13 Best Smartwatches For Nurses in 2021 [Expert Recommendations]

Even now analog watches are popular choice among nurses as they come with a second hand and are easy to clean which eases out the work. However, in the technologically advanced world, there are a lot of smartwatches that offers all these features with extra health/activity tracking capabilities.

But, is a smartwatch really helpful to a nurse?

Not only does it help you to send reminders in the hospital labs, rehab centers, and emergency rooms, a reliable smartwatch can can also help you maintain your health while you are taking care of others.

The technologically advanced watches have come in a long way, where some of the modern options can entirely replace a mobile phone, as they offer features like cellular connectivity using 4G eSIMs, better battery life, and more.

If you are nurse or a health professional, you might be interested in finding out the smartwatches that are highly suitable for your nursing or health tracking needs. Before I begin with the list, here are a few tasks you’ll use it for — schedule tasks, set reminders, keep track of your health, etc.

You could’ve gone to any other article and found out different smartwatch models that are suitable for your work purpose. However, to make this guide really worthy, I interviewed 53 nurses and 13 health professional. Based on their inputs, I made a list of smartwatches that are highly compatible for such purposes.

Things To Consider

Make sure that you get a smartwatch that offers at least some of these features so that you get s good value-for-money proposition.

• Activity Tracking: Activity tracking is an important feature to consider while choosing a smartwatch. As nurses you go through various tasks and having a smartwatch with an accurate activity tracking system will help them to maintain their calorie intake and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
  
• Battery Life: Some of the smartwatches won’t last more than 6 hours, which could be a huge issue for nurses, who won’t have time to charge a device in between a shift. So, make sure that the device offers at least a day of battery life on a single charge.
  
• Heart Rate Monitor: Having a smartwatch with a heart-rate monitor is also a good choice, as you will be able to keep track of their heart-rate in real-time and they can take a small break if there is an anomaly with the heart-rate.
  
• Other Important Features
  • Big high-resolution display for easy access to the content
  • A skin-friendly strap that won’t irritate throughout the day
  • Simple and elegant design, which goes well with nurses uniform
  • A reminder app which will help you to keep track of their shift
  • Thin and light design, which won’t hurt the user even with the continues usage
  • User-replaceable strap, to match with daily fashion
  • Compatibility with Android and iOS support

Best Smartwatches for Nurses in 2021

Purchasing the right smartwatch is a bit of a tricky choice, as most of these devices look alike. However, internally, there is a lot of difference. Depending on the pricing, some of the models offer additional features/capabilities, which will increase the overall value of the product.

1. Best Overall: Apple Watch Series 5

If you own an iPhone and looking for a smartwatch, then this is one of the best options to consider. The Apple Watch Series 5 is a good smartwatch, especially for nurses as it offers features like ECG, Electrocardiogram that can help you measure the real-time rhythm of the heart.

This Apple watch comes in a 40 mm frame with a square OLED display, offering up to 1000 nits of brightness that ensures that the display contents will be visible even in direct sunlight. Compared to the previous-gen Apple watches, the 5th Gen variant comes with a 30 percent larger screen with always-on-display that does not consume more power, as it uses an OLED display.

The smartwatch also offers additional features like Noise app, which will help users, in this case, nurses to detect the noise level (in decibels) and when it goes beyond the threshold, they can control the same, reducing discomfort to users. As it comes with LTE support, one can make voice calls directly from the watch and can also listen to music and access to select apps.

This smartwatch is water-resistant and can be used while exercising and swimming without any issues. As per the battery life, the Apple Watch Series 5 can last for 18 hours on a single charge, assuring an all-day battery life without any issue.

Also, with a lot of compatible apps, you could set reminders and see them right when you look at your watch. You can also use other app-centric features such as tracking blood pressure using Dexcom G6 transmitter, etc.

Overall, this is one of the most recommended watches, in terms of both design and functionality. However, the only disadvantage, the smartwatch can only be used with an iPhone and does not work with Android OS devices. Overall, a great high-end smartwatch for those, who want the best.

You can also get the Apple Watch 6 or the SE.

2. Best Fitbit: Fitbit Versa 2

If you are looking for a premium smartwatch, which works well with both Android and iOS devices, then the Fitbit Versa 2 could be a great choice. It comes with an elegant design and is also one of the simplest-looking smartwatches available in the market, which goes well for both professional and personal attire.

It comes with a 1.34-inch square-shaped display with a high-resolution screen. Not just that, the screen is protected by a 2.5D curved tempered glass, which not only gives this watch a premium finish, it also protects the smartwatch from accidental scratches and damages.

When it comes to exercise or activity tracking, the Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch offers features like bike-riding activity tracking and is also water-resistant up to 6.1 meters, making it usable even while swimming. As this is a smartwatch, it enables users to answer calls and look at notifications without unlocking the smartphone.

In terms of battery life, the Fitbit Versa 2 Health and Fitness Smartwatch can last for more than 6 days, so a nurse might just need to charge it once a week. If you change smartphones (Android to iOS) every year and want a smartwatch that works well with both platforms, then this is the one.

3. Best Samsung Watch: Samsung Galaxy Active 2

Most of the smartwatches do not look like a watch, whereas the Galaxy Watch Active 2 with its big 1.4-inch thin-bezel circular display looks like a retro-watch, giving it a watch-like experience. This is a high-resolution display with 360 x 360p resolution, making it a great display to glimpse at the photos.

The smartwatch is powered by a dual-core 1.15GHz processor that can run most of the apps and services with ease. It also comes with a calibrated hear-rate sensor, which can measure the accurate heart-rate of the user, and nurses can also make use of the built-in storage to locally store the music on the watch to listen while jogging or while working.

Another advantage of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 is that it comes with a user-replaceable strap, and one can use a regular 44-mm watch strap with this smartwatch to match everyday style. The watch can last up to 5 days on a single charge and it does not require a specific charger and the battery can be refilled with a Qi-certified wireless charger.

Though the smartwatch works well with both Android and iPhones, this model works well with Android smartphones, especially with flagship Samsung smartphones, as the compatibility and the optimizations are a lot better between similarly branded devices.

4. Best For Activity Tracking: Garmin Vivoactive 3

If you are a nurse and health-conscious, then the Garmin Vivoactive 3 is the best and accurate fitness tracking as it comes with an accurate software algorithm with state-of-the-art hardware that calculates the exact amount of calories that has been burned while jogging, running, or even working out.

This smartwatch has a 1.2-inch color display, which is vivid and vibrant. Not just that, this smartwatch also supports contactless payment, which helps nurses to buy food from the canteen without using a credit card or even hard cash. This watch can be used with both Android and iOS devices without any issue, and the app for both platforms works well.

As per the additional features, the smartwatch has an always-connected feature, which will showcase real-time notifications, including calls, SMSs, and e-mails directly on the watch. It also comes with the rugged build quality, ensuring a prolonged life with good after-sale support.

This watch can be used while swimming, as it is water-resistant rated up to 5ATM or 50meters. This watch can also be used while trekking, as it comes with built-in GPS. When GPS is turned on, the battery can last for 13 days (all-day battery life) and with GPS disabled, the watch can last for an entire week on a single charge.

5. Best Wear OS: Ticwatch C2

If you care how your smartwatch looks and you want something that mimics a luxury watch, then the Ticwatch C2 is the smartwatch to consider. It can be paired with both Android and iOS devices without any issue. As it is based on Android WearOS, it also offers a lot of apps support and can be customized to once’s taste.

The smartwatch has a circular 1.3-inch display with minimal bezels, which increase the overall aesthetics of the product. The entire day is protected by a 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass, which will increase the endurance of the product and the slightly curved edges will elevate the touch screen experience.

The watch is available in various color options like pink, platinum, and rose gold and depending on one’s interest, one can get either of the options. The stock strap on the Ticwatch c2 is made using genuine leather, which will be good for nurses, who continually wear the watch, as leather is a good absorbent of sweat and heat, which will keep the wrist cool even with the continues usage.

As per the battery life, the smartwatch can last for an entire day with all the features turned on. Do note that, this is a full-fledged smartwatch with support for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and it also receives occasional software that keeps the device up to date. If you are looking for a compact smartwatch with a premium build, then the Ticwatch c2 could be a great option.

6. Best Battery Life: Fitbit Ionic

If you are a male nurse and want a smartwatch that looks different and is also made for men, then the Fitbit Ionic Watch is a good choice. It comes with a 1.42-inch square display, giving the watch a rugged look and it looks like the device that can survive accidental falls and damages with ease.

The watch offers features like personalized workouts with step-by-step coaching, which will be useful for a nurse who works out a lot. It also has a good wireless network range, where it can sync with an Android smartphone or an iOS device from 30 feet distance without any slow-down in the process.

The Fitbit Ionic Watch has enough internal memory to store up to 300 offline songs, which is again a good addition for nurses who like to jog and workout with a song playing in the background. This also ensures that one can leave their phone at home while they are going to a workout.

One of the disadvantages of this model is the non-user replaceable strap. It is not only non-user replaceable but is also very expensive to replace if it breaks in the long-haul. As per the battery life, the smartwatch when GPS is turned on (while running or hiking) can last up to 13 hours and with the regular usage, it can operate for five continuous days on a single charge. Overall, a well built rugged smartwatch with an ample amount of internal storage to save offline songs.

7. Cheap Apple Watch: Apple Watch Series 3

The Apple Watch Series 3 even though it is a couple of years old is still a capable smartwatch that can offer all the smart features compared to the contemporaries. In fact, except for the always-on display and ECG support, this model offers all the features when compared to the Apple Watch Series 5.

If not compared closely, it even looks similar to the latest generation Apple watch and it also comes with an accurate heart rate sensor, which constantly measures the heart rate in the background on a regular interval and uses software to offer a good insight on the anomalies of the heart, which will be a useful data to a nurse to improve their heart-rate, depending on the requirement.

It comes with a 1.5-inch retina display, which is very bright and visible even in direct sunlight. However, it does not support the always-on display.

The Apple Watch Series 3 comes with a big square-shaped display with rounded off corners and it also has the iconic digital crown, which will further improve the user experience on the smartwatch, especially while scrolling down or selecting an option from the menu. With 18-hours of battery life, the smartwatch can last for an entire day with a single charge.

If you are planning to get the Apple Watch Series 5 and it went out of budget, then the Series 3 is a good alternative with minimal differences in terms of features. This is one of the affordable smartwatches from Apple, which is currently on sale.

• Apple Watch 3 vs SE

8. Best Value For Money: Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle

The Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle as the name suggests comes with a stainless steel frame, which gives a premium finish. This is also the most powerful smartwatch that Fossil has ever made. Not just that, it is based on Android WearOS, which works alike on both Android and iOS devices.

It has a circular 1.28-inch display with two buttons and a crown, which alone can be used to control all the aspects of the watch.  This watch will be useful for nurses who wear gloves, as using a touch screen with gloves on could be a bit tricky.

As per the connectivity, the watch supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, where one can update the firmware of the watch without connecting it to a smartphone. And the device also comes with NFC, which will help with cashless payment services like Google Pay.

As per the battery life, the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle Stainless Steel offers 24 hours of battery life with regular usage, and there are specific profiles, which will offer up to a week of battery life when all the smart features are disabled. Overall, a good value-adding smartwatch with a big screen and premium build.

9. Best Fitness Band: Xiaomi Mi Band 3

Though the Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is not a full-fledged smartwatch, it is a great fitness tracker, that can track the number of steps walked, and also comes with built-in exercise modes to track the number of calories that one burned during a workout.

This fitness band is very affordable and could be a great option for a nurse, who likes to wear a regular watch and want something tiny and compact to measure things like walking or slow-jogging.

It has a compact 0.78-inch OLED display, which can display time, and the number of steps taken and other important information. Similarly, it also offers a timer and reminds one to get up, if she/he is constantly sitting. Band 3 also comes with a user-replaceable strap, and there are different color options to choose from.

This fitness tracker is an IP rater for water and dust resistance and can be worn while taking a shower or swimming and the device will run without any issue. As per the battery life, the device can last for 20 days on a single charge, offering a good battery backup and it also charges from 0 to 100 percent in less than two hours.

If you are looking for a smartwatch-like device, which is cheap and small, then the Mi Band 3 could be a great replacement. It does offer a lot of fitness-centric features and delivers an amazing battery life. Lastly, it works well with both Android and iOS devices without any issue.

10. Best For Women: Samsung Galaxy Watch RG

The Samsung Galaxy Watch is also a mid-range smartwatch, which works with both Android and iOS devices. As this is made by Samsung, it will offer additional functionalities when paired with a Samsung smartphone.

The watch has a 1.2-inch circular display with almost no bezels, as this is an AMOLED screen, it offers features like an always-on display, which will be useful to have a glance at the watch to know the time without actually turning on the display.

Nurses usually fidget around things, and the same can be done on the mechanical rotating bezel, which can also be used to access some of the functions of the smartwatch. The watch does come with 5ATM water and dust resistant and can be worn while swimming or taking a shower. If you use Samsung Pay, then the same can be initialized using the watch without any issue.

As per the fitness-centric features, the Samsung Galaxy Watch offers a dedicated heart rate sensor and pedometer. Besides, the watch does include options like sleep and stress monitoring, which will be useful to track one’s sleep cycle and then make the required changes. The watch strap can also be replaced with a regular strap with minimal effort.

The smartwatch comes with a non-user replaceable battery, which can last for three to four days without any issue. And the watch can be charged wireless using the wireless charging dock, which comes with the device. Overall, a good looking smartwatch with a lot of interesting features.

11. Best For Simplicity: LETSCOM Fitness Tracker HR

If you want a generic-looking smartwatch, which is not too big and looks more like a bracelet, then LETSCOM Fitness tracker is the device that you should have a look at. It is al affordable and compact smartwatch that looks simple but offers a lot of features that are not seen on a device of this kind.

It comes with a small 0.96-inch display, which can display time, date, real-time heart-rate, and some motion graphics when the device will be idle. Similarly, the watch comes with built-in GPS, which will be helpful for tracking your exercise routine, especially jogging and walking.

The watch can also track your sleeping pattern and it gives sedentary notification alert if the user is sitting at the same place. This will be a good feature for nurses, who sits constantly at a desk, as taking regular breaks is a good thing to maintain a healthy body.

As this is a smartwatch, it can show notifications from the smartphone can alert the user when there is a phone call or an SMS. This has a heart-rate sensor and the software algorithm uses the data to access the overall performance of the heart by including rest, average, and maximum heart rate data.

Unlike most of the smartwatches, which come with a custom charger, the LETSCOM Fitness tracker has a built-in USB-A port, which can be used to charge the device from a laptop, charging brick, power bank, or even an old-school computer without any cable or docking station. Overall, a great compact and affordable smartwatch who likes products with minimal design.

12. Best For Sleep Tracking: Huawei Watch 2 Classic

The Huawei Watch 2 Classic smartwatch is a high-performance device that goes well for both male and female nurses, as it comes with a unisex design. Not just that, it offers a premium design, as the bezels or the frame of the watch are made using ceramic, which is scratch-resistant when compared to glass and plastic. The watch has a 1.2-inch circular display, powered by a 1.1GHz Qualcomm processor.

Like most of the smartwatches of this class, this offering also has built-in GPS that supports Glonass dual-positioning system, which offers accurate outdoor locations. If you hike every now and then, this smartwatch will be a great add-on. The GPS on the watch can also be used while jogging and running as well.

Nurses usually track their sleep using various devices and this smartwatch with Huawei TruSleep technology can keep track of your rem cycles. The heart rate sensor on the Watch 2 Classis uses 5HR ranges to measure the intensity of your exercise.

As it runs on Android WearOS, it does offer a lot of third-party apps along with support for Android Pay. In terms of battery life, the smartwatch can last for three weeks on watch mode, 2 days on smart mode. If GPS is used, then it can last up to 7 hours on a single charge. Overall, a balance smartwatch that offers good design and the latest hardware support.

13. Best LG Smartwatch: LG Watch Style W270

The LG Watch Style W270 is designed in such a way that it resembles an old-school mechanical watch with minimal design. It does not have fancy bezels around the display or multiple physical buttons and it is one of the most classic looking smartwatches out there.

The watch comes with a circular 1.3-inch screen with good resolution and brightness to make it visible even in the direct sunlight. If you are a nurse and have a habit of wearing a watch, then this could easily replace it and offer several features that will improve your lifestyle.

The watch runs on Android Wear 2.0, which is a bit old software considering WearOS, which offers additional customization options. However, the smartwatch can be used with both android and iOS devices without any issue. It comes with an IP67 rating, which can take splashes of water without any issue. However, the watch might get damaged if it is used while swimming.

The watch comes with a regular strap, which can be easily changed or upgraded and the genuine leather band on the LG Watch Style can last longer. Lastly, there is a built-in 240mAh battery that delivers all-day battery life on a single charge. This is definitely the smartwatch to consider for those who want something that looks like a regular watch but offers smart features.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Verdict

Nurses are some of the hard-working professionals in the world and sometimes, they won’t even know the fact that their shift got over. With a well-designed smartwatch, they can improve their lifestyle, which will help them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

A device like the Apple Watch Series 5 smartwatch is a top-of-the-line product that supports EGC and LTE connectivity, whereas the Mi Band 3 is an affordable option, which can track basic workouts and exercise and costs less than 20 percent of the Series 5 Apple Watch.

The smartwatches that I have listed offer some of the industry-best features and have also made sure to include products from different brands and different price points so that every nurse can get a smartwatch even by spending the least amount of money. If you are a nurse, then consider buying one of these smartwatches.