Best 2021 smartwatch: Top smartwatches available for purchase today

 

(Pocket-lint) - There are smartwatches here to linger. Calls, messages, emails, and social media alerts can be received by these wrist-worn telephone companions. Several attempts have been made, some more successful than others, some looking much better than others and some more intelligent than others.

You have come to the right location if you're looking to take the smartwatch plunge. We've rounded up the best we have had the privilege of reviewing in full out there.

This feature covers smartwatches on different platforms, from the Wear OS of Google to the watchOS of Apple. We have separate features you can read to find the right smartwatch for you if you are only interested in Wear OS smartwatches or Apple Watch choices.

Our pick of the best smartwatches to buy today

Apple Watch SE

A few of the more accomplished Series 6 features, including the always-on monitor, blood oxygen sensor and ECG sensor, are missing from the Apple Watch SE, but it has the same style, runs the same programme, and it's cheaper.

The Watch SE is an inexpensive entry point to the Apple Watch by bringing together some of the best pieces of the retired Series 4 and Series 5, providing a perfect middle ground between the sensor-rich Series 6 and the older Series 3.

Garmin Fenix 6 Pro

We're not going to say that the Garmin Fenix 6 Pro is priced at a point that many people can stomach, but the fact is that on any smartwatch it provides one of the most full and impressive feature sets. It will guide you right and operate seamlessly, whether you're taking enormous hikes in the wilderness or using it as an everyday smartwatch.

The fitness tracking reputation of Garmin is richly earned, and for many people, the Fenix 6 Pro will be overkill, but it's still a massively detailed watch that's top of its class in most respects, regardless of price.

Apple Watch Series 6

With battery and display refinements, along with a number of extra sensors, including a blood oxygen monitor and an always on altimeter, the Apple Watch Series 6 builds on its predecessor.

It will be a sensor overload for some and the Watch SE will be more than enough. For some, there's still no better smartwatch on the market for iPhone users, despite the new sensors feeling like a bit of a tick-box exercise.

Tag Heuer Connected 2021

The Tag Heuer Linked 2020 totally offers a smartwatch that looks like a conventional tag.

It doesn't quite compete with a Garmin or Polar's sports tracking abilities, but Tag Heuer remains ahead of the pack as far as creating a genuinely attractive smartwatch worthy of that steep price tag. It's the loveliness of a smartwatch.

Michael Kors Access Runway

The Michael Kors Access Runway is the perfect smartwatch with strong efficiency and plenty of features for those seeking trendy wrist-wear. Thanks to Google's Wear OS platform, it has incorporated GPS and heart rate tracking, as well as plenty of games.

Its battery life is not the best out there and it's certainly a more fashion-focused product despite a variety of fitness features, but the Access Runway is a fabulous smartwatch and everything you might want for the Michael Kors fan.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 features a light, sporty style with 40mm and 44mm case options. With specific options for tonnes of different sports, there is waterproofing up to 50 meters, fantastic sports tracking features and great results.

There is a small lack of third party applications since it runs on Tizen rather than Wear OS, and this is not an excellent option for iPhone users, either. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a very convincing device to consider if you are searching for a smartwatch to go with your Android device, which also happens to be a great health and activity tracker.

Skagen Falster 3

A fabulous Scandinavian style, the Skagen Falster 3 offers a simple and minimalist look that is ideal for those seeking a discreet smartwatch.

It doesn't have the best battery life on this list, but with NFC and GPS on board, if you like its design, it's a very great choice. Plus, with good offline music streaming storage and good solid output, if you leave your phone behind, it's still useful.

Fossil Gen 5 Garrett HR

The Fossil Gen 5 Garrett smartwatch is a fantastic looking smartwatch and one of many sold under the company's umbrella - most of which offer the same features.

It and the Gen 5 provide excellent performance, interchangeable bands, strong build quality, and come with a heart rate sensor and built-in GPS. The Wear OS app works as well as it does for your computer if you're on Android.

Huawei Watch GT 2e

A great battery life, decent fitness choices, a wealth of data in the accompanying health app and a vivid and bright screen are provided by the Huawei Watch GT 2e.

Maybe it's not ideal, but the Huawei Watch GT 2e is a decent middle ground if you don't have the money to spend on an Apple smartwatch or a Garmin high-end fitness watch.

Michael Kors Access MKGO

For an involved Michael Kors fan, the Michael Kors Access MKGO is an excellent smartwatch. It provides a lightweight and sporty build, a beautiful monitor and a great range of features, including waterproofing, built-in GPS and NFC from your wrist for Google Pay payments.

It's not as premium as the Michael Kors Access Runway (above), it doesn't have the best battery on this list and there are a few performance problems here and there, but overall, some Kors fans would be great for the MKGO and its customizable Michael Kors faces and heavy MK branding.

Casio WSD-F21HR

With a long battery life, a rugged build and a secondary mono display that is perfect for timekeeping, the Casio WSD-F21HR has successfully created another great outdoor watch.

On board, there is a heart rate tracker, making it much more useful than its predecessors, and the watch app for the Moment Setter is also very cool. The F21HR is certainly Casio's best effort yet, if you want a solid, rugged outdoor smartwatch.