Looking for a cool way to accessorize your wardrobe and do a little Inspector Gadget role-playing? A smartwatch could be just the tool you need!
Smartwatches are like mini smartphones that you can wear on your wrist. Smartwatches are capable of playing music, showing the time, showing incoming calls and notifications, and more. As our list below will show, smartwatches come at varying budgets, so you won’t have to go breaking the bank to obtain one.
You can buy a great smartwatch to enhance your look and be the most hi-tech individual among your friends while still having some cash in your pocket.
Padgene DZ09 Bluetooth Smartwatch
Why we like it: The Padgene DZ09 smartwatch is very affordable and offers a host of premium-grade features. Plus, the smartwatch is very good looking and doesn’t make the wearer look like a complete dork.
Padgene is a well-known brand for affordable smartwatches. So we had high expectations for this product, which the smartwatch actually met. First off, this is one of the cheapest smartwatches you can buy that won’t break during the first week you wear it.
The look of the smartwatch is definitely worth gushing over too. You can buy it in white, gold, or a combination of gold/white with a gold or white band. All four looks are very stylish and hip. It’s not like the awful, bulky plastic look you get with most smartwatches. We found the four looks very suitable for casual wear. Gold is even suitable for semi-formal wear.
As for functionality, you can read emails, get texts, receive notifications of incoming calls, and get calendar updates, among others, on this smartwatch. If you install a SIM card, you can also make and receive calls on this smart watch. The smartwatch also features a camera if you’re using a microSD card.
Martian Watches Notifier Smartwatch
Why we like it: A smartwatch with many functions! This watch is able to show you alerts and notifications, read text messages, and connect to your phone by Bluetooth!
If you’re looking for a multifunctional watch that is very affordable, then look no further. Martian shows that a smartwatch can have a plethora of features and still be affordable with their product. The Martian Notifier Smart Watch is leading in the competition of affordable smartwatches.
This smartwatch features a classic analog watch face and 1.5″ graphic OLED Display. The watch’s other features include: phone leash & phone find, tap the glass to recall notifications from up to five minutes ago, a battery that lasts up to six days, and interchangeable watch bands.
The smartwatch is also capable of being used as a phone camera remote control so you can take hands-free photos from your phone! You can also view the time (of course), view notifications from 1000s of your favorite apps, and read text messages with this smartwatch. This product is a solid choice!
ASUS ZenWatch 2
Why we like it: A sleek and powerful smartwatch by ASUS that is made with gorilla glass to prevent scratches, contains HyperCharge Technology, and is water-resistant.
If you’re familiar with technology, then you know that ASUS is one of the leading brands in terms of high-quality electronic products. Their smartwatch is no different with its sleek and durable build and many capabilities.
The ASUS ZenWatch 2 leaves us impressed with its attractive design and impeccable features. If you’re one who is reluctant to get a smartwatch because you think it won’t look “cool” on your wrist, then fear not! This smartwatch is available in a multitude of strap and case options such as Gunmetal case/Gray metal strap (what we selected for this review), rose gold case/orange leather strap, silver case/silver metal strap, and many more!
Along with style options, this smartwatch comes with an ASUS FaceDesigner which enables you to customize the style of the watch face and the functionality. This nifty smartwatch even comes available in two sizes: 1.45″ or 1.63″. The watch face is a touchscreen and is built with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to protect it against any deep scratches that may cause the glass to break.
The smartwatch contains an IP67 water resistance level, meaning it is shower safe and can be submerged up to 1-meter underwater. The smartwatch features HyperCharge Technology which delivers a fast, 60% charge in just 15 minutes. The watch also contains a built-in pedometer with precise step counting accuracy, an activity tracker, and progress reports to help you achieve your fitness goals.
Samsung Gear Fit 2 Smartwatch
Why we like it: Samsung Gear Fit 2 is one of the original products that made smartwatches popular. It’s been upgraded to the new market, and now comes with cool looks and better functionality.
Samsung Gear Fit 2 is a classic smartwatch. This is one of the original products that made smartwatches really popular.
Nowadays, you can buy more expensive smartwatches, but this one is a more affordable option for the brand. The Gear Fit 2 has been upgraded from the original to appeal to modern customers. We wouldn’t say that the looks are anything to go crazy for. However, unlike most smartwatches, this one has a rectangular watch face that some people will like. It also shows large fonts that certain users will really like, and sometimes need.
This smartwatch works easily with Samsung smartphones, but other Android devices work great too. Most of the features are very classic. It has fitness tracking ability and you can get notifications quickly. You will not find some new features because the watch make is a bit old. It offers excellent reliability and durability. If you are looking for a typical, classic-style smartwatch, this one is it.
Yuntab Y1 Smartwatch
Why we like it: A very affordable smart watch by Yuntab that is capable of syncing with iPhone or Android and includes cool features such as a sleep monitor and pedometer.
If you want a smartwatch that looks like, well, a watch, keep reading! Yuntab has created a watch that has such a sophisticated appearance, it will make you want to show it off every chance you get! The Yuntab Y1 Smartwatch is more than just attractive in appearance, it also boasts some pretty handy features.
The smartwatch is designed with a 1.54 inch TFT LCD screen. It features a pristine display and stylish silver design. More than that, this smartwatch features a large capacity, 280 mAh battery with a 180-hour standby time, and a talk time of three hours.
The smartwatch is compatible with both iOS and Android devices with its syncing capabilities through Bluetooth. Due to the watch’s Bluetooth functionality, your smartphone’s notifications can be displayed on the watch simultaneously, including Incoming calls, SMS/text messages, Facebook and WhatsApp alerts, emails, and other app notifications.
The smartwatch also includes a sleep monitor, heart rate monitor, Bluetooth dialer, anti-loss function, sedentary reminder, clock, pedometer, and calendar. If you don’t wish to sync your phone with your watch, you can also insert A TF card of up to 32GB into the smartwatch to use it as a phone.
Alcatel OneTouch Go Smartwatch
Why we like it: This smartwatch has a fully customizable design for a versatile look. Plus, its compatibility with Android and iOs phones is incredible.
This is a sleek, formal watch-style smartwatch. It’s impressively compatible with all Android smartphones, with partial compatibility with a range of Apple iPhones from the 5 to the 8X. This smartwatch is water, dust, and shock-resistant to keep up with your busy life. In that regard, we really liked this product.
There are a huge amount of apps available for this smartwatch. It’s great for viewing updates on social media, incoming calls, text messages, email, and so much more. You can also customize the notifications you only see what matters most to you with just a glance at this affordable smartwatch.
Amazfit Bip Smartwatch by Huami
Why we like it: This smartwatch was made for an active lifestyle without sacrificing looks.
Let’s face it; most people hate smartwatches because of the looks. A good majority of smartwatches look like bulky sports watches frat boys love to wear. The Amazefit Bip Smartwatch is one of the coolest sports smartwatches for people who don’t want to always look like they are on the way to a kegger.
From the outset, this watch looks just like a regular smartwatch. But you can change the watch face and switch it between the clock and the apps whenever needed. It also comes with a pedometer, which takes fitness measurements as distance traveled, strides, calories burned, etc.
This smartwatch can also act as a remote controller for a smartphone. There’s an app that allows the user to remotely take pictures using a smartphone camera. If you are taking a group picture or a selfie using a tripod, there’s no need to set a timer. The smartwatch can be used instead. We were really amazed by this feature.
For outdoor buffs, this smartwatch comes with a built-in compass, which we have never seen in a cheap device before. The watch is built really well too, and has features like water and sweat resistance, and dust resistance. It’s durable and very cool to have.
Smart watches are highly intelligent devices that often have as many (if not the same) amount of capabilities as a smartphone. The are many specifications to consider when purchasing a smartwatch. These specifications include the build and design, the software, and interface among other features.
In this guide, we break down the important factors to consider when purchasing a smartwatch so that you can select a great product.
Design
One of the most important aspects to consider when purchasing a smartwatch is how it is designed. Whether you are interested in a square or round-shaped watch, consider the size and material of the watch face to determine if it will be a comfortable fit for your wrist.
In addition to the watch face, consider the wristband. Is it velcro or plastic? Rubber or leather? Certain wristbands, like plastic ones, may induce more sweat while a genuine leather wristband may be resistant to sweat.
Overall, the craftsmanship of your watch is important mostly for two things: comfortability and attractiveness.
Durability
When selecting a smartwatch, it is important for it to have a solid and sturdy build and to be well-constructed. Before choosing a smartwatch ask yourself: Is this smartwatch water-resistant? Sweat-resistant? Dust-resistant? If the smartwatch you are considering contains none of the three items listed, that could be a red flag.
A smartwatch should be built to last and not affected by a speck of dust, for example. It is safe to consider a smartwatch if it not only has at least one of the three aforementioned items, but is also built with high-quality materials such as stainless steel, ceramic, or gorilla glass. Such materials in a smartwatch can ensure the longevity of the product.
When it comes to determining how water-resistant, sweat-resistant, or dust-resistant a smart watch (or any electronic for that matter) is, you should refer to the IP code of a product. The IP code or International Protection Marking, classifies and rates the degree of protection provided against intrusion from body parts, dust, accidental contact, and water via the product’s mechanical casings and electrical enclosures.
The IP code offers more detailed information on how water-resistant, for example, a product may be rather than it being vaguely labeled “waterproof.” The IP code is broken down into two (formerly four) main categories, with one optional category: Solid particle protection (protection against hazardous objects), Liquid ingress protection (protection against water), and other protections (i.e. oil-resistant, weather conditions). Solid particle protection is represented in the IP code with a numeral (between 0-6).
An electronic given a 0 means that it contains no protection against contact or objects whereas an electronic given a 6 would have complete protection against contact and dust, meaning it would be dust-resistant, for example.
As for liquid particle protection, it is represented with a numeral between 0-9. Similarly, if an electronic is given a 0, that means it has zero protection against the ingress of water where an electronic given a 9 has full protection against the ingress of water and higher water temperatures, making it water-resistant.
The optional “other protections” category is represented with a letter. For example, if an electronic is oil-resistant, it’d be marked with an “f” in the IP code of if it has weather-resistance, it’d be marked by a “W” and so on. If a smart watch you were interested in contained an IP rating of IP67, that means, it’d be dust-tight (fully dust-resistant) and can be immersed in 1 meter of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
If water-resistance, dust-resistance, etc. are of importance to you in terms of the durability and quality of your smart watch, then it is best to refer to the IP code, an integral rating system for modern consumer electronics.
Functionality
One of the most important aspects to consider is a smart watch’s functionality. Does it provide ease of use? Are there a variety of features? These are important questions to ask when selecting your smartwatch.
Your smartwatch should be simple enough to navigate through and customize without providing much hassle. Additionally, your watch should provide you with an attractive yet clear interface, allowing you to toggle through apps and notifications with a swift motion.
Depending on the features you are interested in and your budget, a smartwatch can either provide you with basic functions and a few apps or a wide range of features. Regardless, your smartwatch should be able to run apps, open notifications, answer/display phone calls, or respond to your voice commands without lagging or error.
Bluetooth Capability
Another important aspect to consider is the Bluetooth connectivity of a smartwatch. Most smartwatches pair with your smartphone via Bluetooth to display any incoming calls or notifications you may have received on your smartphone. If you’re looking for a smartwatch that pairs seamlessly with your phone, you’ll want to ensure that the smartwatch you’re considering is able to perform this feature and does so without error.
Ensure that the smartwatch is compatible with your phone type first. Then examine if this smartwatch offers full Bluetooth connectivity. Does your smart watch show you incoming calls? Display message and notification alerts? Play music from your phone? Consider also the Bluetooth version on the smartwatch and Bluetooth range.
There are three current versions of Bluetooth applicable to smartwatches: 3.0 (25 Mbit/s, 10 meter or 33 ft range), 4.0 (25 Mbit/s, 60 meters or 200 ft range), and 5.0 (50 Mbit/s, 240 meters or 800 ft). Depending on your needs, you should consider what is the most suitable Bluetooth version for you.
To note, the 5.0 Bluetooth version is currently the fastest and most advanced version of Bluetooth for electronics (such as the smartwatch), allowing for seamless pairing between devices.
Operating Systems
When shopping for a smart watch you should consider the type of Operating System (OS) the smart watch has to ensure that it is supported by your smartphone and will connect and work smoothly with it. There are many OS platforms available on smart watches, allowing you to use your smart watch by itself. However, if you want to use your smart watch in partner with your phone, you have to consider if the smart watch OS is compatible to your type of phone.
If you have an iPhone, for example, you can most obviously use the Apple Watch which contains WatchOS. WatchOS is a subset of iOS (the sole operating system for iPhones) and must work in part with an app that is installed on your iPhone. Note the Watch OS cannot run the app on its own.
As for Samsung smartphones (or Androids in general), there are smart watches that contain the OS Android Wear. Note that Android Wear OS is designed to be paired with Android smartphones (version 4.3 and up). If the smart watch you’re considering uses Android Wear, ensure that your smartphone is one, an Android, but also running on version 4.3 or higher.
As for other operating systems on smartwatches, you have: Tizen for Wearables (an open-source OS that can run standalone apps without connection to a host app on a smartphone), Pebble OS (can be paired with Android and iPhone), Web OS (created by LG and can be run entirely standalone), Microsoft Band OS (can be paired with iOS, Android, Windows and Windows Phone), Firefox OS (can pair with mobile platforms such as Android, iOS, Windows Phone, and FireFox OS), and Fitbit and Garmin (can be paired with iOS, Android, and Windows Phone).
Selecting a smart watch and ensuring that it runs without complication depends on if you want it to be standalone, work with your Android, Windows, or iPhone, or both. Knowing the above available OS for smartwatches, you can choose your watch according to your smartphone or select a watch that can run without needing to connect to a phone.