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Smartwatches have become great tools to help you track your vitals and sleep, act as a workout buddy and trainer, and even give you a break from your phone with on-screen notifications and messaging. Whether you use an or an iPhone, there’s no shortage of options, and they run the gamut both in features and pricing. In general, premium models offer more seamless integration and advanced features, while budget-friendly options may require a few compromises. But it ultimately comes down to what fits your priorities. The good news is that every watch on this list has passed our rigorous testing, so you can feel confident you're getting solid value no matter which one you choose. If you're ready to invest, here are our top picks for the best smartwatches right now.
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- Best Smartwatch for 2025
- What is the best smartwatch?
- Best smartwatches for 2025
- Apple Watch Series 10
- Google Pixel Watch 3
- OnePlus Watch 3
- Garmin Venu 3
- Apple Watch Ultra 2
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
- Apple Watch SE (2022)
- Amazfit Bip 6
- Best Smartwatches Compared
- Recent updates
- Factors to consider when buying a smartwatch
- How we test smartwatches and wearables
- What to Consider
- Other watches we tested
- What to look forward to in 2025
- Smartwatch FAQs
- How can I tell what smartwatch will work with my phone?
- Are smartwatches safe for kids?
- Which is better, fitness trackers or smartwatches?
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What is the best smartwatch?
The Apple Watch Series 10 is our favorite overall smartwatch. It combines polished software with a wide variety of health tools and smartphone companion features. Ten years after the original Apple Watch set the stage for the modern smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 10 adds even more health-tracking features including sleep apnea notifications and practical smartwatch tools like voice isolation for clearer calls. If you’re an iPhone owner, the Series 10 provides the right balance of features for the price.
The Apple Watch Series 10 isn’t perfect. Battery life still only lasts about one to two days with light use. Fast charging goes some way to address battery life, but it still means the watch is off your wrist more than you might like. Considering the health and safety tools, from fall detection during the day, to sleep apnea notifications at night, you are likely to want to wear the watch as much as possible. The Apple Watch Series 10 has the right balance of health tracking and everyday usability to make it the best choice.
Best smartwatches for 2025
Pros
- Incredibly light on the wrist
- 1Hz refresh rate = ticking second hand
- Voice isolation on calls is excellent
- Bigger screen makes readability better on the smaller size case
- Sleep apnea notifications at launch
Cons
- No improvements to battery life
- No significant changes to Double Tap
- Smallest 42-mm size might still be too big for some wrists
The Apple Watch Series 10 takes a winning formula and updates it for the Apple Watch's tenth birthday. It is slimmer and lighter than earlier Apple Watches, with two new case sizes: 42-millimeter or 46-millimeter. The wide-angle OLED screens make the watch brighter when looking at it off-axis. The LTPO3 technology also brings a ticking second hand to the always-on display. The Apple Watch Series 10 also comes with sleep apnea notifications, which can detect signs of this potentially dangerous condition over 30 days.
Battery life is still rated for 18 hours, though you can push it to a day and a half with lighter use. The Apple Watch Series 10 now has even faster charging though, which makes up for the battery life somewhat, able to charge to 80% in 30 minutes. Overall, it's an incredibly polished smartwatch and the best choice for most iPhone owners.
Why we like it
The Series 10 is a refined version of its predecessors both on the surface and under the hood. It’s lighter and slimmer than the Series 9, but has a larger, brighter screen that’s easier to read from every angle. It has the most powerful processor of the entire Apple Watch lineup and, as a result,longer shelf life when it comes to software updates. Plus it comes with additional perks, like the ability to play music through the speaker and background noise reduction during calls.
Who it’s best for
The Series 10 is ideal for most iPhone users upgrading from an existing Apple Watch, or anyone deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who wants a premium smartwatch experience out of the box (including the latest health sensors). It brings enough upgrades to feel like a true step up, while retaining all the features that make the Apple Watch great.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Larger screen means you can see more
- Faster charging
- Readiness score no longer requires Fitbit Premium
- Plenty of tools for runners
Cons
- No Gemini AI support
- Only 3 years of software updates
- Workout builder is just for outdoor running
- Faster charging only for smaller model
Google's Pixel Watch 3 offers one of the most elegant round-screen designs you'll see on a smartwatch and now comes in two size options to suit more wrists. It also comes with a range of new tools, including AI-generated running workouts, the Morning Brief digest, and more applications for the Daily Readiness Score.
But the Pixel Watch 3 is still missing some features you might expect on a Google-branded smartwatch, including Gemini support. Overall, if you're a runner and want a more robust smartwatch features than on a traditional running watch, the Pixel Watch 3 won't disappoint.
Why we like it
The Pixel Watch 3 stands out with its minimalist design, and seamless Wear OS experience. While it may lack some of the advanced health features found in other flagship smartwatches, like sleep apnea detection, it makes up for it with more intuitive and actionable fitness tracking via the Fitbit app and its loss of pulse detection feature.
Who it’s best for
Google and Fitbit fans who want a polished Wear OS watch with smart features and sleek design. It’s ideal for anyone looking for solid fitness tracking without the guesswork, plus the option to understand their metrics further with coaching via the Fitbit app (with a Premium subscription). Anyone heavily invested in the Google ecosystem, will also appreciate the seamless integration with devices like Nest Cam or Google TV.
Pros
- 5-day battery life
- Sleek comfortable design
- Customizable shortcut buttons
- Advanced metrics for select sports modes
Cons
- One size does not fit all
- Three years of software and security updates
- Lacks menstrual cycle tracking
- ECG is not available in the US or Canada
- Lacks LTE version or iOS compatibility
The $350 OnePlus Watch 3 is a standout smartwatch that outshines other Wear OS contenders with its five-day battery life, sleek design and solid health features. It covers all the essential smartwatch functions while improving on health and fitness tracking by adding more metrics, boosting accuracy, and offering deeper workout analysis. Its one-stop wellness check feature measures blood oxygen levels, sleep quality, cardiovascular health and stress levels.
The OnePlus Watch 3 is a great choice if your main priority is battery life and durability, but it’s not without a few drawbacks. While its bulky stainless steel design makes it look premium and polished, the 1.5-inch AMOLED screen can easily overpower smaller wrists, and there’s no smaller size available. It also lacks an LTE option, and the ECG feature is currently disabled in the US and Canada. Read our OnePlus Watch 3 review.
Why we like it
While the five-day battery life may have been what wowed us most, its stainless steel and aluminum exterior, combined with solid fitness features, sealed the deal making it a well-rounded option for Android users.
Who it’s best for
Android users looking for a premium smartwatch beyond Samsung and Pixel options, or anyone tired of having to charge their Wear OS watch every day. With its oversized frame and 46mm screen (and no smaller size option yet), it’s best suited for people with larger wrists (likely male) as it also lacks period tracking.
Pros
- Comprehensive health and sleep metrics
- Helpful reports and insights like Body Battery and Morning Report
- Large screen
- No subscription for health metrics and reports
Cons
- Design doesn't feel as premium as similarly priced watches
- Small app ecosystem
- Slow app downloads
- Need separate apps for managing health insights and watch faces
- No home button
The Garmin Venu 3’s stellar battery life, wide selection of health tracking features and workout types and comprehensive wellness metrics make it a top choice. The battery life alone is enough to make the Garmin Venu 3 stand out, with it lasting for about a week on a single charge according to CNET’s review.
Of course, it isn’t perfect. It doesn’t feel as premium as some other watches of the same price, it doesn’t have as many apps as the Apple Watch, and the software may not feel as intuitive as alternative watches from Google, Samsung or Apple. But the Garmin Venu 3 makes up for that with useful wellness tools like the Body Battery, which tells you how “recharged” you are based on activity, sleep and other factors. And best of all, Garmin doesn’t require a subscription to access such features. Read our Garmin Venu 3 review.
Why we like it
The Venu 3 is one of our favorite Garmin watches thanks to its broad appeal and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices. It delivers on all the features we like about Garmin’s sport watches; durable design, physical action buttons, and advanced fitness metrics, minus the added bulk and higher price tag of other models like the Fenix or Tactix. Best of all, it’ll outlast most other smartwatches with a battery that can go up to a week on a charge.
Who it’s best for
Serious athletes or anyone seeking a fitness-first smartwatch that offers deeper insights and actionable coaching features, like Body Battery and Morning Report that can help you optimize your workouts. Its sleeker design and smaller 41mm option also make it a strong fit for women athletes.
Pros
- Incredibly bright screen
- More accurate dictation and on-device Siri
- 64GB storage means more space for music and apps
- Double Tap is very useful
Cons
- Battery life is the same as first Ultra
- Limited recovery metrics
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is Apple's best smartwatch, with a tough titanium construction and an Action button to quickly start workouts or launch apps. It has the brightest screen of any Apple Watch at a maximum of 3,000 nits which makes it incredibly easy to see when adventuring in the great outdoors. For adventurers and athletes, it also has a built-in siren for safety and a dual-band GPS for accurately tracking your route. LTE is also onboard so you can venture out without a phone and still stay connected.
Though it's designed to be an outdoor watch, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is still a fantastic all-around smartwatch. Inside is the same S9 chip as found on the Apple Watch Series 9 which supports gestures like Double Tap and allows the watch to process Siri commands on-device. This means you can use Siri without being online and later in the year you'll be able to ask the voice assistant for health data. Like earlier Apple Watches, the Ultra 2 also comes with a blood oxygen sensor, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) app, fall detection and emergency SOS. The battery also lasts at least twice as long as all other Apple Watch models. It's only compatible with the iPhone, so if you have an Android phone, you'll want to look at another option on this list.
Why we like it
The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is an all-terrain smartwatch that’s built to go the distance with nearly twice the battery life of other Apple Watches (three days on a charge), and a durable, titanium exterior. It has a larger screen than other models and an action button that can be programmed for easy access no matter what the conditions. Extras like dual-band GPS, a built-in siren, and LTE connectivity add another layer of safety when you're off the grid.
Who it’s best for
Outdoor enthusiasts and serious athletes looking for a middle ground between a traditional Apple Watch and a full-fledged sport watch like a Garmin. The Ultra 2 is also a smart pick for current Apple Watch users who are frustrated with daily charging and willing to invest more for an extra day and a half of battery life.
Pros
- Heart rate accuracy improved over older Galaxy Watches
- Sleep apnea detection is easy to use
- Energy score is helpful
- Bright screen on the Ultra is great
- Quick button is handy
Cons
- Cycling FTP test is very limited
- AGEs index is confusing
- No diving features
- Limited recovery metrics
- Battery life could be better
Samsung's Galaxy Watch 7 is the best Android watch for most people, but if you need a rugged design with better battery life and a few extra fitness tools, try the Galaxy Watch Ultra. Both the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra are essentially the same watch under the hood, with the same sensors, dual-frequency GPS and health features. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has a brighter screen at 3,000 nits vs. 2,000 on the Galaxy Watch 7, plus a few more fitness tools, including a multisport mode and a cycling functional threshold power test.
All the flagship health tools you would expect are included: an ECG, blood oxygen, body composition and temperature sensors. Note you do need a Galaxy phone to use the ECG, sleep apnea monitor and get the energy score, but all the other features work seamlessly with other Android phones. Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 and Ultra review.
Why we like it
The Galaxy Watch 7 is one of the best Wear OS watches for the price (starting at $300). It has a polished design, with a bright screen that’s easy to read even in direct sunlight, and robust health features like sleep apnea detection, and body composition analysis. Plus, a few other perks like one-handed gesture control, and music playback directly from your wrist (like the Apple Watch Series 10).
Who it’s best for
Who it’s best for: Samsung users who want the best smartwatch experience within the Galaxy ecosystem –there's a tight integration between phone and watch and even features that are exclusive to Galaxy phone users. The Watch 7 should also appeal to Android phone users looking for robust sleep tracking.
Pros
- Lower price
- Same performance as the Series 8
- Car-crash detection for additional safety
Cons
- No always-on display
- No QWERTY keyboard
- Most new features can be found on older watches too
The Apple Watch SE retails for $250 but you can regularly find it discounted to $200 or less, which makes it an excellent choice for the budget-conscious buyer. Expect most of the same features found on more expensive Apple Watch models like the Series 9, including activity tracking, third-party apps and safety features like Emergency SOS. It does miss out on an always-on display and heart-health features like the ECG.
Why we like it
The second generation SE offers all the essential features you’d want from an Apple Watch for at least $150 less than what you’d pay for the cheapest model of the Series 10. It covers everything you need, including advanced health and fitness tracking, crash and fall detection, and seamless integration with your iPhone.
Who it’s best for
This is a great option for first-time Apple Watch buyers or anyone upgrading from a much older model (Series 0–4), as it’ll still feel like an upgrade without making you feel like you’re missing out on newer features like the always-on display or advanced health sensors like ECG or temperature tracking which you never had in the first place. It’s also the best option for children (LTE model) as a way to stay connected with parents or caregivers without having to go all in on a smartphone.
Pros
- $80 price is much less than most watches
- Works with Android and iOS
- Great battery life (lasts a week with heavy use)
- Tracks a wide variety of fitness activities accurately
- Temperature tracking and advanced sleep monitoring
Cons
- Single sizing option (44mm)
- UI and app are unintuitive
- Some health metrics are hard to interpret
- Voice assistant is unreliable
- Bluetooth range is short (especially on iPhone)
The $80 Amazfit Bip 6 is the most affordable option on this list, and a rare standout in the budget smartwatch category because it delivers on all the basics (and more) without many compromises. The design and interface aren’t as refined as pricier models, but that feels like a fair trade-off considering how much the Bip 6 gets right. It offers accurate fitness tracking with customizable training tools like heart rate zones, plus advanced health features including SpO2 (blood oxygen), temperature and sleep tracking, and high and low heart rate alerts.
Why we like it
While its low price might be its main draw, the Amazfit Bip 6 is one of the few sub-$100 smartwatches that’s actually worth your time. Beyond all the features mentioned above, we also like it for its week-long (or longer) battery life and compatibility with both iPhones and Android phones.
Who it’s best for
The Amazfit Bip 6 is ideal for anyone looking to try out a smartwatch without making a major investment. It’s a great fit for those willing to do a bit of customization on the back end to make the watch work for their specific needs.
Best Smartwatches Compared
See how all the smartwatches measure up when it comes to the specs.
| Square | Round | Round | Round | Square | Round | Rectangular |
| 42mm, 46mm | 41mm, 45mm | 47mm | 40mm, 44mm | 49mm | 41mm, 45mm | 40mm, 44mm |
| Aluminum, titanium | Aluminium | Titanium bezel, stainless steel case, sapphire crystal glass | Aluminum | Titanium | Stainless steel | Aluminum, Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
| 42mm: 1.65-inch OLED 446 x 374 pixels; 46mm: 1.81-inch 496 x 416 pixels | 41mm: 1.61-inch 320 ppi, AMOLED; 45mm: 1.77-inch 320ppi AMOLED | 47mm: 1.50-inch LTPO AMOLED, 466 x 466 pixels | 40mm: 1.3-inch Super AMOLED 432 x 432; 44mm: 1.5-inch Super AMOLED 480 x 480 | 1.91-inch, 502 x 410-pixel OLED | 1.4-inch, 454 x 454-pixel AMOLED | 40mm: 324 x 394, 44mm: 368 x 448 |
| 42mm: 42 x 36 x 9.7mm; 46mm: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm | 41mm: 41 x 41 x 12.3 mm; 45mm: 45 x 45 x 12.3 mm | 46.6mm(excluding lugs)*47.6mm*11.75mm(excluding sensor area) | 40mm: 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7; 44mm: 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm | 44mm x 49mm x 14.4mm | 45mm: 45 x 45 x 12 mm | 40mm: 40 x 34 x 10.7 mm, 44mm: 44 x 38 x 10.7 mm |
| 42mm (Wi-Fi): 30 g; 42mm (cellular): 29.3 g; 42mm (titanium): 34.4 g; 46mm (Wi-Fi): 36.4 g; 46mm (cellular): 35.3 g; 46mm (titanium): 41.7 g | 41mm: 31g; 45mm: 37g | ~80g with strap | 40mm: 28.8g; 44mm: 33.8g | 61.4g | 30g | 40mm GPS: 26.4g, 40mm Cellular: 27.8g, 44mm GPS: 32.9g, 44mm Cellular: 33g |
| Jet black, rose gold, silver; titanium: slate, gold, natural | Matte black, polished silver, matte hazel, Champagne gold | Obsidian Titanium, Emerald Titanium | Green, cream | Natural titanium | Whitestone/silver, black/slate | Midnight, Starlight, Silver |
| Yes | Yes | Yes (LTPO enables low-power AOD) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Yes | Yes | Yes (22mm standard) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes (Dual-band L1 + L5) | Yes | Yes (L1 and L5) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (operating range: -500m to 9,000m) | Yes | Always-on altimeter |
| Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM), IP6X (dust) | Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM), IP6X (dust) | Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM), IP6X (dust) | Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM), IP6X (dust) | 10ATM (100 meters) and recreational scuba diving up to 40 meters | 5ATM | Water resistant up to 50m (5ATM) |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (Cellular only) |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes (3-mic array) | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes (Siri) | Yes (Google Assistant) | Yes (Google Assistant) | Yes (Google Assistant, Bixby) | Yes (Siri, on-device) | Yes | Siri |
| Yes (Apple Pay) | Yes (Google Wallet) | Yes (Google Wallet) | Yes (Samsung Wallet, Google Wallet) | Yes (Apple Pay) | Yes (Garmin Pay) | Ys (Apple Pay) |
| Yes | Yes | Yes (with advanced metrics and breathing rate) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accelerometer, altimeter, gyro sensor, temperature sensor, compass, third-gen optical heart sensor, electrical heart sensor, ambient light sensor, depth gauge, water temperature sensor | SpO2, ECG, accelerometer, gyro, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, barometer, magnetometer | Optical heart rate, SpO2, skin temperature, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, compass, ECG, BIA | Accelerometer, barometer, bioelectrical impedance analysis sensor, electrical heart sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, infrared temperature sensor, light sensor, optical heart rate sensor | SPo2 (blood oxygen), ECG, optical heart, ambient light, high dynamic range gyroscope, high-g accelerometer, water temperature, depth gauge + app | Second-gen optical heart sensor, accelerometer, High dynamic range gyroscope, Compass, Always-on altimeter, Ambient light sensor | |
| Fall detection, crash detection, Emergency SOS, international emergency calling, noise monitoring, Backtrack | Safety Signal, Safety Check | Fall detection, emergency SOS | Fall detection, emergency SOS | International emergency calling, Emergency SOS, crash detection | Incident detection, live track | Emergency SOS, International emergency calling, Crash Detection, Fall Detection, Noise monitoring, Backtrack |
| iOS 18 and newer | Android 10 and newer | Android only | Android 11 and newer | iOS 17 | iOS and Android | iPhone 8 or later with iOS 16 and newer |
| WatchOS 11 | WearOS 5 | Wear OS 5 | WearOS 5 | WatchOS 10 | Not disclosed | WatchOS 11 |
| S10 SiP with 64‑bit dual core processor, 4‑core Neural Engine | Qualcomm SW5100 | Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 + BES2800BP (dual chip architecture) | Exynos W1000 | Apple S9 | Not disclosed | S8 SiP, 64-bit dual-core, 2-core Neural Engine |
| Bluetooth 5.3, 2nd gen Ultra Wideband chip | Bluetooth 5.0, ultrawideband | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS | Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | LTE and UMTS, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth 5.3, LTE/UMTS (Cellular model) |
| 64GB | 2GB memory + 32GB storage | 2GB memory / 32GB storage | 2GB memory + 32GB storage | 64GB | 8GB | 32GB |
| USB-C fast charging cable | USB-C fast charging cable | USB-C Fast wired (up to 7.5W) | USB-C fast charging cable | USB-C magnetic fast charging | Garmin proprietary plug charger | Magnetic charging cable, 80% in ~1.5 hours |
| Up to 18 hours normal use; up to 36 hours in low power mode | 24 hours with always-on display | 3+ days (always on and heavy use), Up to 5 days (raise to wake/smart mode), 16 days (power saver mode) | Up to 30 hours (AOD on); up to 40 hours (AOD off) | Up to 36 hours; up to 72 hours (low power mode) | Up to 14 days | Up to 18 hours |
| Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) | 41mm: 306 mAh; 45mm: 420 mAh | 631 mAh | 40mm: 300 mAh; 44mm: 425mAh | Unavailable | Not specified | |
| 42mm: $399 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: $499 (cellular); 42mm: $699 (titanium); 46mm: $429 (Wi-Fi); 46mm: $529 (cellular); 46mm: $749 (titanium) | $350 (Wi-Fi, 41mm), $400 (Wi-Fi, 45mm), $450 (Wi-Fi + LTE, 41mm), $500 (Wi-Fi + LTE, 45mm) | ~$299 (TBC) | 40mm: $299 (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) 40mm: $349 (LTE) 44mm: $329 (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) 44mm: $379 (LTE) | $799 | $450 | 40mm GPS: $249, 44mm GPS: $279 40mm GPS + Cellular: $299, 44mm GPS + Cellular: $329 |
| 42mm: £399 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: £499 (cellular); 42mm: £699 (titanium); 46mm: £429 (Wi-Fi); 46mm: £529 (cellular); 46mm: £749 (titanium) | £349 (Wi-Fi, 41mm), £399 (Wi-Fi, 45mm), £449 (Wi-Fi + LTE, 41mm), £499 (Wi-Fi + LTE, 45mm) | ~£269 (estimated) | £799 | £450 | 40mm GPS: £219, 44mm GPS: £249, 40mm GPS + Cellular: £269, 44mm GPS + Cellular: £299 | |
| 42mm: AU$649 (Wi-Fi); 42mm: AU$809 (cellular); 42mm: AU$1,199 (titanium); 46mm: AU$699 (Wi-Fi/Bluetooth); 46mm: AU$859 (cellular); 46mm: AU$1,279 (titanium) | AU$579 (Wi-Fi, 41mm), AU$669 (Wi-Fi, 45mm), AU$749 (Wi-Fi + LTE, 41mm), AU$839 (Wi-Fi + LTE, 45mm) | ~AU$499 (estimated) | AU$1,399 | AU$749 | 40mm GPS: A$399, 44mm GPS: A$449, 40mm GPS + Cellular: A$479, 44mm GPS + Cellular: A$529 |
In April 2025, we added the OnePlus Watch 3 to our list. The Watch 3 impressed in many ways, but its five-day battery life is the best on any smartwatch we've ever tested.
Consider last year's model: Many new smartwatches offer incremental hardware updates over previous models, so you might want to look at the last generation's smartwatch to save some cash -- especially because software updates often bring new features to older models. For example, you could look at something like the Apple Watch Series 9 which is compatible with the latest WatchOS 11 update to get many of the same software features as the newer Series 9. Avoid buying smartwatches that are several years old, as they may start to feel sluggish.
Buy at the right time of year: Smartwatches usually go on sale during Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so it’s a good idea to look out for discounts around those holidays. Knowing when new devices typically launch can also be helpful. After all, you don’t want to purchase a brand new smartwatch only for it to feel out of date two months later. Samsung, Apple and Google usually release new smartwatches in the late summer and early fall time frame, but you can find more information on typical launch periods here.
Look at added costs: Some smartwatches are moving toward a subscription model that unlocks certain features of your watch. Google's Pixel Watch, for example, offers a monthly $10 subscription called Fitbit Premium that offers more in-depth sleep tracking metrics, workout programs and guidance on recovery.
We test smartwatches in the real world, focusing on key features from fitness tracking to connectivity that you'll use every day. Starting with the watch itself, we check overall performance and responsiveness. Is there any lag when navigating menus? Is the touchscreen responsive? Do apps launch quickly?
Then we check if it has all the functionality you'd expect for the price. That could be everything from music playback controls to cellular connectivity so you can use the watch away from your phone or an always-on display. All smartwatches need to connect to a phone, so we also assess how easy the companion software is to navigate.
The iPhone 15 mounted on a bike.
Lexy Savvides/CNETDurability and design
Smartwatches are something you wear on your body, so we assess how comfortable they are to wear. We also know that everyone has a different-sized wrist, so we try to see how it fits and feels on a variety of people.
Then we look at how it stands up to wear and tear with daily life. Some smartwatches offer increased durability like dust resistance, or water resistance that's suited for activities like scuba diving and where possible we'll test this out for ourselves.
Google Pixel Watch 2 with the charger attached vertical
James Martin/CNETBattery life
Battery life will vary depending on how you use a smartwatch, so we test battery life with a few standard tests. We see how long it generally lasts on a single charge with features that represent typical use, like the always-on display, sleep tracking and doing an outdoor workout with GPS.
That small circle is the temperature sensor on the back of the Galaxy Watch 5.
Lexy Savvides/CNETFitness and health sensor accuracy
We test the accuracy of smartwatch sensors in a couple of different ways. For example, the heart rate sensor is compared against the readings taken from a chest strap, considered the gold standard in consumer heart rate tracking. We compare readings from the watch against the strap for resting heart rate, and heart rate during a variety of cardio-based activities like running or cycling. We check to see how long it takes to connect to a GPS signal when doing an outdoor workout.
Other health sensors, like a blood oxygen sensor, are compared against a pulse oximeter for spot readings where possible.
The Amazfit Bip 6 is one of the best budget alternatives we’ve tested with over a week of battery life to boot. This $80 smartwatch is a great option for people on a tight budget or first-time smartwatch buyers who want solid health and fitness features without committing to the more expensive models on this list. It’s also one of the few budget-friendly options that works well with both iPhones and Android phones. And if that wasn’t enough to seal the deal, it lasted eight full days on a single charge in our testing.
Amazfit Bip 6
Vanessa Hand Orellana / CNETThe downside—and the reason we left it off the list—is that it runs on a proprietary operating system (Zepp OS), so the integration isn’t as seamless as what you’d get from a Wear OS (Android) or WatchOS (Apple) device that’s built to work directly with its respective phone.
Smartwatches are only getting smarter about health, and I hope that continues; whether it’s better sensors, new metrics, or more personalized coaching, especially as more brands start leaning on AI to make sense of your data. One trend I’d love to see stick around in this year’s launches is better battery life; smarter software and hardware upgrades like the dual CPU architecture on the OnePlus Watch 3 are finally making multi-day wear feel realistic. Meanwhile, the definition of a wearable is expanding fast with more smart rings making their debuts as well as upgraded earbud options with built-in health sensors that are already nudging into smartwatch territory. They probably won’t replace watches entirely, but they’re definitely raising the bar, and will continue giving the smartwatch category a healthy push forward.
How can I tell what smartwatch will work with my phone?
Figuring out smartwatch compatibility isn’t always simple. The first thing you need to find out is what operating system it’s running: Apple watches run watchOS, while Android watches run Wear OS and they typically don’t mix. Apple Watches are designed to work exclusively with iPhones, while Wear OS watches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Pixel Watch, are built to work best with Android phones. There are unofficial workarounds that let you pair a Wear OS watch with an iPhone, but you’ll lose a lot of the key features that make the watch useful in the first place, so we don’t recommend it.
Then you get into the gray area with 3rd party watches that play well with both Android and Apple devices. Watches from Fitbit, Garmin, or Amazfit tend to be safe bets, but it’s still smart to double-check compatibility on the manufacturer’s website (or in one of our reviews) before making a purchase. And just because a watch supports both platforms doesn’t mean you’ll get the same features on each, so it’s also good to check for any restrictions on either platform. Apple for example, doesn’t allow notification replies on anything other than an Apple Watch, while Android users can usually respond no matter which brand they’re using.
Are smartwatches safe for kids?
Smartwatches can be a safer and less distracting alternative for parents looking to stay connected with their kids without going all in on a smartphone. They offer the basics like two way communication and GPS tracking, without giving kids free rein of the internet or social media.
The key is choosing a smartwatch designed specifically with kids in mind. These watches tend to be easier to use, with larger buttons, and more icons than text for pre-reader. They also come with parental controls that allow caregivers to manage contacts, set up geofencing alerts and restrict usage during school time hours.
There are plenty of options to choose from, including ones from established (adult) smartwatch brands Garmin, Apple and Fitbit, or you can check out this article for more tips on picking the right smartwatch for your kid.
Which is better, fitness trackers or smartwatches?
Both smartwatches and fitness trackers are highly personal devices that will often stay on your wrist for days at a time, tracking both your waking and sleeping moments. It’s difficult to make a blanket statement about which is best for everyone. The ideal choice really depends on your individual needs and preferences. While both offer the same basic functionality; health and fitness tracking, telling time, and phone alerts, they differ in how they present this information to users.
Fitness trackers are a great option for those who prefer a subtle look that doesn’t take over their wrist. They tend to have simpler, more compact designs with smaller screens (or none at all). The tiny display can also be more power-efficient, which is why most fitness trackers can easily outlast a smartwatch in terms of battery life. The downside is that a small screen limits the amount of information displayed, so you'll likely rely on a companion app on your phone to access more detailed metrics or track trends. Fitness trackers also have fewer "smart" features, like text response or mobile payments, though this might not be a drawback if you don’t actually need these features.
Smartwatches, on the other hand, tend to be bulkier. Even the most elegant models still don't quite match the timeless elegance of an analog watch, and still end up looking like a screen strapped to your wrist. They’re not as comfortable to sleep with, and require more frequent charging compared to fitness trackers. However, their larger size allows for more advanced health sensors and provides more screen space to display detailed information and offer real-time coaching. Just make sure you’re clear on your non-negotiables before narrowing down your search, and let them match you with the right choice.
