Smartwatches

What's behind our smartwatch Ratings?

• Overall score
  This is based mainly on ease of use, ease of interaction, ease of pairing, readability in bright light, readability in low light, step-count accuracy, scratch resistance, and water resistance. The displayed score is out of a total of 100 points.
• Ease of use
  Considers how easy it is to access core device functions and perform key tasks, such as accessing messages, calendars and alarms, and app notifications, as well as pair the smartwatch with another device for the first time. Display performance under various lighting conditions also factors into this score.
• Ease of interaction
  An evaluation of the steps necessary to access core device functions and perform key tasks, such as accessing messages, calendars and alarms, and app notifications.
• Ease of pairing
  An assessment of the steps necessary for pairing the smartwatch with another device for the first time.
• Readability in bright light
  How easy it is to read the display (time, texts, etc.) under bright lighting conditions, such as in sunlight.
• Readability in low light
  How is easy it is to read the display (time, texts, etc.) in relative darkness, indoors or at night.
• Step count accuracy
  The pedometer’s accuracy in a variety of situations, such as climbing stairs and walking briskly up and down ramps.
• Scratch test
  Durability is a greater concern for smartwatches than for any other personal electronics device because, by design, they’re exposed to the elements and are vulnerable to any hazards that your arms encounter. We use the Mohs scale, which compares the scratch resistance of minerals relative to one another using 10 minerals of increasing hardness as reference points. It rates talc as 1 and goes all the way up to diamond at a 10 rating. Our score is a reflection on how well the smartwatch crystal performed on the Mohs test, as well as against other smartwatches in our Ratings.
• Water resistance test
  How resistant the watch is to water, as tested by submersion to the depth the manufacturer claims the watch can withstand
• Heart-rate monitor accuracy
  Heart-rate monitor accuracy.