The very best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply monitor your steps and ship cellphone alerts to your wrist. The very best smartwatches go even additional, providing you with the flexibility to pay for a cup of espresso, take calls and hook up with apps like Spotify all with out whipping out your smartphone.

Likelihood is, for those who’re studying this, you already know all the advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to take a position, or improve from an growing older 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 obtainable now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear like smartwatches and multi-purpose units. Plus, you’ll wish to think about 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 obtainable at the moment and these are our prime picks.

Desk of contents

Greatest smartwatches of 2025

Apple

Learn our full Apple Watch Series 10 review

Whereas the Series 10 is one more iterative replace to the Apple Watch, this wearable stays on the prime of our checklist 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 touch bigger display screen 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 screen 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 remains to be technically rated for 18 hours of battery life, however you’ll probably 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 rivals from Garmin and Fitbit do, any battery good points are a plus — particularly for many who wish to benefit from 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 observe any disturbances in a 30-day interval. Contemplating the Watch has had comparatively fundamental sleep monitoring options till now, this can be a welcomed addition.

In any other case, the Collection 10 does every thing proper that the Collection 9 did. It stays a superb health monitoring watch and a good way to obtain all the most important alerts out of your iPhone in a extra discreet approach. Anybody with a Collection 9 or 8 could be disenchanted by the Collection 10 as a result of it’s not reinventing the wheel, and subsequently could not really feel like an enormous improve. However these coming from an older Apple Watch mannequin, or a completely totally different wearable, will discover a giant distinction in efficiency, options and charging pace.

$300 at Target

Google / Engadget

Learn our full Google Pixel Watch 3 review

It solely took three iterations, however Google lastly bought it proper with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s probably the most totally realized Pixel Watch but, and one which any Android fan would get a variety of use out of. The most recent 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 price. It might probably additionally drop down to simply 1 nit of brightness while you’re carrying it to sleep, which not solely makes for a greater expertise total, 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 according to competing units from Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel Watch 3 can be an amazing exercise monitoring machine, with options like auto exercise detection and customized operating plans, plus the flexibility to trace metrics like Cardio Load. There’s Fitbit smarts in right here, identical to in earlier Pixel Watches, so that you’re lined on the subject of each day exercises, steps, sleep and extra. The one draw back to that is that for those who’re inquisitive about 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 mixing with the Google Assistant on the Pixel Watch 3 is useful so you should use voice instructions to examine on issues like climate forecasts, calendar alerts, map instructions and extra. We additionally respect the addition of quicker charging on the Pixel Watch 3, so you’ll be able to go from 0 to 100 in a bit much less time than earlier than. That’ll come in 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 on the lookout for their subsequent wearable.

$350 at Amazon

Photograph by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

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 identify, and Garmin really excels at making complete but pleasant GPS running watches in flavors that may swimsuit every kind of athletes, from newbie to professional. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, brilliant AMOLED touchscreen, easy button controls, correct built-in GPS and its potential 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’ll be able to select the train you wish to monitor. Run is the primary choice, however you could have greater than 25 profiles to select from together with monitor run, treadmill, stroll, power, swim and extra. When operating exterior, the GPS took a mean 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 significantly from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cellular app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been effectively refined so that you could 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 lately 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 needs to be sufficient for many runners and athletes competing in long-haul races. You may as well get the 165 with music storage inbuilt or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music domestically on the watch so you’ll be able to hear 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 uncertain about what you want and what’s simply further fluff. Whereas Garmin does have a couple of cheaper units, the Forerunner 165 strikes the proper stability of function set and value that may enchantment to seasoned runners and people who are simply diving right into a extra regimented operating routine.

$250 at Garmin

Trendy smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Michael Kors Access Gen 5e MKGO at CES 2021 — Fossil

Sure, there are nonetheless firms on the market attempting to make “trendy” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables had been novel and usually 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 select up a “hybrid” smartwatch from firms like Withings and Garmin – these units appear like traditional wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart price monitoring. They continue to be good choices for those who favor that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten far more enticing over the previous few years.

In the end, the one factor you’ll be able to’t change after you purchase a smartwatch is its case design. In the event you’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical circumstances that look a bit of extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are supplied in a alternative of colours and you’ll pay further for premium supplies like chrome steel for further sturdiness. When you determine on a case, your band choices are infinite – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps obtainable for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to alter up your look everytime you please.

Elements to think about 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 suitable with Android and iOS, however you’ll want to put in a companion app in your smartphone.

The smartwatch OS can even 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.

Worth

The very best smartwatches typically price between $300 and $400. In comparison with finances smartwatches, which price between $100 and $250, these pricier units have superior working methods, communications, music and health options. In addition they usually embody perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that finances units typically don’t have.

Some firms 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 also can attain sky-high costs, however we wouldn’t endorse any of them. These units can price greater than $1,000, and also you’re normally paying for little greater than a model identify and a few needlessly unique collection of construct supplies.

Battery life

Battery life stays certainly one of our greatest complaints about smartwatches, however there’s hope as of late. You’ll be able to anticipate two full days from Apple Watches and most Put on OS units. Watches utilizing the Snapdragon Put on 3100 processor assist 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 except for, you recognize, 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 value testing the watch’s specs beforehand to see what the producer estimates.

Communication

Any smartwatch value contemplating delivers name, textual content and app notifications to your wrist. Name and textual content alerts are self explanatory, but when these imply loads to you, think about a watch with LTE. They’re costlier 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 machine 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 must examine your cellphone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is a giant purpose why individuals flip to smartwatches. An all-purpose timepiece ought to operate as a health tracker, logging your steps, energy and exercises, and most of at the moment’s wearables have a coronary heart price monitor as effectively.

Many smartwatches’ health options embody 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 at the very least a dunk within the pool. Some smartwatches from firms like Garmin are more fitness focused 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 over time. Each Apple and Fitbit units can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra inexpensive the smartwatch, the much less probably it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if amassing these sorts of wellness metrics is vital to you, you’ll should pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch can’t solely monitor your morning runs but in addition play music whilst you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music domestically, so you’ll be able to join wi-fi earbuds through Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your cellphone. People who don’t have onboard storage for music normally have on-watch music controls, so you’ll be able to management playback with out whipping out your cellphone. And in case your watch has LTE, native saving isn’t required — you’ll have the ability to stream music immediately 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 circumstances, longer battery lives.

You gained’t see important good points with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery basically will get used up when these units have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do at the moment. 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 examine the time, well being stats or another data you’ve set it to indicate on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. This can little doubt have an effect on your machine’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 robotically flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll should deliberately examine 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’ll be able to maintain your smartwatch as much as an NFC reader to pay for a cup of espresso in your approach residence from a run. Understand that totally different watches use totally different fee methods: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS units use Google Pay, Samsung units use Samsung Pay and so forth.

Apple Pay is without doubt one of the hottest NFC fee methods, with assist for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 totally different nations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally vital to notice that each NFC fee assist varies by machine as effectively for each Samsung and Google’s methods.

Different smartwatches our consultants examined

Apple Watch Extremely 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 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 in your common individual, it probably has extra options than they’d ever want. In the event you’re significantly clumsy, nevertheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness could possibly be an amazing purpose to think about the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is much less feature-rich than the flagship mannequin, however it should in all probability suffice for most individuals. We really regard the Watch SE as the most effective smartwatch choice for first-time consumers, or individuals 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 should 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 normally might be nice choices for probably the most energetic amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a superb GPS running watch for critical athletes or those that prize battery life above all else. After we examined it, we discovered it to offer correct distance monitoring, a killer 16-hour battery life with GPS turned on (as much as seven days with out it) and assist for onboard music storage and Garmin Pay.

Amazfit Bip 6

The Amazfit Bip 6, an $80 smartwatch from Zepp Well being, didn’t fairly make the reduce. As a health tracker, it’s respectable, however it’s a irritating smartwatch. For exercises, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides with out your cellphone and, mixed with the guts price and blood oxygen sensors, collects a superb quantity of information to create correct photos of your exertion ranges, cadence and tempo. It’s remarkably light-weight however doesn’t really feel low cost and the AMOLED display screen is brilliant and sharp. It’s not an always-on show, however lifting your wrist wakes it reliably.

The sleep monitoring information is on par with what we measured on different smartwatches and there’s even a each day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and the day before today’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you might be for the day forward — just like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit units and Garmin watches supply. And for the reason that watch battery lasts for over every week on a cost, you might be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch you need to cost each day.

We weren’t anticipating an $80 machine to be a critical Apple Watch challenger, however the Bip 6’s glitches and overly sophisticated interface (each on the app and on the watch itself) had been disappointing. Throughout every week of testing, I bought a number of repeated notifications, even after they had been deleted, together with ideas to face after I was actively doing chores round the home. The watch faces aren’t customizable, so it was onerous to get the data I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has a lot of paid watch faces which will have what I wished, however I didn’t wish to pay $3 for one thing that’s free elsewhere).

Advertising particulars state that the Bip 6 can auto-detect exercises, together with strolling and bike driving. Throughout testing, I walked a few times per day for over one mile and went on two bike rides, however no exercise was ever detected. The watch integrates with Apple Well being, so I used to be capable of see the way it compares to the info my Apple Watch gathers. After every week of carrying the Bip 6, with no modifications to my each day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a couple of.4 fewer miles tracked every day. That was probably the largest disappointment of all. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

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 centered on well being and exercise monitoring. It retains tabs in your steps, coronary heart price, sleep and exercises, and a few even supply superior metrics like blood oxygen ranges and stress monitoring. Health trackers are typically extra compact, have longer battery life and are constructed with exercise in thoughts.

A smartwatch, however, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It gives health monitoring options, but in addition allows you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management good residence units. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cellular funds and even LTE connectivity, so you’ll be able to go away your cellphone behind in some circumstances.

In the event you primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the best way to go. If you would like a extra related expertise with further options, a smartwatch is the higher alternative.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts principally is dependent upon two issues: battery life and total sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies loads relying on the model, options and the way you utilize it. Primary fashions with e-ink shows or monochrome screens can final every week or extra, whereas full-featured smartwatches just like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch normally want a cost day by day or two. In the event you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, anticipate the battery to empty quicker.

Bodily, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than it’s essential improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and powerful construct supplies have a tendency to carry up effectively over time. Nevertheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for at the very least a couple of years, whereas some finances smartwatches could not get long-term software program assist.

You’ll be able to anticipate to cost most smartwatches each day or each few days, and for those who deal with them, they need to final 3-5 years earlier than an improve is critical.

How a lot do you have to spend on a smartwatch?

How a lot you must spend on a smartwatch is dependent upon what options you want and the way usually you intend to make use of it.

In the event you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart price monitoring and fundamental 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 widespread fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These supply a superb mixture of health monitoring, good options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app assist, 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 supply superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program assist. These are nice for critical athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who desires the most recent and best options.

In the event you simply desire 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 value spending a bit extra. For most individuals, $200 – $350 hits the most effective 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 monitor your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes with no need to be related to your cellphone. It’s a must have 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 related through Bluetooth. This works superb for those who normally carry your cellphone whereas figuring out, however it’s much less handy for those who favor to go away it behind.

Some very fundamental or finances smartwatches skip GPS totally and rely solely on step monitoring or movement sensors. These are superb for informal customers who don’t want location monitoring.

Can you permit your cellphone at residence and nonetheless use a smartwatch?

Sure, however it is dependent upon 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. Nevertheless, you’ll want a separate information plan out of your service, which normally comes with an additional month-to-month price.

Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do a lot on their very own, together with monitor exercises and GPS routes (if they’ve built-in GPS), play music offline (in the event that they assist downloads from Spotify or Apple Music), could contactless funds with options like Apple Pay and Google Pockets and management good residence units.

If going phone-free is vital to you, search for a smartwatch with LTE and built-in GPS for the most effective 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 proper 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 could have a cellular information plan for the watch. Nevertheless, you’ll must 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 related to your cellphone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It basically acts as a distant speaker and microphone in your cellphone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nevertheless, in case your cellphone isn’t close by or related 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, make certain to decide on an LTE mannequin with a built-in mic and speaker.

What is the distinction between an Android and Apple smartwatch?

The most important 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. In case you have an Android cellphone, you’ll be able to’t use an Apple Watch in any respect. Android smartwatches (Put on OS, Samsung Galaxy, Garmin and so on.) principally work with Android telephones, however some additionally assist iPhones with restricted options. In case you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is your best option. In case you have an Android cellphone, go for a Put on OS or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

Apple Watch (watchOS) has the most effective app assist with seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem (iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Pay, Apple Health+, Siri and so on.). Android smartwatches supply extra selection, with entry to Google providers (Google Assistant, Google Pockets and Google Maps), and a few assist Amazon Alexa or Samsung’s Bixby.

When it comes to design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in totally different sizes and supplies. It’s glossy, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, however, are available tons of types and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so on.), that means you’ll be able to decide a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.

If battery life is vital 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.

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