We purchased the The 6 Best Android Smartwatches so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full products reviews.
Smartwatches have exploded in popularity in recent years, and with good reason. These wrist-worn gadgets, which come with a slew of useful features, allow users to do everything from control music playback to answering calls without having to reach for their smartphones. The fact that most smartwatches also have fitness-tracking capabilities only adds to the appeal.
All of this is to say that picking a smartwatch to pair with your Android smartphone isn’t exactly a walk in the park, as there are a plethora of options available, each with its own set of features. Some, such as the Fitbit Versa 2 at Amazon, are even compatible with iPhones. Some are based on Google’s WearOS, while others are built on proprietary software platforms. It can be perplexing, but we’re here to assist you. To make things easier, we’ve compiled a list of the best Android smartwatches on the market right now.
Motorola’s original Moto360 (Check latest price on Amazon), which debuted in 2014, went on to become one of the best-selling wearables of the time. Fast forward to today, and we have the all-new Moto360, which is arguably the best Android smartwatch on the market right now. This 3rd generation model is made by an independent company through a brand-licensing agreement, rather than by Motorola. It has 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage, and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor.
The Moto360 comes with a 1.2-inch circular AMOLED display with a 390×390 pixel resolution and “Always On” functionality. Wi-Fi 802.11bgn, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and GPS are all included in the 3rd generation Moto360’s connectivity options (with GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou support). Because it runs on Google’s WearOS platform, the smartwatch can run a wide range of apps from both Google and third-party developers.
All standard features are supported, including smartphone notifications, activity tracking, mobile payments (via Google Pay), and voice control (via Google Assistant). The whole package is backed by a 355mAh battery that can be fully juiced up in just 60 minutes.
Look no further than Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active2 (Check latest price on Amazon) if you’re looking for a powerful and feature-packed Android smartwatch. It has an Exynos 9110 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, and 4GB of onboard storage. The 1.4-inch circular Super AMOLED display on the wearable has a resolution of 360×360 pixels and supports “Always On” mode. Wi-Fi 802.11bgn, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, A-GPS, and LTE (with support for all major US carriers) are among the connectivity options.
It’s worth noting that, rather than WearOS, the Galaxy Watch Active2 runs on Samsung’s Tizen platform (from Google). You do, however, have access to a number of popular apps such as Spotify and Strava. The smartwatch is also focused on fitness tracking, with features such as an integrated HRM and actionable insights into a variety of parameters (e.g. running style, sleep quality). Voice control (via Bixby), mobile payments (via Samsung Pay), and easy navigation via a touch-enabled side bezel are among the other notable features. A 340mAh battery powers the smartwatch.
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Best For Fitness Enthusiasts: Fitbit Versa 2 Fitness Smartwatch
Despite the fact that nearly all Android smartwatches have some fitness-related features, none compare to Fitbit’s Versa 2 (Check latest price on Amazon). It’s designed for serious fitness buffs and can track and analyze (with detailed insights) just about any activity-related parameter you can think of. This includes heart rate (with 24-hour monitoring and resting rate trends), a variety of exercises (such as running, biking, and yoga) with automatic tracking and goal-based stats, pace and distance, floors climbed, sleep quality (time spent in deep, light, and REM stages), menstrual cycle, and much more.
Not only that, but you’ll also receive personalized activity reminders (for moving, staying hydrated, and so on), workout intensity maps, personalized cardio fitness scores, and total calories burned for the day.
The Versa 2 has a 0.98-inch color touch-enabled display (with “Always On” functionality) and connectivity options like Wi-Fi 802.11bgn, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, and GPS (via paired smartphone). Despite the fact that it is not based on WearOS, it includes all of the expected features, such as mobile payments (via Fitbit Pay), streaming and offline music playback, and smartphone notifications. Voice control (via Amazon Alexa) and water resistance of up to 50 meters are among the other features.
Skagen’s Falster 3 (Check latest price on Amazon) is one of the best-looking Android smartwatches on the market, with a stainless steel case and a gunmetal-finished mesh bracelet that adds to the watch’s minimalist design. However, the wearable is much more than just a pretty face. Its 1.3-inch circular OLED display, which has a resolution of 390×390 pixels, looks sharp and bright in all lighting conditions. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor is housed inside, along with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. Everything from Wi-Fi 802.11bgn and Bluetooth 4.2 to NFC and GPS is included in the connectivity package.
The Falster 3 supports a wide range of official and third-party apps thanks to Google’s WearOS platform. Aside from that, all standard features are supported, including smartphone notifications, mobile payments (via Google Pay), activity tracking, streaming and offline music playback, and voice control (via Google Assistant). The smartwatch even has a built-in speaker that allows you to answer calls without having to take out your phone.
Movado’s Connect 2.0 (Check latest price on Amazon) is ideal for anyone looking for a top-tier Android smartwatch and is willing to pay top dollar for it. It combines the fine art of Swiss watchmaking with modern technology. The opulent timepiece has an ion-plated stainless steel case (with ceramic back) that looks as good as it feels.
The smartwatch is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, which is aided by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. A rotating crown (on the right) controls UI navigation, which is flanked by two pushers that can be customized to launch a specific app or setting. This is a common design element on many Android smartwatches, and it works well. You can use the plethora of apps that work with Google’s platform because the Connect 2.0 is based on WearOS. All of the standard features, such as voice control, activity tracking, and mobile payments, are also available.
The Fossil 5 gen Carlyle (Check latest price on Amazon) is a well-rounded smartwatch that doesn’t break the bank. It has a 1.28-inch circular AMOLED display with a resolution of 416×416 pixels and a simple yet elegant design. The panel is sharp and bright, with display elements visible in a variety of lighting conditions.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of internal storage are included in the wearable’s hardware. Because it’s based on Google’s WearOS platform, there’s a slew of official and third-party apps to choose from. All standard features work as expected, including voice control (via Google Assistant), activity tracking, and mobile payments (via Google Pay). Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS are all included in the fifth-generation Carlyle’s connectivity options. A built-in speaker and water resistance of up to 30 meters are among the notable features.
The Final Word
Every single one of the Android smartwatches listed above is fantastic in its own right, with a variety of unique features. However, the all-new 3rd generation Moto360 is our overall recommendation, as it achieves the ideal balance of performance and features.
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