Table of contents
- The best smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 6
- The best alternatives across 8 categories
- The best Android smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
- The best Samsung smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
- The best Huawei smartwatch: Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
- Best Apple Watch alternative for Android: Oppo Watch
- Value-for-money recommendation: Fitbit Versa 3
- Smartwatch with long battery life: Mobvoi TicWatch Pro
- Best hybrid smartwatch: Withings ScanWatch
- Fossil, Armani, and others.: Smartwatches from classic watch manufacturers
- Buying advice: What should you look for when buying a smartwatch?
- Tips for buying
When preparing to write up our smartwatch comparison, we considered where do we draw the line to separate a fitness tracker from a smartwatch. In doing so, we came to the conclusion that smartwatches should at least have WLAN connectivity to maintain a certain degree of independence from the smartphone. In addition, it is all right for smartwatches to be larger in size than usual and it does not necessarily have to be inconspicuous as a discreet fitness band wrapped around the wrist when indulging in sporting activities. Does our description of fitness trackers jive with your own idea?
Would you rather dive right into the comparison of the best fitness trackers? Head this way, then!
If not, let us take a look at our comparison of the best smartwatches available in the market. Unfortunately, we weren't able to review all of the models released this year. But since we don't want to give you a limited view of the smartwatch market, we've potentially considered every smartwatch for inclusion. We do so by basing our recommendations on the features and peer reviews.
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Time and again, Apple's smartwatches manage to cement themselves right at the top of any "Best Of..." lists, and for good reason. After all, the Cupertino-based manufacturer first made smartwatches socially acceptable with its original Apple Watch. What was already good back then had only gotten better over the course of six generations. The Apple Watch Series 6 offers the same operating concept of a touch screen and a digital crown, comes with the very good smartwatch operating system known as WatchOS, and offers all the important features that a user would want.
This includes basic functions such as Bluetooth, WLAN, optional LTE, GPS, and a heart rate sensor with a pulse oximeter, allowing it to measure your blood oxygen levels. As far as innovations go, compared to its predecessors, the Apple Watch Series 6 scores big especially with fast charging support, which works via USB-C and is able to power up completely in just approximately 1.5 hours.
Apple has also upgraded the display of the Apple Watch Series 6 to an Always-On Retina panel, which has a very high luminosity of a maximum of 1,000 nits. The resolution stands at 324 x 394 pixels on the smaller 40-millimetre model and 368 x 448 pixels on the larger 44-millimetre model. At the same time, the Series 6 provides you with basic information such as the time even when it's turned off. Other 'unseen' benefits include all the hard work done in the background by the fast S6 processor, an altimeter, sensors for ambient light or acceleration, and water protection up to a depth of 50 meters.
If you use an Apple smartphone, there is very little to stop you from pairing up with an Apple Watch, because it simply works within its own ecosystem - and that alone is good enough for the smartwatch to score points. While other smartwatches are compatible with your iPhone, many Apple users prefer to take advantage of the cohesive and complete ecosystem that runs on Apple's own hardware. Using the Apple Watch with an Android phone is, unfortunately, impossible.
In the version without an LTE module, the Apple Watch Series 6 currently costs about €400 ($490). In fact, if you want the largest Apple Watch with LTE, you must be prepared to fork out slightly less than €550 ($675). These are not cheap prices at all - in fact, they are hefty for a wearable that will still require a smartphone to use. As a cheaper alternative, while remaining within the Apple ecosystem, Apple introduced the Apple Watch SE, which has some cuts in the range of functions at prices starting at about €300 ($368). You can read more about the Apple Watch SE here.
The best Android smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
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With the Apple Watch Series 6, we recommended a smartwatch that cannot play nice with Android. Thus, the best option in our eyes is omitted for many readers, so we present the best Android smartwatch for you. Behold, we have picked the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 out of the whole lot.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 was only released in September 2020 and is on par with the Apple Watch Series 6 when one takes a look at the spec sheet. The watch offers integrated GPS, a built-in heart rate sensor that includes a pulse oximeter, WLAN, Bluetooth connectivity, and there is also an option for a cellular module if you so desire. With the promise of being able to measure blood pressure in addition to pulse and ECG data, Samsung is also positioning the Galaxy Watch 3 to be on par with Apple's heart-monitoring functions.
Design-wise, the Galaxy Watch 3 is more reminiscent of classic wristwatches, with a 1.2-inch round display on the 41-millimetre version and a 1.4-inch display on the 45-millimetre version. Both the models use OLED technology and in addition to the touch-sensitive screen, control works via a rotating bezel and two buttons on the right side.
Samsung's in-house developed Tizen OS functions as the operating system, which is compatible with Apple iOS and Android. The "Samsung Wearable" app is available on both the App Store and the Google Play Store, which allows the smartphone and the app to communicate in order to exchange notifications or transmit information.
Although we were not able to review the Galaxy Watch 3 this year, the relatively short battery life of the smartwatch is always a sore point among reviewers online. In the 41-millimetre version, there is a 247 mAh battery while the 45-millimetre model carries a 472 mAh battery. In each case, the battery capacity has decreased compared to their respective predecessors, which is close to a fifth for the larger model. You should therefore be careful with power guzzling functions like GPS or WLAN. In addition, the Samsung Pay service and ECG function promised at launch have not yet been made available at the start of the watches' launch.
You can buy the smaller version of the Galaxy Watch 3 for prices starting from €270 ($330), while the Bluetooth version with a 45-millimeter case will cost at least €300 ($367). If you simply cannot live without LTE, you will have to fork out another €100 ($122), where these prices are based on a search on the price comparison portal Geizhals.de in December. The wristbands of these watches are also interesting as they are exchangeable, as is the case with most smartwatches. In addition to plastic bands, Samsung also offers high-quality leather wristbands for that added touch of sophistication.
The best Samsung smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Without beating around the bush: We can recommend the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 right here. We've already explained the advantages of the Samsung smartwatch, so we'd like to briefly discuss other alternatives from Samsung.
If the Watch 3 is too expensive for you, you can also opt for the Galaxy Watch Active 2. This is a sportier model that currently retails for €190 ($232) online for the Bluetooth version, where it boasts of the very same Exynos 9110 processor and 1.5 GB of RAM. While the performance should thus be the same, the Galaxy Watch Active lacks blood oxygen and blood pressure monitoring. In addition, you will also have to do without an ECG.
The Galaxy Watch Active is also more discreet and slimmer, which means it might not get in the way as much during your sporting activating. On the Internet, you can often find the statement that the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is more of a smartwatch for women. However, we would rather leave such prejudices aside in this best-of list.
The best Huawei smartwatch: Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro
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My colleague Antoine recently reported that the Huawei ecosystem is becoming more and more seamless, and that smartphones like the Huawei Mate 40 Pro could now be used without the need for Google services. Therefore, you might be looking for a Huawei smartwatch since you are currently reading about this on a HMS smartphone or a Huawei MateBook anyway.
In this case, we can recommend the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro, which we were able to review just before the publication of this buying guide. Thanks to the installed LiteOS, the smartwatch should be able to be used without any problems with Apple iOS, Android, and also with HMS smartphones without Google services such as the Huawei Mate 40 Pro. In this regard, the Pro version of the Watch GT primarily offers high-quality materials. You will find ceramic used on the back, a titanium alloy for the case, and sapphire glass for the display. On the inside, the watch offers Bluetooth connectivity, a high-quality OLED display, GPS, and sensors for acceleration, heart rate, air pressure, a geomagnetic sensor, and a gyroscope.
However, the Watch GT 2 Pro does not offer LTE mobile connectivity, NFC for mobile payments, and integrated Wi-Fi. These are obvious flaws which we had to take into consideration, dropping it from our "Best Of" smartwatch list (you remember our requirements at the very beginning). However, since the watch shines with a battery life of 2 weeks according to authoritative reviews and can even be charged via reverse wireless charging, we recommend it especially to users of HMS phones without Google services.
In addition, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro retails for only slightly less than €250 ($306) and is thus also one of the cheapest models in the comparison. We are currently working on a review and will add our personal impressions as soon as the review is online.
Best Apple Watch alternative for Android: Oppo Watch
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Have you long been intrigued by the look of the Apple Watch, but just can't bring yourself to buy an iPhone AND an Apple Watch? Then it is time to take a look at the Oppo Watch, which at least looks very close to the obvious Apple device.
In our review, this smartwatch convinced us with its very good build quality and also with the display, where at first glance, you do not have to make many sacrifices compared to the Apple Watch. The fast charging function also makes up for the rather pedestrian battery life. Rahul also praised the software in the review, which is an Oppo-adapted version of WearOS.
Compared to Apple's very good WearOS, however, there are sometimes tiny misgivings for its wearers with which you will have to live with for the moment. Readers who already own an Apple Watch will also miss the digital crown, as this Oppo timepiece will only run via the touchscreen and with its own set of gestures. The water resistance is only 3 ATM, but then again, watch is also significantly cheaper than other models.
Oppo sells the WLAN variant with 41-millimeter case for €180 ($220) and the larger LTE version for €320 ($391).
Read the Oppo Watch review here
Value-for-money recommendation: Fitbit Versa 3
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On the Internet, you can always find "smart" wristwatches that are advertised as smartwatches for under €100 ($122). Sure, these models are cheap, but we can't recommend them as a rule. Because if you expect a smartwatch at that price, you might be disappointed after your purchase. Functions such as WLAN, microphones for telephony, or even internal storage space for listening to music are often missing. Furthermore, we don't recommend smartwatches from platforms like Wish, because we can't really judge the quality of the products there as there have been some lemons in the past.
For this reason, our value-for-money recommendation is the Fitbit Versa 3. Because for just under €200 ($245), the smartwatch offers numerous features such as GPS, a heart rate sensor, speaker and microphone for Google Assistant and telephony purposes, as well as the mobile payment service known as Fitbit Pay. Thus, the watch fulfills all the basic requirements that we placed for a smartwatch at the beginning. We only miss out on an LTE version of the Versa.
While we weren't able to review the Fitbit Versa this year either, I've worn the first version of the Versa on my wrist for a few weeks in the past. The build quality back then was good and the case is made of water-resistant aluminum, even in the third generation. The Fitbit Versa 3 is also suitable to be worn on your swims thanks to the certified water resistance of up to 50 meters, which automatically means wearing it in the rain is not an issue at all.
However, Fitbit also limits the range of functions of the Fitbit Versa in the sense that you will need a subscription to Fitbit Premium for the advanced sleep analysis, for example. I already noticed this very negatively in the Fitbit Charge 4 review. The Fitbit Versa cannot quite keep up with the top models in this article when it comes to analysing vital signs.
The watch does not record blood pressure or ECG data. Furthermore, it lacks smart operating features like the rotating bezel of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 or the digital crown of the Apple Watch Series 6. In addition to the Fitbit Versa, the manufacturer also offers the Fitbit Sense and the Versa Lite. These are basically a more expensive and a cheaper version of the Versa, respectively.
Smartwatch with long battery life: Mobvoi TicWatch Pro
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The following tip will possibly stir a bit of a conversation in the comments, but I stand by my opinion. The Mobvoi Tic Watch Pro is my recommendation for those looking for a "real" smartwatch with a long battery life. Because as I found out in a review this summer, the dual-display really excelled in everyday use.
That's because Mobvoi equips its watch with a colour display and an AMOLED screen, offering a visually appealing transparent, single-colour display. In smart mode, the watch only shows the more power-efficient display so that you can take a quick glance at the time, and that's how the smartwatch manages to deliver a battery life of up to 82 hours.
If you're traveling for an extended period of time, Essential mode also allows you to turn off the main display and most of the smart features, increasing the battery life to 45 days. If you combine Essential mode with normal watch use, the watch's battery life is hard to match.
In my review of the TicWatch Pro, I also found it very handy that the smartwatch can at least display the time when the battery is low. In fact, what upsets me most with most smartwatch models, because I actually use watches most of the time when I want to know what the current time is.
In addition to the clever battery-saving features, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 shines with Google's WearOS smartwatch operating system. This provides you with control of Google Assistant from the watch and responds to incoming messages via voice input.
Underneath the hood lies a very capable Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100-SoC and 8 GB of internal storage, in addition to very capable sensors. The watch comes with GPS, NFC, a gyroscope, a barometer, a heart rate sensor, and even a cellular modem in the LTE version as a basic. In addition, the watch is IP68 waterproof and has two buttons as well as a microphone and a speaker.
On the flipside, it lacks an ECG compared to the Apple Watch Series 6 and a blood pressure monitor that is found on the Samsung model. It is also a rather hefty timepiece, tipping the scales at 41.9 grams, not to mention a relatively large and bulky form factor. The Ticwatch Pro 3 will retail anywhere between €250 ($306) and €300 ($367) at online retailers.
Read our Mobvoi TicWatch Pro review here
Best hybrid smartwatch: Withings ScanWatch
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Are you reading this comparison review and put off by a few days of battery life or displays that turn off automatically? If that is the case, perhaps a hybrid smartwatch is perfect for you. These are analog wristwatches that come with a few smart features and, at most, a small display. The battery life of these models is usually significantly longer than conventional smartwatches. However, you usually have to put up with a few shortcomings when using them.
In our opinion, the Withings ScanWatch, which combines a classic watch face with a small display, offers the best middle ground. Unlike many other hybrid smartwatches, notifications are not only communicated via hand positions or vibrations. Instead, the operation of the watch was particularly impressive in the test, which mainly works via the large crown on the right side of the case and through the PMOLED display.
Smart functions of the Withings ScanWatch include a single-channel ECG, which, according to my colleague Berti, can even detect atrial fibrillation. In addition, a pulse oximeter measures the oxygen content in your blood and can thus find out, among other things, whether you are suffering from breathing problems in the form of sleep apnea.
As you have already guessed, the watch supports sleep tracking and can also record your vital signs during sporting activities. However, you will have to make do without GPS, as the watch requires your smartphone for this.
The missing GPS feature is one of the big flaws of the watch and compared to a classic wristwatch, you might miss the second hand. In the test, we also experienced minor problems with heart rate measurement and other fitness functions.
Furthermore, the hybrid smartwatch does not really offer a price advantage over other smartwatches. You can currently pick up the Withings ScanWatch online for around €300 ($367).
Read our Withings ScanWatch review
Fossil, Armani, and others: Smartwatches from classic watch manufacturers
Shortly after the first tech manufacturers experienced success with smartwatches, classic watch manufacturers also entered the fray. Brands like Fossil, Armani, or even Michael Kors offer their own models, which often work with Google's WearOS. In the past, we were able to try out the following smartwatches from well-known watch brands:
Unfortunately, these are rather older models. The current Armani homepage, however, shows quite clearly the focus manufacturers place on your watches. Here, the details do not talk about functions such as sensors for heart rate measurement, but the Armani logo is listed as a feature. In our review of the Emporio Armani Connected, this also emphasised in detail.
While the watch is visually very appealing (also a point of contention, because design is always a matter of taste), both the performance and the battery life leave something to be desired. These models are also rarely found in smartwatch best lists, precisely because they can't quite keep up technically with the models from tech manufacturers.
If you are still interested in one of these smartwatches, I recommend the detailed buying guide below. This allows you to check before buying, whether at the very least, the basic functions found on a smartwatch are there.
So far, we have suggested certain models as buying recommendations and shared our thoughts about selected categories after discussing with the editorial team. However, every technology purchase is an individual choice and for this reason, we would like to give you some tips for your own smartwatch search.
Below you'll find topics with features of specific smartwatches and an explanation of how and when each feature is important.
Operating system: WearOS, WatchOS, or Tizen?
If the hardware is the heart of a smartwatch, the operating system is the soul. And soul-wise, there are basically three major smartwatch operating systems that have established themselves. Google's WearOS, Apple's WatchOS, which is found on every Apple Watch, and Tizen, which you'll find on models from Samsung.
If you have an Apple Watch, there's literally no way around Apple's WatchOS. That's not a bad thing, because the operating system is firmly and securely integrated into Apple's own ecosystem and works very well with iOS, macOS, or iPadOS. What's more, it's intuitive to use and generally speaking, WatchOS is considered the best smartwatch operating system.
Google's WearOS is perhaps the best alternative for users who have an Android smartphone in their pocket. The Android-derived operating system is found on many smartwatches, making it far less customisable compared to WatchOS. However, with Google Assistant and the handy Gboard, your smartwatch almost becomes a tiny smartphone. In addition, there are very many available apps for Google WearOS.
Last but not least, let's take a quick look at Tizen. Again, this is a software that can be adapted by the manufacturer to a small selection of smartwatches. Tizen offers fewer apps compared to WearOS, but it scores points for ease of use. Moreover, it is the same here as with Apple: If you find a Samsung smartwatch cool, you cannot avoid Tizen.
Processor, working memory, and internal storage
Time and again, reviews list smartwatch processors as if some reader could use the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+ to draw conclusions about the performance of the watch they reviewed. Sure, an up-to-date processor provides more performance, but in this aspect, you should rely on practical impressions left by the timepiece, or at least try the watch out for yourself once.
You should also not be put off by the rather small memory sizes. Even the Apple Watch Series 6 only has one gigabyte of RAM, which should be enough for most smartwatch functions. Multi-tasking or elaborate mobile games that require far more RAM is not something that your smartwatch has to handle.
Much more important would be the internal memory, especially if the smartwatch of your choice has an integrated music player. Smartwatches do not have expandable memory, such as smartphones with a micro SD card slot. If listening to music on the go is important to you, you should pay attention to this. An alternative in this case would be to pick a model that allows you to stream music on-the-go.
LTE or WLAN?
Smartwatches often come in two flavours: One model can only connect to the Internet via WLAN, the other has an LTE module. With an eSIM, which is a digital SIM card, you can use smartphone contracts on the smartwatch and thus access the Internet anywhere. Smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 6 can even accept or make calls completely on its own, i.e. without a connected smartphone.
However, if you can't order an additional SIM card to your existing smartphone contract, you'll have to take out a second contract for your smartwatch, which will, of course, incur additional costs. Smartwatches with an LTE module are also generally more expensive.
Display and operation
The good news with almost every smartwatch is that touch-sensitive screens are now commonplace. The bad news: some manufacturers leave you with a small touchscreen and then expect you to type messages on a microscopic digital keyboard. The control concept of a smartwatch is especially important, and it's part of the reason why the Apple Watch is so successful.
Because with additional bezels, crowns, and buttons, the operation of a smartwatch gains comfort and you should also pay attention to this when making a purchase decision. These hardware alternatives will also allow operation with gloves, which could run into touchscreen issues as with the smartphone.
Case size
Are you standing in front of the digital or real store showcase and wondering why there are two versions with different millimeter specifications? Then you're looking at a model that comes in two different case sizes. This rarely affects the internal components. Usually, the display is also minimally larger in a larger case, and Samsung only offers an LTE module in the 45-millimeter version of its Galaxy Watch Series 3.
Larger models are usually also slightly more expensive. It's best to orient yourself to the size of your wrist. Smaller models are also less conspicuous during sports and may be more suitable for use as a fitness tracker. This is a matter of taste and preference!
Sensors for vital signs
Smartwatches can monitor your vital signs throughout the day with a variety of sensors. Step counters and a heart rate sensor are part of the basic features. More powerful models also offer pulse oximeters to measure blood oxygen, ECG to detect heart disease, or measure your blood pressure at the wrist. However, this data is not completely reliable and you should always consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
Because even the pulse is a very individual matter that varies from one person to another, so if it registers too high a resting pulse, you should not immediately lose your head. Fitness trackers and smartwatches are always just aids, but you can take their data with you to your next doctor's appointment.
GPS and altitude
When running with a smartwatch, it is also advantageous to have an integrated GPS module. This means you don't have to take your smartphone with you when you run in order to track your jogging route.
Another practical feature is the altimeter, which measures the differences in altitude while running or cycling even more accurately than the GPS module. This function is also important for hiking or climbing and could prove to be useful for paragliding or other high altitude hobbies/activities.
Multimedia functions like music player
Independence from the smartphone doesn't have to be boring with a smartwatch either. As mentioned in the description about memory earlier, smartwatches have internal memory which you can use to store music files or download tracks. Do pay attention to the type of music you want to use, though.
MP3s from your computer can't be stored on the internal memory of every model. In this case, you will need a subscription to Spotify, Deezer, or Apple Music. Music streaming on your wrist becomes particularly flexible if you buy a watch with an LTE module.
Water and dust protection
Of course, you continue to leave the smartwatch on your wrist in the rain, no question about it. There is also IP certification available for inexpensive models. As for conventional watches, however, the industry relies on a waterproof rating that allows permanent submersion to a depth of several meters.
For what purpose are the various ATM designations of watches suitable?
| Rain | Hand washing | Showering | Swimming | Snorkelling | Diving | |
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| 3 ATM (30 meters) | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| 5 ATM (50 meters) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ | ✘ |
| 10 ATM (100 meters) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✘ |
| 20 ATM (200 meters) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
The ATM code, which you may know from your analogue watch, indicates the amount of water pressure that the watch can withstand. 50 ATM means that the watch could withstand the pressure of a water column of 50 meters in the test. In the swimming pool or even when diving, you can leave such models on.
Battery life
The crux of any smartwatch would be the battery life, which is usually less than a week. If you find it annoying to constantly think about the battery life of your watch, you can consider buying a hybrid smartwatch. These models usually have no display at all or only very small displays but have long battery lives that last for several weeks.
Another compromise would be smartwatches like the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro. Creative solutions that fall back to the basic functions like displaying the time when the battery life runs low. In our reviews, we always go into detail about battery life and also mention how convenient and fast charging is.
Fundamentally, the online shopping principles we recommend in every best list also apply to smartwatches. Be sure to check for comparative prices, make sure they're not used or on Marketplace deals, and check for discount days or promotional weeks.
For very expensive smartwatches with an LTE module, it's also worth taking a look at the offers from mobile providers. You can buy smartwatches together with smartphone contracts and thus pay off the purchase price month by month. Another tip for expensive models: Look for extended warranties and insurance policies that cover you in the event of a broken display or water damage.
Store search: Here are ways to look for your nearest electronics retailer:
But since smartwatches have to please you first and foremost and, above all, fit your wrist, we recommend that you visit an electronics retailer like Saturn or Media Markt in person. Here you can ask an employee to take the watch you want out of the holder and then you can test it out on your own wrist.
This article was completely revised and republished on December 22. Existing comments have been preserved.
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