The 12 Best Apple Watch Alternatives

Smartwatches are one of the few Jetsons prophecies to arrive on time. The Apple Watch is considered the gold standard, having disrupted and conquered the 260-year-old watch industry in less than a decade. It’s not that surprising. Apple Watches are useful and entertaining to tech geeks, gym rats, and every guy in between.

We rounded up the 12 best Apple Watch alternatives. Whether you want similar features in different packaging, an Android substitute, or just something less pricey but equally as cool, all preferences are represented.

Fitbit Versa 3

Fitbit has been in the workout tracking game longer than Apple, and the Versa 3 is preferable for non-iPhone athletes. It offers more compatibility options, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant support. You can receive basic phone interactions with iOS systems, as well as Androids. Other cool features include sleep mode (it’s technically always on, which works well with its 24/7 heart rate tracking), and over 20 goal-based exercise modes. At 40.5mm, the FitBit’s full-color touchscreen is bigger than the Apple Watch’s.

Samsung Galaxy Watch3

The classic rivalry has gone from the phone realm to smartwatches. The Galaxy Watch3’s round case and rotating bezel seem like purposeful design choices —Samsung wants you to know this isn’t an Apple Watch. The Galaxy has all of the same fitness tracking features but does a better job of motivating you to move. It even suggests exercises that you can do while literally sitting on your couch drinking a beer. Featuring one of the sharpest screens out there, the Galaxy Watch3 is a legible, solid choice for Android users who like to keep it sporty.

Tag Heuer Connected

The TAG Heuer Connected is the smartwatch for traditionalists who like a classic watch style with Swiss heritage. Its in-house TAG Heuer Sports app features all of the fitness trackers of a modern-day smartwatch, including speed, pace, heart rate, distance, and route tracking, all on a touchscreen face. However, its case design mimics that of a Tag Heuer luxury sport watch featuring a 45mm dial of polished and fine-brushed steel, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a blue ceramic bezel.

Garmin Venu Sq

Garmin is rooted in sports and navigation, having sold their first GPS product to the US Army in 1991. This heritage makes the Venu Sq an excellent smartwatch if sports tracking is your main priority. Specific sports features include outdoor recreation, running, golfing, cycling, swimming, and even kids activities. There are also several gym activity features. Of course, the Venu Sq features a GPS mode that lasts up to 14 hours. This is especially important with outdoor activities because it helps with the accuracy of your pace and distance tracking.

Motorola Moto360

The Motorola Moto360 is the most style-forward smartwatch on this list. Each watch comes with a leather band and a silicone band, with several color options for each including red, green, cream, and blue. The sleek round case comes in silver, black, and gold. Design aside, the Moto360 boasts sturdy construction with a stainless steel body, titanium screws, and a physical vapor deposition coating. It links to Google Fit to track specific activities and everyday stats. 

Suunto 7

If you’re a runner or an outdoorsman, you’ll likely have at least heard of Suunto. Known for sporting compasses, the Suunto 7 combines their athletic expertise with the smartwatch lifestyle. It features over 70 sports modes for those of you who had multiple letters on your varsity jacket. True to its compass roots, the watch automatically downloads local maps for offline use when it’s being charged. It also features heat-based running maps which show you popular trails based on your location. This can prove valuable when you’re hiking in new territory. 

Timex Metropolitan Smartwatch

Timex is the patron watch saint of the cool guy. The Metropolitan Smartwatch’s 36mm case and mostly matte surfaces give it a military no-nonsense look you’d expect from a Garmin. However, its over 20 dial designs give it a sense of fun. It boasts two weeks of battery life and 24-hour activity and sleep tracking, GPS, notifications, and accurate on-wrist heart monitoring. Bonus points for the super easy-to-read menu that requires about five seconds to master.

Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro

This fancy watch is built with high-quality materials including a titanium construction, which is 45% lighter than steel but equally as strong. It also has a scratch-resistant sapphire glass and a water-resistant ceramic case. It’s supported by the Kirin A1 processor, a famously high-performance/low power consumption dual-chip that Huawei developed. The battery can last up to two weeks on a single charge. Another cool feature is that the altitude barometer accurately and immediately warns you of sudden weather changes. Overall, the Huawei Watch GT 2 Pro scores big on the high-tech front.

Amazfit GTS Fitness Smartwatch

This Amazfit GTS really punches above its price point, and is a solid trusty entry-level smartwatch. It has all of the important smartwatch features including a fitness tracker, GPS, and heart rate monitor. The screen has great resolution, the battery life is impressive at 14 days, and the build quality is sturdy and comfortable. If you’re looking for a no-frills smartwatch that does its job diligently, this guy is for you.

Citizen CZ SMART Smartwatch

Citizen is a workhorse brand that’s rooted in electronics and takes its cue from industry best practices. The CZ Smart is powered by Wear OS, a Google operating system, and is compatible with iPhones and Androids. Design-wise, it features a silver stainless steel case, a sporty silicone strap, and a black anodized aluminum top ring. At 46mm, the color touchscreen is super clear. The large size and round shape also give this smartwatch a modern sport watch look. 

Skagen Falster 3 Smartwatch

The Falster 3 takes all of the key smartwatch capabilities and loads it into a distinctly Skagen body —Scandinavian, modular, and minimalist. This watch is also in the X by KYGO line, which is a brand of headphones and speakers developed by the Norwegian DJ. The X design on the silicon strap, with one stroke subtly thicker than the other, represents the brand’s focus on clean lines without sacrificing cool style. Falster 3 features include activity tracking, Google Pay, GPS, and a magnetic charger. 

Fossil Gen 5E Smartwatch

Gen 5E Smartwatches come in a variety of rugged, neutral-toned looks. The strap styles include smooth or patterned silicone, a leather option with or without side stitching, or a stainless steel bracelet. The steel bracelets come in several tones including classic silver and a matte gunpowder black that borders on that military ops look. If you’re into traditional blacked-out watches, Fossil’s Gen 5E pulls it off excellently. It comes with notifications, activity tracking, bluetooth connectivity, and is compatible with Android and iOS.

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