Best Digital Watches for Men in 2023: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

Best Digital Watches for Men

Picking out the right digital watch is more than a matter of preference, since most of them are packed full of useful features.

It’s best to think about exactly what features you’ll use, and which ones just sound good on paper, to avoid spending more than you need to.

Then of course there’s the style of the watch, including everything from the digital display to the strap.

Let’s dive into our top digital watch picks! Here they are…

👑 Our Pick for Best Overall

⭐ Our Other Top Digital Watch Picks for Men

• Our Top Pick: Casio G Shock GD100-1BCR
• Best Budget Option: Timex Ironman Classic 30
• Best Luxury Option: Casio Pro Trek PRW2500

Reviews: Best Digital Watches for Men

Casio G Shock GD100-1BCR (👑 Best Overall)

The Casio G Shock GD100-1BCR is a fantastic digital watch, and you’d expect nothing less from the classy watch-making brand.

This heavy-duty watch is shock-resistant, and makes an ideal time-telling companion for the active lifestyle. Its rugged appearance gives off the impression of long term durability, and it’s because this watch has been built to last. It even boats water-resistance to 200m, which makes it suitable for professional marine activity too. All of this comes at a very reasonable price, which makes it a very easy watch to recommend.

As for features, this watch has a chronograph, dual-time display, back light, stop watch, and world time. While it may seem a little light on the features when compared to other digital watches, it more than makes up for this with its robust design and suitability for extensive outdoor use. If you enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, then it should be hard to look past this G shock watch from Casio.

Timex Ironman Classic 30 (💸 Best Budget)

If you’re looking for an excellent budget-friendly watch, then this minimalist offering from Timex should do the trick.

If you’re on a budget, then you have to temper your expectations when it comes to features and the materials used. However, the Timex Ironman Classic 30 watch is no cheap-looking watch, and comes in a wide range of colours to suit all preferences.

Aside from being a number one bestseller on Amazon, which says a lot in itself, this watch is perfect for sports and runners in particular. With a 100-hour chronograph, 30-lap memory, and 24-hour countdown timer, you can time yourself as you practise for an Ironman race or marathon. There’s also several alarm options, a military time mode, and a date and month calendar to help you stay aware of the date of the big race.

It’s also water resistant to 100m, and has an Indiglo night light, so you’ll never be squinting trying to read the time late at night.

Features:

• Available in many colour options
•  Adjustable resin strap
•  Lots of time-related features
•  Water-resistant up to 100m
•  Indiglo night-light

Casio Pro Trek PRW-3510Y-8CR (💎 Best Luxury)

By far one of the best digital watches for men, the Casio Pro Trek has everything you could ever need for all types of outdoor adventure.

This watch looks every bit the part, and fit for any serious survivalist’s wrist. Not only does it look heavy-duty enough to waist and a lot of punishment – and is – but it also comes loaded with useful features to enhance your exploration experience.

Powered by solar energy, the Pro Trek is water-resistant up to 200m, temperature-resistant to -10 degrees Celsius, and has everything from a compass and thermometer, to a barometer and altimeter. Basically, if you picture everything you could need on a trip into the wild laid out on the floor in front of you, you can expect the majority of them to be within this watch in some format.

The thermometer will give you accurate temperature readings so you can plan ahead, the altimeter will tell you what altitude you’re currently at, the compass will help you determine which direction to go, and the barometer will give you real-time indications of changes in air pressure. This really is the only multitool you could ever need on any adventure.

Features:

•  Solar-powered
•  Green and black design
•  Silicon band
•  Temperature (-10 degrees Celsius) and water resistant (up to 200m)
•  Includes lots of exploration features

SUUNTO Core

The SUUNTO Core digital watch offers both style and substance, and you’ll have plenty of features to make the most of.

With a stylish black military design, this watch has a very satisfying display which is perfect for reading at a quick glance. What you’ll see when you look at the watch is the time, a compass, the temperature, as well as an altimeter and barometer.

There is also an intelligent storm alarm which can let you know when you need to pack up your things and get out before the rain starts to fall. 

This watch is perfect for outdoor use, and long walks in rugged terrain. If you enjoy hiking and trekking then you will be able to get the most out of this watch every time you wear it.

Features:

•  Black design
•  Silicone strap
•  Includes barometer, altimeter, compass, and weather change detection

Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire

The Garmin Fenix 5X Sapphire is a premium watch with a price tag to match.

Available in several sleek colour designs, this watch provides an entertaining way to keep track of your health and fitness goals. If features are what you’re looking for, then the Garmin Fenix watch will be a very attractive option.

Not only do you have the barometer and altimeter, which appear on the display as clear as day, but you also have a pedometer and heart rate monitor which are accessible at a brief glance. This watch is compatible with both iOS and Android, so you can keep all of your fitness information and goals through the app.

If you need a watch that will help you reach your training and fitness goals, then you really don’t need to look at any others. You can even pair it up to some apps which will give you information on how many calories you need to eat for the day or how much water you should drink.

Features:

•  Available in several colour designs
•  Sapphire glass
•  Compatible with iOS and Android
•  Includes barometer and altimeter
•  Tracks heart rate and footsteps

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Buyer’s Guide

To ascertain which is the best digital watch for you, you’ll need to adhere to a mental checklist with some of the following important factors.

You’ll want to ensure the watch is robust enough to last even if you spend a lot of time in nature, has a design which elevates your style, and has plenty of features to keep you happy over time.

Purpose

First things first, when will you be wearing the watch?

Once you’ve figured out when and where you’ll be wearing the watch the majority of time, you’ll have a clearer idea of what you need to look for in the watch.

Let’s say you want a watch suitable for urban exploration, and formal events. That will tell you that you need a watch that is both robust and sleek.

Or maybe you’re adventurous in your day to day life and you spend a lot of time in rural environments. If this sounds like you, then you’ll want plenty of durability, but you also might appreciate features such as temperature information or navigational tools.

It’s impossible to pick the right digital watch for you if you don’t first consider the most likely scenarios you’ll find yourself in while wearing it. The last thing you want is an expensive watch made for outdoor survival when you spend most of your time indoors, or walking around a city.

Related: Best Men’s Fashion Rings

Design

The design or craftsmanship of a watch is important for several reasons.

It will influence how the watch looks, how it feels, and how durable it is in the long run.

If you want to set yourself up with a digital watch that will last you a very long time, and one that will draw the gaze of others, then you need to focus on the materials and general design.

Materials

The materials which make up the watch will determine its durability and aesthetic style. They can also affect how the watch feels as it sits on your wrist, as well as how it is affected by the temperature etc.

• Ceramic. The ceramic watch is a very durable one. With a ceramic watch you can expect minimal scratching, and minimal damage from heat. You can also expect a hefty price tag due to the quality of the material.

• Stainless Steel. The stainless steel watch is resistant to moisture and rust. It is a much more affordable option than ceramic, and is very commonly used in jewelry for its robust composition.

• Titanium. Titanium is ultra strong, and resistant to all types of corrosion, making it a solid choice for the intrepid traveller or explorer. Also a great choice for wearing in hot climates.

• Steel. Regular steel represents a lower quality than the other materials, and as such will offer the most competitive prices.

Style

The style of a digital watch is another factor which you should pay attention to in order to avoid disappointment.

What is beautiful to one person might be ugly to another, so it’s really important that you imagine yourself wearing the watch on a regular basis.

While a fancy display that lights up a certain way and looks cool might be fun for a while, you have to ask yourself if it’s going to be something you want in the long term.

The main ways digital watch styles vary is in the straps, the colours used, and the way information is displayed on the LED screen.

Straps

The straps of a watch are very important, especially since it’s easy to get distracted by the display and forget about how the watch will actually feel to wear on your wrist. Some people love the feeling of metal links on the wrist, while others prefer something a little more comfortable like rubber.

The most common strap materials are metal, or some form of synthetic composition like nylon or rubber. The metal strap includes everything from titanium to stainless steel, and this will be perfect for durability and a more premium aesthetic to the watch.

However, if you’re looking for a digital watch that you can use wherever you are, then you’ll likely be better off with a synthetic strap made of something like rubber. These synthetic straps will be very durable, water resistant, and more breathable. They will also feel more comfortable on the wrist for extended periods of time, perfecting for a long walk in nature or an adventurous hike.

Colour

The colour of a digital watch, while not everything, can definitely shape your decision-making process. After all, you’ll want a watch that compliments your clothes in some way, so it’s worth seeking out the right colour match for you.

You’ll find a lot of black digital watches since this is a very neutral colour that looks stylish with most outfits.

Yet, if you want a digital watch to take out and about with you, then maybe a fun colour like a turquoise or orange could be more in line with what you’re looking for. Of course, the watches with synthetic straps are likely to be more colourful, while the metal straps will mostly be either chrome or black. There’s also the clock face, which can sport various colours too.

Display

The display of a watch is the most important feature with regards to both style and functionality. It is the part of the watch which will give you the information you need to know, and the part that all eyes will be drawn to when they first spot it on your wrist.

As a result, you want to make sure you get the right display for you.

There are some displays which look very futuristic and more akin to a James Bond gadget than a device to tell the time, such as the Casio Pro Trek watch. Then there are others, which feature a much more minimalist design, which are perfect for everyday use like the Timex Ironman Classic 30 watch.

You’ll have to think about whether you want numbers on the display, clock hands, compass directions etc. You will also have to consider whether you want your watch to light up at night for extra visibility when it gets dark.

Features

The features of a digital watch make for one of the most compelling reasons to invest in one.

Sure, an analog watch will look classy and tell you the time perfectly well, but it’s only really the digital watch that can be packed full of interesting and exciting features.

There is a feature for just about anything on digital watches these days.

Interested in tracking your health and fitness goals? Invest in a watch with a built-in pedometer and heart rate monitor like the Garmin Fenix 5X sapphire.

Do you want to go on epic adventures in the wild? If so, Casio has you covered with its solar-powered, temperature resistant, feature-packed Pro Trek watch.

Looking to go on a lot of hikes high up in the mountains? Then the SUUNTO core watch could be the best option for you. The altimeter and barometer help keep you grounded, and the weather trend graph will let you know if any nasty storms are on the way.

While it’s definitely a big plus to have lots of excellent features, it’s also worth considering whether you’ll actually use all of them, or whether it’s just the idea of them that sounds great.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Watches

Which is the best digital watch?

The best digital watch in our view is the Casio G Shock GD100-1BCR.

Available at a very reasonable price, this digital watch is highly durable, and can stand up to just about anything.

It’s also both water (up to 200m) and shock-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it on your adventures.

Which watch is best digital or analog?

What determines whether or not a watch is suitable for you will depend on a wide variety of factors.

Some of which only a digital watch will have, and others that only an analog watch has.

As a result, which type of watch is best will depend largely on the preferences of the individual.

The analog watch operates using a mechanism which has the dials inside the clock face turn, compared to the LED display of a digital watch which will tell you the time by displaying digits.

The inner working aside, the main difference between the two types of watch lies in the appearance.

An analog watch gives off a sense of elegance and class. Sporting a more vintage style, this type of watch is perfectly suited for the traditional gentleman. It’s a fantastic option for formal social gatherings, dinner parties, and any time you want to get dressed up and looking your best.

A digital watch on the other hand can serve as a much more practical accessory. The digital watch is the one which will have your back if you’re out exploring in nature or need to be able to quickly tell the time. It will also likely have plenty of useful features which can help you navigate the world.

The digital watch is also perfectly suitable for playing sports, and any form of nighttime activity, since the screen will illuminate allowing you to see the time easily.

In some ways, the differences between analog and digital watches imitate those of the book and the e-reader. One is classic and is very pleasing to interface with, whereas the other has a more modern feel to it and gives you plenty of practical features.

How accurate is a digital watch?

An average digital watch is very accurate. Usually you won’t find more than a variance of 15-30 seconds in a month, and it’s rare to even have that much difference.

The difficulty in determining the accuracy of a digital watch though comes in the potential for affecting the quartz crystals inside.

The way a digital watch tells the time is by measuring the vibrations of a quartz crystal to a very precise degree. As a result, if the vibrations are affected by external factors, then the time measured by the digital watch could be slightly inaccurate.

The biggest indicator of whether or not the accuracy of the watch will be affected is the quality.

If you invest in a poor quality digital watch, with sub-par craftsmanship, then you will have to live with slightly inaccurate time readings. Though, this isn’t all too common.

Another factor which can affect the accuracy is the temperature of the environment you’re in. If the temperature is high, the quartz crystals tend to vibrate a little faster, and the opposite is true if the temperature is very low.

Air pressure can have the same effect on the quartz crystals, with increased air pressure leading to slower vibration and vice versa.

Related: Best Minimalist Wallet

A Final Word on Digital Watches for Men

Digital watches are great for exploration and adventures, both in urban and rural landscapes.

The best digital watch for you will be the one which best aligns with your lifestyle, with as many or as few features as you need.