The Best Smartwatches To Choose From In 2022

What is the best smartwatch in 2022? The Apple and Galaxy Watch are a no-brainer for iPhone and Galaxy smartphone users. But Huawei, Fitbit, Garmin, and others also offer attractive smartwatches. NextPit has therefore selected the best-connected watches to buy in 2022.

The Best Smartwatches In 2022

What is the best smartwatch? This is a difficult question as the requirements vary enormously. For iPhone users, the reference is the Apple Watch, but there are also exciting ranges from Garmin or Fitbit. For Samsung fans, the same goes for the Galaxy Watch range. In the following, you will first find a short buying guide. Because before choosing a smartwatch, you must first know what is essential to you. I will then introduce each smartwatch by explaining why I think it suits the category.

Shopping Guide: The Criteria For Choosing A Connected Watch In 2022

In 2022, several smartwatches will cater to different needs, from smartphone connection to fitness features. Next Pit explains the main criteria to consider before choosing a connected watch.

Connected Functions

Smartwatches are not called that by chance. They must indeed serve as an extension to the smartphone. It starts with notifications of incoming calls and messages, which virtually all current smartwatches offer. Responding to received messages is more complex and usually only works with smartphone-bound models like an Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. Payment via NFC also doesn’t work with all models, and only a few manufacturers outside of Apple and Samsung offer a wide range of apps. Garmin, for example, has a proprietary and fairly well-stocked app store.

The Ability To Make Calls

Want to go to the bakery or take a walk in the city park without a smartphone? In this case, you will need a smartwatch that is not only equipped with Bluetooth or Wifi but also with 4G. At least, that’s the case if you want to be reachable even on the go.

Ergonomics

How easy and trouble-free can the smartwatch be used? Are there any “real” ordering options, such as crowns and bezels, or is the ordering system also easy to use via the touch screen? If you want to use the watch in winter or at work with thick gloves, ensure that it can also be operated entirely via the buttons.

Health And Fitness Tracking

While all smartwatches can measure your pulse, there are many other features. These include the measurement of SpO2, blood pressure, ECG, and much more. The more fitness features a smartwatch offers, the better. If you want to jog without a smartphone, the smartwatch of your choice should have its GPS receiver. Sports enthusiasts should also look at compatible accessories: Some watches can be paired with waterproof triathlon chest straps or cadence sensors for cycling.

Quality And Value

Smartwatches can be prestige items if you wish! Build quality, including waterproofing and material quality, is another aspect to pay attention to. Of course, it depends on how important these characteristics are to you. Because, as a rule, the price also increases with premium materials.

Autonomy

Having good battery life is an advantage when you wear a smartwatch on your arm. However, this feature is not without drawbacks. Some connected watches offer excellent autonomy but are thick and bulky because the battery capacity is higher. Otherwise, you will have to give up connected functions. It’s about finding the middle ground for you!

The Best Smartwatches In 2022

Apple Watch Series 8: The Best Smartwatch In 2022

Yes, it is a pity that the best smartwatch is inaccessible to many smartphone users. Indeed, apart from the always identical design, the lack of compatibility with Android smartphones is the main criticism of the Apple Watch 8. For the rest, the Apple smartwatch is challenging to match in terms of wearing comfort, use, and compatibility applications. The new Apple Watch 8 now has a built-in temperature sensor, can roam internationally for calls, and should even detect if you’re in a car accident. In addition, Apple’s smartwatch stood out in the test with better tracking of workouts and more accurate sleep tracking. Minor flaw: despite the new energy-saving mode, you will have to charge the watch daily.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: The Best Android Smartwatch

The best Android alternative, in my opinion, is the Galaxy Watch 4. It was released in 2021 and represented a reorientation of Samsung in several respects. Firstly, the brand’s new standard model now resembles the old Galaxy Watch Active, and secondly, a new OS replaces TizenOS. One UI Watch, based on WearOS, was very convincing in the test. In addition to the good connection to the smartphone, it has excellent hardware and countless sensors for tracking. On the downside, battery life isn’t great due to the compact body, and some tracking features are exclusive to Samsung. Autonomy bothers you, and you miss the rotating bezel? Then maybe the Classic model is for you! However, we have not tested it.

Huawei Watch GT3 Pro: The Best Premium Smartwatch

The Huawei Watch GT3 Pro is a real eye-catcher and is compatible with Android and iOS. For a reasonable price, you’ll get a beautifully finished smartwatch with quality materials like titanium and sapphire crystal. The display and most of the controls also convinced us in the test.

On the other hand, you will have to make concessions on the connected watch functionalities. The Watch GT3 Pro, for example, cannot make mobile payments and the Huawei only has a handful of apps that are only available to Android users. The battery lasts about a week, even with heavy use. If materials, finishes, and battery life are a priority, the Huawei Watch GT3 Pro should please you.

Garmin Epix 2: The Ultimate Outdoor Sports Smartwatch:

For extreme sports enthusiasts, the Garmin Epix 2 is simply the best. It offers countless sports modes and many other functions. Outdoor sports enthusiasts can enjoy complete mapping, precise GPS navigation, and precise running style analysis thanks to the chest strap available. And even at the gym, you’ll be able to track your sets precisely. Epix 2 automatically recognizes many exercises; you only need to enter the weight to record your workout.

There are, of course, the usual tracking functions for sleep, stress level, and recovery, along with heart rate variability and resting pulse. However, while the sports functions are appreciable, the Epix 2 fails in its connected watch functions. Garmin Pay, for example, does not offer as broad compatibility with banks as Apple Pay or Google Pay. And the notification system is also less successful than that of Samsung, Apple, and others. Nevertheless, if the sport is your priority, the Garmin Epix 2 is the ultimate sports watch.

Amazfit GTR 4: The Best Fitness Smartwatch

Are you looking for a fitness smartwatch with an excellent price-performance ratio? The Amazfit GTR 4 is for you. In our test, the smartwatch convinced us, particularly with its precise dual-band GPS and automatic training recognition. The GTR 4 also displays an overview of the load of the muscle groups at the end of the workout, like on the significantly more expensive Garmin models. The GTR 4 even allows the connection of chest straps from third-party manufacturers.

If you prefer a square design, you can choose the GTS 4, which offers almost the same spec sheet. The main flaw of the GTR 4 is the lack of smartwatch functions. You’ll only get Alexa support, a smartphone notification display, and a handful of apps. The Amazfit smartwatch does not have functions such as mobile payment or quick replies to messages. But if the sports side interests you, you won’t be disappointed with the GTR 4.

Fitbit Versa 3: The Best Value For Money

Our recommendation of the best value smartwatch is the Fitbit Versa 3, with some restrictions, as the purchase price of the smartwatch is relatively low, at just under 175 euros in November 2022. time, the model offers a range of functions that can compete with the competitors on this list. It has an AMOLED screen, the ergonomics are well thought out, and the variety of sensors is top-notch. You can record your jogging routes with the GPS, measure your pulse, and, thanks to contactless payment, go to the bakery without a wallet after your workout. However, there are restrictions due to the premium subscription. If you also want to do mindfulness exercises or analyze the measured body data in detail, you will have to pay a monthly fee.

Withings ScanWatch: The Best Hybrid Smartwatch

With this last recommendation, I present to you another exciting category of products. Hybrid smartwatches have a classic watch face with hands but connect to the smartphone via Bluetooth. Thus, the Withings ScanWatch transmits data from the heart rate monitor and your number of steps to your smartphone. At the same time, the smartwatch also has some related functions. My colleague Berti found during his test that the watch shows notifications and incoming calls on a small Oled screen on the watch’s face. The swatch cannot be compared to a “real” smartwatch, but the watch is meant to be a mix of analog and digital. And he does it very well!

How NextPit Made This Selection

Unbox it, strap it on, try it on, and use it for jogging, cycling, and everyday life; This is how every smartwatch or fitness tracker test we publish goes. At NextPit, we stick to a hands-on testing procedure that should feel like you would if you tried it yourself. In addition to our tests, we have included other variables for this article. When did the smartwatch come out, how does it fulfill its role, and how is the suitability of the smartwatch with the public assessed? For example, the Garmin Venu 2 Plus received 4.5 stars as a fitness smartwatch. However, in my opinion, it is a bit too fitness-oriented for most readers.

That’s why we didn’t choose it as the best-connected watch. Ideally, you are looking for a connected watch and will find a suitable model through this article. How did you find it? Also, let us know which model you purchased or which model you would like us to test. On NextPit, we’ll be listing cheap smartwatch deals for each day. You can also search for offers yourself on the web. However, it is good to try the models in-store, especially with smartwatches. Different case sizes and materials allow them to be worn more comfortably on different wrists. Smartwatches are often offered in bundles or with mobile plans. This makes sense, especially if you buy a model with a 4G modem and receive an eSIM directly.