Having notifications come through on your smartwatch may seem handy, but if you’re unable to respond to your messages on your smartphone, then what use is it?
Imagine if you had an urgent question come through on your smartwatch, and you were unable to respond in time because your watch doesn’t do calls and texts, and you can’t get to your phone because you’re busy, perhaps cycling to work.
Well, the good news is that there’s an easy solution to this scenario. If you were to invest in a smartwatch where calls and texts are enabled, you’ll be able to respond to any messages right away. And the better news is that there are some really great smartwatches like that out there.
In this guide, we’ve done all the research so that you don’t have to. We’ve compiled a shortlist of 11 of the best smartwatches for calling and texting. With a mix of high-end and mid-priced options suitable for any budget.
We’ve even included a handy buyer’s guide to tell you all about the important things to consider before you buy.
Everyone knows that Apple produces some of the best tech around, and their smartwatches are certainly no exception…
What makes it such a great watch for calls and texts is its cellular connectivity. Whereas other smartwatches will only let you answer incoming calls, this one will actually let you dial out.
And you can also take advantage of the speakers to stream your favorite music and podcasts.
And, taking advantage of the microphone, there’s also the Siri voice assistant already installed, so you can give your watch instructions without having to actually touch the screen.
It also features GPS tracking, so you need never worry about getting lost again.
But where the tech really comes into its own is in its advanced health and fitness tracking.
Most fitness trackers will track things like heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on. But the Apple Watch Series 7 goes a step further…
It will measure the oxygen level in your blood, take an ECG to monitor your body’s electrical activity, and send you a notification when your heart is in an irregular rhythm. How valuable is that if you suspect you may have a heart problem!
It has a nice rectangular display, which is available in two sizes, 41 mm or 45 mm diagonally. If you have the budget for it, I would recommend going for the larger of the two.
And you can really customize the aesthetic. You pick your favorite watch face, and there are about 15 different bands to choose from in different colors and materials.
It has an Always-On display, which is both a good thing and a bad thing. It means you don’t ever have to worry about the screen fading to black. But it also means that it doesn’t go into a battery saving mode.
This watch is also swim proof, which means you can wear it in the shower without panicking over it. It’s also dust resistant and crack resistant to boot, so you should get a long lifespan from it.
It also features Apple Pay, and comes with 3 months of Apple Fitness+ for free.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
Generally the reviews of this watch are incredibly positive. People report that they “love” this watch, and are able to make crystal clear calls with it.
This coupled with the fitness features of the watch makes it a very popular choice. However, short battery life does seem to be one of its biggest downfalls.
Fitbit was one of the first brands on the scene when it comes to fitness tracking watches, but they have since branched out to produce great fitness tracking smartwatches like this one.
But before we go into all the fancy fitness tracking stuff, we just want to clarify that this watch will let you answer phone calls when your phone is in Bluetooth range, and view text messages. However, you can’t dial out or send text messages.
In addition to tracking all your usual fitness tracks such as heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on, the Fitness Sense Advanced also features an EDA scanning app to detect your stress levels, an ECG app to detect irregular heartbeats, blood oxygen level detection, and on-wrist skin temperature.
It also features GPS tracking, which is great if you like to get out and about to new places. You won’t have to worry about getting lost, and it can help inform your workouts if you’re running or cycling etc.
There are also two voice assistants already built-in, namely Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
And you can use them for all kinds of things, like setting reminders, or getting the latest news. It can also store and play music.
It’s a unisex model, with a large 1.58-inch square screen, that you can customize as you please - they have a whole gallery of clock faces to choose from.
It’s also available in a choice of 3 different brands, namely carbon/graphite, sage gray/silver, and white/gold.
What’s more, this watch has amazing battery life - it can last for just over 6 days at a time. And it charges up super quick as well, it can go from zero to full in as little as 12 minutes.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
Fitbit is one of the best choices if your main focus after taking calls/texting is fitness, and this is where this watch seems to be most popular.
According to reviews, the battery life on this watch also appears to be superior to the battery life of other makes and models we have reviewed.
Pros
You can take calls and receive texts
Superior health & fitness tracking
It also features GPS tracking
Amazon Alexa comes built-in
Amazing 6-day battery life
Stores and plays music
Cons
You can’t dial out
Although you can receive text messages, you can’t send them
The Garmin brand may be best known for their GPS devices, but their product remit has expanded in recent years, and they make some excellent smartwatches. All with GPS tracking, of course.
It’s great for calls and texts, because not only can you answer calls on it, when your phone is within Bluetooth range, but you can also receive and respond to text messages as well.
It’s also great for health and fitness tracking. It will of course measure your heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on, but then it goes a step beyond…
It will measure your energy levels, your pulse oxygen, respiration, hydration, your menstrual cycle, and more besides.
It also features animated workouts right on the screen. They’re easy to follow, and they include the likes of cardio and strength training, yoga moves, and Pilates.
It has exceptional battery life - it can last up to a whopping 8 days in smartwatch mode. Not bad hey?
The other great thing about this particular watch is how you can download your favorite music and podcasts to it.
You can download whole playlists from the likes of Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer (provided you have a subscription with them of course).
Other People's Experience With This Watch
The best thing reported by users about the Garmin Vivoactive is it’s battery life. Some people have reported being able to use this watch for more than a week without having to charge it.
This combined with its other features makes it a great all-round smartwatch.
Here we have another top brand, this time Samsung. But don’t worry, you don’t have to have a Samsung brand smartphone to go with it if you don’t already have one. In fact, it will work with both Android and Apple smartphones.
You can use it to take calls, and to make and receive texts, either by drawing letters or using a small keyboard.
It also has some excellent fitness tracking features that take it a step beyond the usual heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on…
The Galaxy Watch 4 also features body composition analysis for readings of your percentage body fat, basal metabolic rate, BMI, and more.
It also features heart rate monitoring, thanks to its ECG functionality. And it can assess your oxygen levels in your blood, to track and manage your heart and lung endurance.
And there’s also advanced workout tracking for a range of popular activities, and this can be further boosted by live coaching sessions.
You can also use it to stream your favorite music from YouTube, and to pay for sundries with Google Pay.
What’s more, it features not one but two voice assistant apps, namely Google Assistant and Bixby, which is perfect for setting reminders or checking the weather when your hands are busy.
It has built-in GPS tracking, so you need never get lost again.
I love the nice aesthetic look with its round clock face, and you can buy it with either a 40mm screen or a 44mm one.
The strap is not too wide like some other models. The accompanying strap is available in black, silver, pink gold, and green.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
It appears to be that the thing most people love about this watch is its ability to make and take crystal clear phone calls. The fact that you can stream music and track your health is just a bonus.
Pros
You can send and receive text messages
Has advanced health and fitness tracking
Works with both Android and Apple devices
Pay for various sundries with Google Pay
It has Google Assistant and Bixby
It also has built-in GPS tracking
Cons
Can’t dial out
Having the display always on can really drain the battery
Here’s another great smartwatch that we deemed worthy of a spot on the shortlist, and it ticks all the boxes.
It runs on Wear OS by Google, which means that it should be compatible with both Android and Apple devices.
Its features include being able to answer calls when in Bluetooth range of your smartphone, and you can even use the on-board microphone to voice text (as well as receive texts). So handy!
It’s great for fitness tracking. It will track all the usual health and fitness data such as heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on, and it can track your blood oxygen as well.
It has GPS tracking built-in, which you can use to navigate around or to inform you of your distance covered in your workouts.
You can use contactless payments, which is perfect if you just want to grab something quickly without having to rummage around in your bag for your wallet.
I love the fact that it has Amazon’s Alexa already built-in. It’s perfect for keeping track of your Amazon orders, or setting reminders to take your medication and so much more.
You can also use the speaker to listen to music. And it comes with a magnetic charger for really rapid charging.
You can customize the clock face - there are thousands of options to browse through. And you have a choice of different straps to choose from.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
This watch is great for making phone calls, but perhaps the best thing about it is the voice text function. In comparison to other watches which require you to type on a tiny keyboard, this is great.
Pros
You can use the microphone to voice text
It has Amazon’s Alexa already built-in
Excellent health and fitness tracking
Also features built-in GPS tracking
It allows contactless payments
Cons
Can’t dial out
Having the display always on can really drain the battery
This smartwatch comes from Mobvoi, and while the brand may still be somewhat of a newcomer on the scene, this watch has received excellent customer ratings and reviews.
It’s a Wear OS watch, which means it’s compatible with both Android and Apple devices, however there are more features for Android users, such as Google Pay, to pay contactlessly for things with your watch.
You can use it to take calls, provided that your smartphone is within Bluetooth range of the device. And not only can you receive text messages on your watch, but you can send text messages too.
You can choose between typing a reply or simply use your voice and the built-in microphone.
It’s also great as a fitness tracker. It has a whopping 100+ workout modes you can take advantage of, and not only will it track your usual health and fitness data such as heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on, and it will track your blood oxygen as well.
It also features built-in GPS tracking, so you can track how far you’ve gone in your workout, or find your way back to wherever you’re headed.
Use Google Assistant for responding to voice commands, which can come in incredibly handy when your hands are busy with something.
But what really makes it stand out against the others is that it features artificial intelligence, with sophisticated functions such as wake word triggers and motion tracking.
It also has super long battery life, and it will last up to 72 hours in smartwatch mode. When you want to make the battery last even longer, you can switch over to Essential mode.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
This is a great all-round watch, perfect for calling, texting, and even making payments without requiring your phone in your hand.
Back to Samsung with another great watch from this top brand, and this one is very reasonably priced.
I knew it had to make a spot on our shortlist because not only can you receive incoming calls on it, but you can also use it to place outgoing calls which is a feature most others lack.
Add that to being able to use it to send and receive text messages and you have yourself a top contender.
It has excellent health and fitness tracking functionality. It will tell you your heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned and so on, and it has advanced sensors for calculating your pace as you run.
It’s good for monitoring your stress levels, and features an integrated calm app, to help soothe you when you’re troubled.
It has built-in GPS tracking, so you can always find your way home, and see how much distance you’ve covered in your workouts, whether you’re running, cycling, or simply walking.
You can also use it to play music, provided your smartphone is within Bluetooth range.
It features a round screen, measuring 40mm in diameter, and a smart, unisex silver band that goes with any outfit.
You can customize the clock face with your preferred display, and there are loads of them to choose from.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
A watch that is very similar to the previous Samsung watch which we have looked at, except it is much cheaper, so great if you are looking for a budget option.
Pros
It comes very reasonably priced
You can make and receive calls and texts
It has excellent health and fitness tracking
You can use it to play music from your phone
It has built-in GPS tracking for navigation
Cons
Your phone has to be in Bluetooth range to call or text
The Ticwatch E3 has a lot in common with the TicWatch Pro 3 we reviewed earlier, but is available for about $100 less.
It features Wear OS by Google, which means that it’s compatible with both Android and Apple devices. But it’s only through Android smartphones that it will allow you to send texts and place calls. It will take calls and texts from either type of device.
It also has fitness tracking, with over 100 professional workout modes at your disposal, including such activities as indoor cycling and ice skating, and much more. And it’s so highly waterproof that you can even take it swimming.
It can monitor your heart rate around the clock, thanks to its super accurate sensor, track how well you sleep, monitor your stress levels, and detect how much oxygen is in your blood (oxygen saturation levels).
What’s more, it has a Family care function, which allows you to track the health and fitness data of multiple family members or partners.
It features built-in GPS tracking, so you can always suss out where you are, or where you need to get to, and this can inform your workout data as well.
It also features Google Pay for contactless payment of goods and services, and you can also use it in conjunction with YouTube Music to listen to music offline.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
This watch seems to be more popular among those who use an android smartphone than anyone else.
It is a great choice if you liked the look of the previous Ticwatch model we looked at, but want a cheaper alternative.
Pros
Available at a really good price
Compatible with both Android and Apple devices
Over 100 professional workout modes at your disposal
Track the health and fitness data of multiple family members
It features built-in GPS tracking, and contactless payment of goods
Works with YouTube Music to listen to music offline
Cons
In order to make outgoing calls and send text messages, you will need to pair it with an Android smartphone
Can you believe it - a Samsung smartwatch for under $100! And it has everything you could want…
It’s compatible with both Android and Apple devices. It allows you to answer calls when your phone is nearby, and you can also send and receive text messages on it.
It has decent fitness tracker functionality, able to track your heart rate and calorie balance. And you can even get personal coaching as you workout. Of course it has built-in GPS tracking, so you can track your distance covered.
If you’re a Spotify subscriber, you can use it to download and listen to your favorite Spotify playlists.
It features contactless payments through Samsung Pay. You can also use it to control smart devices in your home, such as the lights or the door locks.
It’s highly water-resistant, so you don’t have to panic if you forget to take it off for your shower. And it has an impressive battery life, able to go nonstop for days on a single charge.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
This smartwatch has a pretty good battery life, and it is made by Samsung so it has a sturdy design. However, it is a lot more basic than previous Samsung models we have looked at.
Pros
Bargain affordable price tag
Compatible with both Android and Apple phones
You can also send and receive text messages on it
Decent fitness tracker functionality, and GPS tracking
You can use it to download your favorite Spotify playlists
It features contactless payments through Samsung Pay
If you haven’t heard of Amazfit before, they’re sure worth checking out.
It’s compatible with both Android and Apple devices, and you can use it to receive calls and texts via Bluetooth. And you can listen to your music through the speaker as well. And store up to 470 songs on board.
It also has fitness tracking functionality to track your heart rate, calories burned, blood oxygen saturation, stress level, breathing rate, and so on. Plus, it has a whopping 150 activity modes already built-in.
It has particularly good screen clarity. The round screen has a large, 1.45 inch diameter. It can even be read in direct sunlight.
The GPS tracking is particularly good, with multiple satellite navigation systems, and a built-in barometric altimeter for your hiking and cycling.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
This is another smartwatch which people report as having excellent battery life, so you don’t have to worry about charging it every day.
Pros
Compatible with both Android and Apple devices
You can use it to receive calls and texts via Bluetooth
Now, this may not come from a big name brand, but it sure is a bargain!
It’s compatible with both Android and Apple devices, and you can both take calls and make calls on it. And thanks to the waterproof speaker, you can hear the caller clearly even in the rain.
It’s an excellent health and fitness tracker. It has a highly accurate heart rate sensor, and it can also track your sleep data, your body temperature, your menstrual cycle, and more. It also features GPS tracking for distance covered.
It even features artificial intelligence in the form of a handy voice assistant.
Other People's Experience With This Watch
This watch is a great model if you want a nice and basic design that allows you to make phone calls and send texts, while also tracking your health and fitness.
As promised, here’s your buying guide. Let’s walk through the key points to consider when shopping for a smartwatch for taking calls and texts.
Side note - before we get down to the nitty-gritty details, We just want to draw your attention to the fact that while many smartwatches will let you take calls on your watch when your smartphone is in Bluetooth mode, very few smartwatches will actually allow you to make outgoing calls.
Compatibility
The first thing you need to consider is compatibility. For example, an Android smartwatch is not going to work with an Apple iPhone and vice versa.
You may have noticed that our shortlist features both Android and Apple watches. And the list also includes some universally compatible smartwatches, too.
If you intend to use your smartwatch more than your smartphone, you could decide which smartphone to get based on what smartwatch you get.
Connectivity
All smartwatches will connect to your smartphone via Bluetooth. However, some smartwatches will also connect directly to your Wi-Fi, which can come in handy when you’re away from your phone.
And that’s not all. Some smartwatches also feature built-in cellular activity, which is what enables you to make and receive calls and text messages.
However, if you wish to use your smartwatch to make and receive calls and text messages while you’re away from your phone, then you will need one with a slot for a SIM card.
Microphone & Speaker
You won’t be able to make or receive any calls on your smartwatch unless it has a microphone and speaker. Ideally, a good quality microphone and speaker, too.
You may also want to consider earphone compatibility too, should you ever wish to have a private conversation, hiding the voice of the person on the other end of the line.
Battery Life
Can you imagine being right in the middle of an important call, just getting to the crucial bit when the battery suddenly dies?
Don’t let such a fate befall you. Ensure that you invest in a watch with a decent battery life, and ideally one that charges up quickly as well.
And just a quick heads up, using your smartwatch for calling and/or texting can really drain the battery life.
Size & Aesthetic
The biggest issue many people have with their smartwatches is the small screen size. If the screen is too small, how are you supposed to read your text messages?
Technically speaking, you can fit more data on a square screen than a round one of the same width. But if the aesthetic of a square screen doesn’t appeal to you, that’s fine (I prefer round ones myself.)
And under this category also comes customization. Sometimes you can customize the strap and choose just about any color and material you like.
These days you can usually customize the appearance of the screen as well, including text color, size, font, and whether it’s showing a digital clock face or an analogue one.
Voice Assistance
Since smartwatches that allow you to make calls always have a microphone, this opens them up to the possibility of voice assistance functionality.
Not all smartwatches offer this, but when they do, you can continue to use your hands for whatever you’re doing, completely unhindered, using your voice to instruct your watch.
Fitness Tracking Functionality
One of the great things about smartwatches is that most of them have fitness tracking functionality.
This means that they can do things like monitor your heart rate through a sensor in the watch, count your steps like a pedometer, track your sleeping activity, calculate the calories you’re burning, and often much more besides.
Other Features
You may also be interested in other features as well. For example, some smartwatches also feature GPS tracking, which can come in handy if you like to go hiking, or jogging, or cycling or driving.
However, it’s important to note at this point that having the watch in GPS mode can really drain the battery.
You may also want to take advantage of the device’s speakers to play music.
Easy To Use
The more intuitive your tech is, the easier it is to use. You need to look out for a watch that’s simple, straightforward, and a breeze to use.
Similarly, you don’t want to find yourself overwhelmed and bewildered by too many often similar icons fighting for space on the screen. The more streamlined the set-up, the better.
Water Resistance
If you’re ever outdoors, and it starts to rain, you don’t want to have to worry about whether your watch will continue to work. So to that end you may wish to get a watch with at least some level of water resistance.
Brand
There’s a lot to be said for going for a big name brand. These brands have a reputation to live up to. They are going to be reliable, and they’re not going to let you down.
There are several big name brands in my shortlist above, including Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit.
Value For Money
If, like most people, you have a budget that you need to stick to, then it’s important to consider value for money.
A good quality smartwatch will set you back at least $100, but sometimes several hundred dollars more.
We don’t include prices in my reviews because they can rise and fall, but you do have the opportunity to check prices as you go along, and we recommend that you do so. Once you know what features you can buy with your money, it’s easier to work out what your budget should be.
We also recommend that you check prices with other retailers using the links provided.
You can often save yourself some money by buying a refurbished or pre-owned model.
Can You Make Calls On A Smartwatch Without A Phone?
We are pleased to report that it certainly is possible to make calls on a smartwatch without the aid of a phone, provided that you have everything you need to make the call.
This includes a microphone, which could be built into the watch, a speaker which could be built into the watch, or headphones if you prefer, and of course access to a cell phone network.
Do You Need A SIM Card In Your Smartwatch To Use It For Calls And Texts?
We are pleased to report that you don’t necessarily need a SIM card in your smartwatch in order to use it for calls and texts, because you can use its connectivity to your smartphone to do that.
However, it’s important to note at this point that if you wish to make a call or send a text on your smartwatch whenever you’re not within Bluetooth distance of your smartphone, then in this instance you will need a SIM card in your smartwatch.
Wrap Up
So, there’s a lot to think about when choosing a smartwatch. But with this guide to assist, we’re confident that you’ll pick the right one for you.
Hi, my name is Garrett Jones, and I am a tech enthusiast. I enjoy researching the new tech that has been released, and have a vast knowledge of the best tech to purchase.
From a young age, I have always had a big interest in technology, and this blog is an extension of that interest. Through this blog, I hope to provide others with all of the information they need regarding tech options to consider, and things such as compatibility. Some of the different items I will be discussing include headphones, smartwatches, and how to fix common issues.
