Best Smartwatches For Android In 2023

Whether you have a handset from Samsung, Google or OnePlus, or any of the best Android phones, you’ll want to consider the smartwatches below. Some are optimized to work with specific smartphones, but all are among the best smartwatches for Android you can buy now. Not all of the best smartwatches for Android are made the same, though. Some are sophisticated fitness trackers, while others are designed to make the ultimate fashion statement. A few of these smartwatches even support LTE, so you can communicate from your wrist untethered from your smartphone.

The best Android smartwatches you can buy today

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a new skin-temperature reader, more scratch-resistant display and a longer-lasting battery life. It’s the best Samsung watch yet, because while there aren’t a ton of differences between the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 vs. Galaxy Watch 4, the changes make what was already a great device all that much better. And starting at $279, it remains a fair value. Though the skin temperature reader won’t work at launch, there’s plenty to like about the Galaxy Watch 5. For one, it lasted for an entire two days in our testing, and reached almost 50% charge from 0% in 30 minutes. Wear OS 3 with Samsung’s skin has more perks, too, including Google Assistant and better interoperability with your other Samsung devices. For more GPS features and an even longer-lasting battery life, check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review. The Google Pixel Watch is one of the best smartwatches for Android; specifically, for Pixel phone users. Though it’s a first-generation device, a clean design, a full collection of Google apps and fitness tracking powered by Fitbit’s platform make for a compelling smartwatch. In many ways, the Pixel Watch is the best of both worlds, pairing a top-notch Wear OS experience with Fitbit’s holistic health-tracking (which is further enhanced with a Fitbit Premium membership.) There are plenty of tools on-board for staying connected and getting active. But there’s some room for improvement: the thick bezels and singular size option might deter some users in terms of design, while we found the battery life feels disappointing compared to that of other Fitbit smartwatches. Still, the Pixel Watch stands out enough from other smartwatches for Android, making for what we consider a successful first attempt based on our testing. Read our full Google Pixel Watch review. Compared to the original Fitbit Sense, the Sense 2 features an upgraded design, interface and EDA sensor, making for Fitbit’s most holistic smartwatch yet. Thanks to advanced health analysis and deep integration with Fitbit Premium, the Sense 2 also sustains an edge in fitness-tracking over many of the best smartwatches for Android on this list. An update to the stress-detecting EDA (electrodermal activity) sensor plays a large role in the device’s success: now called cEDA (‘c’ for continuous,) the sensor monitors stress levels or heightened responses throughout the day, prompting the user to take action on mood monitoring with Body Response notifications. However, added support for Google Wallet and Google Maps, while useful upgrades, won’t be available for the Fitbit Sense 2 at launch. There’s oddly no third-party app support, either. Still, for a smartwatch that helps you get in touch with how you feel, the Sense 2 succeeds. Read our full Fitbit Sense 2 review. The Garmin Venu 2 was already a stellar fitness-tracking smartwatch. We consider it one of the best smartwatches for Android that’s both a capable workout companion and stylish lifestyle device. The $449 Garmin Venu 2 Plus introduces on-wrist calls and voice assistants. While it maintains Garmin’s reputation for thorough fitness tracking and accurate GPS, the Venu 2 Plus is now a stronger sell for those who want their smartwatch to act as an extension of their smartphone. Though Garmin still lacks a large third-party app store and continues to steer clear of LTE support, embracing more communication tools is a major step towards mastering the complete smartwatch experience. 9 days of battery life is the cherry on top. Read our full Garmin Venu 2 review. The Fitbit Versa 4 is the best smartwatch for step tracking based on our testing. We will say it’s not the best smartwatch for fitness tracking overall, as it struggles to provide accurate heart rate readings. But if you’re looking for something that will get you moving with hourly step reminders and alerts when you’ve reached your daily goal, this smartwatch is a great choice. Not only that, the Versa 4 a lovely-looking smartwatch with a slim profile and sleek metallic finishes. It looks very similar to the Fitbit Sense 2, yes, but this is the better choice if you’re on a tighter budget or aren’t as interested in stress-tracking. The Versa 4 still has reliable sleep-tracking and other perks available via Fitbit Premium. Read our full Fitbit Versa 4 review. With an accurate GPS, a long-lasting battery, and the ability to track many types of workouts, the Garmin Forerunner 245 is one of the best sports watches. When synced with your Android phone, the Forerunner 245 can send (or cancel) emergency notifications at the push of a button, so you’ll have peace of mind wherever your next workout takes you. The Garmin Forerunner 245 is small and light, so it won’t weigh down your wrist during runs or feel uncomfortable during everyday wear or while you’re sleeping. And it gets the same fitness metrics as Garmin’s latest higher-end GPS watches: Training Status to track progress, Training Load to see workouts over a seven-day period, and Training Effect to measure anaerobic and aerobic. It also supports sleep, stress, blood oxygen saturation, and menstrual cycle tracking. Garmin even offers a Forerunner 245 Music edition, which comes with onboard storage for up to 500 songs and syncs with Spotify and Deezer accounts. Read our full Garmin Forerunner 245 review. Despite there being a newer Galaxy Watch 5, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic remains available as the best smartwatch for those who like a traditional look. This ‘Classic’ version of watch features luxurious characteristics, namely the physical rotating bezel (starting at $349.99.) Thanks to a 3-in-1 health sensor, the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic measures heart rate, takes ECGs and reads body composition. And while it gets appealing Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Wear OS features, it still pays homage to Tizen, making it the ideal accessory for the best Samsung phones. Note that certain features are exclusive to Samsung users, so not all Android users will benefit from all the Galaxy Watch 4 can do. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic review. We often get asked whether you should buy an Amazfit Watch, and the answer is yes, especially the Amazfit GTR 3 Pro. This is easily the brand’s most premium smartwatch yet, and while we wish it was a bit more full-featured for the price (there’s no NFC, for example,) there are ample health and fitness features on board. With improved accuracy compared to the previous-generation Amazfit GTR 2, the GTR 3 Pro offers an excellent one-stop measurement tool for your heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels and more in a single reading. When you’re not checking on your body or working out with the 150+ exercise types, the watch’s built-in apps, hands-free voice controls and menu layouts can be tailored to suit your needs. Pair that with up to 12 days of battery life, and this is one of the best smartwatches for Android that isn’t from one of the top-shelf names in connected wearable. Read our full Amazfit GTR 3 Pro review. The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS might not be the most noteworthy Android smartwatch on the market, but it impresses where some of its competitors lack: battery life. Smart design, bright display and solid fitness tracking help round-out the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS to be one of the best smartwatches for Android you can buy. At $299, the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS is also more affordable than many of the outdoor sector-centered smartwatches you’ll find on the market now. Again, it puts an emphasis on endurance — this smartwatch lasts up to 45 days with certain settings enabled. Regrettably, the software doesn’t run as smoothly as you might see on Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or the Google Pixel Watch, which both have the latest version of Wear OS 3 (this TicWatch is eligible, but hasn’t yet been updated.) Though if you’re looking for something that’s durable and goes the distance, we think there’s a lot to like about the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS. Read our full TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS review. As our Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 vs. Galaxy Watch Active 2 face-off explains, the Watch Active 2 is still worth buying, especially when you find it on sale. Samsung’s watch works with any Android smartphone and features GPS, a heart rate monitor and the option to enable LTE. It also can automatically track your activity and sleep. (It’s much better at the former task than the latter.) As for looks, Galaxy Watch Active 2’s circular design is visually appealing, whether you get the 40mm or 44mm model. Based on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, this Galaxy Watch boasts other useful features such as Samsung Pay, onboard music via Spotify and heart health features. That includes an ECG feature, which is usually reserved for pricer models. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review. You can also download apps and music onto the Versa 3 itself. We liked being able to leave our phone at home and still listen to tunes during workouts. It even has on-board GPS, so it tracked our walks and runs again without needing our phone. At its discounted price, the Versa 3 remains a great value. Read our full Fitbit Versa 3 review. The Garmin Instinct 2 boasts an infinite battery life — yep, it has the power to last forever, charging with the sunlight. There are a few catches, from which features work on solar power, to which versions of the Garmin Instinct 2 even pack a solar panel, to how many hours a day the watch needs to be exposed to sunlight. But beyond that, the Instinct 2 is better than the first Garmin Instinct in almost every way. It retains it’s rugged feel, while borrowing features from some of Garmin’s more expensive watches. It also now comes in a smaller 40mm size — the 2S, designed for smaller wrists. Unlike the new Garmin Fenix 7 range, there’s no touchscreen, but the five-button functionality is easy to figure out, and use on the move. Read our full Garmin Instinct 2 review. The $159 OnePlus Watch finally offers OnePlus customers an optimized wearable accessory for their smartphones. On paper it looks great, loaded with features we’ve come to expect on many of the best smartwatches for Android, including fitness tracking and blood oxygen monitoring, plus a 14-day battery life. It also can be used to answer phone calls as long as your smartphone is nearby. Compared to the smartwatches made by OnePlus’s mobile competitors, the OnePlus Watch’s alluring price makes it a curious option. We’d say a Fitbit is better, but if you have one of the best OnePlus phones, why not complete your ecosystem? Of course, buying the OnePlus Watch comes with some caveats. The performance is inconsistent, and the proprietary Real TIme Operating System (RTOS) lacks compared to Wear OS, despite looking similar to Google’s platform. Read our full OnePlus Watch review.

How to choose the best smartwatch for Android for you

When looking at the best smartwatches for Android, you have plenty of options, no matter the connected smartphone brand (as long it’s not an iPhone, obviously.) That said, if you have a Samsung smartphone, you’ll probably enjoy the ecosystem experience of a Samsung-made Galaxy Watch more than a smartwatch from Fitbit or other third-party maker. But if fitness tracking or working out is your priority, a Fitbit or Garmin wearable might be better for reaching your goals. After that, when picking any smartwatch, you want to get one that fits your wrist comfortably. Those with smaller wrists may find larger smartwatches — ones with case sizes larger than 44mm — bulky and cumbersome. Many of the watches listed above are large, which might make them awkward to wear overnight. On the other hand, the larger displays make whatever is on your screen easier to read. Lastly, consider style. Some of the best smartwatches for Android look like high-tech fitness trackers while others look like traditional timepieces. If you want something sporty, stick to sleek materials with fewer embellishments. If you want something you can wear on nicer occasions, look for bezels or other eye-catching accents.

How we test the best smartwatches for Android

Whenever an attractive, Android-compatible smartwatch is released, we fully charge it up, then strap it on our wrist for about a week or so to test out all the features. We gauge how it feels on our wrist throughout our day-to-day, as well as how easy (or not) the interface is to navigate when we need to read notifications, set timers or change other settings. Next, we look at its fitness features, such as heart rate readings, blood oxygen readings, step counts and, when applicable, GPS. How accurate are all these readings? Finally we consider battery life claims and compare it to our actual use. Some features like continuous GPS use, playing music or enabling an always-on display chew up juice faster than others. We understand that not all smartwatches last two weeks — we just want our experience to match up with the expectations put forth by the company.

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