15 Best Watches for Smartphone Users

Modern watches don’t just tell time; they track your blood oxygen level, heart rate, distance covered, and other health indicators. When paired with smartphones, smartwatches can make it easier to make calls and send messages. At the same time, app features like calendars, music controls, and weather forecasts keep you updated.

The list of smartwatch capabilities is growing, which makes finding the perfect smartwatch challenging for smartphone users.

We considered key factors such as OS compatibility, smart features, battery life, ease of connectivity, display quality, size, and price to vet these smartwatches as our top-rated picks.

1. Apple Watch Ultra 2

The Ultra 2 is the latest in Apple’s smartwatch models. We consider it the best buy for its S9 chip, which houses a powerful 64-bit dual-core processor and an impressive array of all-new features like gesture control, futuristic GPS accuracy, and watersport tracking that records freediving, wakeboarding, and scuba diving activities. The Ultra 2 has a brighter display than its predecessor, the Apple Watch Ultra, and is coated in titanium, adding to the ruggedness and durability of its design.

Although the price is somewhat steep, if you’re willing to spend $799 for a watch, the Ultra 2 offers good value for money.

2. Apple Watch Series 9

Apple is the dominating force in the smartwatch market, and the Series 9 is proof of that. This watch offers gesture control, called ”Double Tap. ” This allows you to control the watch without touching it, delivering a quick and discreet way to answer calls, end timers, access media playback, and do much more without touching the display.

The Apple Watch Series 9 also pairs seamlessly with your smartphone to detect a crash. The watch automatically calls emergency services if you ever get into a wreck.

3. Google Pixel Watch 2

Google’s Fitbit integration of its Pixel Watch 2 makes it a fitness-tracking powerhouse. Unlike some Apple Watches we’ve reviewed, the Pixel Watch 2 has a stronger battery life. The safety feature Find My Application and the stress management features give it a slight edge over its many competitors. If you’re big on mental health management, de-stressing, and keeping a tab on your mood, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is a great choice.

4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is famous for its rotating bezel but goes beyond its dashing design. The Watch 6 combines superb performance with an array of fitness, health, safety, and lifestyle features.

At $299, the Watch 6 Classic is a steal, especially for its unrivaled ECG and blood pressure monitoring capabilities. Its 30-hour battery life is also more than decent for a watch in its price range.

5. Apple Watch SE

If you want a decent Apple Watch at a reasonable price, the Apple Watch SE is the best choice. The downside is its 16-hour battery life, which is half the duration of the Apple Ultra 2.

However, the watch does well tracking your activities, packing a custom Workout app that’s rarely found in a $249 watch. The SE’s water resistance capacity matches that of its more powerful cousins, making it great for swim tracking.

6. Ticwatch Pro 5

Another Android watch on the list, the Ticwatch Pro 5, could be your smartphone’s ideal extension. A powerful Snapdragon W5+ processor powers with impressive GPS features and activity-tracking capabilities.

At $349, the Pro 5 costs a little more than the Samsung Watch 6 Classic, but it compensates with its long battery life and sturdy design, making it an overall well-rounded choice.

7. Galaxy Watch Pro 5

The Galaxy Watch Pro 5 is not in the same league as the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, but other than wanting the latest and the best features of a Samsung watch, it’s good value for money. The Pro 5 offers a longer-lasting battery than any of the Apple watches on this list, and its health tracking capabilities include a blood oxygen monitor and sleep tracking features.

The Watch Pro 5 works seamlessly with your smartphone and also has a built-in cellular option that allows it to make phone calls and access the internet even without your phone.

8. Garmin Venu 3S

Garmin has a solid footing in the smartwatch marketplace, thanks to its rugged build, bright AMOLED screen, and a two-week battery life.

The Venu 3s has a robust ecosystem with many cool features like Garmin Connect, which creates personalized insights from data collected during activities. The voice assistant feature of the Garmin Venus 3 (when connected to a smartphone) takes it close to the Apple and Samsung Galaxy Watch in functionality

9. Garmin Forerunner 245

As the name suggests, the Forerunner 245 is best for sports owing to its many training metrics. It works only with an Android smartphone and accurately tracks sleep, stress, and blood oxygen saturation.

The Forerunner 245 music edition syncs with your Deezer and Spotify accounts. The music edition is best for music buffs as it can hold up to 500 songs for offline play while you work out, even as it collects personalized health insights.

10. Withings ScanWatch 2

The Withings ScanWatch 2 is the first hybrid smartwatch on this list. It has a remarkable two-month battery life and flawlessly supports Android and iOS smartphone connectivity. It delivers all the features one expects in a modern smartwatch, like the ECG assessment, heart rates, steps taken, and distance traveled.

The ScanWatch does require an annual subscription to access all its features.

11. Amazfit Balance

Unlike the two-month battery life of the Withings ScanWatch 2, the Amazfit Calance only lasts two weeks, which is still commendable for a watch under $230.

The 46mm HD AMOLED screen and the 35-gram, Alexa-supported Amazfit are powered by the Zepp OS 3.0 operating system and a Zepp Smartphone application that makes it simple to use. The Amazfit Balance has 150+ sports modes, a plus for a midrange watch.

12. Fitbit Versa 3

Although smaller than the Amazfit Balance, the Fitbit 3 is not inferior. It’s equipped with both Amazon and Google voice assistants and controls smart appliances if you have a smart home.

This watch is priced under $200 and works well with your phone. It can also independently download music and apps. The Fitbit Versa 3 lasts up to six days on a full charge, and has a simple, intuitive design.

13. Fitbit Versa 4

The Fitbit Versa 4 has everything the Versa 3 does, with some added advanced features that put it above its predecessor.

The compact watch merges lifestyle capabilities with staying fit via its extensive library of built-in health and fitness features. The Fitbit Versa 4 doesn’t support third-party apps but does have preinstalled Google and Amazon apps like Alexa, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and more.

This watch is also less than $200, and it’s what you need if you want a budget watch that covers the essentials without all the fancy tech features of more advanced watches.

14. Casio G-Shock Move DW-H5600

The reliability of the Casio G-Shock Move DW-H5600 sets it apart from most other brands in its price range.

It features a precise GPS which can track every move you make, even during sleep. It also has a solar charging feature that makes it great if you’re far from civilization, like hiking in the woods or mountain climbing.

Although the price is a little steep at $299 (considering the brand value), the sturdy design makes it resistant to early wear and tear, offering lasting value for money in the long run. The watch is also water resistant to depths of up to 200 meters and is a perfect fit for everything sports.

15. CMF Watch Pro by Nothing

The CMF Watch Pro pairs seamlessly with both iOS and Android smartphones. It’s your go-to timepiece if you’re penny-pinching and want a watch that offers a lot at a low price point.

The Watch Pro also looks great. It’s not feature-packed like its high-end competitors, and you may have to add contacts manually. Still, you can trust the watch to keep time, last long (13-day battery life), and measure healthy metrics flawlessly, even at its unbeatable price of $61.