Best Smart Watches

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 30, 2016

These gadgets are created for people who enjoy an active life and want to manage their timetable in order to be always on time and aware of all the important events. So, check out the best-selling best smart watches 2016. Compare the 5 items on our shortlist and make your pick! ...Read more ...Read less

BEST 2017

PROS

CONS

OUR VERDICT

Design

Functions

Protection

Battery Life

Best Pick

Samsung S2 Smartwatch for Android 4.4

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on Amazon

PROS

This smart watch is compatible with most Android phones and tablets. This device can track your steps, heart rate or humidity level. Wireless charging dock will be a great bonus for a long trip.

CONS

There might be some delays on e-mail notifications. Small size of a display and icons can be considered as disadvantages as well.

OUR VERDICT

A great device for trainings and every-day use. Compatible with most Android smartphones, so you get access to important data anywhere and any time.

detailed parameters

Design

Circular touchscreen

Functions

Compatible with Android, Sport and diet tracking, Email, Messenger notifications

Protection

IP68, dust, Water and knock resistant

Battery Life

2 days

LG LGW150S

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on Amazon

PROS

LG Watch shows amazing productivity. Design is great too. Easy sync with Android and "OK Google" support and streaming music via Bluetooth headphones probably will be the options you'd like first.

CONS

LG smart watch doesn't support as many apps as other watches on our shortlist. Besides, its vibration is designed for a really sensitive wrist.

OUR VERDICT

This smart watch looks elegant and offers so many features that you hardly can expect. In most cases, this is the best-buy smart watch.

detailed parameters

Design

Bright P-OLED display

Functions

Compatible with iOS and Android, “OK Google” support, Apps from Watch Urbane

Protection

IP67, Dust and water resistant, Shock proof

Battery Life

1 day

Reasonable Price

Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch

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on Amazon

PROS

Fitbit Smart Fitness Watch saves all your activities in a Fitbit app, which is absolutely free. You can create tasks and set goals, control your all-day activities, share results with your friends, and so on.

CONS

Even though the unit is splash-proof, you shouldn't wear it while swimming.

OUR VERDICT

This smart watch is the best choice for active people who want to keep track of their workouts and activities.

detailed parameters

Design

Color touchscreen

Functions

Compatible with iOS, Android, Windows GPS, Text and calendar alerts, PurePulse heart rate, Music control, Auto Sleep tracking

Protection

IPX6, Rain, Sweat, Splash proof

Battery Life

5 days

Apple MJ3T2HN/A

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on Amazon

PROS

Apple Watch Sport allows you not only to receive but also send SMS or e-mails. Besides, you get an opportunity to make calls and use different useful apps.

CONS

You might not like quite a high price, though you know it is Apple. Also, the battery lives only one day when in use, then charge is needed.

OUR VERDICT

Apple Watch Sport was created for active people who want to save time. It is considered to be the best smart watch 2016.

detailed parameters

Design

Crisp Retina display

Functions

Compatible with iOS, Calls, Messages, maps, Payments

Protection

IP67, Dust and sweat resistant, Can be submerged for 30 minutes

Battery Life

14-18 hours

Pebble PE301BL Smartwatch Black

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on Amazon

PROS

Pebble smart watch is compatible with iOS and Android devices. This gadget boasts excellent battery life is - up to 5-7 days on a single charge. You can enjoy using the most popular apps such as iTunes, Spotify, Pandora and many others.

CONS

Unfortunately, you can't delete the apps pre-installed by the manufacturer.

OUR VERDICT

Pebble smart watch is an excellent personal assistant that helps you cope with different tasks throughout a day.

detailed parameters

Design

Monochrome e-Paper display

Functions

Compatible with iOS and Android, iTunes, SMS, Email notifications

Protection

5 ATM rating, Salt and fresh waterproof, Scratch-resistant display

Battery Life

5 days

Samsung S2

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on Amazon

LG LGW150S

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on Amazon

Fitbit Blaze

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on Amazon

Apple MJ3T2HN/A

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on Amazon

Pebble PE301BL Smartwatch Black

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on Amazon

What Is It

A smartwatch is a well-designed computerized wristwatch with a great number of useful features. Nowadays, the best smartwatches function as portable media players, providing audio and video playback to a user via Bluetooth earphones. These models are often called 'watch phones'. They feature full cell phone capabilities, and can easily make or answer phone calls. Besides, this gadget can connect to Android or iOS devices and run popular mobile apps. It also can be used as a navigator, a portable media player, a fitness tracker or a messenger.

If you are in search of a decent high-performing smartphone as well, make sure to read the review of the best iPhone models.

What Features to Compare

When choosing a smartwatch, we recommend you to pay attention to their Design. If you think that all the important parts are hidden inside a housing you are quite wrong. Find out everything about the material and display characteristics first hand. Most watches are made of plastic, but some of them are made of metal - these are more durable, of course. Also, the displays are different - some of them are monochrome but the vast majority of smart watches have color LCD screens that give a fantastic image quality.

The next step to make is to consider the Functions every smartwatch has. You must know precisely what devices a smart watch is compatible with in order not to waste your money. Also, check what tasks a watch can cope with. A decent item worth buying should be able to manage SMS and calls, to let you browse the Internet, to use some popular apps (like iTunes on Apple devices, for example), and so on. Some smart watches can even guide you to the place you're going to (in case navigation is supported). Also, the best smartwatches can be used as fitness trackers - they will measure your heart rate, body temperature, and so on.

Watch is worn on the wrist and that's why it's prone to be damaged, particularly if you're doing some sports. That's why a good smart watch has to ensure the high level of Protection. First of all, a good smartwatch must be either water-resistant or waterproof, so that you can swim and even dive without taking the watch off your wrist. Also, some models boast special glass coating (Gorilla Glass, for instance).

Finally, you must remember to check the Battery Life of every smart watch. These gadgets are small which means they have quite low-capacity batteries. And you wouldn't like to recharge the watch every day, would you? That's why you'd better choose a gadget that will work for 1-2 days without a recharge. That's why some companies use e-Paper displays on their smart watches - these have a low energy consumption and give you up to 5-7 days of non-stop operation; of course, there's a drawback of e-Paper screens - they are monochrome and have a slower response time.

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Samsung S2

Design

Samsung Gear S2 is a compact smartwatch with a 1.2-inch touchscreen display at a resolution of 360 x 360 pixels per inch. So, the gadget creates bright images so that reading text is comfortable and easy. This elegant gadget is made of stainless steel and designed for daily use, so you can wear it for multiple purposes - working, doing sports, fishing or skiing. It looks pretty cool and stylish.

Functions

Samsung Gear Watch compatible with most Android smartphones (starting from 4.4 version or newer), has 4 GB capacity and 1.5 GB RAM. This gadget is, first of all, an excellent fitness tracker that works via S Health app. On using this app you'll be able to accurately follow the diet while the built-in sensors will let you track your heart rate, count the calories, etc. Besides, the watch is also able to access messages, calls, notifications and more!

Protection

This device is certified as IP68 standard which means Samsung smartwatch is designed to resist water, dust and sweat. Therefore, you can easily do your daily workout without any worries. Also, you are free to wash your hands - some water will cause no damage to this gadget. Gear S2 has a Gorilla Glass that protects the touchscreen from scratches.

Battery

Samsung Gear S2 smart watch works on Lithium-Ion battery and normally needs to be recharged once in two or three days. Of course, it depends on the screen brightness and the frequency of use. However, this gadget is quite particular for the unique wireless charging dock that's included in a package. That's why you can charge your Gear S2 any time and you will never need to untangle any wires!

Additional Info

User Manual Manufacturer

VIDEO

Samsung Gear S2 Hands On + Liquid Test

Samsung S2

LG LGW150S

Design

LG Watch Urbane looks really stylish and has a full circled 1.3'' P-OLED screen which delivers excellent image quality and provides clear and vivid colors. The display is covered with Gorilla Glass 3. The body of this smart watch is made of stainless steel which comes either with silver or with gold finish. The gadget looks brilliant on your wrist and the background of the screen can be classic so that the device perfectly matches your classic suit. For the sake of style, the band is made of genuine leather. In general, LG smartwatch is really for well-to-do people who adore style and, at the same time, need all the advantages of modern technologies.

Functions

LG Watch Urbane is compatible with all devices that run on Android 4.3 and later. You can simply say 'OK, Google' and launch any app you need via voice control. There's access to lots of apps and features: you will make calls and track all incoming calls, you will read text messages and view emails, you will be able to check your location via navigation apps, you will be able to check the weather. Of course, LG smartwatch is also a handy fitness tracker that can monitor your pulse. A perfect device for business arrangements and for a gym. Versatile and stylish.

Protection

LG Watch Urbane is an IP67 gadget which means it provides quite a good level of water, dust and sweat protection. You can dip the smart watch in the water (up to 1 meter deep) and keep it there for 30 minutes. A workout in a gym is also no problem for this gadget. Of course, you can go riding a bike too! LG smartwatch will be totally safe. Don't forget the all-metal housing and Gorilla Glass 3 screen - they ensure the durability of the device. LG Watch Urbane won't break apart if you accidentally drop or hit it.

Battery

LG smart watch works on average for 1 day. The gadget has a pretty good battery that has the capacity of 410 mAh. Of course, the battery life depends on what features you are using. If Wi-Fi is on always on, the battery will run out of charge faster. There's a microUSB cable for charging this smart watch. Of course, you can plug the cord right into the USB slot of your laptop or computer too.

VIDEO

LG Watch Urbane and Android 5.1.1 setup

LG LGW150S

Fitbit Blaze

Design

Fitbit smart watch is available in several colors and sizes, so any person can choose the fitting one. The following color schemes are available: black / silver, blue / silver, and plum / silver. There are 3 sizes - S, L, and XL. No matter if you have large wrists or small, you will still be able to pick the right size. The gadget has a color touchscreen which shows all the essential information for active people: time, heart rate, watching GPS maps, etc. A wristband ensures a comfortable grip, so be sure you won't lose your smart watch.

Functions

Fitbit gadget has all the capabilities of a fitness tracker: it counts your steps, tells you how many calories you burn, what distance you cover, and so on. A special laser sensor will keep track of your heart rate (and the measurement will be 100% precise). You can connect a Fitbit smart watch to a GPS software on your smartphone and you will be able to view your route on a map, check your speed (if you're riding a bike, for example), find out your altitude, and so on. Moreover, this fitness tracker can automatically define the activity you're doing (running, biking, playing tennis, and many others). Apart from all these fantastic features, Fitbit remains a top-level smart watch that shows you a lot of important information. You will know who's calling, receive and read messages, control music playback, etc. Finally, let's mention that Fitbit fitness tracker is compatible with Android, iOS and even Windows, so it doesn't matter what smartphone you have.

Protection

This smart watch has an IPX6 protection rate. Therefore, Fitbit fitness tracker is protected against sweat (you're going to sweat a lot during workouts, right?), rain, and splashes. In general, this level of protection is enough for a typical fitness tracker, but there's one thing you should always keep in mind: never go swimming wearing Fitbit. No matter if you aren't going to dive deep underwater - this gadget isn't waterproof.

Battery

Battery life is another strong point of Fitbit smart watch. Though the gadget has a color touchscreen (which requires a lot of energy!), it can work up to 5 days till the recharging is required. That's a truly outstanding result for any smart watch. Most devices require daily charging, so no wonder many owners forget about it. Keep in mind that if you like sports, you won't always be able to find a power outlet, so the battery life of your fitness tracker is really important.

Additional Info

User Manual Manufacturer

VIDEO

Fitbit Blaze - Hands On REVIEW

Fitbit Blaze

Apple MJ3T2HN/A

Design

This stylish unisex sports watch is designed and released by Apple. The gadget has a durable, space gray casing made of genuine aluminum. It goes with a stylish black sports band that fixes the watch tightly on your wrist. As most Apple gadgets, this one has a perfect OLED Retina display which provides vivid colors. Also, there's a shatterproof Ion-X glass which is really strong and doesn't break even if you accidentally hit it. In general, if you prefer the casual style, this gadget is definitely for you.

Functions

IPhone watch is a fantastic wrist-worn assistant that is compatible with iPhones (starting from iPhone 5) and iPads. The watch itself has a special watchOS 1.0 that allows you to receive messages from your friends and family, search in Maps app, create and send messages, make calls, and even carry out payments (via Apple Pay, for example). Moreover, there are plenty of additional apps available to you on AppStore. No need to mention, Apple Watch Sport is also an awesome fitness tracker that will facilitate your work-out.

Protection

As of protection, Apple Watch Sport is water-resistant gadget that you can wear even if you are going to swim in the sea. The device was certified as so-called IP67 standard and it means that you can submerge the appliance in water to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. Also, the gadget is sweat and dust-proof, so you can go jogging without any concerns. Finally, we've already mentioned the aluminum casing which provides the maximal shock-resistance.

Battery

Apple Bluetooth watch has a moderate battery life - the gadget can run for around 14-18 hours, though some of the competitors provide a much better battery life. The battery has the capacity of 246 mAh. Therefore, you are likely to need an everyday recharging if you are an active user who gets the best of Apple Watch Sport and uses most of the features that the gadget provides.

Apple MJ3T2HN/A

Pebble PE301BL Smartwatch Black

Design

Pebble has a really stylish and nice design that allows you to get the information you need at a glance. It has an energy-saving e-Paper display that is monochrome but it makes it very easy to read. The gadget has convenient Up and Down buttons which help you scroll through watch menus easily. And you can simply tap on the watch or flick your wrist if you want to turn the backlighting on.

Functions

This Bluetooth smart watch can be wirelessly connected to iPhone (starting from 4S model) with iOS6 or iOS7 or Android gadgets (4.0 and newer versions). Once it's done, Pebble watch becomes able to display emails, SMS, Caller ID, Facebook and Twitter notifications. Sport and music apps like the legendary FreeCaddie or iTunes are supported too. This device gives you easy and very quick access to the huge amount of downloadable apps.

Protection

Pebble's 5 ATM rating (for both salt and fresh water ) means you can swim in a pool or in the ocean. The scratch-resistant display is able to withstand even hard shocks, so you don't need to worry about it. Falling or knocking the watch won't damage it at all, unless you do it constantly, of course. You can also keep calm if you have dogs or cats which like to gnaw such gadgets.

Battery

e-Paper is peculiar for its extremely low power consumption and it means Pebble smart watch outruns its competitors in terms of battery life. The high-capacity rechargeable battery ensures up to 5 or even 7 days of operation on a single charge. Pebble smart watch comes with a small charger, though you can also use a USB cable connected to a computer. So, you can always charge this fantastic device with any USB cable - that's certainly a major advantage!

VIDEO

How I Android: Pebble Smartwatch

Pebble PE301BL Smartwatch Black

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