Smartwatches have become an important tool when trying to keep up with the electronic world we live in, especially since it saves you the trouble of pulling out your phone and looking at a screen. There are, of course, an absolute ton of smartwatches to pick from, from Apple’s Watch Series to Samsung’s Galaxy Watch, but if you’re in the Google ecosystem and want its design language, then the Pixel Watch is the one to go for.
So far, there have been two iterations of the Pixel Watch you can grab, or if you want something in the same Google family, FitBit is another alternative since it was bought out a few years ago by Google. Either way, if the offers below don’t quite tickle your fancy, even though they are substantial, there are some other excellent smartwatch deals to take a look at.
Google Pixel Watch — $242, was $280
My first attempt at a Google Pixel Watch didn’t fare as well as it could have, although this is still a solid smartwatch if you want something that’s in the Google ecosystem and budget-friendly. It has a very unique-looking, rounded, 1.2-inch screen that’s AMOLED, so it’s gorgeous and has excellent image reproduction. It, of course, has heart monitoring and sleep tracking, as well as other fitness sensors and software, although a lot of that is locked behind a Fitbit premium, which, admittedly, you do get six months free when buying this watch.
Google Pixel Watch 2 — $285, was $350
The Pixel Watch 2 was a much better iteration of the design from Google, and it shows. For starters, it has a battery that can last more than 24 hours, which is a big plus if you don’t want to take it off every night when you sleep for it to charge. It’s much more comfortable to wear overall, and it performs much faster and more smoothly than the original Pixel Watch. That said, a lot of its fitness features are still locked behind a FitBit Premium subscription, which will run you at $10/month after you finish the original six months you get for free. Still, if you like the looks of the Watch 2, it’s a great watch to buy if you’re willing to go for the monthly subscription.
Should you buy the Google Pixel Watch or Google Pixel Watch 2?
With both the Google Pixel Watch and Google Pixel Watch 2 still available, it can be tricky to know whether you should go for the newer model or if you’ll be just fine with the older option. A simple answer is that if you can afford it, always go with the newer model aka the Google Pixel Watch 2. However, if your budget is tight or you simply don’t want to spend extra on something you might not need, it’s a more complicated matter. We’ve looked in-depth at the differences between the Google Pixel Watch and Google Pixel Watch 2 but we can also offer you a quick overview.
At first, both seem very similar with the same display. However, the Google Pixel Watch 2 has a newer and faster processor which means it’ll perform faster. It also has a better battery while it weighs ever so slightly less than the original model. There’s also the addition of a cEDA sensor for body response tracking, along with a skin temperature sensor, barometer, and magnetometer.
Adding to the superior value, the Google Pixel Watch 2 has an aluminum casing compared to the Pixel Watch’s stainless steel, so it feels classier. Ultimately though, it’s the better performance that sells the Google Pixel Watch 2 along with its superior battery life. It adds up to differences you’ll spot daily and that’s where things count most.
The extra sensors are great too as they mean more precise readings such as those for your heart, while they can even indicate the presence of underlying medical conditions from stress and anxiety to something much more serious. It’s ideal for a more well-rounded look at your health and stress levels.
Where possible, it makes sense to spend the extra and get the Google Pixel Watch 2. It’s faster to use, offers better battery life, and has more advanced sensors. However, the difference isn’t as huge as you might expect meaning people on a budget will still be happy with the original Google Pixel Watch. It all depends on how important it is for you to save money.
