Best smartwatch 2019: Top smartwatches available to buy today
Smartwatches are here to stay. These wrist-worn phone companions can receive calls, texts, emails and social media notifications. Many attempts have been made, some more successful than others, some much better looking than others and some smarter than others.
If you're looking to take the smartwatch plunge, you've come to the right place. We have rounded up the best out there that we have had the pleasure of reviewing in full.
This feature covers smartwatches on various platforms, from Google's Wear OS to Apple's Watch OS. If you are only interested in Android Wear smartwatches or Apple Watch options, we have separate features you can read to find the perfect smartwatch for you.
Best smartwatch: our top recommendation
Here's our recommendation for the best all round smartwatch on the market.
Apple Watch Series 4
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The Apple Watch Series 4 takes a step beyond its predecessor with a bigger and more immersive display, along with a thinner build and other design tweaks. There's no battery improvements over the Series 3 but the Series 4 adds a few extra features including an ECG monitor, advanced processor, and the straps from the previous generations are still compatible despite the new 40mm and 42mm case sizes.
As a smartwatch all-rounder, there is nothing better than the Apple Watch Series 4 for iOS users. It offers a great design and it's a very accomplished smartwatch.
Best of the rest smartwatches
The Apple Watch Series 4 isn't for everyone though, especially if you're on Android, and there are plenty of other great smartwatches to consider whatever budget you are on. Here are the ones that you should also consider:
Samsung Galaxy Watch
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Like Samsung's previous smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch is well-made, easy to use, durable and attractive. It comes in 42mm and 46mm models, both of which offer a solid stainless steel casing for a premium finish. The Tizen OS lacks apps compared to the likes of Google's Wear OS and Apple's Watch OS but it is user friendly.
Like Apple's Series 4 and 3 smartwatches, the Galaxy Watch offers built-in GPS and waterproofing and it has NFC for use with Samsung Pay too, allowing payments from your wrist. The Samsung Galaxy Watch is one of the few very strong competitors to the Apple Watch. It is as smart a watch as it is a sports watch and the 46mm model offers an excellent battery life, far exceeding the Apple Watch.
Michael Kors Access Runway
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The Michael Kors Access Runway is the perfect smartwatch for those after stylish wrist-wear with solid performance and plenty of features. Succeeding the Access Sofie and Access Bradshaw, the Access Runway introduces built-in GPS and heart rate monitoring, whilst also offering plenty of apps thanks to Google's Wear OS platform.
Its battery life isn't the best out there and despite a range of fitness features, it's definitely a more fashion-focused device but for the Michael Kors fan, the Access Runway is a fabulous smartwatch and everything you could want.
Huawei Watch GT
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The Huawei Watch GT has a fantastic OLED display, coupled with all the hardware you could need to track pretty much any activity. It is an ideal modern fitness partner that offers great all round performance and well-organised information.
The Watch GT needs some more third party app support to reach its full potential and the screen lacks and always-on display, but the Watch GT is a great smartwatch with a brilliant battery life that's well worthy of consideration.
Skagen Falster
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The Skagen Falster has a fabulous Scandinavian design, offering a simple and minimalist look that's perfect for those after a subtle smartwatch.
It doesn't have the best battery life of those on this list, and it runs old hardware too so it does suffer some lag issues here and there. The software experience is great though, as is the display and the sophisticated design makes it a great option to consider.
Fossil Q Explorist Gen 3
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The Fossil Q Explorist Gen 3 offers a stylish design and build quality with 22mm swappable straps. It's an attractive smartwatch that is well-made waterproof and available in numerous finishes and band styles. The battery life isn't brilliant and it takes a while to charge but the Wear OS platform is great, as it is on the Michael Kors Access Runway, and the programmable buttons on the Q Explorist are useful too.
For those after a smartwatch that isn't as shiny as the Kors options, or as bulky as the Diesel options, the Fossil Q Explorist will suit you down to the ground. It looks and feels like a regular watch but with the addition of some smart.
Tic Watch Pro
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The Tic Watch Pro is a very versatile smartwatch. It isn't just an attractive smartwatch that can be worn to work and to work out, but it's also a Wear OS smartwatch with a fantastic battery life. It's quite chunky and there is no LTE connectivity but the Tic Watch Pro is comfortable to wear and it is much more affordable than its competitors.
It's hard to think of many smartwatches at this price point that offer anything as complete as the Tic Watch Pro offers.
Diesel On Full Guard
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The Diesel On Full Guard offers a great display and a fashionable, very Diesel, design. It's a very chunky smartwatch so if this isn't you're style then the Diesel On Full Guard probably isn't for you but if you are a fan of the fashion brand, this smartwatch is as Diesel as you can get.
It isn't perfect, but if you're looking for a smartwatch with Wear OS that's heavy on design and not necessarily all the features, the Diesel On Full Guard is ideal.
Samsung Gear Sport
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The Samsung Gear Sport features a nice, solid design with an intuitive user interface and charger design. There is a rotating bezel, which is a lovely design feature and the Gear Sport is waterproof up to 50-metres whilst also offering good sports tracking features.
As it runs on Tizen like the Galaxy Watch, rather than Wear OS, there is still a lack of third party apps and this isn't an amazing choice for iPhone users either. If you're looking for a smartwatch to go with your Android device that also happens to be a great fitness and activity tracker though the Samsung Gear Sport is a very compelling device to consider.
Apple Watch Series 3
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The Apple Watch Series 3 takes all the features introduced on the Series 2 model and adds more power and capabilities, including the option of 4G connectivity. With built-in GPS, a more capable processor, water-resistance and a much greater focus on fitness than the Series 1, the Apple Watch Series 3 has stacks of potential, even if it isn't quite as accomplished as the Series 4.
From notifications and Apple Pay, to heart-rate monitoring and fitness tracking; the Apple Watch Series 3 can also act as a remote to control your HomeKit smarthome devices, quickly unlock your Mac or make and receive calls without your phone. It's also quite a bit cheaper than the Series 4.
Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45
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The Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 is a lovely smartwatch - one of the best looking you can buy - even if it is from 2017. There is a newer model in the Connected Modular 41 if you're looking for a smaller casing so bear that in mind. Both drip in quality and their focus is firmly seated in fashion, reflecting the brand's Carrera watches with an added emphasis on personalisation.
The Connected Modular devices not only offer watch face customisation, but physical customisation too - and there is a huge range of options so you can get exactly what you want... if you can afford it. Armed with the credentials to be a wear anywhere premium smartwatch, the 45 and 41 also bring GPS and NFC to boost its digital skills, although they are not as fully-loaded as some rival devices. What's most important however, is that these premium smartwatches feel like a premium smartwatch. There's really nothing that matches the Tag Heuer Connected Modular range's luxury position - and the modular approach is unique.
Michael Kors Access Sofie
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The Michael Kors Access Sofie is a stunner of a smartwatch, combining beauty with brains, especially when paired with an Android rather than iOS device. It offers a luxurious and waterproof design, enough bling to make it stand out from the rest of the Wear OS crowd, while also offering a decent performance.
It misses out on a couple of the extra features introduced with the newer Access Runway, but the Access Sofie still offers customisable Michael Kors watch faces that make this smartwatch feel that little bit more special than some competitors, while the customisation options and the way "Looks" are organised is excellent, especially for those who like to match their watch to their outfit. For the MK fans who love the signature, chunky and blingy watches from the company but want them connected, the Sofie is a great option.
Casio WSD-F30
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There's a lot to like about the Casio WSD-F30, which is Casio's third generation dual-screen outdoors watch. It's fast, fluid, responsive and very feature-rich. It delivers a solid and durable build, always visible time thanks to the dual-screen technology and loads of sensor data for hiking and outdoor sports.
There's a few things missing - a heart rate sensor and a companion app for activity syncing and viewing, but the Casio WSD-30 has a great battery life and like its predecessors, it's one of the best Wear OS watches designed for outdoor sports (though there are better for running). The flip side of that is that Wear OS isn't necessarily the best platform designed for outdoor sports.
Nixon Mission
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The Nixon Mission succeeds where many smartwatches fail in offering a great design that feels nice to wear. The rugged build is also a big sell, meaning you don't have to worry about water, so it's well suited to being worn in rough conditions, like surf or snow.
The Nixon Mission is a good-looking watch for those who are happy with a larger-scale device. It carries a lifestyle charm to it with rugged looks and, in the case of our review sample, eye-catching looks. There are better choices for those wanting an active sports watch, but sometimes, looking good is good enough.
from Pocket-lint http://bit.ly/2ESPoyU
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