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You've got the toughest gear in your pockets, but what about on your wrist? If you're constantly up against jobs too heavy for a dress watch or like to spend time outdoors, a tough digital timepiece in your is the way to go.
Thanks to their shock resistance, rugged construction, and outdoor-friendly features, they're better built for any adventure than most analog watches. That's why you'll see plenty of military and law enforcement opting to go digital for those tough missions, too. In this updated guide, we're highlighting 8 more excellent digital watches tough enough for everyday carry.
Our Top Picks:
The Best Overall Digital Watch: G-SHOCK GBDH2000 [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Digital Watch on a Budget: Casio A1000 [Buy]
The Most Premium Digital Watch: Suunto 9 Peak Pro [Buy]
The Best Sport Digital Watch: Garmin Instinct 2X Solar [Buy] / [Full Review]
The Best Smart Digital Watch:Apple Watch Ultra [Buy]
G-SHOCK GBDH2000 | Casio A1000 | Suunto 9 Peak Pro | Garmin Instinct 2X Solar | Apple Watch Ultra |
 |  |  |  |  |
| $$$$ | $ | $$$$ | $$$$ | $$$$ |
| Case Size: 59.6 mm | Case Size:20 mm | Case Size: 43 mm | Case Size: 50 mm | Case Size:49 mm |
| Materials:Resin | Materials:Stainless steel | Materials: Stainless steel | Materials:Polymer | Materials: Titanium |
| Key Features: Solar and USB charging | Key Features: Full metal construction | Key Features: 300 hours in Tour mode | Key Features: Near-unlimited battery | Key Features: Advanced sensors |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
The Best Digital Watches
The Best Overall Digital Watch: G-SHOCK GBDH2000
Key Features
Six sensors
Solar and USB charging
Multi-sport
Specifications
Case Size
59.6 mm
Material
Resin
Water Resistance
200M
When it comes to a digital watch you can rely on in almost every conceivable situation, the G-SHOCK series is still considered by many to be king of the hill. The G-SHOCK GBDH2000 is G-SHOCK’s latest addition to the G-SHOCK MOVE series, combining its world-renowned durability with true fitness tracking capabilities and smartwatch functionality to improve your fitness level and training performance under any condition. It adds multi-sport functionality with an additional sixth sensor, allowing you to track your performance across a wide range of activities, from running and biking to swimming and gym workouts. Both solar and USB charging is supported, with solar-assisted charging ensuring you’ll never run out of juice when you need it the most.
The Best Digital Watch on a Budget: Casio A1000
Key Features
Milanese band
LED backlight
Full metal construction
Specifications
Case Size
20 mm
Material
Stainless steel
Water Resistance
30M
Often found at prices between $100-$150, the Casio A1000 is a great choice for those looking for a slim, no-frills digital timepiece. It sports a full metal construction in stainless steel which includes a metal bracelet and features an LED backlight, a 1/100-second stopwatch, a daily alarm, and an automatic calendar with date, day, and month functions. It’s also extremely lightweight at 82 grams, making it comfortable to wear daily. With a classic vintage design and the longevity and reliability of its digital quartz movement, it’s the digital watch to go with for dressier days.
The Most Premium Digital Watch: Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Key Features
Super thin
300 hours in Tour mode
HR, sleep, blood oxygen tracking
Specifications
Case Size
43 mm
Material
Stainless steel, glass fibre reinforced polyamide
Water Resistance
100M
The Suunto 9 Peak Pro GPS watch is an excellent option for anyone who wants the features of a rugged GPS smartwatch but in a more sleek design. The watch takes a minimal approach to the design without skimping on any of the features. It has four satellite systems, a heart rate monitor, sleep tracking, blood oxygen tracking, and tons of sports features. It is also very lightweight and comfortable to wear. The regular Peak model comes in Grade 5 titanium in exchange for fewer features and less battery life. It has the same four satellite systems and heart rate monitor as the Pro model but lacks sleep tracking, blood oxygen tracking, and some sports features.
The Best Sport Digital Watch: Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Key Features
Near limitless battery life
Power Glass lens
Built-in LED flashlight
Specifications
Case Size
50 mm
Material
Polymer
Water Resistance
100M
Rating
Just released
Price
$$$$
The Garmin Instinct 2X Solar series is the newest addition to the Instinct family, purpose-built and designed to withstand rugged use. It features a large, 50 mm fiber-reinforced polymer case designed to handle the most extreme environments with an easy-to-read display. A new chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant Power Glass lens helps extend its battery life when solar charging, providing unlimited battery life in smartwatch mode. It also features a unique built-in LED flashlight with variable intensities and strobe modes, and being a Garmin sport watch, it provides extensive data and insights to achieve your wellness, fitness, and lifestyle goals.
The Best Smart Digital Watch: Apple Watch Ultra
Key Features
Always-on display
Customizable Action button
Advanced health and safety features
Specifications
Case Width
49 mm
Material
Titanium
Water Resistance
100M
The Apple Watch has long been a popular smartwatch for everyday users, but Apple has taken things to the next level with the Apple Watch Ultra. This new model is water resistant up to 50 meters, dust resistant, and has a titanium case that can withstand even the most extreme conditions. The Apple Watch Ultra also has a long battery life, so you can wear it all day without worrying about running out of power. Additionally, the Apple Watch Ultra has various features that make it a great choice for athletes, including GPS, heart rate monitoring, and activity tracking. The Apple Watch Ultra is a solid option if you're an iOS user invested in the Apple ecosystem.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Key Features
40 hours on a single charge
Sleep coaching
Body composition analysis
Specifications
Case Size
45 mm
Material
Titanium
Water Resistance
50M
The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro is another smartwatch option for people with a focus on fitness and health tracking. It features a sleek design, a battery that lasts up to 40 hours on a single charge, and a variety of features that can help you stay active and healthy, including tracking your steps, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep quality, providing you with feedback on your performance. It’s also water resistant up to 50 meters so that you can wear it in the shower or pool without worry.
Seiko SNJ025
Key Features
Solar quartz
6-month power reserve
Analogue and digital displays
Specifications
Case Size
47.8 mm
Material
Stainless steel
Water Resistance
200M
The Seiko Prospex SNJ025, also known as the "Arnie," is a modern take on the classic wristwatch that Arnold Schwarzenegger wore in the movie Predator. It’s powered by the Caliber H851 solar quartz movement, which means it gets its power from sunlight. Once fully charged, it has a 6-month power reserve, so you can wear it every day without worrying about running out of juice. It features a water resistance rating of 200 meters and comes with a built-in alarm, stopwatch functionality, and an innovative strap design that is both durable and comfortable.
Huckberry x Timex IRONMAN Flix Reissue
Key Features
Retro reissue
Indiglo
100-lap chronograph
Specifications
Case Size
44 mm
Material
Resin
Water Resistance
100M
The Timex IRONMAN Flix enjoyed popularity in the 90s due to its affordability, 100-lap memory, and bright Indiglo display. It hasn’t been available to buy for a while, but the retro icon makes a welcome comeback thanks to a limited-time collaboration with Huckberry. It features time, date, a 100-lap chronograph with lap and split timers, 100 meters of water resistance, and an Indiglo night light that activates with a simple flick of the wrist. It’s accurate, highly legible, comfortable to wear, extremely durable, and easy to use, making it an easy recommendation for anyone in the market for a high-quality digital wristwatch.
How to Choose the Best Digital Watch for Your Needs
Digital watches (and their considerations) can be surprisingly different from their analog counterparts. In general, they push function over form and tend to cram a ton of information into their displays compared to most traditional watches. To get the most out of your digital watch, pick one with…
Display and legibility
While digital displays can be easier to read than hands on an analog watch, sometimes all the other sensors can overwhelm the face of the watch. Pick a watch with the right balance of information and legibility. Another benefit of digital: electronic backlighting for telling time in the dark.
Shock and water resistance
To ensure your next watch can stand up to some abuse, get one with shock-absorbing materials like urethane in the bracelet and bezel, or even one equipped with suspended internals. For light splashes, 30M water resistance should hold up, but consider one with 200M+ if you plan on swimming with it.
A good battery or energy source
A potential drawback to going digital is the risk of a dead battery. Most watch batteries last several years at a time, but spending a bit more can get you a solar-powered watch that recharges itself.
Specialized features
If you have a specific use case, look for extra features that would come in handy. For example, some GSHOCKs can tell altitude, atmospheric pressure, and even outside temperature. Other watches include GPS, weather alerts, world time, and more.
Strap
Digital watches can come in a variety of strap options, ranging from rubber to stainless steel. Stainless steel bands are more suited to everyday use, while silicone rubber straps are frequently used in diving timepieces due to their easy-to-clean nature.
Best Digital Watches FAQs
Which brand of digital watch is best?
There are several reputable watch brands known for producing quality digital watches. Some of the most popular brands include Casio, Gaarmin, and Suunto. Smart watches from Apple and Samsung have also gained significant popularity in recent years.
Do people still wear digital watches?
While the rise of smartphones and smartwatches has impacted the popularity of traditional digital watches to some extent, many individuals still prefer the simplicity and ease of use offered by digital watches, especially for everyday timekeeping purposes. They are also popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who rely on specific functions like stopwatch, lap times, or GPS tracking.
What companies make digital watches?
Some notable brands known for producing digital watches include Casio, Timex, Suunto, Garmin, Polar, Seiko, Nixon, Braun, Hamilton, and Citizen. These companies offer a wide variety of digital watches to choose from at a range of price points.
Why are digital watches better?
Digital watches offer several advantages over analog watches, including accuracy, durability, features, and price. Digital watches are often more durable than analog watches, making them a good choice for active people exposed to water or shock. Digital watches often have more features than analog watches, such as stopwatches, alarms, tracking multiple timezones, and countdown timers. High-end digital watches also have various sensors, such as an altimeter or barometer. Digital watches are also typically less expensive than analog watches, making them great options for those on a budget.
How We Picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what's new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily life. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men's essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise in the industry and familiarity with design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
Chris Van Hoven is a multifaceted writer with a keen interest in technology, watches, and the world of automobiles. When he geeks out about technical details and specifications, his enthusiasm for these subjects is contagious.
Having contributed extensively to renowned publications, he has made a name for himself as an authority in the Philippine automotive industry. His expertise can be seen through his engaging articles as Editor-in-Chief of C! Magazine, a prominent car magazine where he offers insightful reviews and comprehensive analysis of various vehicles.
In addition to his automotive pursuits, Chris's horological inclinations are evident in his work for Calibre Magazine and Vintage Grail. Here, he explores the latest watch releases, trends, and the significance of various vintage timepieces, captivating readers with his knowledge and enthusiasm.
Beyond his writing endeavors, Chris is an avid gamer, finding solace in the immersive world of PC gaming. His passion for gaming and tech-related gadgets allows him to stay at the forefront of the industry, always seeking the latest advancements and sharing his experiences with others.
Combining his love for technology, watches, and automotive wonders, Chris Van Hoven stands as a versatile writer who has built a reputation for his expertise and engaging style. His ability to weave together captivating stories and detailed analysis continues to capture readers and fuel his dedication to these ever-evolving fields.
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.
Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.
In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.
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