Anyone who’s spent time searching for the best smart watches for men has probably noticed that the smart watch market has exploded over the past few years.
It wasn’t long ago that the Apple watch was pretty much the only game in town. But today there are dozens (if not hundreds) of options that come from a wide range of manufacturers—and with an even wider range of features, styles and prices to choose from.
Guys who want a watch that’s both smart and sharp could easily spend hours pouring over all of the available options, weighing the various features against their respective prices and styles, and trying to determine which options provide the best blend of form and function.
How do I know? Because that’s exactly what I did. (Look we’re in the middle of a pandemic—I have a lot of time on my hands.)
I scoured the internet searching for the best men’s smart watches that not only offer a ton of cool features, but also look sharp enough that any style-conscious man would be happy to wear it on his wrist all day.
In this post I’ll share the results of my research, and explain what, in my opinion, makes each option below one of best smart watches for men.
The Best Men’s Smart Watches
(For Guys Who Want a Timepiece That’s Both Sharp and Smart)
Apple Watch Series 6
The newest series is easily the best Apple Watch yet
The Apple Watch has come a long way since it debuted back in April of 2015.
It’s added important performance upgrades like a longer battery life and better screen brightness (which is key for reading on such a small screen), along with key features, like a heart rate monitor that can track your VO2 max and blood oxygen levels, and the ability to use Apple pay’s contactless payment features.
But perhaps most importantly, Apple has also made the upgrade that style-conscious guys have been waiting for most:
Better strap options.
Unlike the older models, this new series comes with a wide range of stylish straps.
And with hundreds more available on Amazon, the Apple Watch continues to be an industry leader in both smart features and sharp style.
The Best Android Smartwatch ↓
Samsung Galaxy Watch 3
Engadget declared the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 the “best non-Apple smartwatch,” but this might just be one of the best Android devices in any category.
And while it can’t quite overtake Apple for the crown of overall best smart watch, it comfortably beats Google’s Wear OS, despite the fact that it runs Google’s own software.
In addition to pairing well with your Android phone or other devices, the Galaxy Watch 3 offers improvements over earlier models in the health, fitness and sleep tracking departments.
(Like the Apple watch, it’s also added the ability to read blood oxygen level.)
Design-wise the Galaxy 3 looks more like a classic chrono watch than a smartwatch, while still offering you access to smart features like Google assistant (Android’s answer to Apple’s Siri voice assistant).
The combination of vintage styling and modern features is a plus for guys who want to maintain a more classically masculine look, while still enjoying all the advantages a smart watch provides.
Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle
Fossil has long been a go-to for guys looking for stylish, affordable and masculine (if a bit chunky) watches, making its smart watch offering very much on brand.
The Gen 5 looks great, with a stainless steel case and your choice of a leather or stainless steel strap.
But with 44 mm watch face, some guys might find it a little large. (I personally prefer watches in the 40 to 42 mm range, but I have scrawny handsomely slender wrists.)
The Gen 5 is powered by Google’s Wear OS software and compatible with both Android and Apple devices, making it a good option for guys who aren’t brand loyal and want to be able to pair their watch with devices operating on both platforms.
The Best Smart Watch for Sports and Active Men ↓
Garmin Vivoactive 4
It should come as no surprise that the most rugged smart watch on this list comes from Garmin, the company that made its name building GPS devices built for adventure.
The same could be said for its smart watch offering, which has a ton of fitness features that are perfect for hikes, bike rides and other outdoor adventures.
Fortunately for those of us who prefer to get active indoors, Vivoactive comes preloaded with more than 20 indoor sports apps, including yoga, running, swimming (it has a water resistance of up to 50 meters) and more.
The watch also makes it easy to stream music with playlists from Spotify, Amazon music or Deezer.
If you’re primarily looking for a smart watch that will suit your active lifestyle, get the Garmin.
Maybe the Most Luxurious-Looking Smartwatch ↓
Movado Bold Motion Connect 2.0 Smartwatch
Maybe the sharpest-looking smart watch on this list, the Movado Bold Motion Connect 2.0 has a premium look that reminds me of the smart watch James Bond would wear.
(If he didn’t have Q custom-making bespoke gadgets for him, that is.)
Compatible with both iOS devices and an Android smartphone, the Movado Bold displays phone calls, appointments, emails, texts and social media messages on its LED screen, and can be used for five full days on a single charge.
It may not have all the bells and whistles of the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy, but anyone looking for style first and functionality second could hardly do better.
Classic Precision Meets Modern Functionality ↓
Montblanc Summit 2 Smartwatch
German brand Montblanc has long one of my favourites for their fresh-smelling colognes and (expensive, but exceptional) pens, but has long been known for making stylish and expertly crafted watches.
Like most of the other watches on this list, their entry into the smart watch market uses Google’s WearOS and comes loaded with multiple apps, in addition to a wide variety of Google Play apps.
The Minimalist Man’s Smart Watch ↓
Skagen Connected Falster 2
Another well known watch maker that’s delving into the the smart watch world, Skagen’s taken a minimalist approach to its Connected Falster 2, and the results are as sleek as they are smart.
Available in a wide variety of straps and either a black or silver 40 mm case, the black-on-black look (pictured here) is particularly striking.
The band is silicone, but the overall look is so sharp that you could easily see this watch being worn with a well cut suit.
In addition to sharp style, the watch is feature-rich.
Compatible with both iPhone and Android, it comes with a built-in fitness tracker, microphone and music storage & controls, and allows you to receive notifications and app alerts from your phone, among other great features.
Sleek and Sophisticated ↓
Withings Steel HR Hybrid Smartwatch
And speaking of minimalist smart watches you could wear with a suit…
The Withings Steel HR Hybrid refuses to sacrifice style in the name of smarts, instead blending the two into a timepiece that looks so good, you’d wear it even if it were dumb.
Fortunately, it’s anything but.
From heart rate tracking to receiving smart phone alerts, the Withings may not have the most features of any watch on this list, but it checks all the standard boxes while offering really good battery life: 25 days, plus an additional 20 hours of battery life on power reserve mode.
Pretty Awesome. Very Affordable. ↓
Timex Metropolitan R AMOLED Smartwatch
Timex may not be the flashiest brand on this list but it’s certainly one of the most reliable.
And just as the Weekender is a perfect starter watch for any young man delving into the world of NATO strap watches, the Metropolitan provides good value and a cost-effective entry point into smartwatches.
This is a great, low-cost smart watch for guys on a budget:
It comes with a hi-resolution touch display, 12 days of battery life, 20 display screens to choose from and enough features to get you started – including heart-rate monitoring, activity tracking and onboard GPS.
The Smartwatch Splurge ↓
TAG Heuer Connected Modular 45mm Smartwatch
From one end of the price spectrum to the other, Tag Heuer’s Connected Modular is basically the Rolls Royce of men’s smart watches.
The Swiss manufacturer has long been known as one of the world’s premier luxury watchmakers, and their smart watch comes with all the trappings you’d expect from the top of the men’s watch mountain:
The case and bracelet are made from sandblasted titanium, the watch faces are made from scratch-resistant crystal, and the Intel Atom processor means its smart watch features are lightning fast.
Add it all up, and this isn’t just a smart watch—it’s a statement. (And it comes with a price tag to match.)
Take The Next Step Toward Sharp Style
Rocking the Right Watch is a Good First Step—But There are Many More
Now that you know which of the many options on the market constitute the best smartwatches for men, you’ll be able to choose a timepiece that’s as sharp as it is smart.
But as much as I love a good accessory, the truth is that your watch (smart though it may be) is really only one small detail in your overall look.
And while nailing the watch game is a great first step toward sharper style, there are a lot more details that you need to nail if you really want to look your best. Nine of them, in fact.
To help you put your best face forward, I’ve put together a head-to-toe checklist outlining nine important aspects of your look you need to get right.
Enter your email address below and I’ll send you the nine details you need to nail if you want to out-dress the other guys and elevate your overall appearance.
Don’t Let the Other Guys Out-Dress You
Find out how to look sharp and stand out.
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More Men’s Watch Advice and Recos from Irreverent Gent:
- How to Wear a Pocket Watch
- How to Wear a NATO Strap Watch
- Timex Weekender Review
- In-Depth Undone Watches Review
- The Most Stylish Watch Boxes for Men
- The Best MVMT Men’s Watches
- The Cheapest Rolexes for Men
- The 125 Most Badass Mens Wedding Bands
