Best Smartwatches 2025-Top Picks for Every Need
Smartwatches aren’t just for telling the time anymore. Today’s models can track your steps, check your heart rate, show messages from your phone, and even talk to voice assistants. You can do a lot—without pulling your phone out of your pocket.
A smartwatch also adds a stylish touch to your outfit and can make everyday tasks easier. Whether you're into fitness, like getting alerts on the go, or just want something cool on your wrist, there’s a watch out there for you.
If you use an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 10 is a top pick. For Android users, the Google Pixel Watch 3 is a strong option. But that’s not all—there are plenty of great smartwatches in different designs and price ranges.
In this guide, I’ve picked the best ones I’ve tested so far. If you're more interested in a fitness tracker or smart ring, I’ve got those covered too in other posts.
Update (July 2025): The list now includes the new Samsung Galaxy Watch8 series.
Fitness Trackers vs. Smartwatches vs. Smart Rings
When it comes to wearable tech, you’ve got a few choices—smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart rings. But what’s the difference, and which one should you pick? Let’s break it down.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches do more than just track your steps. You can use them to control smart home devices, reply to messages, check emails, or even talk to voice assistants like Siri or Gemini. They usually have a touchscreen, just like a phone, and let you run several apps.
But there’s a trade-off—battery life. Most smartwatches need charging every one or two days.
Fitness Trackers
Fitness trackers are simpler. They mostly focus on health and activity tracking—like heart rate, sleep, and workouts. Some can show texts or emails, play music, or let you pay by tapping. But they don’t run as many apps as smartwatches.
The good part? They last much longer on a single charge, sometimes even a full week. If your main goal is to stay healthy and not worry about charging too often, a fitness tracker might be better for you.
Smart Rings
Smart rings do the least, but they’re super light and have great battery life. They’re tiny, but still track your heart rate and sleep. Some, like the Oura Ring or Ultrahuman Ring Air, can last almost a week without charging.
Smart rings can be a great add-on too. You can wear one along with a smartwatch to get the best of both. For example, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring can work with the Galaxy Watch8 to share the workload and help the battery last longer.
Customize Your Smartwatch Strap
You don’t have to keep the strap that came in the box! Most smartwatches let you change the strap easily. Apple, Google, and Samsung use their own strap systems, but many other smartwatches work with regular watch bands.
Just check the strap size. It’s usually written on the back of the strap (you might see something like “20 mm” or “22 mm”), or you can look it up in the manual or online store. Changing straps is a fun way to match your watch to your style.
A Warning About Some Straps
One thing to know: Some rubber-like straps made from fluoroelastomer may contain a chemical called PFHxA—a type of PFAS, also known as a “forever chemical.” A study in late 2024 found high levels of this chemical in straps from brands like Apple, Fitbit, Google, Casetify, and Samsung.
These chemicals might cause health problems over time. If you’re worried, try straps made from safer materials like silicone, leather, or metal. And always check the product details when buying a new strap.
Best Smartwatch for iPhone Users
If you’re using an iPhone, the Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch you can get right now. Apple says it has a “brand-new design,” but to be honest, it still looks a lot like the older models. That’s not a bad thing—it’s just more refined. The new version is thinner, lighter, and much more comfortable to wear all day. Plus, the display is bigger than ever. In fact, the 46mm version even has a larger screen than the Apple Watch Ultra 2!
It also charges a bit faster than before, and now includes a sleep apnea tracking feature that’s approved by the US FDA. That could be a game-changer for people who need it. There's even a sleek new jet-black finish that looks sharp enough for Batman.
You get tons of useful health tools like fall detection, ECG (electrocardiogram) readings, and other advanced fitness features. The App Store support is also unmatched—there’s so much you can do right from your wrist.
Still, here’s the thing: You don’t have to buy the newest model. Even older Apple Watches, like the Series 6, can use most of the same features thanks to the latest watchOS 26 update. Also, Apple still hasn’t fixed one big issue—the battery life. It only lasts around 18 hours, which means you’ll probably be charging it every night.
Want to customize your watch? Check out our guide to the best Apple Watch accessories for fun strap ideas and style upgrades.
Best Smartwatch for Android Users
The only real downside? It’s not repairable. If something goes wrong and your warranty is still active, Google will send a replacement—but you can't fix the watch itself. Hopefully, that’s something they’ll improve in the upcoming Pixel Watch 4. Also, don’t miss Nothing’s bold design in Phone (3) and Headphone (1), it’s a refreshing take on modern tech.
Best Smartwatch for Samsung Fans
If you already use a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Watch8 series is your best match.
The design has changed a bit—it now has more of a rounded-square shape, which not everyone will love. Samsung also switched to new strap types that may limit your choices. Still, this watch runs on the latest Wear OS 6, and the updated interface feels smoother and easier to use at a glance. Plus, it now includes Gemini, Google’s smart assistant. There are three versions in the Galaxy Watch8 lineup: a 40mm, a 44mm, and the Watch8 Classic (which is 46mm). The Classic model brings back the rotating bezel, so you can physically turn it to scroll through apps and menus—a nice, old-school touch that works really well.
Battery life can be hit or miss depending on the model. The smaller one didn’t last long in our tests, but the Classic version held up better—I got nearly two full days on a single charge. If you're buying, I recommend the 44mm or Classic version for the best experience.
Samsung has nailed the basics when it comes to health and fitness tracking. Heart rate tracking is solid, sleep data is detailed, and the dual-frequency GPS gives you accurate routes. It also does a great job of automatically recognizing when you start a workout.
Now for the newer health features—they’re a mixed bag. The AGEs index, which Samsung launched in 2024, still doesn’t explain much about what it actually measures. Bedtime Guidance is hidden deep in the settings, so many people might miss it. A newer tool, the Antioxidant Index, claims to check if you’re eating enough healthy foods by scanning for carotenoids in your blood. But in our tests, it didn’t work that well—even someone eating loads of berries didn’t get accurate results.
One new feature worth mentioning is Vascular Load, which shows how hard your blood vessels are working. It takes a few nights to start showing results, and it only works if the watch stays in contact with your skin while you sleep. If your numbers are steady, it’s good to know—but if not, all the watch tells you is to sleep more and exercise, which isn’t very helpful advice.
So, what’s the bottom line? The Galaxy Watch8 series offers a lot to like, especially for Samsung phone users. Just be aware that some health features may not be all that useful, and a few things—like ECG and sleep apnea tracking—only work with Samsung phones.
Best Smartwatch for Long Battery Life
Most smartwatches need to be charged every day—or at best, every other day. But if you’re tired of that routine, the OnePlus Watch 3 is a game-changer. It lasts up to five days on a single charge, which is seriously impressive. This watch isn’t tiny, but it’s not uncomfortably bulky either. OnePlus uses a new battery tech called silicon-carbon, which allows for a larger 631 mAh battery without making the watch thick and heavy. Thanks to this and OnePlus’ smart power-saving system.
The Watch 3 uses energy slowly. In testing, it only dropped about 25% battery per day! It runs on Wear OS, so you get everything you expect—like answering calls, talking to Google Assistant, and replying to notifications. OnePlus has also improved its fitness and health features. The new design makes heart rate tracking more accurate, and you now get extras like fall detection, irregular heart rate alerts, and skin temperature sensing. There's also ECG support, but that feature isn’t available yet in the US or Canada.
If you care most about health tracking, there might be better options. But if you want a watch that does almost everything and doesn’t die by the end of the day, this one is hard to beat.
Don’t want a huge watch? OnePlus now makes a smaller version too—the OnePlus Watch 3 (43mm). I wore it for weeks, including while sleeping, and it’s surprisingly comfortable. The soft silicone strap feels great, and the 1.32-inch screen still gives you plenty of space to see your info.
The smaller size does mean a little less battery life, but it’s still better than most other smartwatches. With regular use, I got about two days on a single charge—even when tracking workouts. If you’re not using fitness tracking all day, you can expect closer to two and a half days.
Best Watch for Fitness Lovers
If your main goal is to stay fit and healthy, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a solid pick. Unlike many fitness watches that feel clunky or hard to use, this one is surprisingly simple and comfortable. It’s packed with Garmin’s own helpful health tools—like Body Battery, which shows your energy level throughout the day, and Training Readiness, which tells you how prepared your body is for a workout. You’ll also find all the basics: built-in GPS, heart rate tracking, sleep monitoring, blood oxygen levels, and even incident detection in case of emergencies. You can track up to 80 different types of workouts too. One of the best parts? The battery lasts about a full week on a single charge—so you won’t need to plug it in every night.
While it’s mainly a fitness-focused watch, it also handles some basic smartwatch features. You can connect it to both iPhones and Android phones to see your notifications. But only Android users can reply to messages using the on-screen keyboard.
There’s no support for third-party apps, so you won’t be downloading extras like you would on a full smartwatch. Still, it includes Garmin Pay, which lets you buy things without bringing your phone or wallet—perfect for grabbing a coffee after your morning run.
If you want a reliable, long-lasting fitness watch that keeps your health and workouts front and center, the Garmin Vivoactive 6 is a great choice.
Best Smartwatch for Kids
There’s also a fun side to this watch. Fitbit built in a feature called Fitbit Arcade, which turns movement into games. Your child can earn points by staying active and finishing short challenges. There's even a cute virtual pet named Eejie—kind of like a Tamagotchi—that your kid can care for by being active.
Parents can set boundaries too. A setting called School Time limits features during class hours, helping kids stay focused when needed.
The Fitbit Ace LTE is a great way for kids to feel a bit more independent, while still staying safe and connected—without the need to hand them a full smartphone at a young age.
★ Alternative Option: Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem, the second-generation Apple Watch SE (with cellular, $299) can also be a good choice for kids—especially if you set it up using Apple’s Family Setup.
It’s not packed with advanced features like ECG, skin temperature sensing, or an always-on display, but it does include fall detection, which adds an extra layer of safety.
Parents can stay connected with their kids through messages and calls, and you can always see where they are using Find My. Just keep in mind, the parental controls aren’t as detailed as what you’ll get with something like the Fitbit Ace LTE.
Still, it’s a solid option if your family already uses Apple products and you want a simple, stylish smartwatch that helps kids stay in touch.
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