The best smartwatches in 2025: Options for every budget

Updated: We’ve reviewed every major smartwatch on the market—here are our top recommendations

Smartwatches are now extremely versatile and powerful tools. The best options can track exercise, monitor advanced health metrics, and act as a handy second screen to your smartphone.

The problem? This is a tricky time to be looking for a new smartwatch, with both Apple and Google reportedly on the cusp of announcing their next-gen devices. Since we expect these watches to rank highly on our list of recommendations, our advice to both iPhone and Android users is to hold fire over the coming weeks.

With that said, we also know that waiting for upcoming smartwatches isn’t for everyone. With plenty of retailers looking to clear stock to make way for the next generation, this can also be a decent time to score a deal on a top smartwatch you’ve had your eye on for a while.

In terms of devices available today, we rank the Apple Watch Series 10 as the best smartwatch for most people.

Still, it’s not for everyone—and can’t be paired with an Android phone. If you need an alternative, consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 or Google Pixel Watch 3 range.

Here at Wareable, we’ve thoroughly tested and reviewed every major smartwatch on the market, and our reviews are regarded as some of the most stringent in the industry. Read on for our hand-picked best smartwatches.

How we tested these smartwatches

Trying to rank the top smartwatches is a complex task; no two devices are the same, nor are the people using them. With this in mind, we use our expertise to provide our opinion on the watches that fit the categories listed in the quick summary below.

Ultimately, this buyer’s guide extends from our full, in-depth reviews, which see us test a device over several weeks (and often longer). We rigorously analyze the design, features, health monitoring, activity tracking, and manufacturer claims during this time.

Best smartwatch 2025: Overview (jump to the full review)

New smartwatches in 2025—and what we’re still expecting

huawei-watch-5-x-tap (Image credit: Wareable)

While the watches we’ve detailed below are the best currently available, that doesn’t mean they will remain so for long. As we mentioned up top, it always pays to have one eye on future smartwatch releases even if you’re ready to pick one up now.

We’re seeing a bumper crop of launches in 2025, and many are still rumored to arrive in the second half of the year. Brands such as Apple, Google, and Garmin are all still expected to offer new generations of their latest flagship smartwatches, and we’re also expecting further releases from Huawei, Amazfit, and more.

Here’s a quick list of incoming smartwatches this year, when we might see them announced, and ones that have already been confirmed:

Smartwatches releases and announcements so far:

Amazfit Active 2 (February)
Amazfit Bip 6 (February)
Garmin Vivoactive 6 (April)
Honor Watch 5 Ultra (March)
Huawei Watch 5 (May)
Huawei Watch Fit 4/4 Pro (May)
Moto Watch Fit (April)
OnePlus Watch 3 (April)
OnePlus Watch 3 43mm (July)
Oppo Watch X2 (February)
Oppo Watch X2 Mini (April; global release in July)
Pebble 2 Duo (August)
Pebble Time 2* (December)
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 series (July)
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra 2025 edition (July)
Vivo Watch 5 (April)
Xiaomi Watch S4 (March)

Smartwatches launches rumored for 2025:

Apple Watch SE 3 (September)
Apple Watch Series 11 (September)
Apple Watch Ultra 3 (September)
Garmin Venu 4 (?)
Google Pixel Watch 4 (August)
Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 (?)
Xiaomi Watch 3 and Watch 3 Pro (?)

Apple Watch Series 10

Best overall smartwatch (iOS only)

Apple Watch Series 10 (Image credit: Wareable)

The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch available right now, but it only works with iPhone.

It’s also a more substantial update than we’ve had in the previous couple of generations, with Apple delivering a pair of thinner, lighter smartwatches. The new 42mm and 46mm duo are also bigger and boast more edge-to-edge displays that are brighter than ever when viewed at an angle.

Aluminum remains the core case material for the Series 10. However, Apple has changed the premium material available for those who wish to upgrade – it’s now titanium and carbon neutral (like the Apple Watch Ultra 2) instead of stainless steel. It’s a change we rate after testing.

Other minor changes include an upgraded speaker, which allows out-loud audio from more than just phone calls, a depth gauge and water temperature sensor, a rebadged S10 chip, and ever-so-slightly quicker charging.

They’re all welcome additions, but the real meat (as ever) is what Apple has built up through previous generations; features such as Double Tap gestures, Low Power Mode battery control, ECG readings for serious health screening, a temperature sensor for detailed cycle tracking, and a bustling app store full of third-party downloads.

Combined with the watchOS 11 update, which added sleep apnea detection, the Vitals app, and more advanced insights into training, it’s the most comprehensive smartwatch experience on the market. And the watchOS 26 update looks set to add even more to the device.

However, there are caveats (and that’s without mentioned the fact a Series 11 is being rumored for September).

The single-day battery life remains a major Achilles’ heel of the Apple Watch Series models, and problematic if you require a smartwatch that can withstand heavy use. We’re also not convinced the bump in overall size will be to everyone’s taste, particularly those with smaller wrists.

Easier to use
Lovely finishes
Sleep apnea detection

Battery life is still a day
Huge display is a lot on the wrist

Google Pixel Watch 3

Best smartwatch for Android (Android only)

(Image credit: Wareable)

Google has propelled itself to the top of the Wear OS smartwatch field thanks to the additional case size for the Pixel Watch 3.

The all-new 45mm model doesn’t just open up the Pixel Watch line to those previously put off by the small, 41mm case size, it also ensures genuine multi-day battery life thanks to the extra space under the hood.

We found it consistently capable of lasting over 48 hours with the always-on display enabled during testing, and that can stretch to three or four days if you play it conservatively with settings or hammer the battery-saving mode.

This performance is on par with the Galaxy Watch, although not quite as impressive as the OnePlus Watch 3’s battery life. This means that the wonderfully intuitive Fitbit platform is the key separator.

For this edition, the upgrades to the Fitbit experience include Cardio Load/Target Load (ideal for those craving more training insights), a helpful morning brief, and improved data for running workouts. Meanwhile, the Daily Readiness Score is now available to all Pixel Watch generations, after being previously behind the Fitbit Premium paywall.

Accuracy remains a strong point as well. The heart rate data is among the best we’ve tested across various workout types, while GPS—though unfortunately not dual-frequency GNSS—is certainly precise enough to meet needs. Comprehensive sleep tracking and health vitals data are also included, even if stress tracking is still an aspect of the Fitbit experience we don’t particularly favor.

The Pixel Watch 3 offers a remarkably refined and well-rounded smartwatch experience. Although the battery life still isn’t extraordinary on the 41mm model, the 45mm equivalent is our top recommendation for Android users.

Finally in two case sizes
Two-day AOD battery life (45mm version)
Still excellent HR tracking

Not much of an upgrade for 41mm users
No dual-frequency GNSS
Stress tracking remains baffling

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Best Samsung smartwatch for most people (Android only)

Samsung_Galaxy_Watch_8_review (Image credit: Wareable)

After several incremental updates, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 feels like a significant step forward and is the company’s most compelling smartwatch in years. The big story is the integration of Google Gemini, which, unlike its predecessors, finally delivers a genuinely helpful and intelligent AI assistant on the wrist that’s capable of handling complex queries with ease.

Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Watch 8 adopts the new ‘cushion’ case design from the Ultra model for a cleaner, more refined look. The Super AMOLED display is also brighter and sharper than ever before, while subtle UI improvements make the Wear OS software smoother and more intuitive to navigate day-to-day.

It retains Samsung’s powerful health suite, including ECG and blood pressure monitoring (which still requires a Samsung phone). New additions like ‘Vascular Load’ offer useful insights into sleep stress, but other ‘Labs’ features like the ‘Antioxidant Index’ feel half-baked. While GPS accuracy fell short of dedicated sports watches in our testing, we found heart rate tracking to be impressively accurate (even during intense exercise).

Unfortunately, the Galaxy Watch 8 doesn’t solve the line’s biggest weakness: battery life. Or, at least that’s true of the smaller version we tested. With that model, you can expect around a day and a half of use, and that means daily charging is still a necessity.

Despite the battery limitations, the Watch 8 is a resounding success. The polished design, accurate heart rate sensor, and the game-changing utility of Google Gemini make it a top smartwatch for most people, especially if you own a Samsung phone.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review

The cushion case design is nicely implemented
Google Gemini is a huge upgrade
Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 work well together

New health and fitness features are a mixed bag
Barely a battery improvement on the Watch 7
Key health features remain exclusive to Samsung phone users

Huawei Watch Fit 3

Best for battery life (iOS/Android)

Huawei Watch Fit 3 (Image credit: Wareable)

Disclaimer: The Huawei Watch Fit 3 has been a consistent presence on this list of the best smartwatches for the last couple of years, offering a great budget option (which you can still pick up for $119/£119).

However, it has now been superseded by the Fit 4 and Fit 4 Pro, released in May 2025. As such, we don’t recommend picking up this last-gen model—but we’ll leave our original entry in below until we’ve finished our testing for the latest models.

Yes, it’s a massive clone of the Apple Watch, but it gets so much right. It’s incredibly thin and light to wear, making it truly unisex. There is a range of strap options, but we don’t know why people would look beyond the nylon option, which we tried during our review time (above).

The Watch Fit 3 offers generally good health and sports tracking, providing a broad spectrum of metrics and accurate data, including heart rate and GPS distance. It passed all our tests and punches well above its price tag, with running particularly well handled.

Sleep tracking is also fairly solid. While we did find it wasn’t the most sensitive to grace our testing lab, it’s consistent and helpful enough to get value from. Again, it’s great for this price.

Where it falls short of Apple and Wear OS is the lack of a robust ecosystem, especially for apps and payments. Yet, the tradeoff is much-improved battery life. If you want 14 days, you will need to forego features like the always-on display, but you should get a week even with all the bells and whistles turned on.

Good workout tracking
Lovely price
Slim and light

Sleep tracking accuracy could be better
Basic watch faces and UI design
Lack of apps/services

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Best sporty smartwatch (iOS only)

apple-watch-ultra-2-modular-wide-2 (Image credit: Wareable)

We loved the original Apple Watch Ultra, and the second-gen model that launched in 2023 made gentle refinements to the overall proposition. This iteration features a boost in screen brightness, a carbon-neutral design, and a chip that enables the Double Tap feature.

We didn’t get an Apple Watch Ultra 3 last year as expected, with that model now rumored to arrive in September 2025. At last year’s event, we were limited to a new black case option and sleep apnea detection support via watchOS 11, so it’s likely a substantial upgrade is inbound.

Still, the 49mm Ultra 2 remains bold and aimed at weekend warriors who want a superior Apple Watch to the Series 10. It’s tough and suitable for diving and watersports, and runners will love the accurate dual-frequency GPS, which aced our city marathon testing.

The thing we love most is the 2-3 days of battery life, which eliminates the charging anxiety of the other Apple Watch models. Returning to a Series 10 after spending time with the Ultra 2 is tough; this is the peak Apple Watch experience.

The native outdoor apps still need some depth, with mapping, navigation, and performance analysis undercooked compared to Garmin. However, you can always hunt down some third-party Ultra apps to help it realize its potential.

Great screen
Supreme GPS accuracy
Gestures are cool AF
Carbon neutral

Wellness feels a tad stale
Short on prosumer metrics
New carbon neutral bands slightly dull

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Best sporty Wear OS smartwatch (Android only)

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra review (Image credit: Wareable)

Wear OS was deprived of a truly rugged outdoor smartwatch until the Galaxy Watch Ultra launched in 2024.

Samsung’s most premium smartwatch apes the Apple Watch Ultra to a pretty comical degree, but it remains unique for Android users. And that’s still true in 2025, with the brand quietly releasing a slightly better 2025 edition of the Galaxy Watch Ultra when it announced the Galaxy Watch 8 series.

The 47mm case size feels huge and rules out smaller wrists, but it offers accurate dual-frequency GNSS, all the health tech bells and whistles, 100ATM water resistance, and some proper sports tracking features such as (very fiddly) FTP, and the ability to chain together different workouts.

Battery life is between two and three days, but we did find the drain inexplicably inconsistent at launch, so it’s hard to get a feel for how much you’ll get.

Providing you can handle the size, slightly clunky navigation, and inconsistent battery life, this is a great upgrade from the typical Samsung smartwatch experience. Like others on this list, just note that this is expected to be refreshed in summer 2025.

Solid build and fun design
Excellent HR and GPS tracking
Cracking display
Sleep tracking is very detailed

Insane rotating bezel miss
Battery life feels inconsistent
Samsung phone required for some features
Looks ridiculous on smaller wrists

Garmin Venu 3

Best for wellness (iOS and Android)

Garmin Venu 3S on female wrist (Image credit: Wareable)

The Garmin Venu 3 represents a big improvement over the Venu 2, with a slicker design, improved UI, and a more intuitive set of health features.

It’s still a jack-of-all-trades sporty smartwatch – so, while there are loads of sports profiles, none offer the level of data you might expect from a Garmin. Running, for example, shows basic metrics on pace, distance, and heart rate only.

But the daily suite of wellness metrics, displayed via widgets, is much more complete. Body Battery (which tracks energy levels), stress, steps, HRV Status, activity minutes, breathing rate, sleep, sleep coach, and more, are all on display.

These widgets offer real-time feedback that makes them all feel more intuitive. Body Battery, in particular, has been overhauled to offer more nuanced insight and daytime recharging if the user naps or has a restful period.

We found heart rate and GPS accuracy top-notch during testing. So, while the Venu 3 isn’t a powerhouse of athletic performance analysis, it produces great data.

As a smartwatch, it does a good job of covering bases, with notifications, Garmin Pay (with patchy bank support), and offline Spotify syncing. It’s still not a patch on the smartwatch experience offered by Apple and Google, but, with two weeks of battery life (7-10 days of heavy use in our testing), it’s a fantastic alternative.

The other downside is that the Venu 3 is expensive, and the Vivoactive 5 (or the new Vivoactive 6) offers most of its core features at around half the price. A new model may also usurp it in 2025. Garmin typically keeps the Venu on a two-year update cycle, which is scheduled for the summer, though it’s also possible a Venu 4 doesn’t arrive until January 2026.

Wellness features finally feel useful
Top HR accuracy
Lovely screen

Really pricey
Sports tracking offers basic metrics only
Some sleep accuracy niggles

Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)

Best affordable Apple Watch (iOS only)

Apple Watch SE 2 Wareable (Image credit: Wareable)

Over the past few months, we’ve considered dropping the Apple Watch SE 2 from our smartwatch recommendations list. It’s over two years old, and options such as the Huawei Watch Fit 4 are genuine alternatives at a fraction of the price.

But, as we wrote after re-testing the SE 2 in November 2024, it’s still a fantastic sports-tracking smartwatch capable of running the latest watchOS software and remains zippy thanks to the S8 chip.

First-timers looking for an introduction to the Apple Watch get all the essentials with this device: core fitness and wellness monitoring, accurate workout HR and GPS, a bustling App Store, Apple Pay, and even Fall Detection.

You can’t go wrong with the SE if you’re in the Apple ecosystem and want a solid starter smartwatch. The design is now dated, though. The thick border around the display ensures it feels significantly boxier than the Series 7-10 devices, and there’s also no always-on display or ECG.

The final caveat, as we’ve hinted throughout, is that we’re also expecting it to be replaced by a newer model in September 2025. So, if you have it on your shortlist, find a good deal.

Tracking is very accurate
S8 chip provides very smooth experience
Superb value

Battery life hasn’t progressed
Design is starting to look a little old
No always-on display

How to choose the right smartwatch

galaxy-watch-apps (Image credit: Wareable)

Case size

A watch’s fit, comfort, and wearability are largely down to case size – and a few millimeters can make a huge difference. Those with small wrists should look in the 38-42mm range, while those who like chunky, oversized watches or have big wrists should look at anything above 45mm.

iOS vs Android

It’s paramount to think about what smartphone you use. Apple Watch is iOS only, and Wear OS watches, such as the Samsung Galaxy Watch lineup and Pixel Watch 3, are exclusive to Android.

Older Wear watches work on both, but the iOS experience is diminished and it’s not recommended.

Huawei, Fitbit, and Garmin smartwatches work on both, but some advanced calling from the wrist features are usually Android only.

Check out our guides to the best smartwatches for iPhone and the top Android watches for more information.

Apps and extra features

Buying into Apple Watch and Wear OS watches means you can access bustling app stores full of options from big-name brands, such as Spotify or Strava, and expand on the core features.

For example, platforms run by Garmin, Amazfit, and Huawei don’t have the developer support for many quality apps. This means you’re limited to basic functionality.

Heath and fitness features

Smartwatches are increasingly becoming health and fitness tools, so make sure yours has the sensors you want.

Nowadays, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a smartwatch without a heart rate sensor, and most are adept at 24/7 HR and resting heart rate.

However, brands like Apple, Google Fitbit, and Samsung now include ECG, a powerful health tool. If you’re curious, read our ECG explainer.

Runners will want accurate GPS on board to track outdoor workouts.

Battery life

The Apple Watch and Wear OS smartwatches generally only last a day or two away from the charger, which is one of the biggest turn-offs for people. There have been moves to extend that to 2-3 days, with the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro, and TicWatch Pro 5.

Luckily, other smartwatches now last more than a week, with Fitbit, Huawei, Amazfit, and Garmin all pushing longer runtimes.

Cellular connectivity

A key consideration is whether you want your smartwatch to work away from your phone.

Many manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, offer LTE versions, which you’ll need to purchase a separate data plan. Most carriers and networks have plans for LTE smartwatches.

If you find this an important feature, check out our guide to the best LTE smartwatches.

The best smartwatches in 2025: Options for every budget

Tags: