The number of smartwatches on the market is staggering. I’ve tested models from TAG Heuer, Citizen, Montblanc and many other fashionable brands, but most of them are too expensive for what you get. Here are some options that I like.
Apple Watch Series 8 on sale for $329: If you can find the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8 (8/10, WIRED recommends) for less than the Series 9 (under $300), you should buy it. It’s almost identical to the latest model, especially the health features. Save your cash!
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 is priced at US$229 and Watch5 Pro is priced at US$380: The 2022 Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro (7/10, recommended by WIRED) are still great, just make sure you pay less than the new Galaxy Watch6 models. They match the accuracy of the Apple Watch on multiple health and fitness metrics (via SpO)2, sleep, heart rate tracking, and EKG measurements (although the latter is unique to Samsung phones). The Watch5 Pro is larger and has a battery that lasts about two days, while the Watch5 lasts a day and a morning. The Pro also adds GPX, which means you can download hiking routes to the watch. They have a sapphire crystal that protects the screen, but the Watch5 Pro’s crystal is more durable, and it has a sturdier titanium case compared to the standard Watch5’s aluminum case.
Casio G-Shock Move DW-H5600 on sale for $299: Want a G-Shock with a heart rate monitor? The DW-H5600’s measurements match up well with the Apple Watch, but if you really want to track your fitness, I think you’d be better off buying something from our guide to the best fitness trackers. The buttons are a bit hard to press, and there aren’t a ton of workouts (running, walking, gym workouts) that can be tracked. You can sift through a lot of data in the app, although I wanted more, and battery life lasted about three days with continuous monitoring. It charges via solar power, but you’ll need to use the bulky charging clip every few days. I still enjoy wearing it, even if I find it less useful than the ones we picked above. You can use it to track movement via GPS during different time zones, workouts, and even sleep.