We help you choose the right smartwatch for yourneeds...
Choosing the best smartwatch right now is a tough task given the plethora of new smartwatches hitting the shops from the likes of Apple, Pebble, LG, Motorola, Tag Heuer, Fossil, Samsung and Sony.
There are so many great watches to choose between now, from the Android Wear army to the latest Pebble timepieces, and the Apple Watch is selling like hotcakes too...apparently.We've completely overhauled our best smartwatch guide to try and help those looking to make the right decision. Whether you're looking for functional, sporty or down-right stylish, read on for our selection of top tech timepieces for everyone.
Samsung Gear S2
As easy to live with as a Pebble, as slick as an Apple Watch and with a tactile, rotating bezel as its secret weapon, the S2 is the kind of smartwatch you'd kick yourself for leaving at home. You'll have to pay extra for the cellular version to make the most of the GPS features but, even the standard version feels like a leap forward. The battery life is better than most rivals; we've used Android Wear watches day to day and Samsung's smartwatch beats these hands down.
Best for ios
Apple Watch
Whether you find the Apple Watch the complete example of fashion blending with tech, or a square boxy abomination is down to taste. But for our money, it's one of the best looking smartwatches made to date (especially when paired with a quality strap) and, coming in two sizes, is one of the most unisex as well.
The build quality is superb, and the footprint of both the 38mm and 42mm watch is much smaller than you'd expect. What Apple has achieved is genuine wearability, and despite its flaws (poor sports features and the lack of GPS), the Apple Watch could be the first wearable that's actually a pleasure to wear.
BestA Androidwear optionSony SmartWatch 3
The Sony SmartWatch 3 is the envy of its rivals (at least until the Moto 360 Sport launches) thanks to its built-in GPS connectivity, which means you can leave your smartphone at home when you go for a run. The sports styling make it perfect for a weekend jog, and while the screen is a little dull compared to some of its rivals, the latest Android Wear update means it can pair with wireless headphones for beats on the go. The Steel edition, announced at CES, adds a touch of class to the smartwatch that we at Wareable (well, almost all of us) agree offers the most bang for your smartwatch buck.
Best for Battery Life
Pebble Time Steel
The world had only just caught its breath from the record breaking Pebble Time launch when the Steel version was announced. The Pebble Time Steel is thicker than its plastic brethren, making it feel much more regular watch than geek accessory. That extra 1mm isn't a bad thing though - it means room for a larger battery, which should keep the Steel going for 10 days.
Best for Sports
Garmin Vivoactive
Before the Garmin Vivoactive, the perfect fitness device for the truly active person was a pipe dream. Arguably Garmin's first smartwatch, the Vivoactive promises full notifications on the wrist and a dizzying array of sports tracking for a relatively low price. With running, cycling, swimming, golf and a whole lot more all on board, Garmin has blended an incredible set of fitness features with top notch notifications, to create the first truly every day sports wearable. Sadly, the dated design and questionable screen tech call into doubt whether anyone would want to wear the device every day, and that's a crying shame.
Best for Budget
Omate Racer
The Omate Racer is a stepping-stone to full-featured devices powered by Apple, Google and co. It simply tells the time and keep you updated with what's going using real-time notifications. It's not a polished device by any stretch but it's a decent option for anyone looking to dip their toe in the warming waters of wearable tech.
Don't expect any frills and you won't be disappointed. This was a hard one to pick because, while the Racer doesn't pull up any trees – it does do the job for $129. However, shop around and you can also get the original Moto 360 or the ZenWatch 2 for not much more money.
Best for affordable style
LG Watch Urbane
There's no missing the Urbane, whether it's the silver or gold model you're wearing; that fully round bezel is seriously eye- and light-catching. It's a smartwatch that looks like a traditional timepiece. Unlike the more premium-looking Urbane LTE, with its classic watch shape and extra physical buttons, the regular Urbane looks much more fashion and feminine. It's pretty pricey though. If you really want to go all out, the LG Watch Urbane Luxe features a 23-karat gold watchcase and handcrafted alligator leather strap. It's $1,200 mind.
Best for display
Samsung Gear S
The Samsung Gear S doesn't get everything right, and its main USP of being able to operate without your smartphone using its own SIM card is way off the mark. However, there's no doubt that its 2-inch AMOLED display is the best you'll find. It runs Tizen, Samsung's own OS, and there are over 1,000 apps available in a vibrant app store and boasts GPS connectivity. If you want to stick to Android Wear, the Huawei Watch has the most impressive screen tech so far.
Best for traditionalists
MontblancTimeWalkerUrbanSpeede-Strap
If you're after the full smartwatch smarts but want the traditional touch, this might well be the answer. Montblanc's new e-Strap, featured on three different classic watches in the range so far, has an OLED screen built right into the strap. This connects via Bluetooth to your phone to display calls, text and notifications. A fair compromise? We think so.
Best for tech nerds
Pebble Time
Arguably the first modern smartwatch, the original Pebble is still going strong two years after its launch. But for Pebblers looking to upgrade, look no further than the now-shipping Pebble Time. Everything that made the original brilliant remains; that affordable price, an impressive seven day battery life and both iPhone and Android compatibility. There's some serious upgrades to both the software and hardware, the most notable of which being the new colour e-paper screen and the revamped Timeline OS.
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