If you’re shopping for the best smartwatches for seniors, you should focus on accessibility and emergency support. Accessibility ensures that a watch is easy to use, even if someone has declining vision or that the screen is large enough that icons and buttons are easy to tap. Likewise, emergency support can include fall detection that immediately contacts emergency response or a trusted contact when needed. Also, think about the functionality and how easily a person can navigate key features as well as the battery life and how frequently a user must recharge a smartwatch.
After conducting thorough research across countless customer reviews, we nominated the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 as our Top Pick. Keep reading to learn more about our picks. You can also check out our guide to the best smartwatch.
Top 10 Best Smartwatches for Seniors
#1 Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A senior smartwatch with fall detection that includes smart support to send and receive calls and text while also providing robust fitness and health metric details.
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- Available in 2 sizes
- Trip detection included
- LTE support available with cell plan
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- Samsung Pay not supported on iPhones
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Not all seniors are prone to falling. But considering that this cohort is more likely to face adverse health results from a fall, fall detection needs to be a priority if you’re shopping for a smartwatch for an elderly person. We selected the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 because it’s a senior smartwatch with fall detection that not only detects a fall but contacts a pre-listed emergency contact like a family member with your location if the wearer fails to respond to the alert text within 60 seconds of falling. But we also like that this pick is incredibly durable and passed the MIL-STD-810G military test. This confirms that it can successfully withstand 10 harsh conditions such as drops from 4.9 feet, extreme temperatures, shock resistance, dust resistance, and durability under vibrations, low pressure, and even high altitude.
The Galaxy Watch 3 is designed to work with LTE cell plans and allows users to seamlessly make and send calls and texts from their wrists. While the watch can pair with both Apple and Android devices, the fact that it’s designed with Androids prioritized makes it ideal for seniors with Android phones since the interface should be familiar to them. You’ll also get 50-meter water resistance, and access to Bixby the proprietary Samsung voice assistant. Other key features include access to Samsung Pay and music controls. For fitness and health tracking, you can track steps, heart rate, sleep, and stress levels. The Galaxy Watch 3 comes in a 41 and 45-millimeter case size with up to 56 hours of battery life for the 45-millimeter size and 43 hours for the 41-millimeter size. And just in case you’re an iPhone user consider any one of the best smartwatches for iPhones that will suit your needs.
#2 Apple Watch Series 4 Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A proactive smartwatch with automatic fall detection that contacts emergency services and trusted contacts plus 50-meter water resistance makes this the best Apple Watch for seniors.
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- Fall detection medical alert
- GPS support for iOS 12 or later
- LTE support available with cell plan
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- Short battery life
- No cellular data support
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We know that there are tech-savvy seniors, which is why our first few picks have been more robust smartwatches for seniors who refuse to be a cliche. The Series 4 is the best Apple Watch for seniors because, in addition to being ideal for iPhone users, it has proactive fall detection with emergency SOS that not only alerts a trusted contact but also automatically notifies emergency response if you don’t respond to the prompt within 60 seconds. We also like that the Series 4 can pair with older iPhones and operating systems as far back as the iPhone 5s. However, you’ll at least need to have iOS 12 installed to successfully pair your phone.
Related: Also check out the best smartwatch for texting.
The Series 4 watch allows for GPS tracking but can’t work as a standalone watch since it doesn’t support cellular data. But we like that you’ll have access to in-depth fitness and data tracking such as ECG support, breathing, steps, activity, calories, sleep, and more. It’s also water-resistant to 50 meters. However, Apple Watches are notorious for poorer battery life when compared to other smartwatches. A better option may be the best rugged smartwatch that features the Max Battery GPS Mode that can run up to 145 hours on solar charging or 70 hours without.
#3 Fitbit Blaze Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A five-day battery life, 50-meter water resistance, and smart notification push alerts combine to create one of the best health watches for seniors.
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- On-screen workouts with Fitstar
- 5-day battery life range
- 5ATM water-resistance
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- Lacks fall detection
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For seniors who don’t need a smartwatch that can serve as a smartphone replacement, third-party smartwatches are a great option. The Fitbit Blaze is a good contender and one of the best health watches for seniors. We like that this pick has up to five days of battery life, meaning that you won’t have to constantly remind yourself every day to charge it. Multiple sports modes give you access to enhanced real-time stats whether you’re walking through the park, riding a bike, or at the gym staying active. You’ll also get water resistance for up to 50 meters and robust GPS tracker support so you can track your walks or rides.
The Fitbit Blaze pairs with both Android and Apple devices and offers limited smart support such as push notifications for calls, text, and calendar notifications. But iPhone users might not be able to access features such as music controls. The Fitbit brand is known for enhanced fitness metrics and the Blaze is no different. You’ll get continuous heart rate monitoring including target heart rates for active and resting modes, sleep monitoring, activity, steps, floors climbed, and even calories burned. Some more detailed metrics will require upgrading to Fitbit’s premium monthly plan. Also, note that this pick lacks fall detection. For professionals, we recommend the best smartwatch for business that has a wide range of functionality.
#4 Fitbit Versa Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST STORAGE CAPACITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A solid piece of wearable technology for elderly users that also incorporates space for more than 300 songs and offers a long multi-day battery life.
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- Robust health stats
- Streamlined smart functionality
- 4+ day battery life
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- Lacks fall detection
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The Fitbit Versa is one of the brand’s most popular smartwatches and our choice for the best internal storage capacity. This wearable technology for elderly users includes space to store more than 300 songs so you can take your soundtrack with you as you work out. Fast two-hour charging sessions give you more than four days of battery life. You’ll also get a smartwatch that’s water-resistant to 50 meters. We like that this OS-agnostic pick works with both Apple and Android devices. But android users will have more access to the more enhanced smart features such as music controls and contactless payments.
Still, you’ll get notifications for calls, texts, and calendar updates. Key tracking metrics include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep stages, activity, calories burned, and floors climbed. There are also 15 exercise modes and GPS support to track real-time pace and distance or routes when you’re running or walking. The watch comes in two band sizes, small and large so you can get a perfect fit. And if you’re a clinical worker, consider the best smartwatch for nurses to help you stay connected in between appointments.
#5 Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST AESTHETICS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sleek rose gold smartwatch for seniors that’s ideal for a fashion-forward individual who wants to marry form and function while seamlessly pairing with Android devices.
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- Call, text, stream support
- Available in two case sizes
- GPS tracking for 39+ workouts
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- Lacks fall detection
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Standard smartwatches have a reputation for looking clunky or utilitarian. For the person who likes their tech accessories to be as elevated as they are, the Samsung Galaxy Watch in rose gold is a stylish pic. This smartwatch for seniors can transition from casual to more formal affairs without standing out in negative ways. Again, it’s ideal for seniors with Android phones since the interface should feel familiar while pairing and functionality will be easy to manage independently. You’ll get access to proprietary features such as Samsung Pay and hands-free support for phone calls, texts, music controls and even managing calendars and emails.
With four-day battery life, this should be sufficient for most people unless you frequently use the power-hungry smart features like streaming music and some of the more enhanced apps. While you don’t get fall detection, this is a durable watch that’s rated water-resistant to 50 meters and has passed the MIL-STD-810G durability requirements. You’ll also get the Samsung Bixby voice assistant and access to GPS for fitness tracking, which includes more than 39 autodetect exercise modes. For training purposes, you may want to consider the best fitness smartwatch that also features fitness tracking, heart monitoring, blood oxygen levels, and ECG sensors.
#6 Fitbit Sense Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST FOR CARDIOVASCULAR MONITORING
WHY WE LIKE IT: An OS-agnostic smartwatch with enhanced monitoring for cardiovascular needs while also offering more than six days of battery life and a 50-meter water resistance rating.
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- Supports calls from wrist
- 5ATM water-resistance
- 6+ day battery life
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- Lacks fall detection
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If you’re concerned about your heart health, a fitness tracker can be a smart investment. While it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for medical care, a tracker with a robust heart rate monitoring feature can be effective in giving you an early alert if something’s wrong. The Fitbit Sense is focused on helping you stay heart healthy and happy. Key metrics include ECG, oxygen saturation monitoring, high and low heart rate monitoring, and 24/7 heart rate tracking. Additional monitoring for stress and breathing rate can help you make lifestyle changes as needed to get a bit more zen in your life.
Fitbits are OS-agnostic with limited smart functionality which makes them ideal for seniors who might find more robust watches overwhelming. The Fitbit sense promises to support calls from the wrist although iPhone users need to remember that some smart functions like making calls, controlling music, or quick response to texts may not be available. Still, you’ll get a long-lasting battery that can run for more than six-day depending on how frequently you rely on GPS or other smart features. And swimmers will appreciate the 50-meter water resistance rating. Just like cyclists will appreciate the best smartwatch for cycling that offers you enhanced safety features with a live track, group live track, and assistance.
#7 Amazfit Bip Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A wallet-friendly watch with a long 45-day battery life range, with smart notifications and social media app support makes this the best smartwatch for grandparents.
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- Notifications for calls, texts & apps
- Supports social media apps
- 45-day battery life
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- No fall detection support
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Many seniors are fans of social media because it helps them stay connected to relatives such as children and grandkids. We like the Amazfit Bip because we think it’s the best smartwatch for grandparents thanks to its social media integration. While it’s not a Samsung Galaxy Watch or an Apple Watch, you’ll like that it provides quite a bit of smart support without breaking the bank. One of the nicest features of this pick is that you can get up to 45 days of battery life on a single charge.
Seniors will have access to 24/7 heart rate monitoring and activity tracking for exercise, steps, calories, and activity levels along with four specific sport modes. But the star of the show is the smart support. While making calls isn’t supported, you’ll have push notifications for texts, calls, apps, and more. For seniors who rely on social media to stay connected with far-flung relatives, you’ll have direct access from the Bip to apps like Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp. For active users, the GPS incorporates GLONASS for dual-mode positioning. And you may also be interested in purchasing the best smartwatch with a camera in case you want a smartwatch that can snap photos.
#8 Samsung Galaxy Active Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST FOR BEGINNERS
WHY WE LIKE IT: A pared-down smartwatch ideal for Android users that provides Bixby voice assistant, making and sending texts and calls, and easy wireless charging that eliminates the need for cords.
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- Includes Bixby voice assistant
- Supports making and sending calls and texts
- Wireless charging
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- Lacks fall detection
- Only IP68 water-resistant
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If you’ve resisted smartwatches but are now ready to dip your toes into the watch pool, a simple choice is always best if it’s your first time. For Galaxy phone users, we recommend starting with the Samsung Galaxy Active. It’s an earlier version of Samsung’s popular watch but still allows you to easily pair it with your Android phone and ideally reduce your learning curve since you’ll be using a similar interface. The Galaxy Active is the first of this subcategory and provides key essentials that you’ll find important like auto-detect workout modes, sleep and stress management, and proactive health monitoring support.
The Active watch provides full smart support for sending and receiving calls and texts and also gives you access to Bixby the voice assistant. You’ll have access to managing calendar and email as well. Health tracking stats include heart rate with high and low indicators, sleep, steps, activity levels, calories burned, and even breathing support powered by the Calm app. The only true drawbacks we saw with this watch are that it lacks fall detection and it’s only rated IP68 water-resistant which doesn’t support submersion use while swimming. For your young ones, consider purchasing the best smartwatch for kids.
#9 Fitbit Versa 3 Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST ASSISTANT INTEGRATION
WHY WE LIKE IT: An enhanced six-day battery life combines with in-depth data tracking along with Google and Alexa-enabled support to create a smartwatch that can integrate with tech-savvy smart homes.
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- 5ATM water-resistance
- Robust fitness tracking metrics
- 6+ day battery life
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- Lacks fall detection
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Seniors with smart home devices will appreciate the Fitbit Versa 3. This savvy pick is designed to work with Google Assistant and Alexa, meaning you can easily rely on the Versa 3 to notify your preferred assistant when you want to raise or lower the thermostat, turn on the television, or unlock the front door for arriving house guests. For seniors who might not want to manage all of those tasks manually, this smartwatch can become a useful friend no matter what room or location you’re at. As a Fitbit product, it’s OS-agnostic and is compatible with both Apple and Android devices. While all users get smart notifications for calls, texts, and select apps, Android users can make calls from their wrists, access Fitbit Pay, and several other smart functions.
For fitness and health tracking, the Versa 3 is the latest from the Fitbit Versa category. So this means enhanced heart health tracking including 24/7 heart rate monitoring, oxygen saturation, variable heart rate, and breathing rate. You’ll also have access to sleep stages, active zone minutes, calories burned, steps, and floors climbed. The Versa 3 is also water-resistant to 50 meters and includes more than 20 goal-based exercise modes. However, it does lack fall detection which may be a drawback for some seniors. For runners in need of additional tracking safety features, consider the best smartwatch for running.
#10 Amazfit Pace Smartwatch for Seniors
Award: BEST FOR ATHLETES
WHY WE LIKE IT: A sporty watch with 11 sport modes that relies on GPS with GLONASS incorporated for more accurate tracking and provides limited smart support for notifications.
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- Notifications for calls, text, and calendar
- GPS + GLONASS satellite support
- 11 sport modes
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- Low IP67 water resistance
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Health-conscious seniors will appreciate the Amazfit Pace smartwatch. It’s an OS-agnostic pic that works with both Android and Apple devices, but prioritizes fitness and activity tracking to keep you mobile and at the top of your workout game. This pick features GPS with GLONASS satellite integration for enhanced location tracking support. You’ll also get nine-axis IMY sensors and sport tracking for running and eight additional activities. With GPS on, you can get up to 35 hours of non-stop tracking.
Smart notifications are available for calls, texts, and calendar updates while you also have support for phone-free Bluetooth pairing for music playback. Sport modes also include gym exercises so you can accurately track activity whether you’re on an elliptical or walking through a park. Fitness and health tracking include 24/7 heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, steps, distance, and calories. You’ll also get two gigabytes of storage for music if you prefer. However, the low IP67 water resistance and the lack of fall detection may be a deal-breaker for some seniors. For added water resistance options any of the best hybrid smartwatches will work, too.
How We Decided
Buying a smartwatch for a senior often centers around safety concerns and accessibility. To create our guide, we focused on the following key features — accessibility, emergency assistance, OS compatibility, functionality, and battery life. In our guide, only the Apple Watch is limited to iPhone and iPad users while the remainder are compatible with both Android and Apple devices.
Accessibility is important as people with vision limitations or who struggle with small screens will need to prioritize watches with screens that are larger and support brightening or dimming — especially in sunlight or conditions where seeing content may be more difficult. Likewise, we highlighted how depending on a user’s phone, some smartwatches might be easier or more difficult. A learning curve might be heightened or reduced depending on whether someone picks a watch made by the same brand that makes their phone, or that works on the same operating system.
Emergency support is another key feature. We can’t stress enough that falls are a serious risk for seniors. So, many enhanced smartwatches offer fall detection that either notifies emergency response teams or a trusted contact when a fall is detected and the wearer hasn’t responded within 60 seconds.
Functionality needs are going to vary depending on the tech-savviness and activity levels of the users. At a minimum, basics such as heart rate monitoring and step tracking should be available. But for users that want their smartwatch to act as a hands-free smartphone, opting for watches from brands like Apple and Samsung will give them more robust functionality. Some users may prefer watches that integrate with smart home assistants such as Google Assistant or Alexa. And other users might want a watch that can also connect with social media apps.
Battery life is the final key factor as even if you’re not a power watch user, you might not want to recharge your watch every day. In our guide, the battery life ranged from as high as 48 days to as little as 18 hours. Of course, usage will directly impact battery life since more power-hungry features like GPS, streaming music, and frequently making calls or sending texts will drain batteries faster than when a watch is used in passive mode.
Best Smartwatches for Seniors Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Accessibility
Not every senior has issues using a touchscreen or reading smaller fonts. But if you or someone you’re shopping for does, look for oversized cases when shopping for a smartwatch. Larger cases mean that you’ll have more screen space, which should ideally reduce the need to squint or give you more real estate when tapping the screen to avoid accidentally touching the wrong items. Other adjustments like improving brightness and contrast can help to make content more legible and less difficult to view. - Emergency Assistance
Just like with accessibility, not all seniors are at risk for tripping or falling. But statistically, trips and falls can be more dangerous for seniors than younger people. Especially for seniors that live alone, or people who like to spend time on solo excursions, trip/fall detection, and emergency contact support are key features that should be prioritized for added peace of mind. While these tend to be premium features that aren’t always found with cheaper or simpler smartwatches, they’re often accompanied by an automatic dial feature that immediately contacts a listed emergency contact when a fall or trip is detected. - OS Compatibility
Smartwatches are usually designed to sync with your smartphone, typically so you can receive notifications from your phone or review fitness and health data. Except for the Apple Watch, most smartwatches are designed to synch with both Apple and Android phones. However, you’ll need to pay attention to the compatible operating system (OS) versions for both platforms as many smartwatches may not work with older OS versions. - Functionality
Depending on your tech comfort level, smartwatches can range from hybrids with minimal smart integrations to others that are almost a mirror version of a traditional smartphone. Even smartwatches that aren’t designed to be hands-free smartphones will usually offer some form of smart support such as push notifications for calls, texts, and calendar notifications. At a minimum, smartwatches should be able to track steps and your heart rate. Keep in mind that a smartwatch isn’t a replacement for medical attention so even though it provides a general guide for heart rate and other health metrics, don’t skip a trip to the doctor because your smartwatch tells you that your heart rate is normal. - Battery Life
Depending on the features you want, along with how frequently you use them, battery life can vary widely between smartwatches. As a general rule, the more robust smart support and GPS features tend to drain battery life faster. But you can find a range of lifespans from barely a day to as many as two months. If you’re concerned about battery life, look for watches that offer multiple power consumption modes. This will help to extend the battery life and ensure that you’re not spending most of your time waiting for a watch to charge.
