The best Samsung smartwatches you can buy (September 2022)

Smartwatches continue to grow in popularity as more firms join the wearables race. While Apple, Garmin, and Fitbit lead in the fitness tracking field, players like Samsung focus on broad smartwatch features. Here’s a look at the best Samsung smartwatches you can buy right now.

See also: The best smartwatches you can buy

Buying the right Samsung smartwatch for your needs

Samsung smartwatches cover all corners of the market, from style and practicality to fitness tracking and smartwatch functionality. We rounded up the five Samsung devices that offer users the best bang for their buck.

The best Samsung smartwatches

• Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is the best Samsung smartwatch you can buy. It features all the same health and fitness tracking tech as the previous generation plus a more durable build, better battery life, and a few new tools for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series: The Galaxy Watch 4 series is still a great pick if you appreciate a bargain and don’t mind slightly older tech. It also remains among the very few devices currently running Wear OS 3.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: The best Tizen-based Samsung smartwatch is the Galaxy Watch 3. It’s a stylish smartwatch that also packs a healthy dose of fitness tracking features.
• Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the best cheap Samsung smartwatch. It does an excellent job balancing smartwatch and fitness features and won’t cost a fortune.
• Samsung Galaxy Fit 2: The best Samsung fitness tracker is the Galaxy Fit 2. This entry-level tracker doesn’t resemble any of its peers, but it’s a great start for those just entering the wearable market.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 series: The best Samsung smartwatches

The Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro are the absolute best smartwatches Samsung has to offer. Both outshine the previous generation with small but significant improvements. However, the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro specifically offers a massive battery, even more durability, and a few exclusive features.

Both new models feature Sapphire glass displays. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro further upgrades with a titanium case and a thicker Sapphire glass than that of the base model. Unfortunately, you won’t find a rotating bezel on either watch, but the aesthetics of both models are classy and sleek. What you will find are all the same great health tracking and fitness tools we loved on the Galaxy Watch 4 series. In testing, we found the 5 series offers slightly upgraded heart rate data which Samsung credits to sensor improvements and a better fit. We especially liked the fit of Samsung’s new D-buckle band with its elevated metal clasp. This band only comes with the Pro model out of the box though, not the base model.

The Pro model also packs a much larger battery, offering up to 20 hours of battery life in GPS mode (though we never quite reach those number during our review period). Both models ship with new charging cables that can charge your device from zero to 45% in just 30 minutes. Finally,  only the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro adds new navigational upgrades for hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. These include Track Back for exploring new areas and GPX file for sharing favorite routes.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4: A cheaper Wear OS option that still delivers

At their launch, the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic were arguably the best Wear OS smartwatches, running One UI Watch atop Google’s then new Wear OS 3. The devices have since been outdone by the newest series of watches, the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro above. However, this older generation is still a very solid lineup worth considering if you want to save some cash. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is also the best Samsung smartwatch available if you have your heart set on a rotating bezel.

Both the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic come in small and large sizes and have optional LTE-connected variants. The wearables feature refreshed designs with a new strap mounting system, display sizes ranging from 1.19 inches to 1.36 inches, and bright AMOLED screens. Both models look fantastic on the wrist and their displays are bright, colorful, and engaging. They also include several advanced fitness tracking features including body composition monitoring which we found quite useful. We were also pleasantly surprised by the line’s much-improved heart rate monitoring. Additionally, users will find ECG and SpO2 sensors, though some features can only be used with a paired Samsung smartphone.

While Wear OS 3 does add considerable polish to users’ experience, including Google Assistant, the Galaxy Watch 4 has some limitations and falls short in crucial areas. While reviewing we found GPS accuracy to be less than stellar. Additionally, battery life isn’t great for the smaller models, and charging is laboriously slow. Still, the line is fantastic overall. More importantly, they can now often be found on sale.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3: The best Tizen Samsung smartwatch

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is still a great smartwatch in 2022, even if it’s not running the latest, greatest software. The predecessor to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, this device includes a crisp display as well as a handy rotating bezel (did we mention how much we like those?). It’s also the best option for Tizen fans who don’t want to jump ship to Wear OS 3.

For starters, the Galaxy Watch 3 delivers a solid smartwatch experience. It’s a good-looking device on the wrist and we love the opportunity to personalize it with tons of first and third-party watch faces available. The two-day battery also isn’t bad compared to the Apple Watch, for example. We also found a few advanced tools for running worth tapping into and were pleased with what the device offers in terms of sleep tracking, especially sleep score.

That said, this range-topper isn’t without its flaws. The Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 isn’t built with sensor accuracy in mind. In other words, if fitness tracking is a key feature for you, your money is best spent elsewhere. You also won’t find an abundance of apps on Tizen as you would on Wear OS, either.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2: The best cheap Samsung smartwatch

The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is an attractive Samsung smartwatch and can be found for just a couple hundred dollars nowadays. Unlike the Galaxy Watch 3, it sports a slimmer touch-sensitive bezel with a slightly curved glass face and a host of strap options. The Galaxy Watch 4 is the direct follow-up to this device (you probably notice in its sporty aesthetic).

Prior to the release of the Galaxy Watch 4, the Active 2 was the best Samsung smartwatch for fitness and sleep tracking. That’s not to say it’s fantastic, but it was the best available and it is pretty solid. We just wouldn’t suggest this device if you’re a dedicated athlete looking for absolute precision. Instead, the Active 2 is for shoppers looking to save a little cash without sacrificing too many features. It packs LTE support, too, making it a good option for streaming music at the gym or during runs.

Of course, cutting costs has its consequences. Key health tracking metrics, like heart rate monitoring, can be unreliable and the device’s blood pressure monitor is a definite low point. If you don’t need hardcore monitoring though, this smartwatch is plenty good. Most significantly, this is the best cheap Samsung smartwatch available.

Check out our full review to learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Samsung Galaxy Fit 2: The best Samsung fitness tracker

The Galaxy Fit 2 is a solid, affordable fitness tracker. It switches out the Galaxy Fit’s physical button for a larger touchscreen — a good move in our books. This makes glossing through menus and peeking at indicators much easier.

It also covers all the fitness tracking basics, from stress and sleep tracking to heart rate monitoring. The latter is on-demand, though, not continuous. The Galaxy Fit 2 lacks the style of its more traditional smartwatch siblings, but that isn’t really a deal-breaker considering its price point. In fact, some users might prefer the smaller form.

While we wouldn’t recommend using it to train for marathons, it’s a solid starter wearable and an affordable gateway into the Samsung smartwatch ecosystem. It isn’t going to provide as well-rounded an experience as the competition in this arena, buts its the best tracker Samsung has to offer.

Read more: The best cheap fitness trackers you can buy

FAQs

Looking for even more recommendations? Be sure to check out even more coverage below:

• The best Garmin watches: Fenix, Venu, and more
• Fitbit’s best trackers and smartwatches you can buy
• The best Wear OS watches available: Samsung, Mobvoi, and more