Best Samsung Smartwatch 2021

Best Samsung Smartwatch Android Central 2021

• Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
• Best Value: Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Best Active: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
• Best Value Active: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active
• Best Budget: Samsung Galaxy Fit

Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

After focusing on its more fitness-focused smartwatches in 2019, Samsung pivots back to its more refined design philosophy with the Galaxy Watch 3. The watch isn't radical in sporting any sort of redesign, and it will look familiar to anyone who knows Samsung's smartwatches. But it is smaller, lighter and thinner, which could make it more appealing to a greater subset of wearers. The genuine leather band is casual and elegant all at once, and the standard lugs mean you can always strap on another one.

It's also feature-laden, though a couple of key ones will need more time before they get a green light stateside. SpO2 and VO2 Max monitoring have a bigger impact on the improved sleep tracking performance available here. It runs on Tizen, which fits so well with the physical rotating bezel that has become such a signature part of Samsung's best smartwatches. Plus, a newer update brought SmartThings Find to the Galaxy Watch 3, making it possible to locate it if it's been misplaced or gone missing.

Unfortunately, the two premier features missing out of the box are the blood pressure monitor and ECG (electrocardiogram). They're currently only available in South Korea, though Samsung did announce the ECG app also got approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). App support, generally speaking, is still a thorn in Samsung's side, as it keeps trying to woo more developers.

The watch does run on the older Exynos 9110 processor that was originally used in the previous Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active 2. It does come in more expensive than the others, but the full gamut of what's available helps punctuate why this watch is the best Samsung has.

Best Value: Samsung Galaxy Watch

The standard Galaxy Watch is bulky by design, making it a compelling alternative for anyone who likes something extra on their wrist. Samsung added Gorilla Glass DX+ on the watch's display to ward off accidental scratches, and water resistance means you can track swimming in shallow clear water. It can also withstand depths of 50 meters for up to 10 minutes.

That's not to say that kind of durability doesn't exist in its successor, only that you might like the additional girth in the form factor. It runs on Tizen, has the excellent physical rotating bezel, and a responsive touchscreen. The exercise and sleep tracking is still solid in light of the watch's relative age, while the standard lugs mean you can always replace the strap with whatever you like. That's all on top of the GPS and Samsung Pay support inside.

All that aside, this is a big watch, especially the 46mm model. You have to want something bigger to appreciate this, considering there are smaller options. App support, which is a consistent issue for Samsung's smartwatches, is a total mixed bag here because there may not be any integration with certain apps you like to use. The Exynos processor is a bit dated now, though the company feels confident enough to keep using it in the newer Galaxy Watch 3.

Best Active: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is Samsung's best smartwatch for being active for the simple fact it is built for that reason. Coming out only six months after the previous Galaxy Watch Active, the differences between them aren't expecially stark, except for one key tweak: the touch-sensitive bezel.

Physical rotating bezels have been staples of Samsung smartwatches for years, and by removing that in the first Active model, the company veered away from a standard navigation input method. The Galaxy Watch Active 2 brought it back in a unique way that gives haptic feedback as you touch it. As nice as it is, Samsung also updated the previous Galaxy Watch Active to gain the same functionality.

With 2.5GB of free onboard storage, the watch's Spotify integration is really useful because you can go to the gym or out on a run by playing music offline stored on the watch, paired with Bluetooth headphones.

Built-in GPS comes in handy for those outdoor runs, though it becomes a battery drain, which is why this watch may not always last longer than two days tops. It's also worth noting that this watch was to include both blood pressure monitoring and an ECG, but neither of them ever got off the ground, despite FDA approval.

Best Value Active: Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

When Samsung first launched the Galaxy Watch Active, it tried to do two things: offer something smaller and lighter, as well as offer performance worthy of an active lifestyle. To pull it off, the company had to remove the physical rotating bezel and shave off space wherever possible to reach the slimmer size. It does only come in 40mm, whereas the successor Galaxy Watch Active 2 comes in both 40mm and 44mm variants.

Except, removing the bezel without replacing it is what made this watch so different from other Galaxy smartwatches. It meant that you could only navigate the Tizen interface using the touchscreen and side buttons. That changed when Samsung released an update bringing the touch bezel over to this watch, putting it even closer to its successor, overall. However, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 still holds an edge in heart rate monitoring, GPS and accelerometer accuracy. There's also an optional LTE model that this watch doesn't have.

In other respects, though, the two aren't far apart. The water resistance and battery life are too similar to warrant any notable contrasts, and you can tell Bixby to start an exercise by voice. Both track the same number of exercises, too. THis watch has no shot at an ECG feature whenever that goes live in the U.S., though does have blood pressure monitoring — albeit limited in usefulness and functionality.

Best Budget: Samsung Galaxy Fit

If the Galaxy Watch is too bulky, and the Gear Fit2 Pro too pricey, then you can consider the Galaxy Fit as an alternative. Sporting a full-color AMOLED display on a band that carries less of a footprint than other models do, it's something that could fit well on anyone seeking functional minimalism.

This is far more a fitness band than a smartwatch, but it's not without some crossover merit. You could take it for a dip in the pool (but watch out for swimming), or maintain daily activity tracking to stay on top of how much you move. Basic phone notifications will get through to the screen, but this device isn't going to integrate with every app you like to use. In keeping things simple, however, it removes distractions and sticks to its focus. If that's your jam, then you may like this combination.

While the band itself is relatively small, it's also somewhat deceptive. Women and children might balk at the thickness, which is far more noticeable on smaller wrists. The software is not as deep as Samsung's other models, though that does benefit battery life with a good few days of use per charge.

Bang for the buck

When all the bells and whistles aren't necessary, and you just want an activity tracker that's easy to use, strap this around your wrist.

Bottom line

Samsung used to fall behind other smartwatch / fitness tracker brands like Apple and Fitbit, but ovre hte past couple of years, its caught up with some intriguing devices. Whether you want something that'll just let you track basic fitness stats or allows you to leave your phone at home, there is something in Samsung's lineup.

If we were forced to make a choice, then the Galaxy Watch 3 is the best option available. This smartwatch still has a slew of bells and whistles, while looking a bit more stylish and professional. You get a little more heft with either size, with top-notch design and performance.

If you still really want some of those health and fitness benefits, the Galaxy Watch Active 2 would be the next best option. It's a very capable smartwatch on its own, and with a decent price tag and feature set, it's an excellent choice as an alternative.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide