Apple has finally released the Apple Watch to the general public, with pre-orders having started and the watch set to be available in a few short weeks.
The Apple Watch is, however, rather expensive — begging the question: are there better smartwatches out there for the money? Thankfully, there are! Here are five of our choices.
1. Motorola Moto 360
The Moto 360 is almost a year old now, and while it's not the best smartwatch on the market, it is one of the best for the money, especially with Amazon offering the device for only $179 — $70 cheaper than the $249 price tag found on the Motorola website.
The Moto 360 is simplistic, it looks like a watch and runs Android Wear, which will reportedly soon support connections with Apple's iOS. It also offers quite a bit of customization, coming in three case finishes and a number of different band options.
2. LG G Watch R
Another round smartwatch that's a little bit older than some Android Wear offerings, the LG G Watch R is one of the classiest smartwatches we've seen to date. Besides being round — it actually looks like a watch, with a crown on the side. The G Watch R is a little more expensive than the Moto 360, sitting at $349 — which also happens to be the starting price for the Apple Watch Sport. The G Watch R, however, offers a much more classic take on a watch, as well as the ability to connect with a much wider variety of smartphones.
3. Pebble Time
One of the major problems people have with the Apple Watch is the battery life. While it seems as though the battery will last a little longer than previously expected, it's still nothing compared to the likes of the Pebble Time, which lasts up to a whole week on a single charge. While it's not as good-looking as the Apple Watch, it is far cheaper, coming in at $199. Pebble Time offers a color e-ink display, as well as an accelerometer and ambient light sensor.
4. MetaWatch Strata
The MetaWatch Strata allows users to view their notifications on their wrist, like any good smartwatch should. While it's currently only compatible with Android phones and the iPhone 4S, it's cheaper than most other smartwatch offerings, available for only $179.
5. ASUS Zenwatch
ASUS's smartwatch offering is certainly nothing to scoff at, boasting a classy leather band and rounded corners that put it somewhere between a rectangular and circular face. It also features a 9-axis sensor for the fitness aware and costs only $199.
