The very best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply monitor your steps and ship telephone 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 hook up with apps like Spotify all with out whipping out your smartphone.

Chances are high, in case you’re studying this, you already know the entire advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to take a position, or improve from an getting older accent, however we wouldn’t blame you in case you in case you didn’t know the place to begin. There are dozens of smartwatches obtainable now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear like 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 obtainable right now and these are our prime picks.

Desk of contents

Finest smartwatches of 2025

Google / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (non-compulsory) | GPS: Sure, in-built | Water-proof: 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 obtained it proper with the Pixel Watch 3. It’s essentially the most absolutely realized Pixel Watch but, and one which any Android fan would get a variety of use out of. The newest mannequin, which now is available in 41mm and 45mm sizes, has a barely bigger round show that’s brighter than ever and might attain as much as a 60Hz refresh charge. It might 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 in addition contributes to its longer battery life. You’ll rise up to 24 hours out of the Pixel Watch 3, which is an enormous enchancment over the earlier technology and extra in step with competing units from Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel Watch 3 can be an amazing exercise monitoring gadget, 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 in case you’re serious about 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 combination with the Google Assistant on the Pixel Watch 3 is helpful so you need to use voice instructions to verify on issues like climate forecasts, calendar alerts, map instructions and extra. We additionally admire the addition of quicker charging on the Pixel Watch 3, so you’ll be able to go from 0 to 100 in a bit much less time than earlier than. That’ll come in useful in case 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 prime decide for Android customers searching for 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 assist: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with non-compulsory 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 earth of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I wished to put on essentially the most after I went out for a run. The experience of the Forerunner line is within the title, and Garmin actually excels at making complete but pleasant GPS running watches in flavors that may swimsuit all types of athletes, from newbie to knowledgeable. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, brilliant AMOLED touchscreen, easy button controls, correct built-in GPS and its capacity to trace exercise stats simply in addition to all-day exercise information.

Beginning a run with the Forerunner 165 is as simple as urgent a single button — the top-right button on the case actually has “run” embossed onto it, and it takes you to the exercise profile menu the place you’ll be able to select the train you wish to monitor. Run is the primary possibility, however you’ve gotten greater than 25 profiles to select from together with monitor run, treadmill, stroll, power, swim and extra. When operating outdoors, the GPS took a median 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 significantly from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cell app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been properly refined to be able to customise its homepage the exercise and exercise stats you care about essentially the most, together with issues like Physique Battery, Sleep Rating, menstrual cycle data and extra. It’s simple to dive into your most not too long ago tracked exercise and get within the weeds with tempo, cadence, coaching impact (cardio or anaerobic), energy and stamina stats.

Garmin places the battery lifetime of the Forerunner 165 at 11 days in smartwatch mode, and I discovered that to be principally correct even with a handful of GPS-tracked runs thrown in. The corporate claims you’ll rise up to 19 hours of battery life with steady GPS use, which must be sufficient for many runners and athletes competing in long-haul races. You too can get the 165 with music storage in-built or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music regionally on the watch so you’ll be able to hear with a pair of Bluetooth headphones.

The Garmin Forerunner 165 will set you again $250 with out music storage, or $300 for the mannequin with music storage in-built. That’s on the decrease finish of the worth spectrum for GPS operating watches; you may simply spend $500 or extra in case you’re uncertain about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have just a few cheaper units, the Forerunner 165 strikes the suitable steadiness of function set and worth that may enchantment to seasoned runners and those that are simply diving right into a extra regimented operating routine.

$250 at Garmin

Trendy smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless corporations on the market making an attempt to make “modern” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables had 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 units appear like traditional wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart charge monitoring. They continue to be good choices in case you favor that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten rather more engaging over the previous few years.

Finally, the one factor you’ll be able to’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 somewhat extra like a standard watch. Most wearables are provided in a selection of colours and you’ll pay additional for premium supplies like chrome steel for additional sturdiness. When you determine on a case, your band choices are limitless – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps obtainable for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to alter up your look everytime you please.

Components to think about 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.

Value

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

Some corporations make specialised health watches: These can simply run north of $500, and we’d solely suggest them to severe 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 units can value greater than $1,000, and also you’re normally paying for little greater than a model title and a few needlessly unique number of construct supplies.

Battery life

Battery life stays considered one of our greatest 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 assist prolonged battery modes that promise as much as 5 days of battery life on a cost — in case you’re keen to close off most options except for, , displaying the time. Different fashions can final 5 to seven days, however they normally have fewer options and lower-quality shows. In the meantime, some health watches can final weeks on a single cost. If lengthy battery life is a precedence for you, it’s value trying out the watch’s specs beforehand to see what the producer estimates.

Communication

Any smartwatch value contemplating delivers name, textual content and app notifications to your wrist. Name and textual content alerts are self explanatory, but when these imply lots 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 all the way down to the watch face and see in case you completely have to verify your telephone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is an enormous motive why folks flip to smartwatches. An all-purpose timepiece ought to operate as a health tracker, logging your steps, energy and exercises, and most of right now’s wearables have a coronary heart charge monitor as properly.

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 waterproof, and fortunately most all-purpose units now can face up to at the least 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 units can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra reasonably priced the smartwatch, the much less probably 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 must pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch cannot solely monitor your morning runs but in addition play music whilst you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music regionally, so you’ll be able to 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 normally have on-watch music controls, so you’ll be able to management playback with out whipping out your telephone. And in case your watch has LTE, native saving isn’t required — you’ll be capable to stream music instantly from the watch to your paired earbuds.

Shows

Most wearables have touchscreens and we suggest getting one which has a full-color touchscreen. Some flagships just like the Apple Watch have LTPO shows, which stands for low-temperature polycrystalline oxide. These panels have 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 received’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 right now. Some smartwatches have this function on by default whereas others allow you to allow it by way of tweaked settings. This sensible function means that you can look down at your watch to verify the time, well being stats or every other data you’ve set it to point out on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. It will little question have an effect on your gadget’s battery life, however fortunately most always-on modes dim the show’s brightness so it’s not operating at its peak unnecessarily. Cheaper units received’t have this function; as an alternative, their touchscreens will robotically flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll must deliberately verify 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’ll be able to maintain your smartwatch as much as an NFC reader to pay for a cup of espresso in your manner house from a run. Remember the fact that totally different watches use totally different fee techniques: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS units use Google Pay, Samsung units 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 totally different nations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally necessary to notice that each NFC fee assist varies by gadget as properly for each Samsung and Google’s techniques.

Different smartwatches our specialists examined

Apple Watch Extremely 2

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 might be overkill for most individuals, nevertheless it has a ton of additional options like additional waterproofing to trace diving, an much more correct GPS and the largest battery of any Apple Watch so far. Apple designed it for essentially the most rugged amongst us, however in your common particular person, it probably has extra options than they’d ever want. For those who’re notably clumsy, nevertheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness may very well be an amazing motive to think about the Apple Watch Extremely 2.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE is much less feature-rich than the flagship mannequin, however it would in all probability suffice for most individuals. We truly regard the Watch SE as the perfect smartwatch possibility for first-time patrons, or folks 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 basically may be nice choices for essentially 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 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 reduce. As a health tracker, it’s first rate, nevertheless it’s a irritating smartwatch. For exercises, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides with out your telephone and, mixed with the center charge and blood oxygen sensors, collects a superb 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 brilliant and sharp. It’s not an always-on show, however lifting your wrist wakes it reliably.

The sleep monitoring information is on par with what we measured on different smartwatches and there’s even a each day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and yesterday’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — much 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 each 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) had been disappointing. Throughout per week of testing, I obtained a number of repeated notifications, even after they had been deleted, together with strategies 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 data I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has a lot of paid watch faces that will have what I wished, however I didn’t wish 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 using. Throughout testing, I walked a couple of times per day for over one mile and went on two bike rides, however no exercise was ever detected. The watch integrates with Apple Well being, so I used to be capable of see the way it compares to the info my Apple Watch gathers. After per week of carrying the Bip 6, with no adjustments to my each day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a couple 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 totally different functions.

A health tracker is primarily targeted on well being and exercise monitoring. It retains tabs in your steps, coronary heart charge, sleep and exercises, and a few even 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 provides health monitoring options, but in addition enables you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management sensible house units. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cell funds and even LTE connectivity, so you’ll be able to go away 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 way in which to go. If you need a extra linked expertise with additional options, a smartwatch is the higher selection.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts principally is determined by two issues: battery life and total sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies lots 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 normally want a cost daily 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, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than you have to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and robust construct supplies have a tendency to carry up properly over time. Nevertheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for at the least just a few years, whereas some price range smartwatches might not get long-term software program assist.

You may count on to cost most smartwatches each day or each few days, and in case you handle them, they need to final 3-5 years earlier than an improve is critical.

How a lot must you spend on a smartwatch?

How a lot it’s best to spend on a smartwatch is determined by what options you want and the way usually you propose to make use of it.

For those who simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart charge monitoring and primary health monitoring — you’ll find some strong budget-friendly choices from manufacturers like Amazfit, Fitbit and a few Put on OS fashions. These normally 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 worth bracket, you’ll discover in style fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These supply a superb mixture of health monitoring, sensible options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app assist, however battery life 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 collection supply superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program assist. These are nice for severe athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who needs the most recent and best options.

For those who simply desire a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a price range 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 the perfect 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 impartial monitoring.

Excessive-end and fitness-focused smartwatches, just like the Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Garmin fashions have their very own built-in GPS. This implies they’ll monitor your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes without 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 price range 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 wonderful in case you normally carry your telephone whereas understanding, nevertheless it’s much less handy in case you favor to go away it behind.

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

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

Sure, nevertheless it is determined by the smartwatch and what you wish to do with out your telephone.

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 telephone close by. Nevertheless, you’ll want a separate information plan out of your service, which normally comes with an additional month-to-month value.

Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do a lot 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), might contactless funds with options like Apple Pay and Google Pockets and management sensible house units.

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 telephone?

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

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, which means they’ll work independently out of your telephone. You can also make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you’ve gotten a cell information plan for the watch. Nevertheless, you’ll have to pay for a separate mobile plan and battery life drains quicker when utilizing LTE.

In case your smartwatch doesn’t have LTE, it will possibly 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 in 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 received’t work.

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

If calling with out a telephone is a should, ensure 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 all the way down to compatibility, options and ecosystem integration.

Apple smartwatches (Apple Watch) solely work with iPhones. When you have an Android telephone, you’ll be able to’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. 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 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 providers (Google Assistant, Google Pockets and Google Maps), and a few assist Amazon Alexa or Samsung’s Bixby.

By way of design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in totally different sizes and supplies. It’s modern, 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.), which means you’ll be able to 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.