Although some companies have vowed to not release new smartwatches until 2017, that hasn’t stopped others from throwing their hats into the mix. However, when it comes to picking the right smartwatch for you or a loved one, things can be a bit complicated. There are many different factors that need to be taken into account, which can lead to confusion.

With the holidays creeping up faster than you can say “Christmas”, we’ve compiled a few lists of the best option in each specific category for smartwatches.

Best Rugged – Nixon Mission

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Nixon has been gaining traction as one of the more popular watch brands, as they offer style and comfort without completely breaking the bank. The Nixon Mission was released back in October and features 10 ATM water resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass, surgical grade stainless steel bezels, and shock resistance. These combine to make the Mission one of the most rugged and durable options on the market today.

Runner-Up: Casio WSD-F10

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Before the Nixon Mission was released, the reigning king of the rugged smartwatch was the Casio WSD-F10 smartwatch. Powered by Android Wear, the Casio WSD-F10 compliant with MIL-STD-810G which means this thing can take more than a beating and keep on ticking. The Casio WSD-F10 also is water resistant up to 50 meters making sure that you can survive all the elements.

Best non-Android Wear – Samsung Gear S3

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The Samsung Gear S3 was recently unveiled at IFA 2016 and offers an all-new design when compared to its predecessor. The Gear S3 features a vibrant round display, rotating bezel for selection, and built-in support for Samsung Pay. If you’re looking to take this new smartwatch out for a run, Samsung has included an array of sensors to ensure that your workout will be properly tracked.

Runner-Up: Pebble 2+

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Pebble is known for creating a unique smartwatch experience without throwing in a bunch of other gimmicks. Earlier this year saw the release of the Pebble 2 SE and Pebble 2+. The Pebble 2+ features a built-in heart rate monitor, water resistance of up to 30 meters, and a new ePaper LCD display. Although it’s not as flashy as other options on the market, the Pebble 2+ is unique and provides everything one would need.

Some great alternatives:

Best Budget – Martian Notifier

martian-notifier-1

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This one is a little tricky compared to some of the other categories due to the capabilities compared to price. The Martian Notifier got the nod over the other options due to the extremely low price (less than $50), and still provides a way to view notifications. Although the Notifier doesn’t include a touchscreen, you can still dismiss notifications from your wrist and keep that “traditional” look.

Runner-Up: ASUS ZenWatch 2

ASUS ZenWatch 2_1.63 and 1.45inch

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The ASUS ZenWatch 2 was released in 2015 and has already been replaced by the new ZenWatch 3, but ASUS is continuing to sell this Android Wear smartwatch. Although there wasn’t much that was revolutionary about the ZenWatch 2, this has always been a solid option for someone looking to get into the world of smartwatches.

Other great alternatives:

Best Overall – Huawei Watch

Huawei_Watch_Hero

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Although the Huawei Watch was released in 2015, it is still reigning supreme in terms of fashion and function. This especially rings true if you want one of the best Android Wear experiences from a smartwatch. The Huawei Watch comes in multiple combinations, making it easy to pick and choose how you want the watch to look.

Runner-Up: Samsung Gear S3

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Other Great Alternatives

Best for Athletes – Moto 360 Sport

Moto-360-Sport

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The Moto 360 Sport has turned out to be much of a flop, but that doesn’t mean that the smartwatch isn’t still a great option for athletes. This smartwatch features a modified version of Android Wear which is geared towards tracking workouts.

Runner-Up: Pebble 2+

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Best Smartwatch for the Ladies – Huawei Watch

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Although the other alternatives have been released more recently than the Huawei Watch, this option is still one of the best on the market. What sets this smartwatch from the rest is the software integration provided by Android Wear. That combined with the various combinations that are made available make the Huawei Watch a no-brainer.

Other Great Alternatives