How to Choose the Right Size of Smart Watch?

What Is the Best Smart Watch Size for Me?

Let's clear one thing right from the start: it would be a mistake to look just at the very display width of your smart watch. When choosing a watch, it is better to focus on the size of the case or the body of the watch. Apart from the size of the display itself, you also need to take its edges into account, which can be quite massive in smart watches - especially when the manufacturer takes inspiration from classic watch models with a lunette around the diameter of the dial.

Fortunately, most smart watch manufacturers list the size of the entire case of their models in millimetres. In the case of smart watches with a round display, this means the width from one edge of the case to the other. In the case of square-shaped watches, this figure indicates the width of the case. In both cases, this figure does not include the buttons that extend beyond the watch case itself.

Size Category	Small Watch	Medium Watch	Large Watch	Extra-large Watch
Case size	<36 mm	36.5 up to 40 mm	40 up to 42.5 mm	43 mm >
Wrist size	<18 cm	18 up to 19 cm	19 up to 20 cm	20 cm >

The appropriate smart watch size is purely subjective and depends on the individual personality of the user. In general, however, we can say that the best watch size from the smaller watches range is that with a round dial with a diameter of about 1.2", respectively 40 mm case, suitable especially for ladies or younger users. In the case of square watches, owners of slender wrists can consider a diagonal of around 1.5" and a case with dimensions also around 40 mm. These users should then also pay attention to the thickness of the case and the overall weight of the watch.

The medium-sized smart watches include those with a round-shaped display up to a 1.4" diagonal and a 44mm case. As for square-shaped watches, the diagonal can be over 1.7". This category should logically be the ideal compromise for the largest number of users and thus has by far been the most common choice with a wide range of models. Watches with a round display with a diameter of over 1.42" and more than 44mm case are significantly rarer, but they certainly will stand out on any decent-sized wrist.

Round-shaped or Square-shaped?

We must not forget the differences between round and square displays. The actual use of the watch is not fundamentally affected by the shape of the display, but the fact remains that a square display can usually show more information. However, this can, to a large extent, be influenced by the watch manufacturer or software developer. In terms of physical dimensions, however, you should keep in mind that the display size in the product description is always the length of the diagonal, which means that the actual width and length of each edge is going to be slightly smaller. Thus, a watch with a square display will logically always be effectively smaller than a watch with a round display of the same diagonal (diameter).

If we focus purely on numbers, a 1.3" circular display is comparable to a 1.6" square display in the display area. One practical example - Xiaomi Mi Watch versus Amazfit GTS 2 Mini. Although the Mi Watch has a round display with a diagonal of 1.39", it feels much more massive on the hand than the GTS 2 Mini with a 1.55" display.

Smart Watch Strap Size

We must not forget about the straps. Their width is always determined by the specific type of watch, so it usually corresponds with the size category of the case and you usually do not need to worry too much about that. However, the length of the strap and the attachment mechanism deserve some attention. With your new smart watch, you usually get a single strap of a "standard" size that fits most buyers. Some manufacturers also include a smaller strap length with the watch, but these are really the exceptions.

If you're worried that your wrist is too slender or too thick, there's nothing easier than measuring its circumference. With that, you won't risk buying a watch that will be sticking too tightly against your wrist. You should bear in mind that more slack also means less accuracy of your heart-rate sensor. Therefore, when choosing a watch strap, allow for a maximum of 1 cm of slack. If you have already chosen the right smartwatch for you, but you do not like the original strap, there is nothing easier than getting a different one. Few smartwatches use a fixed strap, and most rely on a classic fitting, where you only need to consider the width of the strap.

Straps of this kind are no rarity. It is quite easy to find an alternative strap with the classic steel attachment mechanism as there is a great number of straps to choose from. On the other hand, you are going to have much harder times looking for alternative straps to watches with unique strap-attachment mechanisms. These cases are, however, quite rare. Apple Watch, for example, have their own selection of straps that come in many colours and types. To make your selection process easier, the Alza store catalogue allows for filtering according to the strap-attachment mechanism as well as by the circumference of your wrists.

Want to avoid having to wade through hundreds of types of models when looking for the best fit? Make good use of our catalogue filters that enable you to narrow your selection. Apart from the essential parameters like price, brand or operating system, you can also filter your smart watch by the display size, case size, strap size or weight.