The best Android smartwatches for 2022

We're almost getting tired of saying it at this point, but the fact remains: if you want a smartwatch to use with your Android phone right now, Samsung's Galaxy Watch4 should be at the top of your shortlist. Not only does the Watch4 family still enjoy exclusive access to Wear OS 3 (though more watches from other manufacturers are slated to get it sometime this year), but it's also an excellent smartwatch besides. Performance out of its Exynos W920 chipset is top-notch, its 60Hz display is bright and vibrant, and battery life is above average. The 40mm model offers 30 or so hours between charges; the larger 42mm model goes closer to 40. The Galaxy Watch4 does require some Samsung apps on your phone to get the fullest experience — you won't be able to see your SpO2 stats without Samsung Health, for example — but with excellent performance, a tremendous 60Hz display, and, along with the Watch4 Classic, Wear OS 3 exclusivity (for the time being), it's the easiest wearable to recommend to most Android users right now.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch4 Classic is a nice-to-have upgrade to the standard Watch4. Functionality and performance are exactly the same across models, but the pricier Classic's case is made of stainless steel instead of aluminum. The Classic also has a rotating bezel that can be used to make menu selections, scroll through notifications, and more. At an MSRP of $350, it might not an easy sell over the $250 base-model Watch4 — but if you crave a more traditional-looking smartwatch or just can't live without that clicky bezel (who could blame you?), the Classic's premium will be worth it for you.

With Qualcomm's Wear 4100 chip, a whole gig of RAM, and a promised update to the new-and-improved Wear OS 3 sometime this year, Mobvoi's TicWatch E3 offers a lot of value for a relatively modest $200. Mobvoi went with a lower-cost LCD display to hit that low price, which means lower contrast and no perfect OLED blacks. Still, even with that less-efficient display type, battery life stretches well into a second day. An Essential Mode also limits the watch's functionality but boosts battery life significantly. The E3 is still relatively new, but at an MSRP of $200, you can bet there'll eventually be some juicy sales on this one. Once it gets Wear OS 3, it'll be a great way to experience modern Wear OS on the cheap — and for the price, it's a good pick in the meantime, too.

The TicWatch Pro 3 was king of the Wear OS hill for a spell, so it's not much surprise that the updated TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS is also quite good. There aren't actually many differences between the two watches: the new Ultra GPS has a refined design, slightly beefier Wear 4100+ chipset (to the Pro 3's Wear 4100), and, according to Mobvoi, meets the MIL-STD-810G durability standard. It's got outstanding battery life that'll easily last you more than a total of 24 hours, partially thanks to a unique dual-layer display that can enter a super-low-power mode when you're not actively using the watch. Wear OS 3 is scheduled to land on the Pro 3 Ultra GPS sometime this year, which will make the watch all the better. The Pro 3 Ultra GPS has an MSRP of $300, but you can pick one up for less if you keep an eye out for sales.

Fitbit made a name for itself with simpler fitness trackers, but the Versa 3 is a pretty lovely smartwatch in its own right. It has excellent battery life — up to six days when you're not using the AOD. Its Google Assistant integration is even better than what you get on Wear OS, too, with snappier, more reliable performance. The worst thing about the watch is a bizarre bug that makes changing watch faces a pain. Its MSRP is $230, but it's frequently available for less than $200 lately. If you like the look but want additional features, look into the Fitbit Sense. It's pricier, but it has a stainless steel case and extra health monitoring tricks.

We weren't initially too enthusiastic about the Fossil Gen 6. While it's got Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4100+ chipset, it's also saddled with an out-of-date version of Wear OS. That means that, right now, it's not a fantastic buy compared to something like the Galaxy Watch4, or even the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro Ultra 3 GPS — which weighs in at the same $300 MSRP but has the added benefits of both an added low-power display to extend battery life and compliance with the MIL-STD-810G durability standard. But with robust build quality, a vibrant, crisp display, and an update to Wear OS 3 in the works, the Gen 6 is worth your consideration — just be aware there are likely more appealing options available right now. That could change with the aforementioned update, however.