Update: The Fitbit Versa has entered our best smartwatch ranking - scroll down below to see where it sits in the list.
The smartwatch is the ultimate smartphone accessory. It can tell the time, of course, but it can also beam important notifications straight to your wrist, and run native apps.
What's more impressive is that many of today's best models can also perform a ton of novel tricks, such as enabling you to search the internet with your voice, tracking your exercise with GPS and letting you pay at the grocery store without reaching for your wallet.
Oh – and they look absolutely stunning to boot. If you're thinking that a smartwatch is a pointlessly geeky accessory... think again. These choices are well-made, powerful and can genuinely make you fitter through some smart nudges.
- Looking for something active? Check out our list of the best fitness trackers
- Have an iPhone? We have a specific guide for the best smartwatches for iPhone
- Know you like Wear OS? Check our selection of the best Wear OS watches
Note: Many of the watches in this list have recently been upgraded from Android Wear software to Wear OS. To learn all about Google's new, rebranded OS, check out our Wear OS explainer here.
1. Apple Watch 3
A better connection with the world's best smartwatch
OS: watchOS 4.3 | Compatibility: iOS | Display: 1.53" OLED | Processor: S2 dual-core | Onboard storage: 8GB / 16GB (Non-LTE and LTE respectively) | Battery duration: 18 hours | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IPX7 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Brilliant fitness tracking
Non-LTE version much better value
LTE is an unnecessary expense
Battery too short for sleep tracking
The Apple Watch 3 (or Apple Watch Series 3, if you're picky) is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. Yes, it's essentially just the Apple Watch 2frame with some new innards... but they make a big difference.
The LTE connection is the headline event, although that's not really as useful as some might hope - plus it costs a lot more to use, and drains the battery.
What we like is the non-LTE version, which is a lot cheaper, and offers all the smarts of the Watch 2 but with a longer battery life and faster speeds when flicking through apps. This is the right kind of upgrade on the best smartwatch in the world.
It's still water-resistant so you can swim with it and you won't have to worry about getting it wet in the rain when you're out for a jog. There's GPS onboard to make running that little bit easier plus it comes running the top watchOS 4software.
Read the full Apple Watch 3 review
What's next? We expect one day there will be an Apple Watch 4 running watchOS 5, but we don't expect to hear anything official until at least September 2018. Rumors currently suggest it'll have Face ID unlock tech and better battery life.
2. Ticwatch E
A fully-loaded Wear OS watch you’ve never heard of
OS: Wear OS OS | Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 8+ | Display: 1.4" 400 x 400 OLED | Processor: MediaTek MT2601 | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Up to 24h | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
Accurate GPS and heart rate sensor
Fantastic value
Design won't suit everyone
Not-so-elegant charging method
You may not have ever heard of Ticwatch, and that's because it's a relatively small and new brand to the smartwatch world. This is the best Wear OS watch money can buy right now.
Advertisement
That's mostly because of the low price and the fact everything works really well. We also love the Ticwatch E for its built-in GPS, accurate heart rate sensor and great design.
All of the fitness features you'd expect are here; you can even use it without having to take your phone out while you exercise, but you won't be able to receive phone calls like on the Apple Watch 3. The design is premium, but it won't be for everyone so be sure to properly study the photos above and in our review to work out if it's built for you.
The true highlight here is the low price considering it's generally around half the price of a lot of the other devices you'll find on this list.
No comments:
Post a Comment