Updated: We’ve reviewed every major smartwatch on the market—here are our top recommendations
Smartwatches are now extremely versatile and powerful tools. The best options can track exercise, monitor advanced health metrics, and act as a handy second screen to your smartphone.
The good news? All the major brands have now delivered refreshes of their smartwatch lineups for 2025. So, not only do you have fresh options from Apple, Samsung, Google, Garmin, and Huawei to consider, but you also have the opportunity to purchase older generations at discounted rates.
Our team is still putting the likes of the Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch Series 11, Garmin Venu 4, and Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 through their paces ahead of their full, in-depth reviews. And though we still rank the Apple Watch Series 10 as the best smartwatch for most people, this will likely change over the coming weeks once verdicts are posted in full.
If you’re an Android user in need of an alternative, we currently recommend looking at the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or Google Pixel Watch 3/4 range.
Here at Wareable, we’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed every major smartwatch on the market over the last decade—and our reviews are regarded as some of the most stringent in the industry. Read on for our hand-picked recommendations of the best smartwatches.
How we tested these smartwatches
Trying to rank the top smartwatches is a complex task; no two devices are the same, nor are the people using them. With this in mind, we utilize our expertise to offer our opinion on the watches that fit the categories listed in the summary below.
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Ultimately, this buyer’s guide builds upon our full, in-depth reviews, which involve testing a device over several weeks (and often longer). We rigorously analyze the design, features, health monitoring, activity tracking, and manufacturer claims during this time.
In for testing: New releases from Apple, Garmin, and Huawei
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In 2025, September proved once again to be the busiest launch month for smartwatches—and we were only just about recovering from an unusually busy August.
Ahead of reviews being posted next month, we have all the new releases at Wareable HQ for extensive testing. Below are the just-announced devices currently in consideration on this list:
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Apple Watch Series 11
Apple Watch SE 3
Huawei Watch Ultimate 2
Huawei Watch GT 6
Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Garmin Venu 4
Best smartwatch 2025: Overview (jump to the summary)
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New smartwatches released so far in 2025
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While the watches we’ve detailed in our recommendations are the best we’ve tested, that doesn’t mean they will remain so for long. As we mentioned earlier, it always pays to keep an eye on the latest releases.
In 2025, we’ve seen a bumper amount of smartwatch launches; all the biggest names have delivered significant overhauls of their smartwatch lines. We’ve seen multiple new releases from Apple, Garmin, Huawei, and Samsung, while the likes of Google, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Amazfit have also delivered annual refreshes.
Here’s a quick list of every significant smartwatch launched this year.
Smartwatches released in 2025:
Amazfit Active 2 (February)
Amazfit Bip 6 (February)
Apple Watch SE 3 (September)
Apple Watch Series 11 (September)
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (September)
Garmin Vivoactive 6 (April)
Garmin Venu X1 (June)
Garmin Venu 4 (September)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (August; ships 9 October)
Honor Watch 5 Ultra (March)
Huawei Watch 5 (May)
Huawei Watch Fit 4/4 Pro (May)
Huawei Watch GT 6 series (September)
Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 (September)
Moto Watch Fit (April)
OnePlus Watch 3 (April)
OnePlus Watch 3 43mm (July)
Oppo Watch X2 (February)
Oppo Watch X2 Mini (April; global release in July)
Pebble 2 Duo (August)
Pebble Time 2* (December)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series (July)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 edition (July)
Vivo Watch 5 (April)
Xiaomi Watch S4 (March)
Apple Watch Series 10
Best overall smartwatch (iOS only)
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Note: The Apple Watch Series 11 is now official, with the 2025 update featuring enhanced battery life estimates, a slightly refined design, and support for Hypertension Notifications and a native sleep score. We’re still testing the new flagship watch, which is why it hasn’t yet taken top spot in our ranking. In the meantime, you can read our comparison of the Series 11 and Series 10.
The Apple Watch Series 10 is an outstanding smartwatch across the board, although it remains an option exclusive to iPhone users.
It’s a more substantial update than in the couple of generations prior, with Apple delivering a pair of thinner and lighter smartwatches in new 42mm and 46mm sizes. These models also boast larger, more edge-to-edge displays that are brighter than ever, especially when viewed at an angle.
Aluminum remains the standard case material, but the premium option has been upgraded from stainless steel to carbon-neutral titanium (similar to the Apple Watch Ultra 2), a change we feel is a definite improvement. Other minor changes include an upgraded speaker that supports out-loud audio for more than just phone calls, a depth gauge, a water temperature sensor, the rebadged S10 chip, and slightly quicker charging.
These welcome additions build on the powerful features established in previous generations, including Double Tap gestures, Low Power Mode, ECG readings for health screening, a temperature sensor for detailed cycle tracking, and a thriving third-party app store.
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Still an excellent watch, even with the Series 11’s arrival
Even though we’re certain to recommend the Series 11 over the Series 0 once our testing is complete, it’s worth pointing out that it remains a superb option. On account of the watchOS 26 update, which adds features like Hypertension Notification, Workout Buddy, and Sleep Score, it’s still able to deliver the most comprehensive smartwatch experience on the market.
Still, some key caveats remain. The single-day battery life remains the Achilles’ heel of the Series models, posing a problem for heavy users. We’re also not convinced the bump in overall size will be to everyone’s taste, particularly for those with smaller wrists.
Easier to use
Lovely finishes
Sleep apnea detection
Battery life is still a day
Huge display is a lot on the wrist
Google Pixel Watch 3
Best smartwatch for Android users (Android only)
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Note: The Pixel Watch 3 was added to this list in September 2023. However, with Google announcing the Pixel Watch 4 in August 2025 (ahead of its 9 October release date), it’s crucial to understand that this is an outgoing generation. Below, we’ll leave our original entry intact until we’ve finished our testing for the upcoming smartwatch.
With the addition of a new case size, Google’s Pixel Watch 3 has propelled itself to the top of the Wear OS field. The all-new 45mm model not only opens the Pixel Watch line to more users but also delivers genuine multi-day battery life. In our testing, it consistently lasted over 48 hours with the always-on display enabled, and that can be stretched to three or four days with conservative settings.
While this performance is on par with the Galaxy Watch (though not the OnePlus Watch 3), the intuitive Fitbit platform is the key separator. Upgrades to the experience include Cardio Load for deeper training insights, a helpful morning brief, and improved running data. In a welcome move, the Daily Readiness Score is now also available to all Pixel Watch generations without a Fitbit Premium subscription.
Accuracy remains a strong point. The heart rate data is among the best we’ve tested, and while the GPS lacks dual-frequency support, it’s precise enough for most needs. The watch also includes comprehensive sleep and health vitals tracking, although we find the stress tracking feature to be a less impressive aspect of the Fitbit experience.
Overall, the Pixel Watch 3 is a remarkably refined and well-rounded smartwatch. Although battery life on the 41mm model is still average, the 45mm version is now our top recommendation for Android users.
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Finally in two case sizes
Two-day AOD battery life (45mm version)
Still excellent HR tracking
Not much of an upgrade for 41mm users
No dual-frequency GNSS
Stress tracking remains baffling
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8
Best Samsung smartwatch for most people (Android only)
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After several incremental updates, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 feels like a significant step forward and is the company’s most compelling smartwatch in years. The big story is the integration of Google Gemini, which, unlike its predecessors, finally delivers a genuinely helpful and intelligent AI assistant on the wrist that can handle complex queries with ease.
Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Watch 8 features the new ‘cushion’ case design from the Ultra model, offering a cleaner and more refined look. The Super AMOLED display is also brighter and sharper than ever before, while subtle UI improvements make the Wear OS software smoother and more intuitive to navigate day-to-day.
It retains Samsung’s powerful health suite, including ECG and blood pressure monitoring (which still requires a Samsung phone). New additions like ‘Vascular Load’ offer valuable insights into sleep stress, but other ‘Labs’ features like the ‘Antioxidant Index’ feel half-baked. While GPS accuracy fell short of dedicated sports watches in our testing, we found heart rate tracking to be impressively accurate (even during intense exercise).
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Unfortunately, the Galaxy Watch 8 doesn’t solve the line’s biggest weakness: battery life. Or, at least that’s true of the smaller version we tested. With that model, you can expect around a day and a half of use, which means daily charging is still necessary.
Despite the battery limitations, the Watch 8 is a resounding success. The polished design, accurate heart rate sensor, and the game-changing utility of Google Gemini make it a top smartwatch for most people, especially if you own a Samsung phone.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review
The cushion case design is nicely implemented
Google Gemini is a huge upgrade
Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 work well together
New health and fitness features are a mixed bag
Barely a battery improvement on the Watch 7
Key health features remain exclusive to Samsung phone users
Huawei Watch Fit 3
Best for battery life (iOS/Android)
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Note: The Huawei Watch Fit 3 has been a consistent presence on this list of the best smartwatches for the past couple of years, offering a great budget option (which you can still purchase for $119/£119).
However, in May 2025, it was replaced by the Fit 4 and Fit 4 Pro. As such, we don’t recommend purchasing this last-gen model—but we’ll leave our original entry below until we’ve completed our testing of the latest models.
Yes, it’s a massive clone of the Apple Watch, but it gets so much right. It’s incredibly thin and light to wear, making it truly unisex. There is a range of strap options, but we don’t know why people would look beyond the nylon option, which we tried during our review time (above).
The Watch Fit 3 offers generally good health and sports tracking, providing a broad spectrum of metrics and accurate data, including heart rate and GPS distance. It passed all our tests and punches well above its price tag, running particularly well-handled.
Sleep tracking is also fairly solid. While we did find it wasn’t the most sensitive to grace our testing lab, it’s consistent and helpful enough to get value from. Again, it’s excellent for this price.
Where it falls short of Apple and Wear OS is the lack of a robust ecosystem, especially for apps and payments. Yet, the tradeoff is much-improved battery life. If you want 14 days, you will need to forego features like the always-on display, but you should get a week even with all the bells and whistles turned on.
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Good workout tracking
Lovely price
Slim and light
Sleep tracking accuracy could be better
Basic watch faces and UI design
Lack of apps/services
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Best premium smartwatch (iOS only)
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Note: The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is now official, with the 2025 update featuring enhanced battery life estimates, satellite messaging, and a larger display area. We’re still testing the new watch, but you can read our comparison of the Ultra 3 and Ultra 2 in the meantime.
We loved the original Apple Watch Ultra, and the second-gen model that launched in 2023 made gentle refinements to the overall proposition. This iteration features a boost in screen brightness, a carbon-neutral design, and a chip that enables the Double Tap feature.
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We didn’t get an Apple Watch Ultra 3 last year as expected, with that model now rumored to arrive in September 2025. At last year’s event, we were limited to a new black case option and sleep apnea detection support via watchOS 11, so it’s likely a substantial upgrade is inbound.
Still, the 49mm Ultra 2 remains bold and aimed at weekend warriors who want a superior Apple Watch to the Series 10. It’s tough and suitable for diving and watersports, and runners will love the accurate dual-frequency GPS, which excelled in our city marathon testing.
The feature we love most is the 2-3 days of battery life, which eliminates the charging anxiety associated with other Apple Watch models. Returning to a Series device after spending time with the Ultra 2 is tough; this is the peak Apple Watch experience.
The native outdoor apps still require some refinement, with mapping, navigation, and performance analysis underdeveloped compared to the Garmin Venu X1 (below). However, you can always seek out third-party Ultra apps to help it realize its potential.
Great screen
Supreme GPS accuracy
Gestures are cool AF
Carbon neutral
Wellness feels a tad stale
Short on prosumer metrics
New carbon neutral bands slightly dull
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Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Best premium Wear OS smartwatch (Android only)
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Wear OS lacked a genuinely rugged outdoor smartwatch until the release of the Galaxy Watch Ultra in 2024.
Samsung’s most premium smartwatch bears a striking resemblance to the Apple Watch Ultra to a comical degree, yet it remains unique for Android users. And that’s still true in 2025, with the brand quietly releasing a slightly better 2025 edition of the Galaxy Watch Ultra when it announced the Galaxy Watch 8 series back in July.
The 47mm case size feels huge and may be too large for smaller wrists, but it offers accurate dual-frequency GNSS, all the health tech bells and whistles, 100ATM water resistance, and some proper sports tracking features, such as (very fiddly) FTP, and the ability to chain together different workouts.
Battery life is between two and three days, but we did find the drain inexplicably inconsistent at launch, so it’s hard to get a feel for how much you’ll get.
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Providing you can handle the size, slightly clunky navigation, and inconsistent battery life, this is an excellent upgrade from the typical Samsung smartwatch experience.
Solid build and fun design
Excellent HR and GPS tracking
Cracking display
Sleep tracking is very detailed
Insane rotating bezel miss
Battery life feels inconsistent
Samsung phone required for some features
Looks ridiculous on smaller wrists
Garmin Venu X1
Best smartwatch for sports tracking (iOS and Android)
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The Garmin Venu X1 is a statement piece; a powerful sports watch wrapped in the best-looking, most comfortable smartwatch the company has ever produced. At just 7.9mm thick, the ultra-thin titanium case is a marvel of smartwatch engineering, making it a joy to wear 24/7.
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Despite its slim profile, it’s a Garmin through and through. It packs the brand’s full suite of advanced training metrics, including Training Status, Running Tolerance, and Endurance Score, as well as Garmin’s excellent native mapping and coaching platform. We also found its core GPS and heart rate accuracy to be outstanding during testing. Plus, it even squeezes in Garmin’s brilliantly useful LED flashlight.
However, this aesthetic focus comes with significant compromises. The Venu X1’s biggest flaw is its deeply un-Garmin-like battery life, managing just two days with the always-on display enabled. At its premium price tag, the absence of top-tier features (like Multi-Band GPS and an ECG sensor) also feels like a significant sacrifice.
While it has basics like offline Spotify and call support, it isn’t a true smartwatch rival to Apple or Samsung. The Venu X1 is for a specific user: the dedicated Garmin fan who has long craved a more elegant design and is willing to trade battery life and key features to get it.
Incredibly thin, light, and comfortable design
Core sports tracking accuracy is outstanding
An LED flashlight—in this design!
Two-day AOD battery life
No ECG or dual-frequency GPS
No killer smart feature (like LTE) to differentiate it
Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
Best affordable Apple Watch (iOS only)
Wareable (Image credit: Wareable)
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Over the past few months, we’ve considered dropping the Apple Watch SE 2 from our smartwatch recommendations list. It’s over two years old, and options such as the Huawei Watch Fit 4 are genuine alternatives at a fraction of the price.
But, as we wrote after re-testing the SE 2 in November 2024, it’s still a fantastic sports-tracking smartwatch capable of running the latest watchOS software and remains zippy thanks to the S8 chip.
First-timers looking for an introduction to the Apple Watch get all the essentials with this device: core fitness and wellness monitoring, accurate workout HR and GPS, a bustling App Store, Apple Pay, and even Fall Detection.
You can’t go wrong with the SE if you’re in the Apple ecosystem and want a solid starter smartwatch. The design is now dated, though. The thick border around the display ensures it feels significantly boxier than the Series 7-10 devices, and there’s also no always-on display or ECG.
The final caveat, as we’ve hinted throughout, is that we’re also expecting it to be replaced by a newer model in September 2025. So, if you have it on your shortlist, find a good deal.
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Tracking is very accurate
S8 chip provides very smooth experience
Superb value
Battery life hasn’t progressed
Design is starting to look a little old
No always-on display
How to choose the right smartwatch
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Case size
A watch’s fit, comfort, and wearability are primarily down to case size – and a few millimeters can make a huge difference. Those with small wrists should look in the 38-42mm range, while those who like chunky, oversized watches or have big wrists should look at anything above 45mm.
iOS vs Android
It’s essential to consider the smartphone you use. Apple Watch is iOS only, and Wear OS watches, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup and Pixel Watch 3, are exclusive to Android.
Older Wear watches are compatible with both, but the iOS experience is diminished, and it’s not recommended.
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Huawei, Fitbit, and Garmin smartwatches are compatible with both, but some advanced calling features from the wrist are usually exclusive to Android.
Check out our guides to the best smartwatches for iPhone and the top Android watches for more information.
Apps and extra features
Buying into Apple Watch and Wear OS watches means you can access bustling app stores full of options from big-name brands, such as Spotify or Strava, and expand on the core features.
For example, platforms run by Garmin, Amazfit, and Huawei don’t have the developer support for many quality apps. This means you’re limited to basic functionality.
Health and fitness features
Smartwatches are increasingly becoming health and fitness tools, so make sure yours has the sensors you want.
Nowadays, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a smartwatch without a heart rate sensor, and most are adept at 24/7 HR and resting heart rate.
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However, brands like Apple, Google Fitbit, and Samsung now include ECG, a powerful health tool. If you’re curious, read our ECG explainer.
Runners will want an accurate GPS on board to track outdoor workouts.
Battery life
The Apple Watch and Wear OS smartwatches generally only last a day or two away from the charger, which is one of the biggest turn-offs for people. There have been moves to extend that to 2-3 days, with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and TicWatch Pro 5.
Luckily, other smartwatches now last more than a week, with Fitbit, Huawei, Amazfit, and Garmin all pushing longer runtimes.
Cellular connectivity
A key consideration is whether you want your smartwatch to work away from your phone.
Many manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, offer LTE versions, which require a separate data plan for purchase. Most carriers and networks have plans for LTE smartwatches.
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If you find this feature important, check out our guide to the best LTE smartwatches.