Best 2026 Smartwatches for contactless payments

#1

Samsung Wallet payments are described as seamless and convenient, making wrist-based NFC purchases a useful everyday feature.

#2

Google Wallet and Samsung’s payment support make quick purchases from the wrist easy and genuinely phone-free. Testers who used it viewed payments as one of the practical everyday smartwatch benefits.

#3

Garmin Pay is a useful convenience and a key reason to choose the 170 over the 70. Its value depends on bank support and whether buyers can justify the price...

#4

Contactless payments were positively described as practical for errands, coffee or post-workout stops without carrying a phone.

#5

Express Pay reduces friction by letting users tap to pay without first opening Wallet, a small convenience that meaningfully improves day-to-day use.

#6

Garmin Pay is useful for phone-free runs and everyday purchases, but reviewers disagree on whether it justifies the price premium over the cheaper Forerunner 70.

#7

Zepp Pay is present, but regional and bank support limits its usefulness. European users may need Curve, and not every German bank is directly supported.

#8

Contactless payments are region-dependent: one reviewer says Zepp Pay does not work in the United States, while a European reviewer reports Curve-based payment works smoothly.

#9

Contactless payment works quickly after setup, but enrollment and PIN friction make the implementation less convenient.

#10

Contactless-payment evidence was region-dependent: one review liked European NFC support, while others criticized limited or unavailable payment support.

#11

Garmin Pay is completely absent, so runners must carry a phone, card, or cash for purchases. This is one of the clearest reasons to consider the Forerunner 170.