Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

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AI-powered smartwatch with energy score and wellness tips, and an upgraded dual-band GPS.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, the Galaxy Watch 7 doesn’t come with too many obvious upgrades. However, when you look underneath the hood, you’ll start to see where the improvements have been made. Samsung’s latest smartwatch offers a new BioActive health sensor, more storage, a faster processor, and upgraded GPS. Not to mention Galaxy AI, which results in more intelligent and accurate tracking for those all-important health and fitness metrics.

The AMOLED screen is a breeze to use and, of course, it looks fantastic. The downside to that always-on display is that the battery life only lasts about 12 hours, but you can save a bit of juice by turning off that feature. Samsung has upgraded the dual-band GPS antenna on the Galaxy Watch 7, offering better location tracking when you’re walking, on a bike ride, and so on.

Although you don’t need to pair your Galaxy Watch 7 with a Samsung Galaxy smartphone since it works well with other Android smartphones, you will get the most out of the watch by doing so. With so many features, it’s great alternative to an Apple Watch.

Google Pixel Watch 3

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A sleek smartwatch with awesome features, solid OS, and a sleek design.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 keeps a similar design to the Pixel Watch 2, but there are a few improvements, including an all-new 45mm option. No matter the size, the watch body is rounded and relatively thin, keeping it from protruding too far off your wrist. Even if you opt for the smaller 41mm size, the display still seems larger compared to previous models thanks to slimmer bezels. That and improved brightness make it easier to read all the information the watch is capable of displaying. The touch screen also playce nice with the digital crown for even easier navigation of Google’s wearOS.

Using Google’s wearOS and a Qualcomm processor, the Pixel Watch 3 feels snappy and lag-free while shuffling through and opening the endlessly available apps. One of its more unique features lets you control your Pixel phone’s camera right on the watch. Tons of customizable faces also make for a more personalized experience.

Given Google seems to be putting all its eggs in the Pixel Watch basket over updating the Fitbit lineup, this smartwatch is full of tracking and health features. Using a batch of sensors, including a GPS, ECG, blood oxygen, and skin temperature, the watch delivers a boatload of useful metrics. These sensors also help to create a new daily readiness score for better insight into how well your body will handle the day ahead. With Google AI, the watch even develops custom workouts using that health data. However, some of the more advanced features require a Fitbit Premium subscription.

The 24-hour battery is average for most smartwatches. If use is intensified, that battery level can drop quicker, especially with the GPS on. To reserve charge, a power save mode can extend the battery life up to 36 hours. But if the Pixel Watch 3 needs a boost, the USB-C fast charging cable brings a 50% charge in less than 30 minutes.

Fitbit Sense 2

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Want to monitor your health stats and fitness? The Fitbit Sense 2 is a little more indulgent but offers plenty of worthwhile data.

Fitbit is a brand synonymous with health tracking technology, so it’s no surprise that two of the company’s watches have made it onto our list. With a square design similar to the Apple Watch, the Fitbit Sense 2 offers handy fitness and lifestyle apps at a reasonable price. The Sense 2 can be set up with the Fitbit app, which acts as a central hub for your lifestyle data, including sleep and stress trackers and an ECG app to track heart health. Once you’ve used the app enough, you’ll be fed helpful ‘readiness’ info, letting you know optimal times for activity and rest, which can compel you into healthier fitness routines.

If you don’t want to hitch your wagon to one brand’s ecosystem, the Fitbit range is a great option, as the supported app comfortably works with both iPhone and Android phones, which means you don’t have to worry about compatibility. And if the new iPhone turns your head, you don’t need to worry about a year’s worth of health data going down the drain – you can simply transfer it to the new device and keep those streaks going.

TicWatch Pro 5

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Adventurers need to grab this durable smartwatch full of protective certifications meant to survive the outdoors and tons of handy features.

If you want to get out in the wild with a tough and durable smartwatch, the TicWatch Pro 5 will have you covered. Tested against military standards for durability, this sturdy smartwatch has a boatload of protective certifications meant to survive the outdoors. Paired with the TicWatch’s approximately 80-hour battery life, you should be able to scale a few peaks or chart some trails before needing to plug in. Though if you do need to add some juice, you can recharge up to 65% in around 30 minutes. The heavy-duty design does mean the TicWatch Pro 5 is a little larger and heavier than other options on the list, emulating a more traditional watch design, which will appeal to some and deter others.

If your sense of direction isn’t on point, the TicWatch Pro 5 works with five unique satellite systems that should be able to keep you on course and a built-in compass so you’ll always find true north. Plus, as you do scale heights, the TicWatch Pro 5 will graph your altitude to provide data on your climbs.

Garmin Vívoactive 5

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This Garmin watch offers a long battery life, 30 fitness tracking presets, and more to help you get fit.

If achieving your fitness goals is at the forefront of your mind, then the Garmin Vívoactive 5 might be the watch for you. With more than 11 days of battery life, you won’t need to take off your watch for bed and can enjoy the feedback of the onboard sleep health tracker. Delivered as a morning report, you’ll also get a quick snapshot of the daily weather and your fitness recovery status so you can start planning your daily routines with a dossier of useful info.

The Garmin Vívoactive 5 offers 30 fitness tracking presets, which can benchmark your progress towards health goals. If you have accessibility needs, you can also turn on the wheelchair mode, which will track movement of pushes as steps, switching icons appropriately. Four standard colourways are available for the Garmin Vívoactive 5, though if you want something bespoke, you can customize the watch face and band to find your perfect match.

Fitbit Versa 4

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Featuring a large AMOLED display, the Fitbit Versa 4 is one of the best Fitbit smartwatches around, packed full of features.

The Fitbit Versa 4 is the most affordable smartwatch here but doesn’t sacrifice any essential features. Including six days of battery life and GPS, the Fitbit Versa is a smart choice to track your fitness on a budget. Using Fitbit’s signature technology and associated app, you can choose between 40 different activities, like HIIT and strength training, with specific calorie and distance information provided as you get stronger. When you’re ready to wind down, you’ll find your stress and sleep health information available to monitor your recovery.

There’s a decent range of lifestyle features too, incorporating the Google Suite, the Alexa smart assistant, and contactless payment. Like the Fitbit Sense 2, the Fitibit Versa can also be used with iPhones, so if you switch up your handset, you can still make the most of your fitness data. Unfortunately, it’s not the most impressive-looking smartwatch on our list, but it’s hard to argue with the price if you’re after a fitness tracking device and not much more.