Falling in most cases can be potentially dangerous and cause injury. How or where it happens can also be of vital importance, be it during exercise or just a simple slip or slide that results in a tumble. Smartwatch manufacturers know these things can happen to wearers of all ages, which is why they equip their devices with sensors and software to detect when incidents happen.
Fall detection works a lot like it sounds, meaning the watch senses you’ve fallen off your feet and asks you to confirm whether you’re okay or need assistance. Friends and family members selected as emergency contacts also get those alerts, ensuring help is on the way when necessary. This list includes the best smartwatches with fall detection to strap for peace of mind.
Smartwatches that know if you’ve fallen
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The calm after the fall
Samsung maintains a lot of continuity with the Galaxy Watch 7 in its design and functionality, retaining useful features like fall detection. Maybe not a position you want to be in, but you’ll appreciate it when you really need help.
- Easy fall detection setup
- More refined Wear OS experience
- LTE variant works solo from phone
- Previous Galaxy Watches have the same feature
- Pricey
Samsung has supported fall detection for several years, and the way it works in the Galaxy Watch 7 is very much a continuation from previous models.
Basically, the gyroscope and accelerometer sensors in the smartwatch detect unusual or sudden movements and vibrate with an audible alarm for 60 seconds. The watch also asks if you’re okay; if you’re not, you can swipe SOS to send an alert to your designated loved one or call for help. If, for whatever reason, you’re incapacitated, the feature automatically sends the SOS message after 60 seconds.
The feature won’t work out of the box, so you have to enable it by accessing Watch Settings in the Galaxy Wearable app on your phone and selecting Safety and Emergency. The setup is pretty straightforward, though note that false positives can happen, particularly if you’re wearing the watch while playing a sport or falling on purpose to entertain kids, for instance.
All that sits on top of a pretty robust feature set that includes the best of Wear OS and Samsung’s One UI. While it very much resembles the Galaxy Watch 6, the newer Exynos W1000 processor gives the Watch 7 better performance and battery life. Not to mention the array of health and fitness tracking sensors, right down to ECG and skin temperature readings that prove useful in establishing a broader perspective on where you stand.
You still can’t use the blood pressure monitor in the US, though other regions have access.
Read our review
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is still the best ecosystem smartwatch on Android
Iterative? Only compared to the last Galaxy Watch
The screen is also large and bright, especially if you’re wearing the 44mm model, so it’s easy to see if fall detection gets triggered. Plus, the LTE version of the watch can connect with your emergency contact even without your phone present, adding some extra peace of mind if you’ve left it behind. These features aren’t exclusive to the pricier Watch 7, as Samsung’s offered fall detection going back to the Galaxy Watch 4.
Premium pick
Google Pixel Watch 3
Falls count anywhere
The Google Pixel Watch 3 picks up plenty from its two predecessors given its very similar design, only you now have a larger 45mm model to consider if you want a bigger screen. That can make fall detection even easier to see you need to activate it.
- Easy fall detection setup
- Now have two sizes to choose from
- LTE variant can be convenient
- False positives are always possible
- Not as durable as other watches
Fall detection first debuted on the Pixel Watch 2, so seeing it on the Pixel Watch 3 is very much in keeping with what Google’s already done. Google eventually added it to the original model through an update, so you have uniform compatibility throughout the lineup.
Indeed, setting up fall detection for all Pixel Watch models is essentially the same, though the big difference this time is Google finally went big with a larger 45mm Pixel Watch 3. Regardless of whether it’s the 41mm or 45mm, the watch detects falls via the accelerometer in tandem with Google’s machine learning to trigger an alert and ask if you prefer to call your preferred contact or emergency services.
Like Samsung’s Galaxy Watch, built-in GPS helps triangulate your location through the Pixel Watch 3, and if you have the LTE variant, you can connect with contacts or emergency response without your phone handy. The watch won’t know why or how you fell, so it may generate false positives when it thinks you’ve fallen, or at least fallen dangerously.
Fortunately, it’s easy enough to dismiss the alert in those cases, but since the screen on this watch is more exposed compared to others, fall damage may make it inoperable.
Read our review
Google’s Pixel Watch 3 is big, beautiful, and brainy
The 45mm version is large and easy to love
Still, things continue to blend nicely with this watch, considering how Google integrates Fitbit into the overall health and fitness tracking, as well as making Wear OS apps work more seamlessly with Android devices. No need for a Pixel phone to rock all the benefits, ensuring the Pixel Watch 3 feels more accessible despite the brand association.
The larger 45mm holds up better in battery life, which isn’t surprising since it has a larger battery, but you’re not likely to go beyond 24–36 hours per charge. Google also retains the proprietary charger introduced in the Pixel Watch 2 that negates compatibility with Qi-enabled chargers.
Best value
Amazfit GTR 4
Falling in price
The Amazfit’s GTR 4 ticks off some important boxes as a more budget-friendly smartwatch, including excellent battery life. But it’s also in some rare company, with fall detection support among a variety of other helpful features.
- Fall detection at a lower price
- Very visible display
- Excellent battery life
- Interface is bloated with options
- Having the phone nearby is crucial
The Amazfit GTR 4 isn’t without its challenges, as we noted in our review of this more affordable smartwatch. But it sits in a unique place as a less expensive option with fall detection support. The feature is not common in budget-friendly smartwatches, so is a reason why this device makes the cut. Setting up Fall detection isn’t all that hard to do, despite the myriad of menus and settings within the GTR 4. And once activated, it uses the watch’s onboard sensors to look out for any tumbles that might befall whoever’s wearing it.
When it does detect something, it will issue an alert on the screen and ask if you’d like to connect with your preferred contact or emergency services. Unlike other more premium choices, however, the GTR 4 relies more on the pairing connection with your phone because there is no LTE variant with its own network connection. The paired phone needs to be in Bluetooth range for the watch to send an alert or communicate with others. Built-in GPS ensures location data is fine, so it’s only utilizing the phone’s cellular connection to ensure others know you need help.
Read our review
Amazfit GTR 4 review: Too extra
When having every option ever is too much of a bad thing, not a good thing
It’s worth noting Amazfit runs its own course with the GTR 4, meaning it’s not a Wear OS smartwatch since it runs on its own Zepp OS platform. This limits app access if you plan on using your smartwatch as more than just a health and fitness tracker — even if the GTR 4 is loaded with such features. Its accuracy is also commendable, making it easier to trust with your daily routine, but it can take time to find the right mix of settings and features among the bloated choices available. The good news is the lack of extras, like those in Wear OS watches, means this one will last for several days before you need to charge it again.
Best alternative
Apple Watch Series 10
Best for Apple and iOS users
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a no-go with Android phones, but if you’re so inclined to look elsewhere for fall detection, this is one of the best avenues you can take. It offers an excellent mix of features and functions beyond just that.
- Crash and fall detection with SOS features
- Bright display easy to see
- LTE variant is an option
- Won’t work with an Android phone
- Not very customizable
- Not all that different from Series 9
The Apple Watch Series 10 has no chance of working with an Android phone, but it wouldn’t be right to leave out Apple’s fall detection that’s been a staple feature of its smartwatches going back to the Series 4. Going this route means you’re either already entrenched in the iOS ecosystem, potentially making a move, or have someone else in mind for this watch.
Whatever the case, fall detection continues to improve, while other brands aim to emulate its functionality. The basics remain the same: the watch detects a fall, sounds an alarm, displays an alert, and waits for you to respond. If you don’t after 60 seconds, it calls emergency services and alerts your preferred contact.
The Watch Series 8 first introduced crash detection as an offshoot in case of a vehicle collision and that carries on the same way here. Basically, it automatically calls emergency response after 20 seconds unless you cancel it first. The LTE variant enables these features without an iPhone around to make it all the more convenient as a safety measure on the watch.
Read our review
The Apple Watch Series 10 is a great watch that’s starting to feel the same
Not a huge step up
Apple won’t let you customize its smartwatches the way you can your average Wear OS wearable. Tight integration with the iPhone ensures the two are often in sync, which is great for communicating the various health and fitness data points in a timely fashion. It’s also easy to discern the metrics, only improving the whole layout.
With watchOS 11, Apple added neat features for detecting potential sleep apnea and metrics for your vitals that could warn you if something looks off. These aren’t exclusive to the Series 10, mind you, but the kind of help you can utilize if you go this route. Despite that, the Series 10 does little to improve battery life, though you can expect it to charge faster via USB, going from zero to 80 percent in 30 minutes.
Best for athletes
Garmin Venu 3
Don’t sit, get fit
Garmin’s Venu 3 is a flashier smartwatch compared to other Garmin models, partly because of the AMOLED display, and partly because of its sheer tracking features. On top of all that, it can look out for incidents, and get you the help you need.
- Incident Detection available
- Tons of activity-based features
- Outstanding battery life
- Need your phone nearby to communicate
- Proprietary charger
Garmin smartwatches have built a worthy reputation for fitness and activity tracking you can depend on, and the Venu 3 very much falls in line for athletes who want a lot to work with from both a visual and functional standpoint. Among the features available is Incident Detection — the term Garmin uses for fall detection — which sends an automatic alert to emergency contacts in case it detects a sudden stop or fall. You need to set it up first in the Garmin Connect app by adding emergency contacts who can receive text messages and emails. Whenever you need it, they’ll note your location and get help your way.
In addition to that, there’s another safety feature called Assistance that lets you manually send a message with your location if you need help or find yourself in a sketchy or unsafe situation. Built-in GPS covers location data to get the right coordinates, but without an LTE variant available, the Venu 3 needs a paired phone within range to send out any alerts or communication.
Read our review
Garmin Venu 3 smartwatch review: The best Venu yet
Garmin added an onboard speaker and third side button, but the real superstar is the Venu 3’s battery
The Venu 3 shines in part because of its battery life, which lasts about 7–10 days based on how mixed your usage turns out to be. Just don’t lose the proprietary charger. Then there’s Body Battery, an aggregate score that takes into account your exercise, sleep, and stress levels to help determine whether you’re ready for a workout or not. That also includes regular ECG monitoring, only adding to a watch that adapts to where you are, rather than the other way around. App notifications will come in, and you can use the speaker and microphone to handle phone calls from your wrist.
For rugged types
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Samsung made the Galaxy Watch Ultra for those who spend a lot of time outdoors and may want some peace of mind that a smartwatch can keep up. A more rugged design with a brighter screen and bigger battery illustrate the intention here.
- Large and bright screen ideal for outdoors
- Quick button for exercise tracking
- LTE enables fall detection almost anywhere
- Too big for smaller wrists
- Not ideal for diving
Roughing it a little may be putting a smartwatch at some risk, which is why Samsung made the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Built with a titanium body, sapphire crystal to protect the screen, and a much brighter 1.5-inch AMOLED display, it’s a rugged smartwatch designed to appeal to the adventurous types. Plus, with improved GPS, you have a better sense of where you are and where you’ve been.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is pricey, but at least you can justify some of that cost with the fact that LTE is built-in (you’ll need a data plan, though) and all of Samsung’s safety features are also included. Fall detection works on the Watch Ultra much like it does on other Samsung Galaxy Watches, and with LTE, it means you can reach out to emergency response or your own contacts straight from the watch.
That said, you do need to be mindful that reception can waver or drop out in more remote locations, but as long as you have a signal, you have a lifeline.
Read our review
Samsung’s Galaxy Watch Ultra is great, but it’s not for everyone
A great watch, but you might prefer the Galaxy Watch 7
Just be wary of waterborne activities because this watch, despite being durable, isn’t made for water sports. It tracks loads of exercises and offers a wide range of metrics for fitness, health, stress, and sleep. More RAM and a bigger battery also serve to help the watch feel more robust for those willing to splurge on one.
Smartwatches that can help keep you safe
Fall detection isn’t exactly a new feature in the smartwatch world, yet it’s not as readily available as you might think. The capability does limit your choices, but on the bright side, the ones you get to choose from are worth strong consideration.
It’s with that in mind that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 comes out on top. It’s durable enough with a large display that’s easy to see, along with the variances you get when fall detection pops up. If you have the Wi-Fi/Bluetooth-only version, you’ll need your phone to relay the communication to contacts, whereas the LTE version will communicate without a phone. Samsung is also actively improving its readiness and accuracy, which is a good thing for a feature you never hope to use, but are glad to have.
The Pixel Watch 3 offers a very similar experience, with Google prioritizing its own branded devices over the longer-standing Fitbits out there, which still don’t have fall detection. Plus, with a larger size, it feels like a more personalized experience this time. For something on a budget, the Amazfit GTR 4 isn’t without its downsides, but it’s also nice to see some safety features in a more budget-friendly watch. You can also derive some real value as an athlete with the Garmin Venu 3 and its Incident Detection and Assistance safety features.
Best overall
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
Top choice for safety features
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is one of the best Android watches available, even more so within the Samsung device ecosystem. The sapphire crystal display offers some extra durability, while fall detection safety features can be of tremendous help in case you need them.
