Best Android smartwatch 2021: what to wear on your wrist if you have an Android

When looking for the best Android smartwatch, there's a lot to think about. You'll need to consider what great features you want most such as exercise tracking or something more advanced like heart rate monitoring or GPS functionality, but you'll also want to think about what style suits your look the best. 

And, of course, you'll need to have a think about what your budget is too. We've tested all the key watch-like wearables on the market to help you decide which devices best meet these criteria so that you can find the one that works for you. 

Over the last 12 months, we've seen a lot of new wearables come out, including the Fitbit Versa 3 and TicWatch Pro 3, which are the most recent additions to the list. Notably, not all the devices on this list use Google's Wear OS (like the Fitbit Versa 3) so we have a separate list of the best Wear OS watches if that's what you're looking for or we have a more general best smartwatches guide as well.

Otherwise, we've ranked the eight best smartwatches that are compatible with Android phones - the top choice is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 - in this definitive list. Our rankings are based on price, performance, design, and how well the watch integrates with the Android ecosystem of fitness apps. 

You're spoiled for choice so take the time to read through the full reviews too and don't forget - if you're an iPhone owner, these will still work with your Apple phone but may lack a few features. 

Best Android smartwatch 2021

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

(Image credit: Samsung)

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

The best of the best

Compatibility: Android | Display: 1.4-inch 450 x 450 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.18GHz Cortex-A55 | Onboard storage: 16GB | Battery duration: Two days | Charging method: Qi wireless charging | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Great performance
Premium design
No rotating bezel
Limited compatibility

The best Android smartwatch as well as one of the best smartwatches overall, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is packed with features. With an improved battery life over its predecessor, and some interesting new software in the form of One UI Watch 3, it's a compelling mixture of features right down to its new body composition tools. 

There's limited compatibility if you don't have a Samsung smartphone to pair it with and we miss the rotating bezel (although there is a virtual one), but you can't beat the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 for all-round style and useful features. Its gorgeous display further helps here too with speedy performance keeping up with your plans.

It might not be the most highly-specced fitness watch out there but it's a solid all-rounder for those keen to check on their heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and more while looking good in their downtime too. 

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

(Image credit: Samsung)

2. Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

Formerly the best of the best

OS: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.2" or 1.4" 360 x 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz | Band sizes: 22mm or 20mm | Onboard storage: 8GB | Battery duration: 3 days on 45mm / less on 41mm | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE (for extra)

Premium fit and finish
Excellent features
Battery life not great
Expensive

Not only is the Galaxy Watch 3 the best Android smartwatch, it’s the best smartwatch you can buy full stop. It’s packed with features, and is available in two sizes to suit different sized wrists. 

We love the return of the physical rotating bezel that you don’t find on the Galaxy Watch Active range. It makes zipping through the circular menus of Samsung’s Tizen software a tactile pleasure. The Watch 3 marries excellent, modern design with top tier fitness features like GPS and multisport tracking.

A slight downside is that it’s a distinctly one-day battery watch, but then again so is the Apple Watch Series 5. But the Watch 3 more than makes up for it with excellent software, all the fitness functions you could want, and a premium feel that justifies the high price. 

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 review

Fitbit Versa 3

(Image credit: Fitbit)

3. Fitbit Versa 3

Fitbit's best smartwatch is a great choice for fitness

OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.58" AMOLED | Onboard storage: N/A | Battery duration: Up to 6 days | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: Water resistant | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC

Built-in GPS
Lightweight and comfortable
Poor side button
No offline Spotify

The Fitbit Versa 3 is a superb smartwatch, especially if your focus is more on fitness than general smart features.

It has GPS, SpO2 monitoring, 24/7 activity and heart rate tracking, guided breathing exercises, and numerous workout modes. Shell out for the Fitbit Premium subscription service and you’ll also get access to a Health Metrics dashboard, which lets you dive even deeper into your health and fitness stats.

There are other highlights beyond the fitness side though, with the Fitbit Versa 3 sporting a bright, crisp, and clear AMOLED screen, plus up to six days of battery life. It’s not a huge upgrade on the Versa 2, its smartwatch features are slightly limited, and to make the most of its fitness tools you need a subscription on top of the already pricey hardware, but quality rarely comes cheap.

Read the full Fitbit Versa 3 review

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

(Image credit: Samsung)

4. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

Another great Samsung watch

OS: Tizen OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.2" or 1.4" 360 x 360 Super AMOLED | Processor: Dual-core 1.15GHz | Band sizes: 20mm | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Around 2 days | Charging method: Wireless | IP rating: 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Great performance 
Two-day battery life 
More expensive than previous gen 
Limited third party apps 

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is sold alongside the original Watch Active but we prefer this newer model thanks to an updated design, great battery life and a digital touch bezel which was sorely missing before.

The ‘Active’ branding means this is a smartwatch more suitable for workouts and fitness tracking compared to the regular Galaxy Watch, reflected in the great on-board coaching suggestions and reminders to move to reach your set goals.

It’s waterproof, suitable for running, swimming and cycling among other activities, handles notifications well, and you only have to charge it every other day. 

Read the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review

Fitbit Versa Lite

(Image credit: Fitbit)

5. Fitbit Versa Lite

The cheapest Fitbit smartwatch

OS: Fitbit OS | Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 300 x 300 LCD | Onboard storage: N/A | Battery duration: Up to 4 days | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: Water resistance to 50m | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Affordable
Multi-day battery
No GPS or NFC
No on-screen workouts

Fitbit makes several smartwatches but the cheapest of the bunch is the Versa Lite. Despite its price though it’s still a great Android watch pick thanks to a raft of features.

While it lacks built-in GPS, you can connect it to your phone to record run routes and there’s all the sport tracking features you’ll find on the Versa 2 or Ionic. 

The battery life is first class and will last around five days even with steady use, and the unit itself is slim and light so it’s easy to wear it to bed for the sleep tracking features.

It lacks NFC so you can’t use Fitbit Pay but if you want the Fitbit experience in a watch for less then it’s a no brainer.

Read the full Fitbit Versa Lite review

Fossil Sport

(Image credit: Fossil)

6. Fossil Sport

Fossil takes position four

OS: Wear OS | Display: 1.2-inch 390 x 390 AMOLED | Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz | Band sizes: 22mm straps | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Two days | Charging method: Proprietary | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Lightweight design
Powerful watch
Lacks high-end features
GPS can be slow

This is the first watch - of many - in this list that comes with Wear OS software on board. It's the Fossil Sport, and it's arguably one of the first watches from the company that can keep pace with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch.

It's lightweight, so it's comfortable for a variety of exercises, and it's built with fitness in mind with GPS and an accurate heart rate monitor included.

Despite its sporty focus the design still feels premium, and it's one of the most powerful devices on this list as it comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset inside. That's not in a lot of other Wear OS watches yet, and we found it noticeably slicker than some other choices.

Read the full Fossil Sport review

Honor Magic Watch 2

(Image credit: Honor)

7. Honor Magic Watch 2

Fitness focussed

OS: LiteOS | Compatibility: Android , iOS | Display: 1.2-inch / 1.39-inch 454 x 454 AMOLED | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: 7 days / 14 days | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: Water resistant | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC

Incredible battery life
Top fitness features
Dust magnet
Non-fitness features limited

The Honor Magic Watch 2 is great if you want a ton of high-end fitness features in a smartwatch that can masquerade as a dressier, circular watch. It’s not a full-on sports watch but packs in GPS, tons of different workout modes with detailed info, and the software can give feedback on some activities.

The best part is the one to two week battery life, stamina that is very rare to find on other large-screen smartwatches. 

Bear in mind that this is pretty much a fitness tracker that looks like a watch as its few smartwatch features are very rudimentary and the notification system is not the best. It’s also best to use on Android as there are features missing if you connect to an iPhone, but for Android fitness fans this is a good shout. 

Read the full Honor Magic Watch 2 review

TicWatch Pro 3

(Image credit: Mobvoi)

8. TicWatch Pro 3

The watch with two screens

Compatibility: Android, iOS | Display: 1.4" 454 x 454 OLED paired with LCD screen | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 4100 | Onboard storage: 8GB | Battery duration: Up to 72h, 45 extra days in Essential mode | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: IP68 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC

Big battery lasts 3 days
Fast chipset
Sometimes poor interface
Sleep tracking isn't the best

The TicWatch Pro 3 is a good all-rounder that doesn’t necessarily excel in any one area. But it doesn’t need to because it’s also cheaper than top-end rivals.

And it does have a lot going for it. For one thing, it was the first smartwatch to use the top-end Snapdragon 4100 chipset, so performance is good. It also offers two to three days of battery life, or – if you switch it to Essential mode – it can keep going for up to 45 days.

The TicWatch Pro 3 also has a good screen - 1.4-inch 454 x 454 one that’s crisp, bright, and responsive, plus the watch has all the typical health and fitness features you’d expect from a smartwatch. Just don’t buy this for sleep tracking, as we found that wasn’t very accurate.

Read the full TicWatch Pro 3 review

TicWatch E2

(Image credit: Mobvoi)

9. TicWatch E2

A Wear OS watch you’ve probably never heard of

OS: Wear OS | Display: 1.39" 400 x 400 OLED | Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100 | Onboard storage: 4GB | Battery duration: Around 48h | Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin | IP rating: IP67 | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1

Affordable price
Easily two day battery life
No NFC for payments
Bland design

Now it's time for one of the cheapest devices on this list, and it comes from Chinese manufacturer Mobvoi. The TicWatch E2 isn't a huge improvement on the first-gen watch, but it offers some fantastic features considering its price.

We really like the two-day battery life and the fact you can get all of the features of Wear OS on a watch for this low a price. It's quite an impressive feat, and that's why it ranks so highly in our best Android watch list.

There's no NFC (so no Google Pay) but we can forgive that at this price, especially as you do get GPS and a heart rate monitor.

Read the full TicWatch E2 review

Not sure on the design? Why not take a look at the TicWatch S2? It's a remarkably similar watch, but it comes with a slightly different look.



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Best Android smartwatch 2021: what to wear on your wrist if you have an Android Best Android smartwatch 2021: what to wear on your wrist if you have an Android Reviewed by Ghaniiero on août 26, 2021 Rating: 5

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