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Google Pixel Watch 2 Review

The best option for someone already in the Google Pixel ecosystem
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Google Pixel Watch 2 Review
Credit: Google
Price:  $350 List
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Manufacturer:   Google
By Benjamin Hickok ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 5, 2024
77
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 10
  • Smart Function - 40% 8.0
  • Health - 30% 8.7
  • Battery Life - 20% 6.2
  • Display - 10% 6.9

Our Verdict

The Google Pixel Watch 2 builds on Google's first foray into the smartwatch game, with a small improvement to battery life, additional health sensors, and a faster processor for better performance. Aesthetically, most people would have a difficult time finding any difference between the new version and the old one, but the performance differences would be appreciable to first generation users.
REASONS TO BUY
Great compatibility with Android
Beautiful display
REASONS TO AVOID
Poor battery life
No IOS compatibility

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Apple Smartwatch
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Android Smartwatch
Best Buy Award
Best Buy in Smartwatches
Best Buy Award
Best Buy Under $100
Price $350 List
$179.99 at Amazon
$429 List
$409.93 at Amazon
$330 List
$209.99 at Amazon
$279 List
$219.00 at Amazon
$90 List
$69.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line A performance upgrade for first generation usersThe only thing this model is missing is support for Android phonesThis capable and beautiful model will please most, and is great for Android phone usersThe most affordable model in Apple's lineup, but compromises very littleIf you have reasonable expectations, you won't be disappointed by this affordable model
Rating Categories Google Pixel Watch 2 Apple Watch Series 9 Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Apple Watch SE Amazfit BIP 5
Smart Function (40%)
8.0
9.4
8.8
9.3
4.6
Health (30%)
8.7
8.3
8.3
8.6
5.9
Battery Life (20%)
6.2
7.3
7.2
5.7
4.5
Display (10%)
6.9
7.9
8.8
7.7
4.8
Specs Google Pixel Watch 2 Apple Watch Series 9 Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Apple Watch SE Amazfit BIP 5
Charge Time 71 min 61 min 83 min 125 min 110 min
Battery Life - Regular Use 34.5 hr 55.6 hr 62.5 hr 27.8 hr 33.3 hr
Battery Life - GPS 10.0 hr 11.1 hr 9.1 hr 12.5 hr 6.3 hr
Measured Weight 1.10 oz 1.36 oz 1.17 oz 1.18 oz 0.93 oz
Measured Dimensions 1.61" x 1.61" 0.56" 1.78" x 1.50" x 0.52" 1.69" x 1.75" x 0.51" 1.75" x 1.50" x 0.52" 1.81" x 1.50" x 0.50"
Measured Display Hardness 7 7.5 8.5 7.5 6.5
Model Tested 41 mm 45 mm 46 mm 44 mm 46 mm
Sensors - Compass
  • Altimeter
  • Red and infrared sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring 7
  • Multipurpose electrical sensors compatible with ECG app
  • Multi-path optical heart rate sensor
  • 3-axis accelerometer
  • Gyroscope
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Electrical sensor to measure skin conductance (cEDA) for body response tracking
  • Skin temperature sensor
  • Barometer
  • Magnetometer
- Electrical heart sensor and ECG app
  • Third-generation optical heart sensor
  • High and low heart rate notifications
  • Irregular rhythm notifications
  • Sleep stages
  • Temperature sensing
  • Compass with waypoints and backtrack
  • Always-on altimeter
  • High-g accelerometer
  • Ambient light sensor
-Accelerometer
-Barometer
-Gyro Sensor
-Light Sensor
-Optical Heart Rate Sensor
- High and low heart rate notifications
  • Irregular rhythm notifications
- BioTrackerâ„¢ PPG biometric sensor
  • 3-axis acceleration sensor
  • Satellite positioning systems
Battery Size 294 mAh 308 mAh 425 mAh 296 mAh 125 mAh
NFC Google Wallet Apple Pay Samsung Wallet None None
Splash, Dust, and Water - Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
  • IP68
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance IP6X
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance (Not specified)
- Water resistance 50m (swim proof)
  • Dust resistance IP6X
- Water resistance 1.5m (splash/snow proof)
  • IP68
Safety Features - Safety Check
  • Emergency Sharing
  • Medical Information
  • Fall Detection
- Emergency SOS
  • International emergency calling
  • Crash Detection
  • Fall Detection
Fall Detection - Emergency SOS None

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


google pixel watch 2 - a capable watch and an improvement over the previous generation.
A capable watch and an improvement over the previous generation.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Smart Function


Our most critical test metric, smart function, evaluated and scored the smart capabilities of the Google Pixel Watch 2. As an Android compatible model and the Wear OS 4 at its core, app libraries and app quality, communication capabilities, and on-watch GPS displays are quite good.

The proprietary apps on the watch are Google Pixel Watch and Fitbit. Both are robust and refined in the Wear OS, and our only real criticism was an occasional device reconnecting issue. The Google Play app store is also available to the watch so there is a large variety of third party apps to add to the watch. FitBit premium is also available as an add-on service but will add to the cost of ownership over time.

With regard to call quality and texting, we found nothing remarkable about the experience and features. The Google Pixel Watch 2 performs as intended, although the call quality could be better as it did not suppress background noises very well.

A key feature for anyone who regularly misplaces their things, the easy-to-use Find My Phone app is very useful (as long as you're in earshot of your phone!)
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Health


The Google Pixel Watch 2 proved to be a great health monitoring and fitness tracking tool, exhibiting high levels of accuracy when it comes to heart rate monitoring and

Unfortunately, we found the availability of workout types and the quality of those apps, as well as the level of detailed metrics to be lacking when compared to other smartwatches with more mature health monitoring and fitness tracking capabilities.

google pixel watch 2 - the heart rate sensor is one of many health and fitness tracking...
The heart rate sensor is one of many health and fitness tracking sensors and features.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Battery Life


Operating the Google Pixel Watch 2 with the GPS on will provide ten hours of battery life, while operating without the GPS on will extend that run time to thirty-four and one-half hours. While this may be sufficient for most people, it is significantly less run time than the one-hundred and fifty hours you can get out of the best models. Fortunately, this model recharges to a full charge faster than most models. In seventy-one minutes the watch will achieve a full charge, while you can get a half charge in about 30 minutes.

google pixel watch 2 - this model has sufficient battery life for fitness tracking most...
This model has sufficient battery life for fitness tracking most outdoor activities.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Display


The Google Pixel Watch 2's AMOLED screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and provides a bright and crisp display, with very little glare. The Gorilla Glass 5 offers greater shatter resistance over the Gorilla Glass 3, but still boasts the same hardness and scratch resistance, which our test team measured in-house at a Mohs hardness rating of seven.

We measured the brightness of displays and hardness of the protective glass, among the many tests we conducted.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Should you buy the Google Pixel Watch 2?


The Google Pixel Watch 2 is a capable smartwatch, with strong fitness tracking and health monitoring capabilities, but it was outshined by smartwatches with brighter and more vibrant displays, and greater battery life. Therefore, it did not earn a recommendation from our team.

What other Smartwatches should you consider?


At the pricepoint, we think the Google Pixel Watch 2 is a great smartwatch and health monitoring tool, but its display and battery life aren't as good as similarly priced, and just as capable models like the Apple Watch Series 9 or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6. Both also offer users a large ecosystem of proprietary apps, and third-party apps. Samsung phone users will also enjoy more than the Android OS phone compatibility with a few added Samsung-specific features and functions. However, you have to take a look at the Apple Watch Ultra 2 if you are interested in the best model on the market today, but be prepared to pay a premium.

Benjamin Hickok