Best overall: Withings ScanWatchBest for iPhone: Skagen Jorn Hybrid HRBest with heart rate monitor: Garmin Vivomove HRBest for smaller wrists: Fossil Women’s Monroe Hybrid Smartwatch HR (38mm)Best waterproof: Withings Steel HRBest budget: Fossil Men’s Collider Hybrid HR
How we picked the best hybrid smartwatches
I’ve been writing about tech for nearly a decade for publications such as PC Gamer and Input, among others, so I know how to discern between the next big thing and the next big bust. I’m also a watch enthusiast who has owned more than my fair share of smart and traditional timepieces over the years. To determine these recommendations, I consulted technical specs and tests conducted by experts, as well as consumer reviews to find the best hybrid smartwatches for all kinds of people.
Things to consider before buying a hybrid smartwatch
Picking a hybrid smartwatch over a conventional smartwatch or fitness tracker is, more often than not, rooted in taste. You want some smart features, but not at the expense of how a classic wristwatch looks and feels on your wrist. In keeping with that, most hybrid smartwatches have a relatively standardized set of smart features, including step tracking, sleep tracking, and more. Some features, like surfacing notifications from your phone, aren’t on every model, though, so it does pay to think about how “smart” you want your watch to be.
It’s all about the features
Though hybrid smartwatches don’t vary as much in feature set and price range as other tech, you should keep in mind that they aren’t all identical. Most hybrid smartwatches offer some degree of fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and water resistance. Certain features—like GPS integration, altimeters, blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking, and 100-meter water resistance—tend to be reserved for more expensive models. High-end hybrids also tend to have better battery life, though even the least expensive of the bunch last longer than more tech-forward smartwatches like the Apple Watch Series 7 and Samsung Galaxy Watch4. The average battery life of a hybrid smartwatch is around two weeks, though some go as high as 25 to 30 days without a charge.
Aesthetics are everything
There are two main reasons to buy a hybrid smartwatch: less frequent charging and sheer aesthetics. As a watch enthusiast, I strongly prefer the round face and analog movement of a hybrid over the blocky silhouette of a Fitbit. As such, you should really consider the look and feel of the hybrid you want before you buy it. You should also measure your wrist before making any purchase. Most hybrid watches have a case diameter of 42mm, which is quite large on those of us with smaller wrists. If you have a wrist size of 6.5 inches or less, you will probably want to invest in a smaller 38mm model instead.
The best hybrid smartwatches: Reviews & Recommendations
Now that you know what to look for in a hybrid smartwatch, you’re ready to pick one for yourself. If you’d like a little help jumpstarting your search, we’ve selected the best hybrid smartwatches for all kinds of users. Whether you want to shell out a bundle for a high-end watch with all the bells and whistles or buy a cheaper model with just the essentials, we have you covered.
Best overall: Withings ScanWatch
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Withings ScanWatch offers everything you can hope for in a hybrid smartwatch. Specs
Size: 38mm or 42mmHeart monitor: Yes, with oxygen levelsSleep tracking: YesActivity tracking: Yes, with altimeterWater resistance: 50mBattery life: 30 daysOther features: Sapphire glass
Pros
Great feature setWater resistanceComes in multiple sizes
Cons
A little expensive
French health tech manufacturer Withings specializes in devices that monitor your body, including smart scales, thermometers, and blood pressure monitors. Their flagship watch, the ScanWatch, integrates deep health tracking functionality into a simple, elegant hybrid timepiece. Going beyond basic step and heart rate tracking, it features an altimeter to track vertical movements, such as climbing stairs, and a pulse oximeter for blood oxygen (SpO2) tracking. Its 30-day battery life makes it one of the longest-lasting watches. It’s also waterproof and certified for up to 50 meters (or 5 atmospheres) of water pressure. It also provides lots of room for you to pick a watch that fits your style. It comes in two sizes and Withings offers more colors and styles than many of its competitors. In plain black with metal hardware, it’s a simple and elegant everyday accessory. All of that function pushes the ScanWatch’s price up higher than many of our other picks, but it offers a strong blend of style and tech substance.
Best for iPhone: Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Skagen Jorn is an elegant hybrid smartwatch with a unique e-ink display, and it has great app integration for your phone. Specs
Size: 38mm or 42mmHeart monitor: YesSleep tracking: YesActivity tracking: YesWater resistance: “Water Resistant”Battery life: 14 days+Other features: E-ink display
Pros
Multiple size optionsStylish designDecent features
Cons
E-ink display may not appeal to everyoneInterface can be confusing
If you’re a fan of buttons, the Jorn has three for you to play with rather than the traditional “hold/tap” design of the Apple Watch, and its app integration and customizability have received high marks from reviewers. As a whole, the Skagen Jorn is a strong hybrid smartwatch for those who care more about the watch and its aesthetics than smart features. However, it works very well for what it is.
Best heart rate monitor: Garmin Vivomove HR
Why it made the cut: The Garmin Vivomove HR offers excellent fitness tracking and an appealing design. Specs
Size: 40mm, 43mmHeart monitor: Yes, with oxygen levelsSleep tracking: YesActivity tracking: YesWater resistance: 50mBattery life: 5 days (smart mode), 14+ days (watch only)Other features: Stress tracking
Pros
Good fitness featuresMany color optionsEasy to read
Cons
ExpensiveShort battery life for smart mode
Though it is not specifically a “fitness watch,” the Garmin Vivomove HR delivers more fitness-driven features than most hybrid smartwatches, making it a notable choice for people who specifically want one to discreetly monitor their heart. It has dedicated stress tracking and relaxation timers so you can track your vitals in any situation, as well as SpO2 tracking. It falters a bit on battery life compared to other hybrids, especially when you use the smart features, though. The design of its face is a bit simple compared to our other picks, and it’s less customizable than most, but it does have that true “Bauhaus” look. While it comes in multiple sizes and many colors, we found that many styles and colors are much harder to come by in the 40mm “small/medium” size. If you’re a fitness enthusiast, the Vivomove has the edge over competitors thanks to its stress monitor and relaxation timers. But its high price limits its appeal compared to other watches in the space.
Best for small wrists: Fossil Women’s Monroe Hybrid
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Fossil Women’s Monroe packs a lot of punch into a watch that looks good on any wrist. Specs
Size: 38mmHeart monitor: YesSleep tracking: YesActivity tracking: YesWater resistance: 30mBattery life: 14+ daysOther features: None
Pros
Fits any wristThe feminine silhouette isn’t common among smartwatchesCompetitive feature-set
Cons
No signature feature
Look, there’s no delicate way to put this: The overwhelming majority of smartwatches out there feature masculine (or at least masculine-leaning) designs. Hybrid watches, in particular, are often based on larger “men’s” watches. If you’re looking for something feminine, rather than simply picking a smaller case size, Fossil’s Monroe is definitely the way to go. The mid-sized 38mm case will fit almost any wrist, unlike the 42mm (or even bigger) smartwatches out there. It doesn’t skimp on the features either, with notification support, activity tracking, a heart rate monitor, and more. The only real downside to this hybrid smartwatch is that it lacks a unique tech-driven feature. The Monroe is purely a style play but, since feminine hybrid watches are fairly rare, that is a signature feature unto itself.
Best waterproof: Withings Steel HR
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Withings Steel HR is a fully featured hybrid smartwatch that offers 50m of water resistance for a cheap price tag. Specs
Size: 36mm, 40mmHeart monitor: YesSleep tracking: YesActivity tracking: Yes, with multi-sport supportWater resistance: 50mBattery life: 25 daysOther features: None
Pros
Competitive priceVisually appealingGood battery life
Cons
Some may prefer a larger case sizeOlder model
The Withings Steel HR is an older, simpler hybrid smartwatch, but one that still holds up. For less than $200, the Steel HR offers only slightly less functionality than our top pick for $100 less. More importantly, the Steel is rated for 50m of water resistance, which means you can take it in the pool or the ocean without worrying about it. It offers great battery life—25 days—and features multi-sport tracking to record more accurate activity-specific health data. Though many of the watches on this list feature a minimalist style, the Steel features what may be the simplest look. I quite like its two-dial configuration. However, with a 40mm case, it’s smaller than most of the picks on our list and may not be a great fit for people with very large wrists.
Best budget: Fossil Men’s Collider Hybrid HR
Buy it used or refurbished: eBay Why it made the cut: The Fossil Men’s Collider HR delivers all the features you want from a hybrid smartwatch for $50 to $100 less than the competition. Specs
Size: 42mmHeart monitor: YesSleep tracking: YesActivity tracking: YesWater resistance: “Water Resistant”Battery life: 14 daysOther features: None
Pros
CheapGood battery lifeVisually appealing
Cons
Lacks rated water resistanceOnly one size
Frequently on sale, the Men’s Fossil Collider HR often costs half as much as many of our other picks. Despite that price gap, it is just as smart, with activity tracking, sleep tracking, and a heart monitor. Its 14-day battery life, while far from best-in-class, is very solid for a less expensive option. Plus, it comes in a number of appealing colors and strap combinations. Like Fossil’s Monroe, the Collider lacks a hook beyond its very reasonable price tag. That said, its core features are solid and it’s a great bargain if you’re looking for the basics.
Final thoughts on the best hybrid smartwatches
As with many products out there, these hybrid smartwatches ultimately have quite a lot in common with each other. Still, the devil is in the details. If you’re looking for top-of-the-line features, you may decide to go for a more traditional smartwatch instead. However, if aesthetics are what you’re looking for, all of these watches will have you well-covered. Besides, who wants to charge their watch every day, anyway?
