There's no shortage of smart watches on the market these days, and one of the latest is the Google Pixel Watch 3. Now available for order, this gadget sports a few key upgrades from previous generations that make it worth considering when shopping for a new wearable (especially if you already own an Android phone).
The tech experts and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of smart watches and fitness trackers, from smart rings like the Oura Ring to Garmin smart watches, smart watches for men and more. Below you'll find everything you need to know about the Google Pixel Watch 3, including our first impressions on its design, performance, fitness tracking and much more.
Pros
- Sleek design with thinner bezels
- Easy to use interface
- Available in two sizes
- Bigger, brighter display
- Syncs with Fitbit
- Improved fitness metrics
Cons
- Not compatible with iOS devices
- Several features require Fitbit Premium subscription
| Sizes | 41 or 45mm |
|---|---|
| Color options | 5 total |
| Display | AMOLED |
| Brightness | Up to 2000 nits |
| Water resistant | Yes (up to 5 ATM, IP68) |
| Built-in GPS | Yes |
| Battery life | 24 hours (up to 36 with battery saver) |
| Weight | 31 or 37 g (without band) |
What's different about the Google Pixel Watch 3?
One of the biggest and most sought after upgrades to the Pixel Watch 3 is that it’s available in a new, larger 45 mm size, in addition to the standard 41 mm size of the Pixel Watch 2. While the 41 mm watch face is perfect for smaller, more petite wrists, the 45 mm is a welcome addition for those who have bigger wrists or have been hoping for a slightly larger display. What I love most is that the 45 mm size shows 40% more screen than the Pixel Watch 2, making the screen and all its notifications and apps even easier to navigate and view.
The 41mm is available in three shades: polished silver, champagne gold and matte black. The 45mm is also offered in polished silver and matte black, on top of matte hazel (a darker gray).
When testing the Pixel Watch 3, our testers found the watch lightweight, comfortable and sleek in appearance. I love that the bezel for both sizes is 16% smaller than the Pixel Watch’s previous generation, according to the brand, so you have a larger screen to interact with. I also appreciate that the watch is brighter and goes up to 2,000 nits (versus 1,000 nits on the Pixel 2).
My first impressions
Set up and device compatibility
Setting up the Pixel Watch 3 on a Google smartphone was a breeze, and I was quickly able to figure out how to navigate among various screens and apps on the watch. Though I wish it was compatible with iOS devices, you can use your Pixel Watch 3 with any device that supports Android 10.0 or newer.
Battery life and performance
Battery life on the Pixel Watch 3 doesn’t compare to some fitness trackers like Garmins or smart rings, which can last up to a week or more, but what you get is pretty standard when compared to other popular smart watches from Apple and Samsung. With the Pixel Watch 3, you can expect to get up to 24 hours of use. Thanks to an improved Battery Saver Mode, you can extend that life up to 36 hours. The watch also features quick charging, meaning you can get its battery up to 80% in only 35 to 50 minutes.
Fitness tracking
One of the most notable improvements on the Pixel Watch 3 is when it comes to fitness tracking. This latest watch features at least four new tools, including Daily Readiness, Cardio Load, Target Load and Morning Brief. While Readiness isn't a "new" feature, it previously wasn't available to all Pixel Watch owners free of charge. With the Pixel Watch 3, Readiness is included and will indicate daily how well you’ve recovered and how ready your body is to take on activities based on key metrics (resting heart rate, HRV or heart rate variability that helps indicate well-being and sleep). This metric is similar to Oura's Readiness score as well as Garmin's Body Battery.
Other new features include Cardio Load, which helps fitness enthusiasts keep better track of their training by tracking the heart’s exertion and intensity during the day, while Target Load provides a “personalized target for your training,” according to Google. The idea is for the watch to connect all metrics like Cardio Load and Readiness and help you improve your fitness all while balancing recovery (i.e., setting personalized fitness goals for you daily). Another favorite is Morning Brief, which gives you a snapshot of how you slept, your Readiness, weather and more first thing when you wake up.
In addition, you’ll find more tools for runners on the Pixel Watch 3, like a Workout Builder that enables you to build custom runs with set goals for distance, time and more, as well as real-time audio guidance and improved heart rate tracking.
Just keep in mind that some of these features require the use of the Fitbit app, which syncs with your Google Pixel Watch 3. Avid athletes or active users can also consider signing up for a Fitbit Premium subscription, which is required to access certain advanced features. The subscription costs $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, and brings even more metrics, data and workouts you can take advantage of. With each purchase of a Pixel Watch 3, you’ll have a free six-month trial to Fitbit Premium.
Bottom line: Is the Google Pixel Watch 3 worth it?
The Pixel Watch 3 is available for purchase now. While we'll still be testing this latest Google device over the coming weeks, I think it's a worthy investment for Android users (and especially Google smartphone users) seeking a smart watch with a bigger, brighter screen, as well as those looking for more fitness tracking analytics. Overall, our testers found the watch extremely easy to use and intuitive, and loved how it integrates flawlessly with Google apps and services like Google Assistant, Google Calendar, Google Home, Gmail and more.
Why trust us?
GH Institute Writer and Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski covers everything from tech to fitness, travel, home and more. She has extensive product review experience and has been hands-on with every type of wearable on the market, from the Apple Watch Ultra to the Google Fitbit Ace LTE and the Oura Ring and Apple Watch Series 9.
Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
