Measuring sports performance, monitoring health, paying in stores or navigating. Smart watches have become an indispensable assistant for millions of people, without which they cannot imagine their daily life. But how to choose the right one in 2026? Read the complete FIXED guide.
You can use our tips whether you are planning to buy a smartwatch for the first time or if it is your first purchase.
Why buy a smart watch or what all smart watches can do
Before you jump headlong into choosing, it's useful to know what to expect from regular smartwatches, i.e. what features and capabilities they have. Of course, it depends on the brand and specific model, but in general, smartwatches will help you with the following:
Notifications and communication
Smartwatches will show you notifications from apps, messages and calendars, you can quickly reply to them with text or voice, and on some you can even make calls. Of course, you can also control music or play it offline without a phone.
Sports and exercise
Tired of just sitting still? A smartwatch will track your steps, heart rate, and entire workouts, including heart rate zones. Sports models often have built-in GPS, so you can record your run, bike ride, or hike without your phone .
Health and regeneration
They monitor your heart rate, stress, and sleep, and can help with recovery . Some models also measure blood oxygenation, can perform an ECG, or alert you to irregular heartbeats.
Payment and convenience
Thanks to a smart watch, you can pay with your wrist via services like Apple Pay and Google Pay or quickly unlock your device and immediately control your smart home.
So which type of watch is best for you? Read on carefully.
TIP: If you're going to buy a smart watch, don't forget to buy a protective case to protect it from the first fall or impact. In the FIXED offer you will find protective cases and tempered glass for watches from Apple, Samsung and other brands.
3 main categories to consider when choosing a smartwatch
Just as there is no one phone for everyone, there is no one-size-fits-all smartwatch, different models suit different people and situations. So first think about which of these three categories best suits what you want to use it for.
1. Smartwatches by lifestyle (urban vs. outdoor)
Do you plan to use your smartwatch for everyday city life, or do you want to take it out into the open for sports activities? That's the alpha and omega of your decision.
Urban watches (lifestyle watches)
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Expect a great design and a high-quality display (often AMOLED).
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Notifications, payments and overall comfort of use.
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Usually shorter battery life, but more smart features.
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Ideal as an everyday accessory for work and leisure.
Outdoor watches (sports watches)
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They are ideal for regular sports, outdoor activities and hiking.
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They typically have a long lifespan and are durable.
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It boasts accurate GPS and advanced performance metrics.
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Often more robust design (body) and MIP display (advantage in sunlight).
TIP: Popular city watches include the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch, which focus on design, AMOLED display, notifications and payments. In the outdoor watch category, Garmin models (e.g. the Forerunner or Fenix series) are widespread, offering long endurance, durability and advanced sports functions.
2. Smartwatch for kids
Children need to get a different watch than the classic smart watch for adults. In general, when it comes to devices for little ones, safety should not be the top priority. What should you focus on?
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Location - GPS is essential for children's watches so you can track where your little schoolboy or girl is moving.
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Communication – possibility of calls and voice messages, or only with approved contacts.
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SOS button – quickly call your parents with one press.
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Geofence – notification when a child leaves a set safe zone (e.g. home or school).
We wrote more about children's smartwatches in the article here .
TIP: Popular children's watches include the Garmin vívofit jr. 3 for active children, or models with GPS and calling like the Garett Kids Essa 4G, which combine safety and communication.
3. Smartwatches for seniors
Seniors are usually not very patient with the latest technology and the best features, simplicity and safety are what are most important to them. Therefore, the ideal smartwatch for older people should have:
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Fall detection and the ability to call for help.
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Simple operation , large elements, readability.
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Health monitoring
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Location sharing and quick contacts (in case of sudden health problems).
TIP : For seniors, the Doro Watch is ideal , with an emphasis on simple operation and safety features, or models like the Emporia Smartwatch , which combine a clear display, calling, and ease of use.
What criteria should you use to choose a smartwatch?
You already know the basic division, but your decision-making shouldn't end there. Other parameters are also important, which we will discuss in detail below.
The biggest problems tend to be with compatibility, battery life, or display technology.
Compatibility or not everything works with everything
Some watches only work in a specific ecosystem, for example, you can only use the Apple Watch when paired with an iPhone. In practice, the same watch can have different functions on iOS and Android (message replies, app integration, voice assistant, app installation).
Before buying, check:
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Which application is intended for use with the given model.
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What features does your mobile phone have (iOS vs. Android).
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Whether the watch supports your favorite apps and services.
Pay attention to battery life
Manufacturers often state battery life "up to X days", but in reality it depends a lot on how often and for what you use the watch (e.g. whether GPS is turned on, number of notifications or health measurements throughout the day).
In general, watches with a full-featured system and an AMOLED display last for a few days, while outdoor and sports models aim for longer endurance, often a week or more.
Should you choose an AMOLED display or rather an MIP?
The type of display also plays a big role, as it affects appearance, readability, and battery life.
AMOLED display – expect rich colors and high contrast. However, it usually uses more power when always-on.
MIP (transflective) – ensures excellent readability in direct sunlight and has lower consumption, but the appearance is less impressive.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors, MIP is more practical. If you want a beautiful display and you wear the watch mainly in the city, AMOLED makes more sense.
Don't forget about sensors for measuring performance and health
For most users, sensors for heart rate measurement , sleep monitoring , and GPS (if you want to use the watch in the field) make sense .
Advanced sensors like SpO₂, ECG, or temperature measurement may be useful, but it depends on whether you actually use them. If you are not sure what a smartwatch can do, we recommend consulting with the retailer.
Don't forget the accessories for your smartwatch
We hope you choose a smartwatch that suits your lifestyle and gives you the best value for money.
Don't forget that in the FIXED offer you will find complete equipment for your new smart watch. From tempered glass to protective glass to straps.
Answers to frequently asked questions
How to pair a smartwatch with a mobile phone?
It's easy. Turn on your watch, install the manufacturer's app on your phone, turn on Bluetooth, and activate pairing in the app. If it doesn't work on the first try, delete the old Bluetooth pairing and restart both your watch and phone.
What can a smartwatch do without a phone?
It depends on the model. Typically, they can track time, steps, some workouts, sleep, and play stored music. Features like notifications, data syncing, app installation, and often GPS maps usually require a phone or at least regular syncing.
Which smartwatch is best for kids?
Mostly those that have reliable localization, SOS, limited contacts, simple operation and good durability. It makes sense to also consider screen protection and the ability to easily replace the strap.
