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Best Wear OS Smartwatch 2024: The top 5 Android wearables tested
In This Article
Looking for a new smartwatch to pair with your Android phone? These are the best Wear OS watches we’ve tested.
For the longest time, the Wear OS market was in a dismal state. Even though a few diehard supporters such as Fossil and TicWatch helped to keep the sector topped up with new devices, it all paled in comparison to the wearable experience that Apple users could enjoy with one of thebest Apple Watches. In 2024 however, these dark days are long gone in the rear-view mirror.
With Google having finally gotten in on the action and Samsung ditching its own Tizen software in favour of Wear OS, this once desolate sector is now thriving with plenty of great options for Android users to choose from – and we should know, we’ve tested them.
After countless reviews and time spent putting the latest Wear OS watches to the test, this list has put those expertise to good use to let you know exactly which options are worth buying. If you want more of an overview of the current wearable market then be sure to check out our list for thebest smartwatch, or for those who want a fitness-first device, ourbest running watchandbest fitness trackerguides have you covered.
Best Wear OS Smarwatch at a glance
How we test
Every smartwatch we test is used by the reviewer for at least a week, or longer if the battery life lasts beyond that point or we need more time to trial its features.During testing, we will check it for key metrics, including app support, usability and battery life. If the device offers fitness, location or health tracking features, we will also test these for accuracy and reliability.For distance tracking, we record how accurately the device recorded runs on tracks we know the length of. We also record how much battery is lost using things like in-built or connected GPS per hour. To check heart rate accuracy, we compared the results recorded on the wearable to those of a dedicated HRM strap.After recording the data, we then pair it with our general experience using the wearable day-to-day, letting you know if it’s comfortable to wear or if we encountered unexpected bugs over the review period.
TicWatch Pro 5
Pros
Cons
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 excellentTicWatch 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 DeehanFull review:TicWatch Pro 5 review
OnePlus Watch 2
Pros
Cons
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 originalOnePlus Watch.
For starters, theOnePlus Watch 2now 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 SawhFull review:OnePlus Watch 2 review
Pixel Watch 2
Pros
Cons
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.
ThePixel Watch 2takes 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 AllisonFull review:Pixel Watch 2 review
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Pros
Cons
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 theSamsung 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 SawhFull review:Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 review
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Pros
Cons
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 theApple Watchin terms of pricing. TheSamsung Galaxy Watch Ultraserves to buck that trend, offering a top shelf experience that isn’t too dissimilar to what iPhone users have been able to enjoy with theApple 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 theSamsung 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 thebest 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 theGalaxy 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 AllisonFull review:Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review
We also considered…
Samsung’s stylish new watch impresses in many areas
Samsung goes rugged
A new era for Wear OS
We’ve reviewed
FAQs
Smartwatches sporting Wear OS 3 or above do not work with iPhones, but some Wear OS 2 wearables still offer up connectivity with iOS.
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Comparison specs
After graduating with an MA in History from University College London and cutting his teeth for several years as a journalist in the film and TV industries, Tom joined the Trusted Reviews team as a Co…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
