10 Best Smartwatches For Google Maps in 2021 [Highly Accurate Navigation]

Be it finding the shortest route, finding estimated time of arrival, getting real-time traffic information, chalking splendid road-trips or driving to the nearest Starbucks, locating restaurants, shopping places nearby, etc, Google Maps has become the one point solution to all our expeditions. If you rely a lot on it, then it’s high time that you get a smartwatch that supports it.

Smartwatches have made navigation simpler by supporting sauve applications like Google Maps in a small and compact space as opposed to a smartphone. It is especially convenient during runs, mountain biking trips and other outdoor adventures such as hunting where carrying a large devices can be a chore in itself.

Apart from Google Maps, a range of applications like MapFactor, Waze, MotionX, etc., are available on the Play store but the one from Google remains to be a popular choice through and through.

Using Google Maps on a smartwatch run by the Wear OS is as simple as verbally instructing Google assistant to navigate to the required destination or tapping on the app. Even if your purchasing a watch for its navigation-centric features, there are a lot of other factors you should look into, they’re:

• Compatibility with your smartphone. For instance, Apple Watch 6 isn’t compatible with Android phones.
• App compatibility: Many apps are limited to certain operating systems. For instance, the Google maps app is compatible with non-WearOS watches such as Apple Watch (only navigations), Samsung Watch series (you’ll need to use third party apps to get navigation on Watch, but you can’t see the Map on the screen.)
• Navigation by voice command to keep the owner hands free in the middle of a stressful outdoor activity that requires constant navigation.
• The battery life of the device when kept on constant GPS/navigation mode.
• GPS Sensors and their tracking accuracy to stay on track during off-beat and off-grid expeditions.
• Waterproofing (if you go out during rainy reasons or take it for a swim.)
• Other essential sensors such as heart rate, sleep tracking, etc (if needed)

10 Best Smartwatches For Google Maps

In my opinion getting an WearOS watch is best for using Google Maps as it offers better compatibility. But don’t just focus on the navigation factor alone, you’ll be using a smartwatch for a lot of other tasks, so make sure it does them too. For instance, you shall use it to listen/control to music, tracking calories, sleep, etc.

1. Best Overall: Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle

This WearOS watch is compatible with all the watch apps on the Google Play Store. It’s waterproof, comes with many accurate sensors and a decent battery life. We tested it with various devices including the Google Pixel, Samsung S21, OnePlus 8, Motorola One, Xiaomi, Apple iPhone, etc. and it worked very smoothly.

The Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle is a great Smartwatch due to the wide variety of sports activities and sensors supported by the device. The Fossil company made its mark in the free market with signature algorithms that facilitate seamless operation for navigation, tending to professional commitments and achieving fitness goals.

The Smartwatch sports a very formal and trendy look. It has a very slim feel. The case size on this device is 44mm. The wristband size is 22mm and is interchangeable with all fossil bands at 22mm. There are two buttons on one side that launch the applications of your choice if you can’t access the touch screen through your winter gloves.

There is good Android, iOS connectivity and great compatibility with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Popular third-party fitness applications like Strava, Citymapper and Fit sync very well with this device making it very convenient for an adventure group to coordinate routes they want to explore, run, bike or drive along.

The display screen is 1.28 inches in diameter with AMOLED technology. There is a screen resolution of 416 x 416 pixels and a pixel density of 328. It is possible to receive, read and reply to messages with the help of voice transcription, smart canned responses or using the mini touch keyboard that pops on the screen. There is also a possibility to take calls on this phone. The Smartwatch is water-resistant up to 30 meters.

There are great options to control and switch music constantly depending on the mood and the activity for the moment. The incredible mic and speakers in-built with the device makes up for a great tool to take and make urgent work calls.

It comes with a RAM of 1 GB and with an internal storage of whooping 8 GB making it possible to have music and offline maps stored aboard.  Powered by Google’s Wear OS, it has a superior version of Google maps and Google assistant making it a seamless device for navigation. The in-built sensors on this watch include an altimeter, ambient light, gyroscope, heart rate, microphone and speakers.

The battery life of the Smartwatch is up to 24 hours and lasts up to 4 hours only when in full-scale continuous usage. It does not make a great choice for continuous navigation. It has to be regularly recharged (daily).

The warranty on the product is a full 2 years from the date of purchase. The battery, however, cannot be replaced making the device ultimately disposable. Versatility in the form and function of this watch makes it a great Smartwatch for people juggling a variety of commitments on a daily basis.

2. Best Runner Up: Suunto 7

The Suunto 7 is a well-engineered device and is one of the first to provide free offline outdoor Google maps support. It is a delight for explorers who like to visit off the grid hidden gems or stick to the roads ‘not taken’ by many.

The Smartwatch comes with a stainless steel bezel, silicone strap, and a gorilla glass display screen at 1.97 inches. The case of the watch is engineered with the latest glass fiber reinforced polyamide material. It weighs 2.47 ounces and has a very sturdy and firm feel. The product is offered in multiple colors giving the owner a choice to make a definite fashion statement.

It works well with phones running on Android 6.0+ (excluding Go edition) or iOS 10.0+. Its connectivity extends to smart Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB (charging). The Smartwatch has 70+ modes of outdoor activities to choose from and is compatible with leading endurance applications like Endomondo, TrainingPeaks and Strava.

The device sports an OLED type touchscreen and the screen has a high resolution of 454 x 454 pixels. It is possible to view to-do-lists, messages, call notifications and social updates on this watch. There is also an additional heat map which makes it easy to avoid crowded trails while outdoors. The Smartwatch is waterproof up to 50 meters.

There is an internal storage of 8GB and the device has sufficient controls to stream and store music of choice and mix playlists by the mood of the owner. It is a great option for people with a specific taste in music. The Smartwatch also has a mic and speaker to take calls or instruct Google Assistant verbally to navigate home.

The technology is powered by Wear OS and is eligible for frequent updates. It has an inbuilt GPS that works without a phone or network connectivity, making it one of the best tracking devices on the market. Apart from this, it tracks the heart rate, distance traveled, altitude, pressure and speed.

The battery life on the watch in battery saving and watch mode is up to a staggering 40 days. It lasts up to 48 hours in continuous Smartwatch mode and 12 hours in GPS tracking mode. The battery on Suunto 7 is as good as it can get with Smartwatches.

The warranty on this Smartwatch is 2 years. It is an exceptional companion in the most unexplored regions of the earth to make sure that you come back home by the end of the day.

3. Best Battery Life: TicWatch Pro

Aptly named, the TicWatch Pro is a “Pro” at making sure your day is sorted and you have all the smart help you can get to navigate through a busy workday and a workout session after. It has an excellent battery life in GPS mode to sustain extended spells of continuous navigation.

The Smartwatch has been designed with a 1.39-inch circular flat dial display and sports a very outdoorsy look in general.

The device is compatible with iOS and Android. Fitness applications accessible on the device include Strava, Google Fit, Runkeeper, etc. Additionally, TicMotion detects running, fast walking, biking, tracks and records fitness records. All of it is click-free.

The waterproof-resistance on the Smartwatch is IP68 which pertains to resistance from dust and moisture only. It cannot be worn whilst going swimming, diving or even bathing and should be taken off during any aquatic activities. The screen is built to a resolution of 400 x 400 pixels. The operation is through touchscreen control of the display screen.

It also has excellent music control and a built-in speaker and mic that can be used to place and receive urgent calls from the Smartwatch. There is quite an executive set of features that simplifies day to day activities for the wearer.

The list of sensors on this Smartwatch range from sleep tracker, heart rate monitor to excellent GPS. It is almost impossible to get lost with the TicWatch Pro up and running.

The battery life expectancy is up to 2 days in the smart mode and up to a total of 30 days in the essential mode. A mixed usage in the two modes will last anywhere between 2 and 30 days. It takes about 1.5 hours to charge from 0 to 100%.

Additionally, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee for return within the period for any reason. The warranty period on the Smartwatch is 12 months from the date of purchase. It is a great buy considering how well-built the whole device is for the given price.

4. Best in Design: Samsung Galaxy Active 2

Although, it has an excellent navigation tracking capabilities, the Google maps app isn’t available on the Galaxy Store, thereby you’ll need to install a third-party app called Navigation Pro (free for watch, paid for phones.) You won’t be able to see the map on your watch screen, it’ll just show you the navigation icon.

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Active 2 is an excellent sports-oriented Smartwatch that integrates an excellent navigation algorithm with sports tracking sensors to exhibit a premium product in the same league as the Apple Smartwatches.

The device is offered with changeable straps and weighs 1.48 ounces. It has a curved surface and comes in Black, Silver and Gold color. It has a 1.4-inch circular flat dial design that adds a comprehensive feel to the whole design.

The OS is compatible with both Android v5.0 and iOS. The connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC (Pay), and have slots for SIM card (SIM and eSIM), making the Smartwatch operational for calls and text without syncing with a smartphone. Popular third-party applications like Strava, Endomondo, MapMyRun and MyFitnessPal are also flawlessly supported on this device.

The display runs on super AMOLED technology, resolution of 360*360 pixels and a pixel density sharpness of 364 ppi. It is a touchscreen and waterproof up to 50 meters.

The watch has 4 GB of space to store and stream music. It also has a mic and speaker making it possible to receive and make calls from the watch. The cellular services on the Smartwatch make it easy for the calls to go through even if the Smartwatch is not in sync at all times.

There are in-built sensors to monitor Heart Rate, Calories Intake Burned, Sleep Quality, Steps, Hours Slept, GPS, Light, Acceleration & Gyration. The unique algorithm on the device makes it an extremely tech-savvy piece for adventure and outdoor enthusiasts. Health features and sensors on the device are FDA approved making it very credible.

A very convenient feature offered by this particular model is wireless charging, accumulating a battery life of up to 2.5 days at a stretch and it lasts up to 24 hours when the always-on display mode is switched on. Apart from this, it lasts about 48 hours when the workout mode is on.

Samsung gives a warranty of 1 year from the date of purchase on the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. This watch is an excellent choice for alternating between corporate life and frequent outdoor adventures. The sleek design makes it a trendy choice to go with outfits on any occasion. Besides, if you own a Samsung phone like the Galaxy Note 20, then you’d love the experience.

5. Best for Sport Activities: Huawei Watch 2

The Huawei Watch 2 Sport with its stylish and trendy design, is perfect for the millennial crowd looking for the perfect Smartwatch. It integrates sports and work functions into one space making it easy to coordinate work life and social life in style.

The device consists of a stainless steel body and comes with changeable straps. The model is offered in Carbon Black and Concrete Grey. It has a flat circular surface and weighs 1.66 ounces. There is a very stylish and breezy feel to it.

It is compatible with Android phones only. The device has a comprehensive set of connectivity options including Bluetooth, WiFi, NFC, SIM slots but lacks USB connectivity. There is an added feature of Navigation which charts points of interest and can be operated by voice navigation.

The display features a 1.2 inch AMOLED type screen technology. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass from scratches and damages. The resolution of the screen is 390 x 390 pixels. It is a touchscreen device and is built with 460ppi.

It is possible to store and stream music comfortably on this device. The device has an in-built mp3 music player. The watch also has a mic and speaker to receive and make calls when outdoors with the watch. With the SIM inserted into the watch, the dependence on smartphones to take independent actions is reduced to a bare minimum.

The Smartwatch has all the generic sensors built into it from heart rate monitor to GPS, motion sensors, light sensor, and accelerometer. These can be used to track fitness and training over a range of sports and outdoor activities to achieve a healthy balance in life.

The battery can last up to 2 days in a single charge. Customizable battery settings allow the device to last up to 30 days in watch mode, 2 days in the Smart Power Saving Mode and up to 7 hours in constant GPS usage.

The warranty is for 12 months from the date of purchase for repair within the United States. The Smartwatch is quintessentially a very delicately engineered piece of technology aimed at making life more optimum to the times of the 21^st century. It is definitely a great buy.

6. Best Under $300: Samsung Galaxy Watch

Although, it has an excellent navigation tracking capabilities, the Google maps app isn’t available on the Galaxy Store, thereby you’ll need to install a third-party app called Navigation Pro (free for watch, paid for phones.) You won’t be able to see the map on your watch screen, it’ll just show you the navigation icon.

Like other Samsung products, the Galaxy Watch is an excellent product featuring a wide range of compatible outdoor features. The cellular feature on the watch lets you take calls (with up to 3.9 hours of call time), answer messages and stream music without having your smartphone nearby.

It is Super-sleek and has a very stylish feel with a wide range of options between two sizes to personalize and customize the design. From the band to the colors, Samsung offers a wide range of options to its customers to choose from.

The device is compatible with Android phones and Bluetooth 4.2. It also features Samsung Health, which comprehensively tracks body metrics and training. The device also supports various media types like MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR and AWB.

It has a Super AMOLED display with a 360 x 360 pixel resolution and a flat dial circular design. It reveals important notifications with a single swipe and waterproof up to 50 meters. An important feature is an easy switchability to meditation mode if the day gets too stressful.

The Smartwatch has a 768 MB RAM with 4 GB of internal storage that can be used to store music. It has an integrated speaker and mic that allows seamless working of the calling feature.

Powered by the Tizen OS version 4.0, it supports monitoring sensors like Accelerometer, barometer, gyro, heart rate monitor, GPS, and ambient light.

The battery lasts up to 2-3 days when the always-on mode is disabled. It has a very short life when all the applications are running and needs a daily recharge. Wireless charging is one of the exclusive features that set this Smartwatch apart from others on the market.

Samsung’s warranty on parts and labor for the Galaxy Smartwatches lasts for one year from the date of purchase. The Smartwatch goes with any and every occasion making it a very worthy buy if you are looking for a balance between outdoor activities and corporate line of work.

7. Best Value for Money: Emporio Armani 3

For people with an eye for finer things in life, Emporio Armani 3 is the answer. The Smartwatch is built along with the principle of the premium lifestyle that the Armani brand represents. It is a great buy for people looking for branded and classy Smartwatches.

It consists of a 44mm aluminum case and is 12mm thick. The Smartwatch consists of a 1.28inch screen with an AMOLED display. The model features a silicone band and has a very sleek feel. It is available on the market for purchase in Silver and Black color. It has a turning button to toggle between modes and is quite smooth in operation.

The device is compatible with both Android and iOS phones. The Smartwatch has good Bluetooth connectivity, Wi-Fi connectivity and has NFC for Google pay. The system requires both Wear OS and Google Fit to be downloaded on it for optimum operation and usage.

The device comes with an efficient algorithm to use all the features offered by Google assistant. The Smartwatch also features a Snapdragon 3100 platform that is engineered to represent the next generation of seamless operations.

The Smartwatch can easily stream and store music of a person’s choice. It has excellent control options for mixing playlists and artists. The device has a speaker on the left side of the bezel making it easy for receiving and making calls.

There is a general range of sensors including heart rate monitor, GPS and activity tracking integrated with the device. The GPS and Google Maps assistance on the device is great and can be used to navigate through unknown trails or to get to the new restaurant that opened up around the corner.

Additionally, it has demonstrated a good battery life and lasts more than one day for regular daily usage in a single charge. It is also possible to create a custom setting if your watch usage is consistent and you want to be able to rely on it getting through a full 24 hours. There is also a watch only or time only feature in which the watch lasts for the duration of one week on a full charge.

The warranty period on the watch is for 2 years from the date of purchase which is more than what most Smartwatch manufacturers guarantee. This watch adds a lot of flair into individual style and integrates it to function with cutting edge algorithms that govern the device.

8. Best Stylish Watch: Diesel Men's Full Guard

Masculine in form and function, the Diesel On Men's Full Guard watch is designed and engineered for men and caters to their specific style needs. It is a very efficient Smartwatch with some really great features at a very affordable price.

Architecturally, the device has a circular flat dial that measures 1.39 inches in diameter giving ample space for seamless operation and toggling between different features. The device has a pronounced masculine feel and comes with a black leather strap. It is offered in multi-color cases which are made of stainless steel.

It is compatible with Android and iOS and has connectivity options with Bluetooth, WiFi, and NFC. The Smartwatch receives app notifications, calendar alerts, monitors workouts and supports third-party applications like Spotify, Strava and endomondo for streaming music or managing workouts.

The Screen on the Smartwatch is touch operated and uses AMOLED panel technology. The resolution is 400 x 400 pixels. It is a multi-touch screen activated and is waterproof up to 50 meters and can be worn whilst swimming or any other aquatic expedition.

There is ample storage space of 4 GB for music and user-friendly options to control playlists and sound-tracks being played at any time. Additionally, the device also has an in-built mic and speaker making it possible to take calls, set alarms and notification sounds.

Like almost every other Smartwatch, the Diesel On Men’s Full Guard also has a Heart rate monitor, NFC and GPS for seamless monitoring and location tracking.

The battery on the Smartwatch lasts up to 2 days in mixed usage and low power mode. For heavy continuous usage, the battery only lasts 24 hours. The device comes with a magnetic rapid USB charger and can be quickly re-charged.

The warranty given by Diesel on the Smartwatch is up to 2 years from the day of purchase. Apart from this, it is very economical and stylish. It includes almost all necessary features into one comprehensive space making it one of the best options for the cart.

9. Best Under Budget: TicWatch E2

The TicWatch E2 is a super affordable Smartwatch that has all the functions and features without being superficially flashy and over the top. It is a great buy for students or professionals who are just starting out in life.

It is built with a 1.39-inch display screen that uses AMOLED technology. The dial is flat and circular. The watch has an optimum feel to its design and feel. It comes with silicone straps and is super lightweight making it a very comfortable choice for wearing the whole day. It is available only in black color.

The device is compatible with IOS 9.3+ and Android 4.4+ smartphones. It is powered by the Wear OS and has a RAM of 512MB and internal storage of 4GB. The phone has connectivity with Bluetooth v4.1, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and GPS. Third-party applications like Strava, Google Fit, Spotify, Dexcom, Foursquare, Messenger, Google Maps and Google assistant are supported and run really well and seamlessly on the device.

The screen has a resolution of 400*400 pixels. The display is a touchscreen and comes with a polycarbonate case. The smartwatch is swim-ready and waterproof up to 50m making it durable and extremely viable for tough environmental conditions.

It is possible to save albums, playlists, and radio stations and stream music on Spotify and play music. The internal storage provides ample space to seamlessly store large playlists. The device also has a mic and speaker making it possible to take and make calls.

Plenty of sensors are built into the Smartwatch such as the Accelerometer, gyroscope, heart-rate sensor, low latency off-body sensor and GPS.

The battery life on the device is up to two days in mixed usage. It is possible to power through more activities on the smartwatch by using different modes like the power saving mode that can conserve battery even during high-functioning operations like GPS tracking using Google Maps.

Mobvoi provides a limited warranty on all products including Smartwatches bought from their website or through authorized dealers for a period of one year from the day of receiving the product. The product is diverse, sufficient and very moderately priced making it a good package deal. The Wear OS blends perfectly with the device algorithm to provide a great experience.

10. Cheapest Option: Ticwatch E

It is a low-budget Smartwatch that checks all the boxes of good form and function. The Ticwatch E Smartwatch offers a wide variety of functions making it an all-round and well-built device. It is a great buy for students or people who want to try Smartwatches for the first time. The device is a low investment but high returns commodity in-terms of the function.

The Ticwatch E has a 1.4-inch circular flat dial. It has a thick look which can be often misunderstood to be an analog watch. There are buttons all along the rim of the watch to access the various applications and features on the Smartwatch. It is available only in the E shadow color which is an elegant shade of black.

The compatible phone models for this device include iOS and Android. The connectivity technologies supported on the smartwatch include Bluetooth and WiFi. It supports more than a thousand android applications through the operating system platform of Wear OS. The system seamlessly navigates the wearer with Google Maps and all the features that come with it.

The Smartwatch uses the OLED display technology and has a resolution of 400*400 pixels. The screen is always on and is resistant to splashes only. It is not fit for swimming or other aquatic adventures.

Like other models of Smartwatches, it can store or stream music of the owner’s choice without any issues, be it during a run or an intense work-out session. The music controls on the watch are quite user friendly and can be used to toggle between various playlists and artists. The Smartwatch has a mic and speaker making it possible to make and take calls in WiFi environments.

It also comes with a plethora of sensors to detect and record the heart rate, acceleration, direction and path along which the journey is supposed to proceed.

The battery on the smartwatch lasts up to a total of 2 days in mixed usage but less than a day when GPS is kept constantly turned on. Tracking is a feature that drains the most battery of this device.

The warranty on the Ticwatch E is for one year from the date of purchase. The product is a very economical choice and makes up the lowest range bracket in terms of pricing. It is the perfect starter product to step into a lifestyle of watches and a good choice for cash strapped students who don’t want to compromise on the variety of features available.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict

All the smartwatches powered by the Wear OS are built to support the Google Playstore applications seamlessly. It is however prudent to look out for pointers regarding algorithms integrated by various companies and brands to execute the perfect journey.

• The Suunto 7 and the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle have additional features of storing maps offline and generally give good battery lives even with constant GPS tracking.
• The Diesel On Men’s Full Guard, TicWatch E2, and Ticwatch E make up for budget devices with satisfactory control and features over navigation. They lack good battery life with constant GPS tracking making it unfavorable for lengthy and intense adventures. However, they are the perfect choice to easily get to the nearest Starbucks.
• The Emporio Armani Smartwatch is an elite choice for people with an eye for branded things.
• The Samsung Galaxy Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 make up for smart buys among other smartwatches offered by Samsung. However, you’ll need to install a third party app called Navigation Pro to get directions on your watch screen.
• The Huawei Watch 2 Sport is also a great consideration since it charts additional features like points of interest and voice navigation.