T he Asus ZenWatch 2 is among an increasing number of Android Wear smartwatches struggling to find a niche in the bold new world of wearable tech. It's a second-generation smartwatch, but as with many other newer devices, there isn't much on paper to entice.

The Asus ZenWatch 2 smartwatch is more refined than its predecessor, but Android Wear continues to lag behind the competition.

Relatively inexpensive; Lightweight; Decent battery life

Reflective display; Too much bezel; Bulky; Stiff leather band; Android Wear remains clumsy to navigate

The ZenWatch 2 is a decent purchase, but there are a lot of Android watches with slicker style and more power.

Outstanding battery life; Fast charging; Highly customizable

No heart rate sensor; Plastic back plate; Identical display and processor as last year's model; Uncomfortable strap

Still, the Asus ZenWatch 2 doesn't pretend to be anything but a low-cost, stylish Android Wear smartwatch, and at that job it succeeds well. It looks stylish, it doesn't cost much and the improvements to battery life are a major bonus. For many people, that will be recommendation enough.

The Asus ZenWatch 2, which starts at $129, is relatively inexpensive in the realm of Android Wear-based smartwatches. It's a slightly more refined take on its predecessor, and could be a decent choice if you're looking to get into the world of wearables, though some caveats apply. You must be comfortable with a small, reflective display, a much-too-large bezel, and most of all, with Android Wear's cumbersome user interface. Design and AvailabilityThe Zenwatch 2 comes in two sizes. The face on the smaller 1.45-inch version measures 1.78 by 1.46 by 0.41 inches (HWD), weighs 2.12 ounces, and features 280-by-280-pixel resolution. The larger 1.63-inch version comes in at 1.96 by 1.46 by 0.37 inches (HWD), weighs 2.5 ounces, and has 320-by-320-pixel resolution. Similar to the Motorola Moto 360 , you can choose the color of your case (which is essentially the frame for the watch face) and the type of band you want. Cases come in dark gray, rose gold, or silver, while strap options incl...

The Asus ZenWatch 2 smartwatch is more refined than its predecessor, but Android Wear continues to lag behind the competition.

Relatively inexpensive; Lightweight; Decent battery life

Reflective display; Too much bezel; Bulky; Stiff leather band; Android Wear remains clumsy to navigate

Now in their third generation, smartwatches have become much more refined, but have yet to become a must-wear for your wrist. The Asus Zenwatch 3 is unlikely to reverse that trend.

Good battery life; Attractive design; Customizable watch faces

No heart-rate monitor; Lacks GPS

Though it still hasn't grabbed consumers like some manufacturers had hoped, the smartwatch market is growing rather quickly, and a number of good options are currently available. For some users, price may be one of the key factors holding them back from buying a smartwatch.

Speaking of sequel devices, the Asus ZenWatch 2 recently launched in India at competitive prices. Costing anywhere between Rs. 11,999 and Rs. 14,999 depending on the variant, the Asus ZenWatch 2 marks the Taiwanese company's presence in the wearables segment in India, considering that the original...

Good performance and battery life; Excellent screen; Plenty of customisation and control options; Straps can be replaced quickly; Good pricing

Wasted space around the screen; Issues with motion sensors

If you have been putting off getting a smartwatch because of the cost, the new Asus ZenWatch 2 might just make you change your mind.This $229 Android Wear smartwatch is one of the more affordable ones in the market.

The ZenWatch 2 is Asus' second attempt at putting Android Wear on your wrist. 2014's ZenWatch was an attractive entry in the expanding smartwatch market, with its refined design and low price. But it was let down by the lack of a physical button and a use of a clunky, early version of Android Wear .

Superb design and build quality; Improved Android Wear implementation; Affordable price

Lack of heart-rate monitor; Limited iPhone compatibility