Best for Wear OS

Google Pixel Watch

While Apple has been honing their smartwatch and fitness tracker to a finely tuned machine, Google has been noticeably late to the party. When it finally debuted this year, reviews editor Julian Chokkattu noted that while it does include key fitness features like an ECG and a heart rate monitor, it doesn't have auto workout detection, fall detection, or SpO2 sensing. The Fitbit integration isn't as smooth as you might think, given that Google acquired the company in 2019—the app looks dated and cramped on the screen, and Wear OS needs more apps in general.

However, the Pixel is a notably beautiful watch and the heart of the fitness tracking experience is Fitbit's, which means that the data itself is very accurate and empowering (you will still have to pay for a Fitbit Premium subscription). Also, more features will be unrolling through 2023. If you've been waiting with bated breath for a Wear OS watch, this might be it.

Courtesy: wired.com

Best Watch for Android Owners

Samsung Galaxy Watch5

Samsung's new Galaxy Watch5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) is the comfiest Wear OS smartwatch out there. It comes in 40- and 44-mm sizes and runs the latest version of Wear OS 3, meaning you get access to Google Maps' turn-by-turn navigation and Google Assistant, plus the best of Samsung's health features, including SpO2 measurements, auto-workout detection, sleep tracking, and an electrocardiogram. It's great for checking notifications and responding to them, too.

Like the Apple Watch, don't expect to go for days on a single charge. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu says he usually had to charge it after a day and a half. Unfortunately, this watch only works with Android phones, and ECG tracking is limited to Samsung phones (as is blood pressure monitoring, but that's not available in the US yet anyway). If you want a bigger watch that's just a bit more rugged, try the pricey Galaxy Watch5 Pro ($500), which has better battery life, has GPX support, and is made of more durable materials. Alternatively, if you want to save some cash, you can snag last year's Galaxy Watch4, which is still a great watch.

Courtesy: wired.com

Best Running Watch

Coros Pace 2

For years, I was convinced that no running watch would ever beat a Garmin. That changed when I tried the Coros Pace 2 (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which is now my favorite. It's unbelievably light, and the battery lasts for weeks between charges, which is a feature you won't find in any other watch on this list. It also integrates with Strava for mapping your runs and rides, and it uses the same multi-system satellite positioning system as Garmin to trace your route.

On the minus side, it has a basic LCD screen, and EvoLab—Coros' analytics platform, meant to compete with Garmin's Connect—is still in its early stages. Accuracy can be iffy; a few of my outdoor runs were improperly tracked. But Coros also offers a ton of small, useful features, like a locking screen and simple two-button operation, at a very accessible price.

★ Alternatives: Garmin's Forerunners represent an iconic running watch series, and this year's iteration includes drastically improved battery life via solar recharging. The Forerunner 955 Solar ($560) is a premium running watch for experienced, dedicated runners and triathletes, but it's expensive and large on my small wrist. The Forerunner 55 ($200) is fine for most people, but you won't get two weeks of battery life out of one charge.

However, if you have an iPhone, you should probably just get a Series 8. In addition to the running features that we wrote about earlier this year, new features continue to debut every few months in WatchOS. More recent ones now include automatic track detection and Race Route, which will allow you to race yourself on your favorite running routes.

Courtesy: wired.com

Best Fitness Trackers and Watches for Everyone

Whether you’re skiing in the backcountry or trampolining in the backyard, we have an activity tracker for you.

LIKE EVERY PIECE of gear you wear on your body day in and day out, fitness trackers are incredibly personal. They have to be comfortable and attractive, sure, but they must also fit your lifestyle, as well as when and how you like to work out. Do you bike, row, or do strength training? Do you run on trails for hours at a time, or do you just want a reminder to get up every hour?

Best All-Around

Fitbit Charge 5

Even as Fitbit has faced stiff competition from other manufacturers—most notably, the Apple Watch—its trackers have always won me over. They hit a very specific sweet spot between attractiveness, affordability, accessibility, and ease of use. They're perfect for everyone who isn't an ultra-marathoner or a semipro powerlifter trying to hit a PR.

Runner-Up

Garmin Vívomove Sport

Picking a fitness tracker often means taking the proprietary software into consideration, as well as the hardware. Fitbit's app is really easy to use, but I also like Garmin's Connect, which I have found to be one of the most comprehensive digital health apps. If you discover that you like running, for example, it integrates easily with Strava. Unlike Fitbit, Garmin doesn't paywall most of its best features behind a premium subscription.

That makes Garmin's entry-level smartwatch my top pick for a first fitness tracker, especially since it doesn't look particularly sporty. It comes in a variety of colors and resembles an analog watch. Simply swipe along the bottom half of the touchscreen to log activities and check notifications. Not only can you track workouts, but you can also monitor your sleep and heart rate and check a few other of Garmin's proprietary algorithms, like your Body Battery, or how ready you are for the day. It's worth noting that most people get a Garmin because it is GPS-enabled, and the Vivomove Sport only uses connected GPS from your phone.

Courtesy: https://www.wired.com/