The most effective smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply observe your steps and ship telephone alerts to your wrist. The most effective smartwatches go even additional, supplying you with the flexibility to pay for a cup of espresso, take calls and connect with apps like Spotify all with out whipping out your smartphone.

Chances are high, when you’re studying this, you already know the entire advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to speculate, or improve from an getting old accent, however we wouldn’t blame you when you when you didn’t know the place to begin. There are dozens of smartwatches accessible now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear to be smartwatches and multi-purpose units. Plus, you’ll wish 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 accessible in the present day and these are our high picks.

Desk of contents

Greatest smartwatches of 2025

Google / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (non-obligatory) | GPS: Sure, in-built | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant help: 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 totally 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 price. It might probably additionally drop down to only 1 nit of brightness while you’re carrying it to sleep, which not solely makes for a greater expertise general, 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 consistent with competing units from Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel Watch 3 can be a fantastic exercise monitoring gadget, 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, identical to in earlier Pixel Watches, so that you’re lined with regards to day by day exercises, steps, sleep and extra. The one draw back to that is that when you’re fascinated by 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 helpful so you should 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 come in useful when you’re actually eager on utilizing the watch as a sleep tracker. Total, 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

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress, dozens of exercises | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | GPS: Sure, in-built | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant help: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with non-obligatory 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 this 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 title, and Garmin actually excels at making complete but pleasant GPS running watches in flavors that can go well with every kind of athletes, from newbie to knowledgeable. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, shiny AMOLED touchscreen, simple button controls, correct built-in GPS and its capability to trace exercise stats simply in addition to all-day exercise knowledge.

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 wish to observe. Run is the primary possibility, however you’ve greater than 25 profiles to select from together with observe run, treadmill, stroll, energy, 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 tremendously from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cellular app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been effectively refined so that you could 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 simple 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 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 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 working watches; you can simply spend $500 or extra when you’re uncertain about what you want and what’s simply further fluff. Whereas Garmin does have a number of cheaper units, the Forerunner 165 strikes the best steadiness of function set and value that can attraction to seasoned runners and people who are simply diving right into a extra regimented working routine.

$250 at Garmin

Trendy smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless firms on the market making an attempt to make “modern” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables have been novel and customarily 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 choose up a “hybrid” smartwatch from firms like Withings and Garmin – these units appear to be basic wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart price monitoring. They continue to be good choices when you desire that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten rather 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. For those who’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical circumstances that look a little bit extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are provided in a alternative of colours and you may pay further for premium supplies like stainless-steel for further sturdiness. When you determine on a case, your band choices are countless – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps accessible for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to alter 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 units 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 may 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 most effective smartwatches typically value between $300 and $400. In comparison with finances smartwatches, which value between $100 and $250, these pricier units have superior working programs, communications, music and health options. In addition they typically embody perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that finances units typically don’t have.

Some firms make specialised health watches: These can simply run north of $500, and we’d solely advocate them to severe athletes. Luxurious smartwatches from manufacturers like TAG Heuer and Hublot can even attain sky-high costs, however we wouldn’t endorse any of them. These units can value greater than $1,000, and also you’re often paying for little greater than a model title and a few needlessly unique collection of construct supplies.

Battery life

Battery life stays considered one of our largest complaints about smartwatches, however there’s hope as of late. You may count on two full days from Apple Watches and most Put on OS units. Watches utilizing the Snapdragon Put on 3100 processor help prolonged battery modes that promise as much as 5 days of battery life on a cost — when you’re keen to close off most options apart from, you already know, displaying the time. Different fashions can final 5 to seven days, however they often 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, take into account a watch with LTE. They’re dearer than their WiFi-only counterparts, however mobile connectivity permits the smartwatch to take and obtain telephone calls, and do the identical with textual content messages, with out your gadget 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 when you completely must test your telephone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is an enormous motive 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 in the present day’s wearables have a coronary heart price monitor as effectively.

Many smartwatches’ health options embody a built-in GPS, which is helpful for monitoring distance for runs and bike rides. Swimmers will need one thing water-resistant, and fortunately most all-purpose units now can stand up to at the very least a dunk within the pool. Some smartwatches from firms 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 over time. Each Apple and Fitbit units can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra inexpensive the smartwatch, the much less possible it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if accumulating these sorts of wellness metrics is necessary to you, you’ll must pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch cannot solely observe your morning runs but in addition play music whilst you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music domestically, so you possibly can join wi-fi earbuds by way of Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your telephone. Those who don’t have onboard storage for music often have on-watch music controls, so you possibly can management playback with out whipping out your telephone. And in case your watch has LTE, native saving isn’t required — you’ll be capable of stream music immediately 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 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 gained’t see vital good points with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery basically will get used up when these units have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do in the present day. Some smartwatches have this function on by default whereas others allow you to allow it by way of tweaked settings. This sensible function lets you look down at your watch to test the time, well being stats or some other data you’ve set it to point out on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. This can little doubt have an effect on your gadget’s battery life, however fortunately most always-on modes dim the show’s brightness so it’s not working at its peak unnecessarily. Cheaper units gained’t have this function; as an alternative, their touchscreens will robotically flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll must 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 approach residence from a run. Remember that completely different watches use completely different cost programs: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS units use Google Pay, Samsung units use Samsung Pay and so forth.

Apple Pay is among the hottest NFC cost programs, with help for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 completely different nations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally necessary to notice that each NFC cost help varies by gadget as effectively for each Samsung and Google’s programs.

Different smartwatches our specialists examined

Apple Watch Extremely 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 might be overkill for most individuals, however it has a ton of additional options like further waterproofing to trace diving, an much more correct GPS and the largest battery of any Apple Watch so far. Apple designed it for probably the most rugged amongst us, however to your common individual, it possible has extra options than they’d ever want. For those who’re significantly clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness could possibly be a fantastic motive 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 can in all probability suffice for most individuals. We really regard the Watch SE as one of the best smartwatch possibility for first-time patrons, 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 must 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 generally might be nice choices for probably the most lively amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a wonderful GPS running watch for severe 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 help 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 lower. As a health tracker, it’s first rate, however it’s a irritating smartwatch. For exercises, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides with out your telephone and, mixed with the center price and blood oxygen sensors, collects an excellent 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 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 day by day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and the day before today’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — just like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit units and Garmin watches supply. And because the watch battery lasts for over per week on a cost, chances are you’ll be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch you need to cost day by day.

We weren’t anticipating an $80 gadget to be a severe Apple Watch challenger, however the Bip 6’s glitches and overly difficult 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 ideas 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 a number of paid watch faces which will have what I needed, however I didn’t wish 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 driving. 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 in a position to 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 day by day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a pair of.4 fewer miles tracked every day. That was probably the largest 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, alternatively, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It gives health monitoring options, but in addition helps you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management sensible residence units. Many smartwatches help voice assistants, cellular funds and even LTE connectivity, so you possibly can depart your telephone behind in some circumstances.

For those who primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the best way to go. If you’d like a extra linked expertise with further options, a smartwatch is the higher alternative.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts principally is dependent upon two issues: battery life and general sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies quite a bit relying on the model, options and the way you employ it. Primary 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 often want a cost every single day or two. For those who’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, count on the battery to empty quicker.

Bodily, an excellent smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than you want to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and powerful construct supplies have a tendency to carry up effectively over time. Nevertheless, software program help issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung usually present updates for at the very least a number of years, whereas some finances smartwatches might not get long-term software program help.

You may count on to cost most smartwatches day by day or each few days, and when you deal with 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 need to spend on a smartwatch is dependent upon what options you want and the way typically you propose to make use of it.

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

Within the mid-range smartwatch value bracket, you’ll discover well-liked fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These supply an excellent mixture of health monitoring, sensible options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app help, 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 supply superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program help. These are nice for severe athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who needs the newest and best options.

For those who simply need a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a finances or mid-range mannequin will do the job. However if you would like a premium really feel, superior well being monitoring or LTE connectivity, it’s value spending a bit extra. For most individuals, $200 – $350 hits one of the best steadiness of options and worth.

Do all smartwatches have GPS?

Not all smartwatches have built-in GPS. Some depend on your telephone’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 will observe your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes while not having to be linked to your telephone. It’s vital for severe athletes or anybody who needs correct location monitoring with out carrying a telephone.

Some finances and mid-range smartwatches (like some Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have built-in GPS however can use your telephone’s GPS when linked by way of Bluetooth. This works high quality when you often carry your telephone whereas figuring out, however it’s much less handy when you desire to go away it behind.

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

Can you allow your telephone at residence and nonetheless use a smartwatch?

Sure, however it is dependent upon the smartwatch and what you wish to do with out your telephone.

In case your smartwatch has LTE or mobile connectivity , you may make calls, ship texts, stream music, use maps and even entry apps with out your telephone close by. Nevertheless, you’ll want a separate knowledge plan out of your service, which often comes with an additional month-to-month value.

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

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

Can a smartwatch make calls and not using a telephone?

Sure, a smartwatch could make calls and not using a telephone — however provided that it has the best options.

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, that means they will work independently out of your telephone. You may make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you’ve 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 may well nonetheless make calls, however solely when linked to your telephone by way of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It basically acts as a distant speaker and microphone to your telephone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nevertheless, in case your telephone 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 and not using a telephone is a should, be sure that to decide on an LTE mannequin with a built-in mic and speaker.

What is the distinction between an Android and Apple smartwatch?

The most important distinction between Android and Apple smartwatches comes right down to compatibility, options and ecosystem integration.

Apple smartwatches (Apple Watch) solely work with iPhones. When you have an Android telephone, 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 help iPhones with restricted options. When you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is your best option. When you have an Android telephone, go for a Put on OS or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

Apple Watch (watchOS) has one of the best app help 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 help Amazon Alexa or Samsung’s Bixby.

When it comes to design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in completely different sizes and supplies. It’s smooth, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, alternatively, are available in tons of types and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so forth.), that means you possibly can choose a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.

If battery life is necessary 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.