How to Choose a Smartwatch: Features, Battery, Fit and Buying Guide

Here's how to choose a smartwatch without overthinking it: decide what you actually want it to do (steps and notifications, workouts, or phone calls from your wrist), check it works with your phone, pick a screen size and shape you'll be happy wearing every day, and look hard at battery life and water rating. Price and brand come after that. Most people who end up disappointed with a smartwatch bought one that did too much or too little for how they live.

We sell a range of smartwatches at Easy Life Markets, from simple step-counting bands to round steel watches and SIM card phone watches. This guide explains what each feature really means, where the marketing gets ahead of reality, and which of our watches suits which kind of person. Where we rely on an outside fact, we link to the source so you can check it.

What This Guide Covers

• How to choose a smartwatch: the quick checklist
• The main types of smartwatch
• Phone compatibility and Bluetooth
• Screen size, shape and fit
• Battery life and charging
• Water resistance and IP ratings
• Fitness and health features: what to expect
• SIM card watches and mobile networks
• The smartwatches we sell
• Frequently asked questions

How to Choose a Smartwatch: The Quick Checklist

1. Purpose: fitness tracking, phone alerts, calls, style, or a mix?
2. Phone: does it support your phone's operating system and version?
3. Screen: round or square, and how big is comfortable on your wrist?
4. Battery: are you happy charging every night, or do you want a week?
5. Water: do you need it for hand washing and rain, or swimming?
6. Health features: are they for general interest, or do you need medical accuracy? (If it's the second, a smartwatch isn't the right tool.)
7. Calls: Bluetooth calling through your phone, or a SIM card in the watch?
8. Strap: silicone for sport, steel or leather for work, and can you swap it?

The rest of this guide goes through each point in more detail.

The Main Types of Smartwatch

The word "smartwatch" covers a surprisingly wide range of devices. Knowing the type you want is the biggest single step in how to choose a smartwatch.

Fitness Bands

Slim bands with a small screen, built mainly to count steps and show the time. They're light, cheap, and the battery lasts a long time because there isn't much to power. Our M4 smart bracelet is a good example: about a 1 inch colour touch screen, step counting, and a listed weight of 50 g. If you just want to know how far you walked today, this is enough.

Fitness Smartwatches

A bigger screen, usually square, with step counting, heart rate readings, sleep tracking, workout modes and phone notifications. This is the most popular type for everyday wear. Our B57 smart watch, P22 smart watch, Q9 Pro and square touch screen smart watch all sit here.

Classic-Look Smartwatches

Round faces, metal cases and bracelets, designed to look like a traditional watch while still showing steps and alerts. Good for people who want the smart features without a gadget on their wrist. See our round steel smart watch, BW0189 stainless steel smart watch, Y90 round smart watch and the slim women's KW10 Pro on a steel mesh band.

Phone Watches With a SIM Slot

These take a SIM card so they can make calls on their own, without a phone nearby. They usually have a small camera and simple built-in software. Our DZ09, 1.44 inch SIM card smart watch and Z60 phone watch are in this group. Before you buy one, read the section on mobile networks below, because it matters more than any other spec.

Full "App" Smartwatches

The big-brand watches that run their own app stores, with things like contactless payment and on-board maps. They do the most, cost the most and usually need charging every day or two. We don't sell this type. If you mainly want tracking and notifications, a simpler watch often does the job for far less and lasts longer between charges.

Phone Compatibility and Bluetooth

Almost every smartwatch pairs with your phone over Bluetooth, usually through a companion app. This is a part of how to choose a smartwatch that's easy to check and annoying to get wrong.

Check the Operating System

Look for the minimum Android and iOS versions in the listing. Our P22 smart watch, for example, lists Android 4.4 and later and iOS 9.0 and later. The B57 lists both iPhone and Android support through its companion app. A few watches list only one platform: the Q9 Pro lists Android as its platform, so iPhone owners should ask us before ordering.

Features Can Differ by Phone

Even when a watch works with both, some features, like replying to messages or seeing full notification text, can behave differently on iPhone and Android. That's down to how each phone system lets accessories in, not the watch itself. If one feature matters a lot to you, check it specifically.

Bluetooth Version and Range

Newer Bluetooth versions are generally more efficient, which helps battery life. Our 1.69 inch smart watch lists Bluetooth 5.2. Most of our listings give a wireless range of about 5 to 10 m, which in practice means keeping the phone in the same room or on you. Walls and your own body cut the range.

Bluetooth Calling vs SIM Calling

"Bluetooth calling" means the watch acts as a speaker and microphone for your phone. Your phone still has to be within range. "SIM calling" means the watch has its own SIM and connects to the mobile network itself. These are very different, so read the listing carefully.

Screen Size, Shape and Fit

You'll look at the screen dozens of times a day, so it deserves more thought than it usually gets when people work out how to choose a smartwatch.

Size

Smartwatch screens are measured diagonally in inches. Bigger screens are easier to read and tap, but sit larger on the wrist. As a guide from our own range:

• About 1 inch: the M4 fitness band, slim and discreet.
• 1.3 to 1.32 inches: the B57, 119 Plus, round steel watch and Y90.
• 1.44 to 1.56 inches: the SIM card watch and DZ09.
• 1.69 to 1.7 inches: the 1.69 inch watch and Q9 Pro, which give the most room for text.

Round or Square

Square screens fit more text and numbers. Round screens look more like a traditional watch and suit work and evening wear. It's mostly taste, but if you read a lot of messages on your wrist, square wins.

Resolution

More pixels means sharper text. The Y90 lists 360 x 360 pixels on its 1.32 inch round screen, which is sharp for the size; many entry-level watches use 240 x 240.

Case Size and Weight

Check the case dimensions and strap size, not just the screen. The Q9 Pro lists a body of 38 x 44.5 x 8.9 mm and a weight of 38 g, light enough to sleep in. The B57 lists 48.9 x 34.5 x 11.7 mm and a strap for wrists of 150 to 200 mm. If you have a small wrist, look for the strap range in the listing; the DZ09, for instance, lists wrists of 130 to 180 mm.

Straps

• Silicone or TPU: best for sport, sweat and showers.
• Steel link or mesh: smarter, heavier, good for work.
• Leather: classic look, but avoid getting it wet often.

The Y90 comes in ten versions with steel mesh, leather or silicone straps, and the BW0189 in nine strap options.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is the feature people underrate most when they think about how to choose a smartwatch, and the one they complain about most afterwards. A watch you forget to charge is just a bracelet.

What Drives Battery Life

• Battery capacity, in mAh. Bigger is better, all else being equal.
• Screen size and brightness. Large, bright screens use more power.
• How often the watch checks your heart rate and other sensors.
• Notifications. Lots of buzzes and screen wake-ups drain it faster.
• Calls. Bluetooth calling and especially SIM calling use a lot of power.

Typical Figures From Our Range

Treat any battery life figure as a best case. Your own use, especially screen brightness and call time, decides the real number.

A useful way to think about battery when you decide how to choose a smartwatch: be realistic about your habits. If you already charge your phone every night and don't mind adding the watch, almost any battery will do. If you travel, sleep with the watch on for sleep tracking, or simply forget, a watch that lasts several days on a charge, like the 119 Plus, will suit you better. Turning down screen brightness, shortening the time the screen stays on and switching off notifications from apps you don't care about all stretch the battery further.

Charging

Most of these watches charge from a USB port using a magnetic clip, a cradle or a cable. A few things to check:

• Whether a charging cable is included. Some suppliers list it and some don't. The Q9 Pro lists a charger and manual in the box, the DZ09 and 1.44 inch SIM watch list a data cable and manual, and the KW10 Pro sells the cable as a separate option. Where a listing doesn't say, ask us.
• Most don't include a mains plug. Any USB phone charger or computer port usually works.
• Proprietary magnetic chargers are easy to lose. Consider buying a spare.

Water Resistance and IP Ratings

This is the section of how to choose a smartwatch where a small misunderstanding can kill a watch. Many smartwatches carry an IP rating, a code from the international IEC 60529 standard. The first digit is dust protection and the second is water protection.

• IP67 means dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion. According to the summary of the standard on Wikipedia's IP code page, the "7" test is immersion up to 1 metre for 30 minutes.
• IP68 means dust-tight and suitable for continuous immersion under conditions the manufacturer specifies, which go beyond the IP67 test.

Two important points that often get missed. First, standard IP testing uses fresh water, so the rating doesn't promise protection against salt water, chlorinated pools, soap or shampoo. Second, an IP rating isn't a rating for hot water or steam, and it doesn't cover high-pressure jets unless the code says so. In practice:

• An IP67 or IP68 watch should handle rain, sweat and hand washing.
• Don't wear it in a sauna, a hot shower or a hot tub.
• Don't press the buttons underwater.
• If you swim regularly, choose a watch the manufacturer specifically says is suitable for swimming.
• Rinse it with fresh water after the sea or a pool and let it dry before charging.

From our range, the 1.69 inch smart watch lists IP67 and the Q9 Pro lists IP68. Some watches aren't water resistant at all. The supplier's listing for the Y90 states plainly that it isn't waterproof, so keep it dry. If a listing doesn't give a rating, assume it isn't water resistant.

Fitness and Health Features: What to Expect

Step counts, heart rate, sleep tracking and "health monitoring" are the headline features on most smartwatches. They're useful, but it pays to be realistic. Getting this right is a big part of how to choose a smartwatch you'll be happy with.

Step Counting and Activity

When people ask how to choose a smartwatch for fitness, step counting is usually the first feature on the list. Steps are counted with a motion sensor, usually an accelerometer. The P22, for example, lists a three-axis gravity sensor. Step counts are good for spotting trends, like whether you walked more this week than last, even if the exact daily number is a little off. Arm movement without walking, like pushing a pram or carrying shopping, can affect the count.

Heart Rate

Most watches measure heart rate with an optical sensor that shines light into the skin on your wrist. The P22 lists an HRS 3300 heart rate sensor chip, and the 119 Plus lists static and dynamic heart rate monitoring. Harvard Health Publishing, reporting on a study of wrist-worn devices, notes that accuracy can vary during everyday activities, with readings during walking tending to run high in that study. Wearing the watch snugly, a finger's width above the wrist bone, generally helps.

Sleep Tracking

Sleep tracking estimates when you fell asleep and woke up from your movement and heart rate. It's good for spotting patterns, like late nights adding up, but it isn't a sleep study. A light watch like the 38 g Q9 Pro is more comfortable to wear in bed.

Blood Pressure, Oxygen and Other "Health" Readings

Some low-cost watches list blood pressure, blood oxygen or "health monitoring." These are wellness features, not medical measurements. Treat them as rough indicators at most, and never use them to make decisions about medication. If you need to monitor blood pressure, use a proper cuff monitor and talk to your doctor.

One claim deserves a clear warning. The US Food and Drug Administration has told people not to buy or use smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin. The FDA says it hasn't authorised, cleared or approved any smartwatch or smart ring to measure glucose on its own, and that inaccurate readings could lead to dangerous dosing errors. None of the watches we sell make that claim, and if you see one that does, steer clear.

Our Take

For most people, a smartwatch is a motivation tool. It nudges you to move, shows your trends and saves you pulling your phone out. Bought with that in mind, even an inexpensive watch is good value. Bought expecting medical-grade data, any wrist gadget will disappoint.

SIM Card Watches and Mobile Networks

Phone watches with a SIM slot are appealing: calls from your wrist, no phone needed. But there's one check that matters more than any spec when you work out how to choose a smartwatch with a SIM slot, and very few sellers mention it.

Check Which Network Type It Uses

Many low-cost SIM watches connect over 2G (GSM) networks only. Our DZ09, for example, lists GSM 850/900/1800/1900. That matters because mobile operators around the world are switching 2G off to reuse the radio spectrum for 4G and 5G. TeleGeography, a telecoms research firm, reported in June 2025 that 19 countries had completed their 2G shutdowns, with more expected to follow, and that in the US, AT&T and Verizon retired their older networks some years ago while T-Mobile began a phased 2G closure in 2025.

So, before you buy a SIM card watch for calls:

1. Check which network types the watch lists (2G, 3G, 4G).
2. Check whether your mobile operator still runs a network of that type where you live, and for how long. Your operator's website or customer service can tell you.
3. Check the SIM size the watch takes (micro, nano) and whether your operator's SIM works in it.
4. If 2G is gone or going in your country, use the watch's Bluetooth calling through your phone instead, or choose a non-SIM watch.

In many countries 2G is still running and these watches work as designed, which is why they remain popular. The point is to check first rather than find out after you've bought one.

Cameras on Phone Watches

The cameras on these watches are basic. The 1.44 inch SIM card watch lists 0.3 megapixels and the DZ09 1.3 megapixels. Fine for a quick snap, not a replacement for your phone's camera.

Memory Cards

Some phone watches take a memory card for music and photos. The DZ09 lists TF (microSD) cards up to 32 GB. A SIM card and memory card aren't included with our phone watches, so budget for those.

Budget vs Premium: What the Price Difference Buys

A common question when people look at how to choose a smartwatch is whether a budget watch is worth it, or whether they should save up for a big-brand model. Here's a fair breakdown.

If you want a watch to count steps, show who's calling and nudge you to move, a budget watch covers it, and the longer battery is a real plus. If you want to leave your wallet and phone at home, pay with your wrist and run third-party apps, that's when a premium watch earns its price.

Features Worth Having, and Ones You Can Skip

Part of how to choose a smartwatch well is not paying for features you'll never touch.

Worth Having for Most People

• Vibration alerts for calls and messages, so you don't miss them in a noisy place.
• Move reminders, which are surprisingly effective if you sit at a desk all day.
• Alarms with vibration, which wake you without waking whoever's next to you.
• Find my phone, which makes your phone ring from the watch.
• Music controls, handy with wireless earbuds.
• Remote camera shutter, useful for group photos. Our square touch screen smart watch and round steel smart watch both list it.

Nice, but Easy to Live Without

• Built-in cameras on phone watches, which are low resolution.
• Dozens of sport modes, when you only do two or three activities.
• Health readings beyond heart rate, which are wellness estimates at best.
• Games and calculators, fun for a day.

In short, when you work through how to choose a smartwatch, focus on the features you'll use every day and treat the rest as a bonus.

The Smartwatches We Sell

Here's our current range, with figures taken from each product listing. Prices, colours and current availability are on each product page. If you're still working out how to choose a smartwatch from our range, start with the "best for" column.

Q9 Pro Smart Watch

A big, clear 1.7 inch glass screen on a body under 9 mm thick, light enough to wear all day and to bed. A good all-rounder for people who want readable notifications and activity tracking without a heavy watch.

Short spec: 1.7 in, 240 x 280; 38 x 44.5 x 8.9 mm; 38 g; 200 mAh; IP68 as listed; silicone strap; black, blue, orange or pink; charger and manual included.

1.69 Inch IP67 Smart Watch

A large rectangular full-touch screen in a zinc alloy case, with extras like a calculator, weather forecast, breathing training and alarms shown in the supplier's photos. It doesn't take a SIM and it isn't a medical device.

Short spec: 1.69 in full touch; zinc alloy case; 340 mAh; Bluetooth 5.2; IP67; black, gold pink, grey or red, plus set options.

B57 Fitness Tracker Smart Watch

The middle ground between a step band and a full smartwatch: steps, heart rate, alarms, move reminders, call and message alerts and music control.

Short spec: 1.3 in IPS, 240 x 240; 48.9 x 34.5 x 11.7 mm; 130 mAh; strap for 150 to 200 mm wrists; iPhone and Android via app; black, pink or white.

119 Plus Bluetooth Smart Watch

A light, round, low-cost tracker whose main strength is battery life: the supplier lists about a week in use on one charge.

Short spec: 1.3 in colour; 180 mAh; about 7 days in use or 15 days standby; 1 to 2 hours to charge; perforated TPU strap; black, blue, green or red.

BW0189 Stainless Steel Smart Watch

A round sports watch that looks the part with a shirt cuff, with a stainless steel case, mineral glass and analogue or digital faces.

Short spec: round colour screen; stainless steel case; mineral glass; steel, mesh, leather-look and silicone strap options. Treat any health readings as wellness indicators only.

Women's Smart Watch KW10 Pro

Slim, round and made to look like jewellery, on a fine steel mesh band with decorative watch faces. Note that the listing includes band-only and cable-only options, so choose the watch option carefully.

Short spec: round colour touch screen; steel mesh band; gold or silver; watch, set, band-only and cable-only options.

DZ09 SIM Card Phone Watch

One of the best-known budget phone watches. It pairs with a phone over Bluetooth, and with a SIM fitted it can make calls by itself, where a compatible 2G network is available.

Short spec: 1.56 in TFT, 240 x 240; 43.5 x 40 x 9.8 mm; 380 mAh; GSM 850/900/1800/1900; TF card up to 32 GB; 1.3 MP camera; TPU strap for 130 to 180 mm wrists; cable and manual included.

Not sure which suits you? Contact us with your phone model, what you want the watch to do and your wrist size, and we'll help you choose. You can see the full range in our wearables and watches collections.

How to Choose a Smartwatch for Different People

For Walkers and Casual Fitness

Steps, a move reminder and a long battery matter more than anything else. The M4 band or 119 Plus keep it simple.

For the Gym and Running

A secure silicone strap, heart rate, workout modes and some water resistance for sweat and rain. Look at the Q9 Pro or 1.69 inch IP67 watch. Pair it with ear hook sports earbuds that stay put while you move.

For the Office

A round case and a metal or leather strap, with quiet vibration alerts so you can glance at messages in a meeting. Try the BW0189 or round steel smart watch.

For Older Relatives

A large, bright screen, simple menus and easy charging. The 1.69 and 1.7 inch screens are easiest to read. When you think about how to choose a smartwatch for someone less comfortable with technology, set it up and pair it with their phone before you hand it over.

As a Gift

Smartwatches make good gifts if you know the recipient's phone. Check it's compatible, and pick a strap and colour that suits them. The KW10 Pro is designed to look like jewellery, and the Y90 comes in ten strap and colour versions.

If You Prefer a Traditional Watch

Not everyone wants a screen on their wrist. We also sell analogue watches, such as the men's mechanical skeleton watch, the leather quartz watch with date and the minimalist LED digital watch.

Accessories That Go Well With a Smartwatch

• Wireless earbuds so you can control music from your wrist. See our Bluetooth 5.3 true wireless earbuds, sports earbuds with LED power display and over-ear headphones with a listed 70 hours of listening. More in audio and headphones.
• A business headset like the single-ear ear hook headset if you take a lot of calls.
• A phone stand like our 360 rotating desk phone stand, so your phone and watch both sit tidily on the desk.
• A screen protector for your phone, such as our tempered glass screen protector. Browse more in phones and accessories.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Smartwatch

Most smartwatch regrets come down to a few avoidable slips. Keep these in mind as you work through how to choose a smartwatch.

• Not checking phone compatibility. A few watches list only Android or only certain versions.
• Buying a SIM watch without checking the network. If your operator has switched off 2G, a 2G-only watch can't make SIM calls.
• Assuming "waterproof" means swimproof. Check the rating and the maker's guidance.
• Expecting medical accuracy. Smartwatch health readings are for general interest.
• Choosing a screen too big for your wrist. Check case size and strap range.
• Ignoring battery life. If you won't charge it every night, don't buy a watch that needs it.
• Picking the wrong option. Some listings include strap-only or cable-only options. Read before you click.

Setting Up and Looking After Your Smartwatch

1. Charge it fully before first use.
2. Install the companion app named in the manual and pair from inside the app, not just from your phone's Bluetooth menu.
3. Allow the notification permissions the app asks for, or messages won't reach your wrist.
4. Set your height, weight and age in the app so step distance and calories are estimated better.
5. Wear it snugly, a finger's width above the wrist bone, for better heart rate readings.
6. Wipe the back sensor and strap regularly, and let the watch dry fully before charging.
7. Keep it away from heat, saunas and harsh chemicals like perfume and sun cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the first step in how to choose a smartwatch?

Decide what you want it for: step tracking, workouts, phone alerts, calls or style. That one decision narrows the choice faster than anything else.

Will a smartwatch work with my phone?

Most work with both Android and iPhone through a companion app, but check the listed versions. Some features can differ between the two systems.

Can I swim with a smartwatch?

Only if the maker says it's suitable for swimming. IP67 and IP68 ratings are tested in fresh water under set conditions and don't cover salt water, pools, hot water or soap.

How long does a smartwatch battery last?

It varies a lot. Simple trackers can last around a week; our 119 Plus lists about 7 days in use. Bigger screens and calling use more power.

Are smartwatch heart rate readings accurate?

They're good for trends and general fitness, but accuracy varies with activity, fit and movement. They aren't a substitute for medical devices.

Can a smartwatch measure blood sugar?

No. The FDA has warned people not to use smartwatches or smart rings that claim to measure blood glucose without piercing the skin, and says none are authorised for that.

Do SIM card smartwatches still work?

It depends on your country and operator. Many budget SIM watches use 2G only, and many operators have switched 2G off. Check with your operator before buying for SIM calls.

What's the difference between Bluetooth calling and SIM calling?

Bluetooth calling uses your phone's connection, so the phone must be nearby. SIM calling uses a SIM in the watch to connect to the mobile network directly.

Is a round or square smartwatch better?

Square screens show more text; round ones look more like a classic watch. It comes down to what you read on it and what you like wearing.

Do you sell smartwatches?

Yes. Easy Life Markets sells fitness bands, fitness smartwatches, round steel smartwatches and SIM card phone watches. Browse our wearables collection, see delivery details on our shipping policy page, and check our return and refund policy and FAQ.

The Bottom Line on How to Choose a Smartwatch

Work out what you want it to do, check it works with your phone, pick a screen and strap you'll wear every day, and be realistic about battery, water resistance and health readings. If you want SIM calls, check your network first. Do that, and how to choose a smartwatch stops being confusing: you'll end up with a watch you actually wear, not one sitting in a drawer.

When you're ready, browse our Q9 Pro, the 1.69 inch IP67 smart watch, the BW0189 steel smart watch and the rest of our electronics.

Sources and References

• US FDA: Do not use smartwatches or smart rings to measure blood glucose levels
• Harvard Health Publishing: How accurate are wearable heart rate monitors?
• TeleGeography: 2G and 3G, closing time for legacy networks
• Wikipedia: IP code (IEC 60529 ingress protection)