The number of smartwatches on the market is staggering. We’ve tested models from Tag Heuer, Citizen, Montblanc, Diesel, and many other fashion brands, but most of them are simply too expensive for what you get. (Not to mention they’re Wear OS watches that won’t get the update to the latest version). Here are a few other options we like.
★ Casio PRT-B50 for $156: If you like the sound of the Casio PRW61 above but hate the price, consider this model. You get many of the same perks, like a compass, altimeter, and barometer, but for a lot less. It’s not made of biomass plastics, and it doesn’t have solar charging, though its battery lasts two years. It does track steps and can automatically adjust the time to wherever you are in the world. You can place virtual markers along your route that are viewable through the map in the companion app (paired via Bluetooth), and it’s easy to make your way back to them using the watch. It comes in a 50.8-mm size.
Fossil Gen 6 for $299: Fossil’s newest flagship smartwatch isn’t as speedy as the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra, and it has a lackluster design. Its battery doesn’t last as long, though you get a similar Essential mode that ensures the time is displayed even if the battery is dead (for a few days). The health-tracking features are fairly accurate, though, and it’s slated to get Wear OS 3 this year. It comes in 44– or 42-mm sizes. (It functions almost exactly like the Skagen Falster Gen 6 above.)
Mobvoi TicWatch E3 for $200: The E3 has the same speedy processor as the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra above, and it will get the upgrade to Wear OS 3. It’s not as long-lasting, usually requiring a recharge in the morning after tracking sleep (with the always-on display turned off), and the 44-mm case size is still rather large. Its fitness-tracking results were similar to other watches I tested alongside it, like the Galaxy Watch4. But my gripe is with the build quality: It’s plasticky, feels cheap, and isn’t very pretty to look at.