Best smartwatches in 2022: Top wearable technology for your wrist

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Nowadays, it doesn’t mean much if your watch can only tell you the time. While masterfully crafted watches will always be timeless (no pun intended), most people these days prefer to rely on a smartwatch. That’s because a smartwatch can do so much more than tell time. Some of them will track your fitness, show you where to go, answer a phone call or a text, or pay for your groceries. You can even have one that scans your boarding pass before vacation, so you don’t need a holder.

There are so many choices on the market that you may be struggling to figure out which one is the best for you. That’s what we’re here to help with. We’ll break down the features of some of the best smartwatches to assist you in picking one. Take a look at our choices and do more with your watch.

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Best overall: Apple Watch Series 7

Apple Watch Series 7 Wearing - Credit: Christian de Looper for BGR
Apple Watch Series 7 Wearing - Credit: Christian de Looper for BGR

Christian de Looper for BGR

Pros: Thinner bezels on the display, faster charging

Cons: No aluminum colors that you saw in Series 6 are available

As it is brand new, you may not be familiar with the Apple Watch Series 7. If not, you’ll have to check out our review of it. This looks a lot like the Apple Watch Series 6. It does have thinner bezels on the display and the always-on display is up to 70% brighter indoors. You’ll be able to read the watch from almost any angle. The display is a bit bigger as well, giving you a little bit more to focus on when you look down.

The chip is the same as the Series 6 as are the heart rate monitor, the ECG sensor, and the blood oxygen sensor. This charges faster than previous models. It will charge 33% more quickly than the Series 6. The watchOS8 software boasts some newer features. It has combined the Breathe and the Reflect functions into one called Mindfulness. The screen is now big enough to type on a full keyboard on the watch. There are also two different watch faces.

Best lightweight smartwatch: Amazfit T-Rex Pro Smart Watch

The Amazfit T-Rex Pro Smart Watch - Credit: Amazfit/Amazon
The Amazfit T-Rex Pro Smart Watch - Credit: Amazfit/Amazon

Amazfit/Amazon

Pros: Incredibly lightweight, 18-day battery life

Cons: Step and mile counter aren’t as accurate as you may want

Getting the Amazfit T-Rex Pro Smart Watch gives you a ton of technology on your wrist. This is a rugged watch that is still very lightweight. It only weighs 60g and it has passed 15 military-grade tests. There is a 1.3″ HD AMOLED always-on color screen and this can brave the elements. It is a high-level exploration partner with battery life that lasts up to 18 days with light usage and 9 days with heavier usage. This is supporting four global satellite systems to keep you on track.

There are over 100 different sport modes to monitor heart rate, calories burned, movement speed, and more critical data. It’s also great for getting notifications and taking or making phone calls. It is 10 ATM waterproof and can be used in up to 100 meters of water. Even know what current state the moon is in with a glance of your watch. You will have to keep an eye on your step tracker, as it may not come across as accurate as possible.

Best smartwatch for fitness: Fitbit Versa 3

Fitbit Versa 3 - Credit: Fitbit/Amazon
Fitbit Versa 3 - Credit: Fitbit/Amazon

Fitbit/Amazon

Pros: PurePulse 2.0 for heart rate, operates at 28,000 feet

Cons: Does not measure stress or high heart rate well

Fitbit has become a household name in the past 10 years. The Fitbit Versa 3 is a top option when it comes to measuring your fitness. It measures your heart rate 24/7 and has a battery that will last over six days. There is built-in GPS, so you don’t have to pay for that. Keeping track of your fitness with the Active Zone Minutes gauges exercise effort. You can see your nightly blood oxygen levels at a glance.

You can take Bluetooth calls hands-free, thanks to the built-in mic and speaker. This will play music from Deezer and Pandora. It has Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant technology. The Fitbit app is easy to use and navigate. Set bedtime reminders and alarms with this. Trying to measure your stress can be difficult with this.

Best waterproof smartwatch: TicWatch E2

TicWatch E2 - Credit: TicWatch/Amazon
TicWatch E2 - Credit: TicWatch/Amazon

TicWatch/Amazon

Pros: Can go up to 50 meters underwater, connects to apps with Google store

Cons: Not as much storage as other models, does not have a speaker

For those of you who are big swimmers, the TicWatch E2 is a great option. This will help you track your fitness stats while you’re swimming. It is waterproof up to 50 meters underwater. It features a 24-hour heart rate monitor and built-in GPS. You’ll be able to sync it up with your phone easily. That will help you stay on track with your fitness goals with TicMotion.

The battery life lasts for more than two days. You can see who’s calling you without having to break out your phone. This is one of the best smartwatches to use for apps like Uber, Spotify, Facebook Messenger, and more. Change the background and face of the watch as well as the strap for more customization. It doesn’t feature too much storage and also you won’t be able to make phone calls from here as there is no speaker.

Easiest to charge: Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 face. - Credit: Samsung/Amazon
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 face. - Credit: Samsung/Amazon

Samsung/Amazon

Pros: Tracks sleep well, accurate ECG monitoring

Cons: Battery won’t last as long as other models

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is fantastic for Android users. This gives you the option to choose either a Bluetooth or a cellular option, providing you with flexibility. It also can come with a wireless charger, allowing you a place to charge your watch and earbuds. The sleep tracker feature works well to help you reach your wellness goals. It will automatically recognize six different common activities to measure your exercise sessions. You can set it up to track other ones too.

The charger that this comes with this has a wide capability for charging. The VO2 max readings will assess your blood oxygen levels to make sure you’re healthy. You can stream YouTube music and access Google Assistant and Bixby with this. Pay for items with this as well. You will need to make sure your battery is charged frequently, as the battery life isn’t as long as other options.

See the original version of this article on BGR.com