Best Wear OS Smartwatch 2024: The top 5 Android wearables tested

Mobvoi has been one of the staunchest supporters of Wear OS, even when Google was supplying the software with the bare minimum in terms of updates. While the company’s devices have been hit and miss in terms of quality, its experience in the market finally came to fruition with the excellent TicWatch Pro 5.

On top of touting Wear OS 3 at launch and all of the software benefits that come with it, the TicWatch Pro 5 is still an absolute beast where battery life is concerned. Thanks to the low-power secondary FSTN display at sits atop of the main screen, you can expect up to five days of use on a single charge.

That amount of longevity absolutely destroys most smartwatches, and the secondary display is a feature that we wish was adopted by more competitors. Not only is it easier to read in direct sunlight, but the coloured backlight can quickly let you know of your current heart rate zone during a workout. Features like these make the TicWatch Pro 5 one of the most well-rounded smartwatches on the market, and not just amongst its Wear OS peers.

Reviewer: Thomas Deehan
Full review: TicWatch Pro 5 review

While it’s no secret that OnePlus’ foray into the world of wearable tech was something of a misfire, the company’s eventual successor managed to right every wrong of the original OnePlus Watch.

For starters, the OnePlus Watch 2 now supports Wear OS for true smartwatch functionality, but it can also dive into a low-power mode that cuts back on some features but in return, offers up a whopping 12-days of use. You may be waiting for a caveat here, but the OnePlus Watch 2’s ‘power save mode’ is one of the better ones we’ve seen.

For instance, TicWatch uses its ‘essential mode’ to elongate battery life, but that only really keeps the TicWatch Pro 5’s secondary display running. By comparison, OnePlus’ alternative still lets you track workouts, control music and check the weather. It’s handy to have for those moments when you’re far away from a charger as you won’t have to sacrifice much in return for the longer battery life.

Reviewer: Mike Sawh
Full review: OnePlus Watch 2 review

Even though timepieces are supposed to have an element of fashion about them, not every company actually follows through on that front (we’re looking at you Mobvoi). Luckily you’re not completely out of options on this front, particularly as Google has put together one of the most eye-catching smartwatches of the current crop.

The Pixel Watch 2 takes on a pebble-like design that feels almost uniform the entire way around, also making it difficult to see where the screen ends and the chassis begins. It’s quite an impressive bit of engineering that’s capped off by a central rotating crown and a very well hidden push button.

Much like the Apple Watch, the magnets that connect watch bands to the Pixel Watch 2 sit inside the chassis, making it seem as if the bands are an extension of the watch itself. It would be nice if Google released a slightly larger version of the Pixel Watch 2 (its 41mm casing is smaller than most smartwatches) but it’s only a minor gripe on what is undeniably a great looking device.

Reviewer: Conor Allison
Full review: Pixel Watch 2 review

While there’s nothing stopping you from pairing any of the watches on this list with your Samsung phone, there’s only one option that gives the most seamless (and affordable) experience possible for users and that’s the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7.

The Watch 7 gives you quick access to some of the key apps on your Samsung phone, including the Bixby assistant and your camera app – perfect for lining up a shot. Similarly, there are several fitness features on the Watch 7 that are only available if you pair with a Samsung device, so in order to get the most out of the watch, Samsung wants you to go all in on its own ecosystem.

Much like the TicWatch Pro 5’s secondary display, the Galaxy Watch 7 has a unique feature of its own in a digital rotating bezel which allows you to scroll through menus simply by swiping around the outside of the display. It’s a simple concept but it works incredibly well, and it saves you adding any annoying smudges to the display during a workout.

Reviewer: Mike Sawh
Full review: Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 review

Aside from a few outliers from high-end companies like Mont Blanc, Wear OS watches have largely avoided the premium space, opting to stay just below the Apple Watch in terms of pricing. The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra serves to buck that trend, offering a top shelf experience that isn’t too dissimilar to what iPhone users have been able to enjoy with the Apple Watch Ultra.

With an asking price of £599/$649, the Galaxy Watch Ultra will far exceed the budgets of most buyers but in return, you’re getting a watch that’s built with grade 4 titanium and to fit a level of military grade durability. There’s also a new quick button which can’t be found on any other Galaxy Watch, making things easier when toggling features like fitness tracking or the torch function.

The only thing missing is a physical rotating bezel similar to the one found on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The digital rotating bezel from the standard Galaxy Watch is here, but it’s less useful given that physical inputs are far easier to use during extended periods of exercise, something that’s understood by the best Garmin watches.

When it comes to Wear OS, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is able to show off Google’s operating system in its best light. In addition to the super bright display that can reach 2000 nits, the Watch also has Wear OS 5 out of the box, making it one of the first wearables of its kind to do so (alongside the Galaxy Watch 7).

The Watch’s dual-frequency GPS and powerful heart rate sensor allow it to also pump out accurate fitness tracking data, making it an easy option for anyone who wants the sports focussed approach of a Garmin, but with all the smarts that Wear OS has to offer.

Reviewer: Conor Allison
Full review: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review