The best Android smartwatches have the perfect blend of premium features, durability, stylish design, and good old-fashioned bang for the buck, making the selection process difficult for some folks. Luckily, that's why we're here. From straightforward fitness trackers to cutting-edge wearables with the power of a small computer, all of the best options for 2023 can be found below.
Unsurprisingly, when we were choosing our top pick for the best Android smartwatch, it all came down to either Samsung or Google. Both flagship wearables received glowing reviews from Android Central upon release, but we ultimately selected the Galaxy Watch 5 with the Pixel Watch as a close 2nd. Google's watch is the more stylish pick, but the Galaxy Watch 5's price, durability, size, and band options make it the better choice for most users.
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But you have other tempting options available to you. After all, there are two types of Android watches: lifestyle watches running Wear OS that directly sync with Android phones, and fitness watches from Garmin, Fitbit, and other brands that connect to Android, but don't have the same level of integration. We're highlighting both types across a range of prices, so you'll have plenty of options.
If you want the very best Android smartwatch, go with the Galaxy Watch 5. But you may want the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro or the last-gen Galaxy Watch 4 Classic instead. Otherwise, if the Pixel Watch doesn't speak to you, you'll want to check out options from Mobvoi, Fossil, Fitbit, or Garmin.
Which smartwatch should I buy in 2023?
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Compared to the Galaxy Watch 4 bulldozing and rebuilding the Android watch landscape with Wear OS 3, 2022's Galaxy Watch 5 is more of an iterative upgrade. It tweaked its predecessor's solid-but-flawed template, relying on a similar design and the same processor and memory. But despite the Galaxy Watch 5's similarities to the GW4, it makes several changes to address the last model's shortcomings, helping it to retain its Android watch crown.
As our Galaxy Watch 5 review outlines, the newer watch may have the same Exynos processor and 1.5GB of RAM as the last model, but it's just as speedy as ever, leaping through menus where other watches on Snapdragon Wear sometimes tend to encounter more lag. It also gets about 10 hours more per charge than the Galaxy Watch 4, though the 5 only lasts a day if you use the always-on display and always-listening assistant. Without those, it might last Samsung's promised 50-hour max, but you'll need the Pro if you want a watch that consistently works for three days per charge. Otherwise, for a more affordable and compact device, the Galaxy Watch 5 is the Android watch to beat.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 still offers the best combination of Samsung's hardware ingenuity and Tizen expertise, mixed with Google's software. While a couple of health-tracking features are exclusive to Samsung phones, it otherwise will work perfectly well with your Android phone of choice. It'll only last you a little over a day, but twice-as-fast recharging solves this issue from the last model.
After waiting years and years for it to arrive, the Pixel Watch is simultaneously a triumphant moment for Google and Wear OS and a mixture of questionable decisions. If you can get past some of the Pixel Watch's quirks, it might be a better fit for you than the Galaxy Watch 5.
For starters, it's more stylish than any Android smartwatch we've tested and looks more like a status symbol than the Galaxy Watch 5. As our Pixel Watch reviewer explains, the watch's notoriously thick bezel isn't actually that bad, as Wear OS 3.5 can easily squeeze a ton of information into the display. And both the haptic feedback and the little bumps on the rotating crown are "both subtle and very satisfying" to use. We were also pleasantly surprised at how "snappy" the Pixel Watch performance was given its use of the four-year-old Exynos 9110 chip found in the original Galaxy Watch. Clearly, the massive 2GB of RAM counterbalanced any limitations quite nicely. The watch does consistently last 24 hours with AOD active, which isn't great but does at least beat the Apple Watch.
Bottom line: The Google Pixel Watch is the ideal Android watch to bring in the same Material You style as Android 13, along with seamless controls for tools like Google Home and Google Assistant — which other Wear OS watches may not get anytime soon. It's certain to get speedy support from Google through the next three years, and won't tie specific features to a phone brand like Samsung does.
All of the Galaxy Watch 5's perks, from the smooth Wear OS UI to the improved sensor readings and faster charging, apply to the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. In most respects, it's a jumbo-sized version of the Watch 5, with only a couple of tools that you can't access on the smaller watch, and no physically rotating bezel like you got on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. If you're buying the Pro, you're primarily doing so for the more rugged materials and the long-lasting battery life.
In our Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review testing across multiple units, it consistently lasted three days even with continuous heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep tracking, as well as a couple of hours of GPS-backed workout and regular app use — three times longer than the average lifestyle watch and twice as long as the standard Galaxy Watch 5. Even with all that and the always-on display and music streaming, it hit 31 hours. And once your watch runs out of juice, 10W charging lets you refill it to capacity in about 90 minutes. The other perk is that, along with the sapphire crystal display, the case itself is made of titanium materials that are more likely to withstand heavy falls without anything getting damaged or scratched. The design itself has the display recessed underneath the outer bezel, whereas the standard Galaxy Watch 5 display is flush, and therefore more exposed to possible damage.
Bottom line: The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro isn't really meant for pro athletes, but rather for pro Android users who plan to use it for frequent health sensor tracking, music storage and streaming, LTE phone calls, and other mobile tools squeezed into its relatively massive display — all without having to recharge it daily like you would with most other picks on this list.
Although it's been supplanted by the Galaxy Watch 5, the Galaxy Watch 4 hasn't suddenly become archaic. It has the same Exynos chipset and memory, so it should hypothetically receive similar software support from Samsung for years to come. In fact, it's already received the same One UI Watch 4.5 software running on the newer models. And the similarities don't end there: It has the same display sizes, IP68 and MIL-STD-810H protection, signature capacitive touch bezel, and aluminum material.
The 2021 Galaxy Watch 4 is technically $30 less than the newer Galaxy Watch 5 at list price, but since the newer model launched, we've seen it regularly on sale at a steep discount. So given their similarities, what's the catch? It lacks the new temperature sensor and 37mAh battery upgrade, but the watch itself is significantly lighter and thinner than the newer model. It lacks the new Sapphire Glass, but does at least have Corning Gorilla Glass with DX+ protection. So even though we now recommend the newer model, our Galaxy Watch 4 review emphasizes the fact that this excellent watch runs rings around most current Android watches in software quality. If you're looking for something cheaper than the Galaxy Watch 5, you could look at some of the other picks below, but this watch could be a better fit, and still has years of promised software support left.
Bottom line: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 gives you 80% of the same perks as the Galaxy Watch 5 for a lower price, while the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic adds the physical rotating bezel that makes navigating Wear OS 3 a breeze. Both have a stunning design accompanied by endless smartwatch features and health/fitness tracking perks. You get optional LTE connectivity, GPS, heart-rate monitoring, ECG, and much more.
There are quite a few reasons to consider the TicWatch E3 when weighing your options. First, some people want to enjoy the perks of owning a smartwatch without having a loud fashion statement on their wrist. Second, the TicWatch E3 has a straightforward design that consists of a light polycarbonate case and a curved high-density (HD) display. It may not be as crisp as AMOLED displays, but it's sharp and visible even in direct sunlight. With a simple design and attainable price tag, you might not expect much from the TicWatch E3. However, Mobvoi decided to include the latest Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor under the hood. Combining that with 1GB of RAM allows you to expect slick performance for an overall seamless experience.
This Wear OS watch is complete with GPS, activity/sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, Google Assistant, Google Pay, heart-rate monitoring, and more. It also provides users with a microphone and a speaker. Considering all the features you'll be using, the battery will last for up to three days in SmartWatch Mode. There's also Essential Mode, which helps preserve battery life by disabling key features. The only downside is that Mobvoi was supposed to deliver Wear OS 3 to its watches by the end of 2022, but failed to hit that deadline. As our TicWatch E3 review explained, buying this watch now offers "delayed gratification" because it hasn't come into its own as a Wear OS 3 watch yet, and we now have no way of knowing how much longer the delay will be.
Bottom line: With all the changes happening to Wear OS watches, users might be hesitant to consider buying one right now. However, a select few are already confirmed for the new platform, including the Mobvoi TicWatch E3. It doesn't cost a fortune, and it has several key features, like GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity tracking, and Google Pay.
Although it lacks some of the traditionally "smart" features found on other wearables on this list, we still recommend the Fitbit Sense 2 simply on the strength of its health tracking alone. The Fitbit Sense 2 tracks your heart rate, heart rate variance (HRV), possible atrial fibrillation (AFib), blood oxygen, sleep quality, stress levels, and skin temperature. The last two, in particular, are where the Sense 2 stands apart: the new continuous electrodermal (cEDA) sensor has all-day body response tracking to warn you if you're overstressed, while the temperature sensor can warn you if you're possibly unwell and judge if your body temperature is hurting your sleep quality.
When reviewing the Sense 2, we appreciated how Fitbit used its Google connections to implement Wear OS-like menus, a physical side button that's a major improvement over the capacitive button on the original Sense, and implemented some Google apps like Wallet and Maps, making it the best Fitbit device available. It also has a stylish design with a bright AMOLED display, and a six-day battery life with standard use. That consistent battery life and extra sensors are why you might consider the Sense 2 over the Pixel Watch, which also has Fitbit integration but lacks the health data to provide the comprehensive reports that make Premium worth using.
Bottom line: As one of the most popular names in the wearable world, Fitbit is always a good option. The Sense 2 is centered around health and fitness tracking, ideal for workout enthusiasts or anyone who needs to keep a close eye on their heart health.
Most companies either lump fitness tools into lifestyle watches or go all-in on fitness tech to the detriment of the design. With the Garmin Venu 2 Plus, it strikes a delicate balance, giving you all the tools you'd expect from the best Garmin watches in a more aesthetically pleasing and premium package, though with a price tag to match. Both it and the older Garmin Venu 2 give you a gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen with a stainless steel bezel, along with music storage, tap-to-pay, enduring battery life, and all of Garmin's usual software tricks. But it's the combination of touchscreen and buttons that's unique, as most Garmin watches rely solely on button navigation, making them less user-friendly.
The Venu 2 Plus improves on its predecessor by adding a mic and speaker to answer calls or speak with Google Assistant, Siri, and Bixby. It also adds a fifth button for an extra shortcut, which lets you access tools like Garmin Pay or your assistant more quickly. The new tech cuts the battery life estimate to 9 days, but that's still miles ahead of what most Android watch batteries can offer. The premium perks are wonderful, but the Venu 2 Plus goes deeper. You'll still have tons of features to track your health and fitness, including onboard GPS, heart-rate monitoring, sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and more. As our Venu 2 Plus review explains, it's a great option for serious athletes who will use the HIIT timers and on-screen workouts for cross-training, and then want something stylish and comfortable to wear outside of workouts.
Bottom line: Those who want a premium lifestyle smartwatch that can track health and fitness may prefer the Garmin Venu 2 Plus. It's not exactly cheap, but there's a reason for that. In addition to having many essential features such as GPS, heart-rate monitoring, activity/sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, it also offers extra perks such as phone calls and voice assistants.
Fossil has released several variants of the Fossil Gen 6, each with the same hardware and Wear OS 3 support but with distinct designs that suit different tastes. For example, you may want to check out the Skagen Falster Gen 6 with its stylish Scandinavian appearance. But we'll recommend the newest Fossil Gen 6 Wellness Edition above the rest, which comes in rose gold and silver finishes and with some unique watch faces like a Wellness Gauge to track your health stats.
Each Fossil Gen 6 packs the Snapdragon 4100+ chipset paired with 1GB RAM and 8GB of storage, with a co-processor that enables the device to use always-on health metrics without hindering performance or draining the battery life. Users will receive more detailed heart rate readings, more accurate sleep tracking, and better health statistics overall. This isn't the longest-lasting watch you'll ever own, but it makes up for its shorter battery with incredibly fast charging times: we're talking up to 80% refilled in about 30 minutes, or enough juice for sleep tracking in the time it takes to brush your teeth. It has a smooth-scrolling rotating crown for navigating menus and selecting options easily during workouts, and can detect when you've started a workout. Plus, it comes with Wear OS 3 out of the box, giving you a much better software experience than before.
Bottom line: The Fossil Gen 6 is the first Fossil wearable to have the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100+ chipset. So, in addition to being a highly fashionable smartwatch, you can also expect better performance. You'll also be able to choose from two different sizes this time around. There are still plenty of health and fitness tracking features, too.
Amazfit has a wide range of watches that fall into the budget Android watch category. While they use an Amazfit OS rather than Wear OS — meaning you don't get the same Android phone integration for actionable notifications or any third-party apps — they do give you a wide range of health and fitness tracking tools and a lightweight, attractive design aesthetic.
Our Amazfit GTS 3 Pro reviewer praised the watch for its speedy, easily navigatable operating system and its seamless health tracking tools for continuously detecting heart rate, blood oxygen, stress levels, and sleep quality. Best of all, it has a 12-day battery life. Like most fitness watches, that number decreases with continuous health tracking or AOD active, but even with heavy use it lasted 6 days in our testing — well above what almost any other Android watch can add.
Bottom line: With the GTR 3 Pro, you're getting a large AMOLED screen and a gorgeous design, lag-free interface with lots of customizability, and six-day battery life. Yes, it misses out on a few software features, but it excels at the basics, and that battery life makes it worthy of consideration.
It seems like every wearable brand has their own proprietary charging cables, which means you regularly have to deal with cables and connections you've never seen before. But what if we told you that there was a smartwatch that could be re-charged with just the sun? That's where the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar comes in, offering the ability to literally put your watch on a window sill and let it get juiced back up. Of course, you won't enjoy a "traditional" smartwatch interface, as many of the best Garmin smartwatches make use of Garmin's own operating system. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Instinct 2 Solar has plenty of ways to keep track of your workouts and various fitness metrics with ease.
Other great features of Garmin's Instinct 2 Solar include a 10ATM water rating, a comfortable silicone strap, Garmin Pay, the revamped Elevate v4 sensor for accurate heart rate tracking, and MIL-STD-810G drop protection. But what truly makes this one of the best smartwatches is the battery life. According to Garmin, the Instinct 2 Solar will last for up to 28 days in normal use, up to 65 days in "Battery Saver Watch Mode," and up to 30 hours if you're constantly using GPS. In practice, our Garmin Instinct 2 Solar reviewer found it actually lived up to Garmin's estimates, but that you'll get the most benefit out of its solar panel if you're someone that spends plenty of time outdoors. Otherwise, its lavish price and fitness-focused display would be extravagant.
Bottom line: The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar pairs its impressive Elevate 4.0 sensor with better health and fitness tracking, with absolutely incredible battery life, all without actually needing to charge it back up using a proprietary cable if you don't want to.
What is the best smartwatch for an Android user?
The good news about wearing a smartwatch in 2023 is that there are tons of options on the Wear OS side. If that's not quite your speed, you also have some fantastic options from other leading companies such as Samsung (which puts its own spin on Wear OS), Fitbit, and Garmin.
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is an outstanding choice for most people and has received our most coveted best overall recommendation for multiple reasons. It's the best watch on the new Wear OS 3 platform, so that in itself is pretty exciting. You'll also have optional LTE connectivity, built-in GPS, activity, sleep, heart-rate tracking, smartphone notifications, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, etc. It doesn't get much better than this. Considering all of the improvements and upgrades, it's priced reasonably.
Of course, everyone has their preferences. If you're unsure how you feel about Wear OS 3, or are not particularly fond of Samsung Health, your choices certainly don't stop there. You'll have your pick of many other wearables, whether it be from Fitbit, Garmin, Mobvoi, or any other brand that has captured your attention.
There are plenty of factors to consider when shopping for a smartwatch. Whether this is your first wearable or you've been around the block a time or two, you'll want to narrow down some key aspects before deciding. Here are the main factors you should focus on:
1. Size and design preferences
First and perhaps most importantly, you'll need to determine what size watch you're after. Smaller watches are often a bit cheaper than their larger counterparts, and some watches may be too large or small for your wrist, which will quickly thin out the herd. There's a huge difference in price and comfort between the Galaxy Watch 5 40mm and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro 45mm, for instance.
And, of course, we can't forget about aesthetics. After all, you're still shopping for a watch, and it should be compatible with your style. You can always opt for one of the fashionable options. If you're looking for the best smartwatch for women, you might prefer something more subtle like the Fitbit Versa 3 or Garmin Vivomove Sport. And the new Pixel Watch has a fantastic edge-to-edge look that others can't match.
If you're more concerned about having a comfortable fit than a stylish design, other options might catch your eye. For example, runners will love the simplistic look and feel of the Garmin Forerunner 255 Music. If you're intrigued by the idea of a minimalistic design, but prefer something slightly more appealing, the Fossil Gen 6 is elegant enough for daily wear.
2. Consider your must-have features
You'll also need to weigh the importance of features like GPS, fitness and sleep tracking, cellular connectivity, heart-rate monitoring, and mobile payments. Fortunately, it's not hard to find a watch that has a bit of everything these days. With that said, your list of options will be much shorter if you're set on having a watch with cellular connectivity. You'll only find three models on this list with that feature, so the pickings are rather slim. Not everyone is buying a smartwatch for LTE connectivity, so this won't be a deal-breaker for most users.
Some of the more common features on most smartwatches these days include GPS, fitness tracking, and heart-rate monitoring. Some models still have yet to jump on the built-in GPS wagon, so you'll have to decide how much this means to you. You'll be pleased to learn there are many smartwatches and fitness trackers with GPS to pick from. Granted, you can still use connected GPS via your smartphone, but it's not nearly as convenient. This is a more common issue on trackers than smartwatches. Some of the best fitness trackers don't offer built-in GPS. Fortunately, most of the Android smartwatches on this list have onboard GPS.
Another feature we see more and more of is NFC for mobile payments. In fact, more than half of the wearables on this list have it. For example, you won't find it on the more niche watches, like the Garmin Vivomove Sport. However, that's mainly because those models are geared toward a different user type.
3. Which OS do you prefer?
Choosing an operating system can be tricky, especially now that you have to factor Wear OS 3 into the equation. If you're new to the smartwatch world, you might be indifferent on the matter, but it can affect your overall experience, so it's worth mulling over. One of the most common concerns is how well your smartphone will work with your smartwatch.
Is it easier and more fluid to have an Android smartwatch paired with an Android smartphone? Absolutely. Should that be the deciding factor? Not necessarily. You can use an iPhone with some Android smartwatches but be prepared for some hiccups. There can also be certain limitations, like not using the quick reply feature to respond to a text message from your watch.
A recurring complaint from Samsung users is that Tizen OS doesn't always do a great job of displaying notifications on its watches. It's not that they fail to appear but that the options for how they appear are somewhat limited. As a result, you might have an easier time scrolling through notifications on a Wear OS smartwatch. Fortunately, this isn't a problem on the Galaxy Watch 5, thanks to the new Wear OS 3 platform.
Other smartwatch companies such as Garmin and Fitbit use their own operating systems. This can involve a bit of a learning curve in some cases, but it just might be worth it. For example, if you're a passionate runner who frequently tracks your workouts and other stats, Garmin is an excellent choice. On the other hand, casual athletes might find the simple nature of FitbitOS to be user-friendly and easier to navigate.
4. How smart is a hybrid smartwatch?
If you're learning about hybrid smartwatches for the first time, you might be wondering just how smart they are. You get a nice blend of a traditional timepiece with some smartwatch perks sprinkled in. However, don't buy one of these wearables expecting premium features. These watches are designed to focus on the basics so that you won't find many advanced perks.
The Garmin Vivomove Sport, for example, offers some standard features that you've probably come to expect, like heart-rate monitoring, basic activity tracking, music controls, and smartphone notifications. You won't have a bright AMOLED display, voice assistants, or onboard GPS. Those who want a taste of the smartwatch world without going all-in might find this an excellent place to start.
5. What about battery life?
Some users can't stand having to take their watch off every 24 hours to charge it. Luckily, there are many multi-day battery life picks on this list. You can also go for a model with advanced technology that helps extend battery life, like the dual-layer display on the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS.
Other models offer battery-saving modes that turn off certain features to prolong battery life, but this isn't always ideal. Alternatively, when you choose a watch such as the Fossil Gen 6 that offers rapid charging, it might not be as much of a hassle to charge your wearable more frequently. Simply set your watch to charge in the morning as you get ready for the day, and it'll be fully charged by the time you're prepared to leave.
If you're still determined to find a watch with superior battery life, Garmin and Fitbit offer some of the best options for a week or more of battery life. For example, you can get a full nine days of battery with Garmin Venu 2 Plus and a solid six days with the Fitbit Versa 3.
Once you've hammered out these essential details, you should be able to form a general idea of what type of Android smartwatch you should buy. No matter which option you choose, you can look forward to owning a nifty piece of tech that will help you track your health and fitness while also giving you a fun accessory to pair with your style.
What are the best Android smartwatches?
If you're currently in the market for the best Android smartwatch, you should consider our best overall pick, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. This wearable is loaded with many features that users are looking for, while maintaining an attractive design. However, if you don't mind spending a bit more money on a premium watch, you should consider upgrading to the battery-packed Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. These are some of the most impressive Android wearables to date.
What makes the Galaxy wearables so great is the new Wear OS 3 platform mixed with beautiful hardware. For example, the Galaxy Watch 5 has a "virtual" bezel that lets you move around the software by rotating around the edge of the vivid AMOLED display.
Samsung Health has also improved immensely over the last couple of years, and features a well-rounded selection of workout tracking options, as well as a built-in GPS for monitoring outdoor runs or bike rides. Battery life tops out at around 40 hours, and the included sports bands are comfortable enough that you'll forget you're wearing anything on your wrist at all — until a notification comes in, which is easy to activate or dismiss.
The latest Galaxy wearable is optimized for Samsung phones but can also be worn with other Android devices. There's no support for iOS users, though. Now that Samsung and Google have merged to create Wear OS 3, the user experience will be slightly different. It's the first watch to launch with the new software, so it's somewhat of a guinea pig. With that said, not all existing Wear OS watches will get the update. As for existing Galaxy wearables running Tizen OS, Samsung plans to provide at least three years of software support from each product's initial launch date. So when shopping for the best Android smartwatch, you want to make sure you consider the software.
If you're not interested in a Samsung smartwatch or simply prefer how Google does things, we recommend the Google Pixel Watch for obvious reasons. It gives you most of the same perks, but with a Pixel-like flair that other Android users will love.
