When considering purchasing a new smartwatch, it's important to first think about your specific reasons for wanting one. Do you want it to monitor your sleep patterns or aid in your fitness training? Perhaps you're more interested in tracking your daily steps and receiving notifications on your wrist. Most people typically fall somewhere between these different uses.
You can simplify your options by answering three questions. Do you use an iPhone or an Android device? How much do you want to spend? And for what purpose do you intend to use it?
When choosing a smartwatch, it's important to think about how comfortable, the size, and the style of the watch. If the smartwatch isn't comfortable for you, it may not be very useful, especially if you plan to use it as a sleep tracker.
Do not feel pressured to buy a new smartwatch for added features. Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google often introduce new functionalities through software updates. Updates for Apple Watch's WatchOS and Google's Wear OS are anticipated to be announced in the upcoming months at their respective developers conferences, with Google's I/O conference set for May and Apple's WWDC in June.
Check out this video: Guide to Buying Wearable Technology – All the Information You Need.
Early smartwatches used to be bulky, expensive, and with limited functions, but nowadays there are many good options available. Modern smartwatches strike a good balance between a quality design, health and fitness tracking features, and smart capabilities that can reduce your phone usage. The price range for these smartwatches usually falls between $200 and $1,000, but costs can vary depending on the specific brand.
What type of device do you use, an iPhone or an Android?
Deciding which smartwatch to choose depends on whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone. Some popular brands like Fitbit, Garmin, and Withings offer smartwatches that work with both types of phones, while others are only compatible with one platform.
The Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhones, while Samsung's Galaxy Watch 6 and Google's Pixel Watch 2 can only be used with Android devices. If you are interested in the Galaxy Watch 6, be aware that the ECG feature can only be used on Samsung Galaxy devices, unless you install Samsung's Health Monitor app on a non-Samsung phone.
<h2>What is your budget?</h2>
There are smartwatches available in various price ranges, and the best one for you will depend on your budget and what features you are looking for in a smartwatch.
<h3>Smartwatches with multiple uses</h3>
Description: The Pixel Watch made by Google.
In the market, most popular smartwatches typically cost between $300 and $400, but some may be priced higher if they include features like LTE connectivity or a more luxurious design. These smartwatches offer tools for monitoring your health, tracking fitness, and can also perform some functions of your smartphone. They are a good choice for a well-rounded experience, especially in terms of health and wellness. Examples of smartwatches in this category are the Apple Watch Series 9, Fitbit Sense 2, Google Pixel Watch 2, and Samsung Galaxy Watch 6.
Listed below are some examples of the features that can be found on smartwatches within this particular price range.
Header indicating features found in a top-of-the-line smartwatch.
List of features on the smartwatch:
– Various exercise modes available
– Tracks sleep data, including duration and stages
– Includes GPS for tracking outdoor running
– Can view and sometimes respond to text messages from your phone
– Ability to make and receive calls from the watch
– Optional LTE connectivity
– Supports voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant
– Monitors blood oxygen saturation (note: this feature is no longer available on Apple Watches purchased from Apple in the US)
– Tracks heart rate and includes an ECG app
– Measures temperature
– Always-on display feature to keep screen active when not in use
– Includes timers, alarms, and reminders
– Provides notifications from phone apps
– Supports third-party apps
– Has onboard storage for music
– Allows for mobile payments
Each model of watches may have different features, but the described package is typically what you can expect from watches in that price range. Additionally, some watches may come with unique extra features.
The Apple Watch Series 9, priced at $399, has features like car crash detection and an advanced ultra wideband chip that enhances its functionality as an iPhone tracker and a digital key for vehicles and homes. Google's Pixel Watch 2, at $350, and Fitbit Sense 2, priced at $300, come with sensors for stress monitoring. Samsung's $270 Galaxy Watch 6 can measure body composition, while Garmin's Forerunner 255, priced at $349, focuses more on fitness, offering programs for triathlon and duathlon training. Fitbit and Garmin watches usually have better battery life compared to Apple, Google, and Samsung watches, but the latter offer a wider range of third-party applications.
Heading: Affordable Smartwatches
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Rewritten text:
The Apple Watch SE of the second generation.
You can also find smartwatches that are priced around $250. These watches offer many features similar to the ones mentioned earlier, though not all. If your main priorities are receiving notifications on your wrist, making mobile payments, tracking workouts, and you don't require in-depth health insights, a watch in this price range may be a suitable choice. Examples of value-priced smartwatches include the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa 4.
Watches in this price range are typically suitable for many people, but it's important to be aware of what features they may lack. For instance, the $249 second-generation Apple Watch SE does not include an always-on display, ECG, blood oxygen measurements, or a temperature sensor. However, it does offer similar software, high- and low-heart-rate notifications, car crash detection, fall detection, and a variety of exercise modes compared to the Series 9.
The Fitbit Versa 4, priced at $230, includes popular fitness features such as active zone minutes, sleep tracking, GPS, and a daily readiness score that requires a Premium subscription. It also offers phone notifications, Amazon's Alexa, access to Google Maps and Google Wallet. For more advanced health capabilities like stress scanning, ECG, and skin temperature sensor, one would need the $299 Fitbit Sense 2.
Garmin's Venu Sq 2, priced at $250, boasts an impressive battery life of around 11 days and a variety of health and fitness features such as GPS, blood oxygen monitoring, and sleep tracking. However, it lacks a speaker and microphone for making calls, onboard music storage (unless opting for the $299 Music Edition), and access to apps from the Google Play Store.
Finding affordable smartwatches under $200 can be a challenge, but there are some options available. If you're looking to save money and don't require access to a wide range of apps, you may want to consider a fitness tracker as an alternative. Some insurance providers, such as Fitbit, offer discounts or benefits for their members, so it's advisable to check with your insurance company to see if this is an option for you.
Heading: Hybrid Watches
Rewritten text: This section talks about hybrid watches.
<p>The device known as the Withings ScanWatch Horizon.</p>
Hybrid smartwatches combine features of both a traditional wristwatch and a smartwatch, often resembling analog watches. However, they may not offer all the advanced smart capabilities found in devices like the latest Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch.
Hybrid watches differ from regular smartwatches as they feature a standard analog watch face with hands instead of a touchscreen display. They prioritize discretion and include a small screen for notifications and fitness information. One major advantage of hybrid watches is their longer battery life compared to smartwatches.
Hybrid watches, like the Withings ScanWatch, ScanWatch Horizon, Garmin Vivomove lineup, and Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid, are available at a price point similar to regular smartwatches, ranging from $150 to $500 depending on the specific model. These watches are ideal for individuals who prefer the traditional aesthetic of analog watches and prioritize extended battery life over advanced smartwatch features such as colorful touchscreens and comprehensive app stores.
Title: Advanced Exercise Watches
These are sophisticated fitness watches designed for intense workouts and monitoring physical activity.
The Garmin Epix Gen 2 is a smartwatch.
There is a group of premium fitness-focused smartwatches that offer similar features as regular smartwatches but are designed to be more durable and have additional functions for sports enthusiasts. These watches are ideal for marathon training or for individuals who work in remote areas that need precise GPS tracking.
The cost of these watches typically falls between $500 and $1,000. For instance, Garmin's Epix Gen 2 and Fenix 7 Standard are priced at $800 and $650, respectively. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is also available for $799.
Expensive fitness watches provide added benefits for fitness enthusiasts compared to cheaper alternatives. These benefits often include enhanced durability, longer battery life, more accurate GPS positioning, customizable buttons, and additional features designed for specific sports such as running, scuba diving, or golf.
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers improvements over the Series 9 with a longer battery life of 36 hours compared to 18 hours for the Series 9. It also provides better water resistance of up to 100 meters as opposed to the Series 8's 50 meters. Additional features include a depth gauge with a water temperature sensor, dual-frequency GPS, a titanium construction, a larger display, and a customizable Action button.
In comparison to the Forerunner 255, Garmin's Fenix and Epix watches offer better water resistance (100 meters compared to 50 meters), longer battery life, a mode for displaying location coordinates in different ways, customizable shortcuts, and several features tailored for golf. The Forerunner 255 is still focused on running, with tools like a race predictor for marathon training, as it is primarily designed for runners.
Best time to purchase a smartwatch?
The Fitbit Sense 2 is a wearable device for tracking health and fitness metrics.
The most ideal times to purchase a smartwatch are typically during events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday, as this is when the highest number of discounts are usually offered. Last year, for instance, there were discounts on various Garmin devices and Fitbit wearables.
If you're shopping for a smartwatch at any other time of the year, it's important to consider when the new model of the smartwatch you're interested in might be released. This can help you avoid paying a high price for a device that may become outdated soon. Additionally, older models may go on sale once the new version is launched.
It is recommended to research and learn about the features and updates that will be available on upcoming smartwatches before making a decision. One example is the next Apple Watch, which is expected to have significant improvements and new health-related functionalities such as the ability to detect conditions like high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Additionally, Google plans to utilize generative AI to offer insights based on users' fitness data through an upcoming feature called Fitbit Labs, which is expected to be accessible to owners of Pixel Watches and Fitbit devices who have a Fitbit Premium subscription. For more information on what to anticipate from new smartwatches in 2024, you can refer to the connected article.
In this analysis, we explore the typical timing of major smartwatch manufacturers' releases of new smartwatch models based on their past patterns.
Header displaying the projected release dates for smartwatches.
<h2>Deciding between a smartwatch and a fitness tracker</h2>
The Fitbit Charge 5 is a product that helps track activity and health.
If your budget is under $200 and you are not concerned about having features such as LTE connectivity, virtual assistants, or third-party apps, a fitness tracker might be the best option for you.
Fitness trackers typically offer health data such as sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring, various workout modes, and blood oxygen levels in a compact and cost-effective device. However, they may lack some advanced smart features found in smartwatches. Due to their smaller screens, users may not be able to view as much information at once compared to a smartwatch.
Fitness bands provide basic smartphone features like displaying call and text alerts and setting alarms and timers. Additionally, they typically offer longer battery life compared to traditional smartwatches. Explore some of our recommended fitness trackers.
For those seeking a basic and streamlined health tracker without phone alerts, smart rings from brands like Oura and Movano could fit the bill. However, it's worth noting that these devices can be just as pricey as smartwatches. Samsung is set to release its health-tracking Galaxy Ring soon, so Android users considering smart rings might want to wait for that option.
<h2>Top smartwatches of 2024</h2>
If you're unsure where to begin your search for a smartwatch, consider checking out CNET's recommendations for the best smartwatches. Their picks range in price from under $300 to $1,000. While many tech and health companies typically release new products towards the end of the year, the current list features the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9, Google Pixel Watch 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, and Garmin Epix 2 as some of the standout options available today.
We evaluate smartwatches by using them to track workouts, wearing them while sleeping, testing their ability to automatically detect exercises, relying on them for notifications when our phones are out of reach, and draining the battery to determine their longevity. Additionally, we gather data from the health sensors to understand how they enhance the user experience. The main objective of our smartwatch testing is to gauge their overall value by assessing the features they offer, how effectively they perform these functions, and how they compare to other models on the market.
Advice on smartwatches.
