In recent years, Android smartwatches have emerged as as practical and fashionable product for non-Apple fans. They offer many improved features, from health tracking to extended battery life, an excellent user interface, better connectivity, and many others. Of course, some models are a step ahead of the competitors, so we sought out the consensus five best android smartwatches from expert reviews.
Now, if you’re turning to a smartwatch for heart health monitoring, be forewarned.Tech companies may claim their smartwatches can accurately detect heart rhythm disorders, but a cardiologist from the University of California-San Francisco warns that such claims are premature. In a paper published in the journal Circulation,Dr. Gregory Marcus, a UCSF professor of medicine, says these devices need much more testing before any conclusions can be drawn regarding their ability to accurately and safely detect faulty heart rhythms. That said, Marcus notes that there are great benefits to wearing devices like a FitBit, but they should not be counted on just yet for diagnosing atrial fibrillation.
That said, wearing a smartwatch or fitness tracker to lose weight really can help you reach your goal. Arecent study out of the University of Minnesota shows, these digital devices could be very well worth the cash for people trying to shed some pounds. According to their research, fitness trackers help overweight people shed pounds and reduce the risk of deadly illnesses including cancer, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. This is the first study to show that FitBit and other over-the-counter devices motivate vulnerable individuals to meet exercise goals.
Surprisingly, scientists developed a smartwatch for cows. It could help future farmers better keep track of and care for their livestock. The bovine version of a Fitbit monitors the health of cattle, potentially lowering the use of drugs which could lead to antibiotic resistance. It could become commonplace in ranches of the future, boosting reproduction, food safety, and supply chain efficiency.
In step with our farmland friends, you may be considering buying some new tech to sport on your wrist. StudyFinds has chosen the best five Android smartwatches to include in this list after reviewing 10 expert websites. Let us know in the comment section below which is your favorite one.
The List: Best Android Smartwatches, According to Experts
1. Google Pixel Watch
The Wirecutter lists it among the top three for users of Apple’s competition. “Android smartwatches have existed for almost a decade, but Google never made its own—until now. It’s the best-feeling smartwatch that isn’t made by Apple.”
“The Google Pixel Watch is an uncommonly beautiful smartwatch. It has a poured rather than a manufactured look, with a glossy, smooth flat face that curves to meet an equally curvaceous stainless steel body,” writes Tech Radar. “The construction is close to seamless. Because of that curve, there’s more glass (Gorilla Glass 5) facing you than on the Apple Watch 8.”
“It’s simple by design, with a small enough footprint to suit most wrists. We have heard rumors of a Pixel Watch for years. Now, Google is ready to stake its claim in the wearables market. Still, you should know that the Pixel Watch is not going to replace a Garmin or rugged sports watch for outdoor activities. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is still the better choice for that target audience,” explainsZDNET.
2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic
While the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro may have outshined this model with its release, Android Police loves the original design. “The Classic’s case is made of stainless steel instead of the aluminum of the base-model Watch 4 and Watch 5, and it has a rotating bezel that simplifies menu selections, scrolling through notifications, and more. That last bit is especially valuable now that the Watch 5 and 5 Pro only offer digital bezels, not physically rotating ones.”
CNET says this watch is close to the ultimate Android experience. It is priced at $250.
“The rotating bezel is a pleasure to use, allows for quick scrolling, and gives the wearable a rugged look. Like its newer siblings, the Watch 4 Classic runs Wear OS, so it has access to Google Maps, the Play Store, and a better selection of third-party apps than any of Samsung’s previous Tizen watches,” mentions PC Magazine.
3. Fitbit Sense 2
Tom’s Guide point out that the Fitbit Sense 2 is the brand’s first smartwatch to be released since Fitbit was officially acquired by Google, and the new owner’s expertise shines through. “The Fitbit Sense 2 is an advanced fitness-tracking smartwatch that helps monitor your mood with continuous EDA readings. Design and battery life are other major highlights, though no support for third-party apps or Google programs at launch might give you pause.”
“The Fitbit Sense 2 tracks your heart rate, heart rate variance (HRV), possible atrial fibrillation (AFib), blood oxygen, sleep quality, stress levels, and skin temperature,” adds Android Central. “The last two, in particular, are where the Sense 2 stands apart: the new continuous electrodermal (cEDA) sensor has all-day body response tracking to warn you if you’re overstressed, while the temperature sensor can warn you if you’re possibly unwell and judge if your body temperature is hurting your sleep quality…The Sense 2 is ideal for workout enthusiasts or anyone who needs to keep a close eye on their heart health.”
“Fitbit lowered the price this generation and removed several lifestyle apps, steering it more toward wellness to differentiate it from Google’s Pixel Watch. We don’t like the look of the new transparent display border for the heart rhythm sensor, but the second-generation Sense offers some usability improvements over the original, including a more responsive touch screen, a physical (vs. haptic) button, and slightly better battery life (around five days on a charge in our testing),” says PC Magazine.
4. TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS
Android Central writes, “First, you’ll appreciate the refined design that features a new customizable backlight for the top layer of the display. Mobvoi also launched new software features for the TicHealth suite, which is helpful for those who take advantage of these tracking features. It’s also more durable than the previous model, thanks to the MIL-STD-810G rating.”
“The TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS might not be the most noteworthy Wear OS smartwatch on the market, but it impresses where its competitors lack: battery life,” points out Tom’s Guide. “Smart design, bright display and solid fitness tracking help round-out this smartwatch.”
“When it comes to performance, I’ve always looked for a product that provides a great output. The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS is definitely a top choice. It fits in nicely and provides a great experience. This product appears with outstanding resistance to scratches and bumps making it much more effective,” adds Software Testing Help.
5. Fitbit Versa 3
PC Magazine likes this model for its affordability: “On the lifestyle front, it supports Amazon Alexa, app notifications, Fitbit Pay mobile payments, Deezer and Pandora music and podcast storage, and Spotify music controls. It also offers all the excellent fitness and health features that have made the Versa line a favorite of ours, including guided breathing exercises, and automatic exercise recognition. With six-day battery life and an always-on color display, it’s the best Android-compatible smartwatch in the sub-$200 range.”
“The Fitbit Versa 4 does many things well: it has a stylish and lightweight design, it also has sleep tracking, heart-rate monitoring, SpO2 readings, GPS, NFC, and many more,” says Phone Arena. “The Versa 4 is water-resistant to 50 meters (5ATM). Of course, certain corners have been cut in order for the Versa to reach its retail price. There is no LTE or wireless charging, and the app’s selection is… restricted.”
“Fitbit’s Versa lineup is, if anything, reliable. Now in its third iteration, the Fitbit Versa 3 ranks among the best smartwatches, tacking on useful software improvements and design tweaks to become a formidable Apple Watch SE rival and a fitness tracker with obvious appeal. The Fitbit Versa 3 is an attractive mid-range smartwatch,” concludes Tom’s Guide.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Android Phones
- Best Apple Watches
- Best Fitness Trackers
- Best Smart Thermostats
- Best Smart Scales
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Sources:
- Tom’s Guide
- CNET
- Android Police
- Tech Radar
- Android Central
- ZDNET
- Wirecutter
- Software Testing Help
- PC Magazine
- Phone Arena
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.
Tags: android, smart technology, smartwatch