The Ultimate Smartwatch Guide for 2024: Finding Your Perfect Fit

Best Smartwatches for Fitness Tracking

🏆 Winner: Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2

The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 has got to be the ultimate fitness smartwatch for 2024. Its AMOLED display gives you visibility in any light - while the multi-band GPS has exceptional accuracy for outdoor activities. It's quite the complete fitness companion because of features like training readiness scores, body battery insights, and race preparation tools. It's two-week battery life also help cement its position as the best.

Why It Stands Out:

• Advanced health and fitness metrics

• Durable design with a built-in flashlight

• Comprehensive tools for runners & athletes

Runner-Up: Garmin Forerunner 265

A more budget-friendly option: the Garmin Forerunner 265 delivers top tier tracking and personalized insights for a smaller price tag.

Best Looking Smartwatch (Hybrid)

🏆 Winner: Withings ScanWatch Nova

For style and substance, the Withings ScanWatch Nova takes the crown for me. This hybrid watch has a classic analog look with modern tracking features like ECG, heart rate monitoring, and sleep tracking. With a 30-day battery life, it blends the aesthetics of a traditional/ classy watch with cutting-edge functionality.

Why It Stands Out:

• Premium stainless steel body

• Medical-grade health tracking features

• Timeless analog design

Runner-Up: Garmin Vivomove Trend

The Garmin Vivomove Trend combines elegant design with useful fitness tools, making it a strong alternative.

Best Bang for Your Buck

🏆 Winner (iPhone Users): Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

Priced at A$399, the Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) offers the best value for iPhone users. It includes essential features like heart rate tracking, fall detection, and seamless Apple integration. This is actually my personal fitness watch, as it's a great bang for your buck buy and I use an iPhone so the ecosystem is pretty strong for me. While it lacks advanced health tools like ECG or an always-on display, it delivers everything most users need.

Why It Stands Out:

• Fast performance with the same S8 chip as pricier models

• Lightweight and comfortable design

• Excellent ecosystem integration

Runner-Up (Android Users): Amazfit GTR 4

For A$299, the Amazfit GTR 4 has dual-band GPS, 14-day battery life, and Alexa compatibility. This makes it a feature-rich option for Android users on a budget.

Best Budget Smartwatch

🏆 Winner: CMF Watch Pro 2

Dude, the CMF Watch Pro 2 is A$69. That's like 3 orders at Oporto. Despite its low cost, it includes an AMOLED display, Bluetooth calling, and 11-day battery life. While the GPS isn't perfect, it’s unbeatable at this price point. If your budget is under A$100, this is the best bang for your buck for sure.

Why It Stands Out:

• Bright, colorful screen

• Surprising features for the price

• Lightweight and easy to use

Runner-Up: Xiaomi Smart Band 9

For a smaller form factor, the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 offers 21-day battery life and over 150 fitness modes, making it also ideal for our budget conscious friends.

Best Fitness Band

🏆 Winner: Xiaomi Smart Band 9

Compact band, powerful tracking and a sleek design. With heart rate monitoring, SpO2 measurement, and stress tracking, it offers premium features at a fraction of the cost of traditional smartwatches.

Why It Stands Out:

• Over 150 sports modes

• Exceptional battery life of up to 21 days

• Lightweight and customizable

Runner-Up: Fitbit Charge 6

For those who prefer Fitbit’s ecosystem, the Charge 6 combines fitness tracking with a slightly larger display and app compatibility.

Best Battery Life

🏆 Winner: OnePlus Watch 2

The OnePlus Watch 2 has an unparalleled 100-hour battery life in smart mode... making it the king of long battery life. Its sleek design, AMOLED display, and smooth performance ensure that users won’t have to compromise on functionality.

Why It Stands Out:

• Incredible battery performance

• High-quality design with sapphire crystal display

• Comprehensive fitness tracking

Runner-Up: Apple Watch Ultra (iPhone Users)

For iPhone users, the Apple Watch Ultra balances advanced features with a 36-hour battery life, a more expensive option but great for those who want features with long battery life.

Best Smartwatch for Kids

🏆 Winner: Samsung Galaxy Watch FE LTE

The Samsung Galaxy Watch FE LTE is perfect for parents who want to keep tabs on their kids. With built-in LTE, it lets children to make calls without needing a phone. Its got a durable design and parental controls make it a reliable option.

Why It Stands Out:

• Location tracking with LTE

• Compact size ideal for children

• Easy parental controls

Runner-Up: Garmin Bounce

The Garmin Bounce adds a splash of color and tailored fitness tracking for kids, ensuring a fun but also functional experience.

Honorable Mention

WHOOP Strap 4.0

The WHOOP Strap 4.0 isn’t a traditional smartwatch but deserves recognition for its in-depth recovery insights. Loved by athletes, it tracks sleep quality, strain, and stress levels, helping users optimize performance. Honestly, if I didn't personally get an Apple Watch, this would be the next on my list. Or, if I already had a smartwatch, and needed something to beef up my health tracking, the WHOOP Strap 4.0 would be the perfect duo partner.

Why It Stands Out:

• Recovery-first approach

• Minimalistic design with no distractions

• Long-term health tracking insights

Conclusion: Choose the Right Watch for You

Whether you’re after fitness tracking, style, or budget-friendly options, 2024’s smartwatch lineup has something for everyone. The Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 is ideal for fitness enthusiasts, while the Apple Watch SE and Amazfit GTR 4 dominate the best for your buck category. For kids, the Samsung Galaxy Watch FE LTE ensures peace of mind, and the WHOOP Strap 4.0 offers recovery insights for serious athletes.

Invest in a smartwatch that complements your lifestyle and enhances your day-to-day activities. Happy shopping!

All photos of watch models are courtesy of Amazon and Watchesonline.com.