The number of smartwatches on the market is staggering. I’ve tested models from Tag Heuer, Citizen, Montblanc and many other fashion brands, but most of them are just too expensive for what you get. Here are a few options I like.
Apple Watch Series 8 for $319: If you find the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8 (8/10, WIRED recommends) at a significantly cheaper price than the Series 9 (under $300), you should snap it up. It is almost identical to the latest model, especially the health features. Save your money!
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 for $229 and Watch5 Pro for $380: The 2022 Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro (7/10, WIRED recommends) are still great, just make sure you’re paying less than the price of the new Galaxy Watch6 models. They match Apple Watch’s accuracy in several SpO health and fitness metrics2, sleep and heart rate tracking to electrocardiogram measurements (the latter, however, is only available for Samsung phones). The Watch5 Pro is larger and has a battery that lasts about two full days, while the Watch5 lasts about a day and a morning. The Pro also offers GPX so you can download walking routes to the watch. They have sapphire crystals that protect the screen, but the Watch5 Pro’s glass is even more durable and has a stronger titanium casing compared to the aluminum of the standard Watch5.
Google Pixel Watch (1st Gen) for $280: Google’s first smartwatch (6/10, WIRED Review) offers solid performance, a responsive and bright screen, and is comfortable to wear. It’s also an attractive smartwatch, and Google has added several features in the watch’s first year of life, including fall detection and automatic exercise detection (this will be supported until 2025). It has NFC for contactless payments, a speaker for answering phone calls and there are electrocardiogram measurements and sleep tracking if you need them. However, the battery is weak and only lasts about a full day with sleep tracking. Try not to pay more than $300 for it.
Withings ScanWatch (1st Gen) for $300: Withings’ ScanWatch (8/10, WIRED recommends) has good heart rate and sleep tracking capabilities, as well as FDA approval for blood oxygen and electrocardiogram measurements. The latter can be helpful in detecting atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeat. However, you should always consult your doctor if you are concerned about the results. This minimalist watch can last a whole month between charges – who doesn’t love that? The dial is covered in sapphire crystal and the case is made of stainless steel, so it is durable and feels well made. What reveals its intelligent instinct is the OLED subdial, which is also one of the biggest disadvantages of the ScanWatch. This screen is tiny! You read notifications like the news ticker in Times Square in New York. Withings has announced a second generation of ScanWatch smartwatches and we’ll be testing them soon, which is why you should avoid buying the old model at full price.
Casio G-Shock Move DW-H5600 for $299: Do you want a G-Shock with a heart rate monitor? The DW-H5600’s measurements matched those of the Apple Watch well, but if you’re serious about monitoring your health, I think you’re better off buying something from our guide to the best fitness trackers. The buttons are a bit hard to press and there aren’t many workouts you can track (running, walking, gym workouts). There’s a lot of data to browse in the app, but I wanted more, and the battery life lasted about three days of continuous monitoring. It can be charged via solar power, but you have to use the bulky charging clip every few days. I still enjoyed wearing it even if I didn’t find it as useful as our tips above. You can use it to track different time zones, your movements via GPS during exercise, and even your sleep.