Nobody wants to keep looking at the phone for turn-by-turn directions especially when driving through heavy traffic. It is downright annoying. Getting the directions on your smartwatch though is pretty convenient and one of the most effective uses of the watch.
While Apple watchers have Apple Maps, Smartwatches with WearOS are almost always powered with Google maps, and other bells and whistles including, Google Assistant and Google Play.
Apple watches now have the Google Maps application on its store, but the app doesn’t work the same as it does on Wear OS devices connected to Andriod phones.
Here, we have curated an exhaustive list of the best smartwatches with google maps navigation. There are currently 14 of them, but we promise to update this list when more powerful smartwatches with Google maps hit the market. Until then, this is all we got.
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Table of Contents
Best Overall Smartwatch With Google Maps Navigation
Fossil Gen 5
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android 6.0+, iOS 10+
- Display: 1.28″ 416 x 416 AMOLED | Always-on
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 3100
- Onboard storage: 8GB
- Battery duration: 24h+
- Charging method: Conductive USB charger
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
- Loudspeaker & microphone: Yes
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two-minute Review:
Fossil Gen 5 is the flagship product by the company that has remained committed to the Wear OS (previously known as Andriod OS) despite the lackings in the latter. It is a big, chunky smartwatch with all the bells and whistles of Wear OS. You can pay with Google Pay, stream songs over wifi, and can accurately track your runs thanks to its onboard GPS.
The smartwatch has a fast processor, 8GB of storage, and 1 GB RAM to seamlessly run Wear OS. This solid combination of tech ensures that all the apps, including Google Maps, run seamlessly on the smartwatch.
In addition to this, the smartwatch is equipped with a high-resolution AMOLED display that thankfully has a superb brightness level. It works fine in both indoor and outdoor conditions. The always-on function is very handy, but it would drain the battery life much faster.
Google assistant is well integrated into the smartwatch, which will be your mean of communication to direct instructions to the smartwatch. Google Maps app needs not be opened on smartphones all the time.
Suunto 7
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39-inch OLED | 454 x 454 resolution
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100
- On-Board Storage: 8GB
- Battery: Two-day battery life
- IP rating: 5ATM
- Connectivity: NFC, GPS, Bluetooth, Wifi
- Speaker and Microphone: No speakers, only microphone
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two-minute Review:
Suunto 7 isn’t a fancy watch with a pricy tag. Rather, it is made for serious athletes, especially runners, and delivers the value it promises. The smartwatch runs Wear OS and therefore comes with all the bells and whistles of an Andriod-based Watch. There are a variety of apps to choose from, a well-integrated Google Assistant, and above all, accurate tracking.
Surely, you won’t buy this kind of smartwatch to navigate only. The watch offers a lot more than that. However, it certainly does not mean that this isn’t capable to do the navigation for you. It has a large (as compared to Fossil Gen 5) display with 1000 nits brightness level. AMOLED screen technology offers the best resolution and a crisp display.
In terms of hardware, the watch has a lot of similarities with the Fossil Gen 5 with one major drawback: there is no speaker in the watch. You would command Google assistant via a microphone, which in turn, perform operations on a well-integrated Google-maps app on your behalf.
Best Standalone Smartwatch With Google Maps Navigation:
Ticwatch Pro 4G
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.4″ 454 x 454 OLED paired with LCD screen | Always-On Display
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 4100
- Onboard storage: 8GB
- Battery duration: Up to 72h, 45 extra days in Essential mode
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, LTE
- Speaker and microphone: Yes
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two Minute Review:
Ticwatch Pro 4G is an affordable smartwatch by Chinese-based Mobvoi. It has been outfitted with the most powerful processor by Qualcomm, namely Snapdragon Wear 4100, to bridge the gap between the WearOS and its rivals including WatchOS and Tizen. Also, the watch has cellular connectivity to work as a standalone device.
Other than the processor, the smartwatch has a vast storage of 8GB, a standard 1GB memory for a glitch-free experience. The 1.4-inch crisp display of the smartwatch is another outlier that is overlaid by a low-powered screen to prolong battery life. The watch can last 3 days at max if you use it more cautiously and a whopping 45 days on essential mode.
Unlike Suunto 7 and Fossil Gen 5, Ticwatch Pro 4G is inexpensive when you take account of all the features it is offering. And yet, the price doesn’t justify the use solely as a navigation device. It is better than that.
To speak of its navigation feature, it has an in-built GPS, cellular connectivity, and a well-integrated Google Maps app. You won’t have to even connect to your smartphone as you interact with Google assistant to translate your voice commands to desired actions.
Huawei Watch 2
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 9+
- Display: 1.2″ 390 x 390
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: Two days
- Charging method: Conductive USB-C charger
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G + 4G LTE
Two Minute Review:
Huawei Watch 2 is the Chinese smartphone giant’s attempt to penetrate the wearable market by a time-tested formula of offering more in cheaper devices. Watch 2 packs of Wear OS to lure Andriod Fans with a promise of 2 days battery life. To save you the spoiler, it hardly gets through the day.
The smartwatch has a small display and the overall size is more suitable for the slender wrist than it is for thick wrists. The watch packs a nearly 4 years old processor, Snapdragon Wear 2100, and appreciable storage. It would do the basic task just fine but you must expect glitches here and there.
Huawei boasts Wifi and even cellular connectivity in this model, and this makes us highly susceptible to its performance. The Google Maps app on might crash and is expected to be inconsistent in performance.
Despite the criticism it received from many tech enthusiasts, the Huawei Watch 2 has a cheap price tag to attract many with a shoestring budget. Plus, it offers all the bells and whistles attached with Wear OS: Google Pay, Google Assistant, and a great variety of apps.
Emporio Armani 3
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.28-inch AMOLED display | 390 x 390 resolution
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100
- Storage: 8GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Battery: 1 Day
- Waterproof rating: 5ATM
- Connectivity: NFC, GPS, Bluetooth
- Speaker & microphone: Yes
- Google Maps, Google Assitant, Google Pay: Yes
Two Minute Review:
Emporio Armani 3 is essentially a Fossil Gen 5 smartwatch rebranded to woo the brand’s loyal fan base. You can compare the features to find striking similarities in hardware and even the display size of the watch. Just like Gen 5, it is a bulky smartwatch that is more suitable for the thick/big wrist of men than slender wrists of women.
The smartwatch needs a nighly recharge despite a number of battery modes available. Like Gen 5, you have all the Wear OS features including Google pay, Google Assistant, and of course Google Maps well integrated into the smartwatch. Though a faulty onboard GPS is the major chunk in the armor.
Emporio Armani Smartwatch 3 is an expensive smartwatch, and its key edge over other smartwatches is its classy, premium look and of course the brand power of Armani.
Skagen Falster 3
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED | 390 x 390 resolution
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100
- Storage: 8GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Battery: 1 Day
- Waterproof rating: 3ATM
- Connectivity: NFC, GPS, Bluetooth
Two Minute Review:
Skagen Falster 3 is yet another classy smartwatch that in terms of hardware is a ditto copy of Fossil Gen 5. However, there is one major improvement in this smartwatch other than its appearance. It has a number of battery modes, including a customize mode, to prolong the battery performance of the smartwatch.
Other than battery life, the watch doesn’t offer anything exceptional when compared to its sister watches we discussed above: Fossil Gen 5 and Emporio Armani 3.
Google maps run smoothly on the smartwatch and so does Google Pay and Google assistant. Also, Skagen has included a calling feature over Bluetooth for iPhone devices. It is one of the best smartwatches if you are a big fan of Wear OS.
Moto 360 (2019)
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2-inch AMOLED | 390 x 390 resolution
- Processors: Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100
- Storage: 8GB
- RAM: 1GB
- Battery: 355mAh
- IP rating: 3ATM
- Connectivity: NFC, GPS, bluetooth, Wifi
Two Minute Review:
Moto 360 has Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google pay, but the watch itself offers a lot more than the WearOS and its wide range of applications. As you might know, it is an old watch that has been upgraded with the latest features to match the performance of other Wear OS watches. And it did so perfectly.
Moto 360 has a small display, but the watch otherwise appears chunky. Other than onboard GPS, NFC, it has wifi connectivity so you can leave your wallet and phone at home if you want so.
One of the major drawbacks, with respect to google Maps navigation, is its buggy Google Assistant. Also, the watch is smaller in size and has a low-resolution display for outdoor conditions.
Cheap Smartwatch With Google Maps Navigation
Ticwatch E2
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android 4.3+, iOS 8+
- Display: 1.39″ 400 x 400 OLED
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 2100
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: Around 48h
- Charging method: Magnetic connecting pin
- IP rating: IP67
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
Two Minute Review:
Ticwatch E2 is by far the cheapest smartwatch with google maps and Google assistant duo. However, it packs an old processor and half the storage capacity you would find in many premium smartwatches including its own Ticwatch Pro 4G, Fossil Gen 5, and Suunto 7.
There are many things odd about the smartwatch. First, take the wifi connectivity which is often found, inexpensive models. Though it doesn’t have the NFC for contactless payment, the speaker and microphone pair are reliable when you interact with Google assistant or place calls over Wifi or Bluetooth connection.
In another department, display, it doesn’t fail to surprise with its 1.39-inch large display-size and AMOLED screen technology that is well-known for its crisp display. The details on the Google maps would appear sharp and large while google assistant will guide you to your destined path.
In addition to this the smartwatch has a large battery, perfectly equipped to lasts 2 days on a single charge.
If you are buying the smartwatch for just the bell and whistles of WearOS, Ticwatch E2 is hands down the best choice. And in case you didn’t find the smartwatch online, you can try alternatives like Ticwatch S2 that offers almost similar features and is in the same price range.
Fossil Sports
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2-inch 390 x 390 AMOLED
- Processor: Quad-core 1.2GHz (Snapdragon Wear 3100)
- Band sizes: 22mm straps
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: Two days
- Charging method: Proprietary
- IP rating: IP68
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two Minute Review:
Fossil Sports, as the name suggests, is a smartwatch dedicated to sports and fitness. A lightweight design, comfortable strap, and a built-in GPS are the right set of features for a sports watch. But the key advantage of this watch over others is its affordable price.
The watch has half the memory and storage of its big brother, Fossil Gen 5, but it is a part with the latter in terms of processing speed thanks to Snapdragon Wear 3100. The smartwatch runs as efficiently the Wear OS as Gen 5 including all the bonus apps like Google Maps, Google Assitant, and Google pay.
Apart from the bells and whistles of Wear OS, the watch with its high-end features and lightweight design is a gym companion that you won’t be able to put down.
Affordable Apple Watch With Google Maps Navigation:
Apple Watch Series 3
Specs:
- OS: watchOS 7
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.53″ / 1.65″ OLED
- Processor: Apple S3
- Onboard storage: 8GB / 16GB (Non-LTE and LTE respectively)
- Battery duration: Up to 18 hours
- Charging method: Wireless
- IP rating: Water-resistant to 50m
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, LTE
- Google Maps: Yes
Two Minute Review:
For iPhone users, the most affordable option is the LTE version of the Apple watch 3. Why pay extra for the LTE? It will pay dividends when you navigate routes on Google Maps without having to connect the watch to your iPhone. Google Maps is available for WatchOS, but unsurprisingly, it has its limitations.
No other watch is better than Apple watches in the Display Department. The company is one of the pioneers in display technology with its Retina OLED display rates among the best. The battery life of the Apple watch is notoriously low and you will have to charge it overnight each day. But the wireless charging makes it easier to charge the device.
Using Apple Maps on the apple watch is better than using a stripped-down, limited version of Google Maps.
Misfit Vapor 2
Specs
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.2-inch or 1.4-inch display, 360 x 360 AMOLED
- Processor: Dual-core 1.0GHz. Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100
- Band sizes: 20mm straps
- Onboard storage: 4GB
- Battery duration: A day
- Charging method: Proprietary
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two Minute Review:
Misfit Vapor 2 is a two years old watch with four years old processor. It is visually appealing thanks to its AMOLED screen and matte black body but doesn’t have the firepower to seamlessly run the WearOS with all its supported features including Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Play.
There are two versions of the smartwatch available in the market. The larger 1.4-inch screen version has a possible battery performance, but both versions have a pretty thick profile.
You won’t find Misfit Vapor 2 being sold as a brand new watch, but rather a refurbished version as the watch itself is pretty old. However, that means you will get it for a curate price and if Google maps and other bells and whistles of WearOS is all you need from a smartwatch, Misfit Vapor 2 can be the right match.
Oppo Watch
Specs:
- OS: Wear OS 5
- Compatibility: iOS
- Display: 1.6/1.9-inch AMOLED
- Processor: Snapdragon Wear 3100 & Apollo3
- Band sizes: 41 mm/ 46 mm
- Onboard storage: 8GB
- Battery: 36 hours
- Charging method: Wired magnetic
- IP rating: 5 ATM/2 ATM
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Two Minute Review:
Of all the WearOS smartwatches found in the market, the Oppo Watch is the most overlooked. Being a Chinese Brand, the smartwatch is very affordable for all the features it is packed with. Two versions of the smartwatch are available in the Asian market as the watch has not yet officially entered the European and Us market yet.
The smartwatch runs wear OS has a well-integrated Google app that runs side by side with the company’s own apps. The 1.9-inch version is pretty big in size and it is suitable for a large wrist. The extralarge size comes very handily while you look for directions on Google Maps app.
The watch has all the right hardware to seamlessly running the app. But if you pay attention, the features are no different than what we find in other popular WearOS smartwatches with the only difference of a cheaper price tag on this smartwatch.
Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 2
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.28-inch AMOLED touchscreen, 328 PPI
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor
- RAM & Storage: 1GB & 8 GB
- Battery duration: 36 hours
- Charging method: Proprietary
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Connectivity: GPS, NFC, Bluetooth
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two Minute Review:
Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 2 is a luxury smartwatch with features no different than that of the Fossil Gen 5. Fossil is the umbrella brand and is behind many smartwatches from leading fashion brands like Emporio Armani and Skagen Falster.
The smartwatch has a solid build quality with a metallic body through and through. It has all the features you could find in Fossil Gen 5. The smartwatch distinguishes itself with its extra-crisp premium display, refined design, and metallic strap.
Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 2 has Google Maps, but it is quite impractical to buy such an expensive smartwatch only to get directions on your wrist. It supports Google pay and has a built-in Google Assistant.
The smartwatch oozes style and quality and has a popular brand name attached to it. But, in all its entirety it is a fashion watch and should be treated as so. You can’t expect the watch to have advanced fitness features.
Luxury Smartwatch With Google Maps Navigation:
Tag Heuer Connected 2020
Specs:
- Compatibility: Android, iOS
- Display: 1.39-inch, 454 x 454 resolution display
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 processor
- RAM & Storage: 1GB & 8 GB
- Band sizes:
- Battery duration: 2 days
- Charging method: Proprietary
- Water Resistance: 5 ATM
- Connectivity: GPS, NFC, Bluetooth
- Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Pay: Yes
Two Minute Review:
The term Luxury Andriod Smartwatch applies to swiss made Tag Heuer Connected 2020. The watch is the most expensive on our list and we certainly wouldn’t recommend it to use it for Google Maps only. For that, the 15 times less priced Ticwatch E2 is more than enough for you.
Buying a smartwatch like this one only to use WearOS features like Google Assistant, Google Fit, and Google pay is like buying a Ferrari to pull a cart. The overall price doesn’t justify the function.
The hardware packed in the smartwatch is the same as you find in Fossil Gen 5 or Michael Kors Access Bradshaw 2. The Chinese-based Ticwatch Pro 4G is more powerful than all these watches but we cannot compare a luxury fashion smartwatch with the smartwatches for the masses.
Tag Heuer Connected 2020 distinguishes itself by its premium casing which took heavy inspiration from traditional Tag Heuer watches. The watch is compact and can be easily mistaken for a traditional smartwatch.
Smartwatches With Google Maps: Features To Look For?
Nearly all devices running Wear OS platform has Google Maps well integrated into them. And now, there is a app for Watch OS too. Yes, you can have Google Maps on Apple watch, though unsurprisingly, with limited functionality.
When looking for a smartwatch, everything just boils down to how deep is your pocket and what features are absolute must. You won’t have to buy a feature-packed multi-sport watch like Suunto 7, if all you need is petty navigation gadget that runs Google Maps. Affordable Options like Fossil Sports and Ticwatch E2 would be more than enough for such tasks.
However, having just the app well-integrated into the smartwatch isn’t often enough. It must run seamlessly and for this, it should have a powerful hardware support. 1 GB memory, 8 GB storage and a powerful hardware ensures that the app and overall platform doesn’t crash or have glitches.
Next, the smartwatch must have a large, crisp display. An AMOLED display is the gold standard, and any size greater than 1.2-inch is acceptable. Always-on feature come very handy while navigating routes on the watch. Also, it is doubly beneficial if the smartwatch has a cellular connectivity and an on-board GPS.
The last link in the chain is the Google assistant which of course is dependent on the hardware. Most people take for granted that a smartwatch with Google assistant would have both essential hardware.
But it is often not the case, usually, manufacture’s ditch the speaker for a sleek design and such watches doesn’t do a perfect job in terms of navigation. Afterall, it is much easier to follow the voice commands through the speaker than to repeatedly look at the watch for directions.
Smartwatches With Google Maps: FAQs
Does Samsung Galaxy Watch Have Google Maps?
For now, there is no dedicated google map app for Tizen based Samsung smartwatches. However, there are plenty of third-party apps.
One such application is Navigator Pro. You will have to pay around $3 for the premium subscription. But on the bright side, you will get the Google Maps instruction on the phone, right on your watch for easy navigation.
Can I Put Google Maps App on my Garmin Watch (Fenix 5x, Vivoactive 3, Forerunner, And Venu Sq)?
Like Samsung Smartwatches, none of the Garmin smartwatch series has Google Maps pre-integrated. Similar to Galaxy watches, you will have to rely on third-party apps to get Google maps notifications on your watch.
How To Use Google Maps On Wear Os/ Andriod Smartwatch?
If you are a iphone and Apple Watch user, there are only a few things you can do on the Google Maps App. Contrarily, your options are expanded when you use it in Wear OS devices paired with Andriod phones.
For instance, by commanding Google Assistant you will get to the Google maps navigation card, which in turn will let you check the distance to your destination and your estimated time of arrival. You’ll also get a full list of turn-by-turn directions, as well as an option to pull up the full Google Maps Wear OS app.
You won’t have to keep your phone unlocked, but do have to install the Google Maps App on the smartphone. The smartphone app needs to be working in the background.
Whenever your phone is locked, the always-on screen of the smartwatch, given it has one, will transform into a black-and-white version of Google Maps and keep you informed of where you are.