{"id":502212,"date":"2026-02-27T03:32:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T03:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/502212\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T03:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T03:32:18","slug":"best-android-smartwatches-2026-forbes-vetted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/502212\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Android Smartwatches 2026 – Forbes Vetted"},"content":{"rendered":"

Your Android smartwatch should do more than pair seamlessly with your Android phone\u2014it should accurately track your fitness and sleep routines, take calls, play music, offer on-device AI that answers your queries and more. After a year of testing, I found the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8<\/a> to be the best Android smartwatch overall. It has a decent battery life, offers useful AI-based features and has a large, bright display to read and respond to notifications.<\/p>\n

\"Two<\/a><\/p>\n

I spent a year testing the best Android smartwatches, taking into consideration design, battery life, performance and more.<\/p>\n

Illustration: Forbes \/ Photos: Retailers<\/p>\n

But Samsung isn\u2019t the only Android smartwatch that you can strap to your wrist. When I tested the best Android smartwatches, I considered design, battery life, performance, AI integrations among many other considerations, and I found other impressive choices. For fans of Google Pixel phones, the Google Pixel 4<\/a> features a lovely, dome design. There\u2019s also the OnePlus Watch 3<\/a>, which can last for days on a single charge. Here are the best Android smartwatches, tested over the course of a year.<\/p>\n

MOST POPULAR<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n

Display size: 1.6 inches and up | Weight: 1 ounce and up | Battery life: Up to 40 hours | Water resistance: 164 feet | Operating system: Wear OS | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, infrared temperature, gyroscope, accelerometer, altimeter, geomagnetic, barometer, body composition, spO2 tracking<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/p>\n

Comprehensive fitness insightsImproving sleepGoogle Gemini integrations to help you accomplish more tasks<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You prefer a more minimalist smartwatchYou use a non-Samsung phone and want every single health tracking feature<\/p>\n

Want to save this story for later?<\/p>\n

No need to bookmark\u2014get it straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n

Remind Me<\/p>\n

We’ve sent this story to your inbox.<\/p>\n

\"Graphic<\/a>\"Graphic<\/a>
\nAn Impressive Ecosystem, With Useful Fitness Insights<\/p>\n

After several months of testing, I found the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8<\/a> to be the best Android smartwatch overall for its impressive ecosystem, decent battery life and useful health tracking features. To be clear: If you use a Google Pixel phone or other non-Samsung branded device, you lose access to certain features. However, you still have access to Samsung\u2019s extensive fitness tracking, which allows you to track many different workouts, including walking treadmills, rowing and more. The smartwatch could track my heart rate zone and at the end of each workout, tell me how long I stayed in each zone, which I found not only useful but also motivating. I also loved how the smartwatch integrates Google Gemini, so I could ask the watch questions and receive answers without having to reach for my phone.<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 is especially helpful for improving sleep, tracking time spent asleep, sleep stages, movement and more.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Isaacs for Forbes
\nExceptional Sleep Tracking Software<\/p>\n

Its sleep tracking is also one of the most impressive I\u2019ve tested. AI-powered software like Sleep Coach helped me better understand my sleep patterns: It offered detailed insights on time spent asleep, sleep stages, movement, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, skin temperature and more. From there, it can use your sleep and fitness data tracking to determine what the brand calls and Energy Score. Energy Score is essentially how rested and ready you feel for the day. And, while I don\u2019t struggle to find the optimal sleep time, for those that do, the watch uses what the brand calls Bedtime Guidance to help you determine your body\u2019s ideal bedtime.<\/p>\n

Design Is Off\u2014And Some Features Feel Frivolous<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s one miss about this watch, is its cushion design\u2014the name used for watches that feature a classic square shape with rounded corners. But while the design is cushion-shaped, the display is still round, and the resulting aesthetic is downright goofy. It comes in two sizes: 40mm and 44mm. Some of the software also feels somewhat frivolous, like the Antioxidant Index. This feature requires you to remove the watch and place your thumb on the back to run the test and receive your score. It proved near-impossible to raise my \u201cvery low\u201d score despite my plant-heavy and antioxidant-rich diet.<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n

Display size: 1.3 inches and up | Weight: 1 ounce and up | Battery life: Up to 35 hours | Water resistance: 164 feet | Operating system: Wear OS | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, infrared temperature, gyroscope, accelerometer, altimeter, geomagnetic, barometer, body composition, spO2 tracking<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/p>\n

Comprehensive fitness insightsGetting the basics to improve your sleep<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You need the latest featuresMore battery life is essential<\/p>\n

A Sleek, Rounded Shape<\/p>\n

While it\u2019s not the most recent smartwatch on the market, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7<\/a> is an excellent value option. It features a round case and watch face, and looked lovely on my wrist. Depending on your size preference, you can opt for the 40mm or 44mm design. Like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 features the same fitness tracking software, so I could track my walks, treadmill work and more. It also includes Samsung\u2019s sleep apnea detection, which can help you determine whether you show symptoms of the condition. (Note that the watch cannot diagnose you with sleep apnea\u2014plan to take any findings to your doctor.)<\/p>\n

All The Basics (But Not The Latest AI Software)<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 includes sleep coaching, but there\u2019s one important distinction between the Watch 7 and the Watch 8: Bedtime Guidance is not available on this model. While some users might enjoy having the guidance, odds are you won\u2019t notice it\u2019s not available. But there\u2019s also the matter of battery life, as the Watch 7 lasts a few hours less than the Watch 8. I found this isn\u2019t a large issue. And while it doesn\u2019t come with the latest features, I still found the watch to provide plenty of accurate basics, including step and sleep tracking, weather insights and more.<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n

Display size: 1.8 inches | Weight: 1.7 ounces with included band | Battery life: Up to 26 days | Water resistance: 164 feet | Operating system: Garmin OS | Sensors: ECG, blood oxygen, heart rate, compass, altimeter, accelerometer, thermometer, ambient light, gyroscope, SpO2 tracking<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/p>\n

Detailed health insights, including recovery and sleepAccurate readingsBuilt-in workouts, including accessible ones<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You want it to auto detect your activityYou prefer a slimmer profile
\nBuilt With Personal Training In Mind<\/p>\n

The Garmin Venu 3<\/a> has received plenty of accolades from our team. My colleague, Katie Simpson, is a certified personal trainer and tested this model for several months. She not only found it to be the best fitness tracker<\/a>, but she also found that it\u2019s one of the best smartwatches<\/a> for fitness enthusiasts, too. The watch is geared towards maximizing your fitness routine: It helped plan her day, which included providing recovery time predictions. It also features more than 30 preloaded sports apps so you can track your progress down to sets and reps.<\/p>\n

The Garmin Venu 3 helped one tester level up her fitness goals.<\/p>\n

katie simpson for forbes
\nA Holistic Approach That Improves Fitness Goals<\/p>\n

She loved that the watch \u201ctakes a holistic approach to fitness without being intimidating to use.\u201d It\u2019s that approach that Simpson felt helped her actually improve her fitness goals\u2014and it was only smartwatch she\u2019s tested to do so. When she first began testing the watch, she noted it\u2019s not as intuitive as other Android smartwatches she tested; once she felt familiar with it, she said it could easily load fitness routines.<\/p>\n

Doesn\u2019t Auto Detect Workouts\u2014And It\u2019s Bulky<\/p>\n

During sets, plan to monitor the Garmin Venu 3; Simpson found that in order to maximize its fitness tracking capabilities, she needed to constantly monitor its activity tracking because it doesn\u2019t automatically sense the activity type. It\u2019s also pretty bulky, especially on smaller wrists. If you want a sleeker, lighter option, plan to look elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n

Display size: 1.5 inches | Weight: 2.9 ounces with included band | Battery life: Up to 16 days | Water resistance: 164 feet | Operating system: Wear OS by Google + RTOS | Sensors: Wrist temperature, optical heart rate, optical pulse oximeter, geomagnetic, light, barometer, acceleration, gyroscope<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/p>\n

An extra long battery life for those who forget to chargeMaximizing the use of the rotating crown<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

ECG monitoring is a priority for youYou need more preloaded workouts like rowing
\nA Massive Display That Lasts For Days<\/p>\n

The OnePlus Watch 3<\/a> is one of the biggest smartwatches I\u2019ve tested to date\u2014it dwarfs my wrist. Still, it\u2019s pretty lightweight, and that size helps make the display easy to read. The rotating crown, which has disappeared from many smartwatches, feels like a bonus, too; it\u2019s fully functional. But it\u2019s the battery life that impressed me the most: It can last five days on a charge. If you place it into low power mode, it can last up two weeks\u2014much longer than the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.<\/p>\n

Use the rotating crown to zoom in on the app library the OnePlus Watch 3 offers.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Isaacs For Forbes
\nSome Missing Features May Be Dealbreakers<\/p>\n

Still, while it features Google Wear OS and is very intuitive, it\u2019s missing some features. While it offers plenty of pre-loaded workouts, some are missing, like rowing. Also, the watch doesn\u2019t offer any ECG because it hasn\u2019t received FDA certification. \u201cAs the OnePlus Watch 3 did not receive official certification from the U.S. FDA on its ECG capabilities, the ECG Analyzer feature on the OnePlus Watch 3 will not be available to users in the United States or Canada,\u201d shared a brand representative. You can read my full OnePlus Watch 3 review<\/a> to learn more.<\/p>\n

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n

Display size: 1.8 inches | Weight: 2.1 ounces | Battery life: Up to 60 hours | Water resistance: 164 feet | Operating system: Wear OS by Google + RTOS | Sensors: Wrist temperature, optical heart rate, optical pulse oximeter, geomagnetic, light, barometer, acceleration, gyroscope<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/p>\n

Getting a long battery lifeMaximizing your health data thanks to tons of sensorsEnjoying a great app experience (on the phone)<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t want a chunky deviceLong-term battery life is essential
\nA Sturdy, Large Build<\/p>\n

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra<\/a> is about the same size as the OnePlus Watch 3\u2014it looks borderline comical on my thin wrist. However, I found I liked the large display; it felt like it was easier to see all my stats at a glance without feeling cramped. It doesn\u2019t have a fully functional rotating crown, but it\u2019s built from titanium, which makes it much sturdier than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 and Samsung Galaxy Watch 7. The watch features a middle button that acts as a quick access feature\u2014and you can configure it to certain preferences, which I liked. However, this smartwatch introduced Samsung\u2019s awkward cushion design, of which I\u2019m not a fan.<\/p>\n

Automatically Registers My Fitness Tracking<\/p>\n

Its water resistance is rated to 10ATM, and it can stand up to ocean swimming, which I felt was impressive. Fitness tracking felt easy, too. When I tested other smartwatches against my husband\u2019s rowing machine, I needed to scroll, find and then start the rowing tracking preset. This smartwatch was the only one that automatically registered the activity. It also comes with all of Samsung\u2019s fitness presets, including walking, running, treadmill and many more.<\/p>\n

A Long Battery Life, But Degrades Over Time<\/p>\n

Its battery life lasts up to two days, and placing it on low power mode ekes out a few extra days. My biggest gripe with the smartwatch wasn\u2019t this battery life\u2014of all the Samsung and Google smartwatches I\u2019ve tested, it still lasts the longest\u2014but it was the degradation of the battery. After several months, I noted its battery life significantly reduced; it barely lasted a day. Your mileage may vary.<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

Forbes Vetted ratings are based on thorough evaluations by our editorial team to help you choose the best products with confidence.<\/p>\n

Display size: 1.6 inches and up | Weight: 1 ounce and up | Battery life: Up to 72 hours (with Battery Saver Mode) | Water resistance: IP68 rating | Operating system: Wear OS 6.0 by Google | Sensors: ECG, heart rate, wrist temperature, light, geomagnetic, altimeter, barometer, acceleration, gyroscope, compass, spO2 tracking<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/p>\n

Its beautiful, minimalist designUsing Google Gemini integrations regularlyIf you hike off-grid frequently\u2014the LTE model includes SOS satellite communications<\/p>\n

Skip if:<\/p>\n

You want a battery that lasts more than 36 hours on a charge
\nA Beautiful Watch, With A New Charging Dock<\/p>\n

While many of my top picks are Samsung or OnePlus models, they don\u2019t fully scratch the itch for a lovely design that I wanted to show off on my wrist. I found the Google Pixel Watch 4<\/a> to be an exceptional standout for its design. Google implemented a new design it calls the \u201cActua 360 display,\u201d which gives it a lovely dome shape that looks beautiful on my wrist. I also found that it gets bright so it\u2019s easy to see in the sunniest of outdoor conditions. One of the biggest upgrades was its charging, too. This latest model rests and charges on its side, so you can see the watch face and use it as bedside clock while it\u2019s docked.<\/p>\n

Impressive AI Integrations, Too<\/p>\n

The Google Pixel Watch 4 gave me access to an impressive amount of features, including Readiness Score, which takes a series of health tracking metrics and turns it into a score that shows my \u201creadiness\u201d to take on the day. But its the Google Gemini integrations that impressed me the most. Not only can I simply raise my wrist to speak to the AI, but I can also add useful Gemini action buttons on the watch face, too. For those who spend their weekends hiking off the grid, the watch also offers SOS satellite communications on LTE models.<\/p>\n

Battery Life Could Be Stronger<\/p>\n

Google claims the watch\u2019s battery life lasts up to 40 hours. During testing, I found I was lucky if I eked out 36 hours before it died. Battery saver mode automatically enables when your watch reaches 15% life left, which can help if it hits that number when you\u2019re away from your charger. You can get more life out of it if you place it on battery saver mode, but keep in mind that you lose some features like the Always On Display and some background activities. It still will track the most important fitness and health tracking features.<\/p>\n

Other Android Smartwatches I Tested<\/p>\n

While the watches I tested represent the best options for most users, they may not quite fit your needs. Below are other Android smartwatches Simpson and I tested that may be better suited for your lifestyle.<\/p>\n

Best Android Smartwatch For Fitness Tracking Runner-Up: Garmin Lily 2<\/a> (4.5\/5 stars): Simpson tested the Garmin Lily 2 and found it easy to set up. She also appreciated that it\u2019s more durable and lightweight than other contenders she tested. The battery life lasts up to five days, which Simpson found \u201csuper impressive.\u201d The smartwatch detects and tracks reps and sets easily, and she found it extremely accurate during her fitness training sessions. If you\u2019re looking for a slightly smaller smartwatch that\u2019s built with fitness tracking in mind, it\u2019s a great option.<\/p>\n

Best Android Smartwatch For Design Runner-Up: Google Pixel Watch 3<\/a> (4\/5 stars): The Google Pixel Watch 3 has a nice rounded design that I really liked, though this last-gen version doesn\u2019t look as sleek as the Google Pixel Watch 4. Because it integrates nicely with Fitbit, you can get useful insights to your running metrics and can also use it as an AI-based running coach. It allows you to opt into weekly emails so you can track your progress, too. Because it\u2019s a last-gen model, its battery doesn\u2019t last as long as the Google Pixel Watch 4\u2014or the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, too.<\/p>\n

How We Tested The Best Android Smartwatches<\/p>\n

To test the best Android smartwatches, Simpson and I tested the latest models. We spent a minimum of a month with each smartwatch\u2014and often wore them longer to get a well-rounded picture of each device\u2019s features. As we wore them, we considered the following features.<\/p>\n

Health tracking: Your smartwatch should accurately track your heart rate, sleep cycles and more. We cross-checked these tracking features by wearing two smartwatches and one smart ring for a few days, noting any discrepancies.
\n Fitness tracker: We ran, walked, swam, rowed and more, logging our heart rate zones, steps, distances traveled and more. We cross-checked the numbers with other trackers to make sure the watch tracked accurately.
\n Battery life: We wore each smartwatch from fully charged until it died, noting whether a battery saver mode was offered\u2014and whether it turns on automatically. We also tracked how long it took each Android smartwatch to get from 0% back to fully charged.
\n AI integrations: Each smartwatch offers some kind of Google OS wear software\u2014but not all smartwatches optimize the offered features. We tested them for ease of access and whether they assisted or harmed the Google OS experience.
\n Design: A good smartwatch should complement your wrist and personal style, and feel comfortable for hours of wear. We considered overall design, weight, material and aesthetics. If we felt it was too bulky or heavy, we noted it. We also considered button and crown placements and noted accidental presses.<\/p>\n

How To Choose The Best Android Smartwatch For Your Needs<\/p>\n

While every Android smartwatch we tested features health tracking, notification alerts and more, they\u2019re not all created equal. I spoke with multiple experts to determine the best Android smartwatch for your needs.<\/p>\n

Design<\/p>\n

A good smartwatch should feel comfortable on your wrist, says Denise Chakoian, Certified Fitness Trainer and Owner at CORE Cycle and Fitness LaGree in Providence, Rhode Island. \u201cSince you\u2019ll wear it daily, consider the size, weight and whether the style fits your lifestyle,\u201d she says, adding that \u201cpremium Android smartwatches often have higher-quality materials and more stylish designs.\u201d While most Android smartwatches ship with a silicone watch band, you can also opt for a cloth or mesh design to help it breathe against your skin, too.<\/p>\n

Health Tracking<\/p>\n

Your smartwatch should offer three health tracking metrics, according to Harrison Hunter, professional sports coach at Vekta: \u201cSolid heart-rate tracking, reliable GPS and good sleep monitoring.\u201d Plenty of smartwatches offer extras like ECG monitoring, skin temperature and stress tracking. According to Hunter, they\u2019re \u201cnice bonuses, but only if the app turns that information into something meaningful, like recovery guidance or simple trends you can follow.\u201d Look for an Android smartwatch collects the basics well. If you\u2019re seeking a smartwatch that collects extra data points, make sure it can provide meaningful information that you can help turn into action in your daily routine.<\/p>\n

For fitness enthusiasts, Chaokian recommends choosing a watch known for reliable, accurate heart rate and distance tracking readings. \u201cInaccurate data can make your fitness tracking less useful,\u201d she adds. Also check whether the watch software \u201cprovides clear trends, summaries, and actionable tips,\u201d she says. \u201cGood insights help you understand your progress and improve your health over time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Battery Life<\/p>\n

The average smartwatch\u2019s battery life can last anywhere from 36 hours to over two weeks, depending on power settings, always-on display settings and more. You\u2019ll also want to consider how long it takes to charge your smartwatch, according to Hunter. \u201cBattery life is still typically around a day or two for full-featured Wear OS models, so fast charging is a meaningful advantage if you don\u2019t want to think about power every day,\u201d he adds. If you suspect you\u2019ll be prone to forgetting to charge your Android smartwatch, opt for one that has a longer battery life.<\/p>\n

Why Trust Forbes Vetted<\/p>\n

At Forbes Vetted, our tech team has tested and reported on plenty of smart wearables, including the best smartwatches for women<\/a>, the best smart rings<\/a> and more. We\u2019ve published plenty of guides to help you buy Samsung phones, wireless headphones and more.<\/p>\n

Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in consumer tech journalism for over six years. When she\u2019s not testing the latest wearables, including the best wireless earbuds<\/a> and the best smartwatches<\/a>, she tests the best TVs<\/a> and recommends the best TVs for bright rooms.
\n Tester and senior strategy editor Katie Simpson has been an ACE-certified personal trainer for over two years. Throughout her own training and sessions with clients, she\u2019s used countless fitness trackers, which has helped her learn the most useful features to look for. She\u2019s also been active for as long as she can remember: She was a competitive swimmer for 13 years, and she\u2019s been strength training for over six years.
\n We tapped many unbiased experts to learn more about smartwatches. We spoke with the following experts to learn more about smartwatches: Denise Chakoian, Certified Fitness Trainer and Owner at CORE Cycle and Fitness LaGree in Providence, Rhode Island; and Harrison Hunter, professional sports coach at Vekta, an AI-powered endurance training and coaching platform built for cyclists, runners and triathletes and founder of cycling community Fred\u2019s Club.<\/p>\n

Which Smartwatch Is Best For Android?<\/p>\n

Based on testing, research and conversations with experts, I chose the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8<\/a> as the best Android smartwatch overall. I found its sleep tracking insights to be useful. The fitness tracking insights I received feel comprehensive for most needs, and I liked that it offers Google Gemini integrations to receive answers without having to reach for my phone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Your Android smartwatch should do more than pair seamlessly with your Android phone\u2014it should accurately track your fitness…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":502213,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[49,48,195,61],"class_list":{"0":"post-502212","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gadgets","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-gadgets","11":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=502212"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502212\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/502213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=502212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=502212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=502212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}