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 EDC 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 EDC.
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
Purchase
The Best Digital Watch on a Budget: Casio A1000
Purchase
The Most Premium Digital Watch: Suunto 9 Peak Pro
Purchase
The Best Sport Digital Watch: Garmin Instinct 2X Solar
Purchase
The Best Smart Digital Watch: Apple Watch Ultra
Purchase
Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro
Purchase
Seiko SNJ025
Purchase
Huckberry x Timex IRONMAN Flix Reissue
PurchaseHow 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 EDCers of 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.
