In terms of design, smartwatches come in all shapes and sizes, but there are also many differences in the underlying hardware and the features on offer.
Whilst brands like Apple and Samsung try to capture the mainstream market with a “one size fits all” approach, many brands are targeting smaller segments of the market with niche-specific features. There are watches for fitness enthusiasts, golfers, mountain climbers, Swiss watch lovers, and many other interests.
In this guide, I’ll share a breakdown of the different types of smartwatches and the key things each type has in common. I’ll also touch on the pros and cons of each type of smartwatch to help you decide which is best for your needs.
Types of Smartwatch
General Use Smartwatches
The most popular type of smartwatch is the general-use smartwatch. These are designed to be suitable for a wide range of occasions, from checking your notifications on your commute to listening to music during your daily run.
Most of the flagship devices from popular brands such as Samsung and Apple can be considered general use smartwatches. They tend to be a jack of all trades, but master of none. Many devices will have built-in GPS, the ability to make/receive calls, media controls, and
To help them accomplish such a broad range of tasks, they will usually have a comprehensive operating system, such as WearOS or Tizen, which allows them to run different apps from the manufacturer and often from third parties too. The downside to this is that they are usually power-hungry so you’ll need to recharge them most days.
Fitness-Focused Smartwatches
Fitness-focused smartwatches are designed to appeal to those looking to monitor their workouts and track their overall health. A slim aesthetic is essential for fitness smartwatches as this ensures they do not obstruct your workouts.
The casing will often be made from lighter materials, such as aluminum or plastic instead of stainless steel, and manufacturers will usually include a silicone strap that is more comfortable on your wrist.
In terms of features, fitness-focused smartwatches will often have onboard music storage and Bluetooth capability. This allows you to work out without needing to carry your phone with you, this is especially important for runners who may not have anywhere to store their phone during a run.
Some of the more premium fitness smartwatches will also have the option for a cellular connection, again this is aimed at improving the tether-free experience and allows you to receive calls or reply to messages without your phone.
They will also have GPS and an accelerometer for tracking your routes and should integrate with your favorite fitness apps such as Strava or Google Fit.
Budget Smartwatches
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- 【1.83" HD Display & Customizable Watch Faces】Immerse yourself in a vibrant 1.83" IPS display, boasting a sharp resolution of 240*284 for crystal-clear visuals. Effortlessly personalize your smart watch with a wide array of customizable watch faces to suit your personal style for every occasion—whether trendy, artistic, or minimalist—ideal for casual, sporty, or professional. Its sleek, modern design complements any outfit, blending technology and fashion seamlessly for everyday wear
- 【120 Sports Modes & Advanced Health Tracking】Our TG08 smart watches for women men come equipped with 120 sports modes, allowing you to effortlessly track a variety of activities such as walking, running, cycling, and swimming. With integrated heart rate and sleep monitors, you can maintain a comprehensive overview of your health, achieve your fitness goals, and maintain a balanced, active lifestyle with ease. TG08L is your ideal companion for a healthier and more informed lifestyle
- 【Stay Connected Anytime, Anywhere】Stay informed and in control with Bluetooth call and music control features. Receive real-time notifications for calls, messages, and social media apps like Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Instagram directly on your smartwatch. Easily manage calls, control your music playlist, and stay updated without needing to reach for your phone. Perfect for work, workouts, or on-the-go, this watch keeps you connected and never miss important updates wherever you are
- 【IP67 Waterproof & Long-Lasting Battery】Designed to keep up with your active lifestyle, this smartwatch features an IP67 waterproof rating, ensuring it can withstand splashes, sweat, and even brief submersion, making it perfect for workouts, outdoor adventures, or rainy days. Its reliable 350mAh battery offering 5-7 days of active use and up to 30 days in standby mode, significantly reducing frequent charging. Ideal for all-day wear, whether you’re at the gym, outdoors, or simply on the go
- 【Multifunction & Wide Compatibility】Seamlessly handle heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and enjoy conveniences like camera/music control, Seamlessly handle heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and more-all directly from your wrist. This 1.83" HD smartwatch is compatible with iPhone (iOS 9.0+) & Android (5.0+), ensuring smooth daily connectivity and convenience throughout your day. More than just a timepiece, it’s a stylish, all-in-one wearable for smarter, healthier living
Read our Yamay Smartwatch Review
If you’re not willing to splash out too much of your hard-earned cash on a smartwatch, then a budget smartwatch might be a good pick.
These tend to be priced under $50 which makes them very accessible, although you will have a more limited set of features compared to some of the flagship general use smartwatches.
A typical budget smartwatch will mirror your notifications, track your daily fitness goals such as steps or calories burned, and control media. Unlike general-use smartwatches, they cannot download apps so you are limited to the features they ship with.
On the plus side, as they do not perform so many functions, you can expect a very decent battery life, often lasting many weeks on a single charge.
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- 1.95" Touch Screen & Customizable Faces: T80 smart watches for women men feature a 1.95-inch HDdisplay paired with 3D tempered glass for superior picture quality and touch sensitivity. Through the "Dee Fit" app, users gain access to over 100 stylish watch faces and the ability to create custom designs, allowing for personalized expression. Brightness adjusts automatically for perfect visibility indoors and outdoors.
- Bluetooth 5.3 Call: The mens smart watch are equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 chip, which increases the connection speed by 80%, and a highly stable connection with no delay. Answer and make calls right from your wrist, and easily sync multiple mobile contacts.
- All-Day Health & Fitness Companion: T80 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. This smart watch records 100+ sports modes like running, cycling, and yoga. The Fitness tracker is IP68 waterproof, allowing you to wear it during outdoor activities, rainy days, and while washing hands (Note: Do Not use in showers, saunas, swimming etc)
- Long-Lasting 7-Day Battery & Fast Charging: No daily charging needed! This smart watch for men has a large built-in 300 mAh battery that ensures up to 5-7 days of use and about 20 days of standby time with just 2 hours of charging. The magnetic charger snaps on quickly—just 2 hours for a full boost, so you stay powered through workouts and busy weeks.
- Lightweight, Comfortable: Made from durable, skin-friendly materials, this sleek watch weighs only 40.3g and fits all wrist sizes. The adjustable strap ensures all-day comfort, while its rugged design withstands dust, shocks, and water—perfect for active lifestyles.
Luxury Smartwatches
Luxury smartwatches are designed for those looking to make a high-end fashion statement as well as having a useful gadget on their wrist.
Many traditional Swiss watchmakers are turning to the smartwatch market as a way of remaining relevant and making use of the strong brand affinity and loyalty their brand receives. Examples of brands that have launched luxury smartwatches include Tag Heuer, Breitling, and Frederique Constant.
There is a lot of crossover between luxury smartwatches and general use smartwatches as many of them use the same underlying platforms such as Google’s WearOS. The key difference between the two is that you’re paying a premium price for the high-end look and recognizable brand.
Although they often use the same operating system, many will also come with bespoke watch faces that are only available on that watch as another point of difference.
GPS Smartwatches
GPS smartwatches are the evolution of GPS watches that have long been used by hikers, mountain climbers, and general outdoor enthusiasts. Their primary purpose is still to provide navigation and tracking, but many now have smart features such as notification mirroring and integration with other fitness apps.
At a first glance, a GPS smartwatch might seem similar to a fitness-focused smartwatch since they both have GPS and track your workouts. The key difference is the accuracy and real-time feedback from a GPS watch. They will continue to monitor your position to provide detailed routes and you can often see real-time pace if you’re running or cycling.
Conversely, a fitness-focused smartwatch tends to rely more on the watch’s compass and accelerometer to estimate your routes, steps, and other fitness goals. This is handy for amateur fitness fanatics but isn’t reliable enough for elite or endurance athletes.
Rank #3
- 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
Hybrid Smartwatches
A hybrid smartwatch has a traditional analog watch face but still contains a processor, onboard sensors, and connectivity to communicate with your phone. This allows it to perform all of the tracking features such as tracking your workouts or your heart rate but without the interaction with the watch face.
Most hybrid smartwatches do have a small smartwatch screen that sits within the main watch face, although this might only be big enough to show your daily step count or to let you know when you have a new notification. There will be little interaction on the device itself as you’ll need to use your phone to set up the watch and make any changes to the settings.
One of the biggest benefits of this type of smartwatch is battery life. Without the typical screen, a hybrid smartwatch can often last a month or longer on a single charge. If you do ever run out of battery, this will only affect the smart functions so you’ll continue to have a working analog watch.
Hybrid smartwatches were hugely popular in the early days of wearables as many of the flagship devices were large and bulky on your wrist. However, they have become less popular now that manufacturers have managed to reduce the size of general use smartwatches.
Smartwatches for Specific Sports
There are several smartwatches that have been designed with specific sports in mind. These tend to be similar to the fitness-focused smartwatches but with extra apps or features to aid in that sport.
One example is golf smartwatches such as the Garmin Approach. These often have course maps downloaded along with GPS to help you get around and automatic tracking of how many shots each hole takes.
Another popular example is smartwatches designed for mountain climbing, there are rugged smartwatches designed to withstand extreme temperatures and with screens that will work well in direct sunlight.
There are also dedicated watches for rowers, mountain biking, and even watches designed for skiing.
The downside to these watches is that they tend to be more expensive than a typical fitness smartwatch and will only provide good value if you’re a regular at that sport.
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- Heart Rate and Sleep Monitoring: The Fitness Tracker monitors your heart rate automatically all day, and you can select manual mode through the App. The fitness Watch also monitors your sleep at night, providing a detailed analysis of your sleep quality (deep sleep, light sleep, awake time). It is a health advisor for women men in daily life.
- Multi Sport Modes with Activity Tracking: The fitness tracker features 9 sport modes like running, walking and more. Additionally, the activity tracker records daily steps, calories burned, walking distance and active time throughout the day. You can also set a daily steps goals through the App to track your progress.
- Smart Notification Reminder: You can get SMS messages, and SNS notifications directly on your wrist including Facebook, Twitter, Gmail ect. You won't miss any important calls and message and stay updated. Please note: the smart watch can not make calls or text.
- Long Battery Life and IP68 Waterproof: This smart watch only requires 2 hours of charging and can be used for 5-7 days continuously. IP68 waterproof rating can withstand daily sweat, washing hands and rainy day, allowing you to fully enjoy your workouts.
- More Functions & Compatibility: Fitness watch comes with multiple smart functions such as stopwatch, alarm clock, breathing guide and sedentary alert, enhancing convenience to your daily routine. The tracker is compatible with iPhone Android Phones which run on iOS 8.0 or Android OS 4.0 & Bluetooth 4.0 or above. Please note that it is not compatible with tablets or computers.
What Kind of Smartwatch Do I Have?
It can be difficult to segment smartwatches as one specific type, this is because they often display characteristics that would see them fit under several of the categories mentioned above.
If your watch has the ability to install apps from the manufacturer or a third party, it’s most likely a general use smartwatch. Otherwise, it probably has a specific use case that can be identified from the model name or the manufacturer’s website.
Often, it’s possible to tell which type of smartwatch you have by the brand name. For example:
- Apple and Samsung tend to make general use smartwatches
- Garmin and Fitbit make fitness-focused smartwatches
- Traditional Swiss watchmakers make luxury smartwatches
- Polar and Suunto make GPS smartwatches
Do I have a Smartwatch Or Fitness Tracker?
The lines have continued to blur between smartwatches and fitness trackers. Many smartwatches now have built-in fitness tracking, and many fitness trackers can mirror your notifications or store your music. So, we can no longer use the features as a way of defining the difference between the two. Instead, you should look at the aesthetic of the device.
A smartwatch should look and feel like a traditional watch, it will have a round or square watch face and either an always-on display or a lift-to-wake screen. On the other hand, fitness trackers tend to look more like a bracelet and don’t have the full-color screen that smartwatches have.
Of course, it’s not always easy to tell as many traditional fitness tracker brands such as Garmin and Fitbit have moved into the smartwatch space, often choosing a middle-ground between the two. If in doubt, check the manufacturer’s website or the manual that came with the device as this will tell you whether it’s a smartwatch or fitness tracker.
To find out more about the differences between the two types of wearable, see our full article on smartwatches vs fitness trackers.
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- 【24/7 Heart Rate Monitor 】This blood pressure watch supports real-time dynamic heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure ,Sleep Tracking,temperature monitoring so you can know more about your physical condition.
- 【Sleep Tracking 】The Smart watches monitors your sleep and analyzes your sleep quality through Deep Sleep, Light Sleep, Awake stage, gives you a nightly sleep score in the app, leading a healthy lifestyle.
- 【25 Sport Modes Activity Tracker】you can select any number of sports modes in the app as your exclusive sports mode to record your sports data.can record all daily health data such as steps, distance, and calorie consumption in the App "Keep Health"
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What Are the Different Types of Amazfit Smartwatches?
According to their website, Amazfit makes 4 different kinds of smartwatches: their flagship, sports, basic, and fashion. These are fairly similar to the types of smartwatches we identified earlier in this article.
Here is a breakdown of the different types of Amazfit smartwatches and which devices are included:
- Amazfit flagship smartwatches: Verge, Nexo, and Amazfit X
- Amazfit sports smartwatches: Neo, T-Rex, and Stratos
- Amazfit basic smartwatches: Bip
- Amazfit fashion smartwatches: GTR and GTS
What Are the Different Types of Garmin Smartwatches?
Garmin’s evolution from a fitness tracker brand to a leading smartwatch manufacturer means that most of their devices are fitness-focused. They also have several smartwatches aimed at specific sports too.
Here is a breakdown of the different types of Garmin smartwatches and which devices are included:
- Garmin fitness-focused smartwatches: Venu and Vivoactive
- Gamin GPS smartwatches: Fenix and Instinct
- Garmin smartwatches for specific sports: Forerunner (running), Approach (golf), Descent (diving), Swim (swimming), and Quatix (sailing)
What Are the Different Types of Samsung Smartwatches?
Samsung is attempting to achieve a broad mainstream appeal for their smartwatches so they usually tend to be general use devices. That being said, the latest generation of Samsung smartwatches also included a fitness-focused variant.
Their current flagship device is the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 which is one of the most popular smartwatches with third-party apps and their signature rotating bezel.
Then there’s the fitness-focused Samsung Galaxy Active 2 which is near identical in specs but sports a much slimmer aesthetic and loses the rotating bezel in favor of a more streamlined touch-sensitive version.