Top Smartwatches for Seniors (Guide)

Since they are a form of advanced technology, many people believe that smartwatches are designed for young users. However, there are many smartwatches out there that come with features useful for senior citizens, including heart rate monitoring, fall detection, and emergency call functions.

These days, many seniors are just as tech-savvy as younger adults, too, which means anyone of any age can use a smartwatch.

What Features Seniors Should Look for in a Smartwatch

While seniors can certainly use all of the same functions of a smartwatch as others use, there are some safety features that they may find particularly useful. These include:

• Emergency call functions
• Automatic fall detection
• Heart rate monitoring
• Sleep monitoring
• Physical activity monitoring
• Stress level monitoring

For seniors who also like to stay in touch with loved ones, the ability to make and receive phone calls and text messages is another important feature to look for in a smartwatch. The type of phone you have will also make a difference in the brand of smartwatch that works for you. iPhone users will be limited to Apple-compatible watches while Android users will be limited to watches compatible with Android phones, which essentially means, only the Apple watch will not be compatible with an Android device. In this article, we discussed how well Garmin watches work with iPhones for example.

For seniors who want to use the safety features of a smartwatch, finding a watch that is quick to respond to touch and does not take long to charge is highly important too.

MGMove Smartwatch

Manufacturer Price: US$199.95 one-time (watch only)

Subscription: US$39.95 per month

Medical Guardian’s MGMove Smartwatch is one of the best smartwatches for seniors who need a wearable safety device. It is technically a wearable medical alert system that also includes some lifestyle features such as daily step tracking. MGMove has an easily accessible emergency help button that connects you to a live agent who can assist with emergency as well as non-emergency requirements.

With a Social Circle Apps pack costing US$5 per month, you can also use voice-to-text features to chat with family and friends, create daily planners with reminders to take medication, check on a friend, and share location data with others.

What makes this smartwatch unique is the fact that it does not require you to have a smartphone to use it. All functions are available to use with the help of the MyGuardian app and website (part of the Social Circle Apps pack), which can be accessed on all types of phones and most other devices, including laptops and iPads.

The smartwatch also provides a fall detection feature for an additional US$10 per month. Overall, at roughly $248 for the first month followed by around $48 for each month thereafter, you can get Social Circle Apps, OnGuard alerts and fall detection.

Note that MGMove does not offer other features such as heart rate monitoring and oxygen monitoring.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Fitbit Versa 3

Manufacturer Price: US$229.95

The Fitbit Versa 3 is a great smartwatch choice for senior citizens who want as many health and fitness features as possible. With this watch, users can get irregular heart rhythm notifications, oxygen saturation monitoring, high and low heart rate notifications, skin temperature readings, breathing rate readings, and daily physical activity monitoring.

This watch also comes with a built-in GPS, fitness goal tracking, and snore detection. The watch itself is waterproof, lasts six days on a single charge, and has voice assist. It also uses an easy click-and-lock closure and a comfortable wristband.

This smartwatch works with both iPhones and Androids, and it is capable of sending and receiving calls and texts. Perhaps the only drawback of this watch may be its cost, although you can get it for a much lower price on Amazon or other sites. Also, since there is a newer and cheaper model (Fitbit Versa 4) available, the Versa 3 is not easy to find these days. Contrary to expectations, the Versa 4 has some features lacking which may not make it a worthy upgrade or choice.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Amazfit GTR 3

Manufacturer Price: US$149.99

One of the top selling points of the Amazfit GTR 3 is its incredible battery life as it can go 21 days on just one charge. This watch also uses a patented BioTracker PPG 3.0 Biometric Sensor to monitor a wearer’s blood oxygen level, heart rate, stress levels, and sleep quality. For athletic individuals, additional features include over 150 built-in sports modes, a calorie-burning tracker, and smart recognition of eight different sports.

For seniors, the Amazfit GTR 3 offers attractive voice assistant features, so you don’t have to press many buttons. It is also water resistant, and its long battery life means that you rarely have to take it off for charging. However, this watch isn’t the best for those who need to make emergency calls since that feature is not available.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Apple Watch Series 9 with the Lively App

Manufacturer Price: Starting from US$399 for non-cellular; US$499 for cellular

The Apple Watch Series 9 device is a popular smartwatch for iPhone users. This watch, which does everything up to two times faster than any previous Apple Watch model, can show you everything from your blood oxygen level to your personal ECG without needing to ever touch a button. Instead, this watch works based on hand gestures and voice commands, making it easy for everyone to use.

Lively, the same company that created the popular Jitterbug phones for senior citizens, also offers an urgent response app that can be added to any Apple Watch, including the Series 9.

With this added app, Apple Watch wearers can gain access to 24/7 emergency calls to the Lively Urgent Response team, which is great for seniors who may need urgent help after a fall. Urgent response agents can also use the information provided in the watch app to contact family members as needed.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

Manufacturer Price: Starting from US$329.99 for non-cellular; US$369.99 for cellular

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic can periodically measure a wearer’s heart rate and report any irregular rhythms, which is helpful for senior citizens who want to prevent and detect heart-related issues over time. For those who have trouble sleeping, this watch also has a sleep coaching function that helps you plan a bedtime, track your sleep stages, and detect snoring, plus the watch’s lightweight fabric band makes it easy to sleep in.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, just like all previous Galaxy Watch models, is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy phones, so you should keep this in mind while considering it.

However, this watch syncs extremely well with Galaxy phones, and it allows you to control your phone’s music, camera, and phone or text functions right on the watch screen with minimal freezes or delayed responses. This means that you can respond to that SMS from a loved one, get a reminder for your medical appointment or even view the notification for your favorite team’s upcoming NFL game.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Google Pixel Watch 2

Manufacturer Price: US$299.99 for non-cellular; US$349.99 for cellular

While the Samsung Galaxy Watch must be used with a Galaxy phone, the Google Pixel Watch may be used with any Android smartphone. Like many other smartwatches, this watch also monitors heart rate, sleep sessions, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature, plus it gives you alerts when one of any of these detected factors is different than usual. For those who enjoy regular exercise, this watch is unique in that it automatically detects and logs all of your physical activities, including walking, jogging, and even biking.

The Google Pixel Watch 2 is quite expensive compared to other watches out there, but purchasing this watch comes with a free six-month trial of Fitbit Premium features since the Fitbit app is automatically included. This watch also syncs easily with YouTube Music playlists, and users may get a free trial of YouTube Music Premium with a watch purchase.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Garmin Venu Sq

Manufacturer Price: Starting from US$199.99

The Garmin Venu Sq is a good choice for seniors seeking a smartwatch that blends health monitoring with everyday functionality. It includes a heart rate monitor, stress tracking, and sleep analysis, providing seniors with insights into their overall well-being. While lacking dedicated medical alert features, its health monitoring capabilities contribute to a holistic approach to senior care.

The Venu Sq has an intuitive interface that is easy for seniors to navigate. The watch face is customizable, allowing users to display essential health metrics prominently. The touchscreen interface allows easy interaction, and the watch’s durable build makes it suitable for everyday wear. Seniors will appreciate the Venu Sq’s extended battery life, which is claimed to last up to six days on a single charge.

For those who enjoy staying active, the Venu Sq offers comprehensive fitness tracking features. It includes built-in GPS for accurate tracking of walks and runs, making it an ideal companion for outdoor activities.

This smartwatch is compatible with both iPhones and Android smartphones, ensuring broad accessibility for users. It seamlessly connects to devices, allowing seniors to receive call and text notifications directly on their wrists, enhancing convenience and accessibility.

Last update on 2024-04-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Conclusion

While younger adults can certainly enjoy using a smartwatch for fitness and convenience functions, senior citizens may find it even more useful when they want to monitor their health.

The array of functions such as heart rate tracking, blood oxygen level monitoring, and emergency call capabilities make these devices indispensable for older adults. As highlighted in the review of various smartwatches, each device caters to specific needs, ranging from comprehensive health tracking to dedicated safety features.