The smartwatch is the ultimate smartphone accessory. It can tell the time, of course, but it can also beam important notifications straight to your wrist, and run native apps.
What's more impressive is that many of today's best models can also perform a ton of novel tricks, such as enabling you to search the internet with your voice, tracking your exercise over GPS, and letting you check-out at the grocery store without reaching for your wallet.
Oh yeah – and they look absolutely stunning to boot.
- Feeling active? Check out our Best Fitness Trackers
For some time, jumping into the world of smartwatches was a risky move. But now, with competent efforts put forward from Google with Android Wear , Apple with watchOS, and more, there's never been a better time to strap up with wearable technology.
Choosing the smartwatch that's right for you isn't easy, but we hope to make the exciting process of getting paired up with your next (or first!) smartwatch as simple as possible.
- Looking for something running Google's OS? Here's our best Android Wear smartwatch round-up
LG Watch Sport is the smartwatch to beat right now simply because it's a full-featured fitness tracker wrapped in a smartwatch running Android Wear 2.0. While other smartwatches can do "fitness tracking" that just amounts to logging runs and calories burned, this watch tracks your all-important strength training, too.
It's also one of the few smartwatches that supports an LTE connection, meaning, if you pop a SIM card into the back of the watch, it can make and receive calls and data – without your smartwatch nearby.
It doesn't have the best battery life, despite its bigger-than-normal size, and apps are still being announced for Google's newly refreshed platform. But it's a proper step up for Android Wear and smartwatches in general.
Read the full review: LG Watch Sport
The Apple Watch 2 is the best smartwatch you can buy right now. It's water-resistant, which means it's more durable than most of the other devices on this list and you won't have to worry about getting it wet in the rain when you're out for a jog.
There's GPS onboard to make running that little bit easier plus it comes running the newest watchOS 3 software. Design wise it's looking very similar to the original Apple Watch. Be warned though, the Apple Watch 2 is expensive.
If you already own an Apple Watch, the Apple Watch 2 may not be worth the upgrade, but there are a few solid improvements that mean it's worth spending that bit extra if this is your first wearable from Apple.
Read the full review: Apple Watch 2
Samsung Gear S2
Despite a serious lack of original apps, the Samsung Gear S3 is one of the best smartwatch options on the market.
The intuitive controls and Super AMOLED screen from the Samsung Gear S2 are back in full form here. Plus, GPS makes its debut on the Gear S3.
While its look is more executive than the Gear S2, it rocks a IP68-protected build and can last up to 3 days of use before needing a charge.
Samsung recently made the Gear S3 (and Gear S2, for that matter) compatible on iOS. So, if you're looking for a more traditional-looking alternative to the Apple Watch, you may have found your match.
Read the full review: Samsung Gear S3
Sony SmartWatch 3
Surprised to see the Sony SmartWatch 3 so close to the top? Well, you shouldn't be.
The Sony SmartWatch 3 stands out from many of today's competition, with its impressive performance, a good screen and solid battery life, not to mention the inclusion of GPS, which makes it a better fitness accessory than most smartwatches.
This wearable just about nails the tricky blend of being a smartwatch with competent fitness tracking capabilities and the price keeps on falling, making it a real bargain.
For something a bit more premium, there's the Sony Smartwatch 3 Steel, which is basically the same, but with a metal body and face, along with a higher price tag.
Read the full review: Sony Smartwatch 3
Moto 360
The second generation oto 360 certainly gets our vote as the best smartwatch when it comes to look. Plus, it's also one of the most comfortable wearables around.
The new size options give the Moto 360 the extra reach it needed the first time around. That, and the new-found comfortable fit (along with the added customization to the design), brings it all together as one of the best smartwatches of 2016, and still a strong option in 2017.
Read the full review: Moto 360
Asus Zenwatch 2
If you’re in the market for an Android Wear smartwatch, the Asus ZenWatch 3 should be near the top of your list. It has a great display, useful hardware buttons and good battery life.
It’s styling might not be for everyone, and it's lacking in a few sensors, but Asus did a commendable job designing a watch that looks more like a premium watch than a piece of lifeless technology.
Read the full review: Asus ZenWatch 3
Huawei Watch
The Huawei Watch is not perfect, with iffy battery life watering down the gorgeous presentation.
But the once high price is rapidly dropping and it's a near seamless blend of fashion and technology, and edges closer to earning the 'smartwatch I'd actually wear' title.
LG Watch Urbane
LG's fetching smartwatch nails the look, with its classic circular face and simple timepiece feel.
It's rather large, though, so those with small wrists need not apply, and we feel that the Urbane is a bit light on features. But if you can nab this on a deal, you won't regret it.
Once you get past the high price, this is a genuinely useful thing to have around at times. Being able to check when you've got a message, or see who's calling and be able to make snap decisions, feels like the future, especially when you're exercising or in another situation where grabbing your phone isn't practical.
The new enhancements from Apple's watchOS 3 really do help this smartwatch leap forward, even if the hardware is over a year old. It's now faster, more usable and comes with watch faces that make it feel more personal.
And as more app developers use the new tools, there will be loads more to come too.
Plus, with the Apple Watch 2 now out it's not quite as expensive as it once was.
Samsung Gear S2
The Samsung Gear S2 is one of the best smartwatches on the market. It really feels like a step forward in smartwatch design. Plus, its rotating bezel and Tizen OS are genuinely useful innovations.
The Super AMOLED screen on the Samsung Gear S2 is also a real standout feature, it's incredibly sharp, vibrant, and fully circular. In fact, it's the sharpest screen available on a smartwatch, equal to the Apple Watch's 302ppi.
This is definitely worth considering over similarly priced Android Wear devices, and is now compatible on iOS.
Read the full review: Samsung Gear S2
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