Best Smart Watches to Buy As A Gift
A year ago smartwatches were just starting to show up on the holiday gift lists of uber-techies. This year, smartwatches are everywhere and are on the gift lists of everybody we talk to. During this time of year where you are racking your brain for gift ideas a smartwatch gift could be perfect. There are now lots of makers, models and options to choose from that it can be absolutely overwhelming, especially if you consider you are buying for somebody else. We’ll try help you navigate the waters with our recommendations for the top smartwatch gifts.
As an avid smartwatch user, I love the added functionality and efficiency I get from notifications, heart-rate tracking, calendar on my wrist and cool apps that keep me up to date. I find my smartwatch is really convenient and stops me from my constant addiction to my phone notifications and alerts. We’ve tested a few dozen smartwatches in the last twelve months and they are all pretty good. A few standout watches showed up over and over so they are the ones we’ve focused on below.
Not surprisingly the new Apple Watch Series 2 is our pick of the bunch (and the one I wear every day). It has GPS, a much brighter screen, water-proof and is priced pretty reasonably at $369. It also makes a great gift. If you want to spend a little less but still want Apple, the Series 1 Apple Watch is great and you can buy it for $269.
We looked at the total picture when it came to recommending our smartwatch list. From the attractiveness of the design, options, features, apps, operating system, fitness tracking and everything in between. If you’re looking for the perfect smartwatch to buy your wife (or son, daughter, top employee and so on) this holiday season, then this list should help.
Here are the best ssmart watches to buy as a gift this holiday season.
Apple Watch Series 2
Apple’s new Watch has minor design changes but under the hood are some big improvements. A brighter display makes the watch more useful in bright sunlight. And added GPS allows you to get directions live (which is so nice). Finally, the watch is now water resistant up to 50 metres. To many it’s the Watch people wanted first time around. Definitely the smartwatch gift that will make you look like a rockstar.
Michael Kors Access Touch Screen Blue Bradshaw Smartwatch MKT5006
Technology meets style with the Michael Kors Access Collection, especially this Access Bradshaw blue IP display smartwatch. It is the perfect Michael Kors gift for somebody special. This is an Android watch and connects directly with both your Android and Apple phone. Cool features include fitness tracking through Google Fit that also tackles calories burned as well as the pretty standard steps burned and distance traveled (which is basically table stakes in this day and age for smartwatches). We liked the notifications system on this phone. Calls and alert notifications were obvious but not annoying.
In terms of look and feel, you can personalize a lot of your choices. Watch face options are plenty as are straps too. You will be able to find something that works for everybody.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Movado Men’s 0660003 Analog Display Swiss Quartz Black Smartwatch
We love the classic look of this Movado smartwatch. If you want a gift for somebody who loves technology and the finer things in life, this watch could be a great gift. This men’s museum sport motion smartwatch with bluetooth connectivity has less features that some of the more advanced offerings so don’t expect it to be at the top in terms of checking boxes for advanced functionality.
This watch allows you to track your steps and monitor your sleep rhythm. We love the insanely long 2 year battery life with no recharging (try that with an Apple Watch to see why this is a great feature). It has a rugged sapphire crystal and Swiss-quartz movement, combining old-school traditional watch-making with technology flair.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Huawei Watch
This is another watch that combines traditional watch design with modern day technology. The Huawei Watch surprised us when it arrived, it is a great overall smartwatch and is one of our favorites here in the Gracious Watch office. It redefines what we’ve come to expect from a smartwatch. Developed as a classic piece rather than a smartphone for your wrist, it is definitely the high-end standard for the category.
Huawei didn’t skimp here, using materials like sapphire crystal, forged stainless steel and smooth leather and stainless steel bands, you can feel the quality of materials immediately. Some of the advanced features of the phone include a really sharp screen that has super-high definition, it plays music and has almost 4,000 apps you can personalize directly. We also love the hands-free call functionality, it is really crisp and loud and noticeably better than the other watches on this list in that respect.
Options wise you can choose from different faces and bands and again there are more than enough options for you to choose from. A great holiday gift.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier
Samsung really knows how to get a lot of features into a little watch. The Gear S3 allows you to text, call, and get notifications directly from your phone while letting you make payments on the go too. Like Apple, it comes with a built-in GPS that helps with directions and tracking of fitness activity. The Samsung works with Android smartphone.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Vector Watch Luna Smartwatch
This is the most beautiful smartwatch on this Christmas gift list post. Make no mistake, this watch is about being an amazing watch first and being smart second. A cool stainless steel case and high-end, classic watch design are what makes this watch stand out on this list. Lots of customization options allow you to personalize this watch for your special person. You can also customize notifications and information ‘Streams’ at the touch of a button. We found this pretty easy to use. A gentle vibration alerts you to notifications but will only be displayed when you turn the watch towards you. Awesome privacy feature and again shows this is a watch-first approach.Like the other watches on this list, the Vector tracks all your physical activity and provides updates versus your goals. Many core watch functions are also included such as, a stopwatch, chronograph and countdown timer.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Fossil Q Founder
This handsome timepiece tracks everything from daily steps to calories. Notifications alert you of incoming calls and texts. Use the built-in microphone and speaker to do a variety of tasks on your Android smartwatch using just your voice. Stay charged for up to 1 day (based on usage) with the wireless conductive magnetic charger. From customizable watch faces to interchangeable straps, it’s easy to tell time the smarter way with Q Marshal.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Fitbit Charge 2
The Fitbit Charge 2 is the best all-round fitness tracker on this smartwatch gift list. With its PurePulse continuous wrist-based heart rate tracking it is by far the most accurate tracker of the bunch. This is the perfect gift for the gym-rat in your life. It even has cool programs so you can optimize workouts based on your goal of Fat Burn, Cardio and Peak. You can also track how long and how well you sleep and wake with a silent vibrating alarm which we found to work really well. Very fun.
Get a better understanding of your fitness level and see how you can improve over time with a personalized Cardio Fitness Score; Use Connected GPS during run mode to see real-time stats like pace and distance on your wrist.
It also has all the standard call, text and calendar notification features you expect from a smartwatch. Note that the smaller screen isn’t the best of the bunch when it comes to some of the more productivity functions.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Motorola Moto 360 2nd Generation
Options options options. The Moto 360 has so many options it will make your head spin. With designs made specifically for men or women, it’s easy to find the color, size, and style that fits you best or it is also easy to get confused and give up. Either way, there is a design and combination for everybody.
We love the fact that the Moto 360 is less in your face from a notifications perspective than other smartwatches on this gift list. It balances getting you the right notifications without being annoying. It still has lots of options (messages, news, weather etc) but it gives you those updates in a subtle way that is really refreshing.
We love the classic round design with great details like the edge-to-edge glass and an exceptionally thin bezel. A great looking all-around smartwatch that makes a great holiday present.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Garmin Fenix 3 HR
The Garmin Fenix 3 HR is our favorite running watch. With its accurate wrist based heart rate monitor you can avoid those annoying chest bands. When paired with the HRM-Run monitor, the Garmin calculates advanced features like recovery time, recovery check and race predictor – which estimates your ideal finish time – and VO2 max estimates to improve performance. Overall, most of the features are clearly focused on the fitness fan and outdoors person in your life.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
Pebble Time Steel Smartwatch for Apple/Android Devices
Pebble Time Steel keeps you connected to the things that matter most, and look great doing it. Its battery lasts up to 10 days between charges which is up there on this list. You can manage notifications, calendars, calls, music playback quickly and easily with its easy to use interface. They have nailed the details on the watch and it is clear that the team at Pebble is an innovator in the smartwatch world. ight from your wrist.
The Pebble Time Steel works with both Android and iPhone smartphones.
> > > Click here to see ratings, reviews, specifications and prices on Amazon < < <
See Also:
THE BEST SMART WATCHES TO BUY AS A GIFT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
HIGH END WATCH DEALS FOR CYBER MONDAY 2016
TOP 5 CASIO G-SHOCK DEALS ON CYBER MONDAY 2016
THE ACCESSORIES EVERY MODERN GENTLEMAN NEEDS
5 FABULOUS CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS FOR WATCH ENTHUSIASTS
AFFORDABLE YEAR-END WATCH GIFTS FOR YOUR BOYFRIEND
7 GREAT AFFORDABLE CHRISTMAS WATCH GIFTS FOR WOMEN (UNDER $100)
7 GREAT AFFORDABLE CHRISTMAS WATCH GIFTS FOR MEN (UNDER $100)
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