Smartwatches have had a massive surge in popularity in recent years, not just in the world of tech, but amongst the general public as well, and are slowly becoming an indispensable part of everyone’s daily life.
The utility of having a computer on your wrist cannot be understated, and they are used for a wide range of tasks – from measuring workouts to serving as notification devices – powered by a variety of custom CPUs.
While the general design and utility of a smartwatch have become more streamlined in recent years following a basic set of functions and design philosophies), there does exist a ton of options in the current market.
Choosing the best smartwatch can be quite a hassle for the uninitiated, especially if you are an Android user.
Regardless, the list below aims to list 5 of the best smartwatches you can purchase in 2024, covering both Android and iOS options.
Keep in mind that the list only takes into account “true smartwatches”, which feature a proper wearable OS and are capable of functioning independently of a mobile phone.
Apple Watch Ultra 2 ($799)
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 stands out with its aerospace-grade titanium case, 49mm display featuring up to 3000 nits brightness, and robust health and safety features like ECG, temperature sensing, and crash detection.
It’s engineered for extreme conditions, offering water resistance to 100m, dust resistance, and compliance with MIL-STD 810H for toughness.
Its presence on this list is justified by its unparalleled blend of precise health monitoring, outdoor readiness, and overall robustness, making it an ideal companion for both everyday use and adventure seekers.
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 36-72 hours |
| Display | Always-On Retina LTPO; 3000 nits |
| Weight/Size | 61.4g/49mm |
| OS | WatchOS 10 |
Pros
- Rugged and built for extreme weather conditions.
- Impressive battery life of up to 72 hours in its power-saving mode.
Cons
- At nearly $800, this is one pricey watch.
- A dedicated rugged watch for extreme sports is cheaper and will last you longer.
Apple Watch SE (second generation; starting at $249)
Representing the “budget” offering of Apple’s smartwatch division, the Apple Watch SE is a solid alternative for folks who want an Apple Watch without breaking the bank.
The second generation of the Watch SE brings with it subtle improvements, such as improved battery life along with the complete suite of Apple Watch features – with no compromises.
The Apple Watch SE is basic yet functional, boasting both GPS and cellular capabilities, along with the usual bells and whistles for workout and trekking activities.
It also comes equipped with a Retina OLED display that is capable of LTPO, but without any alway-on capabilities.
| Apple Watch SE 2 | |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 18 hours |
| Display | Retina LTPO; 1000 nits |
| Weight/Size | 26.4-33g/40–44mm |
| OS | WatchOS 10 |
Pros
- You get the full Apple Watch experience, with no restrictions.
- Very comfortable to wear with a solid build.
Cons
- The SE lacks an always-on display which is a major pitfall.
- The last-gen Apple Watch 3 is still cheaper and plenty capable.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The best smartwatch in the Android space, the Galaxy Watch 6 features a set of refinements and tweaks over the previous-gen Galaxy Watch 5.
The Watch 6 is available in both 40 and 44 mm variants, each equipped with the Exynos W930 chip and a whopping 2 GB of RAM.
The Galaxy Watch 6 is an impressive premium smartwatch and ticks all the right boxes for wellness, workouts, and notifications.
| Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 | |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 30-40 hours |
| Display | Super AMOLED with always-on; 2000 nits |
| Weight/Size | 28.7g/40mm |
| OS | WearOS with One UI Watch 5 |
Pros
- Comfortable design with a very responsive UI.
- Brilliant display with great outdoor visibility.
Cons
- Battery life is not amazing and requires charging daily.
- Bit of a hassle to set up on non-Samsung devices.
Google Pixel Watch 2 (Starts at $350)
The current-gen Google Pixel Watch addresses almost all of the concerns that were raised with the first-gen variant, making it a worthy contender.
In particular, improvements were made across the board for battery life, performance and display quality – making it stand toe-to-toe with Apple’s best.
For most Android users, this is going to be the best smartwatch to get.
| Google Pixel Watch 2 | |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | 24 hours |
| Display | AMOLED with always-on; 1000 nits |
| Weight/Size | 31g/41mm |
| OS | WearOS |
Pros
- Great improvements over its predecessor that make the device truly shine.
- Works with the official WearOS app and does not rely on additional services.
Cons
- The circular design and size may be off-putting for some.
- Battery life is still deficient compared to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.
TicWatch Pro 5 ($349)
The TicWatch from Mobvoi has been a consistently capable line of smartwatches, and the TicWatch Pro 5 is no exception. Interestingly, the Pro 5 possesses a 50mm dial, far eclipsing the likes of the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy watches in its size.
It comes equipped with all the bells and whistles, including full support for the latest WearOS, making it more than capable – especially when taking into consideration its large battery capacity.
| TicWatch 5 Pro | |
|---|---|
| Battery Life | Up to 80 hours with the second display |
| Display | Always-On AMOLED |
| Weight/Size | 44.3g/50.1mm |
| OS | WearOS |
Pros
- A big, well-built smartwatch that feels premium.
- A built-in unique always-on display that is visible under direct sunlight.
Cons
- Can be heavy and bulky for some.
- Limited to Alexa for the voice assistant.
In short, the above pointers can be summarized into two sections for Android and iOS users. If you own an iPhone, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 remains your best choice.
For readers with a more reasonable budget, the Apple Watch SE 2 is a great alternative, although the lack of an always-on display does hurt.
For Android users, the Pixel and Galaxy watches offer stellar displays and acceptable battery life, and you can’t go wrong with either one.
The TicWatch 5 Pro is an intriguing WearOS watch thanks to its unique always-on tech and is also another option to consider.
That concludes our list of five best smartwatches in 2024. For more information about latest happenings in the tech world, be sure to check out the best handheld gaming PCs in 2024, and the best webcams that you should look out for this year.
