It’s 2017. The New Years hangovers have cleared, the resolutions have been reconsidered, and we’re back to our normal selves.
But that doesn’t mean the 2016 you can’t be cooler than the 2015 you, and we want to help you with that.
One easy way to step it up in the new year? A new watch, and one that does a hell of a lot more than tell you the time. So we’ve compiled a quick list for you with the highlights of what you need to know. Here are the best smartwatches available right now in 2016.
1. Apple Watch
We might as well get the Apple Watch out of the way early on so we can keep moving. It’s the most compatible with iOS, but isn’t the only smartwatch that works with your iPhone. Here are the details that truly matter.
Compatibility
Sorry Android users, this one is iOS only.
Battery Life
Up to 18 hours.
Customizable
Fairly decent ability to customize, with multiple sizes and plenty of different straps.
Functions
The Apple Watch holds onto its lead with its app capabilities. You have the ability to use most apps that work on your phone, and that’s a huge plus.
Price
This is where Apple falls short. The Apple watch is available starting at $349 and topping out at over $15k (though the average is hovering around the $600 mark).
2. Moto 360 2nd Gen
The Moto Maker customizing tool had this smartwatch standing out from the first step. You have the ability to personalize your timepiece by choosing the style/size, bezel, case, band, and face. The band and face can also be changed any time at a later date, and we love the easy release so changing the strap is as simple as possible.
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
1 – 1.5 Days.
Customizable
Extremely.
Functions
Most all the bells and whistles you actually need in a smartwatch. The iOS capabilities are slightly hindered, allowing you to interact with your phone, messages, and notifications, but you are unable to respond via the watch itself.
Price
The customizable standard model is $299, and looks like it costs twice that.
3. Huawei Watch
For the man who wants the watch first, and the tech second. The Huawei Watch is as stylish as any watch you’d buy strictly for the time and the swag, but with some added perks.
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
Up to 2 full days.
Customizable
Multiple colors and styles available, face can be changed at any time.
Functions
Standard health and message capabilities, iOS functions are somewhat limited, but not bad. The no GPS is a bummer.
Price
Between $349 – $799.
4. Tag Heuer Connected
If the Apple Watch set the bar, the Carrera Connected from Tag Heuer raised the stakes. Luxurious. Smart. Sleek. This smartwatch literally has it all.
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
Minimum 25 hours
Customizable
Tons of cool bands, one badass face (that can be changed digitally at any moment).
Functions
It does exactly what you’d expect from a Tag Heuer smartwatch, and then some. Messages, voice, you name it, it’s there.
Price
Starting at a cool $1500
5. Asus ZenWatch 2
For the man who doesn’t want to be tied down to one timepiece. Starting at only $129, you can add this to your watch rotation without feeling guilty for not wearing it 24/7 (although you’ll want to).
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
Average of 2 days.
Customizable
Several colors and styles available.
Functions
Works with your messages, camera, has Asus’ “Fonehelper”, and does a lot of other things you wouldn’t expect at the low price.
Price
Starting at $129 and hitting the ceiling at $200, we have ourselves a winner.
6. Pebble Time
Starting at the price of $84.99, you can have this cool and awesome smartwatch!
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
Up to 7 days
Customizable
Several case colors, as well as multiple bands and a large number of digital face choices.
Functions
It’ll forward all the notifications you want to your wrist, and it has a built-in mic so you can respond to text messages with your voice (when paired with an Android phone).
Price
$84.99
7. Pebble Time Steele
The Time Steel is a bit more expensive than the budget-friendly Time and even the pricier Time Round, but the upgrades could make it worthwhile for the user.
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
Lasts six-plus days in real-world testing
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
Same as the Pebble Time with upgrades.
Price
$159.95
8. Samsung Gear S2 Classice
It only works to its full potential with the smartphones of Samsung, but still this baby is awesome.
Compatibility
Android.
Battery Life
300mAh battery inside good for 3 days
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
The watch has a cellular radio, that means you can ditch your phone and will still be able to receive texts and calls, as long as you pony up for a separate plan.
Price
$316.21
9. Pebble Time Rounde
Like the Pebble Time and Time Steel, the Time Round is easy to use and is offering great performance in a package the size of regular analog watch.
Compatibility
iOS and Android.
Battery Life
Lasts up to 2 days
Customizable
Several colors and designs.
Functions
The Time Round does everything else right, making it a great option if you value size and style over battery life.
Price
Starting price of $140
10. LG Watch Urbanee
The LG Watch Urbane is a good all-around smartwatch that offers decent battery life performance.
Compatibility
Android.
Battery Life
Lasts up to 2 days
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
The heart rate monitor on the back, combined with the barometer and accelerometer inside, make it a good watch to use when walking out and about in the wild.
Price
Starting price of $199.99
11. Casio Smart Outdoor Watche
The Casio Smart Outdoor Watch was built with hikers, fishermen, and other outdoor enthusiasts in mind.
Compatibility
Android.
Battery Life
Lasts around a day and a half
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
It has a built-in altimeter and compass, and it’s water resistant to 50 meters. One of the cool features is that there’s a mode that turns it into a monochrome dumb watch, so you can keep using it for days in the wilderness.
Price
$500.00
12. Fossil Q Foundere
This smartwatch is made by an old-school watchmaker, but don’t let that sway you.
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
Lasts a day
Customizable
Several colors and designs.
Functions
Fossil also has its own Q companion app, but it’s an entirely different prospect to use compared to when it’s paired with Fossil’s activity tracker
Price
Starting price of $206.50
13. Sony Smartwatch 3e
This is the first smartwatch for android that hit the market!
Compatibility
Android
Battery Life
Lasts up to 2 days
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
It has voice commands, weather reports, travel informations, notifications, reminders and commuting apps.
Price
Starting price of $129.95
14. Fitbit Blazee
This smartwatch is a pretty good fitness tracker.
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
Lasts up to 5 days
Customizable
Several colors and designs.
Functions
It has a plenty of health and fitness tracking features, including a built-in heart rate sensor.
Price
Starting price of $190.49
15. Garmin Vivoactive HRe
This smartwatch is best for sports.
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
Lasts up to 8 days
Customizable
Several colors and designs.
Functions
There is a GPS and dedicated apps for cycling, swimming, running and golf plus support for skiing and paddle boarding.
Price
$249.99
16. Polar M600e
This smartwatch is best running.
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
Lasts up to 2 days
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
There is a physical button that’s dedicated to Polar Flow. Your first ever push of it will open up the application in your phone and, from thereon in, it’s your speedy gateway to tracking your runs and workouts.
Price
$329.95
17. Vector Watche
The best smartwatch if you want a smartwatch with long battery life.
Compatibility
Android, Windows and iOS
Battery Life
Lasts up to 30 days
Customizable
Multiple colors and designs.
Functions
Vector Watches deliver personal and customized notifications, that are going to be only visible to you. To enhance your privacy, messages are only displayed when you turn the watch to face you.
Price
$205.99
18. Nixon The Missione
The best smartwatch for outdoor and action sports
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
Lasts a day
Customizable
Several colors and designs.
Functions
It is water-resistant to 10 ATM and is adorned in 316L surgical grade stainless steel. This means that you can take it surfing and it will withstand even the most spectacular wipe-out.
Price
$400
19. Michael Kors All Access Collectione
Michael Kors Access smartwatches are some of the best-looking Android wearables for the price.
Compatibility
Android
Battery Life
360mAh battery
Customizable
Several colors and designs.
Functions
They’re even water-resistant up to one ATM, and come with some bonus watch faces that look better than Google’s standard offerings.
Price
Starting at $350
20. Frederique Constant Horologicale
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
MMT-285 Connected movement 25 months battery life, Hour, Minute, Date
Customizable
Many colors and designs.
Functions
It can track your sleep patterns as well as your walking and running activity.
Price
$995
21. Movado Museum Sport Motione
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
the battery has a 2-year life and never needs recharging.
Customizable
Many colors and designs.
Functions
It tracks steps and sleep patterns, while simultaneously delivering “get active” alerts, to ensure you keep up with a healthy lifestyle.
Price
$1195
22. Olio Model Onee
Compatibility
iOS
Battery Life
Lasts up to 2 days
Functions
Less emphasis on apps in the traditional sense, and more on pushing useful information. The home screen shows the time, and there are more screens for weather and calendar notifications, which you can swipe through using the touchscreen.
Price
$595
23. Tom Tom Sparke
Compatibility
Android
Battery Life
Up to 11 weeks
Functions
The TomTom Spark will track your daily activity as well as sports training sessions, which is an increasing feature on GPS watches
Price
$230
24. Martian Notifiere
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
7 days of standby time
Functions
Connect your watch to your mobile phone using the Bluetooth wireless technology – you can do almost anything with your Bluetooth headset, you can do with your MARTIAN WATCH.
Price
$129
25. Garmin Vivoactive
Compatibility
Android and iOS
Battery Life
Battery charge lasts through all your activities with up to 3 weeks
Functions
Pairs with your smartphone to gently vibrate and display alerts for incoming calls, texts, emails and calendar items plus notifications from social media and other mobile apps
Price
$220
Now that you know what’s out there, pick your style and make your move. It’s the James Bond era, and it’s time you look as cool as we all know you are.