Google Pixel Watch 2 Review

Performance Comparison

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.