From Apple Watch 5 to Garmin Swim 2, how to find the best smartwatch for you

Smartwatch sales are predicted to reach 80 million next year 
If it's fitness or style you're looking for, there's a smartwatch for you
Kate Spade
Amelia Heathman27 October 2019

Since the dawn of the Apple Watch in 2014, the smartwatch has become the ultimate tech accessory.

And the wearables division is only getting stronger. There are expected to be over 62 million smartwatches shipped around the world in 2019, and that's set to grow to over 80 million next year.

It’s not just Apple that creates great wrist wearables too, though its Watch does continue to dominate the charts. This year, Samsung released a new Galaxy Fit smartwatch whilst Kate Spade has released its first fashion-focused smartwatch thanks to a partnership with Fossil.

In a growing market, here's how to choose the right smartwatch for you.

The Apple one: Apple Watch 5

The new Watch 5 in gold aluminium, featuring the sport loop strap
Apple

The Apple Watch is the best-selling smartwatch in the world and it’s not hard to see why. The Watch 5, released in September, as an always-on Retina display so it works like a real watch and has a new 100 per cent recycled aluminium case.

But it’s the fitness and health tracking features where you get the real benefits. Track your daily steps and movement to close the rings – Apple says you need to wear the watch for nearly six months in order to see “trends”. It’s accurate at detecting exercise even without having to set the watch such as when going for a bike ride or a run outside.

For Watch 5, Apple has add period tracking to the Health app. Unlike other cycle tracking apps, all data is stored on the device and is private so Apple and other companies don’t have access to this sensitive information.

It’s easy and effective to use. The only issue is the battery life – 18 hours is technically enough for a day of usage but it means you need to charge it every night.

From £399, Apple.com

The fitness one: Fitbit Versa 2

The new Fitbit Versa 2 with the copper rose aluminium case
Fitbit

If you’re looking for a smartwatch focused on fitness then the Fitbit Versa 2 is a great choice. With a slimmer design than the previous generation, you don’t notice that you’re wearing the Versa 2 – a very handy compared to other watches which can feel heavy on your wrist.

It has an AMOLED always-on display, like the new Apple Watch, and works with Amazon Alexa so you can press the Alexa button to serve commands like check your calendar, send a message or turn on a smart home device. For fitness, there are 15 exercise modes, it’s swim-proof and has a 24/7 heart-rate tracking. Fitbit recently teamed up with health monitoring app FibriCheck to monitor heart rhythms for irregularities.

The Versa 2 also tracks your sleep, something the Apple Watch can’t do yet. Sleep Mode disables the screen display and silences notifications. As well, there’s a new Smart Wake feature which starts your alarm at the optimal point in your sleep cycle.

From £199, Amazon.com

The fashion one: Kate Spade

The Kate Spade fitness smartwatch comes in three colours: pink, dark green and black (Kate Spade )
Kate Spade

For when you want a smartwatch that looks more like a watch than a fitness tracker, Fossil has recently teamed up with Kate Spade to create the brand’s first fitness smartwatch.

Powered by Google’s Wear OS platform, the watch promises 24+ hours battery life, an integrated heart rate sensor, activity tracking via Google Fit, Google Assistant and apps including Spotify and Strava. There’s a built-in GPS too so you can leave your phone at home when you go for a run and not get lost, and it’s water-resistant.

It has an AMOLED screen fitted inside a 42mm case, so if you’re in-between Apple Watch sizes (40 or 44mm), then this should fit nicely on your wrist.

£269, Coming soon to Fossil.com

The hybrid one: Skagen Hagen Steel-Mesh

For a smartwatch which looks nothing like a smartwatch
Skagen

Want a smartwatch that doesn't look like a gadget? Skagen's hybrid ones fit the bill nicely. Connect the watch to your iPhone or Android device via the Skagen app and the watch will send discreet notifications when you receive a text, email or call.

As well as displaying the time and date all the time, this hybrid watch can also track activities and sleep, and has a phone finder function too.

£132, Skagen.com

The Samsung one: Galaxy Watch Active2​

Samsung's Active2 smartwatch has a battery life of between 24-48 hours
Samsung

Unlike Apple which reserves its Watch for only iPhone users, Samsung likes to spread its wearables around. You can use its new Watch Active2 with all Android phones and iPhones, not just Samsung devices.

Like the Apple Watch, it comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm, and in either aluminium or stainless steel. There’s a Super AMOLED screen and you can have a lot of fun with the My Style algorithm: using the Galaxy Wearable app, take a photo of your outfit, choose from dive different colour patterns, and the watch face will change to match.

When it comes to fitness, the device will automatically track seven workouts, including running, walking, cycling and swimming, whilst there are 39 other workouts it can track. Keep an eye on stress levels in the Samsung Health app, whilst integration with Calm offers guided meditation programmes.

This device has a solid battery life too, depending on how much you workout it should last for two days at least, though about 24 hours with the always-on display enabled.

The swimming one: Garmin Swim 2

The Garmin Swim 2 offers great swim tracking and an underwater heart-rate reader
Garmin

You can’t call yourself a swimmer in 2019 if you’re not tracking your strokes via a smartwatch. Garmin’s latest, the Swim 2, is a GPS swimming smartwatch that can be used in the pool or in open water to monitor heart rate underwater, track distance, pace and stroke count.

There’s also an auto-rest feature for when you need to take a break.

As well as the swimming features, you can use the device like a normal smartwatch to do things like tracking steps and monitoring sleep. The watch promises a seven-day battery life in smartwatch mode, and up to 72 hours using the pool and optical heart rate modes.

£219.99, Garmin.com

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