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Product Reviews > Smartwatches
The Best Smartwatches of 2024
By Rashko Arnaudov Updated January 12, 2024
One of the standout features of smartwatches is their capability to monitor and track various aspects of our health and fitness. Equipped with sensors, they provide real-time data on metrics like steps taken, heart rate, sleep patterns, and even stress levels. This wealth of information empowers users to make informed decisions about their well-being and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Communication has never been more convenient with smartwatches. They act as an extension of our smartphones, delivering instant notifications for calls, messages, and app alerts directly to our wrists. This not only keeps us connected in real-time but also reduces the need to frequently check our phones, adding a layer of efficiency to our communication.
Smartwatches excel in time management, offering features like calendars, reminders, timers, and alarms. These tools help users stay organized, ensuring they never miss appointments or deadlines. The ability to customize watch faces and bands adds a touch of personal style, making smartwatches both functional and fashion-forward accessories.
The Best Smartwatches in 2024
We thoroughly evaluate and assess a wide range of top-notch smartwatches each year, spanning from budget-friendly choices to premium, cutting-edge models. In this guide, we furnish you with detailed insights to assist you in selecting the ideal smartwatch to complement your lifestyle.
In-Depth Exploration: Our Most Rigorously Tested Picks
Best Overoll
Apple Watch Series 8
4.4 ExcellentÂ
Target Audience
The Apple Watch Series 8 is designed for individuals who appreciate a sleek and lightweight smartwatch without compromising on advanced features. Ideal for those seeking a comfortable and stylish wearable, the Series 8 caters to a diverse audience.
Its versatile functionality, including the latest additions like a temperature sensor and crash detection, makes it suitable for users who prioritize health and safety. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a tech-savvy professional, or someone looking for a seamless blend of style and smart technology, the Apple Watch Series 8 is tailored to enhance the lifestyle of a broad range of users.
(Credit: CNN)Â
Reasons for Our Selection
The Apple Watch Series 8 stands out as the sleekest model in the Apple Watch lineup. Although it may not match the capabilities of the Watch Ultra, it compensates with a more compact and lighter design. While the Ultra is not excessively heavy, the Series 8 offers a more manageable size, ensuring a comfortable fit on a broader range of wrists.
The design remains impressive, retaining the familiarity of the Series 7 without any significant changes. The curved glass on the display continues to be aesthetically pleasing and delightful to the touch.
Noteworthy additions include practical features such as a temperature sensor, crash detection, and a low-power mode that significantly extends usage. While this may seem like a concise list, when combined with the already extensive features of the Apple Watch, it forms a comprehensive and appealing package. Unless you specifically require the extreme sports capabilities of the Ultra, the Series 8 emerges as the top choice for the best smartwatch available.
Pros
- The design and display remain consistently excellent.
- Smart utilization of temperature sensors.
- The low-power mode proves to be beneficial.
- Detection system for crashes!
Cons
- Daily charging remains a necessity.
- It bears little distinction from recent Apple Watch models.
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Apple Watch Series 8 ReviewÂ
Garmin Vivomove Sport Hybrid Smartwatch
4.0 ExcellentÂ
Target Audience
The Garmin Vivomove is intended for individuals who appreciate the fusion of classic style with modern functionality. Tailored for those seeking a discreet yet sophisticated approach to fitness tracking and smartwatch capabilities, this hybrid timepiece caters to the fashion-forward and health-conscious alike.Â
Ideal for individuals who desire the appearance of a traditional analog watch while still benefiting from advanced fitness features, the Garmin Vivomove is perfect for those who prioritize a seamless blend of elegance and health tracking in their daily lives.
(Credit: HT Tech)Â
Reasons for Our Selection
Garmin has incorporated additional fitness and health monitoring features into the Sport variant of the Vivomove watch. The Vivomove Sport offers a selection of 10 preloaded sports modes that can be included on the watch: walking, running, cardio, biking, strength training, breathwork, yoga, pool swimming, treadmill, and other activities.
Moreover, users can supplement elliptical, stair stepper, pilates, and toe-to-toe activities through the Garmin Connect app (with a maximum of 10 activities displayed on the device, and the walk and run modes cannot be deactivated). With its swim rating, the watch is suitable for use in the pool and can be worn during showers or baths, enabling continuous 24/7 health tracking.
Pros
- Stylish and sophisticated.
- The concealed screen exhibits improved responsiveness.
- Notifications are more legible.
- Easeful
Cons
- Limited battery longevity.
- Lack of built-in GPS functionality.
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Garmin Vivimove Hybrid Review
Google Pixel Watch
4.3 ExcellentÂ
Target Audience
The Google Pixel Watch is designed for individuals who embrace the seamless integration of technology into their daily lives. Tailored for Android users and those deeply embedded in the Google ecosystem, this smartwatch offers a cohesive and intuitive experience. With its sleek design, customizable features, and a host of Google services at your fingertips, it caters to those who appreciate the synergy between style, functionality, and connectivity.
 Perfect for users who desire a smartwatch that effortlessly complements their Android devices, the Google Pixel Watch is a sophisticated blend of innovation and simplicity for the modern, tech-forward individual.
(Credit: Digital Trends)Â
Reasons for Our Selection
The most notable feature of the Pixel Watch remains its appealing design, a crucial factor for a device worn on the wrist throughout the day and night. Such a device must exude a desirable appearance and provide a comfortable feel.
The rounded glass edges, stainless steel construction, and the soft, pebble-like shape contribute to a more refined aesthetic, setting it apart from the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Fitbit Sense 2. The Pixel Watch appears more natural and comfortable for individuals with smaller wrists than most smartwatches I have experienced.
The battery performance of the Pixel Watch 2 continues to be noteworthy. I consistently achieve a day-and-a-half of usage with both sleep tracking and the always-on display activated. The new charger, although it may feel a bit inexpensive, securely attaches to the Pixel Watch 2 and maintains a cool temperature—unlike the original Pixel Watch’s charger, which I can’t say the same for.
Another commendable aspect of the Pixel Watch 2 is its integration with Fitbit. I can depend on the Pixel Watch 2 as a reliable activity and health wearable, a sentiment. The inclusion of features like automatic workout detection and a temperature sensor has made a significant impact on me, and the revamped Fitbit app not only looks better but enhances the overall experience.
Pros
- The battery has a duration exceeding 24 hours.
- Suitable for continuous wear around the clock without causing discomfort.
- Smooth and rapid operational performance.
- Battery fully charges within one hour.
- Extensive monitoring of fitness activities.
Cons
- A subscription is necessary to access all fitness-related information.
- Extensive monitoring of fitness activities.
- Available in a single case size.
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FitBit Sense 2 Advanced Health
4.2 ExcellentÂ
Target Audience
The Fitbit Sense 2 Advanced Watch is crafted for individuals who prioritize holistic well-being and advanced health insights. Tailored for those with an active lifestyle, fitness enthusiasts, and health-conscious users, this smartwatch offers comprehensive fitness tracking and cutting-edge health monitoring features. The Sense 2 is designed for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of their physical and mental well-being, providing real-time data and actionable insights. With stress management tools, advanced sleep tracking, and personalized health metrics, this smartwatch caters to those committed to optimizing their overall health.
(Credit: Digital Trends)Â
Reasons for Our Selection
The Fitbit Sense 2 is engineered for effortless integration into your daily life, which is one of its standout features. Its sleek and unobtrusive design, complete with rounded edges, ensures comfort during prolonged use throughout the day and night. Despite its reduced weight and slimmer profile compared to its predecessor, it maintains the same 1.58-inch AMOLED touchscreen display, known for its exceptional visibility even in well-lit surroundings.
Fitbit has incorporated a physical button, granting quick access to settings, applications, and shortcuts. This inclusion represents a practical enhancement, especially during physical activities, as the original Sense featured a touch-sensitive panel that was prone to inadvertent touches with even the slightest wrist movement.
Pros
- Satisfactory battery longevity
- Relatively straightforward user interface
- Easeful
Cons
- A subscription is necessary to access its complete capabilities
- Heart rate accuracy is not among the highest tier
- Lack of support for music
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FitBit Sense 2 Advanced Health ReviewÂ
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
3.7 GreatÂ
Target Audience
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is designed for individuals who lead dynamic and interconnected lifestyles. Catering to tech-savvy enthusiasts, fitness aficionados, and busy professionals, this smartwatch seamlessly blends style with functionality.
 Its sleek design appeals to those who appreciate both fashion and cutting-edge technology, while its robust fitness tracking features make it an ideal companion for health-conscious individuals. The Galaxy Watch 6 is perfect for those who seek a versatile device that effortlessly integrates into their daily routines, offering a comprehensive suite of smart features, from productivity tools to health monitoring, all within the convenience of a stylish wrist companion.
(Credit: ZDNet)Â
Reasons for Our Selection
The Watch 6 addresses nearly all the issues I had with its predecessor. The screen is larger and more vibrant, the temperature sensor is now functional, and the battery life has become more dependable. These alterations result in significant enhancements in everyday usage, and all the outstanding features of the Watch 5 remain equally impressive on the Watch 6.
Samsung envisions the Galaxy Watch 6 as a health companion, emphasizing dedicated updates in heart health, women’s health, fitness, and sleep. However, the actual advantages depend on the user. Without commitment, there are no insights to acquire, no meaningful tracking, or accurate coaching.
Pros
- Dependable automatic workout recognition
- Operational skin temperature sensor
- Exceptional sleep analysis
- Solid assortment of applications
- Larger and more vibrant display compared to the prior model
Cons
- Slight inaccuracies in heart rate tracking during workouts
- Battery lasts for one day
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 6Â ReviewÂ
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