The best hybrid smartwatches you can buy (Oct 2022)

Smartwatches are great tools, but nothing beats the look of an analog watch strapped to your wrist. If you want a device that wears 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, notifications, and fitness tracking. However, picking the right hybrid smartwatch largely depends on what tools value. 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. These are typically only large enough to push quick, glanceable info to the wearer.
• Smartwatch 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.
• 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. As such, we suggest a device with at least connected GPS for most users.
• Blended priorities: Finally, if you’re looking at hybrid watches, you probably want a little bit of everything. A few 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 a beautiful option from Fossil Group, albeit a bit older. We’re big fans of the classy design and notable build quality.
• Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid: The Gen 6 Hybrid is Fossil Group’s best hybrid smartwatch. It offers a completely upgraded user experience and plenty of impressive specs.
• 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. It’s 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 reliable heart rate sensor. During workouts, the device’s heart rate monitoring matched up fairly well with our Garmin watch and chest strap.

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. There is also now the Withings Scanwatch Horizon available. This is an absolutely beautiful device, but it does come at a much higher price. After reviewing the Horizon, we didn’t find it featured enough newness to warrant recommending it over the Scanwatch above.

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

Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR: The best option from Skagen

Fossil Group brought its Hybrid HR platform to the Skagen brand with the Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR. This is one of our favorite hybrid smartwatches from the company due to its improved design, 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 Gen 6 Hybrid: The best Fossil hybrid smartwatch

A device that exudes class, the Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid also pairs mechanical hands with an always-on e-ink display. However, what really sets this device off is the are its internal specs. Where the Skagen user experience can be clunky, the Gen 6 Hybrid offers an updated platform, as well as a newly improved companion app.

Featuring some of the top specs of Fossil’s latest line, the Gen 6 Hybrid features a newly designed user interface that mirrors the device’s circular design. It also offers an SpO2 sensor, improved heart rate monitoring, smart notifications, and a new microphone for access to Amazon Alexa.

You can house the Fossil Gen 6 Hybrid specs in your choice of two unique designs — the Machine or the Stella. With an oversized 45mm case and textured bezel the Machine is available in Black, Silver, or Smoke. The smaller Stella features a 40.5mm case in Rose Gold, Silver, and Two-tone colorways and is available with or without bling.

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. We wore ours everywhere from hiking to horseback riding, plus out to formal dinners.

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. However, 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