The number of smartwatches on the market is astonishing. I've tested models from TAG Heuer, Citizen, Montblanc, and many other fashion brands, but most are too expensive for what you can get. Here are some of my favorite options.
Apple Watch Series 8 for $329: If you find the 2022 Apple Watch Series 8 (8/10, WIRED Recommended) for significantly less than the Series 9 (under $300), buy it. In particular, health functions are almost the same as the latest model. Save cash!
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 for $229, Watch5 Pro for $380: The 2022 Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are still great, but make sure you get them for less than the price of the new Galaxy Watch6 models. These match the accuracy of the Apple Watch in several health and fitness metrics such as SpO.2, heart rate tracking to sleep and electrocardiogram measurements (although the latter is limited to Samsung phones). The Watch5 Pro is larger and has a battery that lasts about two full days, while the Watch5 lasts about a day and a morning. The Pro also adds GPX, allowing you to download hiking routes to your watch. It has a sapphire crystal to protect the screen, but the Watch5 Pro's crystal is even more durable, with a stronger titanium case compared to the standard Watch5's aluminum.
Casio G-Shock Move DW-H5600 $299: Want a G-Shock with a heart rate monitor? The DW-H5600's measurements match up well with the Apple Watch, but if you're serious about tracking your health, you might want something from our Best Fitness Trackers guide I think it would be better to purchase. The buttons are a little hard to press, and there aren't that many workouts you can track (runs, walks, gym workouts). The app allows you to sift through a fair amount of data, but I wanted more. Battery life lasted about 3 days with continuous monitoring. Solar charging is also possible, but you'll need to use the bulky charging clip every few days. Even if it wasn't as convenient as the items above, it was still fun to wear. With it, you can track his movements via GPS across different time zones, during workouts, and even while sleeping.