The 8 Best Apple Watch Alternatives of 2021

Apple's wearable isn't the only watch game in town

by
Sarah Silbert
Writer
Sarah Lawrence is a consumer technology writer whose work has appeared in Fortune and MIT Technology Review. She's also a previous senior editor at Engadget.
our editorial process
Sarah Silbert
Updated on January 04, 2021

The Apple Watch is a popular and highly regarded smartwatch, but it isn't for everyone. If you're looking for something more budget-friendly or you don't like the Apple Watch's look, there are a host of alternative wearables with robust features, functionality, and cool designs. Here are our picks for the best Apple Watch alternatives for 2021.

These Apple Watch alternatives work with both Android and iOS devices.

01
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Best Aesthetics: Moto 360 (Third Generation)

Moto 360 smartwatch is an Apple Watch alternative
What We Like

  • Stylish, sleek design.

  • Water-resistant.

  • Get a full charge in 60 minutes.

  • Fitness integration sensors monitor heart rate and sleep.

  • Compatible with a variety of fitness apps.

  • Works with Apple and Android devices.

  • Comes with two bands so you can change up your look.

What We Don't Like

  • At around $300, it's on the pricey side.

  • Users report short battery life.

The third generation of the popular Moto 360 adds even more features and options to a classic, great-looking wearable. Unlike earlier Moto 360 iterations, this version is produced by a Motorola licensee called eBuyNow and retails for around $300 (hunt around for sales and discounts.)

The display features a classic round ​watch face, giving it more of a timepiece look. The wearable comes with a leather band and a sports band, so you can switch up your look to suit your activity. It's water-resistant, has a quick-charge USB dock, supports contactless payments, and is compatible with many apps, including Spotify, Google Music, Google Pay, Viber, and more.

The Moto 360 is great for fitness buffs, featuring a heart monitor, built-in GPS, and access to the Google Fit app to guide your wellness journey. There's even a Calm app to help you meditate.

The Moto 360 is a Wear OS (formerly Android Wear) device that works with both Apple and Android phones.

02
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Best Lifestyle Smartwatch: Samsung Galaxy Watch3

Samsung Galaxy Watch3 smartwatch alternative to Apple Watch
What We Like

  • Gorgeous design.

  • Features a rotating bezel.

  • Advanced tools for runners.

  • Get FDA-approved ECG readings.

  • Measure sleep, blood oxygen levels, and more.

  • Accepts Bixby voice commands.

What We Don't Like

  • No blood pressure reading functionality.

  • Battery life is a bit lacking.

Samsung has a few excellent wearables to choose from, including the Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Watch Active2, and the original Galaxy Watch, but its Galaxy Watch3 boasts a stunning design and full palette of features. This iteration brings back the rotating bezel, a fan-favorite feature, letting you easily scroll through your apps, and its circular AMOLED display is stunning and easy to view in direct sunlight.

What really sets the Galaxy Watch3 apart are its health and wellness features, including a running coach, ECG sensor( FDA-approved), fitness app syncing, sleep tracking, and a blood oxygen level monitor. Set up widgets, take calls from your wrist, and choose from 80,000 watch faces and 40 complications.

The Watch3's basic model starts at $399 and comes in Mystic Siver and Mystic Bronze. A slightly larger $429 model comes in Mystic Black or Mystic Silver. The Watch3 runs the Tizen OS and works with iPhones and Android phones.

03
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Best Budget Smartwatch: Willful Smart Watch (2020 Version)

Willful Smart Watch 2020 alternative to the Apple Watch
What We Like

  • Can be found for less than $30.

  • Tracks steps, calories, heart rate, and sleep quality.

  • Water-resistant.

  • Can be used for up to 10 days on one charge.

  • Stopwatch and "do not disturb" features.

What We Don't Like

  • Not much clock face variety.

  • Notifications can be spotty.

  • Not as full-featured as other options on this list.

If you want a smartwatch without spending hundreds of dollars, Willful's Smart Watch (2020) is a solid choice. While it understandably doesn't have all the bells and whistles of its more expensive counterparts, Willful's Smart Watch offers incredible battery life, a sleek look, easy syncing, and excellent fitness-tracking features for less than $30.

Receive messages via Messenger, Twitter, and WhatsApp, enjoy a water-resistant and battery-saving experience, and use fitness-tracking features such as heart rate and sleep monitoring, distance and step counting, calorie counting, and more.

The Willful Smart Watch (2020) works with both Android phones and iPhones.

04
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Best Health Watch: Fitbit Sense

Fitbit Sense Heath smartwatch alternative to the Apple Watch
What We Like

  • Stress-management tools.

  • Monitor your skin temperature.

  • Track blood oxygen levels.

  • Sleep-tracking functions.

  • Has an ECG app.

  • Goal-tracking help.

What We Don't Like

  • Touchscreen interface takes some getting used to.

  • App selection isn't as great as some of its rivals.

  • You'll need to subscribe to Fitbit’s $9.99-per-month premium plan to access some features.

The Fitbit Sense smartwatch is an excellent device designed to unify its users' minds and bodies for optimal health. At just over $300, the Fitbit Sense is one of the more expensive Fitbit devices, but its quality design and unique health functions, including sensors that monitor your stress level, make it a contender to consider if you're not interested in an Apple Watch.

Since this is a Fitbit device, you'll find all manner of step counting and fitness tracking functionality along with onboard GPS, so you won't have to drag around your smartphone while running or hiking.

The Fitbit Sense works with both iPhones and Android phones, though some functionality is limited if you pair it with an iPhone.

05
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Best for Water Sports and Activities: Umidigi Uwatch GT

Unidigi Uwatch GT smartwatch alternative to Apple Watch, featuring an underwater swimmer
What We Like

  • 5ATM-level waterproof.

  • Records data while underwater.

  • Easy-to-operate, attractive design.

  • Long battery life.

  • Data monitoring in 12 sports modes.

  • All-day heart-rate monitor.

  • Costs less than $50.

What We Don't Like

  • Users say its smartphone interface app, VeryFit Pro, isn't as useful as it could be

Umidigi Uwatch GT, which retails for less than $50, is a great Apple Watch alternative for swimmers or any watersports buff. With 5ATM water resistance, you can dive up to 50 meters wearing the smartwatch and stay underwater for 10 minutes. It also boasts a 10-to-15-day daily use battery life, continuous heart monitoring, Google Fit integration, and a variety of cool designs.

The Uwatch GT is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones.

06
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Most Stylish: Michael Kors Access Gen 5 Bradshaw

Michael Kors smartwatch, alternative to the Apple Watch
What We Like

  • Comes in sizes and styles traditionally seen as for men and women.

  • 1.7-inch AMOLED screen.

  • Wear OS gives you access to Google Assistant.

  • Michael Kors custom watch faces.

  • Elegant design.

What We Don't Like

  • Battery life isn't great.

  • Not the best choice for a fitness watch.

The Michael Kors Access Gen 5 Bradshaw series of smartwatches is truly stunning, featuring a classy and elegant design that looks like a nice wristwatch. These watches come in a variety of colors and sizes, including brushed gold, rose gold, bright pink, pave tri-tone, and many more. Its 1.7-inch AMOLED screen is bright and striking, and its Wear OS underpinnings give you access to Google Pay, Google Assistant, and more.

While there are basic fitness-tracking features, this isn't the best smartwatch to get sweaty in. Still, there are fun features like breathing exercises and custom goal-setting.

The Gen 5 Bradshaw series prices vary according to color and style, ranging from about $200 to $400. This Wear OS device can be used with both iPhones and Android phones.

07
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Most Affordable Wear OS Device: TicWatch E2

TicWatch Wear OS smartwatch Apple Watch alternative
What We Like

  • Affordable price.

  • Full-featured Android smartwatch.

  • 5ATM-level waterproof.

  • Track surfs and swims.

  • Two-day battery life.

What We Don't Like

  • There's no NFC, so you can't use it with Google Pay for contactless payments.

The TicWatch E2 is a perfectly functional and solid smartwatch, but its main selling point is that it's a Wear OS device you can buy for less than $160. The TicWatch tracks your steps, gives you access to Google Assistant and Google Fit, shows you notifications, and is 5ATM-level waterproof. Download apps from the Google Play Store and enjoy a heart rate sensor, sleep tracking features, and decent battery life.

The TicWatch E2 Wear OS device is compatible with both iPhones and Android phones.

08
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Best Hybrid Smartwatch: Withings Steel HR

Withings hybrid smartwatch Apple Watch alternative
What We Like

  • An analog watch look with fitness-tracking features.

  • Crown button makes it easy to tap your way through the screens.

  • Heart rate sensor.

  • Not bulky.

What We Don't Like

  • Fewer fitness features than other devices on this list.

The Withings Steel HR hybrid smartwatch is meant for people who don't like the often-bulky look of traditional smartwatches, but who want some fitness tracking features. There's a minimalist display in a stylish analog design, along with step tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and a battery that will last up to 25 days.

The device has smart notifications, so you'll get a gentle nudge when you have an alert. Check your wrist to see what it's about and decide if you need to pull your phone out to deal with a message or call.

The Withings Steel HR hybrid smartwatch retails for about $180 and can be used with an iPhone or Android phone.

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