Looking for a sleek waterproof watch under 400€… Any ideas?

Seeking Advice
1

Hi everyone! I currently use the Galaxy Watch Active2 and I’m thinking of upgrading. I’m looking for a new watch, but I’m not sure what’s out there. Here’s what I need:

  • Budget: 300 - 400€.
  • It needs to work with my Android phone (I have a Samsung Galaxy S23).
  • The watch shouldn’t be too bulky since I have very narrow wrists.
  • It has to be waterproof. I plan to wash it 2-3 times a week.
  • Battery life should be 4-7 days. My current watch needs charging every other day, which isn’t ideal for travel.
  • I need to use Google Maps navigation. My current watch only shows turn-by-turn directions but I want to see the full map.
  • Health features like heart rate variability, blood oxygen, and blood pressure would be nice to have.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

2

It’s tough to find a watch that meets all your requirements, but within your budget, you can find quite a few good options, especially Wear OS watches.

For Android compatibility, almost every watch except Apple watches will work with your Samsung Galaxy S23.

As for the size, you should measure your wrist to make sure the watch isn’t too big. You can use a piece of string to measure your wrist and compare it to the size of the watch you’re considering. Typically, the models with the features you want are between 40-43mm in case size.

For waterproofing, you probably won’t find a truly waterproof watch under 400€. You’ll need to look for a water resistance rating of at least 5ATM, which is more than enough for swimming and everyday weather.

Battery life is tricky, as Wear OS watches tend to have shorter battery lives, especially if you use maps a lot. If you’re set on using Google Maps, that will drain the battery quickly.

For Google Maps, Wear OS watches can show the full map. You may want to check out the OnePlus Watch 2 Pro, which allows battery saver mode for longer life.

The best option I’d suggest is the Garmin Forerunner 955. It has great health tracking, up to 14 days of battery life, and offline maps with navigation. It might be a bit hard to find under 400€, but it could be on sale.

Good luck with your search!

3

Finding a sleek and not-too-bulky watch with waterproofing is tough, especially under 400€. For water protection, look for watches rated 10ATM or at least 5ATM, not just IP68.

I’ve posted a list of thinner models here: reddit.com/r/smartwatch/comments/199kgho

Just keep in mind, any water protection rating is for plain water only. Soap can damage the seals, and over time, the water resistance will wear down.

4

It’s tough to meet all those requirements, but one option to consider is the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro. Here are the details:

  • Price: Around €250, so it fits your budget.
  • Compatibility: Works with Android 8.0 and above, so it’s fully compatible with your Samsung Galaxy S23.
  • Size: It’s on the larger side at 47.6x45.9x12.5mm and 54g without the strap, so it might not meet your ‘not too bulky’ requirement.
  • Water Resistance: 5ATM, so it’s good for swimming and washing.
  • Battery Life: Up to 65 hours (around 2.7 days), which is an improvement, but doesn’t fully match your 4-7 day preference.
  • Navigation: Supports Google Maps, so you can view the full map on your wrist.
  • Health Features: Includes heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress monitoring. Blood pressure isn’t listed, but it has strong tracking overall.

While the battery and size aren’t perfect, this watch has most of the features you’re looking for.

5

It’s hard to find a watch that checks all those boxes, but you might want to look into the Garmin Venu 3 or 3S if you can stretch your budget to around 400€. They’re great smartwatches but they don’t support full map navigation. Alternatively, you could look for discounted Fenix 7 or Epix2Pro models, though those are more geared toward sports and might be bulkier.

Another smaller option is the Huawei Watch Fit 3, which covers a lot of features, but for maps, you’d need to install a third-party app.