Smartwatches: Top 5 Picks of the Year 2023

Hasham Akbar
5 min readSep 19, 2023

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From traditional wristwatches to Smartwatches, technology is advancing rapidly, and so are these watches. There are so many excellent Smartwatches on the market right now. And tons of them have been reviewed in the past. But in this article, I am going to mention the top 5 of the best Smartwatches you can buy right now.

Now here you will ask a question why 5 Smartwatches and not ONE? So the answer is that everyone wears a Smartwatch for different reasons.

Some people use it for fitness, some for notifications, and some people wear it for style. So everyone has different priorities. Maybe the best smartwatch for one person might not be the best for you.

In this article, I have 5 categories that I think will cover the priorities of everybody out there. For each category, I’ll share not only my top pics but also whether it relevant or not.

Top 5 Picks

· Best fitness watch: Google Pixel Watch

· Best looking watch: Garmin Fenix 7X

· Best budget watch: Xiaomi Mi Band 7

· Best for Apple users: Apple Watch Ultra

· Best for Android Users: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Google Pixel Watch

Photo by Triyansh Gill on Unsplash

The Google Pixel Watch is one of the best Android Smartwatches on the market that you can have. It is the first ever watch designed and released by Google itself with various appealing features for any Android user.

Such as you’ll get Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Wallet, and YouTube music including messages and notifications.

It’s not just for fitness and health but you’ll find a lot more functionality. But again you’ll have just a blank circle when it’s off which some people like and some don’t.

Pros

· Nice design

· Fitbit integration

· Always-on display

· Onboard GPS

· 24-hour battery life

· Stainless steel, with three colors: Matte black, gold, and silver

· Runs Wear OS 3

Cons

· No blood oxygen sensing — yet

· Small battery capacity could be a trouble

· Doesn’t track skin temperature or SpO2

· Only one size 41mm

· A little bit small

· Pricey.

Garmin Fenix 7X

Photo by Bruno Aguirre on Unsplash

The Garmin Fenix 7X Solar is an amazing high-end multisport GPS watch with an amazing variety of features and an impressive battery life.

Crafted with sports and outdoor enthusiasts in mind, this watch offers exceptional durability and reliability, making it the ultimate travel companion.

Pros

· Flashlight

· Touch controls work well

· Excellent durability

· Amazing battery life

· Offline mapping

· Same great core sports tracking

Cons

· Bulky on the wrist

· Low-contrast display

· No mic for hands-free calls

· Expensive

Xiaomi Mi Band 7

Photo by Ivan Shilov on Unsplash

For an affordable fitness tracker that seamlessly handles both health monitoring and phone notifications, the Xiaomi Mi Band 7, stands out with its rich feature set. Despite its budget-friendly price, it competes fiercely with higher-priced alternatives, offering exceptional value for money.

Pros

· Affordable and easy to use

· Long battery life

· Both Android and IOS friendly

· Bigger screen and intuitive user interface

· Bright always-on display

· Affordable

Cons

· Lack of GPS

· No NFC

· Inconsistent sleep tracking

Apple Watch Ultra

Photo by Ricardo Resende on Unsplash

Apple Watch Ultra is one of the best Smartwatches for Apple users with a lot more functionality. It’s a top-notch sports watch with tons of fitness and smart features. It’s a solid choice for anyone into sports and tech.

Pros

· Water-resistant

· Large, clear display

· Impressive call quality

· Dual-band GPS with more accuracy

· Improved durability

Cons

· Navigation problem

· High price

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

Photo by Emiliano Cicero on Unsplash

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best smartwatch for Android users. If you’ve been putting off buying a smartwatch due to concerns about battery life, the Watch5 Pro could be the answer.

Pros

· Competitive price

· Slim, lightweight design

· Stronger, scratch-resistant screen

· Long-lasting battery life

· Lightweight titanium casing

· Sapphire glass AMOLED display

· Google Wear OS app support

Cons

· Temperature data unavailable

· Lacks outdoor-specific features of the Pro model

· Upgrades are incredibly minor

· Support only eSIM

Choosing the Right Smartwatch

Before choosing a smartwatch do consider these factors and choose wisely.

Compatibility:

Ensure your smartwatch is compatible with your smartphone, like Apple Watches with iPhones, and explore options for Android devices in our guide.

Fitness Features:

If you’re into fitness, choose a watch with heart rate and GPS tracking. Check out our best running watches and compare the Apple Watch 7 vs. Garmin Instinct 2.

Battery Life:

Pay attention to battery ratings; hybrid Smartwatches resemble analog timepieces and offer longer battery life, though they lack touchscreens.

Swappable Watch Bands:

Opt for user-friendly clasps and easy-to-swap bands. Confirm you can easily find replacement bands for your watch.

App Availability:

Apps matter but focus on compatibility, design, and other features. Note that app options can vary, with differences between Wear OS and watchOS.

Conclusion

With a smartwatch, you can effortlessly monitor your health, track fitness goals, and stay connected while on the go. If you want to keep track of your health choose wisely.

If you’re considering buying a smartwatch, this article is for you. Feel free to comment below if you found it helpful. Happy shopping!

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