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However, if you’re the type who needs the latest and greatest, Samsung recently released its new Galaxy Watch. The watch comes in three new finishes including the ever-popular rose gold. It has NFC and a heart-rate monitor and starts at $329.99. Since this model is brand-new and most outlets haven’t had the opportunity to test it yet, we’re not totally jumping on the bandwagon, but keep an eye out for more reviews to decide for yourself.
The jack-of-all-trades smartwatch
If you’re looking for a smartwatch that’s a mix of the above two and offers both form and function, look no further than the Fossil Q Explorist and Venture. Both have been chosen by the Wirecutter, the New York Times company that reviews products, as top Android smartwatch picks.
The Explorist is the bigger of the two and comes in six styles varying from a “smoke stainless steel” to one in navy leather. It also has three buttons, two of which are customizable: The middle button activates Google Assistant if you hold it down, and otherwise functions as a way to return to the default watch face (the Venture, on the other hand, has only this button). The Venture comes in 10 colors and styles. Both watches range in price from $179 to $193.
Both watches lack GPS and heart-rate sensors, so they’re not ideal for anyone looking for a smartwatch that’s also a true fitness tracker (and, they have water resistance only up to one meter).
But, if you’re here for fashion, it’s important to note this key point from the Wirecutter review: If neither of these watches suits your look, Fossil has released more than 300 types of these watches across 14 brands like DKNY, Diesel and Skagen. Last month, Fossil unveiled updated versions of both watches that address a lot of the downsides to its tried-and-true models. The new models do have NFC, GPS, a heart sensor, altimeter, accelerometer and gyroscope, and they reportedly can be used for swimming. They’re also too new to have been tested by Wirecutter or other outlets, but these new watches range from $255 to $275 and are worth a look if you prefer the bleeding edge.
The smartwatch made for iPhone owners
No list is complete without a mention of the Apple Watch (or the just-announced Apple Watch Series 4). Equipped with GPS, altimeter, swim tracking, and a heart sensor, it comes in a cellular-enabled version. The Wirecutter recommends buying the Apple Watch Series 3 if you’re an iPhone user who’s serious about tracking your activity, but who also wants the best integration with your phone.
The Apple Watch ranges from $329 to $1,399 — depending on the style you crave. We recommend the Apple Watch without LTE, since most of the time, you’ll have your phone with you anyway. If you’re serious about your fitness, the Apple Watch Nike+ is also a good buy. It comes with exclusive Nike watch faces designed for running and special Nike bands that either ventilate well or dry quickly.