The Best-Looking Smartwatches

The most attractive wearables for your wrist

By
Sarah Silbert
Sarah Silbert
Writer
  • Bard College
  • Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence is a consumer technology writer whose work has appeared in Fortune and MIT Technology Review. She's also a previous senior editor at Engadget.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on November 28, 2021

Despite the exit of Motorola and LG from the smartwatch field, attractive smartwatches are out there for the discerning buyer. If you're in the market for an attractive smartwatch, check out these options before you buy.

01
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Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

Samsung
What We Like

  • Dazzling traditional design.

  • Useful rotating bezel.

  • Can work With Apple Phone.

What We Don't Like

  • Battery life could be better.

  • Fewer apps for Tizen OS.

Samsung has turned out some impressive smartwatches in the past, and the 2020 Galaxy Watch 3 is no exception. The display is vivid, and the design is attractive. The circular shape is traditional, and the raised bezel is both attractive and functional. It rotates to cycle through on-screen menus.

Although the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is one of the best smartwatches for Android owners, it also works with an iPhone with some limitations. It runs the Tizen OS, so the app selection is somewhat limited.

If you prefer a more minimalist look, check out our take on the Galaxy Watch 4.

02
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Apple Watch SE

Apple Watch SE

Apple
What We Like

  • Excellent integration into Apple's ecosystem.

  • Sleek design.

  • Great price for Apple Watch.

  • Huge number of apps.

What We Don't Like

  • Apple iPhone required.

  • Only integrates with Apple products.

The Apple Watch SE is less costly than the 2021 flagship Apple Watch 7 (also an attractive watch). Apple's smartwatch will satisfy those of you who like to customize your accessories. Band options range from rubber to leather and stainless steel.

Fans of the round display will want to look elsewhere, though, as this watch sports a rectangular screen. The SE comes in two sizes and three finishes. Combine the watch with one of the many available watch bands for the perfect (for you) look.

03
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Fitbit Sense

Fitbit Sense smartwatch

Fitbit
What We Like

  • Modern, clean design.

  • Built-in GPS.

  • Health and stress-management tools.

  • Supports Alexa commands.

What We Don't Like

  • Awkward side button.

  • Priced on the high side.

  • Inconsistent GPS at times.

  • Advanced metrics require a subscription.

Fitbit was an early provider of fitness bands, and it moved effortlessly into the world of smartwatches that include fitness tracking. There's a good chance you owned one of those early fitness bands, but it undoubtedly lacked the polish and sophistication of the Fitbit Sense smartwatch. The watch is made of aluminum and stainless steel with a bright, easy-to-view display.

The Sense is packed with sensors for monitoring multiple health metrics of concern to the wearer. Its sleek appearance is a bonus for this easy-to-wear smartwatch.

04
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Huawei Watch 3

Huawei Watch 3

Huawei
What We Like

  • Beautiful, high-end hardware.

  • Touch-sensitive screen.

  • 3- to 14-day battery life.

  • Makes calls independent of a phone.

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive and hard to find.

  • Poor battery performance.

  • Limited app availability with new OS.

The Huawei Watch 3 lives up to the hype about its appearance. This watch is a chameleon that changes its look dramatically with a band swap. However, it has some catching up to do where performance is involved.

The watch from Huawei is quite a looker, and the price reflects that. The circular display and titanium housing look classy, but the price is higher than other smartwatches.

The Watch 3 operates on its own Lite OS, which limits the apps that are available. The growing pains of a new OS are apparent, but the potential improvements once those growing pains go away are impressive.

It's expensive, buggy, and gorgeous.

05
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Garmin Vivoactive 4

Garmin Vivoactive 4S

Garmin
What We Like

  • Attractive circular face with a touchscreen.

  • Extra design options and colors for the smaller 4S size.

  • Integrated GPS.

What We Don't Like

  • Excessive badges for fitness achievements.

  • It's relatively expensive.

The Garmin Vivoactive 4 and 4S are excellent fitness trackers and loaded with smartwatch features. The 4 is the larger of the two models, whereas the 4S is for smaller wrists. The 4S includes design options and colors — not available with the 4 — aimed at female wearers.

The watch is packed with fitness sensors and delivers all the metrics most wearers ever need. The Vivoactive 4 and 4S have Relax Reminders when the watch senses your stress level is high. The watch supports Garmin Pay, provides storage for up to 500 songs, and pairs with Bluetooth headphones.

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