Whether people want to track their steps and get on top of their fitness goals, get hands-free notifications, or have a slick-looking timepiece on their wrist, smartwatches are an excellent device to pick up. For Android users, there are many options to choose from, so regardless of what kind of smartwatch a person wants, there is probably one that will fit everyone’s needs. The best smartwatches are excellent companions to top Android devices like Google Pixels and Samsung phones, but they will also work fantastically with any other compatible Android device.
Game Rant’s picks for the Best Smartwatches for Android in 2024
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
Best Overall Smartwatch For Android
$240 $300 Save $60
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 uses the biggest screen Samsung has used on a watch yet at 1.47″. This screen allows for users to easily navigate, plus thanks to the Sapphire Crystal Glass this watch can resist bumps and scratches from everyday use. For people already in the Samsung ecosystem the Galaxy Watch 6 is one of the best Smartwatches currently available.
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Color Screen
- Yes
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- Two days
- Operating System
- Wear OS 4
- Onboard GPS
- Yes
- Customizable Strap
- Yes
- SIM Support
- Yes
- Lens Material
- Sapphire Crystal Glass
- Case Material
- Aluminum
- Very fast charging
- Sapphire glass scratch protection
- Google Assistant and Wallet available
- Battery life isn’t a huge upgrade over Galaxy Watch 5
- Some sensors are inaccurate at times
The Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup has been and continues to be a fan favorite for WearOS smartwatch fans. Samsung seems to be following the rule of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ with the Galaxy Watch 6. This watch has the same slim and sleek look, sturdy construction, and tons of health and fitness tracking features as Galaxy Watches in the past. While there is nothing wrong with that approach at this point, if people already own a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, there is not a huge reason to upgrade.
Despite the iterative upgrade, the Galaxy Watch 6 is easily one of the best smartwatches for Android with its snappy processor, a battery life that can get through a whole day, and a fantastic display regardless of the setting. This watch is flawlessly integrated with Samsung’s Android version, especially for people already in the Samsung ecosystem.
A notable improvement from previous Galaxy Watch releases is its larger display size. This smartwatch has a 44mm screen size, which makes it easier to view and navigate. The aluminum bezel gives the watch a classy appearance while also enhancing its durability.
A 2GB RAM is decent enough for a smartwatch like the Galaxy 6, ensuring effortless operation and vast multitasking capabilities. A 16GB ROM means users have ample file storage space.
Google Pixel Watch 2
Best Smartwatch For Non-Samsung Users
The Google Pixel Watch 2 is Android’s answer to the Apple Watch. With a sleek and slim design, this watch is made to be worn every day, and get the best of Google services and excellent exercise metrics thanks to the use of Fitbit health and fitness tracking. The battery life has been improved to last up to 24 hours with an always on display, and it can now recharge even faster.
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Color Screen
- Yes
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- 24 hours with always on display
- Operating System
- Wear OS 4.0
- Onboard GPS
- Yes
- Customizable Strap
- Yes
- SIM Support
- Yes
- Lens Material
- Custom 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Case Material
- 100% recycled aluminum
- Very stylish design
- Fitbit integration and premium trial
- WearOS 4 with Google Assistant
- Only comes in one size
- Needs to charge daily
For the first time in a long time, there is a smartwatch for Android that is giving the Galaxy Watch lineup some stiff competition. The Google Pixel Watch 2 is an absolutely fantastic smartwatch that rivals the performance, build quality, and app compatibility of the Galaxy Watch 6. The Pixel Watch 2 hits the nail on the head for a lot of points. While it was a close race for the best overall pick, the Pixel Watch 2 lost out by just a bit because of its slightly higher price point and the fact that it needs to be recharged daily.
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The Pixel Watch 2 is an excellent choice for anyone with a Pixel phone. The integration is flawless and, unlike with the Galaxy Watch 6, there are no apps or compatibility issues when using this watch with other Android devices. So, if people use a OnePlus phone, a Motorola phone, or even a Samsung phone, the Pixel Watch 2 will integrate flawlessly. Plus, since Google bought out Fitbit, this watch uses Fitbit tracking and offers users a six-month free trial to premium Fitbit features.
Fitbit Charge 6
Best Budget Smartwatch For Android
Give any routine a boost with the Fitbit Charge 6. Besides the whole swath of fitness features that the Charge 6 has, it also has all the essentials to get through the day, like YouTube Music, Google Maps, and Google Wallet. With a seven-day battery life, the Charge 6 is perfect for those people who forget to charge their watch, or just want to leave their charger behind.
- Brand
- Fitbit
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Optical heart rate monitor
- Color Screen
- Yes
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- Up to 7 days
- Dimensions
- 1.52″ L x 0.73″ W x 0.46″ H
- IP rating
- Water resistant to 50 meters
- Small bands
- 5.1″ – 6.7″ in circumference
- Large bands
- 6.7″ – 8.3″ in circumference
- Mobile payments
- Yes
- Workout detection
- Yes
- Exercise modes
- 40+
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Robust fitness tracking features
- Outstanding battery life
- Unreliable notifications
- No internal storage
- A lot of features need Fitbit Premium to work
Now, of course, with its smaller design, the screen is not going to be easy to navigate through for texting or some other tasks like on the Pixel Watch 2 or Galaxy Watch 6, but the 1.04-inch AMOLED display is easy to read even in direct sunlight and allows for the watch to stay charged for up to seven days. For people who don’t want to wear a big bulky smartwatch but still want something that will allow them to track fitness stats and access some smart features, the Charge 6 is the way to go.
The watch is comfortable, and it feels natural on users’ wrists without risks of leaving marks if properly worn. The watch is durable, and can withstand falls and is water resistant up to 50 meters. Functionality-wise, the Fitbit Charge 6 outdoes itself, supported by numerous operating resources. It has over 40 exercise modes, a built-in GPS, all-day activity training, automatic exercise training, reminders, and many more. With this watch, users can keep tabs on all their activities, especially if they are watching their health.
When users get the watch, they get a 6-month premium subscription to high-standard workouts, mindfulness sessions, and many other exclusive programs.
Garmin Venu 2
Best Smartwatch For Runners
The Garmin Venu 2 smartwatch has advanced health monitoring and fitness features to help users better understand what’s happening inside their bodies. Switch up the activities with animated workouts and more than 25 built-in indoor and GPS sports apps. With up to 11 days of battery life, there is no need to worry about recharging every night; do more, track more, and know more about overall health.
- Brand
- Garmin
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Color Screen
- Yes
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- Smartwatch mode: Up to 11 days Battery saver smartwatch mode: Up to 12 days GPS mode with music: Up to 8 hours GPS mode without music: Up to 22 hours
- Onboard GPS
- Yes
- Lens Material
- Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Case Material
- Fiber-reinforced polymer
- Display
- AMOLED optional always-on mode
- Mobile payments
- Yes
- Great fitness tracking features
- Impressive battery life
- Excellent AMOLED display
Garmin smartwatches are some of the best options for avid runners and fitness buffs looking for a robust fitness tracker. The Garmin Venu 2 is easily one of their most popular smartwatches; it rides the line of a straight-up fitness tracker and a typical smartwatch. The Venu 2 doesn’t exactly scream fitness watch, but it is built with enough durability to be worn regardless of the activity, including pool swimming. And even though this watch isn’t a standalone device like an Apple Watch, it does have internal storage that can hold up to 650 songs to keep users motivated for longer runs.
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The super bright 1.3″ AMOLED display shows users a wealth of information from this watch, like their daily calendar, heart rate, water intake, stress level, and phone notifications. Unfortunately, unlike the Pixel Watch 2, the Venu 2 has somewhat limited app support, so be sure to take a look at what apps it works with first before purchasing.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5
Best Battery Life Smartwatch For Android
Equipped with the industry-leading Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 Wearable Platform, TicWatch Pro 5 is designed to deliver unmatched performance. WIth such a powerful processor, some people would expect the battery life would have to be fairly short, but thanks to expert tuning the TicWatch Pro 5 can last up to 80 hours on a single charge. When it does need to recharge, it can get enough battery life to get through the day in just 15 minutes of charging.
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Color Screen
- Full Color Always On Display AMOLED + Ultra-low-power Display
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- 80 hour battery life
- Operating System
- Wear OS 3
- Onboard GPS
- Yes
- Customizable Strap
- Yes
- SIM Support
- No
- Lens Material
- Corning Gorilla Anti-fingerprint Cover Glass
- Case Material
- Metal, 7000-series aluminum
- Three-day battery life
- Bright AMOLED display
- Sturdy design
- Only comes in one size
- No cellular option
When it comes to a fully featured smartwatch, few competitors have as long of a battery life as the Mobvoi Ticwatch Pro 5. This smartwatch has an impressive three-day battery life, alongside a display and overall performance that rivals the best smartwatches for Android, like the Galaxy Watch 6 and Pixel Watch 2. The bulkier design and no support for Google Assistant took it out of the race for best overall smartwatch. However, if people like a bulkier watch and want a fully featured smartwatch that can last for 80 hours without needing a recharge, the Ticwatch Pro 5 is a fantastic choice.
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The design on the Ticwatch Pro 5 is reminiscent of the Casio G-Shock watches that every cool person was wearing for a while, but with a more sleek frame around the watch face itself. The more significant form factor and display make it easier to navigate around, but for people with smaller wrists, this watch might feel a bit too heavy to wear for three days straight. If people are okay with sacrificing some features, a smartwatch like the Fitbit Charge 6 might be a better option for people with smaller wrists.
Garmin Vivomove Sport
Best Hybrid Smartwatch For Android
The Garmin Vivomove Sport combines the smart features and health-tracking support of a typical smartwatch, but it looks like an analog watch. Thanks to its low-power display, the Vivomove Sport can last up to five days without needing a recharge, while still providing heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, and phone notifications. Users can take advantage of the excellent Garmin fitness app, to access health and wellness stats, like hydration tracking, sleep scores, and even mindful breathing exercises.
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Color Screen
- No
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- Up to 5 days
- Onboard GPS
- Yes
- Customizable Strap
- Yes
- SIM Support
- No
- Lens Material
- Chemically strengthened glass
- Case Material
- Fiber-reinforced polymer
- Calendar
- Yes
- Weather
- Yes
- Aesthetically pleasing and accurate tracking
- Good for smaller wrists
- Affordable price point
- Battery life is shorter than other hybrid smartwatches
- Can be fiddly to use
The Garmin Vivomove Sport is a smartwatch for people who want the smart features and fitness-tracking ability of smartwatches but don’t want them to look like smartwatches. Whether out for a run or hitting the town, the Vivomove Sport looks the part, and even though its battery life is not as long as some hybrid watches, it will keep it charged for up to five days.
When wrapped around the user’s wrist, the watch just has a typical analog watch face, but when users twist their wrist to look at it, a hidden OLED display will turn on. The display shows phone notifications and calendar updates. Unlike the other Vivomove watches, the Sport also offers stress levels, body battery, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, and hydration levels. While not the most comprehensive fitness tracker or fully featured smartwatch, the Vivomove Sport is a great way to get into smartwatches while still looking fashionable.
The watch is durable, owing to its robust design, and can withstand impact and falls. It also effortlessly connects to users’ devices and is compatible with multiple operating systems.
Efolen Smartwatch for Android
Best Fitness Tracker Smartwatch For Android
The Efolen smartwatch is ideal for those who desire a stylish but versatile smartwatch that can monitor health, supports different sports modes, plays music and can make or recieve calls. It is compatible with Android phones and features a 1.43-inch HD AMOLED Display, 120+ Sports Modes, 100+ In-App Themes, IP67 Waterproofing, 2-Hour Battery Charging, and 7-Day Battery Life.
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- Brand
- Efolen
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Color Screen
- Yes
- Notification Support
- Yes
- Battery Life
- 7-Day Battery Life
- Display
- 1.43 inch HD AMOLED touch screen
- Storage
- 128 MB
- Connectivity
- Bluetooth 5.2
- Exercise modes
- 100+ sports modes
- Water resistance
- IP67 waterproof
- It features a 1.43-inch HD AMOLED touchscreen for vivid images and easy operation.
- Connects to Android phones via Bluetooth 5.2 technology
- A multi-functional smartwatch for fitness tracking, music control, alarm control, etc
- The round design might not appeal to some users
One purpose of purchasing a smartwatch is to use it as a fitness tracker. This device has a sensor that detects the heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen, and sleeping hours around the clock. Therefore, users can quickly know whether they are meeting their fitness goals and, if not, the remedies they should take. It features a 1.43-inch HD AMOLED touchscreen with a 466 x 466 resolution for exceptionally vivid images and snappy controls. Users can view all their apps crystal-clearly, leaving no doubt about the actions they should take.
The smartwatch maintains a fast and stable connection to Android phones via the revolutionary Bluetooth 5.2. Thus, it helps make and receive calls and view app notifications from Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. As the notifications come, the watch vibrates to alert the user and ensure they do not miss anything. Fitness enthusiasts who sweat a lot or prefer watersports should find this smartwatch extremely useful. It has an IP67 waterproof rating that prevents damage due to exposure to water or excessive sweat. Users can customize it to their preferences using any of the two available straps – a magnetic and silicone one.
Kumi Smartwatch for Android
Best Mid-Range Smartwatch for Android
This Kumi Smartwatch for Andorod is a versatile mid-range and multifunctional device. It has a 1.43-inch HD AMOLED Display, 100+ Sports Modes, 100+ In-App Themes, IP68 Waterproofing, 2-Hour Battery Charging, and 7-Day Battery Life. Also, this device lets users make or answer calls, read SMS and app messages, and operate smart devices via the voice assistant. Fitness enthusiasts will also love the watch as it allows users to automatically monitor their real-time heart rate, sleep, stress level and blood oxygen.
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- Brand
- Kumi
- Heart Rate Monitor
- Yes
- Battery Life
- 5-7 days of normal use
- Display
- 1.43″ AMOLED Display
- Battery
- 300mAh battery
- Weight
- 4.6 ounces
- Exercise modes
- 100+ Sports Modes
- Color options
- Black/white
- Water resistance
- IP68 waterproof
- It resists water damage, thanks to its IP68 rating
- It features a colorful 1.43-inch AMOLED screen for vibrant colors
- It is multifunctional and can be used for fitness tracking and music playback
- Some users experienced difficulties setting it up with their phones
The Kumi smartwatch is one of the best for Android devices. This device lets users make or answer calls, read SMS and app messages, and operate smart devices via the voice assistant. It features a 1.43-inch AMOLED display with a full-color display for more vibrant and realistic colors than regular smartwatch screens. Additionally, fitness enthusiasts get more than 100 sports modes for comprehensively monitoring exercise and workouts. They can read the step count, heart rate, calories burned, distance, and workout duration by simply glancing at the screen. This makes it easier to monitor progress in their fitness journey.
But the makers of this smartwatch didn’t intend it to act only as a fitness tracker. Instead, they infused other features such as music playback, weather information, camera control, alarm clock, etc. It is a long-lasting watch with an IP68 waterproof rating, so users can wear it without worrying about it getting damaged by sweat or water. Once a user plugs it in, the smartwatch takes up to two hours to charge fully. The battery lasts for five to seven days of everyday use.
How To Make a Smart Decision On a Smartwatch
The best smartwatches for Android must be compatible with the respective device. Connecting to the primary device via Bluetooth should be possible without any problems. Besides compatibility, there are other factors that users must always consider when shopping for one. They include the following:
The Quality of Display
The display quality of any smartwatch is the first consideration for buyers. They should consider the screen size, whether it is HD, and the type of technology used, such as the cutting-edge curved OLED monitor technology that features enhanced viewing angles and deeper blacks. For example, the Efolen Smartwatch has a 1.43-inch HD AMOLED screen, which ensures vividly clear graphics. Of course, other phones could have bigger or smaller displays. Attention to the display that will serve the user’s needs is critical.
Functionality
A good smartwatch shouldn’t be just for checking the time. It should also serve other purposes, including fitness tracking. The smartwatch should help users monitor their heart rate, daily steps, and other metrics easily. It should also make taking or making calls, reading SMSs, or receiving app notifications possible. A multi-functional smartwatch removes the need for different devices when a user can have one.
Connectivity Options
The smartwatch will work with Android smartphones. However, it first needs to connect. That means having the correct connectivity features, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. Ideally, the available connectivity options should be compatible with the latest Android systems. Otherwise, it will be impossible for users to enjoy having the smartwatch.
Compatibility
Compatibility goes beyond whether it will work with a phone, although that is still an important thing to look for. For most WearOS devices, which is the leading Android-based smartwatch OS, the device is required to be at least on Android 9.0. Moving past the phone compatibility though, users should also make sure that the watch works with the apps that they consider must-haves. These could be fitness tracking apps, contactless payment like Google Wallet, controlling music, and many more.
The features of a smartwatch are typically what sets it apart from the rest, but not everyone needs a smartwatch that is packed to the gills with features that they will probably not even use. Many people pick up a smartwatch for their health-tracking abilities; for those people, they should check whether the watch has a heart rate sensor, step tracker, and possibly GPS tracking. But if people want to go beyond that, some smartwatches additionally offer an oxygen saturation sensor and sleep tracking.
Battery Life
Battery life plays a huge role in the enjoyment of a smartwatch. The best smartwatches for Android typically have at least a day or two worth of battery life, but some can last a week or even longer. Deciding the blend of performance and battery life is a personal choice, but Game Rant recommends looking for smartwatches with at least two days of battery life. That way, it is not always on the charger.
Regardless of what smartwatch people choose, there is a perfect option out there for everyone. As long as it at least hits all these factors, it will most likely be an excellent smartwatch that will add a ton of helpful resources to daily routines.
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FAQ
Q: Do I need a data plan for a smartwatch?
Most smartwatches don’t need data plans, unless they are a standalone device. Even then smartwatches with LTE connections don’t necessarily need a data plan, if users want to use it via a WiFi or Bluetooth connection.
Q: Can I leave my phone at home and use my smartwatch?
As long as the smartwatch is capable of LTE connection, users can still have full access to phone calls, messages, and other phone features when the phone is at home. If a smartwatch is not capable of LTE connection, then users can still leave their phone at home for runs or bike rides, but they won’t get access to the full features that the smartwatch offers.
