Best Smartwatches in 2020

by David Wright | Last updated January 20th, 2020

Having a wrist watch with you at all times enables you to keep track of time. A smartwatch, however, is the improved version of the wrist accessory that features numerous functions. Since their invention, the smartwatches would only tell time, monitor your fitness and send notifications to your wrist.

Today, the best models perform a number of functions that make life a lot easier, especially for a busy person. For instance, you can freely scroll through the internet to find urgent information straight on your wrist. In addition, there is a GPS tracker on most of the smartwatches that allow you to monitor your location. What’s more, you can know your heart rate to maintain perfect health.

In the market today, the smartwatches come in different ranks. There are ones that are made for fitness tracking, iPhone, android, and hybrid. The aforementioned categories come at different price ranges that let you choose the best that fits your budget. Most importantly, a smartwatch is a beautiful hand accessory that complements your look in different styles. Here, we are discussing the top 9 smartwatches at different prices. You will find the best models under $200, $100 and $50 depending on your budget.

Our best pick

If you are in a hurry, then there is the best smart watch on this review which is the Fitbit Versa. This comes with plenty of features that allow you to track your workouts and health conveniently. Moreover, you will be entertained the whole time as you engage in your activities. All your important notifications will be sent straight to your wrist to allow you to save on the time you’ll use on your phone. It works perfectly to complement your phone. Although it comes at a high price, you will not regret its functionality.

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Best Smartwatches under $200

1. Fitbit Versa – Best Overall and Premium

If you are looking for a watch that will meet all your goals, then the Fitbit Versa is the perfect solution. It features plenty of functions that allow you to keep track of every activity you engage in. For starters, there is a PurePulse tracker that enables you to continuously monitor your heart rate at all times.

You can easily track the calories burnt in your workouts as well as perfecting them. In addition, you will see the way your heart reacts when in resting position and also know your cardio fitness level. This is a high quality smartwatch with over 15 exercise modes that ensure you have all your workout records on track.

You can connect to the GPS on your smartphone to monitor your place and distance.

While exercising, you can listen to your favorite playlist as the Fitbit has space for more than 300 song storage. There is on-screen coaching.  You have little to worry about in terms of battery life because you get up to four days of battery with this smartwatch.

What’s more, you get way in on important App notifications straight to your wrist. Also, you can call, text and get calendar alerts with it. It has an integrated NFC chip that allows you to make payments conveniently.

Pros and Cons

2. TicWatch Pro – Best for iPhone and Android

The TicWatch Pro is the latest model from TicWatch on the market that combines plenty of features. You can use it with both an iPhone and android phone. If you are looking to find the best smartwatch that will provide you with accurate health and fitness data, then this is a great choice.

There is an integrated GPS tracker to monitor your routes. In addition, hitting your workout goals is made easy with the steps and calorie counter on the smartwatch. Also, there is a heart rate monitor that enables you to maintain perfect heart health.

What’s more, it allows you to download and have access to numerous fitness apps to enhance your workouts. While at it, you can stream your favorite music.

The best thing about the TicWatch is that it utilizes the layered display technology for perfect usage convenience. First, the screens are in two categories; high resolution AMOLED screen and power saving FSTN LCD to allow battery life control. The former offers two days of charge while the latter, up to 30 days.

Since it is Google assistant enabled, you can easily send a message and make a call on your android phone as well as knowing your directions. What’s more, you can make payments with the NFC chip on the smartwatch. With an award winning design, the smartwatch gives you a sleek and smart look.

Pros and Cons

3. Motorola Moto 360 Sport – Best for Sports

Athletes now have the perfect solution for their sport when using this Moto 360 from Motorola. This is because it allows you stay away from your phone as it functions just like one. You can engage in your sports activities uninterrupted because all the information you need from your phone is relayed on your wrist.

It has a design that makes it the most suitable for sports. In addition, it ergonomically fits on your wrist and will serve you for a long period of time. There is a built-in GPS that enables you to monitor your movements and distance straight on your wrist. Also, the Moto body tracker counts your steps, calories burnt and heart rate to improve your health and fitness activities.

Whether you are in dim indoors or sunny outdoors, you can easily read what’s on the screen. This is thanks to the AnyLight display of the smartwatch. What’s more, you can download several fitness apps on the smartwatch to advance in the sport activities you partake. For instance, it works with MapMyRun, Strava and Armour Record fitness apps.

The Moto 360 is compatible with Android 4.3+ or iOS 9+.

Pros and Cons

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Best Smartwatches under $100

1. Rookee S928 SmartWatch – Best Affordable

The market overflows with all sorts of smartwatches and it gets quite difficult to find the best and affordable smartwatches for your needs. For this reason, the Rooke is here with a lower price tag on it. For starters, there is an integrated GPS tracker that monitors your pace, distance and the route you take while exercising.

You can connect your phone via Bluetooth for added functions but it can also function independently without the phone. This allows you to go about your business without having to carry your phone. The Walk, Run, Climb and Ride modes are there to accurately calculate the number of steps, calories burnt, mileage, laps and heart rate.

The design is the most outstanding feature of this Rooke. You will find that the screen is always on to enable visibility in both lit and dim areas. It is the perfect watch for swimming as it has an IP66 Lite waterproof rating.

Featuring a 380 mAh battery, you are sure of a long battery life. The battery life is broken down into three parts; when on time mode, it goes for 18 days. If you decide to use it comprehensively while exercising, you get up to 7 days at a single charge. Battery will be drained when the GPS tracker is on and you will only get up to 10 hours per charge.

Pros and Cons

2. Pebble Time Smartwatch – Best Easy-To-Read

Pebble Time is one of the budget smartwatches with outstanding performance. It allows you to easily read all your data at a glance with the latest timeline interface. This makes it the perfect solution for when you are always busy.

With Pebble, you are able to read your important notifications, calendar, weather, sport scores, app alerts as well as see who has called you. The Timeline interface keeps you on the- know, all the time. In addition, you can monitor your fitness and sleep with the Pebble health function whereby it displays your daily stats and weekly trends on your timeline.

Display matters a lot in the way you view your data on the smartwatch. For this reason, the Pebble has an always-on color E-Paper display to see clearly in dark and bright areas. It is water resistant up to 30 meters with a long lasting glass lens and a slim and curved comfortable design.

On top of that, you can easily control the music at home with the smartwatch for greater convenience. This is because it works with Bluetooth-enabled sound sources to have total control of the tempo. It allows you to download over 8000 apps to make it easily usable.

Pros and Cons

3. Amazfit Bip Smartwatch – Best Compact

If you want to keep it simple, then you should go for this Amazfit Bip smartwatch. Not only does it look good, it also comes at an affordable price. You will not experience any weight on your wrist as it only weighs 32 grams to fit comfortably on your wrist.

The Bip has 4 sports modes that automatically track your steps, distance covered and the number of calories burnt in a single exercise. This allows you to easily achieve and improve your daily, weekly or monthly goals. In addition, you can monitor your heart rate to ensure you are at your best health while engaging in sports activities.

For you to be productive on your daily activities, you need to have your things well organized. This Amazfit watch packs a wide range of smart features that will aid in staying organized. You will receive smart notifications, weather reports and also set your alarm clock, timer and stopwatch.

Moreover, you can monitor how you sleep with the sleep tracker to improve the quality of sleep you get. Regardless of how you use it, you get up to 45 days pf battery life on a single charge. It has an IP68 water and dust resistant rating to use around water and in very dusty areas.

Pros and Cons

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Best Smartwatches under $50

1. Sports Smart Watch – Longest Battery Life

If you are on a budget, then this Sports smartwatch is the best companion. It packs plenty of features that allow you to make accurate activity records throughout the day. The smartwatch counts the number of steps taken, distance, calories burned as well as monitor the quality of your sleep.

There are also multi-sport healthy modes that monitor your blood pressure, blood oxygen, heart rate, while running, cycling, swimming or climbing.

The Sports watch receives notifications and alerts straight from your phone and they come in form of a vibration sound. With it, you can know who is calling, read your texts, emails, calendar and alerts from SNS platforms. It has a waterproof rating of IP68 that allows you to swim with it on. Charging the smartwatch fully requires 2 hours and it will stay for 90 days on that single charge.

Pros and Cons

2. Watchoo Smartwatch – Best Cheap Model

It is rare to find the best smartwatch for different needs at a cheap price. This smartwatch from Watchoo fits perfectly into this category. First off, it has an upgraded touchscreen display with abundance of functions that allow you to use easily.

With its simple user interface, it is suitable for use with an adult or children. Watchoo is Bluetooth enabled and can also use the Smart watch SIM to operate. This watch counts the number of steps, monitors your sleep, plays music, delivers push notifications etc.

You can use it on both Android and iOS phones. The Watchoo smartwatch has a beautiful design with a comfortable strap. It is also water-resistant to use it in the outdoors even when it rains.

Pros and Cons

3. GabbaGoods Fitness Watch – Best Budget Kids’ Smartwatch

If you are looking to gift your little one, then turn to this Gabba Goods fitness watch tracker. You will track your child’s daily fitness activities with much ease to stay healthy and fit. Moreover, you can connect it to the free app in order to set and accomplish your fitness goals.

It counts the steps, calories burned and tracks the distance covered throughout the day. In addition, it monitors your sleep quality to ensure you get the sufficient rest. The app allows you to wirelessly share your progress with friends.

There is are special activity and drink water reminders that enables you to stay active and hydrated.

Pros and Cons

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Buying Guide: What to Look for When Buying a Smartwatch

Buying a smartwatch can be a daunting task considering the numerous options available on the market today. To others, it may seem easy but you cannot find a smart watch with your desired specifications without having prior knowledge. For this reason, this is the ultimate buying guide that provides you with important factors to consider when purchasing one for your specific needs.

Compatibility

Smartwatches are specially built to complement your smartphones. Therefore, compatibility with other devices really matters. There are smartwatches that work with both Android and iPhone handsets whereas others are specific to either devices.

The Fitbit Versa, for instance, works best with both Android and iPhone devices. When using it with Android phones, you get fast SMS replies. With this purpose in mind, you should be very keen to buy a smartwatch that is compatible with your smartphone.

Display

Almost all smartwatches on the market have LCD screens and the premium ones have AMOLED displays. This is important in order to view your data, photos and apps in dynamic colors whether in lit or dim areas. Smartwatches with this feature have reduced battery life as the screen takes up too much power to display the content on the smartwatch.

However, the latest models are advancing in this sector to provide longer battery time on your smartwatch. After being in use for some time, the display goes to sleep to save on battery. When in sleep mode, some models become difficult to read.

Watches with LCD displays have thicker screens compared to OLED which make them bulky.

Battery life and Charging

Most smartwatches have an average of two days battery life on a single charge. Some of the smartwatches that require high-maintenance must be charged on a regular basis. Sports smart watch model provides the longest battery life on this review as it goes up to 90 days on a single charge.

Design

Design is also an important factor to consider as it involves the comfort and usability. There are smartwatches with plenty of strap choices and others with the ability to switch between third party options. You can personalize the way you want your device to feel and look.

Smartwatches like the Motorola Moto 360 allow customization options before buying them. They come in different band colors, material, finishes and sizes. The design you pick will determine the comfort you get, especially how easily it fastens on your wrist.

Watches with bulky clasps require a lot of time and energy to open and close. Today, most models are made with a round face just like the traditional pieces to maintain simplicity. In addition, the latest ones are thin and compact.

User interface

Smartwatches use two interfaces including the buttons and the touch screen display. Some people find using the buttons easier whereas the latest models with touch screen displays are preferred by others. While the touchscreen seems so much easier to operate, it becomes difficult to navigate through the smaller displays.

Conversely, the Wear OS enables you to dismiss the less important notification by swiping on the screen. Also, the touch screen allows you to swipe through your smartphone to access the apps with ease. What’s more, you can quickly zoom in contents with a touchscreen interface. Those that use buttons have a simple design.

Notifications and Alerts

Since smartwatches complement your smartphone, it is important to have one that delivers your phone’s notifications and alerts. The best models of smartwatches should alert you on incoming calls, emails and text messages as soon as they are sent to your phone. With just a single buzz, you will know whether to answer the calls or ignore them. In addition, you are able to read important social network notifications from various sites. If you happen to miss the notifications, then the most recent notifications are displayed when you swipe down the screen. Amazfit Bip Smartwatch, for instance, allows you to customize the notifications straight on your wrist.

Connectivity and Apps

Most smartwatch models wirelessly connect to compatible devices via Bluetooth. This function is important as it eliminates the need to have your phone at all times while exercising. In addition, there are brands with sufficient song storage to let you enjoy your favorite music as you work out.

The latest models have numerous (up to thousands) apps that enable you to have total control on your smartwatch. Apps installed on your smartwatch allow minimize the number of times you use your phone. Also, there are those models that let you reply to your WhatsApp messages using your voice.

GPS Tracker and Heat rate Sensor

A smartwatch with an integrated GPS tracker will monitor your movement so that you don’t get lost while running in the woods. The biggest downside to this feature is that the smart watch takes up too much battery power therefore reducing the battery life. In most cases, you would want to explore new areas while running or exercising.

You will lose your route and the best smart watch to have should be able to take you back home or on the right track. A heart rate sensor provides real time heart rate data as you engage in different activities. This ensures that you engage your body efficiently to improve your fitness level.

Water resistance

Water resistance feature is important as it determines where you will use the smartwatch. There are some of the watches that have a high water-resistance rating in order to use them while swimming.

The perfect example of a water-resistant watch is the Pebble Time Smartwatch which lets you swim with it. Others can only withstand few rain water drops whereas most will be damaged when exposed to any type of moisture.

Making payments

Get a smartwatch that provides convenience in your life especially when you rely on it to perform what your phone does. Many of the smartwatches in the market today support mobile payments. Apple watches work with Apple Pay to make the payments as Samsung use Samsung Pay. Android Wear work with either Android Pay using the NFC chip technology.

Fitbit Versa Review

Conclusion

Smartwatches might not be as popular as smartphones are today but one thing is for sure, they make life a lot easier. A smartwatch doesn’t replace your smartphone but it reduces the number of times you have to depend on your phone. Consequently, you are able to save time to engage in your activities.

Smartwatches are made with special features that allow you to easily use as you exercise. You can monitor several internal and external activities in your surroundings. Furthermore, these smartwatches keep you fit and healthy to live a comfortable life.

 

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