Introduction
Smartwatches (sometimes spelled as two words, “smart watches”) have exploded onto the market in the last several years, turning what once was a relatively limited-function accessory into a dynamic and interactive device. With features such as fitness tracking, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity, text messaging, and even the ability to make phone calls, smartwatches bring many of the conveniences of a modern smartphone into small, portable, wearable watch form. However, not all of the watches on the market are the most stylish or fashion-friendly. Indeed, a lot of technology needs to be packed into a very small space, leaving some watches looking rather bulky, unfashionable, and even monstrous. This can be a particular concern for women, who are often more fashion-oriented than men. Women want a functional watch that doesn’t skimp on style, either. It has to work with a wide range of wardrobe options, and be suitable for work, home, the outdoors, time with kids, exercise, and more.
So, we’ve rounded up the top smartwatches for women – some specifically targeted at women only, and some unisex models that work well for women. We’ve analyzed third-party reviews and customer feedback to compile this list of the best smartwatches for women that are currently available on the market. For each, we’ve provided a brief overview, a highlight of some of the features (particularly unique features that set that model apart from the competition), and delved into the pros and cons of each watch, with an eye towards both overall positives and negatives, and those aspects that might be particularly valuable (or troublesome) for female customers.
The listings below are in ascending order of price only, and placement is not intended to denote ranking or quality – indeed, all of the smartwatches for women that are on this list are of high quality, from reputable brands, and are well-reviewed by customers.
Fossil Women’s Two-Tone Multi-Function Q Venture Smart Watch
Overview
Fossil is a leading brand in watches for men and women, with multiple sub-brands and imprints around the globe. The Fossil Women’s Q Venture Smart Watch continues this tradition of excellence, with a stylish rose gold-and-blue metallic band, and round, traditional face design.
[amazon bestseller=”Fossil Women Q Venture Smart Watch” items=”2″]
Features
This multi-function smartwatch for women has a wide range of features, including:
- Based on Google’s WearOS, Bluetooth connectivity to iOS-based and Android-based phones is easy – this can be considered an Android smartwatch, though it works with Apple’s iOS as well.
- Band style, color, etc. are completely interchangeable to fit any fashion choice, and easily swap out with any other Fossil 18mm size band.
- The face is also changeable, with screen design selections from WearOS and Fossil’s own library.
- With Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, the touchscreen face of the Q Venture can:
- Display notifications
- Receive texts and e-mails
- Download app updates
- Activity tracking that syncs to your phone provides fitness smartwatch functionality, tracking steps, distance, calories burned, and more.
- Embedded microphone for voice control.
- Rechargeable battery (24-hour battery life) that easily charges by placing the watch on the induction charging magnet included with the watch.
Pros
This smartwatch is, first and foremost, a watch – it looks the part, maintaining classic fashion styling of the watch band and face, with numerous style and look changes possible both digitally (the face) and physically (interchangeable bands/straps). It is also not overly large and tends more towards a modest/regular size face compared to other smartwatches. It has a number of features common to most smartwatches for women, without the added bulk or weight from onboard GPS or cellular, instead of using Bluetooth and wireless to sync to your smartphone for those functions.
Cons
The battery charge does not last long compared to some other of the best smartwatches. The stated 24-hour life is highly dependent on usage, and many customers have reported their device lasting half that or less with heavy use. And obviously, GPS and cellular are not included, meaning it must be paired with a smartphone for many of the features to work. As there is no speaker, only a microphone, it cannot be used as a phone in and of itself.
[amazon fields=”B074KK39FK” value=”button”]
Skagen Falster Stainless Steel Mesh Smartwatch
Overview
Skagen Denmark is an imprint of Fossil, makers of fine watches globally, both of classic and smartwatch vintages. The Falster Stainless Steel Mesh Smartwatch in Rose Gold is a unisex-watch that is a popular seller in the women’s smartwatch category, largely due to its reasonable size, stylish band, and generous features.
[amazon box=”B0781ZPTKZ”]
Features
The features available on the Skagen Falster include:
- Based on Google’s WearOS, Bluetooth connectivity to iOS-based and Android-based phones is easy – this can be considered an Android smartwatch, though it works with Apple’s iOS as well.
- Also includes the popular Google Assistant, now always at your fingertips (or close, on your wrist).
- Band style, color, etc. are completely interchangeable to fit any fashion choice, and easily swap out with any other Skagen 20mm size band.
- The face is also changeable, with screen design selections from WearOS and Skagen’s own library.
- With Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, the touchscreen face can:
- Display notifications
- Receive texts and e-mails
- Download app updates
- Activity tracking that syncs to your phone for step and distance counts.
- Embedded microphone for voice control.
- Rechargeable battery (24-hour battery life) that easily charges by placing the watch on the induction charging magnet included with the watch.
Pros
The Skagen Falster maintains a classic watch style and look in this unisex model, and offers many of the features common to most smartwatches on the market today. Paired with a phone running Android or iOS, this watch is a natural extension of the digital environment, which also can be changed to fit any fashion style or wardrobe via interchangeable bands and changeable watch face design. Also, it incorporates Google Assistant natively in the watch, which is not something that every smartwatch can boast.
Cons
Like other non-GPS and non-cellular smartwatches, it must be paired with a smartphone for many of the features to work. As there is no speaker, only a microphone, it can’t be used to make calls or provide audible alerts or alarms. It has no built-in heart rate monitor and is a little light on features compared to a true fitness smartwatch.
[amazon fields=”B0781ZPTKZ” value=”button”]
Michael Kors Access Sofie Touchscreen Women’s Smartwatch
Overview
Michael Kors is a well-known name in fashion and accessories. The Sofie Smartwatch in rose gold is a sleek, stylish, and distinctly feminine smartwatch for women, with a number of features common to the best smartwatches on the market today in the Bluetooth/wireless only space.
[amazon bestseller=”Michael Kors Access Sofie Touchscreen Women Smartwatch” items=”2″]
Features
The Sofie from Michael Kors has features that include:
- Based on Google’s WearOS, works with both Android and iOS smartphones.
- Also includes Google Assistant.
- Band style, color, etc. are completely interchangeable to fit any fashion choice, and easily swap out with any other Michael Kors 18mm size band.
- The face is also changeable, both with WearOS designs as well as being customizable with social media account pictures.
- With Bluetooth and wireless connectivity, the touchscreen face can:
- Display notifications
- Receive texts and e-mails
- Download app updates
- Activity tracking that syncs to your phone for step and distance counts.
- Embedded microphone for voice control.
- Rechargeable battery (24-hour battery life) that easily charges by placing the watch on the induction charging magnet included with the watch.
Pros
This watch from Michael Kors is one of the nicest, most women-centric smartwatches on the market today. It is highly reviewed by customers, with one of the largest selections of design customization options available. It does pretty much what all other best smartwatches can do when paired with a smartphone, and looks stylish and fashionable while doing it.
Cons
The negatives are similar to other non-GPS and cellular smartwatches, in that it must be paired with a smartphone for many of the features to work. There is no speaker, so there are no auditory alerts, alarms, or similar. Battery life is also a commonly cited consumer complaint, and while it varies based on usage, some have described 100% depletion from full charge in as little as 5 hours. There have also been complaints regarding the bands coming off too easily, especially given the price.
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Apple Watch Series 3 with GPS and Cellular- 38mm
Overview
The Apple Watch is one of the premiere smartwatches on the market today. In this 3rd generation, the Series 3 offers both GPS and cellular connectivity built-in to the watch, making it one of the best contenders for a viable replacement to a smartphone, at least in the short run. While offered as a unisex model, there are multiple colors available, including white and pink, which are more feminine-oriented.
[amazon bestseller=”Apple Watch Series 3 38mm” items=”2″]
Features
The features on the Apple Watch Series 3 include:
- Full GPS and GLONASS navigation functionality.
- Pressure-based altimeter for accurate elevation information.
- 16 GB capacity for apps, music, and more.
- Built-in heart rate sensor, accelerometers, and gyroscope
- Bluetooth, wireless, and cellular connectivity (cellular, of course, requires a carrier plan and pairing with your iPhone).
- Estimated 18 hours’ battery life on the rechargeable battery, easily recharged via the included magnetic charging cable.
- Full fitness smartwatch capabilities that also sync to your phone.
- Included speaker means you have audio alerts and alarms, as well as the ability to answer and maintain full voice phone calls on your wrist.
Pros
The Apple Watch Series 3 really is the cream of the crop in terms of best smartwatches on the market today. There are some limited color and band options, as well as size options for the watch body itself (38 and 42mm, the 42mm is costly). It has a lot of the fitness smartwatch functions that are missing in other general-purpose smartwatches. The addition of GPS and cellular make it far more multi-functional than the other top smartwatches for women.
Cons
All of the tech in the Apple Watch Series 3 comes at a high cost, both financially, and in terms of design – it can seem a bit large and unwieldy for women compared to traditional watches. There is also a much more limited range of bands and color options than with the other watches highlighted in this article – Apple definitely has a stylish look, but it has put fashion considerations a distant second behind tech features. While it is the most feature-packed of the smartwatches for women that we reviewed, it is definitely one of the least fashionable and most clunky-looking by comparison.
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