In my early days of mobile technology, I thought my MSN Direct SPOT watch was the future of wearables. Twenty years later and we now have incredible smartwatches from brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google that make the clock the least impressive feature.

While smartwatches today are heavily focused on detailed 24/7 health and wellness tracking, many have other advanced features, like a companion Android app, touchscreen display, call and/or text messaging support, installable applications, customizable watch faces, and voice assistants.

Also: Samsung unveils Galaxy Watch 6 series: Price, release date, best features

With so many different smartwatches powered by Google's Wear OS on the market, finding the best one for your wrist can be difficult. researched the best models on the market, including thorough testing of our choice for the best Android smartwatch overall -- theSamsung Galaxy Watch Pro 5 -- to help you make the best buying decision. Through our research and testing, we were sure to consider factors like display, battery life, durability, and health suite. Here's how they stack up against each other and on your wrist. 

The best Android smartwatches of 2023

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Best Android smartwatch overall

June Wan/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Simple, sleek design
• Body composition analysis
• Improved, curved sensor for more accurate readings

Cons

• Few color options
• Only a few rugged, "Pro" features

More Details

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro specs: Display: 1.4 inch, 450 x 450 pixels AMOLED  Battery life: Two days  Dimensions: 45.4 x 45.4 x 10.5mm  Weight: 46.5 g  Water resistance: 5 ATM+IP68  LTE cellular option: Yes 

Samsung's Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the ultimate health companion when it comes to Android smartwatches. With improved sensors from its predecessor, this smartwatch can better track your sleep, body composition, and tough workouts. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is encased in lightweight titanium for a comfortable but durable smartwatch.

From night to day, this watch has features for analyzing your health around the clock. Advanced Sleep Coaching provides a sleep score based on how long and deep your sleep was, as well as insight into how many calories you burned in your sleep. But where does this watch truly excel? In tracking your workouts and analyzing your body composition via an improved, curved sensor for greater accuracy. 

This Pro model is a bit more rugged than the base model, as users can import GPX files for hiking and biking. The titanium casing and tough sapphire glass display suggest this watch is up for any adventure. 

As much as the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is for tracking workouts, it's also built for a more casual experience. With a 590mAh battery, you will get all-day power for crushing your workout after a long day in the office. Additionally, when you sync your watch with your Galaxy devices you can access your phone notifications from your wrist.

"The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is easily the best wearable for Android smartphone owners and it excels in all of the smartwatch categories," says wearables expert, Matthew Miller.

Review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro: The best wearable for Android fans

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Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

Best Android watch with a rotating bezel

June Wan/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Brighter, bigger display
• Rotating bezel is unique to Samsung
• Upgraded One UI 5 software update

Cons

• Large display is likely to consumer more battery power

More Details

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic specs: Display: 1.5-inch 480x480 Super AMOLED (47mm) and 1.3-inch 432x432 (43mm)  Battery life: Up to 40 hours  Dimensions: 46.5 x 46.5 x 10.9 mm (47mm) 42.5 x 42.5 x 10.9 mm (43mm)  Weight: 59g (47mm) and 52g (43mm) Water/Dust resistance: 5ATM/IP68/MIL-STD-810H  LTE cellular option: Yes  

Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, along with the Galaxy Watch 6, at its 2023 Unpacked. Both of the 6 series watches promise the One UI 5 software update, which promotes a deeper focus on sleep tracking, fitness, and safety features. However, the 6 Classic offers the biggest Samsung Watch display (1.5 Super AMOLED) and opts for a unique rotating bezel. 

The bright display coupled with the unique form may make for more enjoyable, vibrant interaction, especially when enabling always-on display, but stay tuned for our expert's full review. 

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic starts at$399 for the 43mm option and$429 for Galaxy's largest sized wearable to date -- 47mm. You can preorder the watch right now and the unit will be fully available starting August 11th. 

Also: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic v. Watch 5 Pro: Which smartwatch is best for you? 

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Google Pixel Watch 2

Best Google smartwatch

Matthew Miller/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Fitbit integration
• Advanced safety features
• Small size, extreme comfort
• Improved battery life

Cons

• Limited customization of exercise details
• Still only one size

More Details

Google Pixel Watch 2 tech specs: Display: 320ppi AMOLED  Battery life: 24 hours with AOD  Dimensions: 41 x 41 x 12.3mm  Weight: 31 g (without band)  Water/Dust resistance: 5 ATM  LTE cellular option: Yes    

Google's second generation Pixel Watch 2 improves in one key area with longer battery life than the original Pixel Watch. This is achieved through a slightly larger capacity battery, but even more of this improvement is due to the modern Qualcomm processor found at the core of the watch. 

Fitbit development includes improved stress tracking thanks in part to the cEDA measurements, stress management score, and skin temperature sensor. We also now have pace and heart rate zone alerts that can be set prior to the start of your exercise. 

Also: Google Pixel Watch 2 review: In one key area, it surpasses every other smartwatch

Another part of the stress management aspect is logging your mood and completing mindfulness sessions. I appreciate this focus on mental health as it helps me take a break during the day and evaluate my physical and emotional state. Slowing down and reflecting is always important to do.

One of the best functions of the Pixel Watch 2 that even beats out the Apple Watch is the focus on safety. The Apple Watch can appear in your Find My application, and you can share your location with family and friends, but that's a passive setting that requires people to physically check the app to find you. 

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Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

Best battery life Android smartwatch

June Wan/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Has the looks of an everyday smartwatch
• Latest WearOS software and features
• Up to 80 hours of battery life thanks to the ULP display

Cons

• No LTE version
• Only one size (50mm case)
• Bland design

More Details

Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 specs: Display: 1.43 inches, 466 x 466 pixels AMOLED  Battery life: Up to 4 days  Dimensions: 50.1 x 48 x 12.2mm  Weight: 44 g (no strap)  Water resistance: 5 ATM  LTE cellular option: No 

You would think that the best smartwatch to support Google's WearOS would be the Pixel Watch, but that award may be more fitting with Mobvoi's latest TicWatch Pro 5. It's the successor to the enthusiast-favorite TicWatch Pro 3 and builds from it with a sportier design, improved battery life, and performant Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Plus chip.

From the outside, the TicWatch Pro 5 looks like the rugged, outdoorsy timepieces offered by Garmin, Coros, and Amazfit, with its stainless steel framing, rubberized watch band, and subtle grooves throughout. There are two physical buttons to the right of the watch; one for menu functions and another that can be dialed for more precise navigation.

Review: Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5

From 's testing, the TicWatch Pro 5 impresses the most with its endurance. Thanks to the ultra-low-power (ULP) display, which is a monochrome screen that shows essential information like time, date, and steps when you're not actively using the watch, and a more efficient processor, the TicWatch can last up to 80 hours per charge.

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Fossil Gen 6

Best fashion-forward Android smartwatch

Fossil/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Affordable
• Compatible with iPhone
• Accurate heart rate and SpO2 monitors

Cons

• Average battery life
• No Google Assistant with WearOS 3.2

More Details

Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch specs: Display: 1.28 inches, 416 x 416 pixels AMOLED  Battery life: 24 hours   Dimensions: 44 x 44 x 12mm  Weight: 99 g  Water resistance: 3 ATM  LTE cellular option: No

When you think of Fossil, you probably think about elegant analog watches, leather bags, and wallets. Now, you can get an elegant smartwatch from the luxury brand, and the Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch is the best example. With bands ranging from stainless steel to leather, Fossil is offering here a modern smartwatch with an old-school, fancy look.

With Alexa built-in, you'll have access to the weather, smart home devices, and news all with the sound of your voice. And with Google's WearOS technology, you have full access to messages, maps, and fitness tracking on your wrist. 

Although this smartwatch has an impressive design that looks much like a fancy analog watch, the activity tracking features are not as robust as more fitness-centric alternatives. Granted, with a watch that looks as great as the Fossil Gen 6, working out with this smartwatch may be the least of what you use it for.

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Tag Heuer Calibre E4 Golf Edition

Best luxury Android smartwatch

Matthew Miller/ZDNet Pros & Cons Pros

• Titanium case materials
• iOS and Android support
• Smooth sapphire glass display
• Ball markers included

Cons

• No speaker for hands-free calling
• No SpO2 sensor
• Powered by older version of Wear OS

More Details

Tag Heuer Calibre E4 Golf Edition specs: Display: 1.39 inches, 454 x 454 pixels AMOLED  Battery Life: 24 hours  Dimensions: 45 x 45 x 15.3mm  Weight: 96 g  Water resistance: 50m  LTE cellular option: No 

People spend thousands on luxury watches and Tag Heuer is a well-known brand for those who enjoy high-end watches. The Tag Heuer Calibre E4 provides an enhanced experience on more than 41,000 courses around the world and looks great in the office too.

The titanium case material has a matte, sandblasted DLC finish that looks expensive and feels smooth. Sapphire glass covers the brilliant 1.39-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 454x454 pixels. It's a lovely touchscreen that transitions, flat, out to the Golf Edition bezel, where we find numbers representing 18 holes, though starting at 4 since the words Golf Edition cover where 1 through 3 would be found. White numerals and green marks accent the black bezel

Also: Tag Heuer Calibre E4 Golf Edition review

While golf is clearly the focus of having this watch on your wrist, it also can be used for tracking your running with GPS, rowing on a Hydrow, hiking in the mountains, sleeping, working, and more. The one concern with a luxury model is that the technology moves fast so the hardware is likely to last far longer than the operating system and sensors inside the watch.

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What is the best Android smartwatch?

When it comes to choosing which Android smartwatch is the best, you'll realize right away that the options are limited. Samsung leads the way in developing smartwatches that rival the Apple Watch, but you sometimes pay a premium for powerful smartwatches.

This table compares the top models based on price, screen size, and battery life, which can all dramatically impact your experience.

table

Best Android smartwatch	Starting price	Screen size	Battery life	Water resistance	LTE support
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro	$420	1.2 inches	2 days	5 ATM	Yes
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic	$400	1.7 inches (43mm) and 1.85 inches (47mm)	40 hours	5 ATM	Yes
Google Pixel Watch 2	$350	1.2 inches	24 hours	5 ATM	Yes
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5	$350	1.43 inches	4 days	5 ATM	No
Fossil Gen 6	$319	1.28 inches	24 hours	3 ATM	No
Tag Heuer Calibre E4	$2,500	1.39 inches	24 hours	50m	No

Which is the right Android smartwatch for you?

Every Android smartwatch in this list features different features, designs, and best-use cases. That being said, there's a smartwatch for everyone. If you want the best overall Android smartwatch, go with the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, or opt for Samsung's newest addition -- the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. But if you want a powerful smartwatch on a budget, the Fitbit Versa 4 could make the perfect choice.

Before you purchase the newest accessory for your wrist, consider our recommendations based on priorities.

Choose this Android smartwatch...	If you want...
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro	The best overall Android smartwatch, equipped with two days of battery life. It also has improved sensors, as well as sleep and health tracking.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic	Samsung's newest Galaxy watch series with upgraded sleep tracking and health insights, a bigger and brighter display that works seamlessly with a rotating bezel.
Google Pixel Watch 2	One of the smaller smartwatches on the market that integrates both Google and Fitbit's comprehensive ecosystems. With a beautiful display encased in a Corning Gorilla Glass screen, the watch is both aesthetic and durable.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5	A smartwatch with the latest WearOS features, a rugged design, and battery endurance to match. Thanks to a more efficient display and processor, the TicWatch can last up to four days per charge.
Fossil Gen 6	An Android watch with a "luxe," analog feel, Alexa built-in, and Google's WearOS technology. This is perfect to wear from the office to the gym, to tracking time and exercise.
Tag Heuer Calibre E4	A luxury smartwatch focused on helping you improve your golf game. It's a lovely wearable, but is now running an older version of Google's Wear OS.

How did we choose these Android smartwatches?

In addition to research, nothing is more telling of quality than personal experience. Some of the smartwatches included in this list were chosen based on how they performed when tested by the team. In both our research and testing, we heavily considered the following factors: 

• Display:While all of our picks have comprehensive app compatibility, most smartwatch interaction happens directly on the watch interface. We factored in each watch's screen size, resolution, and display type so that you're assured to have a navigable smartwatch experience. 
• Battery life:Don't get left behind on telling time or tracking your activities. Longer battery life is essential for a reliable smartwatch. 
• Durability:As most smartwatches are activity and health trackers, you'll probably want something that can withstand the outdoors, water, or inevitable drops and dings.
• Health suite: Smartwatches track more than just time, but can monitor your activity and overall health. We selected watches that encompass effective health-tracking sensors and can serve as a health-monitoring tool. 

Can you use a Samsung smartwatch with a non-Samsung phone?

You can use a Samsung Galaxy watch with a non-Galaxy Android smartphone. You will need to install a couple of Samsung companion applications on your smartphone, including Galaxy Wearable and Watch plug-in. The Galaxy Wearable app is used to manage the connection, settings, and apps on the watch. Samsung Health also provides you with richer health data.

However, Samsung Galaxy watches are optimized for Samsung phones, including support for Samsung Pay and the Samsung ecosystem.

Do any of these watches have cellular support to function without a phone?

Samsung and Google do. An additional service plan is required for cellular connectivity directly on the watch. Unlike the Apple Watch, your Android phone is not required to be on for the service to work.

While the watch can act as a standalone mobile device, a phone is required to set up the watch for cellular connectivity. A world where your entire watch lives on your phone is not yet an option, but technology is advancing -- we'll get there someday.

What are the hot new features in the latest smartwatches?

The most innovations in the last couple of years have been in health and fitness tracking. While smartwatches are not medical devices, they have sensors, algorithms, and applications to help you track trends in your heart rate, stress level, blood oxygen levels, and more. You can use it as a basic ECG to check if further investigation is needed.

All of these smartwatches can also serve as capable GPS sports watches to track the details of your outdoor activities. Exercise guidance is provided on the watch with connected health applications on your smartphone so you can keep track of your progress, too.

Why should I buy a smartwatch?

Each person has a unique reason as to why they want to purchase a smartwatch. Most people are interested in the health-tracking features that a smartwatch can offer. Health tracking, coupled with calling, texting, and all of the capabilities found on a smartphone, typically encourage people to pull the trigger.

Are there other Android smartwatches worth considering?

We chose the best Android smartwatches for a variety of price points and preferences. That said, these Android smartwatches are also worth considering:

Best alternative to the Samsung Galaxy 5 Pro

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The Samsung Galaxy 4 Watch boasts up to 361mAh battery (large size), fast charging, and up to a 40-hour run time. It also promises advanced sleep tracking via its SPO2 sensors and body composition analysis. 

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Best budget-friendly alternative

Fitbit Luxe

The Fitbit Luxe looks more like jewelry but still totes comprehensive sleep and fitness tracking for about$130.

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Best fashion-forward alternative

Garmin V