The best Wear OS watch 2024: Top smartwatches running Wear OS 3 and more

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
The best Wear OS watches, including Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, Fossil Sport and TicWatch Pro 3
Fossil Sport, Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and TicWatch Pro 3 (Image credit: Fossil, Samsung, Mobvoi)

The best Wear OS watches offer a level of versatility that you might not get from its competitors. That's especially true for watches running the latest Wear OS 3 update. So, while many of them may be less known than the Apple Watch range, that doesn't stop them from being worth your time.

As there is a wide variety made by different manufacturers, you'll need to really think about what features you need the most, and which watch connects well to your phone. That's on top of finding a design that suits your style and knowing your budget. 

Whichever watch you choose, you can rest assured you'll get a clean interface showing reliable health and fitness tracking (including GPS), third-party apps, and stylish digital watch faces, along with attractive physical cases, straps and bezels.

We've tested pretty much all of the best smartwatches on the market, and that includes those running Wear OS from major brands like Samsung, Fossil, TicWatch, MisFit, and Google. And, we gathered the best of them here, noting performance, features, build and design, and price.

If you don't think a Wear OS watch is right for you, the best Apple Watches may be more suitable. Otherwise, take a look at the best Wear OS watches below.

The best Wear OS watch 2024

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

(Image credit: Future)
The best Samsung smartwatch

Specifications

OS: Wear OS
Compatibility: Android
Display: 1.2" 396 x 396 / 1.4" 450 x 450 Super AMOLED
Processor: Dual-core 1.18GHz
Onboard storage: 16GB
Battery duration: 3 days on 44mm / less on 40mm
Charging method: Wireless
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE (for extra)

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent performance
+
Interesting new software

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited compatibility
-
Lacks rotating bezel

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is Samsung’s top smartwatch and the best of the small number of Wear OS 3 watches, combining a premium design with a durable build, a great AMOLED screen, and plenty of health and fitness smarts.

Its tough exterior, hefty battery, and advanced GPS features – such as route generators for endurance workouts – mean it’s also the closest thing Wear OS has to the Apple Watch Ultra – and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is also a whole lot cheaper than Apple’s top wearable.

It’s still on the expensive side, its features will be overkill for many, and it’s unlikely to sway Garmin converts. But this article is about the best Wear OS watches, and the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro certainly ranks high there.

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro review

A photo of the black 40mm Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

(Image credit: Basil Kronfli / TechRadar)
A superb smartwatch

Specifications

OS: Wear OS
Compatibility: Android
Display: 1.4-inch 450 x 450 Super AMOLED
Processor: Dual-core 1.18GHz Cortex-A55
Onboard storage: 16GB
Battery duration: One day
Charging method: Qi wireless charging
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful fitness features
+
Durable and lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
One-day battery life
-
Optimized for Samsung phones

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 has a smaller battery than the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro and also a less bulky – but less durable – build. However, it’s also significantly cheaper, meaning it’s likely to be the better option for a lot of people.

With a bright, sharp and responsive screen, multiple size options, a lightweight build, and a wide range of fitness features, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is just an all-round excellent smartwatch.

Our review noted that battery life is just a day, and that some features are reserved for users of Samsung phones – but certainly if you have a Samsung handset this is a top choice, and even if you don’t it’s well worth considering.

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 review

Google Pixel Watch always on display

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The best Wear OS watch for style

Specifications

OS: Wear OS 3.5
Compatibility: Android 8.0 or higher
Display: 1.2" OLED
Processor: Exynos 9110 (10nm)
Onboard storage: 32GB
Battery: 24 hours
Charging method: Wireless
IP rating: Water-resistant to 5 ATM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE

Reasons to buy

+
Elegant, classic watch-like looks
+
Brilliant screen
+
Fitbit integration

Reasons to avoid

-
One (small) size fits all
-
Band switch system takes practice
-
No blood oxygen sensing - yet

The Google Pixel Watch is Google’s first attempt at a smartwatch, and what an attempt it is, with an elegant design and a small but superb 1.2-inch screen.

This also has Fitbit tech under the surface, so it’s excellent as a fitness tracker as well as a smartwatch, and despite an older chipset performance is smooth. The Pixel Watch also offers hands-free Google Assistant access, which is useful, and the software as a whole impresses.

Our main complaints include a lack of sizing choices and a slightly tricky band switching system, but these are small issues with an otherwise fantastic smartwatch.

Read the full Google Pixel Watch review

Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

(Image credit: TechRadar)
A great Wear OS smartwatch

Specifications

Compatibility: Android
Display: 1.4-inch 450 x 450 Super AMOLED
Processor: Dual-core 1.18GHz Cortex-A55
Onboard storage: 16GB
Battery duration: Two days
Charging method: Qi wireless charging
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic performance
+
Lightweight design

Reasons to avoid

-
No rotating bezel
-
Limited compatibility

Returning to Wear OS means the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 is one of the best Wear OS watches out there, even if it's no longer the latest model. It doesn't use a typical Wear OS UI, embracing One UI Watch 3 instead, but it's still a top-end smartwatch that can track workouts along with mostly everything else you can think of.

That comes at a price for iOS owners (don't count on it working with your iPhone) and you'll need a Samsung smartphone to gain features such as blood pressure or ECG measurements, but it's the right combination, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 offers great looks, decent battery life, and speedy performance. 

Fitness enthusiasts will particularly appreciate the new 3-in-1 BioActive Sensor that means the watch can track your heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and body composition, right down to skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage. 

Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 review

Fossil Gen 6

(Image credit: Future)
A top choice in Wear OS

Specifications

Compatibility: Android, iOS
Display: 1.28-inch 416 x 416 AMOLED
Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz
Band sizes: 22mm straps
Onboard storage: 8GB
Battery duration: Two days
Charging method: Proprietary
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek design
+
Great display

Reasons to avoid

-
Short battery life
-
Little changes

The Fossil Gen 6 is the company's latest smartwatch, and it features a powerful chipset, a good display and a sleek design. If you're looking for a top-end Wear OS watch, the Fossil Gen 6 may be a suitable choice for you.

We particularly liked the 1.28-inch display with its 416 x 416 resolution that looked bright and crisp in all lighting conditions.

The design is where this watch sings though, and if you like the look of the Fossil Gen 6 you'll likely be happy with your smartwatch purchase.

Read the full Fossil Gen 6 review

TicWatch Pro 3

(Image credit: Future)
The watch with two screens

Specifications

Compatibility: Android, iOS
Display: 1.4" 454 x 454 OLED paired with LCD screen
Processor: Snapdragon Wear 4100
Onboard storage: 8GB
Battery duration: Up to 72h, 45 extra days in Essential mode
Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC

Reasons to buy

+
Big battery lasts 3 days
+
Fast chipset

Reasons to avoid

-
Sometimes poor interface
-
Sleep tracking isn't the best

Smartwatch manufacturer Mobvoi have a variety of TicWatch products in this list, but the very best is the TicWatch Pro 3. It comes with some top-end specs, a phenomenal battery life and it won't cost as much as some other smart wristwear either.

This uses the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset with 1GB of RAM, and we found this smartwatch to be one of the most powerful devices of this list. Apps load quickly, and we didn't find any time where you'll be left waiting for something to boot up.

Where does this smartwatch come into its own? Battery life, as the smartwatch can last for up to 45 days in something called 'Essential Mode' that allows you to extend its battery life if you're away from your charger for extended periods. It'll even last for a full three days without that turned on though.

Read the full TicWatch Pro 3 review

Fossil Sport

(Image credit: TechRadar)
Previously the best

Specifications

Compatibility: Android, iOS
Display: 1.2-inch 390 x 390 AMOLED
Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz
Band sizes: 22mm straps
Onboard storage: 4GB
Battery duration: Two days
Charging method: Proprietary
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight design
+
Powerful watch

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks high-end features
-
GPS can be slow

The Fossil Sport is a great combination of value and features in a lightweight body that you're able to wear comfortably day-to-day or when you're working out. There's GPS and the battery life often lasts around two days.

It was one of the first smartwatches to sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset. That means this watch offers a smoother experience than a lot of the others in this list.

Overall, if you're looking for a smooth experience or an easy to use smartwatch. you're almost certain to enjoy the Fossil Sport. Plus, the price has dropped a lot in recent years so that makes it much more attractive.

Read the full Fossil Sport review

Ticwatch E2

(Image credit: Future)
One of the cheapest Wear OS watches

Specifications

Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 8+
Display: 1.39" 400 x 400 OLED
Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100
Onboard storage: 4GB
Battery duration: Around 48h
Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
IP rating: IP67
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1

Reasons to buy

+
One of the cheapest options
+
Easily two day battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
No NFC for payments
-
Bland design

The reason the TicWatch E2 sits so highly in this list is largely down to its price. It's one of the best cheap smartwatches money can buy, and it sports the latest in Wear OS software.

Compared to the last-gen TicWatch E, you'll get 30% better battery life here with our reviewer saying it lasted for over two days with average usage. You'll get less if you're using lots of fitness features though.

It's waterproof so you can take this watch into the swimming pool, there's GPS to track your location and there are lots of other features here too. It lacks NFC, so you can't use this for Google Pay, but considering the price you'll likely love what the TicWatch E2 can do.

Read the full TicWatch E2 review

Fossil Gen 5

(Image credit: Future)
Classic watch aesthetic

Specifications

Compatibility: Android 6.0+, iOS 10+
Display: 1.28" 416 x 416 AMOLED
Processor: Snapdragon Wear 3100
Onboard storage: 8GB
Battery duration: 24h+
Charging method: Conductive USB charger
IP rating: IP68
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Reasons to buy

+
Battery saving modes 
+
Fast processor 

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than rivals 
-
Weak speaker

The Gen 5 is a decent Fossil smartwatch but not a patch on the Fossil Sport sitting at number one in this ranking. The Gen 5 cost is more expensive without bringing too much else, but you might prefer its classic watch looks to the Sport’s more active design.

The Gen 5 comes in a larger Carlyle version or a smaller Julianna, but both have the same premium features like bright vibrant displays, GPS, a heart rate sensor, 1GB RAM and the latest Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset, meaning it’s very fast and responsive. 

Its battery saver modes are genuinely useful and it has water resistance up to 30m, but it’s more expensive than other Wear OS watches and the speaker is poor.

Read the full Fossil Gen 5 review 

A TicWatch S2 in someone's hand

(Image credit: TechRadar)
Remarkably similar to the E2

Specifications

Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 8+
Display: 1.39" 400 x 400 OLED
Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100
Onboard storage: 4GB
Battery duration: Around 48h
Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
IP rating: IP67
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1

Reasons to buy

+
Another cheap option
+
Waterproof design

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks NFC
-
No LTE variant

This watch is very similar to the TicWatch E2 on paper, and that's largely because it is. In fact, all of the spec is exactly the same here and the company has released two versions with different names because they have differing designs, but S2 has a more durable design than the E2 that is listed above.

The S2 has military grade durability so it should be able to take a bit more of a beating than any other watch on this list making it suitable for adventurers as well as runners.

Other than that, you'll have two-day battery life, GPS, a waterproof design and all the other benefits of the latest Wear OS software. If you're trying to save money look at the TicWatch E2, but if you prefer this design the S2 isn't much more expensive.

Read the full TicWatch S2 review

How to choose the best Wear OS watch for you

The most obvious factor to consider when you’re looking for the best Wear OS watch for you is design. For example, would you prefer the sleek and lightweight style of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 or the chunky and sports-focused look of the TicWatch Pro 3?

Next up, you’ll need to consider your budget. If you know that smartwatches are for you already, and don’t mind spending a bit of cash for the best one, check out the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, our current top pick in the first spot on our list. However, there are more affordable options for those with less to spend or for people new to smartwatches – there’s no point dropping a small fortune on a device you might not use in a month. If that’s you, look at the TicWatch options in the list above, which work fantastically well but are generally cheaper than their Samsung and Fossil rivals.

Another key factor to consider when shopping for the best Wear OS watch is compatibility. Yes, all of the devices in this list run on Wear OS – Google’s smartwatch operating system – but Samsung and Pixel watches tend to offer a broader suite of features if you’ve got a Samsung or Google phone. For example, Samsung watches can only use the Bixby voice assistant if connected to a Samsung phone. It’s worth checking whether a top-priority feature is available with the watch and phone combo you plan on getting. 

Other considerations come down to personal preference. For example, if you know you won’t be bothered to charge your watch every night, you will want to prioritize longer battery life. You’ll also want to think about what you’re using your smartwatch for. If you want a phone-like experience on your wrist, you'll need a fantastic screen and all the best features. If you plan on using it as a fitness tracker, first and foremost, you’ll want to check that we recommend it for working out. 

How we test 

Anyone can put on one of the best Wear OS watches and give you a quick rundown of how it looks and feels. But here at TechRadar, we like to go above and beyond. 

We ensure all our testing gives us more than enough hands-on time to let you know how comfortable a watch is over days and weeks of wear – whether that’s for work, sleep or exercise. This also gives us enough time to drain the battery several times. That way, we can tell you whether the brand’s battery claims are slightly over-optimistic – which is sometimes the case. 

Not everyone wants a smartwatch purely for exercise features, but we know that’s a top priority for many. So we ensure we’ve taken every smartwatch we test for a spin, whether to the gym or outside for a run. This also allows us to test each watch’s GPS credentials. Not just whether GPS works but how it shapes up against rival watches. 

Comparing the watches we test to rivals is a vital part of the process. A smartwatch can seem best in class, but it’s only with our extensive testing and knowledge of competitors that we can say with confidence which Wear OS watch is best in certain respects compared to others. 

Matt Evans
Fitness, Wellness, and Wearables Editor

Matt is TechRadar's expert on all things fitness, wellness and wearable tech. A former staffer at Men's Health, he holds a Master's Degree in journalism from Cardiff and has written for brands like Runner's World, Women's Health, Men's Fitness, LiveScience and Fit&Well on everything fitness tech, exercise, nutrition and mental wellbeing.


Matt's a keen runner, ex-kickboxer, not averse to the odd yoga flow, and insists everyone should stretch every morning. When he’s not training or writing about health and fitness, he can be found reading doorstop-thick fantasy books with lots of fictional maps in them.