When it comes to smartwatches for the job site, durability, reliability, and health data are must-haves. Most new watches have all of the bells and whistles, but the fanciest options are no good if they can’t track your heart health well or withstand the strain of your day-to-day work. The Indestructible Smartwatch Ultra is our top pick, but the Garmin Instinct and Fitbit Charge 6 also rank high.

Here, we’ll break down our top smartwatch picks to simplify your shopping. 

Top 6 smartwatches

UTHH top pick: Indestructible Smartwatch Ultra

What we love	Things to consider
– Top of the line durability – User-friendly navigation – Low price – Built with the working man in mind – Simple but effective health features	– Limited exercise features – Limited band options

As the name suggests, the Indestructible Smartwatch Ultra from Njord Gear is easily the toughest smartwatch on our list. Their website boasts over 1,100 5-star reviews, with users raving about its durability for the job site. 

The watch itself is lightweight and offers customizable watch faces, so hard work can meet style when you’re on the clock. It may not have the long list of features like the other picks, but its simple functionality and reliability for trades workers make it easy to crown as our winner. 

Durability: This watch is made from stainless steel and is said to be the most rugged on the market. It is waterproof, ice-proof, and even fire-resistant. 

Battery life: Up to 2 weeks. 

Key features

• Heart rate monitor
• Bluetooth
• Blood pressure monitor
• Step counter
• Blood oxygen reporting
• Quick-release magnetic safety strap

Garmin Instinct

What we love	Things to consider
– Compatible with a range of Garmin products and all cell phone brands – Solar-powered charging option – Top-of-the-line fitness and health features – Access to Garmin Connect for additional health data – Durable, with a long battery life	– May take a while to get the hang of – The large watch face could get in the way

The Garmin Instinct is the first choice among many workers in job sites around the world. Garmin has all of the activity features you could think of, and their health data is hard to beat. This model can also be purchased as a standard version or a tactical version for additional backwoods features. 

Durability: Scratch-resistant glass and a fiber-reinforced polymer case that’s engineered for durability. 

Battery life: Up to 24 days, and up to 54 days in solar mode.

Key features

• Blood oxygen monitoring
• Abnormal heart rate alerts
• Sleep and hydration tracking
• Breathing timer
• Weather forecasts
• GPS

Galaxy Watch Ultra

What we love	Things to consider
– Deep health data and sleep tracking – AI-powered – Reliable emergency SOS – Day mode and night mode for great visibility	– Shorter battery life – Steep learning curve

Next on our list is Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra. This watch is an easy choice, particularly among Samsung phone users. The connectivity between devices is streamlined, and users cite that the watch buttons are simple for quick navigation. While this model doesn’t have the best battery life of the group, the in-depth wellness data (it even tracks snoring!) makes up for it. 

Durability: Its cushion-based titanium design makes it Samsung’s strongest watch, and it is protected by sapphire crystal glass. 

Battery life: Up to 36 hours (and 60 hours on low power mode).

Key features

• Heart rate monitor
• Step counter
• Fall detection
• Sleep tracker and sleep coach
• Activity tracking
• AI suggested replies for quick responding on the go

Fitbit Charge 6

What we love	Things to consider
– Sleek watch face that stays out of the way – VO2 max tracking – Provides a stress score – Large navigation button for simple use	– Users must have a Google Account – Fitbit Premium (optional) for an additional cost

The Fitbit Charge 6 is a great contender for those looking for a simple design. This watch is light and sleek and comes in an array of colors and band designs. The purchase of a Charge 6 also includes six months of Fitbit Premium, where you can access thousands of workouts and use your Daily Readiness Score to optimize your day-to-day routine. 

Durability: Materials include resin, glass, and aluminum. Not the most durable of the bunch, but it’s also the least bulky. 

Battery life: Up to 7 days.

Key features

• ECG heart rhythm monitoring
• Skin temperature variation
• Heart rate tracking
• Blood glucose tracking
• Sleep profile
• Stress management

Coros Pace 3

What we love	Things to consider
– Real health coaches for free – Many color options – Syncs easily with Coros heart rate monitor straps – Breathable nylon band options	– Watch sensor is less reliable over tattoos – More exercise-focused than health-data-focused

Coros is becoming an increasingly popular brand, and the Coros Pace 3 shows exactly why that is. Super slim and lightweight, this watch is great for users who want their health data in a less bulky design. The Coros Pace 3 comes with access to Coros’ team of real coaches at no extra cost. 

Durability: It’s made of fiber-reinforced polymer with a mineral glass screen. It’s built tough but cannot withstand depths of more than 5 ATMs. 

Battery life: Up to 17 days, and 15 days with stress tracking activated. 

Key features

• Sleep cycle tracking
• Optical pulse oximeter
• Body thermometer
• Geo-location
• Pacer
• Simple daily alerts 

Apple Watch Ultra 2

What we love	Things to consider
– Syncs with all Apple devices – Top-of-the-line health data – Carbon-neutral build options – Powerful processor	– Higher price point – Some GPS and map limitations – It will require users to sync to an iPhone with iOS 17 software or newer

It wouldn’t be a “best-of” tech list without including the Apple Watch. Apple has a reputation for making delicate products, but this version of the Apple Watch puts those rumors to rest with its titanium-made durability. Of course, if you’re an Apple user, this option will sync seamlessly with your current Apple ecosystem. 

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 has all the health features on the market, plus innovative new features you may find handy in your off time, like diving and hiking safety features. 

Durability: Water-resistant, dust-resistant, and corrosion-resistant, and the titanium frame encases the sapphire crystal screen for more protection. 

Battery life: Up to 72 hours. 

Key features

• Double flashlight
• ECG
• Temperature sensing
• Blood oxygen testing
• Fall detection
• Emergency SOS
• Sleep monitoring
• Dual-frequency GPS

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