Published on January 19th, 2024
5 Takeaways: From Best Smartwatches For Seniors
- Diverse Options for Different Needs
- Health Monitoring Prioritized
- Safety Features for Independence
- User-Friendly Designs
- Budget-Friendly Options
Smartwatches have gained popularity as valuable tools for promoting independence among seniors.
These advanced wearables provide convenient access to essential features such as emergency assistance, medication reminders, and location services.
With a range of biometric tools, they also monitor fitness, sleep, and vital signs. This comprehensive set of features enables seniors to proactively manage their well-being without the complexity of using a smartphone.
In the following sections, we highlight some of the finest smartwatches tailored for seniors, emphasizing the features most relevant to individuals in their golden years.
Notably, many of our selections also rank among the best smartwatches overall. However, our top recommendation is a smartwatch specifically crafted for seniors.
Regardless of your choice, opting for a smartwatch promises to introduce a new level of safety and independence during the golden years.
Best Smartwatches For Seniors
1. Medical Guardian MGMove
The MGMove by Medical Guardian is recognized as the top smartwatch designed specifically for seniors, offering a simplified user experience suitable for those less tech-savvy.
Notably, it operates independently of a cellphone, thanks to built-in 4G LTE support.
The standout feature is the physical SOS button and onscreen SOS app, connecting users to the 24/7 Medical Guardian Monitoring Center for emergency assistance. This unique service costs $39.95 per month but lacks fall detection.
MGMove’s features may seem limited compared to other options, they are ample for seniors less reliant on technology.
It supports seven preloaded apps, including weather, step counter, SOS, messages, reminders, and settings.
Caregivers can remotely access the watch through the My Guardian web portal or app, enabling location tracking and reminders. The messaging tool uses the portal, not standard SMS.
MGMove lacks an extensive biometric suite, its focus on an efficient emergency response system makes it a practical choice for tech-averse seniors, potentially contributing to life-saving situations.
Reason For Recommendation:
The Medical Guardian MGMove is a dedicated smartwatch for seniors, offering standalone functionality.
It enables family communication with aging members who may not have their own smartphone.
Reason For Selection:
The MGMove stands out for its user-friendly design, eliminating the need for a cellphone and providing a straightforward experience for seniors.
Its prominent SOS button further enhances its appeal, offering a quick and accessible means for emergency assistance.
2. Amazfit GTS 4
The Amazfit GTS 4 emerges as an excellent budget-friendly smartwatch catering to the needs of senior users.
Priced affordably, it offers key features found in modern smartwatches and operates on the proprietary Zepp OS, ensuring compatibility with both Android and iOS devices.
The device comes preloaded with a variety of apps designed to monitor essential health metrics, including heart rate, temperature, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), sleep quality, and stress.
While some users have noted occasional finickiness with the sensors, overall performance remains satisfactory.
The anticipation of fall detection being added to the Zepp OS 2.0 enhances the watch’s appeal, especially for seniors seeking an affordable option with this critical safety feature.
The GTS 4 boasts an impressive 15-day battery life, addressing the convenience for seniors who may not be accustomed to frequent device charging.
With a bright and easily readable 1.65-inch AMOLED display, the Amazfit GTS 4, particularly given its attractive price, stands out as an optimal choice for seniors seeking a cost-effective yet feature-rich smartwatch.
Reason For Recommendation:
The Amazfit GTS 4 is a cost-effective smartwatch that delivers essential features akin to high-end wearables, all at a wallet-friendly price.
Reason For Selection:
The Amazfit GTS 4 earns its selection for several compelling reasons. Notably, its impressive 15-day battery life addresses the convenience of prolonged usage without frequent charging.
The affordability factor adds to its appeal, providing budget-conscious users with access to core smartwatch features.
Additionally, the anticipation of fall detection being added (TBA) enhances its value, making it a promising choice for seniors seeking a reliable yet affordable wearable.
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3. Apple Watch Series 9
The latest Apple Watch Series 9 stands out as the top-tier smartwatch choice for seniors who are already familiar with the iOS platform.
With a strong focus on health and safety features in its recent watchOS updates, the Series 9 offers a comprehensive suite of tools.
Notably, the Emergency SOS feature automatically calls local emergency services and shares the user’s location, while fall and crash detection further enhance safety.
The addition of the Safety Check feature enables regular check-ins.
In terms of biometrics, the Series 9 includes an electrical heart sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) app, a blood oxygen sensor, a temperature sensor, and GPS, providing a wide range of health monitoring capabilities.
The watch integrates seamlessly with popular iOS apps and allows messaging through services like iMessage, Facebook, and email, either through connection with an iPhone or independently with its own cellular antenna.
While positioned as a premium option due to its advanced features and connectivity options, the Apple Watch Series 9 offers a comprehensive and integrated solution for seniors prioritizing health and safety.
Reason For Recommendation:
The Apple Watch 9 comes out as one of the most user-friendly smartwatches, particularly for individuals already familiar with the widely-used iOS platform.
Reason For Selection:
The Apple Watch 9 is chosen for its exceptional features catering to senior users. Notably, it boasts fall and crash detection, providing an added layer of safety.
The inclusion of an SOS button ensures quick access to emergency services, and the built-in ECG monitor adds valuable health monitoring capabilities.
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 emerges as an excellent choice for elderly individuals familiar with the Android operating system, offering a range of advanced features for enhanced independence.
Beyond Android’s versatile app ecosystem, the Galaxy Watch 6 excels in safety and biometric capabilities, empowering users to actively manage their health.
The Galaxy Watch 6 boasts comprehensive health-tracking applications, including the Samsung ECG Monitor for identifying irregular heart rhythms and the Samsung BIA app utilizing bioelectrical impedance analysis for detailed body composition measurements.
Equipped with features like Samsung Health for workout tracking and an SOS function that can be triggered by a quick press of the home/power key, the watch ensures both health monitoring and safety in various scenarios.
Its 44mm AMOLED display, stylish design, and 40-hour average battery life contribute to a user-friendly experience, even for elderly users.
While some advanced features may be more tailored to a tech-savvy audience, the Galaxy Watch 6 remains a top companion for seniors seeking independence and smartwatch functionality.
Reason For Recommendation:
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6, a premium smartwatch, is perfect for users aiming to monitor and enhance their health across a range of metrics, including activity level, stress, sleep quality, and body composition.
Reason For Selection:
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 is selected for its exceptionalfeatures catering to comprehensive health monitoring and safety.
With BIA sensors accurately tracking body composition, the watch provides valuable insights into users’ health.
The inclusion of fall detection and an SOS button further enhances its appeal, ensuring not only health insights but also immediate response capabilities in emergencies.
5. Garmin Forerunner 965
The Garmin Forerunner 965, primarily designed for serious distance runners, proves to be a valuable option for seniors seeking independence, despite its higher price point.
One of its standout features is the remarkable 23-day battery life, surpassing other non-hybrid designs in the market.
While incident detection is present, it requires the user to select a GPS activity, such as walking or biking, for it to work effectively.
Once activated, it sends automated messages with the user’s GPS location to emergency contacts through the Garmin Connect app—a useful safety inclusion.
As a health-centric smartwatch, the Forerunner 965 offers extensive health tracking capabilities, summarized by the Health Snapshot feature.
This two-minute measurement assesses various metrics, including heart rate, blood oxygen level, respiration rate, stress, and heart rate variability.
Notably, the watch lacks an ECG monitor for tracking irregular heart rhythms, but it still provides a comprehensive set of biometrics.
While some features may be underutilized for sedentary seniors, the Forerunner 965’s functionality shines for those leading an active lifestyle, coupled with its unparalleled battery life.
Reason For Recommendation:
Ideal for both seniors and marathon runners, this high-end smartwatch boasts an exceptionally long battery life, making it a perfect choice for seniors who prefer not to worry about daily charging.
Reason For Selection:
Garmin Forerunner 965 offers a remarkable 23-day battery life, making it an excellent choice for seniors seeking a device with extended usage between charges.
The inclusion of incident detection, albeit with some limitations tied to GPS activity selection, enhances safety features by automatically notifying emergency contacts.
Additionally, the large AMOLED display adds to its appeal, providing clear and easily readable information for users.
6. Withings ScanWatch Nova
For those accustomed to high-quality analog watches, making the transition to a smartwatch may seem like a downgrade.
However, the Withings ScanWatch Nova offers a seamless blend of sophistication and functionality as a hybrid smartwatch.
Combining smartwatch features with a stainless steel diver-style design and an elegant LED Sunray dial, it provides a classy and practical device.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the ScanWatch Nova excels in health monitoring, measuring core vital signs to offer a comprehensive view of overall health.
The TempTech24/7 module enables continuous day and night temperature monitoring, aiding in the early detection of potential health issues.
The sophisticated heart rate sensor provides on-demand electrocardiogram (ECG) measurements, crucial for detecting cardiac arrhythmia prevalent in older age.
While the LED display is smaller than some alternatives, the device ensures a massive 30-day battery life, balancing practicality and convenience.
Although lacking emergency response features like an SOS button or fall detection, the ScanWatch Nova stands out as a wearable with a design that appeals to seniors, offering crucial health metrics to anticipate potential health issues.
Reason For Recommendation:
Blending the elegance of an analog timepiece with the contemporary features of a smartwatch, the Withings ScanWatch Nova is an appealing choice for seniors seeking modern functionality without compromising simplicity and beauty.
Reason For Selection:
Chosen for its elegant analog watch face, impressive 30-day battery life, and integrated ECG monitor, the Withings ScanWatch Nova stands out as a preferred option.
Seniors are drawn to its timeless design, extended battery longevity, and advanced health monitoring capabilities, making it a well-rounded and attractive choice.
7. Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 emerges as an excellent alternative for active seniors seeking a dedicated fitness tracker without the hefty price tag of premium smartwatches.
While smaller and more affordable, it focuses on tracking steps via GPS and monitoring vitals during exercise, making it a practical choice for fitness enthusiasts.
Despite a limited app selection, the Charge 6 provides a robust array of health metrics, including heart rate monitoring, ECG functionality, blood oxygen saturation monitoring, and skin temperature tracking.
It generates daily Stress Management and Nightly Sleep Scores, promoting overall well-being.
With over 40 exercise modes, movement reminders, and additional advanced features available through Fitbit Premium membership, the Charge 6 caters to active seniors.
Although it offers a maximum battery life of up to seven days, continuous GPS use can significantly reduce this duration.
The smartwatch is best suited for seniors who maintain an active and independent lifestyle.
While lacking an SOS button or fall detection, the Fitbit Charge 6 remains one of the top choices for seniors prioritizing fitness tracking and health metrics.
Reason For Recommendation:
The Fitbit Charge 6, being more affordable and user-friendly than a typical smartwatch, is an excellent choice for physically active seniors seeking a reliable fitness tracker.
Reason For Selection:
Selected for its built-in ECG monitor, impressive 7-day battery life, and user-friendly design, the Fitbit Charge 6 stands out as an ideal option for seniors.
Offering essential health monitoring features in a straightforward manner, it provides a practical and reliable fitness tracking experience.
8. Google Pixel Watch 2
The Google Pixel Watch 2 stands out as an excellent choice for seniors, catering to both fitness monitoring and a sense of modern sophistication. Boasting a sleek, rounded design and a robust selection of biometric sensors, including GPS, a skin temperature sensor, and a continuous electrodermal activity reader, it serves as a reliable workout companion.
While lacking an ECG monitor, the Pixel Watch 2 excels in tracking stress levels, sleep quality, and calories burned, accessible through the user-friendly Wear OS platform.
What makes this smartwatch particularly valuable for seniors is its comprehensive safety features.
The Emergency SOS feature, easily triggered by pressing the crown button, calls emergency services or a designated contact while automatically sharing the watch’s location.
Support for fall detection and the ability to prerecord an alert add an extra layer of safety.
The watch also allows users to store medical information and set Safety Checks at regular intervals for concerned contacts.
Accompanied by an impressive third-party app selection and a 24-hour battery life, the Pixel Watch 2 ensures seamless integration with preferred communication methods while maintaining practicality.
While daily charging is recommended, the Pixel Watch 2 emerges as a stylish, safe, and practical smartwatch tailored to meet the unique needs of seniors living independently.
Reason For Recommendation:
The Google Pixel Watch 2 offers comprehensive health tracking and emergency features, presented in an aesthetically pleasing design, making it an appealing choice for senior users.
Reason For Selection:
It has exceptional safety features, the Google Pixel Watch 2 stands out as an ideal option for seniors.
With a Safety Check feature, fall detection, and a convenient SOS button, it ensures enhanced security and peace of mind for users.
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Conclusion
The wide range of smartwatches presented caters to the unique needs and preferences of seniors. Whether prioritizing health tracking, safety features, simplicity, or a blend of these aspects, there is a suitable option available.
From the sophisticated Apple Watch Series 9 to the budget-friendly yet feature-rich Amazfit GTS 4 and the fitness-focused Fitbit Charge 6, seniors can find a smartwatch that aligns with their lifestyle and enhances their overall well-being.
The Withings ScanWatch Nova adds a touch of elegance, while the Garmin Forerunner 965 caters to the needs of active seniors.
For those who value simplicity and user-friendliness, the Google Pixel Watch 2 offers an attractive package with essential safety features.
Ultimately, the right smartwatch for a senior user depends on individual preferences, health priorities, and lifestyle choices.
