The very best smartwatches for 2025

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

Likelihood is, for those who’re studying this, you already know the entire advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to take a position, or improve from an getting old accent, however we wouldn’t blame you for those who for those who didn’t know the place to start out. There are dozens of smartwatches obtainable now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear like smartwatches and multi-purpose gadgets. Plus, you’ll need to take into account components like sturdiness, battery life and working system earlier than you spend some huge cash on a brand new wearable. We’ve examined and reviewed most main smartwatches obtainable at this time and these are our high picks.

Desk of contents

Finest smartwatches of 2025

Google / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (optionally available) | GPS: Sure, in-built | Water-resistant: Sure | Assistant assist: Google Assistant | Show: At all times-on Actua touchscreen | Weight: 31 grams | Battery life: 24 hours

Learn our full Google Pixel Watch 3 review

It solely took three iterations, however Google lastly bought it proper with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s probably the most 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 may attain as much as a 60Hz refresh price. It will probably additionally drop down to simply 1 nit of brightness once you’re carrying it to sleep, which not solely makes for a greater expertise total, but additionally contributes to its longer battery life. You’ll rise up to 24 hours out of the Pixel Watch 3, which is a giant enchancment over the earlier era and extra in keeping with competing gadgets from Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel Watch 3 can be an ideal exercise monitoring machine, with options like auto exercise detection and customized operating plans, plus the power to trace metrics like Cardio Load. There’s Fitbit smarts in right here, similar to in earlier Pixel Watches, so that you’re coated on the subject of each day exercises, steps, sleep and extra. The one draw back to that is that for those who’re involved in extra in-depth teaching, these options are hidden behind the Fitbit Premium paywall.

Whereas Put on OS 5 may use a bit extra polish, the mixing with the Google Assistant on the Pixel Watch 3 is useful so you need to use voice instructions to test on issues like climate forecasts, calendar alerts, map instructions and extra. We additionally recognize the addition of quicker 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 turn out to be 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 decide for Android customers on the lookout for their subsequent wearable.

$350 at Amazon

Picture by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress, dozens of exercises | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | GPS: Sure, in-built | Water-resistant: Sure | Assistant assist: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with optionally available always-on mode | Weight: 39 grams | Battery life: 11 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours in GPS mode

Garmin is understood for its prowess on the planet of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I needed to put on probably the most after I went out for a run. The experience of the Forerunner line is within the identify, and Garmin really excels at making complete but pleasant GPS running watches in flavors that can swimsuit every kind of athletes, from newbie to knowledgeable. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, shiny AMOLED touchscreen, easy button controls, correct built-in GPS and its potential to trace exercise stats simply in addition to all-day exercise knowledge.

Beginning a run with the Forerunner 165 is as straightforward 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 monitor. Run is the primary choice, however you have got greater than 25 profiles to select from together with monitor run, treadmill, stroll, energy, swim and extra. When operating 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 drastically from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cellular app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been nicely refined with the intention to customise its homepage the exercise and exercise stats you care about probably the most, together with issues like Physique Battery, Sleep Rating, menstrual cycle data and extra. It’s straightforward to dive into your most just lately tracked exercise and get within the weeds with tempo, cadence, coaching impact (cardio or anaerobic), energy and stamina stats.

Garmin places the battery lifetime of the Forerunner 165 at 11 days in smartwatch mode, and I discovered that to be principally correct even with a handful of GPS-tracked runs thrown in. The corporate claims you’ll rise up to 19 hours of battery life with steady GPS use, which ought to be sufficient for many runners and athletes competing in long-haul races. You may as well get the 165 with music storage in-built or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music domestically on the watch so you possibly can pay attention 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 in-built. That’s on the decrease finish of the value spectrum for GPS operating watches; you can simply spend $500 or extra for those who’re uncertain about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have a number of cheaper gadgets, the Forerunner 165 strikes the fitting stability of characteristic set and worth that can enchantment to seasoned runners and those that are simply diving right into a extra regimented operating routine.

$250 at Garmin

Fashionable smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless corporations on the market attempting to make “modern” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables have been novel and usually ugly, manufacturers like Fossil, Michael Kors and Skagen discovered their area of interest in fashionable smartwatches that took cues from analog timepieces. You even have the choice to select up a “hybrid” smartwatch from corporations like Withings and Garmin – these gadgets appear like basic wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart price monitoring. They continue to be good choices for those who choose that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten way more engaging over the previous few years.

Finally, the one factor you possibly can’t change after you purchase a smartwatch is its case design. When you’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical circumstances that look slightly extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are supplied in a selection of colours and you may pay additional for premium supplies like chrome steel for additional 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 vary up your look everytime you please.

Components to contemplate 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 will even dictate the sort and variety of third-party apps you’ll have entry to. Many of those aren’t helpful, although, making this issue a reasonably minor one within the grand scheme of issues.

Worth

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

Some corporations make specialised health watches: These can simply run north of $500, and we’d solely advocate them to critical athletes. Luxurious smartwatches from manufacturers like TAG Heuer and Hublot may also 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 identify and a few needlessly unique collection of construct supplies.

Battery life

Battery life stays certainly one of our greatest complaints about smartwatches, however there’s hope as of late. You’ll be able to anticipate two full days from Apple Watches and most Put on OS 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 understand, 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 price testing the watch’s specs beforehand to see what the producer estimates.

Communication

Any smartwatch price contemplating delivers name, textual content and app notifications to your wrist. Name and textual content alerts are self explanatory, but when these imply lots to you, take into account a watch with LTE. They’re costlier than their WiFi-only counterparts, however mobile connectivity permits the smartwatch to take and obtain cellphone calls, and do the identical with textual content messages, with out your machine close by. So far as app alerts go, getting them delivered to your wrist will allow you to look right down to the watch face and see for those who completely must test your cellphone proper now.

Health monitoring

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

Many smartwatches’ health options embrace a built-in GPS, which is helpful for monitoring distance for runs and bike rides. Swimmers will need one thing water-proof, and fortunately most all-purpose gadgets now can face up to a minimum of 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 inexpensive the smartwatch, the much less seemingly it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if amassing these sorts of wellness metrics is necessary to you, you’ll should pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch cannot solely monitor your morning runs but additionally play music when you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music domestically, 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 be capable of stream music straight from the watch to your paired earbuds.

Shows

Most wearables have touchscreens and we advocate getting one which has a full-color touchscreen. Some flagships just like the Apple Watch have LTPO shows, which stands for low-temperature polycrystalline oxide. These panels have quicker response occasions and are extra energy environment friendly, leading to a smoother expertise when one interacts with the touchscreen and, in some circumstances, longer battery lives.

You gained’t see important good points with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery primarily will get used up when these gadgets have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do at this time. Some smartwatches have this characteristic on by default whereas others allow you to allow it through tweaked settings. This good characteristic lets you 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. It will little question have an effect on your machine’s battery life, however fortunately most always-on modes dim the show’s brightness so it’s not operating at its peak unnecessarily. Cheaper gadgets gained’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 method house from a run. Remember that completely different watches use completely different fee techniques: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS gadgets use Google Pay, Samsung gadgets use Samsung Pay and so forth.

Apple Pay is likely one of the hottest NFC fee techniques, with assist for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 completely different international locations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally necessary to notice that each NFC fee assist varies by machine as nicely for each Samsung and Google’s techniques.

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 additional 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 probably the most rugged amongst us, however to your common particular person, it seemingly has extra options than they’d ever want. When you’re significantly clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive degree of sturdiness could possibly be an ideal purpose to contemplate the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is much less feature-rich than the flagship mannequin, however it is going to most likely suffice for most individuals. We really regard the Watch SE as the perfect smartwatch choice for first-time consumers, or individuals on stricter budgets. You’ll get all of the core Apple Watch options in addition to issues like fall and crash detection, noise monitoring and Emergency SOS, however you’ll should do with out extra superior {hardware} perks like an always-on show, a blood oxygen sensor, an ECG monitor and a pores and skin temperature sensor.

Garmin Forerunner 745

Garmin watches normally may be nice choices for probably the most energetic amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a wonderful GPS running watch for critical athletes or those that prize battery life above all else. Once we examined it, we discovered it to supply 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 first rate, 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 price and blood oxygen sensors, collects a great quantity of knowledge to create correct footage of your exertion ranges, cadence and tempo. It’s remarkably light-weight however doesn’t really feel low cost and the AMOLED display is shiny and sharp. It’s not an always-on show, however lifting your wrist wakes it reliably.

The sleep monitoring knowledge is on par with what we measured on different smartwatches and there’s even a each day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and the day past’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — much like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit gadgets and Garmin watches supply. 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 you must cost each day.

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

Advertising and marketing particulars state that the Bip 6 can auto-detect exercises, together with strolling and bike driving. Throughout testing, I walked a few times per day for over one mile and went on two bike rides, however no exercise was ever detected. The watch integrates with Apple Well being, so I used to be capable of see the way it compares to the information my Apple Watch gathers. After per week of carrying the Bip 6, with no adjustments to my each day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a couple of.4 fewer miles tracked every day. That was probably the 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 centered on well being and exercise monitoring. It retains tabs in your steps, coronary heart price, sleep and exercises, and a few even supply superior metrics like blood oxygen ranges and stress monitoring. Health trackers are typically extra compact, have longer battery life and are constructed with exercise in thoughts.

A smartwatch, however, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It gives health monitoring options, but additionally permits you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management good house gadgets. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cellular funds and even LTE connectivity, so you possibly can depart your cellphone behind in some circumstances.

When you primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the way in which to go. In order for you a extra linked expertise with additional options, a smartwatch is the higher selection.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts principally relies on two issues: battery life and total sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies lots 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 day by day or two. When you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, anticipate the battery to empty quicker.

Bodily, a great smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than it is advisable improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and robust construct supplies have a tendency to carry up nicely over time. Nevertheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for a minimum of a number of years, whereas some funds smartwatches could not get long-term software program assist.

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

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

How a lot you must spend on a smartwatch relies on what options you want and the way typically you propose to make use of it.

When you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart price monitoring and primary health monitoring — you’ll find some stable budget-friendly choices from manufacturers like Amazfit, Fitbit and a few Put on OS fashions. These normally have first rate battery life however could lack premium options like LTE, superior well being monitoring or third-party apps.

Within the mid-range smartwatch worth bracket, you’ll discover well-liked fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa sequence. These supply a great mixture of health monitoring, good options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app assist, however battery life may nonetheless be restricted to a day or two.

Excessive-end smartwatches just like the Apple Watch Extremely, Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely and Garmin Fenix/Epix sequence supply superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program assist. These are nice for critical athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who needs the most recent and biggest options.

When you simply desire a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a funds or mid-range mannequin will do the job. However if you’d like a premium really feel, superior well being monitoring or LTE connectivity, it’s price spending a bit extra. For most individuals, $200 – $350 hits the perfect stability of options and worth.

Do all smartwatches have GPS?

Not all smartwatches have built-in GPS. Some depend on your cellphone’s GPS, whereas others have it built-in for unbiased monitoring.

Excessive-end and fitness-focused smartwatches, just like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Garmin fashions have their very own built-in GPS. This implies they’ll monitor your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes without having to be linked to your cellphone. It’s a must have for critical athletes or anybody who needs correct location monitoring with out carrying a cellphone.

Some funds and mid-range smartwatches (like some Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have built-in GPS however can use your cellphone’s GPS when linked through Bluetooth. This works advantageous for those who normally carry your cellphone whereas understanding, but it surely’s much less handy for those who choose to go away it behind.

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

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

Sure, but it surely relies on 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 knowledge plan out of your service, 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 monitor exercises and GPS routes (if they’ve built-in GPS), play music offline (in the event that they assist downloads from Spotify or Apple Music), could contactless funds with options like Apple Pay and Google Pockets and management good house gadgets.

If going phone-free is necessary to you, search for a smartwatch with LTE and built-in GPS for the perfect expertise.

Can a smartwatch make calls with out a cellphone?

Sure, a smartwatch could make calls with out a cellphone — however provided that it has the fitting options.

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, that means they’ll work independently out of your cellphone. You may make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you have got a cellular knowledge plan for the watch. Nevertheless, you’ll must pay for a separate mobile plan and battery life drains quicker when utilizing LTE.

In case your smartwatch doesn’t have LTE, it might nonetheless make calls, however solely when linked to your cellphone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It primarily 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 linked to Wi-Fi, calling gained’t work.

Some fitness-focused smartwatches (like sure Garmin, Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have a built-in speaker or microphone, to allow them to’t make or obtain calls in any respect — solely present notifications.

If calling with out a cellphone is a should, 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 right down to compatibility, options and ecosystem integration.

Apple smartwatches (Apple Watch) solely work with iPhones. If in case 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 so forth.) principally work with Android telephones, however some additionally assist iPhones with restricted options. If in case you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is your best option. If in case you have an Android cellphone, go for a Put on OS or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

Apple Watch (watchOS) has the perfect app assist with seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem (iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Pay, Apple Health+, Siri and so forth.). Android smartwatches supply extra selection, with entry to Google companies (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 in tons of kinds and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so forth.), that means you possibly can decide a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.

If battery life is necessary to you, the Apple Watch lasts a couple of day or two per cost, relying on utilization and mannequin. Many Android smartwatches (particularly Garmin, Amazfit or Mobvoi TicWatch) final a number of days and even weeks on a single cost.

Georgie Peru contributed to this report.