Is a Smartwatch Right for You?

Let’s start by defining our terms: What differentiates a smartwatch from a fitness tracker is its mobile apps. Even top-shelf trackers are still limited to the functions that were installed at the factory. Smartwatches, by contrast, offer boundless versatility because, as with smartphones and tablets, they let you add functionality simply by downloading a new app.

And there are thousands of apps available for the main smartwatch operating systems, offering everything from news and entertainment to travel tools and guided meditation. Fitness fans are especially well served, with apps not just for runners and cyclists but also golfers, yoga enthusiasts, scuba divers, and even pickleball players. The selection varies based on the ecosystem you choose—Apple’s watchOS, Google’s Wear OS, or the Fitbit OS—but name an activity and there’s probably a smartwatch app for it.

Gone are the days when the answer to most smartwatch questions went like this: Just buy an Apple Watch. Models made by Apple continue to perform very well in our labs, but Android devices are better than ever. In fact, several Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy watches sit near the top of our ratings. Here’s what to consider when shopping for a smartwatch.

Apple or Android?
For a more seamless experience, try to match your watch to your phone. If you have an iPhone, for example, you’ll want an Apple Watch. Models that operate on Google’s Wear OS work best with an Android phone. And if you have a Samsung phone, you can pair it with any Android smartwatch. But one made by Samsung will offer extra benefits, like compatibility with the company’s fitness apps and the ability to control the volume on a pair of Samsung earbuds from your wrist.

Cell Service
Cellular capability adds a bit to a watch’s purchase price and roughly $10 a month to your phone bill. But it allows you to leave your smartphone behind when you go out for a walk or a run. With a built-in cell service connection, you can receive phone calls and text messages, and take full advantage of your watch’s fall-protection features. (Without one, you need to carry your phone at all times to get those benefits.) A built-in microphone and speaker allow you to place phone calls and also use voice commands for Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

The Right Sensors
While you can add new functionality in seconds by downloading an app, several of the most sophisticated health and safety features require special sensors that are found only on higher-end models. If, for example, you want an Apple Watch that delivers warnings about an abnormal heart rhythm (which needs an ECG sensor), the most accurate sleep tracking (which needs a blood oxygen sensor), or women’s health options (which often require a skin-temperature sensor), you need to spring for the $400 Apple Watch Series 8 instead of the otherwise capable $250 Apple Watch SE. Among the higher-end watches that include advanced sensors are the Google Pixel Watch (which has fall-detection sensors), the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 (which can measure body fat and muscle mass), and the Fitbit Sense 2 (which adds a skin-temperature sensor for stress tracking).

Customized Watch Face
There are lots of simple ways to make a smartwatch your own, just as you’d personalize a smartphone. You can, for example, choose between a classy analog watch face or a bold and easy-to-read digital display. On many models you can then add quick access to your favorite information, including hourly weather forecasts and the fluctuations of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Reminders
Smartwatches are great for reminders, from appointment notifications to medication scheduling. If you enable fitness and mindfulness functions, your watch can even prompt you to stand up or take a few minutes for focused breathing or meditation.

Battery Life
From a battery life standpoint, smartwatches tend to be more like smartphones (which often need to be charged daily) than fitness trackers (which last a week or more between top-ups). The precise figure—18 to 36 hours and beyond—depends on the model you choose and how you use it. Certain apps, like GPS, can be power-hungry. Pro tip: Many smartwatches come in various case sizes, and the larger cases often have a bigger battery for longer battery life.

Water Resistance
In our labs, we test smartwatches for water resistance in a pressure tank. Most models survived a 10-minute immersion of 164 feet or more, but if you plan to dive with your watch, choose a model with a deeper rating.

The Best Fit
Fit is important for two reasons. To get the most out of a smartwatch, you need to wear it almost all of your waking hours (and maybe while you sleep). A good, snug fit also improves the accuracy of sensors, like those for ECG and skin temperature, that rely on contact with your skin. So be sure to try on several watches before committing. You can often swap out bands in seconds to fine-tune your fit.