Smartwatches have come a long way and now include a lot of advanced features. There are plenty of smartwatches vying for the best smartwatch of 2020 title. However, each brings something unique to the table, so it’s really up to you what you’re looking for.
This year we’ve seen some pretty cutting-edge models from Samsung and Apple. Then there are more budget-friendly options that have definitely raised the bar for low-cost watches. Call it a trend or a necessity, smartwatches are here to stay.
What’s really useful about smartwatches now is that a lot of their functionality isn’t dependent on the phone. You can use the watch as a standalone device too.
9 Best Smartwatches of 2020
This list comprises both high-end as well as budget-friendly models, with some specifically catered towards the fitness crowd. Here are the best smartwatches for 2020:
1- Apple Watch SE
It finally happened, Apple has released a smartwatch that has all the right features, looks great, and doesn’t cost a fortune.
With the release of Apple Watch Series 6 (which, by the way, does cost a fortune), the company also released a budget-friendly alternative, the Apple Watch SE. It’s basically the iPhone SE of Apple Watches, and a lot of people agree iPhone SE was a great phone.
It features the Retina display, some quintessential fitness trackers with advanced sensors, and of course the newest Apple Fitness+ (which doesn’t come out until late 2020). The biggest plus is that the watch has the same design as the Series 6, so essentially you have the same high-end watch but at a lower price and missing a few advanced features.
It’s similar to the previous Watch Series 5 model, except the new chip. It features the all-new and all too powerful S5 dual-core SiP chip for faster performance. Also, the always-on altimeter is great for tracking your elevation levels when running.
All in all, it’s the best smartwatch in 2020 by Apple, as it delivers quality and reliable features at a slightly lower price. Although Apple claims it to be a cheaper version, the price can quickly go up when you add in extra features
Key Specs
- WatchOS7
- S5 dual-core SiP
- 40 mm/40 mm Sizes
- Cellular option (GPS + LTE)
- SOS for safety
- Fitness trackers
- Sleep tracker
2- Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Samsung has refined the Galaxy Watch with the release of this particular model this year. The watch has some neat features that make it stand out from the crowd. The distinctive look of the Galaxy Watch has been retained, which makes it a lot more sophisticated than some of the other options on the market.
For instance, one of the best features of this watch is the rotating bezel dial. Navigating with this dial is super easy. The display isn’t always convenient to use on watches since they are so small. So Samsung has come up with a great solution for seamless navigation.
The watch is versatile as it offers some great fitness features too. Third-party apps are limited with the TizenOS as there are certainly more options with the Wear OS.
While it’s definitely full of features, it really takes the win when it comes to the look. The thin profile paired with a large screen and always-on OLED display on Gorilla Glass looks amazing.
This isn’t surprising as Samsung typically pays a lot of attention to the style and appearance of its devices.
Key Specs
- TizenOS
- 41 mm and 45 mm
- Dual-core 1.15 GHz
- 8 GB storage
- IP68
- LTE Available
3- Apple Watch Series 6
Even though there were speculations that Apple might not release new devices in September, the company managed to hold its event and announced the new Apple Watch Series 6. This powerhouse of a smartwatch comes with a high-tech blood oxygen monitor.
The SpO2 monitor can measure your blood oxygen levels on-demand or in the background with LEDs and photodiodes. It basically does your EDG right at your wrist. This is cutting-edge technology and makes the watch more favourable in terms of health benefits.
Other offerings include the always-on Retina display and a faster chip. In a lot of ways, the watch is similar to Apple Series 5. However, it also comes with a slew of watch faces and bands.
It also has more complex sleep tracking monitors that can analyze your sleeping patterns and go as far as to show how much was REM and how much was deep sleep. So the highlight features are mostly health-related.
This is the most expensive watch from Apple so far. It doesn’t have Force Touch anymore and also gives the option for cellular so you can use it without a phone to make calls and search the internet.
Key Specs
- watchOS 7
- S5 dual-core SiP
- 40 mm/40 mm Sizes
- Always-on Retina display
- Cellular option (GPS + LTE)
- Blood oxygen monitor
- SOS for safety
- Fitness trackers
- Advanced sleep tracker
4- Fitbit Versa 2
The Fitbit Versa 2 is the successor to the extremely successful Fitbit Versa. It’s a combination of a smartwatch and a full-fledged fitness tracker, which gives it an edge over regular smartwatches. The highlight features of this model are Alexa integration and always-on display.
There are slight changes in the design too, as the Versa 2 is slightly sleeker. Nevertheless, it’s not a really big upgrade from the Fitbit Versa. That said, for someone getting their first Fitbit, the Versa 2 is a great option.
It works seamlessly with both iPhone and Android phones. Also, it’s battery life is pretty good, lasting over six days. In comparison, Apple’s watches don’t typically go over 18 hours.
You don’t have built-in GPS, but overall the fitness tracking abilities are pretty good. After all, it’s a Fitbit, and that’s what it’s all about, really.
Key Specs
- Fitbit OS
- 2.5 GB storage
- Always-on display
- 300 x 300 AMOLED
- Water-resistant
5- Fossil Sport
Fossil Sport has been slowly paving its way in the smartwatch market over the past few years, and finally, in 2020, it released its best model to date.
What really makes Fossil Sport ideal is that it brings high-end features without an unnecessarily inflated price. As a result, it’s more in the mid-range but offers some really nice fitness features.
It has a Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset from Qualcomm, which delivers reliable performance. The battery life is also impressive, coming in at two days. Also, it has GPS, which is missing from its Fitbit counterpart.
It uses Wear OS, which means it works best with Android devices. You can use it with an iPhone, but don’t expect the same level of convenience.
It’s a great fitness smartwatch, which also looks decent. However, it doesn’t have any over-the-top features. It’s ideal for those who simply want a nice and reliable smartwatch that’s also great value.
Key Specs
- Wear OS
- Quad-core 1.2 GHz
- 1.2-inch 300 x 300 AMOLED
- 4 GB storage
- IP68
6- Amazfit Bip S
Amazfit Bip S and others like it may be credited for putting smartwatches on every wrist. With prices lower than $100, Amazfit Bip is really changing the smartwatch market.
There will always be the brand value conundrum, but at the face of it, a decent watch is a decent watch. Amazfit Bip S is a reliable smartwatch with built-in fitness features and GPS. The battery life on standby is a whopping 40 days. Just wear it and forget about charging.
The screen of this smartwatch is small and the display isn’t all that fancy. However, it still gives a flavor of smartwatch and works efficiently. You can pair it with iOS and Android both.
In terms of design, it looks very similar to the regular Amazfit Bip. However, it’s a bit more lightweight and low-profile. Another great thing about this particular model is that it’s super comfortable to wear.
Key Specs
- 1.28-inch TFT display
- 176 x 176 pixel
- Amazfit OS
- GPS
- Waterproof
7- Apple Watch Series 5
Apple Watch 5 is still a great smartwatch in 2020, even though it’s successor is already here. For someone still on Watch 3 or with no prior Apple Watch, the Watch 5 will be a great choice. For iPhones, no other watch beats Apple Watch, and this model is no exception.
This comes in 40 mm and 45 mm sizes and has a display very similar to that of Apple Watch 4. It has the always-on Retina display and some top-shelf fitness features with GPS, heart rate monitor, sleep tracker, as well as other basic fitness monitors.
The 1.78-inch OLED screen paired with Apple’s S5 chip is a combo worth paying that high price for. It originally came with watchOS 6, but you can now upgrade to watchOS 7, which will bring in some new features.
In terms of fitness and performance, Apple Watch 5 gives the best of Fitbit quite a competition. With the release of the newer Series, the Apple Watch 5 prices will go down. You may be able to get a great bargain on this fantastic watch in 2020.
Key Specs
- 1.78-inch OLED
- Apple S5 chip
- 32 GB storage
- Wireless charging
- Water-resistant
8- TicWatch Pro
TicWatch is a relatively recent entrant in the smartwatch market. The TicWatch Pro was a highly-anticipated watch from the company that has so far released mid-range models. TicWatch Pro qualifies as a high-end smartwatch with some cutting-edge features.
The highlight of the watch is its dual screen. The two screens are layered, with one over the other. The bottom layer is an OLED screen that runs the Wear OS, whereas the top is a transparent LCD that displays time, heart rate, and battery life.
This dual-screen feature basically divides the features, with the LCD giving you your basic watch features and the OLED giving you all the smart and fitness features. That setting alone makes TicWatch a highly desirable smartwatch.
The battery life is impressive, which isn’t surprising as most newer brands bet their money on longer battery durations. You can go as high as 30 days with the low power mode.
The chip in this smartwatch model is a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100. It uses Wear OS, so you have access to all the cool third-party apps on Google Play Store. The watch also has built-in GPS.
As you can see, it offers a lot of high-end features, but its price tag is quite reasonable. If you’re not into a particular brand, this watch can make a good choice.
Key Specs
- Wear OS
- 1.4-inch OLED and LCD
- Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset
- 4 GB storage
- IP68
- GPS, Bluetooth, NFS
9-Fitbit Versa Lite
Fitbit Versa Lite is the more affordable version of the Fitbit Versa 2. It brings most of the quintessential Fitbit features with it, with the exception of Fitbit Pay and built-in GPS. Also, the screen is perhaps not as responsive as it’s on Versa or Versa 2.
If you’re looking for a decent fitness tracker but don’t want to spend a lot of money, Fitbit Versa Lite is a smart choice. Fitbit’s fitness features are some of the best in the market, so you can enjoy tracking your workouts with this tracker.
Yes, it doesn’t have GPS so it won’t map your runs, but you’ll still know your steps, heart rate, and calories burnt.
The design is minimalistic, which may be because of its smaller price tag, but can be seen as an aesthetic. Smartwatches are generally lightweight, but they can look bulky. The Fitbit Versa Lite is aptly named because it’s lightweight and has a low-profile.
Key Specs
- Fitbit OS
- 300 x 300 LCD
- 4 days battery life
- Water-resistant up to 50 m
Conclusion
This year we’ve seen some of the best smartwatch models come out so far. With better chips, better designs, and even better fitness features, these watches are changing the game completely. However, the price tag is also rising.
When buying a smartwatch, analyze your own needs. It wouldn’t make sense to spend hundred more bucks to get some features that you barely use. Rather, get something that you will actively use.