Smartwatches do extra than simply observe your steps and ship cellphone alerts to your wrist. The most effective smartwatches go even additional, supplying you with the power to pay for a cup of espresso, take calls and connect with apps like Spotify all with out whipping out your smartphone.
Chances are high, for those who’re studying this, you already know the entire advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to take a position, or improve from an growing old accent, however we wouldn’t blame you for those who for those who didn’t know the place to start out. There are dozens of smartwatches accessible now, together with GPS operating watches, health trackers that seem like smartwatches and multi-purpose units. Plus, you’ll wish to contemplate components like sturdiness, battery life and working system earlier than you spend some huge cash on a brand new wearable. We’ve examined and reviewed most main smartwatches accessible right now and these are our prime picks.
Desk of contents
Greatest smartwatches of 2025
Apple
Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (elective) | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Waterproof: Sure | Assistant help: Siri | Show: At all times-on, wide-angle OLED touchscreen | Weight: 36.4 grams | Battery life: 18 hours
Learn our full Apple Watch Collection 10 evaluation
Whereas the Collection 10 is yet one more iterative replace to the Apple Watch, this wearable stays on the prime of our record as a result of Apple is aware of the way to add small however helpful options over time with out fixing what isn’t damaged. The Collection 10 is barely thinner and lighter than its predecessor, and it has a slightly bigger display that makes use of a wide-angle OLED panel for higher viewing angles. Each of these issues, certainly, make it simpler to see and work together with textual content and graphics on the display from all totally different positions.
Apple additionally elevated the effectivity of the Watch’s battery with this newest mannequin, so most customers ought to see a slight enhance in battery life. The Watch continues to be technically rated for 18 hours of battery life, however you’ll doubtless get extra juice out of it even with a GPS-tracked run thrown in through the day. Whereas we nonetheless want the Apple Watch had a multi-day battery life like opponents from Garmin and Fitbit do, any battery beneficial properties are a plus — particularly for many who wish to reap the benefits of the brand new sleep apnea monitoring function that the Collection 10 has in watchOS 11. This new function permits the Watch to trace respiration throughout sleep and word any disturbances in a 30-day interval. Contemplating the Watch has had comparatively primary sleep monitoring options till now, this can be a welcomed addition.
In any other case, the Collection 10 does every part proper that the Collection 9 did. It stays a superb health monitoring watch and a good way to obtain the entire most vital alerts out of your iPhone in a extra discreet method. Anybody with a Collection 9 or 8 is perhaps dissatisfied by the Collection 10 as a result of it’s not reinventing the wheel, and due to this fact could not really feel like an enormous improve. However these coming from an older Apple Watch mannequin, or a wholly totally different wearable, will discover a giant distinction in efficiency, options and charging velocity.
Google / Engadget
Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (elective) | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Waterproof: Sure | Assistant help: Google Assistant | Show: At all times-on Actua touchscreen | Weight: 31 grams | Battery life: 24 hours
Learn our full Google Pixel Watch 3 evaluation
It solely took three iterations, however Google lastly received it proper with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s probably the most absolutely realized Pixel Watch but, and one which any Android fan would get a number of use out of. The newest mannequin, which now is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, has a barely bigger round show that’s brighter than ever and might attain as much as a 60Hz refresh charge. It may well additionally drop down to simply 1 nit of brightness if you’re carrying it to sleep, which not solely makes for a greater expertise general, but in addition contributes to its longer battery life. You’ll rise up to 24 hours out of the Pixel Watch 3, which is a giant enchancment over the earlier era and extra consistent with competing units from Apple and Samsung.
The Pixel Watch 3 can be an awesome exercise monitoring system, with options like auto exercise detection and customized operating plans, plus the power to trace metrics like Cardio Load. There’s Fitbit smarts in right here, identical to in earlier Pixel Watches, so that you’re coated with regards to day by day exercises, steps, sleep and extra. The one draw back to that is that for those who’re focused on extra in-depth teaching, these options are hidden behind the Fitbit Premium paywall.
Whereas Put on OS 5 may use a bit extra polish, the combination with the Google Assistant on the Pixel Watch 3 is helpful so you need to use voice instructions to verify on issues like climate forecasts, calendar alerts, map instructions and extra. We additionally admire the addition of quicker charging on the Pixel Watch 3, so you possibly can go from 0 to 100 in a bit much less time than earlier than. That’ll turn out to be useful for those who’re actually eager on utilizing the watch as a sleep tracker. General, the enhancements Google made on this version of the Pixel Watch helped push it over the sting as a worthy competitor to the Apple Watch and a prime decide for Android customers searching for their subsequent wearable.
Picture by Valentina Palladino / Engadget
Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress, dozens of exercises | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Waterproof: Sure | Assistant help: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with elective always-on mode | Weight: 39 grams | Battery life: 11 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours in GPS mode
Garmin is understood for its prowess on the earth of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I wished to put on probably the most after I went out for a run. The experience of the Forerunner line is within the title, and Garmin really excels at making complete but pleasant GPS operating watches in flavors that can swimsuit every kind of athletes, from newbie to skilled. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, brilliant AMOLED touchscreen, easy button controls, correct built-in GPS and its skill to trace exercise stats simply in addition to all-day exercise information.
Beginning a run with the Forerunner 165 is as simple as urgent a single button — the top-right button on the case actually has “run” embossed onto it, and it takes you to the exercise profile menu the place you possibly can select the train you wish to observe. Run is the primary possibility, however you will have greater than 25 profiles to select from together with observe run, treadmill, stroll, power, swim and extra. When operating exterior, the GPS took a median of 15-20 seconds to lock onto my location, however you don’t have to attend for it to take action — press the run button once more to start and the GPS will catch up by itself.
The Forerunner expertise has benefited drastically from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cell app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been nicely refined so as to customise its homepage the exercise and exercise stats you care about probably the most, together with issues like Physique Battery, Sleep Rating, menstrual cycle data and extra. It’s simple to dive into your most not too long ago tracked exercise and get within the weeds with tempo, cadence, coaching impact (cardio or anaerobic), energy and stamina stats.
Garmin places the battery lifetime of the Forerunner 165 at 11 days in smartwatch mode, and I discovered that to be principally correct even with a handful of GPS-tracked runs thrown in. The corporate claims you’ll rise up to 19 hours of battery life with steady GPS use, which ought to be sufficient for many runners and athletes competing in long-haul races. You too can get the 165 with music storage inbuilt or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music regionally on the watch so you possibly can pay attention with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.
The Garmin Forerunner 165 will set you again $250 with out music storage, or $300 for the mannequin with music storage inbuilt. That’s on the decrease finish of the value spectrum for GPS operating watches; you may simply spend $500 or extra for those who’re not sure about what you want and what’s simply further fluff. Whereas Garmin does have just a few cheaper units, the Forerunner 165 strikes the correct stability of function set and value that can attraction to seasoned runners and those that are simply diving right into a extra regimented operating routine.
Trendy smartwatches: Fossil and extra
Sure, there are nonetheless corporations on the market making an attempt to make “trendy” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables have been novel and customarily ugly, manufacturers like Fossil, Michael Kors and Skagen discovered their area of interest in trendy smartwatches that took cues from analog timepieces. You even have the choice to choose up a “hybrid” smartwatch from corporations like Withings and Garmin – these units seem like basic wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart charge monitoring. They continue to be good choices for those who choose that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten far more enticing over the previous few years.
Finally, the one factor you possibly can’t change after you purchase a smartwatch is its case design. When you’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical instances that look somewhat extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are provided in a alternative of colours and you may pay further for premium supplies like chrome steel for further sturdiness. When you determine on a case, your band choices are countless – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps accessible for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to vary up your look everytime you please.
Components to contemplate earlier than shopping for a smartwatch
Compatibility
Apple Watches solely work with iPhones, whereas Put on OS units play good with each iOS and Android telephones. Smartwatches made by Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit and others are additionally appropriate with Android and iOS, however you’ll want to put in a companion app in your smartphone.
The smartwatch OS may also dictate the sort and variety of third-party apps you’ll have entry to. Many of those aren’t helpful, although, making this issue a reasonably minor one within the grand scheme of issues.
Value
The most effective smartwatches usually value between $300 and $400. In comparison with finances smartwatches, which value between $100 and $250, these pricier units have superior working programs, communications, music and health options. In addition they typically embrace perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that finances units usually don’t have.
Some corporations make specialised health watches: These can simply run north of $500, and we’d solely advocate them to critical athletes. Luxurious smartwatches from manufacturers like TAG Heuer and Hublot may also attain sky-high costs, however we wouldn’t endorse any of them. These units can value greater than $1,000, and also you’re normally paying for little greater than a model title and a few needlessly unique number of construct supplies.
Battery life
Battery life stays one among our largest complaints about smartwatches, however there’s hope as of late. You possibly can count on two full days from Apple Watches and most Put on OS units. Watches utilizing the Snapdragon Put on 3100 processor help prolonged battery modes that promise as much as 5 days of battery life on a cost — for those who’re prepared to close off most options apart from, you understand, displaying the time. Different fashions can final 5 to seven days, however they normally have fewer options and lower-quality shows. In the meantime, some health watches can final weeks on a single cost. If lengthy battery life is a precedence for you, it’s price testing the watch’s specs beforehand to see what the producer estimates.
Communication
Any smartwatch price contemplating delivers name, textual content and app notifications to your wrist. Name and textual content alerts are self explanatory, but when these imply lots to you, contemplate a watch with LTE. They’re dearer than their WiFi-only counterparts, however mobile connectivity permits the smartwatch to take and obtain cellphone calls, and do the identical with textual content messages, with out your system close by. So far as app alerts go, getting them delivered to your wrist will allow you to look all the way down to the watch face and see for those who completely have to verify your cellphone proper now.
Health monitoring
Exercise monitoring is a giant cause why folks flip to smartwatches. An all-purpose timepiece ought to operate as a health tracker, logging your steps, energy and exercises, and most of right now’s wearables have a coronary heart charge monitor as nicely.
Many smartwatches’ health options embrace a built-in GPS, which is beneficial for monitoring distance for runs and bike rides. Swimmers will need one thing waterproof, and fortunately most all-purpose units now can face up to no less than a dunk within the pool. Some smartwatches from corporations like Garmin are extra health targeted than others and have a tendency to supply extra superior options like heart-rate-variance monitoring, restoration time estimation, onboard maps and extra.
Well being monitoring on smartwatches has additionally seen advances through the years. Each Apple and Fitbit units can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra reasonably priced the smartwatch, the much less doubtless it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if amassing these sorts of wellness metrics is essential to you, you’ll need to pay for the privilege.
Music
Your watch can’t solely observe your morning runs but in addition play music when you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music regionally, so you possibly can join wi-fi earbuds through Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your cellphone. Those who don’t have onboard storage for music normally have on-watch music controls, so you possibly can management playback with out whipping out your cellphone. And in case your watch has LTE, native saving isn’t required — you’ll be capable of stream music instantly from the watch to your paired earbuds.
Shows
Most wearables have touchscreens and we advocate getting one which has a full-color touchscreen. Some flagships just like the Apple Watch have LTPO shows, which stands for low-temperature polycrystalline oxide. These panels have quicker response occasions and are extra energy environment friendly, leading to a smoother expertise when one interacts with the touchscreen and, in some instances, longer battery lives.
You gained’t see vital beneficial properties with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery primarily will get used up when these units have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do right now. Some smartwatches have this function on by default whereas others allow you to allow it through tweaked settings. This good function means that you can look down at your watch to verify the time, well being stats or another data you’ve set it to point out on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. It will little question have an effect on your system’s battery life, however fortunately most always-on modes dim the show’s brightness so it’s not operating at its peak unnecessarily. Cheaper units gained’t have this function; as an alternative, their touchscreens will mechanically flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll need to deliberately verify your watch to activate the show once more.
NFC
Many new smartwatches have NFC, letting you pay for issues with out your pockets utilizing contactless funds. After saving your credit score or debit card data, you possibly can maintain your smartwatch as much as an NFC reader to pay for a cup of espresso in your method dwelling from a run. Remember that totally different watches use totally different cost programs: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS units use Google Pay, Samsung units use Samsung Pay and so forth.
Apple Pay is likely one of the hottest NFC cost programs, with help for a number of banks and bank cards in 72 totally different international locations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally essential to notice that each NFC cost help varies by system as nicely for each Samsung and Google’s programs.
Different smartwatches our consultants examined
Apple Watch Extremely 2
The Apple Watch Extremely 2 might be overkill for most individuals, however it has a ton of additional options like further waterproofing to trace diving, an much more correct GPS and the largest battery of any Apple Watch up to now. Apple designed it for probably the most rugged amongst us, however on your common particular person, it doubtless has extra options than they’d ever want. When you’re notably clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness might be an awesome cause to contemplate the Apple Watch Extremely 2.
Apple Watch SE
The Apple Watch SE is much less feature-rich than the flagship mannequin, however it can most likely suffice for most individuals. We truly regard the Watch SE as one of the best smartwatch possibility for first-time patrons, or folks on stricter budgets. You’ll get all of the core Apple Watch options in addition to issues like fall and crash detection, noise monitoring and Emergency SOS, however you’ll need to do with out extra superior {hardware} perks like an always-on show, a blood oxygen sensor, an ECG monitor and a pores and skin temperature sensor.
Garmin Forerunner 745
Garmin watches generally might be nice choices for probably the most energetic amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a wonderful GPS operating watch for critical athletes or those that prize battery life above all else. Once we examined it, we discovered it to supply correct distance monitoring, a killer 16-hour battery life with GPS turned on (as much as seven days with out it) and help for onboard music storage and Garmin Pay.
Smartwatch FAQs
Is there a distinction between a smartwatch and a health tracker?
Whereas smartwatches and health trackers share some similarities, they’re designed for barely totally different functions.
A health tracker is primarily targeted on well being and exercise monitoring. It retains tabs in your steps, coronary heart charge, sleep and exercises, and a few even provide superior metrics like blood oxygen ranges and stress monitoring. Health trackers are usually extra compact, have longer battery life and are constructed with exercise in thoughts.
A smartwatch, then again, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It gives health monitoring options, but in addition helps you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management good dwelling units. Many smartwatches help voice assistants, cell funds and even LTE connectivity, so you possibly can go away your cellphone behind in some instances.
When you primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the best way to go. If you need a extra linked expertise with further options, a smartwatch is the higher alternative.
How lengthy do smartwatches final?
How lengthy a smartwatch lasts principally will depend on two issues: battery life and general sturdiness.
Smartwatch battery life varies lots relying on the model, options and the way you utilize it. Fundamental fashions with e-ink shows or monochrome screens can final per week or extra, whereas full-featured smartwatches just like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch normally want a cost on daily basis or two. When you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, count on the battery to empty quicker.
Bodily, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than it’s essential to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and robust construct supplies have a tendency to carry up nicely over time. Nonetheless, software program help issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for no less than just a few years, whereas some finances smartwatches could not get long-term software program help.
You possibly can count on to cost most smartwatches day by day or each few days, and for those who maintain them, they need to final 3-5 years earlier than an improve is important.
How a lot do you have to spend on a smartwatch?
How a lot you must spend on a smartwatch will depend on what options you want and the way typically you intend to make use of it.
When you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart charge monitoring and primary health monitoring — you could find some stable budget-friendly choices from manufacturers like Amazfit, Fitbit and a few Put on OS fashions. These normally have respectable battery life however could lack premium options like LTE, superior well being monitoring or third-party apps.
Within the mid-range smartwatch value bracket, you’ll discover common fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These provide a superb mixture of health monitoring, good options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app help, however battery life may nonetheless be restricted to a day or two.
Excessive-end smartwatches just like the Apple Watch Extremely, Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely and Garmin Fenix/Epix collection provide superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program help. These are nice for critical athletes, out of doors adventurers, or anybody who desires the most recent and biggest options.
When you simply need a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a finances or mid-range mannequin will do the job. However if you would like a premium really feel, superior well being monitoring or LTE connectivity, it’s price spending a bit extra. For most individuals, $200 – $350 hits one of the best stability of options and worth.
Do all smartwatches have GPS?
Not all smartwatches have built-in GPS. Some depend on your cellphone’s GPS, whereas others have it built-in for impartial monitoring.
Excessive-end and fitness-focused smartwatches, just like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Garmin fashions have their very own built-in GPS. This implies they’ll observe your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes while not having to be linked to your cellphone. It’s essential for critical athletes or anybody who desires correct location monitoring with out carrying a cellphone.
Some finances and mid-range smartwatches (like some Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have built-in GPS however can use your cellphone’s GPS when linked through Bluetooth. This works high quality for those who normally carry your cellphone whereas understanding, however it’s much less handy for those who choose to go away it behind.
Some very primary or finances smartwatches skip GPS fully and rely solely on step monitoring or movement sensors. These are high quality for informal customers who don’t want location monitoring.
Can you allow your cellphone at dwelling and nonetheless use a smartwatch?
Sure, however it will depend on the smartwatch and what you wish to do with out your cellphone.
In case your smartwatch has LTE or mobile connectivity , you may make calls, ship texts, stream music, use maps and even entry apps with out your cellphone close by. Nonetheless, you’ll want a separate information plan out of your service, which normally comes with an additional month-to-month value.
Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do a lot on their very own, together with observe exercises and GPS routes (if they’ve built-in GPS), play music offline (in the event that they help downloads from Spotify or Apple Music), could contactless funds with options like Apple Pay and Google Pockets and management good dwelling units.
If going phone-free is essential to you, search for a smartwatch with LTE and built-in GPS for one of the best expertise.
Can a smartwatch make calls with out a cellphone?
Sure, a smartwatch could make calls with out a cellphone — however provided that it has the correct options.
Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, that means they’ll work independently out of your cellphone. You may make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you will have a cell information plan for the watch. Nonetheless, you’ll have to pay for a separate mobile plan and battery life drains quicker when utilizing LTE.
In case your smartwatch doesn’t have LTE, it will probably nonetheless make calls, however solely when linked to your cellphone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It primarily acts as a distant speaker and microphone on your cellphone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nonetheless, in case your cellphone isn’t close by or linked to Wi-Fi, calling gained’t work.
Some fitness-focused smartwatches (like sure Garmin, Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have a built-in speaker or microphone, to allow them to’t make or obtain calls in any respect — solely present notifications.
If calling with out a cellphone is a should, ensure to decide on an LTE mannequin with a built-in mic and speaker.
What is the distinction between an Android and Apple smartwatch?
The largest distinction between Android and Apple smartwatches comes all the way down to compatibility, options and ecosystem integration.
Apple smartwatches (Apple Watch) solely work with iPhones. If in case you have an Android cellphone, you possibly can’t use an Apple Watch in any respect. Android smartwatches (Put on OS, Samsung Galaxy, Garmin and so forth.) principally work with Android telephones, however some additionally help iPhones with restricted options. If in case you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the only option. If in case you have an Android cellphone, go for a Put on OS or Samsung Galaxy Watch.
Apple Watch (watchOS) has one of the best app help with seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem (iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Pay, Apple Health+, Siri and so forth.). Android smartwatches provide extra selection, with entry to Google providers (Google Assistant, Google Pockets and Google Maps), and a few help Amazon Alexa or Samsung’s Bixby.
By way of design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in totally different sizes and supplies. It’s modern, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, then again, are available in tons of kinds and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so forth.), that means you possibly can decide a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.
If battery life is essential to you, the Apple Watch lasts a couple of day or two per cost, relying on utilization and mannequin. Many Android smartwatches (particularly Garmin, Amazfit or Mobvoi TicWatch) final a number of days and even weeks on a single cost.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.