Smart wearable devices are considered the future of technology. It’s no surprise that more and more people are switching to smartwatches rather than their analog counterparts due to ease of use and features. Of course, given such a huge market segment, the number of smartwatches you can find is huge.
I decided to make things a bit easier for you by picking out 8 of the best Apple Watch alternatives to suit different preferences and budgets. Let’s dive into the list.
- Amazfit GTR-3 Pro
- Xplora X5 Play
- SAMSUNG
- Wearable4U Garmin Lily
- Polar Grit X Pro
- Amazfit T-Rex Pro
- Fitbit Sense
- Amazfit GTS 2 Mini
1. Amazfit GTR-3 Pro – Editors’ Choice
While the best smartwatches give you the latest features and don’t compromise build quality, they can be ridiculously expensive. If you have around $250 to spend on a smartwatch and want to get the most bang for your buck, the Amazfit GTR-3 Pro is for you.
The watch is directly connected to Alexa, which makes your user experience much better. You also get a 331ppi Ultra-HD screen, which is exceptionally high for a smartwatch screen.
Other features include 12-day battery life, 5 ATM water resistance, and over 150 sport modes for fitness enthusiasts. Best of all, the watch has a sleek look that suits almost any setting and occasion.
The watch uses Zepp OS and several users have reported that it has bugs. It will need a lot of improvements if it wants to compete with Apple or Samsung.
pros
- 331ppi for clear images
- Built-in Alexa
- 12 days battery life
- Water resistance 5 ATM
- Over 150 sports modes
Minuses
- Zepp OS needs improvement
2. Xplora X5 Play is the best smartwatch for kids
It can be difficult to hand over an expensive smartwatch to a child and expect them to take good care of it. That being said, you will also need a watch that can provide all the basic functions.
This is where the Xplora X5 Play comes to the rescue. This watch is equipped with a number of useful features such as video and voice calls, messages, GPS and security tracking, as well as compatibility with your home Wi-Fi network. You can also add an additional SIM card if you think it’s necessary.
Despite all these features, smartwatches are not very pretty. Its design is quite simple and it may not appeal to some kids who prefer something more stylish. However, this is still the best smart watch for kids on the market.
pros
- SIM card is optional
- GPS tracking available
- Connects to WiFi
Minuses
- Illegal design
3. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the best smartwatch for Android users
In the game of big companies with smartwatches, Samsung is the only one that can compete with Apple for its money. With the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the company provides a good option for Android users.
Previously, Samsung smartwatches used the outdated Tizen OS. With the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, the entire operating system has been updated with WearOS to provide users with a more holistic experience.
This move to the new OS prompted Samsung to add great new features like body composition analysis. This is especially useful for people who want to change their appearance and become healthier.
In terms of design and build quality, the watch is similar to previous versions of Samsung smartwatches. However, the company has not compromised on the quality of the materials and this watch can withstand a fair amount of drops and scratches.
The only caveat to these smartwatches is that they may not offer the same seamless integration with other devices that Samsung does.
pros
- New OS brings great new features
- Decent build quality
- Good companion for android users
Minuses
- Integration with non-Samsung devices can be difficult.
Check on: Amazon | Best Buy | SAMSUNG
4. Wearable4U Garmin Lily is the best smart watch design
When smartwatches were originally released, the focus was on functionality. Now that the functionality has been improved, smart watches with a beautiful design are in demand. If you are interested in buying smart watches, you can choose Garmin Lily.
This smart watch is especially useful for women, as it is equipped with an accurate sensor for menstruation and pregnancy cycles. In addition, it can measure your energy level, stress, sleep, pulse and heart rate.
In terms of design, this smartwatch is simply stunning. With an elegant finish that’s good for both sports and high-end dining, you won’t have to worry about changing the look of your smartwatch for a long time.
However, the backup battery of the watch is not very good. If you buy this watch, be prepared to charge it frequently.
pros
- beautiful design elements
- Tracks Pulse Ox, menstrual cycles, energy levels accurately
- Can be worn for both sports and daily life
Minuses
- Backup battery not up to the mark
5. Polar Grit X Pro is the toughest smartwatch ever
People actively involved in outdoor activities such as camping or camping often require a rugged smartwatch to survive harsh environments. Polar Grit X Pro is ideal for such situations.
The watch screen is made of sapphire glass, so it is almost impossible to break. In addition, there is an “always on”option on the screen so you can check all your notifications and track your location when you are exploring nature.
The watch also offers an excellent battery life of 40 hours with most sensors enabled. This means that even if you are away for a significant period of time, your watch will not die.
Smart watches are functional. What makes this purchase more rewarding is the wealth of data it provides you with. If you’re a professional athlete and want to know the ins and outs of your performance, the data provided by the watch can help you improve.
The only problem you may have with this watch is that you cannot download routes to the watch itself. To do this, you will have to use a third party application.
pros
- Excellent build quality
- Good smart watch for professional athletes.
- 40 hours battery life
Minuses
- GPS routes cannot be loaded
Check on: Amazon
6. Amazfit T-Rex Pro is the best choice for extreme weather
The average smartwatch you find for everyday use isn’t designed for extreme heat or cold. To deal with such destructive weather, you need a super-powerful smartwatch. Here Amazfit T-Rex Pro introduces itself.
The first thing you notice about a watch is the build quality. The watch case is coated with a metal coating, which increases its strength and resistance to temperature extremes. What’s more, every watch undergoes 15 military-grade tests to test its performance.
When you’re fighting the elements so much, charging your smartwatch is the last thing on your mind. Luckily, the T-Rex Pro lasts 18 days on a single charge. In addition, the smartwatch also measures things like heart rate, sleep, blood oxygen saturation, and weather. It is also waterproof up to 100m.
However, the smartwatch has some connectivity issues. It would be great if the manufacturers fix these issues in future updates.
pros
- Can operate at extremely low or high temperatures
- 18 days battery life
- Water resistance 10 ATM
Minuses
- Suffering from connectivity issues
7. Fitbit Sense Covid-19 smartwatch
With the Covid-19 pandemic reshaping our understanding of “normal,” taking care of your health has become more important than ever before. If you’re absolutely serious about keeping track of the smallest changes in your health, you might consider investing in Fitbit Sense.
The watch handles basic tasks well with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built into the device to help you with your queries, messages, calls and notifications. There is also a built-in GPS, microphone and speaker.
Where it differs from other smartwatches is the health features. From blood oxygen levels to changes in skin temperature, Fitbit Sense helps you accurately track even the smallest changes. There is also an EDA Scan app and an ECG app for monitoring stress and irregular heartbeats.
While these features are essential today, GPS Sense doesn’t seem to be accurate enough. If you love to travel and explore, I wouldn’t recommend this smartwatch for location tracking.
pros
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
- Built-in GPS, microphone and speaker
- EDA Scan and ECG apps work well
- Temperature change on the skin can be measured
Minuses
- GPS is not very accurate
8. Amazfit GTS 2 Mini is the best budget smart watch under $100.
Sometimes you don’t have $200 or $300 to buy a smart watch. Instead, you may want a good deal up to $100. If so, take a look at the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini.
This smartwatch comes with Alexa built-in and helps you with your daily activities like setting alarms and creating shopping lists. In addition, the company claims that the battery lasts up to 14 days on a single charge.
The smartwatch is water resistant up to 5 ATM and tracks your calories as you run around the pool. There are over 70 sports modes to test your fitness and understand how your body reacts to different activities.
You can also get heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen monitoring, sleep and stress monitoring with this smart watch. If you care about build quality, the watch weighs 19.5g and comes with a solid 2.5D screen that delivers a decent display.
Surprisingly, the watch’s pedometer may not be the best in its segment. So if counting your steps is a priority, you may need to look elsewhere.
pros
- Less than $100
- Water resistance 5 ATM
- Over 70 sports modes
- 2.5D screen
- Blood oxygenation and stress monitoring are good at this price point.
Minuses
- Pedometer not accurate
Check on: Amazon
Smart watches for smart people!
The smartwatch industry will only get bigger and better with time. For now, though, the industry is providing you with some great wearables for you to try out. I hope you enjoyed this list of the best smartwatches.
What are your impressions of smartwatches? What is the maximum amount you would spend on a smartwatch and why? Let me know in the comments below!