Best smartwatches for 2022
When choosing the best smartwatch for your needs, there are a lot of factors to consider – especially since it will probably be strapped to your wrist 24/7. You’ll want to decide on the look and shape of the watch, whether you want something compatible with iOS or Android and whether your priority is a model with a fitness and health features like sleep tracking and EKG readings, or if you’re more interested in whether it works well with third-party apps.
A smartwatch should be able to offer everything from heart rate monitoring to GPS. Some smartwatches can even be used for contactless payment. They should all work seamlessly with smartphone notifications.
Here are three of CNET’s top choices of the best smartwatches based on function, price and compatibility.
The best Apple Watch for your money: Apple Watch SE
CNET take: If you want the best Apple Watch that’s also more affordable, this is the one to get. The Apple Watch SE is a cheaper alternative to the Series 7 with a lot of the same great features plus slightly longer battery life. It doesn’t have the Series 7’s extra health sensors (ECG and SpO2), and it doesn’t have an always-on display, but it does everything most people need.
Sets the standard for Android smartwatches: Samsung
Galaxy Watch 4
CNET take: The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is the first smartwatch to run the new Google Wear platform, codesigned by Samsung and Google. It has ECG and heart rate tracking, plus an impedancebased electrical sensor that can tell you more about your body composition. But some of the key features are locked to Samsung phones for now, and the battery life is not as strong as for some smartwatches.
Best affordable “Apple Watch alternative”: Fitbit Versa 3
CNET take: The Fitbit Versa 3 is compatible with both iOS and Android phones and lets you choose between Alexa or Google Assistant as your go-to voice assistant. It’s well-rounded, with plenty of health and fitness features like onboard GPS, as well as the best sleep tracking on this list and even a breakout of your body temperature overnight. Its battery life is also better than most.