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Whether you’re in the military and need a tactical smartwatch or just want something robust for outdoor use, a military smartwatch is an excellent tool to have handy. Military smartwatches function just like regular smartwatches, but they prioritize tactical features and have a rugged design that’s built to last.
Beyond their tactical capabilities, they still perform the everyday functions you’d expect from a smartwatch. You can track fitness, monitor health metrics, and receive notifications while accessing features designed to optimize military and physical performance.
Top 5 Key Considerations
Build Quality
A rugged build is a non-negotiable for any military smartwatch. Military personnel often face harsh conditions, whether it’s extreme temperatures or exposure to water. A military smartwatch must withstand extreme cold or heat, and submersion in water for prolonged periods. Its physical components must also be made of high-grade materials that can withstand shock impacts.
Although a military smartwatch can be made of various materials, these are the four most durable and the best choice for any model:
- Stainless Steel 316L: Highly durable but bulky and not as resistant to extreme temperatures.
- Fiber-reinforced polymer: Highly impact-resistant and lightweight.
- Titanium Grade 2: Durable yet lightweight; corrosion-resistant.
- Titanium Grade 5: The best military-grade material, as it is the most corrosion-resistant and highly shock-resistant.
Satellite Systems
Military smartwatches use advanced satellite navigation to maintain accurate location tracking. They tap into multiple satellite systems, enabling you to track your precise location. Smartwatches that support multiple satellite networks allow them to provide accurate GPS readings even if you’re in areas where standard GPS can struggle, such as dense forests, city streets or mountain ranges. For best results, you’ll want a smartwatch with multi-system dual-frequency GPS support.
Battery Life
The great thing about military smartwatches is that they have significantly better battery life than regular smartwatches. While most smartwatches typically offer 1-3 days of battery life, some military smartwatches can last for up to 3 weeks in standby mode. Even with regular use, most tactical smartwatches offer 5-10 days of battery life.
Water Resistance
- 3 ATM / 30m: Splash/rain resistant, but not suitable for swimming.
- 5 ATM / 50m: Safe for showers and light pool/ocean exposure.
- 10 ATM / 100m: Suitable for swimming and pool/ocean exposure.
- 20 ATM / 200m+: Suitable for diving and professional water sports.
Military Standards
This goes hand in hand with build quality, but it’s worth expanding on it, as it’s a significant indicator of overall objective quality for any military smartwatch. Essentially, the best ones undergo a series of tests that assess how well a device withstands shock, temperature swings, exposure to water, dust, and other environmental conditions.
A MIL-STD-810 rating means the smartwatch has been tested across all relevant metrics and has passed those tests. That also means it’s rated for the highest possible durability for smartwatches. Although many durable smartwatches lack this rating, it’s an essential consideration for military personnel who want superior durability across all possible scenarios.
Preferences
Design & Style
Unlike other smartwatches, you’ll want to prioritize durability and functionality over aesthetic appeal. The design should focus on strength and reliability, which are must-haves for military purposes.
A bulkier smartwatch with a thick case offers superior durability, while rugged shapes, matte finishes, and muted colors can help you keep a low profile. You’ll also want to be mindful of button placement, as quick access to specific functions and apps can be beneficial while you’re on the move.
Keep in mind that although a bulkier smartwatch is ideal, it won’t be any good if it feels too heavy and slows you down, or if it feels uncomfortable. Ultimately, you should aim for a military smartwatch that strikes a solid balance between comfort and durability.
Compatibility
Most military smartwatches are compatible with both iOS and Android smartphones. However, some are optimized for one operating system over the other. Android offers greater flexibility for app integration and customization, so most military smartwatches work best when synced with an Android phone. Compatibility varies by model, so it’s best to read the product specs and features carefully before buying.
Tactical Features
Military smartwatches are packed with features for improving performance across fitness, health, missions, and recreational activities. You may not use all the features an army smartwatch offers, but it’s good to have several of them handy in case you ever need them.
Here’s a list of some of the most popular dedicated tactical features you’ll find with high-end military smartwatches:
- Stealth Mode: Disables radios and GPS to prevent leaving a trail.
- Built-In Flashlight: For improved visibility in the dark or low-light conditions.
- Kill Switch: Instantly wipes all data if your smartwatch is lost, captured, or compromised.
- Rucking Tracking: Trucks weighted movement.
- Weather Reports: Detailed weather reports for global locations.
- Stage Timer: A timer for circuit training.
- SOS: Contact emergency support quickly.
- Satellite Messaging: Allows for off-grid communication.
Top Military Smartwatches
Garmin tactix 8 Solar Elite
The Garmin tactix 8 Solar Elite offers a wide range of premium tactical features, making it the ultimate military smartwatch. It’s a highly durable smartwatch with a bright 1.4-inch solar-charged display, a titanium bezel, and a sapphire lens. It has been tested to US military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance.
It has a built-in LED flashlight and several tactical features, including jumpmaster mode, waypoint projection, dual-position GPS, and stealth mode. The preloaded Applied Ballistics solver provides instant aiming solutions for long‑range shots, and there are plenty of apps for tracking health, fitness and outdoor activities.
This feature-packed smartwatch is a no-brainer all-in-one utility tool that can make missions, workouts, and location tracking more manageable. It boasts unmatched durability and is a must-have for outdoor adventurers, fitness enthusiasts, and military personnel.
Amazfit T-Rex 3
Looking for an affordable tactical smartwatch with a high-quality build and elite performance? The Amazfit T-Rex 3 is your best bet. It costs under $300 but offers an ultra-bright AMOLED screen, a whopping 3 weeks of battery life and superior durability thanks to a thick stainless steel bezel.
This watch has free global maps for precise GPS tracking and over 170 active modes with AI-generated training plans to help you get the most out of your workouts and achieve your fitness goals. It’s water-resistant up to 100 meters and can withstand extreme heat and cold ambient temperatures. Plus, you can monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen, and stress with smart alerts for abnormal readings.
Although it’s significantly more affordable than some of the more robust military smartwatches available, this is an acceptable entry-level option that’s built to last and delivers outstanding performance.
Garmin fenix 8 Pro
The Garmin fenix 8 Pro is a robust military smartwatch that’s available in 47mm and 51mm case sizes. It features leakproof buttons, a metal sensor guard cover and a bright 1.4-inch AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant lens and titanium bezel, making it one of the most durable and action-ready tactical smartwatches.
Advanced map navigation makes location tracking easier, and LTE connectivity means you don’t need your phone to make or receive calls. It offers several performance features to optimize your daily training and multiple sensors to track health metrics, including blood oxygen, sleep habits, breathing variations, and heart rhythm.
With over 15 days of battery life, this rugged smartwatch is a must-have for military professionals. It’s surprisingly lightweight given its sturdy design and includes helpful tactical features such as two-way messaging, interactive SOS capabilities, and a bright, dimmable LED flashlight.
Suunto 9 Peak Pro
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro is an affordable smartwatch with a military-grade design and a user-friendly interface. It has a sapphire touchscreen and a stainless-steel bezel for superior durability, and a 10.8mm-thin sport body that makes it suitable for those who want something sleek and lightweight.
It offers up to 21 days of standby battery life and uses four satellites for precise GPS location tracking. It delivers advanced training metrics and insights, and you can track your performance with over 95 preloaded activity modes. The powerful chipset makes every action fast and responsive to the touch, and the waterproof build means you can submerge it to 100 meters.
It’s tested to military standards and is advanced-engineered for durability and outdoor performance. It’s excellent for training, and you can explore the Suunto app and SuuntoPlus for access to even more performance and fitness resources.