We’re still waiting for a couple of the biggest Smartwatches to hit shelves as we enter the second-half of 2015, with the Pebble Time and Huawei Watch still steadily making their way to stores all over the world. They say it’ll be quite a wait before the Huawei Watch becomes available, but as we enter the Summer, there’s still plenty of choice, make no doubt about that.
10. Samsung Gear 2
For the Samsung fans among us, the Gear 2 is the de facto option for a Samsung smartwatch. The Tizen based OS is pretty decent, but Android Wear has quickly caught up. This sort of watch is decidedly digital, and it looks like something from “the future” so if that’s something you’re after, then this will work nicely. If not, there are options out there as well. For Galaxy Note 4 and Galaxy S6 users and other select Samsung devices, this is a nice, if not limited option for Android.
09. Samsung Gear Live
The Gear Live might not be available to purchase from the Google Store any more, but it recently got the update to Android 5.1.1, beating out the beloved Moto 360 and others. If you want to try out Android Wear though, and don’t want to spend a huge amount to do so, this is a good option that will help you do just that. It has all the same features as all other Android Wear watches, but just beware that the charging cradle is really quite poor, sadly. You can read our review here.
08. LG G Watch
Another of the first Android Wear devices to hit the market, the LG G Watch is one hell of an unexciting watch. It’s a black face with a silicon strap, and that’s about it. Having said that, some people like the fact that this is so simple and unassuming, plus you can easily attach whichever 22mm watch band you like to make the most of the overall design. The G Watch however is a great way of showing Android Wear off, it’s nice and speedy and the battery life is consistently much better than the Moto 360 even with the display always-on. You can read our review here and while you could call this the ugly duckling of the Android Wear world, it’s super-reliable and has great battery life.
07. Pebble Steel
Soon to be outclassed by the Pebble Time Steel, the Pebble Steel is one of the few smartwatches you could tie with a suit. That’s not saying much however, as there’s competition from the likes of the Moto 360 and a steel Sony SmartWatch 3. With more memory than the original Pebble and a choice of either leather or metal watch straps in the box, this is a good product for those in need of something a little smarter, and it also has the same sort of fitness tracking elements from Misfit, too.
06. Sony SmartWatch 3
Sony’s SmartWatch 3 got off to something of a rough start, with people questioning those rubber bands and why Sony needed to break away from the pack. Since then however, the SmartWatch 3 has presented itself as an excellent option for those always on the move and looking for something more sporty. The steel version however, is a great smartwatch to wear with a suit, or whenever you want, it adds a new level of class to an otherwise fairly strange design. Still, it stands out and it’s different. Our review is here. The choice to use microUSB makes this the only watch here you can top up pretty much wherever you are, no need to bring that cradle with you!
05. Samsung Gear S
The Gear S might be expensive, and for a lot of users it’s only really useful when paired with a Samsung smartphone. Still, it’s one of the few devices that shows what’s possible when a flexible display is used in a watch and it’s also one of the few smartwatches that can function on its own without the need of a smartphone always present. You can read our review here, and while it’s certainly expensive, if you have the money and are into chunky watches then this is worth taking a look at. Frustrated with not having a watch that can stand on its two feet? The Gear S is the only watch in this lineup to do just that.
04. ASUS ZenWatch
Easily one of the best-looking square smartwatches on the market, the ASUS ZenWatch shows us that there’s beauty to be had in a digital and modern design. It’s also got some pretty good battery life and some interesting apps available from the Play Store, too. All-in-all, this is the watch to get if you like square watches, but aren’t satisfied with the rest of the competition. Easy to pair with all sorts of different outfits, this is a great watch for any occasion.
03. LG G Watch R
A light, comfortable watch that doesn’t look quite as big in person as you’d think, the G Watch R is a great example of what Android Wear can do. The display here is fully circular and very bright and readable. With a heart rate monitor and more, this has all the features you’d want in a smartwatch and it’s also good-looking, too. It’s a more rugged, slightly beefier watch. Those numbers around the edge of the display will remind many of the older G-Shock watches and that’s certainly not a bad thing. Our review can be found here.
02. LG Watch Urbane
The Watch Urbane is the new hotness right now when it comes to Android Wear smartwatches, and it’s understandable why. It looks the part, especially to those looking for a more traditional watch experience. It is however, quite expensive and fairly chunky on the wrist as well. As is the case with other Android Wear devices, there’s not much that sets this apart from other devices available from the likes of the G Watch R or even the ZenWatch. We reviewed the Watch Urbane recently, and if you like a larger watch that stands out while also looking like a watch, then this is one of the better options out there.
01. Motorola Moto 360
Motorola recently lowered the price on the Moto 360, and it’s now just $170 from Amazon, which means you can get two of these for one Watch Urbane. Yes, there might be cause for buying two to get the same sort of battery life, but no matter how you look at it, this is great value. Moto Maker is now available to customize and build your favorite Moto 360 and while there are still concerns over its battery life, this is a good-looking watch period, and it’s also one of the smartwatches you could recommend to anyone, no matter their job or their dress sense. Take a look at our review here.