‘Tis the season of giving.
We’re a couple years into this smartwatch craze, and there are now so many different models and variations to choose from that it can be absolutely overwhelming. That doesn’t change the fact that the hottest gifts this year will be a piece of wearable tech like a smartwatch or fitness tracker. That’s because they are absolutely everywhere now, and they have grown incredibly popular.
As soon as you get a smartwatch on your wrist it’s no wonder why they’re so popular, either. They are remarkably convenient, especially when they’re used to break your constant tether to smartphone notifications and alerts.
If you’re looking for the perfect smartwatch to gift your husband this holiday season, then you’ve come to the right place. We’re going to take a look at a few smartwatches that would be great for every husband out there. We’ll also mention what kind of person each watch is meant for, and what they can expect in the way of features.
If you’re looking for some great wearable gift ideas for the holiday season, just keep reading!
Apple Watch
The Apple Watch isn’t the only good looking smartwatch on the market, however, it is one of the best constructed. That said, it also happens to be one of the most expensive options out there, even when it comes to the entry model Apple Watch Sport (priced at $349 and up).
Sadly, the Apple Watch is only compatible with iPhones, so if your husband owns an Android you’ll need to look for another watch.
There are well over 1,300 apps available for the watch via the App store, and there are tons of watch faces to help you customize the general appearance. It has all the standard smartwatch features too, like remote texting, messaging, and notification support. You can make and receive calls with the watch as well, through a paired iPhone.
Apple promises up to 18 hours of battery life when the watch is used heavily, with up to 48 hours when it’s just in watch mode. For talk time, you’ll get a slightly less reasonable three hours of use out of it, but then again there’s no reason to be using the watch as your only communication device.
Some features unique to the Apple Watch include the option to send custom emoji, taps or vibration patterns, and your heart-rate, to other Watch owners.
If you need help choosing the appropriate Apple Watch model for your husband, take a look at our which apple watch should I buy infographic we put together.
Samsung Gear S2
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The Samsung Gear S2 comes in a couple different variants, the most popular of which is the Classic model. It’s Samsung’s latest foray into the world of smartwatches and it includes a round display, similar to the Moto 360 or LG G Watch R.
It is not running Android Wear, instead it’s powered by Samsung’s proprietary OS called Tizen. Yet, it’s still compatible with Android smartphones. Sadly, there’s no iOS support available, so if your husband uses an iPhone you’ll need to get a different watch.
The bezel on the outside spins, like something you’d see on a traditional timepiece. The bezel acts as a navigation tool, or you can use the touchscreen to interact with the different menus and options. It will pair with a phone and deliver notifications, alerts, messages, and more. It can also make and receive calls remotely.
If your husband is interested in a standalone watch — meaning a watch that can act like a phone on its own — you might want to opt for the wireless carrier version of the Gear S2. T-Mobile will be one of the first to sell it, and it comes with a SIM card that allows you to make calls right from the watch without a connected phone. Although, you will need a phone for initial setup and to install apps.
The entry level model of the Gear S2 comes with a silicone band for $299.99 while the Classic model we mentioned — which comes with a leather band — is $349.
Huawei Watch
Just take one glance at the Huawei Watch and surely you’ll agree that it looks good, real good. It’s round and relatively thin. In fact, it looks just like a regular watch, and most people would have no idea your husband is wearing a smartwatch.
It’s powered by Google’s Android Wear smartwatch OS, and that means it’s compatible with Android and iPhone handsets. It’s actually one of the few newer Android Wear watches that works with iOS, but we digress.
There’s not much to say about this one you probably don’t already know. All Android Wear watches are essentially running the same software, so the experience is pretty much the same across the board. There’s support for remote notifications, alerts, messages, calls, and more.
The Huawei Watch is priced between $349 and $449, depending on which band or bezel style you select.
Asus ZenWatch 2
The original Asus ZenWatch was arguably one of the best Android Wear smartwatches — outmatched only by the Moto 360. The ZenWatch 2 has a lot more competition now, but it’s still a great watch nonetheless.
It’s powered by Android Wear, so the experience one would have is almost identical to that of the Huawei Watch, or any other watch running Android Wear for that matter. What makes the ZenWatch 2 stand out is it’s simple, yet elegant design and incredibly reasonable price at $149.99.
Notable features include a Gorilla Glass 3 protected display, 4GB of internal storage for music and more, 512MB of RAM, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It works with both Android and iOS handsets, and has a compatible app. The wrist band is changeable, and since Asus used a standard size you can swap out the stock band for any watch band of comparable dimensions.
Pebble Time Round
The Pebble Time are the latest series of smartwatches from Pebble, the company responsible for one of the most popular smartwatches on the market. There are three models, the Pebble Time, Pebble Time Steel, and the Pebble Time Round. We chose the Round because it looks like a regular watch.
Like the Pebble Time it includes a color display, as opposed to the original Pebble’s monochrome display.
The battery life has been slimmed down to two days total — the original Pebble can last for about a whole week on a single charge. Still, two days is a lot better than any other device on this list. Furthermore, it works with both iOS and Android handsets to deliver remote notifications, messages, alerts, and more.
The Pebble Time Round is one of the pricier Pebble watches starting at $249.99.
Those Aren’t the Only Smartwatches to Buy Your Husband
Even though we chose just five of the best smartwatches out right now, that doesn’t mean they are the only option when you’re out searching for holiday gifts for your husband. Take a look at our directory of smartwatches for some other ideas. There are a lot of older models that are available cheaper than what’s listed here. There’s even a list of watches for under $110 if you want to go with something that’s not considered a name brand.
No matter which smartwatch you decide to buy for your husband, he’s sure to love it!