In just a few short years, Michael Kors has become a major player in the connected watch market. And for those who care as much about the look as the technology inside a connected watch, Michael Kors remains a safe bet. Michael Kors was one of the first fashion brands to massively embrace wearable technology, and its catalog is pretty extensive. To help you find the right Michael Kors connected watch for you, follow this guide!
Here is our commitment, to make sure that we provide the best user experience and content quality:
You can support us by using our links to make your purchases (at no extra cost to you)! This sometimes earns us a commission which allows us to remain independent. More about us
This Gen 5E Darci connected watch perfectly symbolizes the DNA of Michael Kors. It focuses less on smart features and more on design and ergonomics. When it comes to value for money, this is the best Michael Kors has to offer.
239 £ on MichaelkorsThe Michael Kors Gen 5E Darci connected watch is big, bold and bling. It weighs just over 100 grams, which may feel heavy on your first day of wear. But your wrist will quickly get used to it. One thing is clear: this Michael Kors connected watch is primarily for those who want the high-end look and feel of a designer watch. The case, which is 20mm thick, is made of stainless steel and the watch is water resistant up to 5 ATM.
The watch measures 43 mm in diameter and has a 1.19-inch AMOLED display. There is a paved bezel and a crown on the side with the MK logo engraved on it. You'll have to press it to open an app menu or long press to activate Google Assistant. Inside the Gen 5E Darci, you'll find a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor and 512MB of RAM. It runs on Google's Wear OS operating system. You can pair the watch with an Android smartphone or an iPhone, and Wear OS allows you to read notifications from the wrist, download applications and monitor your health and fitness. Finally, we'll note that there's a built-in speakerphone, which alerts you to calls.
The Michael Kors Access Gen 5E MKGO combines a luxury sensibility with enough practicality for everyday use. What's more, it's the best Michael Kors connected watch you can get for less than £200.
159 £ on MichaelkorsIf you're interested in a feature-rich Michael Kors connected watch that doubles as a fashion accessory, you won't be disappointed with the Access Gen 5E MKGO. The 43mm, 11mm-thick case sports an eye-catching pavement pattern around the frame and a sturdy aluminum construction. A substantial and responsive multipurpose button with the MK logo engraved on it serves as a thoughtful accent. All of these details give this watch a chic look at first glance. Although it contrasts slightly with the high-end details of the frame, the MKGO version of the Access Gen 5E comes with a comfortable and flexible rubber strap. This extra touch offers functionality and comfort without detracting from the overall high-end design.
The 1.19-inch AMOLED touchscreen itself is bright, responsive and customizable with one of several optional Wear OS watch faces, which you can access from the Wear OS app or the watch itself. The OS provides a solid foundation for everyday ease of use with smart features like Bluetooth calling, Google Assistant integration and different battery modes. And while it offers all the fitness tracking paraphernalia, this watch dazzles primarily as a fashion accessory.
The Michael Kors Access Sofie Gen 4 is something of an update to the Michael Kors Bradshaw. This connected watch looks simply gorgeous on the wrist, with a sleek, thin stainless steel band and a dazzling, fully circular touchscreen.
279 £ on AmazonThe new Michael Kors Access Sofie Gen 4 connected watch runs the Android Wear operating system. But the most notable improvements over the Access Bradshaw outside of the design are the fully circular display and a new version of Google's Android Wear operating system. The gemstone bezel, fully circular display and stainless steel bracelet offer a luxurious and elegant look, allowing this model to stay true to the recognizable style of Michael Kors watches. On the other hand, the metallic design paired with the gemstones is perhaps a bit too eye-catching, and we would have preferred a slightly simpler aesthetic.
Like almost all Android Wear connected watches, the Access Sofie Gen 4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor with 512MB of RAM. You won't have any performance issues. There's also 4GB of storage, so you can store music on the smartwatch and play it via Bluetooth headphones. The display resolution is 390 x 390 pixels, which is quite high for a 1.19-inch AMOLED display. The screen is vivid and is bright enough for outdoor use in direct sunlight.
Launched at the same time as the Access MKGO and Access Bradshaw 2, the Access Lexington Gen 2 is the most stylish of the trio and includes fitness tracking features by default.
208 £ on AmazonAny specific needs?
The best Michael Kors connected watch in 2021
The best entry-level Michael Kors connected watch
The best high-end Michael Kors connected watch
Excellent Michael Kors connected watch
Your guide :
Rate this buying guide :By rating this buying guide, you are helping us to reward our best writers. Thank you!
| The best | Inexpensive | Top of the line | Excellent | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
9/10 |
7/10 |
8/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
Michael Kors Gen 5E Darci
|
Michael Kors Access Gen 5E MKGO
|
Michael Kors Access Sofie Gen 4
|
Michael Kors Access Lexington Gen 2
|
|
This Gen 5E Darci connected watch perfectly symbolizes the DNA of Michael Kors. It focuses less on smart features and more on design and ergonomics. When it comes to value for money, this is the best Michael Kors has to offer.
|
The Michael Kors Access Gen 5E MKGO combines a luxury sensibility with enough practicality for everyday use. What's more, it's the best Michael Kors connected watch you can get for less than £200.
|
The Michael Kors Access Sofie Gen 4 is something of an update to the Michael Kors Bradshaw. This connected watch looks simply gorgeous on the wrist, with a sleek, thin stainless steel band and a dazzling, fully circular touchscreen.
|
Launched at the same time as the Access MKGO and Access Bradshaw 2, the Access Lexington Gen 2 is the most stylish of the trio and includes fitness tracking features by default.
|
|
|
Operating system
|
Wear OS
|
Wear OS
|
Android Wear
|
Wear OS
|
|
Body thickness
|
20 mm
|
20 mm
|
11 mm
|
8 mm
|
|
Integrated GPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waterproofing
|
5 ATM
|
5 ATM
|
5 ATM
|
5 ATM
|
|
Autonomy (mixed use)
|
24 hours
|
24 hours
|
1 to 2 days
|
36 hours
|
Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!
We spend thousands of hours each year studying the major specialized websites, analyzing products of hundreds of brands and reading user feedback to advise you on the best products.
We are a product review company with a single mission: to simplify your buying decisions. Our research and testing helps millions of people every year find the best products for their personal needs and budget.
To support us you can: use our links to make your purchases (which often earns us a small commission), share our articles on social networks, or recommend our site on your blog. Thanks in advance for your support!
Michael Kors took his first steps in fashion at Lothar's in New York City on the island of Manhattan in 1980. He went on to create his own brand in 1981, which earned him recognition with Dupont's First American Original award in 1983. His first concept was a ready-to-wear and accessories line. In 2001, Michael Kors added apparel to its line of accessories and chic watches for women and men. Michael Kors products are sold in many of the brand's stores in the United States and in major fashion capitals such as London, Milan, Munich, Paris and even in Asia.
Michael Kors watches are distinguished by their elegance. They come with leather or stainless steel straps and analog or chronograph watches. It should be noted that all Michael Kors watches are water resistant. These famous and attractive watches offer several metal faceplate colors plated on stainless steel, such as yellow gold, rose gold, black, bronze, silver and two-tone models. Each Michael Kors watch is encrusted with Swarovski crystals or mother of pearl. Leather straps come in a wide range of mixed materials like python and crocodile, as well as other optional designs. If you're into bright colors, Michael Kors also offers flashy designs.
In 2016, Michael Kors entered the connected watch market with the Access Runway. This first Michael Kors connected watch boasts a clean look that some might call minimalist, but still retains the elegance and beauty that Michael Kors is known for. This connected watch The Michael Kors Access Runway connected watch is packed with amazing features that can make your daily life easier. It is powered by Google's Wear OS and features NFC, GPS and the ability to receive notifications and even calls from a paired smartphone.
This first foray by Michael Kors into the connected watch market has been a success. The brand was praised by professionals and users alike for the Access Runway's chic yet modern style. Since then, Michael Kors has produced other successful connected watches. In fact, the Michael Kors Access Sofie is considered by many to be one of the best connected watches for women. It has gained popularity due to its design and practical features.
In just a few years, Michael Kors has become a major player in the watch industry, and then in connected watches. Wearing a watch is a very personal choice. Michael Kors watches do a great job of mixing design and functionality. For those who care as much about the look of a connected watch as the technology used inside, Michael Kors is a brand to watch.
The Michael Kors brand has been at the top of the fashion industry and has grown to become a competitive force in the connected watch sector with the 2019 edition of the Access Runway, among others. This piece of ingenuity was the brand's first real success. It was its provocative, modern and sophisticated look that the public loved. Most of the Michael Kors connected watches are available in a silver, gold and rose gold shade.
The straps of Michael Kors connected watches are customizable to fit as many people as possible. Typically, the material used is silicon or metal. The latter can be uncomfortable. Michael Kors watches have three buttons on the right side, except for the Darci models and those stamped MKGO. The frame is always stainless steel. However, we regret that the functionality of Michael Kors connected watches is limited on iPhone. You can not respond to notifications, but only read them. Another drawback is that the battery life is decent, but far from that offered by the high-end connected watches offered by Apple, Samsung or Xiaomi.
The first striking difference between a Michael Kors connected watch and an Apple model is the design. Michael Kors is a brand that is mainly known for its high-end fashion products for men and women. Therefore, it puts a more elegant style on all its watches, including connected watches. On the other hand, an Apple Watch definitely has a sportier look. Therefore, it is usually the favorite among people leading a more active lifestyle.
Like Michael Kors connected watches, Apple Watches are also largely customizable to fit your own style, but Apple sets the bar high with dozens of different watch faces and bands. While the Michael Kors Lexington 2 offers three different styles, the Apple Watch Series 5, for example, offers sporty, leather, or Milanese straps, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or ceramic dials, and a whole palette of colors to choose from. Of course, you will have understood that all Apple Watch smartwatches are only compatible with iPhones.
An Apple smartwatch is a fitness oriented watch and will not be used to its fullest if you are not passionate about sports or fitness. If your priority is more than functionality, if you want a product that will work well, an Apple Connected Watch is certainly the best option for you. With it, you will be able to collect data more accurately than with any other connected watch on the market. It is comfortable to wear, lightweight, fits well on any size wrist and makes your life easier.
A Michael Kors connected watch will work for you if you're the type who values style over functionality. It won't beat an Apple Watch for battery life and activity tracking, and it's not the best option if you're a fitness or sports enthusiast, but it's great for everyday use in a professional setting because of the classic, elegant look Michael Kors offers. A Michael Kors connected watch will be a perfect gift for your wife or girlfriend because of its classic, high-end look that goes with most clothing looks. It is also compatible with Android and iOS, which is a plus, as it can meet the needs of a wide range of people compared to the Apple watch that can only be used by iPhone owners.
Like most connected watches, Michael Kors connected watches are designed to go with your smartphone, device compatibility is very important. For example, Samsung's Tizen-powered Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Watch Active 2 work with several Android handsets as well as iPhones. Although you should note that it's easier to use these watches with an Android device, and especially a Samsung device. The vast majority of Michael Kors connected watches run on Wear OS which is compatible with both Android and iOS smartphones. But generally, Android smartphone owners get a few extra features with Michael Kors
connected watches.Most connected watches use a colored LCD or AMOLED screen, which allows you to display photos, apps and other content in richer colors and tend to be brighter. Fortunately, almost all Michael Kors connected watches use an AMOLED display. You can find older models with an LCD screen. Always opt for an AMOLED screen. The only downside is that the battery life is shortened.
Michael Kors connected watches offer a wide choice of straps and/or dial. This is important if you want to customize the look of your device. In particular, you can choose the color and material of the strap, as well as the finish and size of the dial on some Michael Kors models. Keep in mind that comfort matters a lot, as does the ease with which you can attach the Michael Kors connected watch to your wrist. It is always advisable to opt for a watch with a bulky clasp that requires too much force to open and close. Fortunately, most of the new Michael connected watches use standard buckles.
As fitness trackers continue to attract attention, connected watch manufacturers have already incorporated physical activity monitoring features into their products. Some smartwatches rely on your smartphone for activity tracking, but most have at least a built-in pedometer to track step counts. For Michael Kors connected watches, you should know that not all of them have built-in GPS, and only some offer, for example, sleep tracking. On the other hand, all Michael Kors connected watches running Wear OS have a built-in heart rate monitor.
Most connected watches with color screens tend to last one to two days between charges (and sometimes less than a day), so you'll need to consider how often you're willing to keep plugging in your watch. Regardless, even with heavy GPS use, all Michael Kors connected watches guarantee 24 hours of battery life. But if, in addition, you choose a Michael Kors connected watch with voice command capabilities, you should expect the battery life to be lower than advertised, especially if you use this feature frequently.
How to adjust the vibration of notifications
Swipe down from the top of the main screen > Tap the Settings > Notifications > Swipe down to the vibration pattern > Choose between normal, long and double.
How to adjust notification previews
Swipe down from the top of the main screen > Tap Settings > Notifications > Notification Previews > Choose between High (where previews will always show), Normal (where previews will show for five seconds), and Off (where previews will not show).
How to get rid of a single notification alert.
Swipe up from the bottom of the main watch face to access your notifications > Swipe left or right on the notification card to close it.
How to get rid of all notification alerts
Swipe up from the bottom of the main watch face > Swipe up to the end of your notification cards > Press Clear All.
How to enable or disable Bluetooth?
Swipe down from the top of the watch's main dial > Tap Settings > Scroll to Connectivity > Tap Bluetooth > Turn Bluetooth on or off.
How do I search for available Bluetooth devices?
Scroll down from the top of the watch's main dial > Tap Settings > Scroll down to Connectivity > Tap Bluetooth > Scroll down to search for available devices.
How to enable or disable Wi-Fi
Swipe down from the top of the watch's main dial > Tap Settings > Scroll to Connectivity > Tap Wi-Fi > Turn Wi-Fi on or off.
How do I add a Wi-Fi network?
Swipe down from the top of the watch's main dial > Tap Settings > Scroll to Connectivity > Tap Wi-Fi > Tap Add Network > Tap the network you want to add > Enter the password on your smartphone.
How to enable or disable location
Swipe down from the top of the watch's main dial > Tap Settings > Scroll to Connectivity > Scroll to Location > Turn on or off.
High-end design
All watches produced by Michael Kors feature a very classy and elegant design. What makes Michael Kors connected watches look even more impressive is the raised bezel around the dial. The MK logo engraved on the crown is another really refined little detail. The strap, whether it's stainless steel or silicon is just as stylish as the dial and also has Michael Kors written on it.
A versatile operating system
All Michael Kors connected watches run on Wear OS, Google's operating system for Android connected watches. You'll get the most out of a Michael Kors connected watch if you have an Android smartphone. You can also pair your Michael Kors connected watch with an iPhone. You'll get most of the main features, not all.
A smooth user experience
Once paired with your smartphone, a Michael Kors connected watch usually allows you to use a dedicated mobile app to decide which notifications you want to display on your watch screen. Through this app, you can also set up thumbnails and select your dial design. All of this can also be done on your smartwatch screen, but it's much faster to do it with your smartphone. As far as navigation goes, most of it will be done by swiping on the watch screen. It is possible to have the dial always on, but be aware that it will drain your battery faster.
Limited but useful features
The best Michael Kors connected watches have a long list of features that even the most demanding customers consider attractive. On all Michael Kors connected watches, there is almost always a built-in GPS, which means you can easily measure and track distance, speed and pace during your physical activities. They also usually have NFC (Near Field Communication) technology for Google Pay. Sometimes taken for granted, but just as essential, the best Michael Kors connected watches have a built-in microphone and speaker, allowing you to easily connect with Google Assistant as well as answer your phone calls.
Decent battery life
Generally, Michael Kors connected watches all offer an average battery life of 24 hours. On the other hand, the Sofie Gen 4 and Lexington Gen 2 models have a much longer battery life with 1 to 2 days for the former and 36 hours for the latter. Of course, as with any other smart device, this will depend solely on how you use the watch. If you still want to have features like GPS and heart rate monitor and also use a maximum number of notification alerts, your watch will last less time on a full charge.
We believe these are the best alternative brands to the Michael Kors connected watches:
Garmin has been specializing in the manufacture of navigation systems since 1989. Its connected watches are highly prized by sportsmen and women because of their breathtaking performance. They are qualified as the best on the market.
Apple's reputation in digital technology is known to all. These smartwatch ranges with elegant design are always of very high quality. But they are often expensive.
Chinese Huawei is a global telecommunications giant. In addition to telecom equipment (5G in particular), tablets, laptops and smartphones, the brand also produces connected watches, some of which are waterproof.
Founded only 10 years ago, Xiaomi continues to deploy its know-how on the global smartphone market. But a genius jack-of-all-trades, the Chinese brand has also tackled other sectors like electric scooters and connected watches.
Amazfit is a Chinese connected watch brand launched by Huami, a subsidiary of Xiaomi. The company produces affordable connected watches with excellent battery life and always-on, very bright and responsive screens.
Change the watch face
On Michael Kors connected watches, the Wear OS allows you to set up custom dial themes, then switch between them. Maybe you like a sporty look that shows your stats, or a more classic look for going out. Customize a few to your liking, then simply switch between them by holding down the watch face, then swiping the screen left and right. You can also add and switch between watch faces via the Wear OS app.
Pin up your favorite apps
If you have a lot of apps on your Michael Kors connected watch, it can be hard to scroll through the list to find them all. But if you have apps you use frequently, access the app drawer and pin them to the top of the menu by simply holding a finger on the icon for a second. It will then move to the top of the list.
Share a number
Many connected watches running Wear OS, such as some Michael Kors models now offer cellular connectivity, which means you can make and receive calls from your wrist. Ideally, you don't want to get a second phone number, but some mobile carriers allow you to share your primary smartphone number. If you get a watch with the LTE network, it's worth checking to see if number sharing is an option.
Connect to Wi-Fi
Wear OS gives your Michael Kors connected watch a lot more standalone functionality, but to get the most out of it, you need to use the best connection possible. As soon as you set up your new Michael Kors connected watch, make sure you connect it directly to your Wi-Fi network, which means you'll be able to browse the Play Store and use features like Google Assistant. If you didn't do so on the smartphone during setup, you can connect to Wi-Fi from the watch by going to Settings > Connectivity > Wi-Fi.
Customize your buttons
Some of the newer Wear OS connected watches, including Michael Kors models, allow you to configure the buttons on your watch, letting you create shortcuts to your most-used features. Head to Settings> Personalization> Customize hardware buttons to choose what you want them to do. If you plan to use Google Pay, we recommend dedicating at least one button to that for convenience, for example.
As is now standard on newer connected watches, users can download apps directly from the watch. That means you can browse the Google Play Store from your Michael Kors connected watch and start downloading your favorite apps. Of course, if you prefer, you can also download via a smartphone via Bluetooth.
On your watch, open the Google Pay app. Tap the "Get Started" prompt. Set up the screen lock, if you haven't already. On your smartphone, follow the instructions to add a credit or debit card. This will only add them to your watch, not your smartphone as well. Your card will then show up on your Michael Kors connected watch. Now select that card. If prompted, choose "Credit", regardless of your card type. For debit card transactions, you may need to enter a PIN. Hold your watch over the contactless payment terminal until you hear a sound or feel a vibration from your watch.
Your Michael Kors connected watch running Wear OS will work smoothly most of the time, but knowing how to reset it is a very handy skill. If you find that your watch regularly disconnects from your smartphone, doesn't sync properly, or displays slowdowns, it's time to give it a factory reset. Here's how to do it:
Yes. While Apple doesn't allow those with Android smartphones to pair with an Apple Watch, iPhone users can use Wear OS smartwatches like those offered by Michael Kors. And, for a long time, the Wear OS app for iPhone offered an extremely limited experience. Today, recent software improvements allow users to access news thumbnails, notification settings, calendar syncing, Google Assistant, Google Fit and add more watch face styles.
Every month we help more than 1 000 000 people buy better and smarter.
Copyright © 2022 - Made with ♥ by buyingbetter.co.uk
Your reviews and buying guides 0% advertising, 100% independent!
