10 best smartwatches that do much more than tell the time

It feels like, after years of mild scoffing, smartwatches are beginning to join the rarefied ranks of watch culture. It’s taken a while: Apple is on version eight of its inventively-titled “Watch” series, and Samsung isn’t far behind with Galaxy Watch episode five.

Despite high-end horology admitting that maybe smartwatches do have a use after all, the market is still a minefield of smart diamonds surrounded by legions of dud wristwear. However, with rapid development at the top end, there are a few brands that have made a name for themselves by offering solid, reliable smartwatch features at a refreshing price.

Unlike four or five years ago, there are a handful of companies that can be classed as safe bets, which means you can feel safe in the knowledge that the only thing between you and your next smartwatch is what you want to use it for. The fitness-obsessed (or those who want to kick-start a life change), for instance, will be on the lookout for a smartwatch that centres itself on this field – happily, there are plenty of options for all budgets.

For those of us who want a smartwatch that offers a decent level of, along with a more lifestyle-focussed set of features and maybe even a watch face that tells the time, the market of decent options is