Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
The Google Pixel Watch 5 is the company’s newest smartwatch, featuring fresh case and band colors, improved performance, larger batteries, more local storage, and new health and fitness tracking metrics. On the surface, it looks virtually identical to the Pixel Watch 4, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the Watch 4 was already a fantastic-looking smartwatch. The Pixel Watch 5 costs more, though, as is the case with all new tech launches in 2026.
The higher cost is particularly annoying, given that the hardware in the Pixel Watch 5 is not very different from that of its predecessor. Thankfully, if you’re disappointed by the price increase and limited changes, you’re not out of luck.
I’ve chosen my top five alternatives to the Pixel Watch 5 that offer similar or even better features, depending on what you prioritize. So, before you buy Google’s latest, give these other watches a look.
Which smartwatch would you buy instead of the Pixel Watch 5?
The Google Pixel Watch 4 from 2025 is the closest competitor to the Pixel Watch 5, and will be even better value once it gets a permanent price drop. The multi-day battery life, very fast charging, and impressive sleep tracking are among my favorite features. The addition of dual-band GPS makes the Pixel Watch 4 a fantastic tool for runners .
Starting at $350 for the 41mm, Wi-Fi-only variant, the Pixel Watch 4 is currently the most affordable smartwatch to support Google’s Gemini Intelligence features. Plus, many of the new Health Guardian and fitness tracking features from the Pixel Watch 5 should make their way to the Watch 4 in future updates.
The Pixel Watch 4 shares a lot of hardware traits with the Pixel Watch 5. Both have the same dimensions and weight, and use the same mechanism for the watch bands. Google is also promising the same battery life for both watches, despite the Watch 5 having a slightly larger battery. The display specs, waterproofing, and health tracking sensors are also pretty much identical across both smartwatches. Plus, the Watch 4 will be getting software support until October 2028, at the very least.