Smartwatch Repairability Scores
You have the right to repair the things you own—but how easily can that be done?
To find out, our engineers tear down the latest smartwatches and score their repairability from zero (unrepairable) to ten (easiest to repair) so you can pick a product that is easy to repair and lasts as long as possible.
What makes a repairable device?
It should be straightforward to disassemble and replace whatever’s broken, using parts and instructions supplied (or endorsed) by the manufacturer. But that’s just to start—repairability means so much more. For full details, see our repairability scoring explainer.
Repairability is a moving target
We update our scoring rubric frequently to stay current with new technologies, materials, and design trends. This means that devices scored in years past might not fare exactly the same if they were re-scored today, but they can be readily compared with their contemporaries. For a precise list of criteria used to calculate each score, click the scorecard version number linked to each device below. For a downloadable (CSV) list of all scores, click here.
Smartwatch Scores
Sorted by newest to oldest
Google Pixel Watch 2
2023
PROS
- Band is easily swappable.
NOTES
- Screws secure the battery, but replacement requires near total disassembly to access its connector.
CONS
- No screws/clips means that without custom cut adhesive, the watch can’t be reliably reassembled after repair.
- No official repair parts or instructions are available.
Fitbit Charge 6
2023
PROS
- Band is straightforward to replace.
CONS
- Specialty tools are required to pry up the display and get inside—a tedious and risky process.
- No screws/clips means that without custom cut adhesive, the watch can’t be reliably reassembled after repair.
- No official repair parts or instructions are offered.
Apple Watch Series 9
2023
PROS
- Band replacements are easy and tool-free.
- Battery and display replacements are well-prioritized, if difficult to access.
CONS
- Tight seams and reliance on adhesive makes all internal repairs quite challenging.
- No official repair parts or instructions are available.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5
2023
PROS
- Screws and clips hold the watch together, greatly simplifying both entry and reassembly.
- The display and chassis are reasonably straightforward to replace together as a single assembly.
CONS
- No official replacement parts or repair instructions are available.
Google Pixel Watch
2022
PROS
- Band is easily swappable.
NOTES
- Screws secure the battery, but replacement requires near total disassembly to access its connector.
CONS
- No screws/clips means that without custom cut adhesive, the watch can’t be reliably reassembled after repair.
- No official repair parts or instructions are available.
Apple Watch Ultra
2022
PROS
- Band replacements are fast, easy, and backward-compatible with earlier models.
- Display and battery repairs are tough but well-prioritized, and the sensor assembly is independently accessible.
CONS
- Tight seams and reliance on adhesive makes all internal repairs quite challenging.
- No official repair parts or instructions are available.
Fitbit Versa 4
2022
PROS
- The band is easily swapped out.
CONS
- No screws/clips means that without custom cut adhesive, the watch can’t be reliably reassembled after repair.
- Specialty tools are required to pry up the display and get inside—a tedious and risky process.
- No official replacement parts or repair instructions are available.
Samsung Galaxy Watch5
2022
PROS
- Screws and clips hold the watch together, greatly simplifying both entry and reassembly.
- The display and chassis are reasonably straightforward to replace together as a single assembly.
CONS
- No official replacement parts or repair instructions are available.
Garmin Venu Sq — Music Edition
2022
PROS
- The band at least can be easily swapped out.
CONS
- Without custom cut adhesive, the watch can’t be reliably reassembled after repair.
- The battery is soldered in place, restricting service to skilled technicians.
- No official replacement parts or repair instructions are available.
