Best Android smartwatch 2020: what to wear on your wrist if you have an Android
The best Android smartwatch for you is one which has plenty of great features, looks stylish on your wrist, and also works really well with your personal Android phone. We’ve tested all the key products on the market to decide which few best meet that criteria.
We've ranked the eight best in this definitive list based on price, performance, design, and how well it integrates with the Android ecosystem of fitness apps.
Much like picking an Android phone, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to buying a smartwatch to go with it. But that also means that the options can be overwhelming. Most will pack in basic notification and fitness features like step counting and tracking of walks and runs.
But pay a little more and you’ll get great functionality like a heart rate sensor, GPS, NFC for mobile payments and better battery life. It really depends what you want a smartwatch to do or add to your life that you can’t get from your smartphone or a regular wristwatch.
And then there’s the variety in design - you can opt for a sporty, blocky look or something that could masquerade as a regular watch for weddings or the workplace. With many models allowing for interchangeable straps, you can rock several styles with one purchase.
Every watch on this list is a top choice for Android, and will also work with an iPhone (though sometimes with fewer features available). Make sure to read each individual review to see which of our picks is the best one for you.
- The very best smartwatches money can buy
- Or perhaps you need one of the best Android phones
1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
The best of the best
OS: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.2" or 1.4" 360 x 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz | Band sizes: 22mm or 20mm | Onboard storage: 8GB | Battery duration: 3 days on 45mm / less on 41mm | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE (for extra)
Not only is the Galaxy Watch 3 the best Android smartwatch, it’s the best smartwatch you can buy full stop. It’s packed with features, and is available in two sizes to suit different sized wrists.
We love the return of the physical rotating bezel that you don’t find on the Galaxy Watch Active range. It makes zipping through the circular menus of Samsung’s Tizen software a tactile pleasure. The Watch 3 marries excellent, modern design with top tier fitness features like GPS and multisport tracking.
A slight downside is that it’s a distinctly one-day battery watch, but then again so is the Apple Watch Series 5. But the Watch 3 more than makes up for it with excellent software, all the fitness functions you could want, and a premium feel that justifies the high price.
Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2
Samsung takes second spot too
OS: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.2" or 1.4" 360 x 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz | Band sizes: 20mm | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Around 2 days | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is sold alongside the original Watch Active but we prefer this newer model thanks to an updated design, great battery life and a digital touch bezel which was sorely missing before.
The ‘Active’ branding means this is a smartwatch more suitable for workouts and fitness tracking compared to the regular Galaxy Watch, reflected in the great on-board coaching suggestions and reminders to move to reach your set goals.
It’s waterproof, suitable for running, swimming and cycling among other activities, handles notifications well, and you only have to charge it every other day.
Read the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review
3. Fitbit Versa 2
Fitbit’s latest and best smartwatch
OS: Fitbit OS | Display: TBC, 1000 nits | Processor: Dual-core 1.0GHz | Onboard storage: 2.5GB | Battery duration: 5 days | Charging method: Proprietary charger | IP rating: 50M water resistant | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
The Fitbit Versa 2 is the company’s third smartwatch and the last it made before being acquired by Google. We love it because it added an always-on display, comes in a range of color and strap options, and still tracks your day-to-day health as good as any other Fitbit.
While it can’t do many smartwatch things (notifications are clunky, messaging is a no-no and there are limited apps), the third-party watch face selection is huge and the battery lasts for four to five days even with regular use.
The addition of Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant adds a little more functionality to the proceedings, but the Versa 2 shines when it’s used for what it was made for - core fitness tracking.
Read the full Fitbit Versa 2 review
4. Fossil Sport
Fossil takes position four
OS: Wear OS | Display: 1.2-inch 390 x 390 AMOLED | Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz | Band sizes: 22mm straps | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Two days | Charging method: Proprietary | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
This is the first watch - of many - in this list that comes with Wear OS software on board. It's the Fossil Sport, and it's arguably one of the first watches from the company that can keep pace with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch.
It's lightweight, so it's comfortable for a variety of exercises, and it's built with fitness in mind with GPS and an accurate heart rate monitor included.
Despite its sporty focus the design still feels premium, and it's one of the most powerful devices on this list as it comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset inside. That's not in a lot of other Wear OS watches yet, and we found it noticeably slicker than some other choices.
Read the full Fossil Sport review
5. TicWatch E2
A Wear OS watch you’ve probably never heard of
OS: Wear OS | Display: 1.39" 400 x 400 OLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Around 48h | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
Now it's time for one of the cheapest devices on this list, and it comes from Chinese manufacturer Mobvoi. The TicWatch E2 isn't a huge improvement on the first-gen watch, but it offers some fantastic features considering its price.
We really like the two-day battery life and the fact you can get all of the features of Wear OS on a watch for this low a price. It's quite an impressive feat, and that's why it ranks so highly in our best Android watch list.
There's no NFC (so no Google Pay) but we can forgive that at this price, especially as you do get GPS and a heart rate monitor.
Read the full TicWatch E2 review
Not sure on the design? Why not take a look at the TicWatch S2? It's a remarkably similar watch, but it comes with a slightly different look.
6. Fitbit Versa Lite
The cheapest Fitbit smartwatch
OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 300 x 300 LCD | Onboard storage: N/A | Battery duration: Up to 4 days | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: Water resistance to 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Fitbit makes several smartwatches but the cheapest of the bunch is the Versa Lite. Despite its price though it’s still a great Android watch pick thanks to a raft of features.
While it lacks built-in GPS, you can connect it to your phone to record run routes and there’s all the sport tracking features you’ll find on the Versa 2 or Ionic.
The battery life is first class and will last around five days even with steady use, and the unit itself is slim and light so it’s easy to wear it to bed for the sleep tracking features.
It lacks NFC so you can’t use Fitbit Pay but if you want the Fitbit experience in a watch for less then it’s a no brainer.
Read the full Fitbit Versa Lite review
7. Honor Magic Watch 2
Fitness focussed
OS: LiteOS | Compatibility: Android , iOS | Display: 1.2-inch / 1.39-inch 454 x 454 AMOLED | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: 7 days / 14 days | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: Water resistant | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
The Honor Magic Watch 2 is great if you want a ton of high-end fitness features in a smartwatch that can masquerade as a dressier, circular watch. It’s not a full-on sports watch but packs in GPS, tons of different workout modes with detailed info, and the software can give feedback on some activities.
The best part is the one to two week battery life, stamina that is very rare to find on other large-screen smartwatches.
Bear in mind that this is pretty much a fitness tracker that looks like a watch as its few smartwatch features are very rudimentary and the notification system is not the best. It’s also best to use on Android as there are features missing if you connect to an iPhone, but for Android fitness fans this is a good shout.
Read the full Honor Magic Watch 2 review
8. TicWatch Pro
Two screens instead of one
OS: Wear OS | Display: 1.4" 400 x 400 OLED paired with LCD screen | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Up to 48h, 5 extra days in Essential mode | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC
Want a unique Wear OS experience? The TicWatch Pro isn't as cheap as the device above, but it comes with two displays. That doesn't mean there's one on the top and one on the bit that sits on your wrist.
Instead, one is a see-through display that allows you to have a low-battery mode that keeps the essential features running even when you're almost out of charge. Then on top of that there's a normal Wear OS screen, for when you're able to turn on all of the features and charge it up every couple of days.
It won't be to everyone's taste, but the TicWatch Pro is a premium device with a more affordable price tag than a lot of the other choices you'll find on the market right now.
Read the full TicWatch Pro review
- Not limited to an Android phone? Try our best smartwatch ranking
- Don't want to spend much? Try best cheap smartwatch
- Specifically want Google's software? Try best Wear OS smartwatch
- Like Tizen software? Try best Samsung smartwatch
- Why not try a health band? Our best fitness tracker list will help
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