18 best smartwatches

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

So-called smartwatches are becoming more and more popular. If earlier such devices only played the role of a heart rate monitor, now they are much more broad-functional gadgets. They not only allow you to monitor the effectiveness of your workouts, they can help you get acquainted with notifications in advance, prepare food according to a particular recipe, and also solve less typical tasks. However, the market is literally littered with those smartwatches that can fail in just six months. In order not to buy such a device, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a selection of the best models. We will talk about both budget devices and top-end smart watches.

How to choose a smartwatch?

Modern smartwatches can have completely different purposes. It is with him that you need to decide in the first place. Basically, smartwatches are purchased for the following purposes:

1. For use by children – in this case, a special children's watch is needed. They have a GPS chip, thanks to which parents can request information about the child's location at any time. Also, such devices have a children's design, and cartoon characters can be depicted on their straps.

2. For use by athletes – smartwatches with all kinds of sensors are designed for such people. Some of these devices are capable of detecting altitude, speed, and many other workout parameters. In this case, support for ANT + technology will also be useful, by which synchronization with a cadence sensor or some other sports accessory is carried out. Such smart watches must also have a heart rate sensor.

3. Watches for every day – this group can conditionally include not only sports, but also much cheaper gadgets that are actively sold in Chinese online stores. Usually, such a watch is only required to show notifications received on a smartphone. Practice shows that people rarely use this watch for other tasks.

4. There is another purpose of buying a smart watch – to show the status of a person. In this case, the products of a Swiss brand are purchased. But in this case, you get more conventional than smartwatches. This will be a full-fledged mechanical device, which, if required, should be recharged only once a month or even six months. However, among the additional functions, such a watch will only offer a display of the number of notifications currently present on the smartphone. You can forget about reading them, as such watches and all kinds of fitness functions often do not have. And the creations of the Swiss watch giants are terribly expensive – an ordinary person can hardly afford to buy them.

When choosing a smart watch, you should focus on their characteristics and functionality. Also, pay attention to the materials from which their case and strap are made. By the way, the belt for such devices is usually removable, but the method of fastening it may be different. If the mount is non-standard, then you will have to rely on the manufacturer's assortment. If the strap is put on a regular watch pin, then it will not be difficult to find a replacement accessory.

So, when choosing a smartwatch, you should focus on the need and uselessness of the following functions:

1. A pedometer is present in almost every watch, but in many models it is godlessly lying.

2. GPS – it is needed in order to save all information about the run, up to your speed.

3. Heart rate monitor – counts your heart rate, it can be very useful.

4. Show notifications – smartwatches can have completely different implementations. More often than not, you only see an SMS message, and only more sophisticated and expensive watches allow you to answer it.

5. Games – they are supported by Wear OS devices. Games are as simple as possible, you can do without them.

6. Contactless payments – yes, now you can pay for purchases not only with a smartphone, but also with a watch.

7. Camera – even if it is built into such devices, it has an extremely low resolution. The camera is only relevant in children's smartwatches.

8. Alarm clock – it is equipped with models with a vibration motor or speaker. Some watches are equipped with a smart alarm that can wake you up at a suitable sleep phase.

9. Talking on the phone – it is offered only by models with a microphone and a speaker, of which quite a few have been created.

Even when choosing a smartwatch, you should be interested in battery life. However, do not expect to get a gadget that functions on a full charge for more than a week. Only some fitness bracelets are capable of this, the screen of which is created using a special technology. Unfortunately, smartwatches may require a charger to be plugged in almost every night. Most often, this is the fault of devices with Wear OS on board. Smart watches Samsung and Apple work under the control of other operating systems – they need to be charged every two to three days. A big step forward in this direction is going to be made Huawei – the Chinese have announced the Lite OS operating system, the clock running under it will be able to work up to two weeks! However, the frequency of synchronization with the smartphone will be reduced, so the clock will be quite limited. At the time of this writing, the announcement of the device itself has not yet happened, so smart watches based on Lite OS have not been included in our rating.

Rating of the best smartwatches

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Best inexpensive smartwatches	1	Amazfit Bip	RUB 3,960
	2	Prolike PLSW5000	RUB 3,670
	3	KingWear GT08	1 299 rub.
Best kids smartwatches	1	Gator caref watch 3	RUB 8 125
	2	Elari KidPhone 3G	RUB 5,990
	3	Smart Baby Watch D100S	RUB 3,327
	4	Smart Baby Watch Q90	RUB 1,488
	5	Nautilus Junior 05	RUB 1,730
Best smartwatches in the mid-range	1	Garmin Forerunner 235	RUB 19,030
	2	Apple Watch Series 1 42mm with Sport Band	RUB 19 490
	3	Garmin Vivo move HR Sport	RUB 16 900
	4	Samsung Gear Sport	12 120 RUB
	5	Amazfit Stratos	RUB 11,990
	6	Garmin Forerunner 35	RUB 9,990
The best smartwatches in the premium price segment	1	Garmin Fenix ​​Chronos (leather)	79 214 RUB
	2	Apple Watch Series 4 GPS + Cellular 44mm	RUB 73,999
	3	Garmin fenix 5 sapphire	RUB 36,990
	4	Samsung Gear S3 Frontier	RUB 14 800

Best inexpensive smartwatches

Amazfit Bip

Rating: 4.8

A fairly popular model, available in at least six color options. This concerns only the case, the strap by default can only be black or white. It should be noted that Amazfit can be considered a sub-brand Xiaomi, under which exclusively smart watches are distributed. The device is very inexpensive – from four to six thousand rubles, depending on the greed of the online store. For this money, the buyer will receive a fairly small device, on the front panel of which there is a display with a diagonal of 1.28 inches and a resolution of 176×176 pixels. The Chinese understood that many people didn't like the fact that smartwatches need to be charged as often as a smartphone. Therefore, they introduced a transflective screen here. Such a display is not well suited for displaying photographs, and videos should be completely forgotten due to the low frame rate. But text and all sorts of graphics on such a screen are displayed perfectly. But the main advantage of the display is that the information shown with its help is visible even without backlighting. Such activation is required only in the evening, when there is not enough external lighting.

Despite its rather small size, the device received a speaker and a vibration motor. Therefore, notifications about messages, notifications and calls can be both sound and vibration. The device also includes a heart rate monitor that does a good job during training. But the presence of a GPS chip here is much more surprising. They are usually endowed with much more expensive watches. With its help, the system can record the speed of movement throughout the entire workout. But don't forget that activating the navigation chip increases power consumption by an order of magnitude. A barometer complements the joyful picture, which allows the system to understand at what height the user is.

You can never part with a watch even during sleep. Firstly, there is an alarm clock, which does its job better than a similar application in a smartphone. Secondly, sleep monitoring is implemented here. If you have something wrong with him, then you will quickly understand it. You need to charge the device using a proprietary cradle. This process does not take much time. And what's the difference if you rarely need to use the cradle? It remains to add that the smart watch is protected by the IP68 standard. This means that you can take a shower with them and even dive into the pool. In short, can you really want something more from such an inexpensive device?

Advantages

• A large number of color options;
• Waterproof to IP68 standard;
• Comfortable rubber strap;
• Good display
• There is a navigation chip;
• Stable synchronization on Bluetooth 4.0;
• Long battery life;
• Wireless charging in use;
• Sleep monitoring;
• There is a digital compass, barometer and heart rate monitor;
• Adequate cost.

disadvantages

• Inaccurate heart rate measurement;
• Durability is questionable.

Prolike PLSW5000

Rating: 4.7

Many people only like those wearable gadgets that have a round display. That is, they are only interested in those devices that look like real mechanical watches. They also try to look towards those devices that can operate on a single charge for a long time. The device called Prolike PLSW5000 combines these two distinctive features. However, this model still does not offer record operating time. The manufacturer claims approximately 168 hours of standby time. Well, regular operation will reduce the operating time to three days, which, however, is also quite good. And this is if there is a OLED – display here! Recall that such a screen does not have a separate backlit layer, each pixel here glows independently. That is why the firmware tries to display information on a black background. To some, this may seem ugly, archaic. But this method of display is better than just one or a half days of battery life or an increase in thickness and weight due to an overly capacious battery.

In terms of functionality, these smartwatches are ideal for performing certain workouts. The manufacturer has not forgotten the heart rate monitor, so the device will warn you about too high heart rate in time. Of course, you shouldn't blindly believe the readings of the LED heart rate monitor – comparison with the chest strap will show the higher accuracy of the latter. But practice shows that users do not care, it is important for them to know at least approximate values. The device interacts with a smartphone via Bluetooth 4.0. The smart watch will notify you of an incoming call or message via vibration.

The product is not afraid of rain or sweat. This is evidenced by the IP67 certificate, which is mentioned on the box and in the operating instructions. But diving in such a watch is not recommended – it can disable it. It should also be noted that there is a plastic front surface here. The plastic has almost no effect on the image quality, and it is quite difficult to scratch it. As for the OLED – display, it has a diagonal of 0.95 inches – neither more nor less.

An interesting feature of the watches included in our rating is the ability to measure blood pressure and blood oxygen levels. However, the accuracy of the readings is a big question. Therefore, we will not list this function either in the number of advantages or in the list of disadvantages.

Advantages

• There is moisture protection according to the IP67 standard;
• Comfortable leather strap;
• Stable blue tooth synchronization;
• Nice display made with technology OLED;
• Sleep monitoring available;
• There is a built-in heart rate monitor;
• There is a women's calendar;
• Low cost.

disadvantages

• Not everyone will like the interface;
• The functionality is still not broad;
• No GPS chip.

KingWear GT08

Rating: 4.6

The most simplified smart watch. In Russian online stores, you can buy them for only 1300 rubles. Of course, for that kind of money, you get a not-so-smart device. It looks pretty good though. The body of the product is made of stainless steel, it can be painted in one of four available colors. There is even a 'rose gold' option! The front panel contains OLED – a display with a diagonal of 1.54 inches and a resolution of 240×240 pixels. For every inch of the area of ​​this screen there are 220 pixels – this is a very decent result, more such a device is not required. The gadget is held on the hand using a silicone strap, which is painted in one of three colors. If the device itself is turned over, then nothing interesting will be found on the back panel. And the absence of LEDs in this place means that the watch cannot be used as a heart rate monitor. There is no GPS chip here either. It turns out that only an accelerometer is used to measure physical activity, which acts as a pedometer. Do I need to say that such measurements will not be very accurate? It is unlikely that a watch based on such readings will be able to correctly calculate the number of calories burned.

However, the list of shortcomings does not end there. In fact, a smart watch is a standalone gadget – a kind of miniature smartphone. There is even a microSIM slot! If you plug in a headset, you can even answer calls with it! In fact, this does not play a plus for the clock. Firstly, such a device could not be lightweight. As a result, the user will have to carry a 58-gram gadget on his wrist. Try to find a heavier device of the same class in our rating. Secondly, such a smartwatch will not work on a full charge for any long time anyway. In the case of the KingWear GT08, you will need to use the charger every other night. You have to charge the device through the micro-USB connector, which is not very convenient. The process lasts for one hour.

The rest of the smartwatch can be compared to the simplest smartphone. There is even a slot for a memory card on which you can upload music! Also, the microphone and speaker should please the buyer. But the camera seems superfluous. Its resolution is only 1.3 megapixels, which is not enough not only for photography, but also for normal video communication. Synchronization with a smartphone is carried out via Bluetooth 3.0. Why such an old standard is used is also unclear.

Advantages

• Decent OLED – display;
• The body is made of stainless steel;
• Many colors of the case and strap;
• There are slots for a SIM card and microSD;
• Audio playback is possible;
• There is sleep monitoring.

disadvantages

• The silicone strap will not suit everyone;
• Large weight;
• High power consumption;
• Inconvenient recharging;
• No GPS chip;
• There is no heart rate monitor.

Best kids smartwatches

Gator caref watch 3

Rating: 4.9

This smartwatch looks simple enough. But this has several advantages, especially if you remember their purpose. Firstly, it is unlikely that a child who goes to the second or fifth grades will refuse such a device, because he no longer wants to wear a multi-colored toy with cartoon characters on his wrist. Secondly, such a watch should not interest an intruder. It is unlikely that he recognizes in this gadget a smart watch worth 8 thousand rubles.

The device is equipped with a rubberized case and a silicone strap. The presence of full moisture protection is felt. On the box, you can find a mention that the gadget is not afraid of sweat and rain. Therefore, the device received an IP67 certificate. The children's smart watch weighs about 40 g. A little, but very young children will still find the gadget heavy. The smartwatch can be painted in one of three colors – girls will like the pink version the most.

The bezel is home to the OLED, a 0.94-inch screen. Control here is implemented through the same touchscreen display and a pair of buttons located on the side. Any kids' smartwatch must have a GPS chip, which is included in our Gator Caref Watch 3 rating is no exception to the rule. At any time, you can go to a special application on your smartphone, tracking the location of the watch. Coordinates are transmitted to the server by means of a SIM card, the slot for which is hidden under a special cover. The product supports 3G networks, so data transfer is carried out at a fairly high speed. This smartwatch also received an accelerometer, thanks to which the pedometer function is implemented.

Because of the GPS chip, the manufacturer had to equip its creation with a 410 mAh battery. But even that is only enough for two to three days of battery life, depending on the frequency of voice chat use and location checks. Recharging is carried out using a removable cradle – in this regard, there are no questions about the device.

Advantages

• There is a button SOS;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Data transfer via Wi-Fi and 3G;
• Added speaker and microphone (for voice chat);
• Convenient enough charging;
• Not bad OLED – screen;
• There is protection against moisture according to the IP67 standard;
• Several colors to choose from.

disadvantages

• May seem bulky and bulky
• The functionality would not suit an adult;
• Not the longest battery life;
• The price seems slightly overpriced.

Elari KidPhone 3G

Rating: 4.8

Another fairly expensive children's smart watch in our ranking. They also allow you to track the location of the child at any time. For this, the product is equipped with a navigation chip. On the body of the device you can find a cover, under which there is a slot for a SIM card. It is with its help that the location information is transmitted to the developer's server, after which it can be accessed through any smartphone or tablet. Importantly, the gadget supports 3G networks. This allows data to be transmitted at a fairly high speed – you won't have to wait long for information to be updated. Wi-Fi networks can also be used for hours.

The device is supplemented with a standard silicone strap. The body is made of plastic here. Of course, such a material made it possible to achieve a small weight, but it does not contribute to moisture protection. These smart watches still have an IP65 certificate, but this only means that they can not be removed when the child is washing their hands. Rain is already a lottery. The body can be painted either red or black.

Through this watch, you can start a voice chat with your child (like in WhatsApp). An incoming message is notified by vibration. The watch also has a touchscreen display with a resolution of 240×240 pixels and a diagonal of 1.3 inches. There is also a 2-megapixel camera. With its help, the child can take a picture of himself. But still, first of all, it serves so that parents can see not only where their son or daughter is now, but also get acquainted with what is happening around. A microphone can be used for the same purpose if you are not shy about listening to the child's conversations.

The main feature of this model is the built-in voice assistant Alice. This is a well-known creation of 'Yandex', which is the best fit to provide a child with this or that information. Well, only the time of work can upset the user. Even ideally, it cannot exceed 72 hours. And if it means regular operation of certain functions, then you will have to use the charger every night.

Advantages

• Pre-installed voice assistant Alice;
• There is a button SOS;
• There is a microphone and speaker;
• Data transmission over 3G and Wi-Fi;
• There is a GPS chip;
• A simple camera is built in;
• Nice display that is quite large.

disadvantages

• Short battery life;
• The price cannot be called particularly low;
• To some, the watch will seem too large;
• Moisture protection only according to the IP65 standard.

Smart Baby Watch D100S

Rating: 4.7

Don't want to spend a large sum of money on children's smartwatches? In this case, we recommend taking a look at the devices created under the Smart Baby brand. Our rating includes two such models at once. The D100S index hides a gadget released in three colors – gold, pink and black. In any case, the body will be made of plastic. Although from a distance it seems that it is stainless steel – this effect is achieved through the use of not very bright colors.

This smartwatch turned out to be quite large. So large that there was a place for a display on their front panel, the diagonal of which reaches 1.54 inches. In this regard, such smart watches are not recommended for purchase by a child under the age of eight. By the way, it is from the display that you can guess the low cost of the device. The fact is that it was created using IPS technology. No doubt, such a screen displays the picture almost perfectly, and even with the best viewing angles. But the power consumption of the display is quite high. And here, after all, there are other components that actively consume battery power. So it turns out that the watch needs to be charged almost every night. And this with a 600 mAh battery!

Since this watch is for children, it couldn't do without a GPS chip and a SIM card slot. This means that parents at any time can find out exactly where their child is, as well as what places he visited during the day. In a special application, you can outline the safe areas. If the child leaves them, a corresponding notification will be sent to the smartphone. The savings made the manufacturer abandon the 3G module, which is why the data on the location of the watch is sent with some delay. Even more work in 2G networks is felt when trying to send a voice message to a son or daughter. Please note that the child can answer it, because there is not only a speaker, but also a microphone.

Almost all children's smartwatches have a button SOS. This model is no exception to the rule. A feature of the gadget is the built-in heart rate monitor. It was added here instead of a pedometer, which lies a lot in such a cheap watch. The charger is connected via the micro-USB connector. Perhaps this can be called a disadvantage. Another watch can be scolded for lack of waterproofing. More precisely, the manufacturer declares it, but in fact the device does not have any certificates, so a recessed device will definitely be a non-warranty case.

Advantages

• Weight does not exceed 40 g;
• Nice and large display;
• Three colors to choose from;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Button SOS was not forgotten;
• There is a speaker and microphone (for voice chat);
• Built-in heart rate monitor;
• Implemented Wi-Fi support;
• Low cost.

disadvantages

• Not the most convenient connection of the network adapter;
• The size of the watch is not tiny;
• There is absolutely no moisture protection;
• No 3G support;
• Extremely short battery life.

Smart Baby Watch Q90

Rating: 4.6

Already a little more fun children's smart watch. If the previous version was intended for at least nine-year-old men, then this model will be appreciated by younger children.

The device is painted in eight different colors! And all these are very bright types of colors, thanks to which the device looks like a toy. Associations with some kind of toy arise when you look at the price tag – the gadget is sold for 2000 rubles. Therefore, this is one of the cheapest smartwatches in our ranking. It is clear that for this money you will not be offered something extraordinary. The child will have to use a device with a conventional touch screen, which is 1.22 inches diagonal. The good news is that pixelation is almost imperceptible, especially if the eye is not trained by flagship smartphones. The resolution of the screen installed here is 240×240 pixels. This is quite enough to display menus, messages and other sections of the firmware.

Like the example discussed above, the Smart Baby Watch Q90 does not have a 3G module. Data transmission is carried out exclusively over second generation networks, or over Wi-Fi. The manufacturer did not save only on the GPS chip. It is here, and the accuracy of its readings is equal to several meters. As with any smartwatch for kids, parents can use their smartphone or tablet to find out the location of the watch, and hence the baby. You can also view the history of movements. How would such a gadget be useful to our parents when we skipped school in computer clubs!

There is a button on the body of the device SOS. Long pressing it will send an alarm signal to those numbers that are recorded in the phone book. You can also see a microphone and a speaker on the watch. Mostly they will be used by parents for hidden calls. Such a call cannot be repulsed or waited out – the watch independently accepts it, after which you can listen to what is happening around the child. Unfortunately, this is where the tracking functionality ends. There is no camera here, so the watch cannot take pictures of what is happening, like more expensive models. But due to its absence, they turned out to be a little lighter. The battery also contributes to weight reduction, the capacity of which is reduced to 400 mAh. It is recharged through the micro-USB connector, and this is required, as you might guess, almost every night.

In the case of this model, the manufacturer decided to integrate an accelerometer instead of a heart rate sensor. As a result, the device learned to signal that it was removed from the hand. Also, the watch tries to record steps, calculating the number of calories burned.

Advantages

• Small children will definitely like the design;
• There is a button SOS;
• Lots of color options;
• Relatively light weight;
• There is a speaker and microphone;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Sleep monitoring;
• Very low cost.

disadvantages

• For some children, the watch may seem too big;
• Requires regular recharging;
• A micro-USB connector is used to connect the network adapter;
• 3G networks are not supported;
• Moisture protection is completely absent.

Nautilus Junior 05

Rating: 4.5

Another children's smart watch with a silicone strap. Here it is made in a special way – similar to the Sony SmartWatch 3. That is, there are holes in the strap where the gadget itself is threaded. This makes changing the strap very easy. But you will only have to purchase branded accessories produced by the same manufacturer – a strap from the nearest watch store will not work. Therefore, it is easier not to tell your child that there are at least five strap colors – otherwise he will definitely ask you to buy the entire set.

On the front panel of this gadget there is a simple OLED display, the diagonal of which does not exceed 0.96 inches. It is not capable of displaying photographs – basically, such a screen is designed for displaying graphics of several colors. As a result, the LCD panel is capable of boasting low power consumption. However, this does not mean that connecting a charger will be required extremely rarely. The main task of the device is to track the location of the child, and the GPS chip consumes energy with great appetite. But on the other hand, you will be notified in time when the child leaves the area limited by you. Geographic coordinates are transmitted to the developers' server via 2G networks.

The miniature gadget includes a full-fledged accelerometer. This means that parents will receive a notification that the watch is being removed from the wrist. It turns out that the child will not be able to deceive you by leaving the gadget somewhere in the locker. And how can you cheat if mom or dad can call the device at any time, listening to what is happening around?

In short, it is a typical inexpensive smartwatch designed for use by a child. They are powered by a 400 mAh battery. The device differs from analogues only in thickness, reduced to 12.5 mm. However, this does not negate the fact that the watch will seem too large to very young children.

Advantages

• Easy replacement of the strap;
• Nice display, albeit small enough
• There is a microphone and speaker;
• Several color options for the strap;
• There is a GPS chip;
• Notification of watch removal and low battery;
• There is a button SOS;
• Affordable cost.

disadvantages

• The dimensions, after all, cannot be called miniature;
• Not the most convenient recharging;
• Short battery life;
• 3G networks are not supported;
• There is no water resistance.

Best smartwatches in the mid-range

Garmin Forerunner 235

Rating: 4.9

In our country, Garmin products are very expensive. Even the seemingly unpretentious Garmin Forerunner 235 smart watch is priced at 22 thousand rubles. However, are they simple?

Outwardly, this device looks like some kind of mechanical watch, only instead of a dial it uses a round display. The strap was made of rubber. At the same time, it is made in such a way as not to slip on the wrist, and its length is easily adjustable. On sale now you can find three or four color options. Basically, the color of the belt is different, on the watch itself, only one of the buttons and the ring surrounding the display have a different color from black. It is also impossible not to notice that the standard fastening of the strap is used here; it will not be difficult to change it in the future.

All Garmin products are designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It is not without reason that these smart watches received protection from moisture according to the WR50 standard. This allows you not to remove the device when swimming in the pool (you cannot only dive in them). Also, the gadget is not afraid of being used in the shower. With the help of the watch, you can quickly find out about an incoming call or received message. But much more often it is recommended to use the device for tracking workouts. The device performs well as a pedometer. It also tracks your heart rate stably. At the same time, which is important, the heart rate monitor works in a constant mode, and not only during training. Not every smart watch can boast of this! Going back to training, the GPS chip may seem useful. With its help, the speed of movement is fixed. In the future, you can transfer the results of your run to your smartphone using the Bluetooth – chip.

It is on a smartphone that it is easiest to analyze the results obtained. Of course, the clock can display information on its own screen. But the diagonal of the transflective matrix does not exceed 1.23 inches, and the resolution is only 215×180 pixels. As a result, only basic information is placed on the display, you will definitely not see any graphs here.

Many representatives of our rating have certain features. Here, one can include support for the wireless ANT + standard. It is on this technology that all sports sensors, including those released by Garmin, transmit information. Well, the not the highest cost of the device is indicated by the material from which the case is made – this is plastic. As for the battery, its capacity has not been specified. But the manufacturer claims that with an active GPS chip, the battery life is 11 hours. If you turn off the navigation chip, you will have to use the charger once every few days.

Advantages

• Great design;
• Several color options;
• Sleep monitoring available;
• Continuous heart rate measurement;
• There is a GPS / GLONASS;
• Decent transflective display
• Water protection implemented;
• There is support for ANT + wireless technology;
• There is a slot for a memory card.

disadvantages

• The cost, after all, cannot be called low;
• The plastic case will not suit everyone;
• Weak vibration.

Apple Watch Series 1 42mm with Sport Band

Rating: 4.8

Smart watches from Apple have gone through several reincarnations. Surprisingly, you can still find the first generation gadget in stores. Even more striking is the fact that even such old watches are sold for 20 thousand rubles. Why not? The Apple company managed to release, if not perfect, then a very good gadget. It features a comfortable strap with an easy-to-use lock. The front panel of the device contains OLED – a display with a diagonal of 1.54 inches. At that moment, it was impossible to integrate an even larger screen into a smartwatch, because the frameless technology was not yet mastered by the California company. The display resolution is 312×390 pixels. With this parameter, all icons and images have high detail, which is good news.

Like other smartwatches in this price segment, the creation Apple is trying to spur on the next feats. The device perfectly captures workouts, no matter what type they belong to. You can even swim in the pool as the smartwatch is IPX7 certified. Of course, during any workout, the heart rate is stably recorded – this is done using a special LED on the back panel. In the future, all information about your body movements is transmitted to your smartphone, for which either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi is used. Present among wireless modules and NFC – it is used to pay for purchases through the Apple Pay system.

Perhaps it is the synchronization with the smartphone that makes you remember the most serious drawback of this watch. Smartwatch requires iPhone to work. Unfortunately, the watch does not support interaction with a device based on Android. Therefore, if you do not have an Apple smartphone, then Apple Watch is useless for you. This applies to both the first generation and the last, which will be discussed in our rating.

However, let's not focus on the shortcomings. Lovers of technology Apple will definitely appreciate the watch. They should love the convenient charging method. The only pity is that this process is required every night. The wide functionality should also please – now a very large number of applications have been developed for the operating system installed here. And the speed of work is pleasantly surprising – the processor Apple S1P copes with its task with dignity. There is also a speaker and microphone. They allow you to answer a call without taking your smartphone out of your pocket. The watch also includes 8 GB of internal memory. They serve to store MP3-music, which is offered to listen to through Bluetooth – a headset.

Advantages

• There is water protection;
• You can pay for purchases via Apple Pay;
• Stable sync with iPhone via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi;
• There is a built-in memory for music;
• There is a microphone and speaker;
• Several color options;
• Convenient inductive charging;
• Easy operating system management;
• There is a heart rate monitor;
• Minimum weight.

disadvantages

• Quite high price;
• Not very long battery life;
• Glass scratches quickly enough;
• Synchronization only with iPhone.

Garmin Vivo move HR Sport

Rating: 4.8

This smartwatch is a treasure trove of advantages and disadvantages. Readers of our rating may well like some moments and not like others. A prime example of this is OLED – display. It turned out to be bright and very energy efficient. But the diagonal of 0.38 inches and the resolution of 64×128 pixels do not allow it to display a lot of all kinds of information. Basically, it shows the current heart rate, a reminder of an imminent workout, or something like that.

But why is the screen so tiny? The fact is that it is built into a real dial with analog hands. This means that the display does not need to show information in a constant mode – the time can be found in the traditional way. As a result, in certain operating modes, the battery charge is enough for 5 days of battery life!

The device turned out to be massive. This is due to the use of a metal case and a rubber strap. Inside the smartwatch are a barometer, accelerometer, altimeter, and vibration motor. All this allows the gadget to record not only steps, but also all kinds of ascents uphill or up stairs. As a result, the software more accurately calculates the number of calories burned. It understands that cycling takes more energy to climb a mountain than it does to travel the same distance on a plain.

This device is capable of boasting IP67 waterproofing. In theory, you can even dive with the watch. It's nice that the manufacturer didn't forget to implement sleep monitoring here. But even more of some athletes will appreciate the support of ANT + technology. This means that the product can receive information from a cadence sensor or other similar device. In the future, the watch can be synchronized with any smartphone or tablet operating under iOS or Android – all information will be uploaded to the appropriate application. You can also set up constant sync. But with a display installed here, it doesn't make much sense – Bluetooth will only decrease battery life. In this regard, I would like to call Garmin Vivo move HR Sport not a smartwatch, but an advanced fitness bracelet.

Advantages

• Metal case and high quality strap;
• There is ANT + support;
• Long enough autonomous work;
• Altimeter, barometer and accelerometer are present;
• Heart rate sensor not forgotten;
• Water protection implemented;
• Real hour and minute hands.

disadvantages

• There is no GPS;
• The minimum amount of information is shown;
• Not everyone can afford it.

Samsung Gear Sport

Rating: 4.7

Something in between a fitness tracker and a smartwatch was created by the South Korean company Samsung Electronics. This gadget has at its disposal a round display made using Super technology AMOLED. With only 1.2-inch diagonal, it has a resolution of 360×360 pixels. The pixel density is incredibly high, which is good news.

Most of the space under the metal case is taken up by a 300 mAh battery. The duration of the work directly depends on the intensity of using the gadget. Many customers charge this watch every two to three days. And this with constant heart rate measurement and regular workouts that need to be monitored! This indicator was achieved through the use of the operating system Tizen.

These smartwatches are not cheap, so you shouldn't be surprised to see a lot of sensors here. In particular, the gadget is able to recognize the height above sea level. As a result, training reports not only show time and speed, but also ascent or descent height. All this allows the system to intelligently determine how many calories you have spent. By the way, there is a GPS chip that writes information about the route of the run. If you don't want to drain the battery, you can activate this function in your smartphone, in the corresponding application. By the way, you can synchronize Samsung Gear Sport not only with a South Korean device, but also with any other smartphone operating under Android or iOS.

Many users love the control method implemented here. To navigate the menu of the operating system and installed applications, use the wheel button, touch display and, most importantly, the rotating bezel. This design made the device quite heavy, but it was worth it! However, the increased water resistance also influenced the weight. Nevertheless, even with it, these smart watches are not intended for divers – the device can only be at great depths for a short time.

Advantages

• There is water protection;
• High quality metal body;
• Convenient management of functionality;
• Extremely long battery life;
• Excellent AMOLED – round-shaped display;
• Synchronization via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is possible;
• Wireless payment available;
• Sleep monitoring available;
• The accelerometer is supplemented with a gyroscope and an altimeter;
• Continuous heart rate measurement;
• There is a GPS chip.

disadvantages

• Weight is 50g;
• No microphone.

Amazfit Stratos

Rating: 4.6

Another smartwatch, distributed under the sub-brand Xiaomi, is already significantly more expensive. When creating them, the choice of the Chinese fell on a round LCD. More precisely, almost round – its lower area seems to be chopped off. The diagonal of this screen is 1.34 inches, which is quite decent, and the resolution is 320×300 pixels. We can say that the display is full of space for all kinds of information. But it was not without a drawback – the screen was created using conventional TFT technology, which is why it cannot be called energy efficient. With a 290 mAh battery, this can even be annoying, because you have to use the charger once every two to three days.

Smart watches turned out to be relatively small, but heavy – their weight reaches 60 g. However, part of this weight falls on the rubber strap, which is very convenient. Also, the Chinese manufacturer decided to equip his creation with a metal case, which also influenced the final result. Internal components also have a certain weight. For example, there is a dual-core processor running at 1.2 GHz. Of the more rare guests is a navigation chip that supports American and Russian satellites. The manufacturer did not forget about the heart rate monitor, without which it is difficult to imagine active training.

Advantages

• Affordable price tag;
• Excellent metal body;
• There is not only vibration, but also a beep;
• Waterproof to IP67 standard;
• There is a heart rate sensor;
• The accelerometer is supplemented with a gyroscope;
• Sleep monitoring available;
• Stable synchronization over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi;
• There is a GPS chip.

disadvantages

• Large dimensions and weight;
• The screen is easily scratched;
• There is no NFC;
• Not the longest battery life.

Garmin Forerunner 35

Rating: 4.5

Not all people require a smartwatch exclusively with a round LCD display, reminiscent of a traditional dial. Many consumers are satisfied with a device with a square-shaped screen, which is much cheaper to create. Also, not everyone needs a gadget with maximum functionality. Some people agree to save money by buying a Garmin Forerunner 35. This device has a number of disadvantages that you can accept. It deserves a place in our rating.

Several color options of the gadget have gone on sale. In any case, you will receive a device whose body is made of plastic and the strap is made of rubber. It is convenient to put on the watch, the latch works properly. When you turn it on for the first time, you immediately realize that the smart watch is endowed with a speaker – this means that the user will receive not only vibration, but also sound notifications. There is an LED on the back of the gadget, due to which the heart rate monitor works. And here you can also see the contact pad, with the help of which the electricity from the branded cradle moves towards the built-in battery. In this case, the manufacturer did not seek to reduce the weight and thickness of the gadget, so the battery capacity turned out to be decent. Even if you use the GPS chip, which is also present here, a full charge should be enough for 13 hours of battery life.

The product has a waterproof rating according to the WR50 standard. Therefore, you can shower and swim in this smartwatch, but it is not recommended to dive in it.

Perhaps, the manufacturer's savings are most noticeable on the LCD display. It uses a simple monochrome panel. Garmin builds something similar into its cycling computers, heart rate monitors and other low-cost sports devices. The diagonal of the screen is 1.31 inches, and the resolution is 128×128 pixels. In the dark, you can activate the backlight.

Advantages

• There is support for the ANT + standard;
• There is moisture protection;
• Easy synchronization with other devices;
• Built-in GPS chip;
• Continuous pulse measurement is possible;
• Sufficiently long battery life;
• Convenient recharging;
• There is sleep monitoring.

disadvantages

• Unpretentious monochrome display;
• No altimeter or other auxiliary sensors;
• The price may seem overpriced.

The best smartwatches in the premium price segment

Garmin Fenix ​​Chronos (leather)

Rating: 4.9

This watch can be safely called masculine and harsh. They are as close to traditional mechanical watches as possible, especially when set to the appropriate dial. The body of the device is made of titanium and stainless steel. On the side ends there are a wheel and numerous buttons. Well, the strap can be made of either leather or metal. The cost of the gadget mostly depends on the strap. However, in any case, a price tag of at least 90 thousand rubles awaits you.

This model is equipped with a sapphire crystal covering the front panel. It is almost impossible to leave scratches on it. Under the glass is a transflective display with only 16 colors. The diagonal of the screen is 1.2 inches, and the resolution is 218×218 pixels. In a word, all graphics on such a display are displayed normally, the heart rate can be viewed almost instantly. Well, about the impossibility of viewing photos, hardly anyone will seriously worry.

Synchronization with a smartphone is carried out via Bluetooth 4.0 LE. Also among the wireless modules present here are Wi-Fi and ANT +. The latter is needed to receive a signal from other accessories – for example, a cadence sensor. The manufacturer did not forget about the GPS-chip, which records movements during training. A digital compass, altimeter and barometer help him – in a word, it is impossible to wish for more.

Inside the smart watches included in our rating is a 180 mAh battery. This, oddly enough, is enough for 13 hours of work with the included GPS. If you use the UltraTrack mode, the battery life is increased to 25 hours. Well, in normal use, the watch can function up to 192 hours.

The device is IP68 waterproof. This means that the watch can dive to 100 meters. Therefore, this is the best choice for a diver!

Perhaps the main disadvantage of the device is its weight, which varies from 94 to 186 g, depending on the chosen strap. Not everyone dares to wear such a large and heavy watch.

Advantages

• The bracelet can be leather, titanium or steel;
• Implemented water protection according to the IP68 standard;
• There is a constantly working heart rate monitor;
• It is possible to connect external accessories via ANT +;
• Sleep monitoring;
• GPS supplemented with altimeter, barometer and digital compass;
• Long battery life;
• Vibration is supplemented with a sound signal;
• Stable sync over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
• The picture is clearly visible in any conditions.

disadvantages

• Large dimensions and weight;
• Very high cost;
• The alarm clock does not know how to navigate the phases of sleep;
• The display shows only 16 colors.

Apple Watch Series 4 GPS + Cellular 44mm

Rating: 4.8

Our rating could not do without the watch announced in the fall of 2018 Apple. They belong to the fourth generation. However, the differences from previous versions will be noticeable only to an experienced eye, more than once faced with Apple gadgets. Firstly, the device has received the function of determining the electrocardiogram. It is available only on the American market, we have this function blocked. Secondly, while maintaining the same dimensions, the manufacturer managed to increase the display diagonal. It is now 1.78 inches. The picture is displayed as if on a protective glass – it also looks very impressive. By the way, the glass has also changed – it has become noticeably more durable.

Otherwise, this is a good old smart watch from Apple, which can only be synchronized with iPhone. It is IP68 waterproof. However, the Apple company does not guarantee uninterrupted operation of the gadget if you suddenly take up deep-sea diving in it. There is also a GPS chip, thanks to which the watch remembers the route of the run. However, it is better to assign this function to a smartphone so that the smartwatch can operate on a full battery charge for two to three days.

The device includes two heart rate sensors. Also, the device received an improved accelerometer, which even more accurately understands what exactly you are doing right now. The opportunity to talk on the phone has not gone anywhere either. In our country, the signal will be relayed to iPhone. Residents of some other countries can register an electronic SIM card, as a result of which the smartwatch has its own number.

Returning to the display, it was created using the technology AMOLED. A bright and colorful picture awaits the user. Pressure detection makes operating system management much easier. The resolution of 324×394 pixels is also good news – the image is as detailed as possible.

Advantages

• Decent battery life
• Excellent AMOLED – display;
• Sapphire crystal is hard to scratch;
• GPS chip supplemented with altimeter and barometer;
• Built-in optical and electronic heart rate monitors;
• Implemented water protection according to the IP68 standard;
• Excellent metal body;
• Weight does not exceed 37 g;
• There is a function SOS;
• 16 GB of internal memory;
• It is possible to use Apple Pay.

disadvantages

• High price;
• Work only with Apple smartphones.

Garmin fenix 5 sapphire

Rating: 4.8

Another very expensive smartwatch from Garmin. Like her other creations, the device is ideal for recording workouts, as well as for reminding about them. The pulse is measured here every two seconds. The problem is that in this case, the manufacturer decided to abandon the built-in heart rate monitor. Instead, he recommends purchasing his own branded chest strap, which will receive data wirelessly. However, there is also a more expensive set of these watches, which includes the aforementioned sensor. Understands the gadget and many other sports accessories broadcast by the ANT + signal.

Smart watches are able to record all movements of the user. This is done using a GPS chip. Surprisingly, even with an active navigation chip, the device can operate on a full charge for about 24 hours! If you turn off GPS and data reception from the heart rate monitor, then the operating time will increase to 60 hours. In theory, it is possible to achieve a longer battery life, but in this case, the operation of the device will become very rare.

In the case of this model, Garmin has opted for a 1.2-inch transflective screen. The resolution is 240×240 pixels, which with such a diagonal can be considered an excellent parameter. Unfortunately, only 64 colors are displayed. But this watch was clearly not created for viewing photos, so the lack of colors is practically not felt. The display here is covered with a sapphire crystal, which is very difficult to break.

The case of this watch is made of metal with a slight admixture of polymer plastic. As for the strap, it can be made of rubber, leather or metal. If your choice is made in favor of a steel bracelet, then the final weight of the product will be 156 g. In other cases, the weight of the watch will not exceed 87 g. Finally, we note that the product is protected from water. What is important, completely! This means that you don't have to take off your watch even if you put on a scuba gear and are going to dive to almost 100 meters depth.

Advantages

• Excellent metal body;
• Several types of straps to choose from;
• Decent display
• There is a bundle with an external heart rate sensor;
• Sleep monitoring available;
• GPS chip supplemented with barometer, compass and altimeter;
• There is a full-fledged water protection;
• Long battery life;
• Stable sync over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth;
• There is support for the ANT + standard;
• Vibration and beep are available.

disadvantages

• Still quite heavy;
• The cost is not low;
• The alarm clock does not focus on sleep phases;
• The display does not show very many colors.

Samsung Gear S3 Frontier

Rating: 4.7

Another shockproof and waterproof watch in our rating. In terms of sales, this device is second only to Apple Watch – a significantly more advertised product. In contrast, Samsung Gear S3 can be synchronized with any smartphone – the South Koreans do not oblige to buy their device. It is also impossible not to notice that these smart watches are significantly cheaper – they can be bought for 18-24 thousand rubles.

From a distance, this device looks like a completely ordinary mechanical watch. The Super technology display used here AMOLED has a resolution of 360×360 pixels and a very high brightness. Its diagonal is 1.3 inches. By default, 15 dial options are preinstalled here, additional ones can be downloaded using a smartphone. The back of the device contains a continuous heart rate monitor. The entire body of the gadget is made of metal, but the strap can be made of leather or rubber.

Unlike Garmin's creations, the South Korean smartwatches have more advanced sleep monitoring. The device not only recognizes the phases of sleep, it provides this data to the alarm clock. It turns out that the watch will be able to wake you up at the best moment when getting out of sleep becomes the easiest. It is possible that after that you won't even need coffee!

Of course, such a gadget is also suitable for regular workouts. There is a barometer and an altimeter, so the smartwatch senses the rise to altitude. Sweat and rain are not at all afraid of them. You can even swim in them, if only not to get involved in deep-sea diving. It should also be noted that there is an NFC chip here, which allows you to replace a bank card with a watch. By the way, in some countries this gadget can do without a smartphone. But, unfortunately, virtual SIM cards are not supported in Russia, so the watch cannot be used as a phone. More precisely, there is a speakerphone here, but the conversation will still be conducted through a nearby smartphone.

Advantages

• Convenient wireless charging;
• GPS chip supplemented with barometer and altimeter;
• The watch is protected from water according to the IP68 standard;
• Excellent AMOLED – display;
• Great design;
• There is vibration, microphone and speaker;
• There is a function SOS;
• A smart alarm clock can detect sleep phases;
• There is support for Samsung Pay.

disadvantages

• Quite a decent weight (63g);
• The cost will not suit everyone;
• Not the longest battery life.

Conclusion

This is the list of the best smartwatches among those present in the Russian retail. As you may have noticed, even the most expensive models have certain disadvantages. Our world abhors perfection, and in the smartwatch market it is most noticeable. This rating is likely to be relevant for a long time – very slow progress has been observed in this area of ​​electronics.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.