When it comes to wearable technology, smartwatches have taken center stage in the last few years. A smartwatch has the capabilities of a fitness tracker, can run apps like a smartphone, and looks fashionable while being worn on the wrist.
Maybe you’ve been thinking of buying a smartwatch for quite some time but still unsure whether you really need such a device. To help you make an informed decision, we will discuss the smartwatch pros and cons.
Smartwatch: PROS vs CONS
There are many advantages of having a smartwatch. Here are just some of them.
Smartwatch PROS
Promotes a Healthy Lifestyle – PRO
Aside from being a pedometer, most smartwatches can track activity, nutrition, and calories burned. Some can also monitor heart rate and blood pressure. These data can help you reach your fitness goals faster as well as give an overview of your overall health.
Also, newer smartwatches have lots of sensors that make fitness tracking easier. Some even have dedicated workout modes such as walking, running, swimming, cycling, weight lifting, and so on.
Quick Access to Notifications – PRO
Another essential function of a smartwatch is to show notifications so users can have quick access to them. Receive email notifications, calls, texts, calendar alerts, news alerts, and so much more. You can even receive Facebook notifications. No need to take out your phone from your bag or pocket. After reading the notification, you can decide whether to take further action or just ignore it. It’s very convenient, especially if you’re in a meeting or doing something really important.
🏆 #1 Best Overall
- Bluetooth 5.3 Call and Message Notification: Cillso smart watch features an advanced single-chip processor and sensitive microphone, enabling direct call making and answering. When you enable the "VeryFit" App to receive messages, notifications will be displayed on the smartwatch. Get all your messages and notifications (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Linkedin,Skype etc.) sent straight to your smartwatch with intuitive customizable vibrations
- Built-in Alexa Voice Control: This smartwatch integrates Amazon Alexa's intelligent voice assistant, delivering a comprehensive hands-free experience directly from your wrist. Simply speak commands to instantly access news, weather, and calendar updates, set reminders, control smart home devices, and manage music playback. This full suite of voice-activated functionalities streamlines daily routines, enhances multitasking efficiency, and keeps your hands free for the moments that matter most.
- 1.83" HD Display and Personalized Customization: IDW26 smart watches for women men feature a 1.83-inch HDdisplay paired with 3D tempered glass, boasting a resolution of up to 320×385 for excellent image quality and high touch sensitivity. The 4-level adjustable brightness ensures clear visibility even under bright sunlight. Through the "VeryFit" app, users gain access to over 130 stylish watch faces and the ability to create custom designs, allowing for personalized expression
- 120+ Sport Modes and IP68 Waterproof: Fitness tracker supports 120+ professional sport modes, covering diverse indoor/outdoor activities like running, cycling, and soccer to suit all fitness levels. Equipped with high-precision sensors, fitness watch accurately tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and workout duration to help analyze performance and optimize training plans. With an IP68 rating, it's resistant to sweat, rain, and handwashing (Not for swimming or hot showers)
- All-Day Health Monitoring: Android smart watch is equipped with a high-precision optical sensor that supports 24h real-time heart rate monitoring, helping you stay informed about your physical condition. It also intelligently analyzes sleep quality, accurately identifying deep sleep, light sleep, and awake phases to help improve your sleep habits. Paired with its dedicated app, you can view long-term health trends and receive personalized insights to gradually develop a healthier lifestyle
Never Miss a Call – PRO
If you’re the type of person who’s always on the go, missing a call can be a normal occurrence. When you’re outside, you may not be able to hear your phone ringing. The vibration from a smartwatch is easily noticeable and can alert you that you’ve received a call or text. Moreover, you can quickly decide whether to respond or not by just looking at the watch.
Convenience – PRO
High-end smartwatches usually offer features that are truly convenient. Some have NFC that will allow you to make cashless payments. Others have LTE cellular capabilities, which will enable you to send texts and make calls even if you don’t have your smartphone nearby.
Rank #2
- Bluetooth 5.3 Call and Message Notification: Cillso smart watch features an advanced single-chip processor and sensitive microphone, enabling direct call making and answering. When you enable the "VeryFit" App to receive messages, notifications will be displayed on the smartwatch. Get all your messages and notifications (Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger, Linkedin,Skype etc.) sent straight to your smartwatch with intuitive customizable vibrations
- Built-in Alexa Voice Control: This smartwatch integrates Amazon Alexa's intelligent voice assistant, delivering a comprehensive hands-free experience directly from your wrist. Simply speak commands to instantly access news, weather, and calendar updates, set reminders, control smart home devices, and manage music playback. This full suite of voice-activated functionalities streamlines daily routines, enhances multitasking efficiency, and keeps your hands free for the moments that matter most.
- 1.83" HD Display and Personalized Customization: IDW26 smart watches for men women feature a 1.83-inch HDdisplay paired with 3D tempered glass, boasting a resolution of up to 320×385 for excellent image quality and high touch sensitivity. The 4-level adjustable brightness ensures clear visibility even under bright sunlight. Through the "VeryFit" app, users gain access to over 130 stylish watch faces and the ability to create custom designs, allowing for personalized expression
- 120+ Sport Modes and IP68 Waterproof: Fitness tracker supports 120+ professional sport modes, covering diverse indoor/outdoor activities like running, cycling, and soccer to suit all fitness levels. Equipped with high-precision sensors, fitness watch accurately tracks steps, distance, calories burned, and workout duration to help analyze performance and optimize training plans. With an IP68 rating, it's resistant to sweat, rain, and handwashing (Not for swimming or hot showers)
- All-Day Health Monitoring: Android smart watch is equipped with a high-precision optical sensor that supports 24h real-time heart rate monitoring, helping you stay informed about your physical condition. It also intelligently analyzes sleep quality, accurately identifying deep sleep, light sleep, and awake phases to help improve your sleep habits. Paired with its dedicated app, you can view long-term health trends and receive personalized insights to gradually develop a healthier lifestyle
New Watch Faces Every Day -PRO
If you use a regular watch, it can get boring seeing the same dial every day. On the other hand, you can change the dial/watch face of a smartwatch every day. Besides being stylish, it will allow you to match the watch face according to your mood and preference. But if you want something that looks more traditional, read our article about the hybrid smartwatch.
Watch Movies and Listen to Music -PRO
When it comes to entertainment, there’s really no point of comparison between a smartwatch and an ordinary watch. You can watch a full-length movie on a smartwatch without any problem. A smartwatch also allows you to connect earphones so you can listen to your favorite music anytime.
Rank #3
- 【Bluetooth Calls and Smart Notifications】MFVLP smart watch uses the latest Bluetooth 5.3 technology, which allows you to make/receive calls on the watch with fast and stable connection. Built-in HD speakers give you a clear call experience. Don't worry about not receiving important messages in time! This smart watches for men can remind you to receive notifications from various social platforms (WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) in time, so that you will never miss any important information.
- 【More than 110 sports modes and IP68 waterproof】Whether you like cycling, rock climbing, tennis or skiing, the fitness trackers supports 110+ sports modes. It will record your sports data in real time on your wrist to help you achieve your training goals and let you have a healthier lifestyle. This mens watches has an IP68 waterproof rating and can be used whether washing hands, raining or sweating during exercise. It is very suitable for outdoor sports and leisure travel. (Note: Not recommended for use in hot water or sea water)
- 【All weather health & activity monitoring】This fitness tracker uses high-performance sensors to continuously monitor your heart rate and blood oxygen level, and automatically monitors your sleep status (deep sleep, light sleep, wake up), providing a comprehensive sleep quality analysis; it also has a menstrual cycle tracking function, so that women can easily get through the sensitive period. The watches for men can record your sports data in real time, such as steps, distance, calories, etc., to help you train more scientifically.
- 【1.83 inch HD touch screen and custom dial】This D16 smart watch is equipped with a 1.83-inch TFT-LCD HD full touch screen with a resolution of up to 240*284, which brings you a sensitive touch experience and clear and sharp visual effects, allowing you to have an excellent interactive experience. You can choose your personalized dial from more than 100 online dials through the GloryFit application, or set your favorite photos as wallpapers.
- 【Long battery life and multi-function】The D16 smartwatch is equipped with a 300mAh large capacity battery. It only takes 2 hours of magnetic charging to fully charge the watch. It can be used for 5-7 days on a single charge and up to 30 days in standby mode. Our men's watch also has a variety of practical functions, such as music control, camera remote control, sedentary reminder, alarm clock, calculator, flashlight and more surprise functions waiting for you to explore. In addition, this men's watch is compatible with iOS/Android systems.
Fashionable – PRO
Unlike fitness trackers, smartwatches are stylish and fashionable. The former is designed for sports activities while the latter can be worn on almost any occasion. You can wear a smartwatch at work, at school, on a dinner date, or while meeting an important client. It will also blend well with your OOTD, whether casual or formal.
Smartwatch CONS
If there are advantages, there are also disadvantages associated with smartwatches.
Rank #4
- Stylish Design, Vibrant Display: The lightweight aluminum build blends effortless style with workout durability, while the vivid 1.97" AMOLED display keeps your data easy to read, even under bright sunlight.
- All-in-One Activity Tracking: The Amazfit Bip 6 fitness tracker watch offers 140+ workout modes including HYROX Race and Strength Training, plus personalized AI coaching and 50m water resistance.
- Up to 14 Days Battery Life: The Amazfit Bip 6 smart watch powers through your training and recovery for up to two weeks at a time - no nightly charging needed.
- Accurate GPS Tracking & Navigation: Stay on course with free downloadable maps and turn-by-turn directions. Support from 5 satellite systems ensures precise tracking of every move and fast GPS connection.
- 24/7 Health Monitoring: The Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch provides precise, real-time monitoring of heart rate, sleep, blood-oxygen and stress, empowering you with actionable insights to optimize your health and fitness.
Price -CON
Smartwatches can be quite expensive. The more affordable ones are priced no less than $100, while high-end models can cost up to $500. If you’re on a tight budget, you may be contemplating if buying a smartwatch is really worth it, or it’s better to just stick to your smartphone.
But if you belong to the rich and famous, you may want to check out the most expensive smartwatches money can buy.
Limited Battery Life – CON
This is one of the main disadvantages of a smartwatch. Typically, smartwatches can only be used 1 to 2 days after a full charge. Some don’t even last for one day, especially if you use power-hungry features. If you forgot to charge it, you’ll end up having a dead watch the next day. Additionally, you won’t be able to use some features like sleep tracking if your watch runs out of juice while you’re sleeping.
💰 Best Value
![SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 7 40mm Bluetooth AI Smartwatch w/Energy Score, Wellness Tips, Heart Rate Tracking, Sleep Monitor, Fitness Tracker, 2024, Cream [US Version, 1Yr Manufacturer Warranty]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41MoAYLfKhL._SL160_.jpg)
- PUSH PAST YESTERDAY: Looking for a great way to bring out your personal best every day? Challenge yourself to excel on your next run or bike ride using tracking with Galaxy AI¹ that lets you compare your current performance to your last one²
- START YOUR DAY WITH YOUR ENERGY SCORE: Know how ready you are to take on the day using your personalized Energy Score with Galaxy AI¹; It calculates today’s physical readiness based on what you did yesterday
- KEEP A CLOSER EYE ON YOUR HEART HEALTH: Get the most out of your fitness workouts using improved Heart Rate Tracking³ with Galaxy AI¹ that filters out your body’s movements for a more accurate reading
- GET A BOOST TOWARD YOUR GOALS: Stay on track toward your goals using personalized suggestions from Wellness Tips⁴; Your Watch collects the insights and then they’re analyzed on your phone
- BETTER SLEEP. A HEALTHIER YOU: Learn better habits for more restful nights using sleep tracking⁵ with Galaxy AI¹ — it also helps detect moderate to severe sleep apnea⁶; Get helpful insights collected by your Watch and analyzed by your phone
Your Phone Has to Be Close By – CON
Unless your smartwatch has the cellular capability or can connect to a Wi-Fi network, you have to be within the Bluetooth range of your smartphone to use apps. One limitation of Bluetooth technology is that the primary device has to be within 300 feet of the secondary device. That means your phone has to be in your pocket, bag, in the room, or on a nearby desk.
Screen Size – CON
One not so nice thing about smartwatches is that everything is cluttered in a small space. When you want to use apps, pressing the correct button may require extra effort, especially if you have big fingers. Watching videos and movies on a smartwatch may not also be as visually pleasing compared to doing the same on a smartphone, PC, or tablet.
For this reason, you may want to check out the two smartwatch models with the biggest screen size – the Samsung Galaxy Watch (available in 42 mm and 46 mm) and the Apple Watch Series 4 (available in 40 mm and 44 mm).
Will Never Replace a Smartphone – CON
Smartwatches are always getting better in terms of performance, capabilities, and connectivity. However, it is unlikely that a day will come that it can perform all the functions of a smartphone. Because of its small size, it will have an effect on the size of the display, how long the battery will last, and how powerful of hardware can be fitted into a smartwatch.
What Is a Smartwatch?
Before we dig deeper into the smartwatch pros and cons, we should first define “what is a smartwatch”. Basically, a smartwatch is a wearable computer that looks like a wristwatch. Modern smartwatches have an associated smartphone app for management and telemetry.
While early models could only perform basic tasks, such as digital time telling, calculations, translations, and game-playing, smartwatches from 2010 onwards have functionality similar to smartphones (e.g., mobile apps, operating system, and WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity).
Learn more about the different types of watches by clicking here.
Conclusion
A smartwatch does more than tell time. It does fitness tracking, health monitoring, and gives users quick access to notifications. Find out what other people have to say about smartwatch pros and cons. Personally, I think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. It’s well worth it, especially if you’re the type of person who is conscious about fitness and health.
Header Photo by Maurizio Pesce