Travel and technology are intricately connected. Smartwatches are no doubt handy. Convenience is the key to any hassle-free travel and if you share the same level of convenience by mere tapping of the hand or swiping of the watch, trust my instinct you will never want to be left behind.
With so many gadgets swarming the market, the one that holds the maximum attraction for me is the smartwatch. With rapid technological advancements, they have come a long way from more timekeepers.
They help to ease the stress of travel by uploading boarding passes/airline tickets so that they do not get lost in the transit, translating languages especially for foreigners who do not speak the native dialect and overall taking care of your trip through apps like TripCase and Airbnb.
Now in this article, we shall be focusing on the best smartwatch for travel to have the best vacation without worrying even a bit. Let the smartwatch do the talking for you.
Table of Contents
If you are short of time and need a smartwatch on the go, do check this best smartwatch for under $200.
Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS – This tech-savvy watch comes with a bundle of hard to resist features enough to draw the attention of any travel enthusiast. It is pre-equipped with a barometric altimeter, a compass as well as multiple GPS systems.
It has even passed US military testing for its efficacy as a rugged shockproof and thermal resistant watch, all at an unbelievable price of less than $ 200.
A comprehensive buying guide for the best smartwatch for travel – Points to be noted.
Smartwatches and travelling are indispensable companions and leaving a smartwatch behind will not do justice to the other. A travelling smartwatch comes with a package of features which makes travelling even more enjoyable.
But before buying a smartwatch solely for travelling you should make it a point to consider the following features.
1. Tickets and boarding pass – As a seasoned traveller there have been many times when I have printed the wrong ticket or lost my boarding pass.
But what if you had a smartwatch when you can safely upload your ticket and boarding pass and smoothly sail through without any hassles. For this, you need an apple wallet but the OS performs just as well.
2. Maps – Smartwatches nowadays have inbuilt GPS. This is just carrying a physical map. An inbuilt GPS is essential if you are about to explore a new place.
Language barriers at times make it difficult to approach local people for directions. But a smartwatch does this watch for you. Smartwatches for navigating purposes will either be fitted within Garmin connect or Google maps.
3. Fitness tracking – Almost all Smartwatches are fitted with fitness trackers. A good smartwatch helps you to measure the calories you are burning or count the number of steps you take while trekking for miles on your adventure.
Besides, vibrating alarms and sleep monitoring apps will prevent you from overdosing.
4. Reminders– Smartwatches are great for reminders and notes taking. There have been times when a gentle prod from the smartwatch may help to keep track of your appointments or remind you of the place you wish to visit.
Smartwatches incorporated with digital assistance, for instance, SIRI, Google Assist and Bixby perform this function adequately.
5. Durability– Rugged Smartwatches are a perfect travel companion because they are not only waterproof but also dust and scratch-resistant. A frail smartwatch cannot withstand the hardship of travel.
6. Compatibility– The smartwatch ought to be compatible with the Smartphone you are carrying. It is an absolute wastage of money to invest in a smartwatch that is not compatible.
Smartwatches in general are loaded with two kinds of software- Wear OS for android users or Watch OS for apple users.
7. Battery life– These days most Smartwatches come with an LCD screen or AMOLED display. It permits you to view photos and apps in vibrant colours. However, it comes with short battery life.
On the other hand, if you opt for a black and white display the battery will last longer.
A list of 7 Smartwatches to choose your pick
With a wide array of Smartwatches to choose from, travellers are often at a loss. To facilitate their choice, I have lab-tested some of the best smartwatches for travel. I have even subdivided my list into several subsections to accommodate the watches catering to different budget segments.
BEST SMARTWATCH UNDER $50
If you are on the lookout for the best smartwatch under $50 but wish to avert the cheap models that have flooded the market, this is your chance to do so.
VFRGY Smart Watch for Women Men Black
Designed as a fitness tracker, it gives precise readings of calories burnt and much more. It even tracks your heart rate while you are sleeping. With a sleek, elegant design, it can easily be synced with your Android Smartphone through Bluetooth connectivity.
You can even take photographs with a mere shake of the wrist. Notification alert helps you to keep track of your important notification.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Adjustable brightness control
- Sedentary reminder
Cons
- A bit bulky
BEST SMARTWATCH UNDER $100
A Handpick of best Smartwatch to suit your style
Amazfit GTS 2 Mini Smart Watch, Alexa Built-in
Amazfit GTS 2 mini smartwatch is a formidable entry into Amazfit’s fashion watch category. It has an AMOLED screen which offers a bright and vibrant display to read your fitness stats and weather updates even under bright sunlight.
Its built-in GPS performs well. It is also contusive with third-party apps like Strava. In terms of battery life, it is slightly on the offside. But if you must discontinue its power absorption devices, for instance, continuously monitoring it might last slightly longer.
It is water-resistant up to 50 meters. Built-in Amazon Alexa allows you to ask questions, set alarms, and do a host of other activities. Its Promodoro clock improves time management.
It can be synchronised seamlessly with IOS 10.0 and android 5.0 or even high-end smartphones.
Pros
- Comfortable to wear
- Solid 24/7 fitness tracking
- Built-in GPS
Cons
- Notification support basic
- Battery life is weak
BEST SMARTWATCH UNDER $200
A Handpick of some of the best Smartwatches to suit your style
Garmin Instinct, Rugged Outdoor Watch with GPS
True to its motto of when you rely on instinct the world inevitably relies on you. Its rugged outdoor features make it an instant draw.
It was built in conformity with US military standard 810 as a no-compromise watch when it comes to water, thermal and shock resistance.
The polymer case provides additional reinforcement making it one of the sturdiest watches.
It also features a barometric altimeter, compass as well as multiple global and avocation systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo). It is a perfect blend of outdoor barometric timepieces with multiple GPS systems at an affordable rate.
Pros
- Rugged mil-std design
- Navigation support
- Good battery life
Cons
- No payment support
- Support Breadcrumb navigation only
Ticwatch E3 Smart Watch Wear OS by Google
It is a rare combination of the Qualcomm SnapDragon Wear 4100 platform with a movie dual processor for better interaction. NFC payment takes care of Google pay.
It is water and dustproof in conformity with the International Electro-Technical Commission. It can be used for swimming purposes but only for shallow purposes.
It is packed with 20 workout modes from mountain climbing, ice skating to name a few.
It even has a built-in GPS speaker, a microphone, and a barometer. Its essential mode allows you to use it as a time-telling device even when the battery charge drops to 5%.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Large display
- Lightweight
Cons
- Charging slow
- Large bezel
Fitbit Versa 3 Health & Fitness Smartwatch with GPS
The Fit Bit Versa 3 is one of the best all-rounder watches meant for android users. For those of you looking for a watch that can help to keep track of your general health, read notifications, and perform basic functions without resorting to your Smartphone’s, the Fit Bit Versa 3 is your ideal choice.
Its built-in GPS with the combination of Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa helps to set bedtime reminders and alarms and performs a host of other functions. Its Bluetooth phone support is good for taking hands-free calls provided your phone is nearby.
Pros
- Built-in GPS
- Battery life good
- Google Assistant and Alexa support
Cons
- Proprietary charging cable
- Limited app availability
BEST SMARTWATCH UNDER $300
Here are some Smartwatches under $300 which will shine your style
Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle Stainless Steel Touchscreen Smartwatch
Although its Google Fit app has been met with scepticism by several users, no one can deny its built-in GPS tracking and fitness stats for instance step counts, heart rate monitor and calories burnt.
The Fossil watch is loaded with NFC functions facilitating Google pay contactless payments and a built-in GPS together with an optical heart sensor. Google Assistant V voice command allows you to check weather conditions or set the thermostat to a more comfortable temperature. But what makes it truly stand out is its quick charging function.
Fossil is one of the last watchmakers to remain true to the Google OS platform.
Pros
- Bright display
- GPS, NFC and heart rate sensor
- Built-in speaker
Cons
- Skeptical fitness tracking
SAMSUNG Galaxy Watch 3 Smart Watch
The new advanced Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 combines advanced technology with customized design so that you can conduct your day to day activities with a slight movement of your wrist.
With an LTE connection, you can call, text and pay straight from your watch. It is also packed with advanced health monitoring features to track your fitness level. The speaker and microphone quality is truly impressive. Its battery life can last for several days even on a single charge.
Pros
- A plethora of health tracking devices
- Bright OLED display
- Better notification interactivity
Cons
- Battery drains quickly
- Slow charger
Passing Thought
This generation is constantly on the move and a smartwatch is an answer to all their problems. As technology progresses further, there will be a gradual de-escalation of the cost of the smartwatch.
A time will come when we shall begin to question ourselves how we survive all these years without this technology.
Although there are certain constraints and lapses in technology, the benefits and efficiency of the best smartwatch for travel will soon outweigh those.
For the time being, however, let us focus our attention on your best smart travel watch splurging on this much-publicized invisible lair of communication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question:1. Is it worth buying a smartwatch for travel?
Answer: Definitely yes. Misplaced flight tickets or boarding passes, and lost room keys will cease to be a nightmare with smartwatch navigation techniques making it easier for travellers to board flights and check into hotels.
Even travelling alone in an unknown city will be a lot easier. A simple nudge of your wrist will put you on the right track.
Question:2. Does a smartwatch work independent of a Smartphone?
Answer: People love possessing a smartwatch that need not be paired with a Smartphone. After all, what’s the point in having a smartwatch if they have a Smartphone that can do all the work for them. For them, a standalone smartwatch is the only option.
Question:3. How do I decide upon the budget to buy a smartwatch for travel?
Answer: The more facilities your watch has to offer, the higher the pricing will be. Therefore, while buying a smartwatch decide on the features you want to opt for.
For instance, if you want a smartwatch for travelling, you may want to invest in a smartwatch that boasts of a good GPS navigation system while compromising on its fitness apps.
