Top Smartwatches of 2024
From receiving notifications and tracking health stats to supporting fitness activities and making payments:
Here are 15 smartwatches designed to meet various needs.
Defining the top smartwatches today requires navigating a highly competitive landscape, comparing models with vastly different technologies and features. While some brands prioritize smart capabilities like contactless payments, call management, and notifications, others emphasize health monitoring with sensors for tracking vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, or sleep quality. Additionally, certain manufacturers aim to create fitness powerhouses that support a range of physical activities. Despite the challenging task, we’ve selected 15 models that stand out for their technology, design, and features, offering excellent choices for those seeking more than just a device to tell the time.
How to Choose a Smartwatch
A smartwatch extends your phone’s capabilities and should handle apps and other options, including those related to health and fitness. Here are some key features to consider when selecting the right model:
- Display Size: The display size is crucial for readability, particularly when reading messages or notifications. A larger screen is more user-friendly. The design also matters—most screens come in rectangular or round bodies, but this is more about personal preference as it doesn't affect functionality.
- Operating System: The operating system defines the features and app compatibility. Choosing one that syncs best with your phone is ideal. The most popular ones are Apple WatchOS, Google WearOS, and Samsung TizenOS. Make sure it fully integrates with your device before purchasing.
- Battery Life: Battery life is essential, as it determines how often you’ll need to charge the smartwatch. Frequent users should opt for models with long-lasting batteries to ensure it lasts the whole day. However, longer battery life often results in a bulkier design. If you prefer a sleeker model, consider those with high-quality, premium batteries.
- Sensors: Modern smartwatches come with an array of sensors, such as heart rate monitors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS. These add to the price, especially for models that offer home automation features. For athletes or those keen on health monitoring, there are many models that track various physical activities and health data throughout the day.
- Screen Visibility: Screen readability under different lighting conditions is another factor. Lower-cost models typically use traditional LCD or IPS screens, while the best models feature OLED screens known for their clarity and brightness. The newest and most expensive option is the AMOLED screen, offering exceptional brightness and energy efficiency.
Our Top Smartwatch Picks
We’ve curated a list of the best smartwatches on the market, catering to different needs—whether you want a fitness companion during workouts, a health tracker, or a device for smartphone notifications. For those who wish to explore more specialized wearables, we’ve also highlighted fitness trackers, hybrid smartwatches, and devices focused on blood pressure measurement.
1.Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic
With the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, Samsung asserts its leadership in the smartwatch field. Featuring a minimalist design suitable for both sports and formal occasions, it boasts a sapphire crystal display surrounded by a rotating stainless steel bezel. Its 43mm case can withstand 5 ATM of pressure and is IP68 certified. It’s particularly efficient at sleep monitoring and heart activity, with precise sensors and automated alerts. You can track around 90 different exercises, from swimming to yoga, and its ability to answer calls, send messages, stream music, and make payments adds convenience to daily life.
2.Apple Watch Series 9
Available in a variety of colors and two case sizes (41mm or 45mm), the Apple Watch Series 9 remains a top pick for Apple fans. Its Retina display reaches a maximum brightness of 2000 nits and is powered by WatchOS 10, offering robust health monitoring, including blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep stages. It features a strong fitness component, and its battery life lasts around 18 hours, with an option to extend it through power-saving mode.
3.Huawei Pro Ultimate
The Huawei Pro Ultimate impresses with its aviation-grade titanium strap, perfect for both formal wear and sports. The 48.5mm watch features a zirconium liquid metal alloy case and a Super AMOLED display protected by sapphire glass. Waterproof up to 100 meters, it offers an array of functions for diving and sports, with advanced health monitoring sensors for heart rate, arterial stiffness, skin temperature, and blood oxygen levels. It has GPS and five satellite systems, with battery life lasting weeks.
4.Amazfit T-Rex Ultra
Designed for adventurers, the Amazfit T-Rex Ultra is built to withstand extreme conditions. Made of 316L stainless steel, it’s waterproof up to 30 meters and functions in temperatures ranging from -40 to 70°C. Equipped with dual-frequency GPS and 6 satellite positioning systems, it’s ideal for hiking, cycling, or mountain trips. Fitness data and health metrics like heart rate and sleep are tracked through the Zepp app. In energy-saving mode, its battery lasts up to 25 days.
5.Honor Watch 4
For those not aiming for high-end models but still seeking reliability, the Honor Watch 4 is a strong contender. Its 451mAh battery offers weeks of use on moderate activity. The 1.75-inch AMOLED screen ensures good visibility, while its silicone strap is comfortable for all-day wear. With a 5 ATM water resistance rating, it’s perfect for swimming workouts. It tracks physical activity and health data, including heart rate, stress, and sleep, while enabling phone calls via Bluetooth.
6.Garmin Venu 3
The Garmin Venu 3 is tailored for athletes but features a sleek design suitable for formal settings. With a case diameter of either 41mm or 45mm, it offers an AMOLED display and smooth app navigation. It features a speaker and microphone for taking calls and interacting with messages using voice assistants. With over 30 sports apps, it tracks training metrics, heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep quality.
7.Apple Watch SE (2nd Generation)
The Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers excellent value for money. It comes in 40mm and 44mm options and is waterproof up to 50 meters. It supports fitness apps and health monitoring, including fall detection and emergency calls. Perfect for those who want a mix of premium Apple features without the high cost.
8.OnePlus Watch 2
A versatile smartwatch for various occasions, the OnePlus Watch 2 features a unique dual chipset (Snapdragon W5 and BES 2700) to balance performance and battery life. With 32GB storage and webOS, it supports apps like Google Assistant, Wallet, and Spotify. It tracks over 100 sports activities, with health features for heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep monitoring.
9.Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro
Lightweight and comfortable, the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro comes with a 1.43-inch AMOLED display and offers extensive health tracking, including heart rate, blood oxygen, stress, and skin temperature monitoring. Powered by Wear OS 3.5, it boasts a Snapdragon W5+ processor for smooth performance. Battery life is up to 65 hours for the Bluetooth version.
10.Google Pixel Watch 2
With a sleek design and 5 ATM water resistance, the Pixel Watch 2 is Google’s latest offering. It features heart rate, oxygen, temperature, and sleep tracking. Fitness tracking is robust, and it integrates well with Google services like Gmail, Calendar, and Wallet. Its downside is the relatively short battery life.
11.Apple Watch Ultra 2
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is for those seeking the top-tier Apple experience. With a 49mm titanium case and 3000-nit Retina display, it is waterproof up to 100 meters and features dual-frequency GPS. Its battery life ranges from 36 to 72 hours, depending on usage.
12.Garmin Fenix 7X Solar
Ideal for athletes, the Garmin Fenix 7X Solar is water-resistant up to 10 ATM and features a 1.4-inch touchscreen. With solar charging, it boasts unmatched battery life. It tracks sports and health metrics like hydration, oxygen saturation, sleep quality, and heart rate. Smart features include Garmin Pay and music apps.
Targeted at health-conscious users, the BP Doctor Med 14 features an inflatable wristband for precise blood pressure measurements. It also monitors sleep, pulse, blood oxygen, and heart rate, syncing with the BP Doctor app.
The BP Doctor Pro 15 is a minimalist yet health-focused smartwatch, available in three colors. It tracks various health metrics, including blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen, glucose, and uric acid. It also features fitness tracking and messaging capabilities, with a 1.42-inch display and IP67 water resistance.
15.Huawei Watch Buds
The Huawei Watch Buds offers a unique twist, housing a pair of wireless earbuds inside its case. While providing excellent audio and noise cancellation, it also tracks health data such as heart rate, oxygen levels, and sleep quality, making it both a tech-savvy and health-centric choice.