Best Rugged Smartwatch

Whether you are doing sports such as hiking, hunting, you like camping and watching birds and wildlife or you are not that careful with your devices, you need to get devices that fit with your personality and with the activities you practice. Devices sturdy enough will make things easier for you as you won’t have to worry about damaging them to the point that they will stop working, and rugged smartwatches are some of the best investments you can make.

Before diving into more details about what should you look for in a rugged smartwatch, let’s start with our best recommendations.

Best Rugged Smartwatches

1. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2

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From fitness and health tracking, everyday activities and sleep to activities that do not belong to the urban environment such as hiking and camping, Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 makes a perfect fit. It is small and light with a screen size of 1.4’’, its thickness is below average being only 10.9mm and can be used within temperatures between 0 and 40° C. It also has damage resistant glass and it is sweat resistant, dustproof and waterproof.

Specs:

• Internal storage: 4GB
• Bluetooth version: 5
• Height:40mm
• Width:40mm
• Weight: 37g
• Screen size: 1.2’’
• Resolution:360 x360
• Thickness: 10.9mm

Pros:

• Monitors perspiration
• Provides sleep reports
• Wi Fi compatible
• Designed for diving
• Tracks calories intake
• Measure fat consumption
• Track water intake
• Compatible with IOS
• Wireless charging
• Built-in camera remote control function, therefore you can take pictures even without using your phone

Cons:

• Not compatible with MAC OS C and with Windows Phone
• Up to 2 days battery life

2. Huawei Watch GT 2

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Huawei Watch GT 2 is a sturdy smart watch equipped with damage-resistant glass. It is also sweat resistant, dustproof and water-resistant with a waterproof depth rating of 50m. Due to its long battery life, it can be the most reliable device of yours as it can provide activities reports, notifications and can be used to answer calls 14 days straight. Its attractive design makes it a perfect gift for your father, husband, boyfriend or brother.

Specs:

• Internal storage: 4GB
• Bluetooth version: 5.1
• Height:45.9mm
• Width:45.9mm
• Weight: 41g
• Screen size: 1.39’’
• Resolution: 454 x 454
• Thickness: 10.7mm

Pros:

• 14 days long battery life
• Generous internal storage
• Presents call control and can be used to answer calls
• Voice command
• Dustproof, waterproof and sweat resistant
• Damage resistant glass
• Built-in GPS
• Suitable for swimming
• Compatible with Android and iOS

Cons:

• Not compatible with Windows phones
• Does not support Wi Fi

3. Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire

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Besides its amazing design, Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire stands out especially because of its sapphire glass display. The sapphire display is one of the most durable materials, being surpassed only by diamonds in terms of hardness. It has a long battery life up to 14 days. Its 12 GB internal storage can be used to store music or to upload maps, it is also able to record up to 1000 waypoints.

Spec:

• Internal storage: 12GB
• Bluetooth version: 4.0
• Height:51.0mm
• Width:51.0mm
• Weight: 98g
• Screen size: 1.2’’
• Resolution: 240 x 240
• Thickness: 17.5mm

Pros:

• Great quality glass durability
• 14 days long battery life
• Compatible with Android, iOS and Windows phones
• Provides call control
• Tracks Body Mass Index
• Ad Free
• Wide variety of trackers that provides reports (from running to swimming)
• 26 languages supported

Cons:

• Quite thick and heavy
• Does not support Wi Fi
• Cannot be used to answer calls
• Quite expensive

4. Mobvoi tICWATCH S2

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TicWatch S2 is a smartwatch suitable for outdoor activities such as: hiking, skiing, camping etc. It is also certified by US Military Standard 810G. It can operate at temperatures between -20 – 50°C and is equipped with damage-resistant glass. Mobvid TicWatch S2 is Sweat resistant, dustproof and water resistant with waterproof depth rating of 50m making it a suitable watch for winter sports.

Specs:

• Internal storage: –
• Bluetooth version: 4.1
• Height:51.8mm
• Width:46.6mm
• Weight: 52.7g
• Screen size: 1.39’’
• Resolution: 400 x 400
• Thickness: 12.9mm

Pros:

• Light and durable design
• Supports both Android and iOS phones
• Ad Free
• Voice command feature
• Supports Wi Fi
• Tracks sleep and provide reports
• Multiple sports mode
• Stroke recognition and stroke counter for swimming
• Built-in GPS

Cons:

• Does not support Windows phones
• Low battery life, only 2 days
• Does not have phone locator feature
• Does not have call control function and can not be used to answer calls

5. Apple watch series 3

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Apple Watch Series 3 is a stylish watch with aluminum chase. It has dual core processor and a generous storage capacity of 16GB that can fit up to 4000 songs. Equipped with sapphire glass display, top-notch durability is guaranteed. 1.65’’ screen size with 312 x 390 resolution with a pixel density of 302 ppi ensures high-quality image output.

Specs:

• Internal storage: 16 GB
• Bluetooth version: 4.2
• Height:42.5mm
• Width:36.4mm
• Weight: 52.8g
• Screen size: 1.65’’
• Resolution: 312 x 390
• Thickness: 11.4mm

Pros:

• Compatible with iOS devices
• Supports Wi Fi
• Large storage capacity
• Cellular module
• Automatically Syncs
• 2h charging time
• Call control
• Phone locate feature
• Can be used to answer calls
• Voice commands
• Ad Free
• Security increased due to passcode
• Sleep tracker that provides reports
• Sapphire glass display
• Sweat resistant, dustproof and waterproof

Cons:

• Does not support Android and Windows devices
• Very low battery life (0.75 days) up to 18 hours with GPS on
• Quite expensive

6. Amazfit Verge

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Amazfit Verge can be a worthy companion in your life, it comes with built-in Alexa and has a generous internal storage of 4GB. Its has a 5 days long battery life that can be fully charged in only 2.5 h. It has a small and light design weighing only 46 grams and is really durable due to its damage resistant glass.

Specs:

• Internal storage: 4 GB
• Bluetooth version: 4.0
• Height:43 mm
• Width:43 mm
• Weight: 46g
• Screen size: 1.30’’
• Resolution: 360 x 360
• Thickness: 12.6mm

Pros:

• Compatible with both Android and iOS devices
• Supports Wi Fi
• Good battery life
• Built – in Alexa
• GPS supported
• Automatically syncs
• Fitness and sleep trackers and reports
• Phone locator feature
• Supports voice commands
• Dual core processor with 1.2GHz speed
• Call control function and can be used to answer calls
• Integrates social networks
• Ads free
• Supports up to 16 languages

Cons:

• Not compatible with Windows devices
• Waterproof depth rating 1m making it not suitable for swimming

 

7. Amazfit Stratos

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Sleek and stylish smartwatch, Amazfit Stratos has a compact screen size of 1.34 inches. It has a damage resistant glass that ensures its durability. It is perfectly operating while exposed to temperatures between 0 – 40°C. Due to its built in compass it is a perfect fit for hiking and camping and it also does a good job regarding fitness activities as it has a multi-sport mode and provides efficient reports.

Specs:

• Internal storage: 4 GB
• Bluetooth version: 4.0
• Height:35mm
• Width:35 mm
• Weight: 70g
• Screen size: 1.34’’
• Resolution: 320×300
• Thickness: 15.0mm

Pros:

• 5 days battery life
• Wireless charging
• Integrates with social networks
• Compatible with Android and iOS devices
• Multi sports mode
• Sleep tracking and reporting
• Stroke recognition and stroke counter feature for swimming
• Built in GPS and compass
• Damage resistant glass
• Dust proof and water resistant
• 50m waterproof depth rating

Cons:

• Does not supports phone locator feature
• Does not have voice commands
• Cannot be used to answer calls
• Does not support Wi Fi
• Not compatible with Windows devices
• Not sweat resistant

8.  Garmin Instinct Tactical Edition

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A unique design that catches everyone’s eye, US Military Standard 810G approved. Garmin Instinct excels in durability as it is thermal resistant, shock resistant and water resistant. It is a perfect fit for hunting enthusiasts as it has features such as stealth mode and dual-position GPS. It has damage resistant glass and it is designed to be sweat resistant and dustproof.

Specs:

• Internal storage: 16 MB
• Bluetooth version: –
• Height: 45mm
• Width: 45 mm
• Weight: 52g
• Screen size: 0.9’’
• Resolution: 128 x 128
• Thickness: 15.3mm

Pros:

• Waterproof, sweat resistant and dustproof
• Damage resistant glass
• 100m Waterproof depth rating
• -20 to 60°C operating temperature
• Built in GPS and compass
• Temperature sensor
• Multi sports mode with trackers and reports
• Sleep tracking and reporting
• Stroke recognition and counter stroke
• Supports Android and iOS devices
• 14 days battery life
• Can upload maps
• Phone locator feature
• Supports call control
• Has USB port
• Ad free
• Body Mass Index track

Cons:

• Not designed for diving
• Does not support Wi Fi
• Not compatible with Windows devices
• Quite expensive
• Low internal storage
• Does not supports voice commands
• Cannot be used to answer calls

How to buy the best rugged smartwatch

Before purchasing a smartwatch you should make sure that it is the perfect fit for you and your activities, therefore you must check its following features:

Compatibility / Connectivity

It is not uncommon to end up with a smartwatch that is not compatible with your phone, as some of them are compatible only with iOS or Android. Most of them are compatible with both but also most of the smart watches are not compatible with Windows phones.

Battery

If you are the type of person that enjoys hiking, watching wildlife or camping, I am sure that you won’t like running out of battery in the middle of the nature where you cannot find a way to charge your smartwatch, especially if you camp for a couple of days. Therefore, before buying it, make sure that its battery life is long enough for the activities you enjoy.

Durability

Sometimes you may get fooled by the way a smartwatch looks, it can be big and look indestructible when in fact it can get destroyed at the first drop. Before buying, check the type of glass and also check if it is dustproof and waterproof, as nature can be tricky and may catch you unprepared.

Size

A heavy watch can become a burden when you use it for a long time, especially if you are also carrying a lot of equipment with you. Also, its size highly affects the chance of smashing it into objects near you, as the watch is not part of your body you don’t unconsciously feel the distance between your watch and the surroundings when you are not paying attention as you feel between the surroundings and your arm (without wearing anything), therefore even if it’s 0.01’’ it can still save your watch from scratching or damaging.

Sensors

What sensors does the smartwatch have and what it can do is one of the first things you should check before buying. One of the most important features is the GPS, as it not only helps you in cities but it can also be a big help in the wilderness. Also, the smartwatch can be your best companion if you like to workout and stay fit as it has multiple sport modes and trackers that provide useful reports helping you to improve and control your health.

Voice commands

Voice command feature is not that important, but it can be way more useful that it seems. Having your hands free all the time is quite important regardless the activity you practice. However, not all smartwatches present voice command feature and this feature is not always needed but at some point, it may be good to have it.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use my smartwatch as a GPS?

Not every smartwatch has a GPS integrated, but if your smartwatch does have a GPS then you are covered. You can use your smartwatch GPS similar to your phone GPS. You can pull up a map, or search a specific destination.

Are smartwatches suitable for kids?

On the market can be found different smartwatches for kids, with different features such as: games, radio, inbuild camera, flashlight and so on.

Please notice the smartwatches covered in this article are not appropriated for children use.

Can a smartwatch track my phone?

Some of the smartwatches have phone locator features that can easily track and find your phone.

Can a smartwatch be tracked?

If you have your smartphone paired with your smartwatch, you may be able to track your watch, but only if this feature is supported by the smartwatch as not all of them have this feature.