Last updated on March 18th, 2021
As more of our daily activities begin to incorporate our mobile devices, it has become increasingly clear that there is a need for something other than one of our hands to hold them in position for viewing. While desktops and laptops can hold their screens upright in one way or another, having to use a pocket or hand for a smartphone rapidly becomes an uncomfortable and inconvenient way to go about one’s business.
There have been various attempts at mounting systems for smartphones over the years, but only one has really caught on. Working off the age-old trend of people preferring smaller and lighter, all the myriad functions of a smartphone were compacted into a device rarely more than an inch or two square and mounted on the user’s wrist. The smartwatch, as these are known, is in many cases capable of anything a phone is and does it all without occupying the user’s hands or pocket space.
Of particular concern for many is music. Among the earliest portable electronics was the portable music player or Walkman, and the idea of carrying one’s favorite tunes has lost none of its popularity over the years. One of the nice things about having a mobile device and internet connection is the ability to listen to any kind of music at will, but people often feel uncomfortable either holding their phone or leaving it out so that the speaker could play unmuffled.
Easily portable music is enjoyed by other fields of interest as well: drivers who don’t want their phone where it might distract them, office workers trying to make their jobs less dull, and so on. All kinds of people need a smartwatch for music, but how are they to decide which one to use?
The dramatic increase in mobile device use has led to the creation of a massive and hectic market for mobile devices of every kind, smartwatches included. Every brand looks much the same to the uneducated user, and many make a poorly advised purchase that leaves them unsatisfied soon after.
Although this pitfall is fairly common, there are some watches that any user can buy with confidence. We’ve put together a list of the top ten smartwatches for music to help you pick the right one the first time around.
Read Related Article: Best Smartwatches Under $50
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. HopoFit Full Circle |
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2. DSMart V12 |
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3. Garmin Vívoactive 4S |
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4. GOKOO |
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5. UWINMO |
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6. COULAX |
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7. Fitpolo |
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8. Kalakate |
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9. Lintelek |
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10. Willful |
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Our Best Smartwatch For Music Reviews and Comparisons
1. HopoFit Full Circle
Product Highlights
This watch is packed not only with an extensive portfolio of features and functions, but it also comes with a great set of skins.
Features
- Bluetooth 4.0 connection
- IP67 waterproof
- Band size 138mm to 222mm
- Compatible from Android 4.4 and iOS 8 onward
What We Like About HopoFit Full Circle
This watch gives the function of a great fitness tracker – heart monitor, calorie counter, and more – with the appearance of a classy analog timepiece.
What We Don’t Like About HopoFit Full Circle
Getting this to actually play music may be tricky, as you will need to especially link it with any media apps besides saved audio files.
PROS
- 10 sports modes pre-programmed
- Waterproof for activity in all weather
- GPS run tracking
- 20-day battery life
- Five dials blended organically with each skin
CONS
- Not suitable for full submergence
- Hard to link to music apps
2. DSMart V12
Product Highlights
This watch centers around a blood oxygen sensor that displays one of the most critical and accurate measurements of your fitness progress.
Features
- 1.3” LED screen
- Compatible with Android 4.4 and iOS 9 and beyond
- IP68 waterproof
- Alloy watch shell
What We Like About DSMart V12
This watch does more than just play tunes, it tracks blood oxygen, running distance, and sleep patterns as well.
What We Don’t Like About DSMart V12
This watch is programmed only for running, so those intending to use it to track other sporting activities may be disappointed.
PROS
- Sleep pattern tracking
- Blood oxygen detector
- Customizable LED display
- Anti-sedentarism notice keeps you active throughout the day
- Tough alloy case keeps your tunes safe during rougher activity
CONS
- No pre-programmed sports
- A small selection of skins
3. Garmin Vívoactive 4S
Product Highlights
Garmin watches have long been trusted companions to the active lifestyle, and they’re back with one that’ll let you keep your groove wherever you go.
Features
- Fits 110mm to 175mm
- Seven days of battery life
- 20 preloaded sports trackers
- 40mm screen diameter
What We Like About Garmin Vívoactive 4S
This watch is far more than most smartwatches, supporting the world’s most popular music apps in the device alongside numerous other powerful features.
What We Don’t Like About Garmin Vívoactive 4S
The extra functions make this watch both exceptionally expensive and relatively short-lived, burning its battery up in only a week of ordinary activity.
PROS
- E-wallet allows you to pay with your watch
- Many sports supported
- Hosts apps on the device instead of a linked phone
- Tracks blood oxygen, sleep, stress, and more
- Garmin proprietary store allows users access to a vast collection of apps and watchfaces
CONS
- Exceptionally expensive, more than ten times what some other models cost
- Relatively low battery life
4. GOKOO
Product Highlights
This watch combines a trendy skin with a gratifyingly short charge time that keeps you powered up for the whole day.
Features
- Bluetooth 4.0
- Android 4.4 or iOS 9 and above
- 2 ½ hours charge time
- 10-day battery life
What We Like About GOKOO
This watch supports contacts and messaging from leading social media apps as well as sharing your favorite music streams.
What We Don’t Like About GOKOO
Although this watch can function as a fitness tracker, it does not have the precise measurements that many people expect of a smartwatch.
PROS
- Social media contact sharing
- IP68 waterproof
- The proprietary companion app on your phone to generate fitness reports
- 8 preloaded sports programs
- Charges in just 2 ½ hours
CONS
- Relatively few sports modes
- Sports measurements are not as precise as other models
5. UWINMO
Product Highlights
A smartwatch is an accessory to your outfit on top of everything else, and this model comes in a number of trendy colors and faces to match your preferred ensemble.
Features
- 1 hour charge time
- 7-day battery life
- Bluetooth 4.0
- 1.41” screen
What We Like About UWINMO
This watch has a rapid charge time and an attractive glittering finish that make it an eye-catching burst of color against any outfit.
What We Don’t Like About UWINMO
This watch is marketed primarily for women, and male customers may find the band too small or be put off by the color schemes.
PROS
- Fast-charging
- Attractive exterior
- IP68 waterproof
- Female physiological cycles preprogrammed and accounted for in tracking
- Read texts and mail directly on your watch
CONS
- Hard to pair with Android phones
- Relatively short battery life at just a week per charge
6. COULAX
Product Highlights
This watch is fully submersible and includes an invaluable find-my-phone feature for those panicky moments when you find it missing.
Features
- IP68 waterproof
- Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity
- 2 ½ hour charge time
- Approximately one month of battery life
What We Like About COULAX
If you’ve ever raced around the house with a pounding heart looking for a phone you hope you didn’t drop somewhere, you’ll appreciate that this watch can find it for you at the push of a button.
What We Don’t Like About COULAX
Apps on the watch will occasionally close the apps on the phone to save power or display your fitness reports.
PROS
- Durable wristband
- Bright enough to read even in direct sunlight
- Exceptional battery life
- Y-Fit app preinstalled for intuitive and effective tracking
- Analog and digital display options
CONS
- Spotty record keeping, saving on different devices at different times
- Hard to personalize and calibrate
7. Fitpolo
Product Highlights
You can get rough with this watch. Fitpolo features a Gorilla Glass screen renowned for its resilience in adverse conditions.
Features
- 1.3” LED display
- IP68 waterproof
- 30-day battery life
- Nine pre-programmed sports modes
What We Like About Fitpolo
The centerpiece of this watch is its Gorilla Glass display. This material can laugh off gravel, sharp impacts, dust, and heat without impairing the function of your watch.
What We Don’t Like About Fitpolo
Although the battery lasts almost a month of ordinary activity, heavy usage will shorten that time to just below 10 days on one charge.
PROS
- One of the toughest screens available
- Precise tracking
- Supports texts and emails
- Extensive statistic tracking
- Fitness calendar helps you plan long-term training
CONS
- The screen is not as sharp as ordinary displays
- Battery life shortens drastically when additional tracking is activated
8. Kalakate
Product Highlights
No more squinting to read your watch – this model comes with a welcome size upgrade to 1 ½ square inches
Features
- IP68 waterproof
- 2 hours charge time
- 30-day battery life
- Compatible with Android 5.0 and iOS 9 and beyond
What We Like About Kalakate
This smartwatch screen has plenty of room for buttons and text alike with a 1.54” square display.
What We Don’t Like About Kalakate
The Bluetooth connection is spotty and can drop frequently when tracking is active.
PROS
- Exceptionally large screen
- Good ratio of charge time to battery life
- Automatic step counter
- The band has more sizes than most
- Controls more than just your music, supporting messaging, emails, calls, and even your camera or voice recorder
CONS
- Poor Bluetooth connection with frequent drops
- Users report manufacturer harassing them for favorable feedback after purchasing
9. Lintelek
Product Highlights
This watch is simplified to make it useful for younger users as well, with an easy interface and most functions automated.
Features
- Compatible with Android 4.0 and iOS 8 and above
- IP68 waterproof
- Charging cradle as well as customary micro-USB slot
- 9 pre-programmed sports modes
What We Like About Lintelek
Highly automated fitness reporting takes out much of the guesswork that is complicated in other smartwatches.
What We Don’t Like About Lintelek
This watch has relatively few sports options, and can be hard to calibrate for your personal preferences and habits.
PROS
- Easy to read your statistics
- Sleep quality tracker
- Family mode for group workouts
- Sedentary alert to keep you active even during a desk job
- Meditation guide included
CONS
- Hard to personalize
- The band is too small for some users
10. Willful
Product Highlights
This watch is a great budget option for someone looking for good functionality without breaking the bank.
Features
- Compatible with Android 4.4 and iOS 8 and beyond
- IP68 waterproof
- 14 pre-programmed sports modes
- Up to 10 days of battery life
What We Like About Willful
This watch has enough uses to compete with more steeply-priced models while remaining within reach of the financially frugal budget.
What We Don’t Like About Willful
Although it has most functions you would want, this watch is in many ways only ‘good enough’ without really excelling in anything.
PROS
- Plenty of pre-programmed sports
- Highly responsive touchscreen
- Suitable for full submergence
- Up to 10 different alarm clocks
- All phone notifications supported
CONS
- Anyone function can be outweighed in another device
- Only 10 days of battery life on one charge
Final Verdict
Smartwatches let you take your music anywhere – running, swimming, underwater, in the office, and more. Find one that suits your needs, budget, and looks, and get grooving today.
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Alain is Cartbig’s managing editor, in charge of the research, production and editing of all content.
He has a BA in Journalism from Cornell University and is passionate about photography and technology.
He loves travelling but he lacks orientation so he never leaves home without his GPS. Really.
