do offer basic smartphone companion features, such as the ability to show call and text notifications and set timers and alarms. Another benefit is that you'll likely get longer battery life from a fitness band than a traditional smartwatch. Check out some of our favorite fitness trackers.
Still not sure where to start when buying a smartwatch? Check out CNET's guide to the best smartwatches for our top picks, which range from below $300 all the way up to $1,000. This year's top picks so far include the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, Google Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Garmin Epix 2 among others.
We test smartwatches by tracking workouts with them, wearing them overnight while sleeping, testing how well they automatically detect exercises, relying on them for notifications when away from our phones and running the battery down to see how long they last. We also take readings from the various health sensors and ascertain what they add to the overall experience. Our goal when testing smartwatches is to assess their overall value by evaluating which features they offer, how well these watches execute those functions and how the whole package compares to the competition.
Even though a lot of smartwatches from different brands are available in the market, most of the people think smartwatches are of no use or its just a waste of money. Actually, those who think so don't have a clear idea of what a smartwatch is all about and its capabilities.
The technology is getting advanced and we need to move with it. As smartwatches are becoming a trend, you need to know about the benefits of having it before setting up a mind about buying one.
So, read ahead and check out the key points that we are pretty sure about by the end of this article you will get a clear understanding of whether a smartwatch is right for your lifestyle and how it will help you to make your life more easier than ever before.
Let's have a look into some of the reasons why you should own a smartwatch that will make you love it over an ordinary one.
Almost all of us prefer to wear a watch. The purpose of wearing a watch is either for knowing the time or just for fashion. A good looking watch gives a great look. But, with the discovery of smartwatches, they are much more than just telling the time. They offer all the basic features that an ordinary watch gives and of sure more than that. We'll explain you about the rest in detail over the course of this article.
Most of the smartwatches, like Apple watch is able to provide you with different vibrations on your wrist that indicates you to take a left or right turn when following the directions while travelling. Most of the users, tend to look at their smartphones frequently to know the direction or you will be following the voice guide that informs you where to go. Instead of looking onto the route map, just take a new step with the advanced features of smartwatches.
You may have faced a situation of losing your phone or a key that made you completely frustrating. This kind of situations usually occurs when you are in a hurry that you can't be late for. In such cases, a smartwatch can really help you out. Most of the smartwatch holds a feature 'find phone' that you can connect your phone or any other device with the watch and is able to make a ring through your watch. If you lost your phone, just press a few buttons on your watch that makes you locate the phone within seconds.
The main feature of most of the smartwatches are fitness trackers. This fitness tracking system will help you to make sure that you are on track with your fitness goals. If you own a single smartwatch, it can replace other fitness trackers and pedometers. Moreover, these smartwatches can count the steps, calories, distance, pulse rate, heart rate, sleep and other needed metrics that you need. There are even waterproof models that are perfect for swimmers.
With your smartwatch, you no need to take out your phone from the pocket or bag. You can receive calls and reply to the messages you receive on the go. This is really beneficial for you in most of the cases like when you are exercising, in a meeting, etc. Some of the watches holds voice support, that you can even talk to it and make communication with someone else that your phone does. Always remember that a smartwatch won't replace a smartphone, but it is capable enough to perform some tasks instead of a phone that gives you a new experience.
We all use social media like Facebook, WhatsApp, SnapChat, Instagram, or any other. We frequently get notifications from any or all of these as we need to take our phone in hand and look at what it is. With smartwatches, you can simply get the notifications on your wrist that allow you to connect with the people on social media. This is really awesome! Upon selecting the smartwatch, be careful to opt a one that provides this function.
Smartwatches come with powerful batteries that last long. You can go for a trip with your smartwatch that keeps you connected throughout the trip even up to ten days on a single full charge. This is really a piece of good news that with the smartwatch, most of the things that you perform on your phone can be done with the smartwatch. Thereby you can get connected with your phone longer than usual that consumes less battery.
Everyone wish to have a new look each day. With smartwatches, you can change the face of your watch every day. In a party mode, you can set the face of your phone accordingly and if you are at the office, you can then set a professional one. The customization facility is really a surprising one.
You may be using an ordinary watch that just shows time and is not capable of providing any other entertainments. Smartwatch is fully loaded with entertainments with which you can watch videos and play music on the go. You can even watch live videos from YouTube in just one or two clicks. For quick moments, this will be enough even with its small screen.
Like your phone, smartwatches can provide you with a sense of security. The smartwatches come with GPS tracker where you can manage your current location and habits. This feature will be more helpful if you find yourself in an unknown place and you lost your sense of direction. You can find your way with the help of your smartwatch with a GPS facility. Overall, you will feel more secure with your smartwatch.
Aren't the points cool to have? If you love mobility and ease of use, then nothing is better than a smartwatch that takes your wrist to the world of connectivity. The best may not be a perfect fit for all, so, you need to choose the one with suitable specifications and affordable price. Have a look into MyG store where you can find a variety of smartwatch models from different brands that comes under various price range. Check the features and choose yours.
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