The best Android smartwatch in 2023

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch lineup has been among the best Android smartwatches for years, and its latest release, the Watch 5 Pro, places it right at the top of the industry. With multi-day battery life, accurate activity tracking, and unique insights such as body composition data and sleep analysis, it’s the perfect combination of both a smartwatch and a health and fitness tracker for the Android user. 

Design-wise, the Watch 5 Pro has a round watch face and a 1.36-inch touchscreen display that offers tons of viewable data. With the right watch face, you could have everything from the week’s upcoming weather forecast and the sunrise/sunset schedule to your daily steps, burned calories, and workout shortcuts displayed. Everything on the face is fully customizable, too.

As a smartwatch, the Watch 5 Pro is excellent. It uses Google’s WearOS operating system which functions seamlessly. It gets app notifications, text alerts, emails, and phone calls, and is easy to navigate. 

Fitness-focused folks will appreciate the variety of activities it tracks, including common things like running and cycling, as well as advanced sports like snowboarding, hiking, or trail running. It even has a useful track-back option that works like a digital breadcrumb feature that shows your exact route through, say, a forested area. However, this only works with hiking and cycling, which is a bit of a disappointment as it’d be great for runners, too. 

One of the Watch 5 Pro’s best features is its wide offering of health tracking. It has everything from in-depth sleep tracking, which monitors sleep patterns and habits, to a body composition app that’s able to chart things like body fat percentage and muscle mass. 

There is one minor caveat, however: the watch’s overall experience is far better on a Samsung phone than on something like the Google Pixel. It’s not a dealbreaker but some features, like the ECG app that tracks heart rhythms, aren’t compatible with anything other than a Samsung phone.

Despite those issues, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best Android smartwatch for almost any user (and our pick as one of the best smartwatches, too). It excels as a smartwatch, has robust fitness-tracking capability, and offers unique health insights. This is as good as it gets on Android.  

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Fitbit’s Sense 2 is everything you want in a dependable fitness tracker. It’s compatible with tons of trackable activities, provides unique insights into your fitness habits, monitors your sleep, stress, and menstrual cycles, and has built-in GPS. It even has a battery that lasts upward of five to six days.

We found it to be one of the most accurate fitness trackers we’ve worn, specifically with how quickly it synced its GPS before an activity. Within a matter of seconds, the watch found a GPS signal and we were ready to start tracking our activity. It also has an interface that’s easy to navigate, which is especially helpful for first-time Fitbit wearers or those new to fitness trackers.

The Sense 2 has several helpful health and wellness tools, too. This includes a skin temperature sensor, heart rhythm (ECG) readings, and Fitbit’s new real-time stress tracker. Stress tracking was especially interesting during our tests as we liked how well it charted our stress levels while offering useful feedback on ways to lower them. 

One area where the Sense 2 doesn’t quite impress regards its smartwatch capability. It’s technically one of Fitbit’s “smartwatches” but it doesn’t exactly live up to that billing. For instance, there’s no third-party app support available, which is a frustrating decision by Fitbit, nor does it allow access to tools like Google Assistant (despite Google being the parent company). It also won’t store or play music. 

Although some may find these to be major drawbacks, we don’t see them as a reason not to buy the Sense 2. It’s an adequate smartwatch that still gets notifications like calls, texts, and emails, but its strengths lie in its health and fitness tracking. For those looking for a fitness-first smartwatch, the Sense 2 is the best Android smartwatch to buy (and one of the best Fitbits overall, too).  

Read our full review of the Fitbit Sense 2.

The Google Pixel Watch experience is an interesting one. On the one hand, it’s the best pure smartwatch for Android users with an easy-to-navigate interface, wide app compatibility, and the ability to answer texts, emails, and phone calls.

But as a fitness tracker, it’s awful. This is especially disappointing since Google is now the parent company of the fitness wearable brand, Fitbit. Despite that, the Pixel Watch is bogged down by connectivity issues, syncing problems, and poor GPS tracking.

And while those may be deal breakers for fitness-focused folks, there’s no denying the fact that it’s still an impressive smartwatch. Its operating system, WearOS, delivers a seamless experience between the available apps you can access, whatever notifications you might receive, and its smart features like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Wallet.

These features allow it to satisfy the one major requirement of a smartwatch: to be an effective extension of your smartphone. With the Google Pixel Watch, anything you want to do on your phone, you can do on your wrist.

Not everyone shopping for a wearable needs something capable of tracking their workouts and instead just wants it to serve as their phone away from their phone. The Google Pixel Watch is exactly that, and for Android users, it’s the best pure smartwatch they can buy.

Read our full review of the Google Pixel Watch.

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Watch, the Watch 6 Classic, retains the high bar set by previous generations, even if it doesn’t push the line forward in any major way. But despite its minimal new additions, the experience of using the Watch 6 Classic is still a highly premium one, making it not just one of the best Android smartwatches you can buy but one of the best smartwatches, too.

The most notable update on the Watch 6 Classic is the return of the rotating bezel, a feature last seen on the Watch 4. Instead of relying on the watch’s touchscreen to scroll its interface, the rotating bezel allows for easy navigation. I found it to be especially useful while working out where spinning the dial was more manageable, and quicker, than trying to swipe the screen.

The Watch 6 Classic also has impressive battery life that I consistently got almost two days out of, depending on how often I used the built-in GPS. I always got a full day and night of battery, though sometimes I needed to recharge the watch the following afternoon. This is a welcome upgrade over the Watch 5, though it is still a bit shorter than the multi-day battery life of the Watch 5 Pro. 

Beyond those upgrades, the Watch 6 Classic is highly similar to the Watch 5 generation before it. It has a deep offering of health and wellness features, including sleep tracking, a body composition analyzer, and stress level monitoring. 

The two features I used most aside from its fitness tracking were the body composition analyzer and the stress tracker. With the body composition analyzer, the watch provided real-time readings of my body fat percentage, BMI, and muscle mass which I used to chart my overall fitness progress. The Watch 5 Pro also offered this, so I had a baseline of knowledge (and existing data) to compare to and it functioned the same. 

I found the stress tracker to be a helpful feature, too, mainly because it’s interesting to see when the watch would say I had higher stress levels and when I didn’t. This had a positive impact on my day-to-day as I would implement some of the recommendations for lowering my stress and found them to work.

The Watch 6 Classic does severely lack as a fitness tracker, though, and its inaccurate GPS makes it difficult to recommend to active users. Not only would it take upwards of a minute to sync a GPS connection but its distance- and pace-tracking were off by significant margins. Those looking for a quality fitness tracker experience should instead opt for the Watch 5 Pro.  

Design-wise, the Watch 6 Classic is a stylish smartwatch that I thoroughly enjoy wearing. Its big watch face might be too large for folks with smaller wrists but I liked how much data I could display on it. Its bright watch face also makes it easy to quickly reference the screen or tell the time.  

Overall, it looks, feels, and functions like a premium wearable and while it may not satisfy those looking for a reliable fitness tracker, it’s one of the best smartwatches on the market.

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic.

When we first reviewed the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, we couldn’t help but notice that it was the closest thing to an Apple Watch for Android users. A year later, that sentiment goes to the next generation Watch 5 Pro but the Watch4 is still an impressive wearable — only now, it costs far less than when it was released. 

The release of the Galaxy Watch 4 was Samsung’s first go with utilizing WearOS as the watch’s operating system, as it decided to go away from the in-house interface, Tizen OS. The switch paid off in spades as WearOS pairs perfectly with the Watch4. Navigation is fluid, notifications can be fully customized, and there’s a far wider selection of downloadable apps than ever before (thanks to Google Play Store access). 

Other highlights of the watch include its extensive health and fitness capability. It tracks a wide variety of activities, like running, cycling, and hiking, and we found the syncing and tracking capability to be on par with some of the best fitness trackers. 

We especially like its in-depth sleep tracking which monitors sleep patterns and can help turn bad habits into good ones. Its body measurement features are also unique as it analyzes things like your body weight, muscle mass, and water weight to give you an idea of your overall body composition. 

All of this equates to the Watch 4 being one of the best Android smartwatches. Of course, there are still a few drawbacks, most notable of which is its watered-down experience on anything other than a Samsung phone as some features, like the ECG app, aren’t available. We don’t see this as a total deal breaker but users of other phones, like the Google Pixel, should consider this before purchasing. 

At less than $170 via Amazon, the Watch 4 isn’t just at its lowest price since it was released, but it’s the cheapest we’ve seen a smartwatch of this quality. You’re rarely able to find a premium full-featured wearable like this for $200; the fact that it’s less than that easily makes it the best budget Android smartwatch on the market. 

Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

Fitbit’s Inspire 3 is one of the brand’s most basic wearables but it’s still an impressive activity tracker for Android users (and one of the best Fitbits you can buy). It offers a range of health and fitness tracking insights, a no-frills interface, and advanced features like skin temperature sensing and in-depth sleep tracking. 

But what makes the Inspire 3 such a great tracker is how anyone from beginners to expert users can get a satisfying experience from it. Navigating the watch is intuitive enough for first-time wearers while the wide variety of trackable activities and useful health metrics give it appeal to those familiar with fitness trackers. 

At less than $100, it’s a hell of a bargain, too. What’s especially great about its low price is that the Inspire 3 is the latest generation of the Inspire line, meaning it’s the most current and updated version yet.

The watch does come with a few drawbacks, though. Absent is built-in GPS, as well as the ability to download additional apps. Although the lack of apps isn’t a huge downside, not having GPS is, especially for hardcore athletes who want exact timing and tracking for activities. During our tests, we did find that when you sync GPS via a companion phone, the tracking worked well. But that means you do have to tote your phone along.

Those cons aside, the Inspire 3 is still a powerful activity tracker in a small, budget-friendly form factor. For Android users looking for something basic, trying out a fitness tracker for the first time, or who just want something straightforward and easy to use, the Inspire 3 is the best Android smartwatch on the market. 

Read our full review of the Fitbit Inspire 3.

The Garmin Forerunner 745 isn’t just the best running watch for Android users, it also happens to be one of the best running watches, period. It’s that good. Garmin’s made its name on manufacturing powerful sports wearables, and the 745 is the latest in a long line of triumphs from the brand. 

What makes the 745 so good is not just its accurate tracking capabilities and easy-to-navigate interface (but, those are excellent). What truly makes it stand out from the competition is its unique approach to workout recommendations and focus on rest and recovery, two vital aspects of an effective workout routine. 

For the workout recommendations, the watch requires a 10-day monitoring period where it assesses your day-to-day activity and performance. Once those 10 days are up, it’s then able to adapt its recommendations to your specific activity needs. One day it might have you pump up the mileage and go for a several-mile long run while another day it may see that you need more rest and dial the day’s workout down to a recovery jog. 

Whatever it recommends, it does so in lockstep with its rest and recovery insights. In other words, the watch isn’t just going to run you into the ground but rather, it takes a thoughtful approach to giving your body the time to properly recover between strenuous workouts. 

The 745 feels like having a personal trainer right on your wrist with all these features active. Of course, you don’t have to do the daily workouts but they do prove worthwhile for anyone stumped about what to do on a certain day, or those who want to take the guesswork out of how to train for a race or event. 

Other highlights of the 745 include a comfortable, lightweight design that won’t weigh heavy on your wrist, even during long runs, as well as a large, colorful display. The big display does tend to look rather large on folks with smaller wrists, but it’s especially useful in the middle of a run to easily see your training stats without having to squint or stop running. 

Then there’s the battery life, which Garmin claims lasts up to six days on a single charge. We found this to be mostly true during our tests, as it would last both a little longer and a little shorter than that estimation depending on how heavily we used it each day. 

For those who are consistent runners, the Garmin Forerunner 745 is the best Android smartwatch to buy. 

Read our full review of the Garmin Forerunner 745.

Similar to the Forerunner 745 above, the Forerunner 935 is one of Garmin’s best wearables. And for the outdoorsy Android user, it’s the best.

The 935 is compatible with a wide range of trackable outdoor activities such as hiking, trail running, skiing, and snowboarding, to name a few, and can even track your trips via its built-in GPS (which is a must-have for those venturing into the backcountry). It’s also highly accurate, both in terms of tracking and GPS syncing.

Although the watch itself is on the medium to large end of the wearable spectrum, it’s incredibly lightweight and comes with a comfortable rubber band that feels good against the skin. The watch’s face features tempered, scratch-resistant glass, as well as a durable, stainless steel bezel. 

But where the watch truly shines is how Garmin’s interface functions with the activities it tracks. The tracking screens show everything from heart rate and distance traveled, to training status, heart rate variability, and total training load. In other words, you have everything you’d ever need right there on your wrist. 

We did have one nitpick with the watch: its battery doesn’t last much longer than a single day, especially if you’re relying on GPS and heart rate tracking for long periods. This isn’t an issue for those who return home each night but this could pose a problem for anyone out on a backpacking trip or who forgot their charger. 

Still, the Forerunner 935 is a full-featured watch that’s the best Android smartwatch for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Read our full review of the Garmin Forerunner 935.

To compile this guide, we compared the best Android smartwatches across a variety of categories including things like fit & comfort, features, battery life, ease of use, accuracy, and compatibility. Here’s how each category factored into which watches made the cut:

Fit & comfort: Testing this was a straightforward assessment of how well the watch felt on-wrist while wearing it normally throughout the day, as well as during workouts. We also looked at how easy it was to dial in the right fit with whatever the clasp system was.

Features: Simply put, what are all the features native to a certain Android smartwatch? We looked at what kinds of apps were natively available right out of the box, as well as what was accessible via an app store like Google Play. We also assessed how well these features elevated the overall experience. 

Battery life: Battery life is one of the most important aspects of a smartwatch and can dictate which watch is best for a certain user. If a fitness-focused watch has a hard time getting through just one day on a single charge, then that watch won’t be good for something constantly using GPS or the heart rate monitor. Charging a watch every day isn’t exactly a dealbreaker but it’s useful to know what a watch offers and how it will affect the overall experience. 

Ease of use: Smartwatches should ideally not have a steep learning curve, and should be easy to navigate right out of the box. Of course, not all operating systems are the same, so there will be some differences from watch to watch. If a wearable is hard to navigate, you’re less likely to use it. 

Accuracy: Tracking accuracy can make or break a smartwatch, especially for folks who use it as a training tool. Some are inherently better than others but even small discrepancies in tracking capability can make a big impact. We tested this by running a mile with each watch and comparing the differences in time and distance. 

Compatibility: Testing compatibility for Android smartwatches consisted of using each watch with several different Android smartphones. No single Android watch is fully compatible with every single Android phone, but some do function better on a competitor’s device without much change to the overall experience. For instance, our top pick, the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro, functions best on a Samsung phone while the experience on something like the Google Pixel is a bit watered-down.  

Before purchasing a new Android smartwatch, it’s important to consider how you plan on using it and which models fit your lifestyle best. Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping: 

Style: The best smartwatches for Android come in a variety of different styles suited to different users. There are fitness tracker-type wearables like the Sense 2 or Inspire 3 designed to function best during activities, and then there are watches like the Google Pixel that evoke a more traditional wristwatch design. Deciding which style best suits your lifestyle is a key factor when shopping.  

Battery life: Battery life estimates vary wildly among the best Android smartwatches as some, like the Google Pixel Watch, need to be recharged daily. Others, like the Fitbit Sense 2 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, boast multi-day battery life and are often better for active users who may be using the built-in GPS throughout the day or who travel often. 

Smart features: Although every smartwatch comes with a variety of smart features, some are a bit smarter than others. Take the Fitbit Inspire 3, for example. This watch offers basic smartwatch capability including call, text, email, and app notifications but not much beyond that. Compared to the Google Pixel which offers in-depth smart features that allow users to interact with the notifications, the Inspire 3 is leagues lower. It’s important to decide how smart you need your smartwatch to be.

Ecosystem: Each of the smartwatches in this guide shares the Android ecosystem as a foundation but they all have a secondary ecosystem to keep in mind. The Garmin Forerunners are compatible with the Garmin Connect App, the Sense 2 with Fitbit’s app (and Fitbit Premium), and the Watch 5 Pro with Samsung Health. It’s worth researching each of the companion apps to see which you prefer. 

Display: The display native to an Android smartwatch can be as interactive as what’s found on the Google Pixel Watch or as basic as what the Fitbit Inspire 3 offers. Your overall experience will change based on a watch’s display, so it’s important to understand what a watch offers and if that syncs with your preferred smartwatch experience.

What’s the best Android smartwatch?

This depends on your personal preference and how you intend to use the watch. Some Android smartwatches are better for fitness-focused users, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro or Fitbit Sense 2.

For those looking for a true smartwatch experience, something like the Google Pixel Watch would fare better (though it does come at the expense of its fitness tracking capabilities as it’s a poor activity tracker). 

It’s important to understand how you intend to use the smartwatch to make the best purchasing decision.

Do all Android smartwatches work on any Android smartphone? 

Yes and no. While most of the best Android smartwatches are compatible with all models of Android smartphones, some deliver a different overall experience. 

For instance, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro functions more seamlessly on a Samsung smartphone than it does on something like a Google Pixel. Some app access is limited while the companion apps used to customize the watch also differ. However, a watch like the Google Pixel Watch functions nearly similarly on the Google Pixel Phone as it does on a Samsung phone. 

Whether a certain Android smartwatch works with any Android smartphone comes down to a case-by-case basis.

Can you use an Apple Watch with an Android smartphone? 

No, the Apple Watch is only compatible with an iPhone running iOS. Unlike wearables from brands like Garmin or Fitbit, which work on both an iPhone and an Android phone, the Apple Watch only functions on a device with iOS.

Similarly, the best Android smartwatches won’t work on an iPhone and are only compatible with smartphones running the Android operating system. 

Do you need an Android smartphone to use these watches?

Yes. Although you don’t technically need a smartphone to power up a smartwatch, you won’t be able to unlock its full functionality without syncing it to a smartphone via Bluetooth. 

Without a phone, a smartwatch would only be able to tell the time and perform a few of its basic functions, like counting steps and burned calories. However, you’d have no way of accessing any of the amassed data without a device like a smartphone (or tablet). 

Can you use an iPhone with an Android smartwatch?

No. To get the full functionality out of an Android smartwatch, you’ll need to use an Android smartphone. While nothing is stopping an iPhone user from wearing an Android smartwatch, they wouldn’t be able to take advantage of its basic smartphone compatibility and would have an incredibly watered-down experience.