The Smartwatch Buyer’s Checklist: Must-Have Features vs. Nice-to-Haves (2025 Guide)

The Smartwatch Buyer’s Checklist: Must-Have Features vs. Nice-to-Haves (2025 Guide)

Buying a smartwatch can feel overwhelming. Every brand markets “the most advanced health features” or “the smartest apps.”
But not every feature is critical—and some are marketing fluff.

This guide provides a clear checklist of what’s must-have vs. nice-to-have, based on how you’ll actually use the device.

1. The Core Must-Haves (for most buyers)

These are features you should require in any smartwatch purchase, unless you have a very niche use case.

✅ Phone ecosystem compatibility

  • Apple Watch = iPhone only.
  • Wear OS (Samsung, Pixel, TicWatch) = Android best, iOS limited.
  • Training watches (Garmin, COROS, Polar, Suunto) = cross‑platform but smart features vary.

Deal-breaker: Never buy a watch that won’t sync properly with your current phone.

✅ Battery life that matches your lifestyle

  • Daily charging OK? → Apple/Pixel Watch.
  • Prefer every 3–7 days? → Garmin Venu, Samsung Galaxy Watch, Fitbit Sense, etc.
  • Want weeks? → Garmin Forerunner/Fenix/Epix, COROS Vertix/Pace, Polar Grit.

Rule of thumb: If charging feels like a chore after week 1, you bought the wrong watch.

✅ Reliable heart-rate sensor

  • Look for brands with proven accuracy (Garmin Elevate Gen5+, Apple, COROS latest sensors).
  • Check reviews for reliability during intervals, cycling, weight training—weak spots for many sensors.

✅ Built-in GPS (not just connected)

  • Built-in GPS = freedom from carrying your phone.
  • Multi-band (L1+L5) = better accuracy in cities, forests, mountains.

✅ Water resistance (minimum 5ATM)

  • 5ATM = safe for pool.
  • 10ATM = safe for high-pressure water, snorkeling, rugged sports.

✅ Comfort & size

  • Under ~42 mm for small wrists.
  • Watch + strap under 45 g feels invisible; over 60 g can feel bulky.
  • Quick‑release straps = easy swap for sport vs. dress.

2. The Nice-to-Haves (depends on lifestyle)

These features are great if you’ll use them weekly. Otherwise, they drain battery and inflate cost.

⭐ Advanced training metrics

  • Training readiness, HRV‑based recovery, load focus, race predictors.
  • Worth it for serious athletes, overkill for casual fitness.

⭐ On‑device maps & turn‑by‑turn navigation

  • Essential for trail runners, hikers, adventurers.
  • Nice‑to‑have for casual runners who rarely leave known routes.

⭐ Music storage & streaming

  • Great for runners who leave phones behind.
  • Nice‑to‑have if you always carry your phone anyway.

⭐ LTE/cellular

  • Useful for parents/kids, safety, phone‑free workouts.
  • Adds cost (battery + $5–$15/mo carrier fee).

⭐ Contactless payments

  • Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Garmin Pay.
  • Great if you leave wallet/phone behind often.
  • Pointless if you always carry your phone.

⭐ Sleep stage tracking

  • Fun insight for most.
  • Only game‑changing if you act on HRV/readiness data (athletes, recovery‑focused users).

⭐ App ecosystem

  • Apple Watch: unrivaled apps.
  • Wear OS: growing, solid.
  • Garmin/COROS/Polar/Suunto: limited but improving.
  • Nice‑to‑have unless you really need apps like Uber, music controls, 3rd‑party health tracking.

3. Overrated / Marketing fluff (for most buyers)

  • ECG/irregular rhythm alerts → valuable if you have heart concerns, otherwise low impact.
  • Blood oxygen (SpO₂) → most watches have it, accuracy varies, and you’ll rarely use it.
  • Body temperature sensors → early tech, interesting but not yet actionable.
  • Step challenges/badges → motivating for some, gimmick for others.
  • “Military‑grade durability” → loosely defined, don’t overpay unless you’re genuinely abusive on gear.

4. Quick checklist for buyers

Must-Have:

  • Works with my phone (ecosystem)
  • Battery life matches my tolerance (daily / multi‑day / weeks)
  • Accurate HR sensor
  • Built-in GPS (multi‑band if possible)
  • 5ATM+ water resistance
  • Comfortable size/weight for my wrist

Nice-to-Have (pick only if you’ll use weekly):

  • Advanced training readiness/load metrics
  • On‑device maps/navigation
  • Music storage/offline streaming
  • LTE/cellular connection
  • Contactless payments
  • Detailed sleep tracking/HRV readiness
  • Robust app ecosystem

Skip unless you specifically need:

  • ECG alerts
  • SpO₂ tracking
  • Body temperature sensor
  • Gimmicky durability claims

5. How to use the checklist

  1. Print or save it.
  2. Mark your must‑haves.
  3. Cross off features you won’t use.
  4. Only compare watches that pass the must‑have bar.
  5. Don’t pay extra for features that sound cool but won’t matter in your day‑to‑day.

Final takeaway

Smartwatch marketing is about “more features.”
Smartwatch ownership is about using the features that matter daily.

Make your shortlist using the must‑have list above—then add 1–2 nice‑to‑haves if your budget and lifestyle support them. Everything else? Leave it on the spec sheet.