How to Buy a Smartwatch: Models and Key Features

Smartwatches have evolved from simple notification screens into powerful health, fitness, communication, and productivity tools. Today, a smartwatch can track your sleep, monitor your heart rhythm, guide your workouts, handle calls, make payments, and even detect falls or car crashes in some cases.

But with so many models and features available, choosing the right smartwatch can feel overwhelming. The best option depends on your phone, lifestyle, budget, fitness habits, and the functions you actually plan to use. Before you buy, it is worth understanding the main types of smartwatches available and which features matter most. For more technology guides, visit Rune Slettebakken.

Start With Phone Compatibility

The first and most important question is simple: which smartphone do you use?

Not every smartwatch works equally well with every phone. In fact, some of the most popular models are designed to work best—or only—with specific operating systems.

If You Use an iPhone

For iPhone users, the Apple Watch is usually the best smartwatch choice. It offers the deepest integration with iOS, including:

• iMessage and phone call support
• Apple Pay
• Apple Health integration
• App Store access
• Siri
• Find My support
• Seamless syncing with Apple devices

Most non-Apple smartwatches have limited compatibility with iPhones. Some may show notifications or track fitness, but they often lack full reply support, advanced app features, or payment options.

If You Use an Android Phone

Android users have more variety. Popular options include:

• Samsung Galaxy Watch
• Google Pixel Watch
• Garmin smartwatches
• Fitbit devices
• Amazfit watches
• OnePlus Watch
• Mobvoi TicWatch

Samsung Galaxy Watches and Google Pixel Watches are among the strongest choices for Android users, especially if you want a full smartwatch experience with apps, notifications, voice assistant support, and payments.

Garmin, Fitbit, and Amazfit watches often focus more on fitness tracking, battery life, and affordability.

Know the Main Types of Smartwatches

Before comparing individual models, it helps to understand the different categories of smartwatches. Not every watch is designed for the same type of user.

Full-Feature Smartwatches

These watches offer the most complete smartwatch experience. They usually include app stores, voice assistants, contactless payments, music controls, detailed notifications, and health tracking.

Examples include:

• Apple Watch Series 9 or Series 10
• Apple Watch Ultra 2
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or Watch 7
• Google Pixel Watch 2 or Pixel Watch 3
• OnePlus Watch 2

These models are ideal if you want a device that feels like an extension of your phone. They are great for communication, apps, health monitoring, and everyday convenience.

The trade-off is battery life. Many full-feature smartwatches need charging every day or every couple of days.

Fitness and Sports Watches

Fitness watches focus on activity tracking, training data, GPS accuracy, heart rate monitoring, and long battery life. They may have some smartwatch features, but their main purpose is exercise and health tracking.

Examples include:

• Garmin Forerunner series
• Garmin Fenix series
• Garmin Venu series
• Polar Vantage series
• Coros Pace or Apex watches
• Suunto watches

These are best for runners, cyclists, hikers, swimmers, triathletes, and anyone who wants detailed performance metrics. Many offer advanced features such as training load, recovery time, VO2 max estimates, route navigation, and multi-band GPS.

Health-Focused Wearables

Some devices sit between fitness trackers and smartwatches. They focus on health insights, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, and general wellness rather than advanced apps.

Examples include:

• Fitbit Sense
• Fitbit Versa
• Garmin Vivosmart
• Amazfit Balance
• Withings ScanWatch

These models are suitable if you want to monitor your health without needing a full smartwatch. They are often easier to use and may offer longer battery life than premium smartwatches.

Budget Smartwatches

Budget models offer basic smartwatch features at a lower price. They may include step tracking, heart rate monitoring, notifications, sleep tracking, and basic workout modes.

Examples include:

• Amazfit Bip series
• Xiaomi Redmi Watch
• Huawei Watch Fit
• CMF Watch
• Older Fitbit models

These are good for casual users who want essential features without spending too much. However, they may have less accurate sensors, fewer apps, limited software support, and fewer advanced health features.

Decide Which Functions You Should Prioritize

A smartwatch can do many things, but not every feature is equally important. To avoid overspending, focus on the functions you will actually use.

Health Tracking Features

Health tracking is one of the biggest reasons people buy smartwatches. Most modern models include basic health sensors, but advanced features vary widely.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Nearly all smartwatches include optical heart rate sensors. These track your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts.

Prioritize this feature if you want to:

• Track workout intensity
• Monitor resting heart rate
• Estimate calorie burn
• Notice changes in fitness or stress levels

For casual use, most mainstream watches are accurate enough. For serious training, Garmin, Apple, Polar, and Coros are generally stronger choices.

ECG and Irregular Heart Rhythm Alerts

Some smartwatches include ECG functionality, allowing you to take a basic electrocardiogram from your wrist. This may help detect signs of atrial fibrillation, depending on your region and the device’s certification.

Models with ECG may include:

• Apple Watch Series models
• Apple Watch Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Watch models
• Google Pixel Watch models
• Fitbit Sense
• Withings ScanWatch

This feature is worth prioritizing if heart health is a concern. However, a smartwatch is not a medical device replacement. For context, review the FDA guidance on general wellness devices, and discuss any health concerns with a healthcare professional.

Blood Oxygen Monitoring

Blood oxygen, or SpO2, monitoring estimates oxygen saturation in your blood. It can be useful for sleep tracking, altitude awareness, or general wellness insights.

However, smartwatch SpO2 readings are not always perfectly accurate. Treat them as trends rather than medical-grade measurements.

Sleep Tracking

Sleep tracking has become a major smartwatch feature. Many watches estimate:

• Sleep duration
• Sleep stages
• Sleep quality
• Nighttime heart rate
• Breathing rate
• Restlessness
• Recovery scores

Fitbit, Garmin, Samsung, Apple, and Withings all offer sleep tracking, though the style of reporting differs. Fitbit is often praised for user-friendly sleep insights, while Garmin connects sleep data closely to training and recovery.

If you mainly want better sleep awareness, prioritize comfort, battery life, and sleep analysis over app features.

Fitness and Workout Tracking

If exercise is a major reason for buying a smartwatch, look beyond step counting. The quality of fitness tracking varies significantly.

GPS Accuracy

Built-in GPS is important if you run, cycle, hike, or walk outdoors without carrying your phone. It allows the watch to track distance, pace, route, and elevation more accurately.

For serious outdoor athletes, consider watches with:

• Multi-band GPS
• Offline maps
• Route navigation
• Barometric altimeter
• Long GPS battery life

Garmin, Coros, Suunto, Apple Watch Ultra, and some high-end Polar models are strong choices for outdoor tracking.

Workout Modes

Most watches offer common workout modes such as running, cycling, swimming, walking, and strength training. Sports-focused watches may include dozens of specialized modes, from skiing and rowing to trail running and triathlon.

Before buying, check whether the watch supports your preferred activities. A swimmer should look for water resistance and swim metrics. A runner may want cadence, pace alerts, and training plans. A weightlifter may prefer rep counting and strength workout tracking.

Recovery and Training Metrics

Advanced watches can estimate how hard you trained and how well you are recovering. These features may include:

• Training load
• Recovery time
• Body battery or readiness score
• VO2 max estimate
• Heart rate variability
• Suggested workouts

These metrics are helpful if you train regularly and want guidance. If you exercise casually, they may be interesting but not essential.

Battery Life Matters More Than You Think

Battery life can dramatically affect your smartwatch experience.

Some watches last about one day, while others last a week or more. Sports watches can last even longer in standard mode, though GPS usage drains battery faster.

Typical Battery Expectations

• Apple Watch: usually about 1 day to 2 days, depending on model and use
• Samsung Galaxy Watch: often 1 to 2 days
• Google Pixel Watch: usually around 1 day
• Garmin watches: often several days to multiple weeks
• Fitbit watches: commonly 4 to 7 days
• Amazfit watches: often 1 to 2 weeks

If you want detailed sleep tracking, short battery life can be inconvenient because you need to decide when to charge the watch. A fast-charging model helps, but longer battery life is still more convenient.

Prioritize battery life if you travel often, track sleep nightly, hike, run long distances, or dislike charging devices every day.

Display, Size, and Comfort

A smartwatch is something you wear all day, so comfort matters as much as features.

Display Type

Most modern smartwatches use bright color displays. Higher-end models often have AMOLED or OLED screens, which offer vivid colors and deep blacks.

Consider:

• Brightness for outdoor visibility
• Always-on display support
• Screen size
• Touch responsiveness
• Durability and scratch resistance

Some fitness watches use memory-in-pixel displays, which are less vibrant but excellent in sunlight and much better for battery life.

Case Size and Weight

Large watches may offer bigger screens and better battery life, but they can feel bulky, especially on smaller wrists or during sleep.

Before buying, check:

• Case diameter
• Thickness
• Weight
• Strap width
• Available sizes

For example, Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Google often offer multiple case sizes. If possible, try the watch in person before purchasing.

Strap Options

A good strap can make a major difference. Silicone straps are practical for workouts, leather looks more formal, and metal bands suit dressier settings. Make sure the watch supports replaceable straps if you want flexibility.

Smart Features and Daily Convenience

If you want your smartwatch to reduce phone use, communication and convenience features should be high on your list.

Notifications and Replies

Most smartwatches can show notifications from your phone. But not all watches let you respond.

Apple Watch offers excellent reply options for iPhone users. Samsung and Pixel watches offer strong reply support for Android users. Some fitness-focused watches show notifications but have limited or no response options.

Calls and LTE

Many smartwatches allow Bluetooth calling when your phone is nearby. Some models also offer LTE or cellular versions, meaning the watch can connect independently.

LTE can be useful if you want to:

• Run without your phone
• Make emergency calls
• Receive messages while away from your phone
• Stream music on the go

However, LTE models cost more and usually require a monthly carrier plan.

Contactless Payments

Smartwatch payments are very convenient for public transport, quick shopping, or workouts when you do not want to carry a wallet.

Common payment systems include:

• Apple Pay
• Google Wallet
• Samsung Wallet
• Garmin Pay
• Fitbit Pay

Before buying, check whether your bank supports the payment system used by the watch.

Apps and Voice Assistants

Full smartwatches have app ecosystems for music, navigation, weather, calendars, timers, notes, and more. Apple Watch has the strongest app ecosystem, while Wear OS watches from Samsung and Google have improved significantly.

Voice assistants can also be useful for setting reminders, starting workouts, sending messages, and controlling smart home devices.

Durability and Water Resistance

If you plan to wear your watch every day, durability is important.

Look for:

• Water resistance rating
• Scratch-resistant glass
• Dust resistance
• Rugged case materials
• Military-grade durability, if needed

Most smartwatches are safe for hand washing, rain, and workouts. Many are suitable for swimming, but not all are designed for diving or high-pressure water sports.

Common water ratings include:

• 5 ATM: suitable for swimming in shallow water
• 10 ATM: better for water sports and more demanding use
• IP ratings: protection against dust and water splashes or immersion

If you hike, climb, work outdoors, or often bump your watch, consider a rugged model like an Apple Watch Ultra, Garmin Fenix, Garmin Instinct, or Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Privacy and Data Considerations

Smartwatches collect sensitive personal data, including heart rate, sleep patterns, location, workouts, and sometimes health alerts. Before buying, consider how comfortable you are with the company handling that information.

Check:

• Privacy settings
• Data sharing options
• Cloud storage requirements
• Health app permissions
• Third-party app access

Apple, Google, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit all have different approaches to health data. It is worth reviewing privacy controls during setup and limiting unnecessary permissions.

Price and Long-Term Value

Smartwatches range from budget-friendly models under $100 to premium watches costing several hundred dollars or more.

Budget Range

Budget models are good for basic tracking and notifications, but may lack advanced sensors, accurate GPS, smooth software, or long-term updates.

Mid-Range

Mid-range watches often offer the best value. They may include strong fitness tracking, health monitoring, good battery life, and decent smart features without the highest price.

Premium

Premium models are best if you want advanced health tools, premium materials, cellular connectivity, rugged construction, or professional-level sports features.

Also consider long-term costs:

• Replacement straps
• Screen protectors
• Cellular plans
• Subscription services
• Battery degradation over time

Some platforms, such as Fitbit, may place certain insights behind a paid subscription. Garmin typically includes many advanced fitness metrics without a subscription, while Apple and Samsung focus more on ecosystem features.

Which Smartwatch Should You Choose?

There is no single best smartwatch for everyone. The right choice depends on your priorities.

Best for iPhone Users

Choose an Apple Watch if you want the best integration with iPhone. The standard Apple Watch is ideal for most users, while the Apple Watch Ultra is better for outdoor sports, rugged use, and longer battery life.

Best for Android Users

Choose a Samsung Galaxy Watch or Google Pixel Watch if you want a full smartwatch experience with apps, notifications, payments, and health tracking. Samsung is especially strong for Galaxy phone users, while Pixel Watch fits neatly into Google’s ecosystem.

Best for Serious Fitness

Choose a Garmin, Coros, Polar, or Suunto watch if training data, GPS accuracy, recovery metrics, and battery life matter more than apps and phone-like features.

Best for Battery Life

Choose Garmin, Amazfit, Coros, or Fitbit if you want several days of use between charges. These watches are often better for sleep tracking and travel because they require less frequent charging.

Best for Basic Use on a Budget

Choose an Amazfit, Xiaomi, Fitbit, or older-generation smartwatch if you mainly want notifications, step tracking, heart rate monitoring, and basic workouts at a lower price.

Conclusion

Before you buy a smartwatch, start by checking compatibility with your phone. Then think carefully about what you need most: health tracking, fitness features, battery life, smart apps, design, durability, or price.

If you want the smoothest everyday smartwatch experience, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and Google Pixel Watch are strong choices. If you care more about training, GPS, and battery life, Garmin, Coros, Polar, and Suunto may be better options. If you simply want affordable tracking and notifications, Fitbit, Amazfit, and Xiaomi offer practical alternatives.

The best smartwatch is not necessarily the one with the longest feature list. It is the one that fits your phone, your wrist, your habits, and your goals. By prioritizing the features you will actually use, you can avoid overspending and choose a watch that genuinely improves your daily life.