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The best Michael Kors smartwatches you can buy (April 2022)
Michael Kors is an established and renowned luxury brand in the fashion world. In 2016, it joined the smartwatch race under the wing of the Fossil Group. Now, Michael Kors smartwatches are among the pick for those who value the aesthetics of their wearables.
Running Wear OS and built on Fossil’s smartwatch platforms, the brand’s wearables prove more and more popular with our readers. In this article, we look at the best Michael Kors smartwatches you can buy.
See also: The best smartwatches you can buy
Why buy a Michael Kors smartwatch?
Technology is an important factor for swathes of Wear OS smartwatch users, but we can’t ignore design either. As a fashion brand, Michael Kors smartwatches focus on the latter. Its wearables are available in several metal finishings, encrusted in stones, or bright statement colorways. If Skagen or Fossil smartwatches are too bland for your tastes, you’ll probably find something in the Michael Kors stable.
With the launch of the Fossil Gen 6 in late 2021, Michael Kors has only upgraded its flagship product to that newer, more impressive specification. We expect its popular styles, including Lexington, Darcy, and MKGO, to make the upgrade eventually. However, for now, these are still based on Fossil’s older Gen 5 platform.
The best Michael Kors smartwatches
- The Michael Kors Bradshaw Gen 6 is the best Michael Kors smartwatch available. It’s based on Fossil’s newer Gen 6 platform, which includes better hardware and a potential upgrade to Wear OS 3 in the future.
- The Michael Kors Lexington 2 remains the best Gen 5 Michael Kors smartwatch. The older platform shouldn’t dissuade users from buying it if they love the classic design.
- The Michael Kors Darci is the best Michael Kors smartwatch for smaller wrists. The more compact Gen 5E platform means slightly lesser specs but benefits from a more petite build.
- The Michael Kors MKGO (Gen 5E) is essentially a Darci with a silicone strap. This makes this particular watch more attractive to those seeking style and utility.
- The Michael Kors MKGO (Gen 4) is the best Michael Kors smartwatch for active users. It’s also an excellent product for those on a budget.
Michael Kors Bradshaw Gen 6: The best Michael Kors smartwatch
The Bradshaw is currently the only Michael Kors smartwatch to jump to Gen 6. Naturally, this makes it the best option available.
Bradshaw buyers don’t necessarily buy the watch for its internals, but the new platform makes significant strides on this front. There’s a much faster Snapdragon 4100 Plus chipset at play, alongside quick charging and the upgrade to Bluetooth 5.0 LE. Up front, a 44mm face houses a 1.28-inch AMOLED display. Buyers also get a more acute fitness-tracking focus by introducing an SpO2 sensor and an upgraded heart rate sensor. Sleep tracking and daily wellness monitoring smarts also feature.
The Bradshaw Gen 6 also carries several features of its predecessor, including an onboard speaker, voice assistant support, and an incredibly dazzling array of finishes. Built-in GPS connectivity and 5ATM water resistance complete the flashy package. Michael Kors’ flagship wearable does not come cheap, though, starting at a lofty $350.
Our verdict: Fossil Gen 6 review
Michael Kors Lexington 2: The best Gen 5 Michael Kors smartwatch
The Lexington 2 made its debut in 2019. Despite its age, it remains one of the most popular smartwatches in the brand’s stable. As a hat-tip to the non-smart Lexington, the Lexington 2 features a textured bezel around its face with three buttons on its right-hand side. It’s a little stocky, too, with its 44mm dial and 12mm thick body.
In terms of technology, the Lexington 2 is built on Fossil’s Gen 5 platform. This means it packs a built-in speaker and microphone for chatter with callers and smart assistants, heart rate monitoring, and NFC for mobile payments. The Lexington 2 also boasts 5ATM water resistance and custom battery modes for those on the go. It’s the perfect smartwatch for those seeking a smartwatch inspired by a classic timepiece but don’t mind the dated technology.
Michael Kors Darci: A smartwatch for smaller wrists
Don’t fret if the Bradshaw Gen 6 or Lexington 2 are too large — there’s a daintier offering, too. The updated Michael Kors Darci is one of Michael Kors’s newer smartwatches. It’s based on Fossil’s more compact Gen 5E platform and features a seven-link bracelet with a jewel-encrusted stainless steel case. It’s slightly smaller than its siblings mentioned above, making it a better smartwatch for smaller wrists.
The wearable also boasts a longer battery life but features just 4GB of internal storage. It may be a smaller option, but that doesn’t mean it’s not flashy, with its bezel embellished by gems and MK accents.
See also: The best fitness trackers for women
Michael Kors MKGO (Gen 5E): A Darci with a silicone strap
The Michael Kors MKGO Gen 5E shares its platform with the Darci. While the two watches seem similar on paper, there are some key styling and design differences.
For starters, the MKGO is available in a slew of band options. It also employs an aluminum case, which shaves some digits off its weight and price compared to its siblings. The right-hand side button is also tauter than the Darci, while a single line of jewels borders the display. It’s arguably the more practical new Michael Kors smartwatches available.
Michael Kors MKGO (Gen 4): A budget Michael Kors smartwatch
Finally, the Michael Kors MKGO is unlike any other smartwatch in the brand’s stable. Launched in 2019, it’s based on Fossil’s slightly older Gen 4 technology. Despite this, we include it in this list due to its unique design.
It drops the flash metal exterior used on the Bradshaw Gen 6, Darci, and MKGO Gen 5E for silicone straps and a candy-colored case. This makes it most suited for users who lead an active lifestyle. It’s also by far the cheapest Michael Kors smartwatch listed here but has become pretty tough to find online. While that price is mainly due to its use of the older technology platform, it still sports heart rate tracking and NFC smarts for Google Pay.
FAQs
Q: What operating system do Michael Kors smartwatches use?
A: All Michael Kors smartwatches use Wear OS. Those devices based on Gen 6 technology may be upgraded to Wear OS 3 in the future.
Q: Do Michael Kors watches include message reply features?
A: Yes. Like other Wear OS devices, you can reply to messages directly from your wrist.
Q: Can I use Michael Kors smartwatches with iOS?
A: Yes, you can connect Michael Kors smartwatches to iPhones and Android devices.
Q: Are there any Michael Kors smartwatches with LTE support?
A: No. Currently, none of the Michael Kors smartwatches feature built-in SIM or LTE support. You can however make and receive calls via Bluetooth through your smartphone on Gen 5E, Gen 5, and Gen 6 devices.
Q: Are Michael Kors smartwatches good for active users?
A: Well, not entirely. The Michael Kors range puts aesthetics first and everything else second. Some models, like the MKGO (Gen 4) are more geared towards active users, but this particular model is more than three years old. Considering the Michael Kors watches pricing, you’re better off with a dedicated fitness watch if health and activity tracking is your primary use case.
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