The best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply observe your steps and ship cellphone alerts to your wrist. The very best smartwatches go even additional, supplying 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.

Chances are high, for those who’re studying this, you already know the entire advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to speculate, 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 to be smartwatches and multi-purpose gadgets. Plus, you’ll need 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 in the present day and these are our high 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 high 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 completely different positions.

Apple additionally elevated the effectivity of the Watch’s battery with this newest mannequin, so most customers ought to see a slight improve in battery life. The Watch remains 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 in the course of the day. Whereas we nonetheless want the Apple Watch had a multi-day battery life like opponents from Garmin and Fitbit do, any battery positive factors are a plus — particularly for many who need to benefit from the brand new sleep apnea monitoring characteristic that the Collection 10 has in watchOS 11. This new characteristic 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, it is 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 important alerts out of your iPhone in a extra discreet manner. Anybody with a Collection 9 or 8 could be disillusioned by the Collection 10 as a result of it’s not reinventing the wheel, and due to this fact might not really feel like an enormous improve. However these coming from an older Apple Watch mannequin, or a wholly completely different wearable, will discover an enormous distinction in efficiency, options and charging velocity.

$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 essentially the most absolutely realized Pixel Watch but, and one which any Android fan would get plenty 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 charge. It will possibly additionally drop down to simply 1 nit of brightness if 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 stand up to 24 hours out of the Pixel Watch 3, which is an enormous enchancment over the earlier era and extra in step with competing gadgets from Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel Watch 3 can be an incredible exercise monitoring system, with options like auto exercise detection and customized working plans, plus the flexibility to trace metrics like Cardio Load. There’s Fitbit smarts in right here, similar to in earlier Pixel Watches, so that you’re lined with regards to every day exercises, steps, sleep and extra. The one draw back to that is that for those who’re considering extra in-depth teaching, these options are hidden behind the Fitbit Premium paywall.

Whereas Put on OS 5 might use a bit extra polish, the mixing with the Google Assistant on the Pixel Watch 3 is useful so you should utilize voice instructions to test on issues like climate forecasts, calendar alerts, map instructions and extra. We additionally respect the addition of sooner 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 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 high choose for Android customers in search of their subsequent wearable.

$350 at Amazon

Photograph by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Garmin is thought 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 essentially 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 running watches in flavors that can swimsuit all types of athletes, from newbie to knowledgeable. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, brilliant AMOLED touchscreen, simple 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 possibly can select the train you need to observe. Run is the primary possibility, however you have got greater than 25 profiles to select from together with observe run, treadmill, stroll, power, swim and extra. When working outdoors, 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 vastly from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cellular app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been properly refined in an effort to customise its homepage the exercise and exercise stats you care about essentially 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 stand 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 can even 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 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 working 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 a number of cheaper gadgets, the Forerunner 165 strikes the appropriate steadiness of characteristic set and worth that can attraction to seasoned runners and people who are simply diving right into a extra regimented working routine.

$250 at Garmin

Fashionable smartwatches: Fossil and extra

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

Sure, there are nonetheless corporations on the market making an attempt to make “trendy” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables had 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 gadgets appear to be 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 favor that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten way more engaging over the previous few years.

In the end, the one factor you possibly can’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 just a little extra like a standard watch. Most wearables are provided in a selection of colours and you’ll pay further for premium supplies like stainless-steel for further sturdiness. When you resolve on a case, your band choices are limitless – 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 gadgets 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 kind 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 gadgets have superior working methods, communications, music and health options. In addition they usually embrace perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that finances gadgets typically don’t have.

Some corporations make specialised health watches: These can simply run north of $500, and we’d solely suggest 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 gadgets can price greater than $1,000, and also you’re normally paying for little greater than a model title and a few needlessly unique choice 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 gadgets. 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 other than, you realize, 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 trying out 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 quite a bit to you, think about 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 must test your cellphone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is an enormous purpose why individuals flip to smartwatches. An all-purpose timepiece ought to perform as a health tracker, logging your steps, energy and exercises, and most of in the present day’s wearables have a coronary heart charge monitor as properly.

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 gadgets now can face up to no less than a dunk within the pool. Some smartwatches from corporations 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 through the years. Each Apple and Fitbit gadgets 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 gathering these sorts of wellness metrics is vital to you, you’ll should pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch can’t solely observe your morning runs but in addition play music whilst you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music regionally, so you possibly can join wi-fi earbuds through Bluetooth and hearken 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 have the ability to stream music instantly from the watch to your paired earbuds.

Shows

Most wearables have touchscreens and we suggest 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 sooner response instances 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 received’t see vital positive factors with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery basically will get used up when these gadgets have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do in the present day. Some smartwatches have this characteristic on by default whereas others allow you to allow it through tweaked settings. This sensible characteristic means that you can look down at your watch to test the time, well being stats or some other data you’ve set it to indicate on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. This can 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 working at its peak unnecessarily. Cheaper gadgets received’t have this characteristic; as a substitute, their touchscreens will robotically flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll should deliberately test 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 manner residence from a run. Remember that completely different watches use completely different fee methods: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS gadgets use Google Pay, Samsung gadgets use Samsung Pay and so forth.

Apple Pay is among the hottest NFC fee methods, with assist for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 completely different nations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally vital to notice that each NFC fee assist varies by system as properly 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, but it surely has a ton of additional options like further waterproofing to trace diving, an much more correct GPS and the most important battery of any Apple Watch to this point. Apple designed it for essentially the most rugged amongst us, however to your common individual, it doubtless has extra options than they’d ever want. In the event you’re notably clumsy, nevertheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness might be an incredible 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 most likely suffice for most individuals. We really regard the Watch SE as the most effective smartwatch possibility 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 typically will be nice choices for essentially 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. Once 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 minimize. As a health tracker, it’s respectable, but it surely’s a irritating smartwatch. For exercises, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides with out your cellphone and, mixed with the center charge and blood oxygen sensors, collects a great quantity of knowledge 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 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 every day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and the day gone by’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — just like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit gadgets and Garmin watches provide. And for the reason that watch battery lasts for over per week on a cost, you could be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch it’s important to cost every day.

We weren’t anticipating an $80 system to be a critical Apple Watch challenger, however the Bip 6’s glitches and overly difficult interface (each on the app and on the watch itself) had been disappointing. Throughout per week of testing, I bought a number of repeated notifications, even after they had been deleted, together with solutions to face after I was actively doing chores round the home. The watch faces usually are not customizable, so it was onerous to get the information I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has plenty of paid watch faces which will have what I wished, however I didn’t need 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 using. Throughout testing, I walked a couple of 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 per week of carrying the Bip 6, with no adjustments to my every day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a couple of.4 fewer miles tracked every day. That was probably the most important 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 completely 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 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 sensible residence gadgets. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cellular funds and even LTE connectivity, so you possibly can depart 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 need a extra related expertise with further options, a smartwatch is the higher selection.

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 quite a bit 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 every single day or two. In the event you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, anticipate the battery to empty sooner.

Bodily, a great smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than you have to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and robust construct supplies have a tendency to carry up properly over time. Nevertheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung usually present updates for no less than a number of years, whereas some finances smartwatches might not get long-term software program assist.

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

How a lot must you spend on a smartwatch?

How a lot it is best to 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 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 might lack premium options like LTE, superior well being monitoring or third-party apps.

Within the mid-range smartwatch worth bracket, you’ll discover standard fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These provide a great mixture of health monitoring, sensible options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app assist, however battery life would possibly 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 assist. These are nice for critical athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who needs the newest and best options.

In the event you simply need a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a finances or mid-range mannequin will do the job. However if you need 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 steadiness 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 related to your cellphone. It’s a must have for critical athletes or anybody who needs 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 effective for those who normally carry your cellphone whereas understanding, but it surely’s much less handy for those who favor to depart it behind.

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

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

Sure, but it surely is dependent upon the smartwatch and what you need to do with out your cellphone.

In case your smartwatch has LTE or mobile connectivity , you can also 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 provider, which normally comes with an additional month-to-month price.

Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do loads 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 assist downloads from Spotify or Apple Music), might contactless funds with options like Apple Pay and Google Pockets and management sensible residence gadgets.

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 no cellphone?

Sure, a smartwatch could make calls with no cellphone — however provided that it has the appropriate options.

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, that means they’ll work independently out of your cellphone. You can also make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you have got a cellular information plan for the watch. Nevertheless, you’ll must pay for a separate mobile plan and battery life drains sooner 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 to 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 received’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 no cellphone is a should, be sure 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. When 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 many others.) principally work with Android telephones, however some additionally assist iPhones with restricted options. When you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is your best option. When 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 many others.). Android smartwatches provide extra selection, with entry to Google providers (Google Assistant, Google Pockets and Google Maps), and a few assist Amazon Alexa or Samsung’s Bixby.

By way of design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in completely 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 kinds and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and many others.), that means you possibly can choose a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.

If battery life is vital to you, the Apple Watch lasts a few 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.

Trending Merchandise