What Is A Good Smartwatch For Android?

Top pick: Google Pixel Watch 4

• Google Pixel Watch 4 is the best option for most people with Android phones. It has a slimmer case that’s more comfortable to wear than that of the Pixel Watch 3, advanced health and fitness tracking, and some actually useful AI features, and it runs the latest Wear OS software.
• The Pixel Watch 4 has a slightly slimmer profile, which feels more comfortable to wear for longer periods and looks nicer on the wrist.
• The Pixel Watch 4 comes with an enhanced skin-temperature sensor, dual-frequency GPS for more accurate route tracking, and a bigger battery.
• The Google Pixel Watch 4 has a striking design, featuring a curved display housed under a domed glass enclosure.
• It supports key lifestyle features, including calling, texting, mobile payments, and smart home controls, and you can customize the watch with a wide range of third-party apps.
• You can also control the watch with voice commands and ask a variety of questions through Google's Gemini AI.
• The Pixel Watch 4 lasted an impressive 56 hours in our battery rundown test with the always-on display enabled.

Display

2 sizes, brighter domed display, LTPO support, no sapphire glass

Design

Gorgeous and comfortable, made from aerospace-grade aluminum, but no premium materials

Performance

Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 doesn't change performance, but still reliably fast for apps and Gemini

Health

Full range of Fitbit-brand sensors for tracking all kinds of data, with new sleep and temperature data

Fitness

Fitbit Premium workouts, Daily Readiness, Cardio Load, Gemini AI personalized workout plans

Software

Wear OS 6 is a fantastic update and Gemini is reliable; will get fewer version / security updates than the Galaxy Watch 8

Best for Samsung Galaxy owners: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic

• Best for Samsung Galaxy owners: Samsung Galaxy Watch8 and Galaxy Watch8 Classic
• The Galaxy Watch8 has a squircle shape, which makes it look better and feel more comfortable than its predecessor.
• It comes equipped with various sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, temperature sensor, light sensor, and bioactive sensor.
• The Galaxy Watch8 has two side keys you can customize to trigger certain features with a short or long press.
• The display reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, so you can easily see notifications and metrics in direct sunlight.
• The Galaxy Watch8 Classic comes in a larger, 46 mm case size and has the look of a more traditional smartwatch.
• The Classic model has a rotating bezel that you can use to navigate the display.
• It has all the same sensors as the standard Galaxy Watch8 but comes with a bigger battery, so you don’t have to charge it as often.
• The Galaxy Watch8 Classic has a Quick button that you can program to launch features or apps.
• The Galaxy Watch8 Classic is made of stainless steel, which gives it a more premium look.

Android users

If you're looking for the best Wear OS smartwatch for fitness and sleep tracking, opt for the Galaxy Watch 8. It offers Galaxy AI wellness assessments and has a large, bright screen.

Samsung fans

While the Galaxy Watch 8 is compatible with any Android phone, some of its features are exclusive to Samsung handsets, including the running coach, irregular heart rhythm notifications, phone separation alerts, gesture controls, and snoring detection.

Running novices

If you want to be a serious runner, but you need some guidance, the Galaxy Watch 8 can help.

Best smartwatch for longer battery life: OnePlus Watch 3

• Best smartwatch for longer battery life: OnePlus Watch 3
• The OnePlus Watch 3 comes with more sensors and health features than previous versions, providing a better overview of your health at a glance.
• The 631 mAh battery can last up to five days on a single charge.
• It has the largest and brightest display of any OnePlus watch.
• The OnePlus Watch 3 is available in 46 mm (left) and 43 mm (right) case sizes, but the smaller version lacks a few features included on the larger model.
• The 46 mm OnePlus Watch 3 (left) has a wrist temperature sensor and an ECG sensor, while the 43 mm version (right) lacks both those sensors.
• The third-generation OnePlus Watch features a classy design, standout battery life, and useful safety and wellness features, including AI-powered health insights, fall detection, and wrist temperature sensing.
• In our testing, it powered through four whole days on a charge with its always-on AMOLED display enabled, outperforming its Wear OS and watchOS peers.
• The OnePlus Watch 3 achieves its impressive battery life by utilizing two distinct operating systems to conserve power.
• It uses Wear OS 5 to run third-party apps and other battery-intensive tasks, while a proprietary real-time operating system (RTOS) handles low-power operations, such as sending notifications and running background tasks.

Display

We like its brightness and smooth, flicker-free tech; the second display option looks great

Battery life

Up to 120 hours, lasts longer — and charges faster — than any other Wear OS watch by far

Health

More accurate and less bare-bones for health and fitness data, but no ECG in U.S., OHealth has improved recently

Fitness

Offers dual-band GPS, delivered very accurate workout data in our review tests

Software

Will receive two Wear OS updates and three years of security updates; offers similar Wear OS 5 experience to Pixel watches

Upgrade pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

• Upgrade pick: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
• The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra (left) and the Galaxy Watch7 (right) have the same sensor array, processor, dual-band GPS, double-tap gesture, and ECG and FDA-approved sleep apnea detection.
• The Galaxy Watch Ultra offers a customizable Quick button, which can activate its emergency siren.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra. I upgraded from the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic and have been very happy with it.
• All the Watch 8's upgrades and software tricks

Display

Bright and gorgeous, but no small option.

Design

Rugged titanium, useful third button, and stylishly distinct. Some will miss the Classic bezel or feel the weight.

Performance

Top-tier performance, though no faster than Watch 8.

Battery life

60–100 hours based on settings, or 16 with GPS; consistent and reliable.

Health

Like Watch 8, offers thorough and accurate health data, including new metrics like antioxidants and heart health.

Fitness

Performed on par with a Garmin for GPS and HR accuracy; Energy Score is useful if you don't mind sleeping with it.

Software

Long and consistent Wear OS software support.

Budget and alternative Android watches

• Samsung Galaxy Watch FE is a slightly smaller version (it’s available only in a 40 mm size) of the Galaxy Watch8 with a smaller battery and an older processor.
• The Watch FE comes with all the same sensors for in-depth health and fitness tracking, including the BioActive sensor, as well as the same software features (aside from the AI-powered antioxidant index and vascular-load tracking).
• Budget shoppers: if you want to save money while still enjoying a range of smart features and health tracking capabilities, the Galaxy Watch FE is the best budget-friendly Wear OS smartwatch.
• It boasts most of the same lifestyle features as the company's flagship smartwatches and is highly capable in tracking activity, exercise, and sleep.
• OnePlus Watch 2R is a good alternative to the OnePlus Watch 3.
• Its display isn’t as large and bright, and it doesn’t come with the same robust set of sensors.
• But it has an aluminum body, so it’s a better choice if you want a similar watch that’s more lightweight, while still getting long battery life and tracking metrics such as fitness, heart rate, and sleep.

OnePlus Watch 2R battery life

3-day battery and speedy charging are this watch's best selling points

OnePlus Watch 2R health

You get the basics like sleep and heart rate, but no ECGs, skin temp, women's health, etc.

OnePlus Watch 2R fitness

Delivers accurate data with dual-band GPS, but you'll need a third-party app for training suggestions

OnePlus Watch 2R software

One more Wear OS update left, but OnePlus has been a bit slow to deliver new features

Garmin, Fitbit, Withings and Android-compatible alternatives

• Away from Google’s platform, though, there are also smartwatches from Garmin and Huawei that work brilliantly with Android phones.
• Garmin is where I ended up after trying multiple other watches - there's just nothing else that comes close to overall stability and quality (I had practically zero bugs on my Epix 2) and battery life (6-10 days, depending on AOD).
• It also has quality offline-first maps for sports and still keeps most of smart functionality.
• Smart functionality isn't as extensive, but does support basic smart watch stuff. The health tracking is solid, and battery life makes me unable to imagine using anything else.
• I've had my watch for three years, and it still lasts well over a week on a single charge, two if I don't do many activities.
• For OP: in your case, I would go with Garmin because it can pair with Android and iOS, which doesn't tie you to an OS for the next few years.

Garmin Venu 4 display

Two size options, better brightness than last generation

Garmin Venu 4 battery life

Longer battery life than any Wear OS watch, though some Garmin watches last longer

Garmin Venu 4 health

Accurate HR and sleep with skin temp, capable of continuous SpO2 for jet lag tracking, plus Health Status and lifestyle logging, with no subscription

Garmin Venu 4 fitness

Nearly every Garmin training tool you could want aside from offline maps, including daily suggested workouts, training load/ status

Fitbit Sense 2 battery life

Six-day battery is respectable, though GPS battery life is shorter-lived

Fitbit Sense 2 health

Lives up to Fitbit's reputation with thoroughness and accuracy, and new Gemini insights are useful.

Withings ScanWatch 2 battery life

Excellent battery life, even with constant health data

Withings ScanWatch 2 software

Again, no apps, NFC, or general "smarts" apply with this hybrid watch

How to choose a smartwatch for Android phones

• A smartwatch is an excellent companion for anyone who wants to stay connected without fully relying on their smartphone.
• You can answer calls and texts, track your workouts, check your notifications, and control your music — all from your wrist.
• While the Apple Watch continues to dominate the smartwatch market, Android smartwatches are just as capable, with robust sensors and features that allow for in-depth health tracking on a daily basis.
• You also have a lot more options to pick from, which makes it easier for you to find a wearable that suits both your style and your needs.
• Just because you have a smartphone, that doesn’t mean you need a smartwatch.
• Though many smartwatches have separate cellular connectivity, a smartwatch is still most useful as an accessory for your phone.
• It allows you to check messages, interact with some apps, and dismiss notifications, even letting you reply to them without ever touching your phone.

Notifications

A smartwatch should mirror notifications from your phone quickly, making it easy for you to dismiss them or reply in a couple of taps.

Performance

Smartwatches that lag can end up being less convenient than your phone. If you have to wait on a watch to check your notifications or heart rate, it’s not worth using.

Battery

Smartwatches should last a full day (at least 16 to 18 hours), so your phone and watch can go on the charger at the same time.

Fitness features

Health-monitoring functions that take advantage of a watch’s sensors should be easy to use and actionable, and they should protect your privacy.

Style and comfort

Smartwatches are devices, but they’re also fashion accessories, so we recommend watches that have attractive case designs and multiple band options — we give bonus points for standard-size, easily swapped straps.

Build quality

A smartwatch gets bumped and jostled throughout the day, so it must be made of durable materials and assembled well.

Apps and voice control

Installing apps and watch faces on your wearable lets you personalize it, just as you do your phone.