Garmin and Apple up front: good smartwatches are expensive

Stiftung Warentest checks eleven current smartwatches between 50 and almost 600 euros. Only three devices are rated as good, the most expensive test candidate does best, the cheapest is poor.

The range of smartwatches is large, but only a few devices are talented in communication and at the same time good fitness trackers. Stiftung Warentest has tested eleven current models and only rated three devices as good. The latest Apple Watch has not yet been fully tested, but is already showing "winning genes".

The wearables were tested with smartphones with the Android 9 and 10 operating systems as well as Apple's iOS 13. The focus was on the following functions, with different weightings in decreasing order: fitness functions, handling, communication and other functions such as telephone, music and navigation. In addition, stability, data protection and data security were checked and the devices were checked for harmful substances.

Two good all-rounders

The conclusion of the testers: Some watches provide precise fitness data, some are particularly good at smart communication. But only two watches can do both at the same time: The Garmin Fenix ​​6 Pro – it costs 560 euros and is ahead with an overall grade of 2.1 – and that Apple Watch 6 for 460 euros. However, due to lack of time, the testers could only test the new Apple Watch for their new edition. The measured values ​​for swimming are still pending, so the watch was not included in the overall ranking. The Apple Watch 6 is already showing "winning genes", according to the product testers.

Garmin Fenix ​​6 Pro and the Apple Watch 6 are closely followed by the models Polar Grit X for 390 euros (2.2) and the Garmin Venu for 315 euros (2.3), which have somewhat poorer communication functions.

Good fitness data is cheaper

The inexpensive models like that Swisstone SW 750 Pro for 89 euros and the Huami Amazfit GTS for 118 euros ended up in the lower ranks with satisfactory quality ratings. But also the much more expensive ones Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 (445 euros) and Suunto 7 (465 euros) did not get more than "satisfactory".

However, the Swisstone SW 750 Pro convinced the testers in terms of fitness data, while the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 and Suunto 7 performed very well or well in "communication and other functions". As the only tested device, it was very cheap at around 50 euros Xlyne Keto Sun Reflect a "poor" one.

All eleven models were devalued due to deficiencies in the data protection declaration. The rights of users are not fully explained by all providers, legal bases, specifically recorded data and their precise use are only vaguely and incompletely explained, so the reasoning.