The best hybrid smartwatches you can buy (June 2022)

Smartwatches are great tools for staying on top of your notifications, tracking your activity, and much more. However, nothing beats that classic look of an analog watch strapped to your wrist. Traditional watches are simple, classy, and often look much better when you’re heading out for the night. If you want a wearable that looks like an analog watch but packs smartwatch features under the hood, look no further: we’ve rounded up some of the best hybrid smartwatches on the market.

See also: Everything you need to know about Google’s Wear OS

Buying the right hybrid smartwatch

Hybrid smartwatches meld classic elements with smartwatch smarts. This usually means aesthetics inspired by analog watches plus notifications and health and fitness tracking elements. Picking the right hybrid smartwatch for you largely depends on what tools you’re looking for. Although all the products we list below are stylish, each features a different strength. Consider the topics below when choosing your device.

• Battery life: Most hybrid watches pack lengthy battery life thanks to their minimal displays. If a hybrid smartwatch does feature a display, it’s typically only large enough to push quick, glanceable info to the wearer.
• Smartwatch and tracking features: Some hybrid devices provide basic notifications, while others offer a whole lot more. It’s likely you aren’t looking for an overwhelming smartwatch experience, but be sure to identify where your priorities fall in the available range.
• Fitness tracking: Likewise, some hybrid watches offer considerably better fitness tracking features than others. An option from Garmin, for example, will offer tons of training and tracking tools. If you plan to take your hybrid to the gym, make sure it can handle your regimen.
• Health tracking: For users with specific health concerns, a medically validated device might be worth considering. A few hybrid options specifically cater to users with heart health concerns.
• GPS: Just like on full-fledged smartwatches, built-in GPS is a great perk. For most users, we suggest a device with at least connected GPS.
• Blended priorities: Finally, if you’re looking at hybrid watches you probably want a little bit of everything. Both the Skagen and Garmin options below equip creative displays for mixing smartwatch and analog priorities on one watch face.

The best hybrid smartwatches

• Withings ScanWatch: The best hybrid smartwatch you can buy in 2022, the Withings Scanwatch packs clinically validated AFib detection and an all-around great health tracking suite.
• Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR: The Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR is Fossil Group’s best hybrid smartwatch. We’re big fans of the classy design and improved build quality.
• Fossil Hybrid HR: Another good hybrid smartwatch is Fossil’s first-generation Hybrid HR device, with classic Fossil design cues.
• Garmin Vivomove Sport: Garmin’s best hybrid smartwatch is the Garmin Vivomove Sport. It features an innovative “hidden” display that really embraces the hybrid smartwatch form factor.
• Withings Move and Withings Move ECG: These are the best cheap hybrid smartwatches you can buy. The Move is an affordable, customizable hybrid watch, while the Move ECG adds… ECG.

Withings ScanWatch: The best hybrid smartwatch you can buy

The Withings ScanWatch is our pick for the best hybrid smartwatch you can buy. Its been clinically validated to notify users of signs of AFib and overnight breathing disturbances. It has an ECG, a pulse oximeter for SpO2 readings, connected GPS, and a fairly accurate heart rate sensor.

On-device navigation isn’t the greatest, but the small OLED display is good enough for basic functions. Add to that month-long battery life, fantastic build quality, and all-around great sleep tracking, and you have yourself a winner.

The Withings ScanWatch has also been FDA-approved in the US, so it’s now available for purchase from Withings’ website, as well as third-party retailers.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Withings ScanWatch.

Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR: The best Skagen hybrid smartwatch

Fossil Group brought its Hybrid HR platform to the Skagen brand with the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR. This is our favorite hybrid smartwatch from the company due to its improved design over the Fossil Hybrid HR (below), long battery life, and of course, innovative e-ink display.

The Jorn Hybrid HR’s e-ink display is bigger than the tiny screens found on most other hybrid smartwatches. This allows users to see more information at a time without the need to interact with the device. With physical watch hands, the hybrid accessory retains the look of a traditional timepiece. Meanwhile, its e-ink display provides other essentials like a user’s step count and heart rate. It’s a beautiful design that’s practical as well.

Thanks to its innovative display, the watch can last up to two weeks on a single charge. Unfortunately, the Skagen device could use a design refresh on the software side. Specifically, navigating the user interface can be slow and cumbersome. That being said, we’re fans of the platform overall.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR.

Fossil Hybrid HR: The best Fossil hybrid smartwatch

The Fossil Hybrid HR is nearly identical to the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR in functionality. The main differences between the two are the overall build quality, their companion apps, and their price.

The Fossil HR still offers a classy everyday device you can wear with anything. It also features the e-ink display we highlighted above for a look that’s timeless and easy on battery life. However, while our Fossil Hybrid HR (Collider model) looks wonderful, its build quality is noticeably lacking compared to Skagen’s offering. This is a sacrifice some shoppers might be willing to make since you will likely find this one on sale more often. The watch was originally announced in 2019, so it receives regular discounts on Amazon and Fossil’s websites.

As far as software features, they’re very limited on the Hybrid HR. You won’t find LTE connectivity, contactless payments, or onboard music storage. We also don’t suggest turning to this device for advanced health or fitness tracking if accuracy is a priority. This is quite simply a good-looking device with very basic smart features.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Fossil Hybrid HR.

Garmin Vivomove Sport: The best Garmin hybrid smartwatch

We had to include the Garmin Vivomove line on our best hybrid smartwatches list. These advanced fitness trackers have much of the same functionality as other Garmin watches, only with a unique “hidden” display that hides away when you’re not using it. It’s just as cool as it sounds.

The Vivomove Sport is the latest addition to the Vivomove stable and we’ve found very little not to like about the device.With real, ticking watch hands, the Vivomove Sport feels as analog as a hybrid can get. With a clever display and many of Garmin’s health and fitness tracking features, the device is also a very solid entry-level smartwatch.

The lack of GPS is a bummer for runners and cyclists, but overall the Sport offers a blend of style as well as substance. It also comes in four colorways including brown, black, white, and green, so users can find the right look for their wardrobe.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Garmin Vivomove Sport.

Withings Move and Withings Move ECG: The best cheap hybrid smartwatches

Okay, we’re kind of stretching the term “hybrid smartwatches” when it comes to the Withings Move and Move ECG, but both watches are actually capable fitness trackers that can help with your overall health journey.

Neither watch has a display — only a traditional watch dial accompanied by a secondary dial to keep track of your daily steps. They both have all-day activity tracking and connected GPS. Additionally, the Move ECG has an electrocardiogram sensor. Like the ScanWatch, the Move ECG can take on-demand ECG readings so you can keep an eye on your heart health.

Check out our full reviews to learn more about the Withings Move and Withings Move ECG.

Looking for even more recommendations? Check out even more coverage below:

• The best Garmin watches you can buy: Fenix, Forerunner, Venu, and more
• The best Fitbit trackers and smartwatches you can buy
• The Fossil Gen 6 smartwatches: What you need to know