The 11 Best Smartwatches for Men to Buy Now, Tested by Style and Fitness Editors

Apple continues to set the standard for all things tech, and that includes smartwatches. The Apple Watch Series 9 isn’t a giant leap forward from the previous generation. In a sea of feature-rich smartwatches, a few clever features still set this one apart.

First is the best-in-class skin heart rate sensor. For health tracking enthusiasts, it’s a game changer, allowing you to track even more vitals like fertility and cycles, plus improved sleep tracking. Apple’s revolutionary crash detection is also baked in with next-gen motion sensors that can summon help for you automatically when the unthinkable happens. Battery life is improved, too—this smartwatch is good for up to 18 hours in standard mode and up to 36 hours in low power mode.

Read more: Apple Watch 9 Review

There are plenty of smartwatches for casual users looking to track basic fitness stats and check emails from their wrists. But, if you’re a fitness nerd, love the outdoors, or both, you might want something more—more serious and more capable of keeping up with you. Enter Garmin’s epix Pro (Gen 2).

This top-tier smartwatch in Garmin’s epix line-up packs almost every feature you could ever want into a single device. That includes advanced sleep tracking, constant heart rate monitor, stress level assessment, and a built-in pulse oximeter. The latest Gen 2 version tacks on in-depth metrics for things like “hill score” (to gauge your strength on ascents), race readiness, and endurance score. It’s also smart enough to compile these numbers into useful charts and graphs to provide an easy-to-read picture of your overall health and fitness progress.

“I’ve always loved getting outdoors, whether that’s hiking, biking, or kayaking,” says MH gear writer Mike Richard. “I’ve never considered myself a fitness stats nerd, but this smartwatch has made me a true believer. I’m kind of obsessed now with tracking my endurance and run stats—either on the epix’s beautiful display or via Garmin’s super-easy-to-use Android app.”

At roughly $1,000, this is definitely a splurge option for most smartwatch buyers. But if you’re looking for something that’s handsome, ultra-durable, feature-rich, and packed with amazing health and fitness tracking tools, this is easily the best premium smartwatch for men in 2024.

What do buyers say? “Life changing! I guess you could say that about most Garmin watches but this is top-notch! It’s stylish (I’m a bit of a fashionista so I wanted something that could be worn on a nice evening out) and practical. Love love love it!” said one Amazon reviewer.

Pros

• Brilliant, responsive 1.4″ AMOLED touchscreen display
• Long list of features
• Thin and light design is comfortable to wear
• Good battery life with lightning fast charging

TicWatch flies relatively under the radar compared to brand-name smartwatches from Apple and Samsung. Still, its flagship Pro 5 GPS Smart Watch is just as handsome, fast, and feature-rich. The latest watch runs on Wear OS atop the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 wearable platform. Translation: It’s lightning-fast. Thanks to a sizable battery and a clever dual-layer display, it’ll run for up to 80 hours.

Built-in sensors track every major health metric, and there are more than 100 built-in workout modes. Plus, the IP68 waterproof rating means that it includes underwater activities too. Plus, everything is bright, crisp, and easy to read on the 1.4-inch AMOLED display. The screen is almost infinitely customizable, with 1000’s of downloadable screens and interfaces that you can swap out on the fly. This is also one of the few smartwatches we reviewed recently with a built-in rotating crown. It adds a greater degree of usability and a dash of nostalgia that our reviewers loved.

“I think TicWatch is a brand many smartwatch buyers haven’t yet heard of. But they will,” says reviewer Mike Richard. “The Pro 5 is a solid buy for anyone looking for a midrange smartwatch that’s long on features and short on price.”

What do buyers say? “I got the TicWatch Pro 5 recently, and it’s a nice step up from the Pro 3 which I’ve had for the past 2.5 years. The design is sleek and modern and feels good on my wrist,” said one Amazon reviewer.

We raved about the Coros Pace 2 in our guide to the best fitness watches, and the latest Pace 3 is just as rave-worthy (so much so that we included it in The 2024 Men’s Health Tech Awards). This is a true athlete’s smartwatch that comes with rock-solid dual-frequency GPS tech for pinpoint accuracy whether you’re tracking your run progress around the neighborhood or trying to find your way in the backcountry.

Our editors and gear testers love the marathon battery life. It’s good for 38 hours in continuous GPS mode and a whopping 24 days of continuous “standard” daily use. The watch is also lightweight, boasting a thin body and a perforated nylon band that’s 50% lighter than the band used in the first-generation Pace watch. All of which makes it a joy to wear.

Simply put, we find this a solid outdoor watch for those who are into extreme sports and want accurate tracking of recovery and GPS location. That’s doubly true when you consider this smartwatch is priced at just $250.

What do buyers say? “… by far the best running watch I’ve ever owned. It is incredibly accurate and lightweight, with a ton of really cool features that I really like,” said one Coros.com reviewer.

The major tech companies—Apple, Samsung, and Garmin—focus mostly on functional, tech-forward watches that look like high-tech electronics. Fossil brings its considerable design chops to bear on its latest Gen 6 series of smartwatches, so they’re not only functional but look great too. The latest Fossil Gen 6 looks more like a traditional wristwatch. No matter which style option you choose—with leather straps, a stainless steel face, or the rugged black/camo colorway—it feels and wears more like the classic, not-as-smart wristwatches of a decade ago. And that’s a good thing for style-conscious buyers.

Make no mistake, though: Under the hood, the Gen 6 is a modern smartwatch and Fossil’s best smartwatch yet. It offers similar features as its pricier and better-known brethren. That includes tracking health and fitness (activity goals, steps, sleep, heart rate, cardio, and blood oxygen levels), seamless WearOS connectivity, and a brighter, crisper always-on display. Battery life is much improved too, so the Gen 6 is capable of going more than a day between charges. When it’s time to top up the battery, the included magnetic charger can zap the battery up to 80% in just 30 minutes. The best part? The sub-$250 price tag makes it one of the most affordable full-featured smartwatches we’ve seen this year.

What do buyers say? “I’ve had a few Android watches, and [this] one, hands down, has been the absolute best!” said one Amazon reviewer.

Read more: Best Polos

What makes a hybrid smartwatch so great? Hands! Not only are you able to read the time like an analog watch, but you also get timeless style points. The original CZ Smart from Citizen earned the title “Best Hybrid Smartwatch” at our 2023 Tech Awards, and if you take a look at the specs, it’s no wonder why.

Read more: Best Citizen Watches

What Diesel’s Griffed Gen 6 does so well is it exudes the best features of a rugged smartwatch without being too bulky and tied to the outdoors. It’s handsome in any of the handful of available colors. But we recommend going with the gunmetal band, as it helps blend the watch in so you can wear it just as much on your morning hikes as you do on your dinner dates.

Diesel is progressing in its smartwatch design in other ways, though, and this watch includes sleep tracking, GPS, and a blood oxygen sensor. It also has Alexa built-in, so you can make calls and texts with the voice control.

And what about waterproof capability? The Griffed will handle up to 30 meters in water, so you won’t have to worry about any random snow or water contact breaking this puppy down. Hell, take it snorkeling or scuba diving. You’re covered.

What do buyers say? “The design is very unique. You get a mix of rugged design, yet very stylish and built really well. The band feels like it will not tear or rip any time soon,” said one Amazon reviewer.

For anyone looking for a true Apple smart watch, but who doesn’t want to drop nearly $400, the latest Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) is a near-perfect compromise. It takes a previous generation Apple Watch design and adds the latest flagship model’s snappy Series 8 chipset. The result is a pared-down, budget-friendly smart watch that should provide everything most wearers are looking for.

It offers most of the same features, like health/fitness tracking, seamless compatibility with Apple’s ecosystem, and even optional LTE, plus the brand’s latest safety features, including Crash/Fall Detection with Emergency SOS. It also works with watchOS 9—Apple’s latest software with low power mode and a shiny new workout interface.

What it lacks—and why it’s more than $200 cheaper than the Apple Watch Series 9 smartwatch—is a bigger, brighter, always-on display and ECG and skin-temperature monitors. The reality is, of course, you’ll very rarely utilize the skin-temperature and ECG monitors. So if the bigger, brighter, always-on display isn’t a deal breaker, this watch is a steal at a very affordable price point.

What do buyers say? “I absolutely love this watch. As a person that has had a couple of Fitbit & loved them but wanted more features, this is terrific,” said one Amazon reviewer.

Read more: Best AirTag Wallets

Fitbit’s full-featured, budget-friendly smartwatches have garnered legions of fans. The Fitbit Versa 3 guarantees everything most users want out of a smart watch without the sky-high price tag.

It tracks all the essentials, including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, stress levels (with an EDA sensor), skin temperature, and, yes, even sleep. It’s also Alexa/Google Assistant compatible, features a built-in GPS, and is even swimproof down to 50 meters. That’s not bad for a well-designed, brand-name watch that lists for just under $200 (though it’s on sale closer to $160 at the time of this writing). The screen on this latest model is also larger, curvier, and crisper too than its predecessor. We also love the 6-plus-day battery life.

Not surprisingly, it’s one of the best-reviewed budget smartwatches on Amazon, with more than 8,000 overwhelmingly positive reviews. There’s little to dislike here. The one-size-fits-all face and band size could be a disqualifier for some, although Fitbit has always done a great job ensuring that OSFA really does mean “one size fits all.” Some reviewers also complain of a sometimes frustrating setup process. Still, for $200, this is a solid midrange smartwatch that almost stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the best Apple has to offer.

What do buyers say? “The Versa 4 is a very well-designed fitness and health tracker. The watch is incredibly lightweight; the band is very comfortable … [and] battery life is fantastic typically lasting a week and it charges very quickly (usually 30-40 minutes for a full charge),” said one Amazon reviewer.

Athletic Android users, this smart watch was crafted for you as the Suunto 9 stands proudly up against the latest Apple Watch. From city streets to backwoods trails to intense triathlons, the Suunto 9 GPS Multisport Smartwatch was developed for sports lovers and fans of the great outdoors. More than 80 sport modes are baked in for tracking everything from swimming to cycling to climbing to running to—well, you get the picture.

Enabled with Google’s Wear OS, the Suunto 9 syncs efficiently with the standalone Suunto app to deliver the best in everything from sleep, activity, and workout tracking to contactless payment to offline route navigation with the integrated GPS. About the only thing it doesn’t track is blood oxygen levels.

There’s a handsome 50mm display and up to 120 hours of battery life with continuous exercise tracking. Smart GPS software helps maximize every charge without unnecessarily draining the battery. It’s also waterproof down to 100 meters, making it one of the most durable smartwatches in our roundup. The best part? At less than $400, it’s one of the best-priced, full-featured multisport smartwatches on the market.

What do buyers say? “I practically tried almost all sport watches out there (Garmin, Samsung, Apple, etc). None of them come even close [to] the battery life that this device offers,” said one Amazon reviewer.

Read more: Best Backpacks

There’s a lot to love about Samsung’s Galaxy Watch6—not surprising, given that it’s the company’s best smartwatch ever. Like the latest Apple Watch, this next-gen smart watch boasts a skin-temperature reader, which helps track even more body metrics. If you’re a health and fitness enthusiast who loves keeping tabs on how and how effectively your body is running, this is a real step forward. The battery life is much improved, too—more than 40 hours with the always-on display turned off. We also appreciate the bold, modern design and the even-more-scratch-resistant screen.

On the downside are minor quibbles, like Samsung not including a USB-C charger in the box (purportedly to cut down on packaging and e-waste). Technically, the Galaxy Watch6 is waterproof, however, some reviewers complain of warranty issues if Samsung knows the watch has been used for swimming or submerged underwater for any length of time. These small issues aside, this is one great buy, considering its sub-$300 price tag.

“This is a great watch!!!! My first use of any brand of ‘smartwatch,’ but Samsung has done a great job. Easy to set up, even for a 1st-time user like me. Well built and should last a long time. Looks classy, for any occasion,” said one Amazon reviewer.

Like all high-tech products, smartwatches are complex devices. They’re essentially miniature computers made ultra-portable—portable enough to strap to your wrist. These days, even most entry-level models under $150 offer decent health and fitness tracking features, while flagship models from the likes of Suunto and Garmin provide near-medical-grade metrics, including heart rate tracking, blood oxygen levels, recovery data, and more, that are perfect for giving high-level athletes a competitive edge.

Whatever features you’re looking for, there’s a smartwatch model that’s right for you. Here are the most important considerations when shopping for the best smartwatches.

Compatibility

Above all else, you’ll want to be sure that any smartwatch you’re considering is compatible with your smartphone’s operating system. Some only play nice with Apple’s iOS, some with Android, and others work with both. Smartwatches running Google’s Wear OS are a great compromise because they tend to work (mostly) well with both operating systems. One thing to note is that while Wear OS does technically work with iOS, some features may be disabled, unavailable, or just buggy.

Size

Most smartwatches are available in a variety of face sizes. A larger face allows you to see more data and stats on the display at one time, but going too large could make for an uncomfortable watch. To find the best watch size for you, start with your wrist measurement. In general, if your wrist is between 14cm – 18cm, you’ll most likely want a small to medium-sized watch face with a diameter of 38mm, 40mm, or 42mm. If your wrist measures 18cm or larger, consider a larger watch face of at least 44mm.

Comfort

Most users are buying a smartwatch with the intention of wearing it all day and possibly to track their sleep at night, too. So, you’ll want to be sure that the band and overall design are comfortable. Of course, the only way to know for sure is to test it out yourself. That’s why it’s important to shop etailers (like Amazon and Walmart) that provide free shipping and even free return shipping on most products. This is essentially a free in-home trial.

Smartwatch bands are available in a wide range of materials. Sportier models are typically synthetic, like silicon, as it’s grippy, rugged, and waterproof. But they can look a little cheap. If you’re looking for something a bit more stylish, keep an eye on stainless steel or leather options. Just know that these may not be as durable or last as long as silicon.

Battery Life

We recommend shopping only for watches with a minimum 24-hour battery life. That way, you can charge yours overnight (assuming you’re not planning to track your sleep). Having to charge your smartwatch in the middle of the day, every day gets old. Plus, most mid-range and all premium smartwatches offer at least 24 hours of battery life or a low-power mode that provides days of extended battery life.

Durability and Water-Resistance

Most smartwatches—especially the best smartwatch models—on the market are durable enough for all-day wear. If you’re particularly tough on your gear or are planning on hardcore workouts, though, you may want to consider a multisport watch with a hardened Gorilla Glass screen.

Many smart watches also offer some form of water resistance (e.g., the ability to survive splashes or quick submersion). However, not all are fully waterproof (built for snorkeling, diving, and extended submersion underwater). Check the manufacturer’s specs to confirm just how water-resistant (or not) your potential smartwatch is. You don’t want to find out the hard way after a costly mistake.

Of course, there is no one best smartwatch brand, but rather the one that’s best for you. In general, here’s what we recommend:

• iPhone owners: Opt for the Apple Watch Series 9 or Apple Watch SE
• Stylish watch seekers: Fossil, Diesel, and Citizen all make great-looking watches that combine classic detailing with modern tech under the hood.
• Casual fitness buffs: Fitbit’s Versa is a great compromise between the most basic smartwatches and more hardcore, premium multisport watches from the likes of Garmin and Suunto.
• Outdoor fitness lovers: Garmin’s epix Pro is a solid bet.

Smartwatches won’t replace your smartphone, but they can be a great complementary accessory. Most of today’s smartwatches can provide alerts for calls, texts, emails, calendar notifications, and more. The best smartwatches add outdoor-centric features like GPS-enabled maps with route-tracking. Plus, many people like smartwatches for advanced health and fitness tracking, as many premium models can track sleep patterns, monitor your stress levels and heart rate throughout the day, and even provide accident/emergency warnings (as with Apple’s Crash Detection feature).

Depending on the make and model of your smartwatch, you’re likely to get 2-4 years out of your device, but it’s entirely possible your watch can last much longer or much shorter. Most smartwatches these days are durable enough to handle multiple years of wear, so that’s not really the issue. What can make your smartwatch obsolete, however, is old software that can’t keep up with the latest generations of watches that are released.

If you’re someone who likes to wear their smartwatch every day and makes calls and texts on it, then you’ll likely want to upgrade your watch at least every other year to keep up with the newest software and to really maximize the tech that’s available to you. If you’re someone who likes to wear their smartwatch a couple of days a week or just for fitness purposes, then you’ll be ok with sticking to the watch you have for a longer period of time. After all, you’re still getting the same high-quality performance tracking metrics regardless of the software you’re running.

We researched and tested many of the top-selling smartwatches released over the last 18 months from every major brand, including Apple, Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit, and more. We compared every last detail, including comfort, user-friendliness, battery life, tech features, fitness tracking, smartphone compatibility, and, of course, price. While there’s no one “best” smartwatch, the list above represents our honest picks of some of the best smartwatches worth buying in 2024.