The very best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply observe your steps and ship telephone alerts to your wrist. The very best smartwatches go even additional, supplying you with the flexibility 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, if you happen to’re studying this, you already know the entire advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to take a position, or improve from an growing older accent, however we wouldn’t blame you if you happen to if you happen to didn’t know the place to start out. There are dozens of smartwatches accessible now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that seem like smartwatches and multi-purpose gadgets. Plus, you’ll wish to take into account elements 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 right this moment 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 (elective) | GPS: Sure, in-built | Waterproof: Sure | Assistant help: Google Assistant | Show: All the time-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 essentially the most totally 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 price. It will possibly 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 a giant enchancment over the earlier technology and extra in keeping with competing gadgets from Apple and Samsung.

The Pixel Watch 3 can be an awesome exercise monitoring machine, with options like auto exercise detection and customized operating plans, plus the flexibility to trace metrics like Cardio Load. There’s Fitbit smarts in right here, similar to in earlier Pixel Watches, so that you’re lined relating to day by day exercises, steps, sleep and extra. The one draw back to that is that if you happen to’re thinking about 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 helpful so you should use voice instructions to examine 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’ll be able to go from 0 to 100 in a bit much less time than earlier than. That’ll turn out to be useful if you happen to’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 decide for Android customers on the lookout 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 | Waterproof: Sure | Assistant help: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with elective always-on mode | Weight: 39 grams | Battery life: 11 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours in GPS mode

Garmin is thought for its prowess on the planet of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I wished to put on essentially the most once I went out for a run. The experience of the Forerunner line is within the identify, and Garmin actually excels at making complete but pleasant GPS running watches in flavors that can swimsuit all types of athletes, from newbie to skilled. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, vivid AMOLED touchscreen, easy 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’ll be able to select the train you wish to observe. Run is the primary possibility, however you’ve got greater than 25 profiles to select from together with observe run, treadmill, stroll, energy, swim and extra. When operating exterior, 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 enormously from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cellular app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been effectively refined in an effort 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 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 largely 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 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’ll be able to 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 worth spectrum for GPS operating watches; you possibly can simply spend $500 or extra if you happen to’re not sure about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have just a few cheaper gadgets, the Forerunner 165 strikes the precise steadiness of characteristic set and value that can 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 firms on the market attempting 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 trendy 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 gadgets seem like traditional wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart price monitoring. They continue to be good choices if you happen to favor 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’ll be able to’t change after you purchase a smartwatch is its case design. Should you’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical instances that look a bit extra like a conventional 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 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 gadgets play good with each iOS and Android telephones. Smartwatches made by Samsung, Garmin, Fitbit and others are additionally appropriate with Android and iOS, however you’ll want to put in a companion app in your smartphone.

The smartwatch OS will 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 usually 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. In addition they typically embody perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that funds gadgets usually don’t have.

Some firms 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 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 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’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 help prolonged battery modes that promise as much as 5 days of battery life on a cost — if you happen to’re keen to close off most options other than, you recognize, 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 testing 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 rather a lot 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 telephone 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 all the way down to the watch face and see if you happen to completely must examine your telephone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is a giant purpose 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 this moment’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-proof, and fortunately most all-purpose gadgets now can face up to a minimum of 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 gadgets can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra inexpensive the smartwatch, the much less doubtless it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if gathering these sorts of wellness metrics is essential to you, you’ll should pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch cannot solely observe your morning runs but in addition play music when you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music domestically, so you’ll be able to join wi-fi earbuds by way of Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your telephone. People 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 immediately 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 instances, longer battery lives.

You gained’t see vital positive factors 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 right this moment. Some smartwatches have this characteristic on by default whereas others allow you to allow it by way of tweaked settings. This good characteristic lets you look down at your watch to examine the time, well being stats or every other data you’ve set it to indicate on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. This may 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 examine 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 method house from a run. Understand that totally different watches use totally 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 help for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 totally different international locations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally essential to notice that each NFC fee help varies by machine as effectively 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, but it surely 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 doubtless has extra options than they’d ever want. Should you’re notably clumsy, nevertheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness might be an awesome 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’ll most likely suffice for most individuals. We really regard the Watch SE as one of the best 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 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 could 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. After we examined it, we discovered it to offer 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 reduce. 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 telephone and, mixed with the center price and blood oxygen sensors, collects 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 screen is vivid 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 past’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you might be for the day forward — just like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit gadgets and Garmin watches supply. And for the reason that watch battery lasts for over every week on a cost, you could be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch you must cost day by day.

We weren’t anticipating an $80 machine to be a severe Apple Watch challenger, however the Bip 6’s glitches and overly sophisticated interface (each on the app and on the watch itself) had been disappointing. Throughout every week of testing, I bought a number of repeated notifications, even after they had been deleted, together with recommendations to face once I was actively doing chores round the home. The watch faces will not be customizable, so it was laborious to get the data I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has plenty 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 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 in a position to see the way it compares to the info my Apple Watch gathers. After every 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 totally 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 usually extra compact, have longer battery life and are constructed with exercise in thoughts.

A smartwatch, then again, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It affords health monitoring options, but in addition enables you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management good house gadgets. Many smartwatches help voice assistants, cellular funds and even LTE connectivity, so you’ll be able to go away your telephone behind in some instances.

Should you primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the way in which to go. If you would like a extra related expertise with additional options, a smartwatch is the higher selection.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts largely will depend on two issues: battery life and total sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies rather a lot relying on the model, options and the way you employ it. Primary fashions with e-ink shows or monochrome screens can final every week or extra, whereas full-featured smartwatches just like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch normally want a cost every single day or two. Should you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, anticipate the battery to empty quicker.

Bodily, smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than it is advisable 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 a minimum of just a few years, whereas some funds smartwatches might not get long-term software program help.

You’ll be able to anticipate to cost most smartwatches day by day or each few days, and if you happen to maintain 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 you need to spend on a smartwatch will depend on what options you want and the way typically you intend to make use of it.

Should you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart price monitoring and fundamental 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 might lack premium options like LTE, superior well being monitoring or third-party apps.

Within the mid-range smartwatch value bracket, you’ll discover fashionable fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These supply mixture of health monitoring, good options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app help, 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 help. These are nice for severe athletes, out of doors adventurers, or anybody who needs the newest and best options.

Should you simply desire a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a funds or mid-range mannequin will do the job. However if you need 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’ll observe your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes without having to be related to your telephone. It’s a must have for severe athletes or anybody who needs correct location monitoring with out carrying a telephone.

Some funds and mid-range smartwatches (like some Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have built-in GPS however can use your telephone’s GPS when related by way of Bluetooth. This works tremendous if you happen to normally carry your telephone whereas figuring out, but it surely’s much less handy if you happen to favor to depart it behind.

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

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

Sure, but it surely will depend on 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 provider, 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 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 good house gadgets.

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

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, which means they’ll work independently out of your telephone. You may make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you’ve 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 probably nonetheless make calls, however solely when related to your telephone by way of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It primarily 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 related 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 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 largest 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. You probably 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 on.) largely work with Android telephones, however some additionally help iPhones with restricted options. You probably have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the only option. You probably 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 on.). 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 totally different sizes and supplies. It’s smooth, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, then again, are available tons of kinds and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so on.), which means you’ll be able to decide a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.

If battery life is essential 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.