Although watches aren’t the only product coming off the Casio production lines, they’re among the most commonly associated with the company.
Unlike many prestigious watch brands, Casio’s range extends from affordable and basic units to high-tech monsters. Therefore, determining the best Casio watch might not be such an easy task.
There are a lot of factors that go into picking the best Casio watch on the market. We’re here to help you choose the perfect one for you.
All five watches on the list below offer different features and are genuinely authentic.
Comparison Chart
Best Casio Watch Reviews
Casio EF527D-1AV
A sleek watch for guys with impeccable taste.
Product Highlights
Clothes may not maketh man, but the way a man dresses certainly tells a story about his taste. When talking about clothing, most people immediately think about tops, trousers, shoes, even socks and underpants. But certain accessories also tell quite a lot about someone’s taste. In this respect, the watch a man wears speaks volumes.
The Casio EF527D-1AV indicates everything about the wearer’s style. This is definitely not one of the watches that you’d want to take out into the wilderness, and it isn’t indestructible. Still, it’s made out of stainless steel, and offers a multitude of functions.
This Casio model employs a quartz movement. So, relatively standard – battery-powered, no-frills. The quartz crystal regulates a battery-powered electronic oscillator, offering a precise frequency, which does a terrific job of keeping the right time. As opposed to a plethora of mechanical watches in this price range, the quartz movement type is a sight for sore eyes. It offers much more precision.
But what makes this watch so good-looking? Even when you see it at the palm of your hand, you might not be able to tell. Although the silver, stainless steel build is gorgeous and trendy, that’s not quite it. The shape is relatively common – with some subtle quirks and the perfect size, but far from out of the ordinary. It may take you a while to realize that it’s the dial that makes this watch look truly amazing.
The dial is simple – black. There’s a stainless bezel involved, and it’s engraved with the rule pattern, which truly breathes life into the watch itself.
Thanks to the mineral material that the dial window is made from, the EF527D-1AV is pretty much safe from scratches. And thanks to the overall build, it’s water-resistant up to as much as 330ft . This isn’t as much as G-Shock Casio watches can take, but resilience is what they were built for. In contrast, this one is made for style.
Without a matching band, even the best dial and overall build can’t save a watch from potentially looking, well, ridiculous. With this Casio model, the band is made out of stainless steel and matches the rest of the model perfectly. It’s a fold-over clasp with a safety feature. Traditional and gorgeous.
You don’t get too many additional features with this model. But why would you expect extra features? You aren’t going to be using this one for hiking, trekking, diving, and so on. Still, there’s a chronograph (stopwatch) available, so you’ll have more than you really need when you want to dress up and look sleek.
The Good
Class is the name of the game when it comes to the Casio EF527D-1AV. It boasts a build, material quality, and features of much more expensive brands that sit on many millionaire’s wrists. In truth, other than the “Casio” name, there’s nothing that sets this model apart from top-tier classy watches. It’s made out of the aforementioned stainless steel, the dial is beautifully black and scratchproof, and the movement is quartz-based, which means accuracy.
The Bad
If you’re looking for a feature-rich watch, this model won’t do the trick. If you’re looking for a watch that’s going to take people’s breath away, you’re going to have to save up a lot more to get one of those prestigious names. But if you’re looking for a quality, well-built, resistant watch that will evoke style and class, the Casio EF527D-1AV is right up your alley.
Pros
- Classy
- Stainless steel
- Accurate
- Beautiful black dial
Cons
Not too many features
Casio SGW-450H-2BCF
A Casio sports watch packed with various useful outdoor features.
Product Highlights
Take a glance at this watch, and you’ll think that you’re looking at a bulky G-Shock model. Take it into your hands and put it on your wrist, and you’ll note that it’s actually really compact, at least for an outdoor model.
Class isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think about this watch, but with more casual clothes, the SGW-450G-2BCF can actually bring out a classy but interesting vibe. One thing’s for sure, though, if you’re not into various feature inscriptions on a watch, this Casio model might not be for you. It’s not the flashiest you’ll come across, but it’s not your “less is more” type of a watch, either.
You might be into the G-Shock watch series, and love the look even when you’re not out in nature. Still, wearing a G-Shock on your wrist during casual events is somewhat burdensome. First of all, they tend to be super-bulky, which means that they don’t really go hand-in-hand with tighter sleeves, for example. Well, the SGW-450G-2BCF is the ideal solution. It does, indeed, look like a G-Shock, but it isn’t. It’s not bulky, and it’s not huge.
Still, the lack of bulkiness doesn’t mean that this model can’t take a punch. Its shell is built out of stainless steel, and the mineral dial is fairly scratchproof. So, you do get resilience here.
Movement-wise, don’t expect it to be mechanical. Even though this watch hasn’t been designed for perfectly keeping track of time in the wilderness, the quartz movement delivers more than dependable accuracy.
Now, the band is made out of resin. It’s comfortable, and the buckle is pretty safe. Still, it’s not stainless steel, which might not appeal to some. But comfort-wise, it’s top-notch.
In terms of features, this Casio model is at the limit of entering the G-Shock category. It packs five daily alarms, world time with 31 time zones and 48 cities, code display for cities, and the Daylight Savings mode is optional. The stopwatch is precise up to 1/100 of a second, and you get a pre-programmed calendar, a countdown, as well as 12- and 24-hour formats. To top it off, the watch is water-resistant up to 330 ft – which is more than you can expect from a non-G-Shock model.
Color-wise, what you get is a black watch, with perfectly coordinated orange aesthetic details.
The Good
For the money (not too much), you get a watch that’s almost in the G-Shock category. In fact, it packs even more features than some G-Shocks. Still, all of this comes with a moderately-sized Casio model that will fit perfectly under any sleeve. It’s not made for rough outdoor activities, but you can take it out on one, and it probably won’t disappoint you.
The Bad
A stainless steel band would better satisfy a classier crowd. Still, the resin band on this model is much more comfortable. If you’re on a lookout for an exclusively classy or a performance model, this watch isn’t for you. If you’re aiming at a balance between the two classes, the SGW-450G-2BCF should be perfect for you.
Pros
- Affordable
- Black stainless steel
- Comfortable
- Feature-rich
Cons
Resin band
Casio SGW-1000-1ACR
A feature-rich, resilient wristwatch from Casio that can take a punch.
Product Highlights
A resin case as a feature doesn’t instill too much confidence. Most people look at “stainless steel” keywords when searching for a resilient wristwatch model. This is a common misconception, as resin cases actually offer a ton of protection against shocks, bumps, even scratches. It’s true, resin cases do tend to make watches bulkier, but the SGW-1000-1ACR somehow pulls it off without feeling too bulky.
Now, admittedly, you’ll definitely find more compact Casio watches out there. The SGW-1000-1ACR isn’t as bulky as some G-Shock models, but it’s still sizable, and probably won’t fit under every sleeve out there without showing.
Still, with bulkiness, come various features. In fact, it’s a real wonder how this model doesn’t fit the G-Shock category. But we’ll leave the guesswork to others. Let’s dive into the features that this brilliant watch has in store for you.
Firstly, the SGW-1000-1ACR comes with the ABC feature combo, frequently seen in G-Shock models. ABC is an acronym for altimeter, barometer, and compass. That’s quite something and perfectly convenient for sports and outdoor activities. It also packs a thermometer and can withstand pretty low temperatures. Yes, you can wear it out on the ice.
The digital dial is easy to read and protected by a crystal. And don’t even think about a mechanical movement– it’s all quartz here. This means more time-telling accuracy.
Although it’s a digital one, the compass is pretty accurate. You might need to recalibrate it every now and again, but it can hold on for at least a couple of days before recalibration.
Legibility-wise, the SGW-1000-1ACR is just fantastic. Its large face is easily readable in almost any light conditions. But in case you need it, there’s a LED backlight that you can engage.
You also get 31 time zones from all across the world, daylight savings options, as well as five alarms per day. The stopwatch is precise up to 1/10 of a second. It could be more precise, but there aren’t many downsides to this watch save for that.
Although it looks the part and is resilient, there’s probably a reason why this model hasn’t officially entered the G-Shock category, so keep that in mind. Still, as far as we were able to tell, it performed ideally in most conditions.
The Good
For a fairly affordable price, you get a resilient, feature-packed watch that isn’t as bulky as some G-Shock watches. Plus, you get the full ABC feature pack, with a thermometer in addition, perfect readability, time zones, daylight savings options, you name it.
The Bad
The stopwatch could be more precise. Some classy and formal Casio models offer stopwatch options with a 1/100 of a second precision, while this one goes only as far as 1/10 of a second. The strap is also somewhat uncomfortable, so you might want to consider switching it.
Pros
- Resilient
- ABC features
- Resistant to low temperatures
- Affordable
Cons
- Stopwatch could be more precise
- Strap uncomfortable
Casio PRW2500R
This is a Pro Trek Casio watch intended for outdoor enthusiasts.
Product Highlights
The name behind this category, Pro Trek, tells you a lot – the PRS 2500R has been designed for outdoor activities, particularly hiking and trekking. Naturally, comfort is something that you should expect. And with the 2500R, comfort is exactly what you get. Compared to the G-Shock line, this model from the Pro Trek category is fairly thin, although it is encased in protective resin.
If you’ve ever seen this type of a model, you’ll note that the 2500R is much better-shaped. This is thanks to the fact that Casio decided to shrink the sensors slightly, meaning there are fewer protrusions on the case itself.
The navigational bezel is also present. Now, we know what you’re going to say (if you’re familiar with navigational bezels). And no, this one doesn’t turn too easily. In fact, you may think that it’s too tough to turn, but it only takes a while to be broken in.
Pro Trek Casio models tend to be quite nerdy-looking, which is definitely not the case with this one. Well, compared to a classy watch type, yes, it might appear somewhat nerdy. But compared to other Pro Trek models and G-Shocks, the 2500R is downright classy.
It’s true, this model won’t take a beating as well as a G-Shock model, but for a Pro Trek model, it does more than a great job. It’s also water-resistant up to 200 meters, which is G-Shock-level performance.
One of the best things with the 2500R isn’t just the amount of information displayed at once on its face, but the readability involved. You might think that having the time, moon phase, barometer, tidal, and calendar data always displayed would be busy, but, somehow, this model pulls it off. At a mere glance, you’ll be able to pick up on the exact information that you’re looking for. If, of course, this isn’t the first time you’re looking at the watch.
Other features include calendar data, a number of alarms, auto backlighting, countdown, stopwatch, thermometer, compass, altimeter, etc. So, yes, you get the full-on ABC feature, plus a thermometer.
Granted, the first-time Pro Trek user might be looking at a bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t be able to go on your outdoor activities without it.
The Good
Clearly, the whopping amount of awesome features is one of the main upshots with this model. You get a ton packed into a non-oversized model, and a fair amount of resilience. Plus, it incorporates water-resistance levels of much more serious (and expensive) G-Shock models. All this without actually being in the G-Shock category. When it comes to Pro Trek models, this might just be the best Casio has yet released.
The Bad
If you’re looking for a fancy watch to wear on social events, don’t get your hopes up with this model. Some Pro Trek models might be fitting for a more formal occasion, but the 2500R is not one.
Pros
- Amazing number of features
- Data easily discernable
- ABC features + thermometer
- Comfortable
Cons
Not the classiest Pro Trek model
Casio A168WG-9
A retro-style Casio watch to perfectly fit your modern style.
Product Highlights
Remember those old-school watches that used to be popular in the 80s? Well, Casio used to make them, and they sold quite a number of them, too. With the modern rehash trends, a trip back into the past is to be expected in the watch department. This is why Casio decided to revisit one of their old-school models.
But the awesome thing about this model is that its price tag isn’t what you’d expect. It’s very affordable and genuinely awesome.
It’s safe to say that the shape of this model is out of the ordinary. It’s octagonal and features a solely digital display. Yep, just like back in the day.
The A168WG-9 is very humble in terms of size. In fact, it’s downright tiny. But that’s exactly what you want to see in this retro model.
Unlike most items on this list, this isn’t a performance watch. It isn’t the classiest model, either. It holds a completely separate category – it’s trendy. If you’re not into the rehash culture, you’re simply not going to like this model. It’s not one of those stainless steel, mid-sized, round watches that go hand-in-hand with a designer suit. We’re talking about a discreet, yet quirky offering.
The model is gold-plated, evoking the good-old 80s vibe. Still, you get quite a number of features with it. More than you’d expect from a casual, retro watch.
There’s a 1/100 of a second digital stopwatch, which is at a level of some G-Shock models. The backlight is electro-luminescent. Expect a quartz watch movement, which is extremely accurate.
It’s a lightweight model with a battery life capacity of seven years. Naturally, batteries are replaceable.
One of the biggest pluses that the A168WG-9 brings to the table is the fact that it will match any kind of outfit. You could even say that it’s independent of the outfit. Dress formally and slap the A168WG-9 on, and it will fit. Wear a tracksuit and sports shoes, and you’ll look like a trendsetter from the 80s. Dress casually, and it’s still a great look.
The Good
Get this watch, and you’ll definitely stand out. Users have reported getting compliments from everyone, businessmen, the elderly, younger guys, women, and so on. It’s a lightweight model that fits most wrists like a glove. The fact that it’s digital means that you won’t have to go through too much trouble to adjust and set time, alarms, lighting, etc.
The Bad
This model is water-resistant. But this only means that it won’t break down if you wash your hands while wearing it. After some time, however, the gold plating might start to wear away. This is probably a deal-breaker for most people.
Pros
- People love it
- Lightweight
- Adjustable
- Easy to use
Cons
The gold may wash off
Buyer’s Guide
The listed models are very different from each other. Some are great for hiking, some are classy, while others are downright quirky. You should always know what you’re looking for in a Casio watch. Here’s what you should keep in mind.
Types of Casio Collections
Not only does Casio make different types of products, but even their timepieces fall under various categories. For instance, you’ve got the G-Shock collection, which is focused on performance and resilience.
Then, there’s the Pro Trek category, which is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who won’t expose their watches to vicious conditions. Then, there’s the Edifice category, which brags advanced technology, intelligence, speed, and dynamic design. Sheen is all about female elegance.
You probably already know which collection you want to go with. Still, it doesn’t hurt to know which you lineup to choose from.
Features
Across different categories, Casio watches offer a wide variety of features. Some might appear in lineups where you might not expect them. Other features might be lacking in seemingly obvious categories. Knowing what features Casio offers is very important when choosing a perfect model for you.
Some Casio models are analog, some are digital, but others are “combi,” which means a combination of both. The ABC (altimeter, barometer, and compass) feature is often seen in the G-Shock lineup, but may appear in the Pro Trek category, as well as other unexpected ones.
The stopwatch is rather standard across the board in Casio watches. However, they vary in precision. Some measure 1/10 of a second, while others go to 1/100 and even 1/1000 of a second. Some Casio watches even offer Bluetooth connectivity and the atomic sync capabilities (synchronizing with nearby radio towers for perfectly accurate time).
There are many other features to keep in mind that are well-worth investigating.
Legacy
Although Casio watches might not be the most prestigious models on the market, they celebrate a long legacy. Casio is a company that was founded in 1946 in Japan. Since their inception, they’ve maintained a high standard, which is how they’ve stood the test of time.
Casio came up with a then-innovative technology that led to the inception of digital watches. This is why the term “digital watch” is still often attached to the Casio brand name.
Casio’s legacy is quite something to keep in mind when choosing the next wristwatch that you should buy. There’s a reason why they’re still around – pure quality and reliability.
Value
Casio is widely regarded as a premium brand, which means they offer quality, versatility, and value. Although most Casio watches don’t feature high price tags, they offer excellent service, and all the attributes you could want in a watch.
Don’t be deterred from Casio just because they also offer cheaper models. Some of their higher-priced watches are on par with some of the most prestigious watch manufacturers. Even better in some cases. With Casio, you’re purchasing value.
Sturdy Build
Casio is known far-and-wide for its sturdy build options. Yes, their G-Shock lineup makes some of the toughest watches on the market.
They can withstand great depths, high pressure, vicious weather conditions and temperatures, and can take quite a punch. G-Shocks have been thrown off buildings, ran over by trucks, smashed with hammers, and they’ve stood true.
But it’s not all about G-Shocks. Every Casio category boasts sturdy builds and high tolerance when it comes to outside influences. Most Casio watches are scratchproof, water-resistant, and can withstand great depths. This is a little-known fact when it comes to lineups other than G-Shock.
Still, G-Shock remains the most resilient Casio category.
FAQs
How to Set Time on a Casio Watch?
As mentioned earlier, there are various Casio watch categories. Each category, and sometimes even models within a category, have different ways to set the time. Purely-analog Casio watches are set in the old-school fashion. You pop the dial on the side and rotate it until the hands are at the right time.
Casio watches with the atomic sync technology should detect nearby radio towers and automatically set the time. Watches with four buttons include particular sequences that you need to follow in order to set the time (you’ll find it in the manual). Then, there are Bluetooth-capable watches that allow you to use a smartphone app to make various settings. In addition, you can use the app to set the time, as well.
All in all, time setting on Casio watches depends from model to model. Check the manual for more info.
How to Adjust a Casio Watch Band?
This also depends from model to model. Some feature resin bands, while others have metal and even stainless steel bands. Resin bands typically work as you’d expect them to. You use the belt to find the hole that best fits your wrist. Metal Casio straps will require you to use a knife or a thin, metal tool to release the buckle that’s holding it in place on the buckle. Once released, slide it to a position that you find fitting, and set the buckle again.
You should find more information regarding Casio band adjustment in the user manual.
How to Turn Off Alarm on a Casio Watch?
This, too, depends from model to model. Different Casio watches feature different alarm types. Some only have one alarm, while others allow you to set as many as five or more alarms per day. As a rule of thumb, you need to go through the display settings, once you get to the alarm mode. Experimentation is key here, if you don’t want to look at the manual.
Typically, one button toggles the alarm on or off, while another allows you to set different alarms.
Alternatively, models that have the Bluetooth feature will usually allow you to set the alarm from the smartphone app.
How to Set a Casio Illuminator Watch?
The Illuminator Casio series basically mixes the old and the new. In a beautiful design that brings the modern and the vintage together, you might find yourself struggling to set the whole thing up.
Still, even within the Illuminator category, the setup methods can vary from model to model. Some models will have an analog face, while others will feature a digital display. Plus, some boast both analog and digital features.
As a rule of thumb, pressing down the Mode button (typically located at the bottom left part of the timepiece) should run the setup mode. Then, press and hold down the Adjust button (usually directly above the Mode button) and wait for the digital time to start flashing. Then, go to the bottom-right part of the watch and hold down the Search button until you get to the correct time. Usually, both digital and analog features will move at the same time in the Illuminator category. Once you’re done, press the Adjust button.
Still, bear in mind that, even within the Illuminator category, the setup methods can vary.
Final Verdict
Although the final verdict depends on what you’re looking for in a watch, the Casio SGW-450H-2BCF is the most diverse watch of the bunch. Although it’s very resilient and packed with features, it’s not too bulky. It can pull off a classy look, while it still has a bunch of useful features.
It’s also very resilient, waterproof, and scratch-resistant. If you’re looking for a watch that combines some of the best overall Casio features, the SGW-450H-2BCF might just be the best Casio watch for you.