The Best Smartwatches for Android

Whether people want to track their steps and get on top of their fitness goals, get hands-free notifications, or have a slick-looking timepiece on their wrist, smartwatches are an excellent device to pick up. For Android users, there are many options to choose from, so regardless of what kind of smartwatch a person wants, there is probably one that will fit everyone's needs. The best smartwatches are excellent companions to top Android devices like Google Pixels and Samsung phones, but they will also work fantastically with any other compatible Android device.

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Critical Factors To Choosing The Perfect Smartwatch For Android Users

• Compatibility: This goes beyond what phones the smartwatches are compatible with. Something to keep an eye out for is what apps the watch works with, like Google Wallet for people who are fans of contactless payments or the preferred fitness tracking app.
• Features: Smartwatches typically have a similar set of features, like heart rate tracking and step counting, but more niche features like sleep tracking and GPS can be more beneficial to some users over others. Deciding what features make the perfect smartwatch ahead of time will make it easier to narrow down the search results.
• Battery Life: How long a smartwatch lasts is vital to deciding if it is a perfect smartwatch. Not every smartwatch needs to stay charged for eight days, but having a watch that needs to be charged daily can get pretty annoying.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup has been and continues to be a fan favorite for WearOS smartwatch fans. Samsung seems to be following the rule of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' with the Galaxy Watch 6. This watch has the same slim and sleek look, sturdy construction, and tons of health and fitness tracking features as Galaxy Watches in the past. While there is nothing wrong with that approach at this point, if people already own a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, there is not a huge reason to upgrade.

Despite the iterative upgrade, the Galaxy Watch 6 is easily one of the best smartwatches for Android with its snappy processor, a battery life that can get through a whole day, and a fantastic display regardless of the setting. Especially for people already in the Samsung ecosystem, this watch is flawlessly integrated with Samsung's version of Android.

For the first time in a long time, there is a smartwatch for Android that is giving the Galaxy Watch lineup some stiff competition. The Google Pixel Watch 2 is an absolutely fantastic smartwatch that rivals the performance, build quality, and app compatibility of the Galaxy Watch 6. The Pixel Watch 2 hits the nail on the head for a lot of points. While it was a close race for the best overall pick, the Pixel Watch 2 lost out by just a bit because of its slightly higher price point and the fact that it needs to be recharged daily.

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The Pixel Watch 2 is an excellent choice for anyone with a Pixel phone. The integration is flawless and, unlike with the Galaxy Watch 6, there are no apps or compatibility issues when using this watch with other Android devices. So, if people use a OnePlus phone, a Motorola phone, or even a Samsung phone, the Pixel Watch 2 will integrate flawlessly. Plus, since Google bought out Fitbit, this watch uses Fitbit tracking and offers users a six-month free trial to premium Fitbit features.

When it comes to flagship smartwatches, Fitbits are typically pushed under the rug because most people think they are just fitness trackers, but lately Fitbit has been offering more and more premium features at pretty affordable prices. The Charge 6 is an excellent option for anyone who wants a smaller smartwatch that has incredible battery life, robust fitness tracking features, and even has access to apps like Google Wallet. People who have used a Fitbit in the past might have tried to add contactless payment and took one look at how Fitbit was doing it through their app and gave up, or couldn't do it depending on the bank they used, but now it is all through Google Wallet.

Now, of course, with its smaller design, the screen is not going to be easy to navigate through for texting or some other tasks like on the Pixel Watch 2 or Galaxy Watch 6, but the 1.04-inch AMOLED display is easy to read even in direct sunlight and allows for the watch to stay charged for up to seven days. For people who don't want to wear a big bulky smartwatch but still want something that will allow them to track fitness stats and access some smart features, the Charge 6 is the way to go.

Garmin smartwatches are some of the best options for avid runners and fitness buffs looking for a robust fitness tracker. The Garmin Venu 2 is easily one of their most popular smartwatches; it rides the line of a straight-up fitness tracker and a typical smartwatch. The Venu 2 doesn't exactly scream fitness watch, but it is built with enough durability to be worn regardless of the activity, including pool swimming. And even though this watch isn't a standalone device like an Apple Watch, it does have internal storage that can hold up to 650 songs to keep users motivated for longer runs.

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The super bright 1.3" AMOLED display shows users a wealth of information from this watch, like their daily calendar, heart rate, water intake, stress level, and phone notifications. Unfortunately, unlike the Pixel Watch 2, the Venu 2 has somewhat limited app support, so be sure to take a look at what apps it works with first before purchasing.

When it comes to a fully featured smartwatch, few competitors have as long of a battery life as the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5. This smartwatch has an impressive three-day battery life, alongside a display and overall performance that rivals the best smartwatches for Android, like the Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2. The bulkier design and no support for Google Assistant took it out of the race for best overall smartwatch. However, if people like a bulkier watch and want a fully featured smartwatch that can last for 80 hours without needing a recharge, the Ticwatch Pro 5 is a fantastic choice.

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The design on the Ticwatch Pro 5 is reminiscent of the Casio G-Shock watches that every cool person was wearing for a while, but with a more sleek frame around the watch face itself. The more significant form factor and display make it easier to navigate around, but for people with smaller wrists, this watch might feel a bit too heavy to wear for three days straight. If people are okay with sacrificing some features, a smartwatch like the Fitbit Charge 6 might be a better option for people with smaller wrists.

The Garmin Vivomove Sport is a smartwatch for people who want the smart features and fitness-tracking ability of smartwatches, but don't want it to look like a smartwatch. Whether out for a run or hitting the town, the Vivomove Sport looks the part, and even though it's not as long as some hybrid watches, the battery life will keep it charged for up to 5 days.

When wrapped around the user's wrist, the watch just has a typical analog watch face, but when users twist their wrist to look at it, a hidden OLED display will turn on. The display shows phone notifications and calendar updates. Unlike the other Vivomove watches, the Sport also offers stress levels, body battery, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and hydration levels. While not the most comprehensive fitness tracker or fully featured smartwatch, the Vivomove Sport is a great way to get into smartwatches while still looking fashionable.

How To Make a Smart Decision On a Smartwatch

There are many options to choose from when it comes to smartwatches that work with Android devices. To help narrow down the results, consider these three factors: Compatibility, Features, and Battery Life.

Compatibility goes beyond whether it will work with a phone, although that is still an important thing to look for. For most WearOS devices, which is the leading Android-based smartwatch OS, the device is required to be at least on Android 9.0. Moving past the phone compatibility though, users should also make sure that the watch works with the apps that they consider must-haves. These could be fitness tracking apps, contactless payment like Google Wallet, controlling music, and many more.

The features of a smartwatch are typically what sets it apart from the rest, but not everyone needs a smartwatch that is packed to the gills with features that they will probably not even use. Many people pick up a smartwatch for their health-tracking abilities; for those people, they should check whether the watch has a heart rate sensor, step tracker, and possibly GPS tracking. But if people want to go beyond that, some smartwatches additionally offer an oxygen saturation sensor and sleep tracking.

Finally, battery life plays a huge role in the enjoyment of a smartwatch. The best smartwatches for Android typically have at least a day or two worth of battery life, but some can last a week or even longer. Deciding the blend of performance and battery life is a personal choice, but Game Rant recommends looking for smartwatches with at least two days of battery life. That way, it is not always on the charger.

Regardless of what smartwatch people choose, there is a perfect option out there for everyone. As long as it at least hits all three of these factors, it will most likely be an excellent smartwatch that will add a ton of helpful resources to daily routines.

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FAQ

Q: Do I need a data plan for a smartwatch?

Most smartwatches don't need data plans, unless they are a standalone device. Even then smartwatches with LTE connections don't necessarily need a data plan, if users want to use it via a WiFi or Bluetooth connection.

Q: Can I leave my phone at home and use my smartwatch?

As long as the smartwatch is capable of LTE connection, users can still have full access to phone calls, messages, and other phone features when the phone is at home. If a smartwatch is not capable of LTE connection, then users can still leave their phone at home for runs or bike rides, but they won't get access to the full features that the smartwatch offers.