Still, it\u2019s not for everyone\u2014and can\u2019t be paired with an Android phone. If you need an alternative, <\/strong>consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8<\/strong> or Google Pixel Watch 3<\/strong> range.<\/p>\n Here at Wareable, we\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n How we tested these smartwatches<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Ultimately, this buyer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Best smartwatch 2025: Overview<\/strong> (jump to the full review)<\/p>\n New smartwatches in 2025\u2014and what we\u2019re still expecting<\/p>\n While the watches we\u2019ve detailed below are the best currently available, that doesn\u2019t 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\u2019re ready to pick one up now.<\/p>\n We\u2019re 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\u2019re also expecting further releases from Huawei, Amazfit, and more. <\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Here\u2019s a quick list of incoming smartwatches this year, when we might see them announced, and ones that have already been confirmed:<\/p>\n Smartwatches releases and announcements so far:<\/p>\n Smartwatches launches rumored for 2025:<\/p>\n Apple Watch Series 10<\/p>\n Best overall smartwatch (iOS only)<\/p>\n The Apple Watch Series 10 is the best smartwatch available right now, but it only works with iPhone.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n It\u2019s also a more substantial update than we\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n Aluminum remains the core case material for the Series 10. However, Apple has changed the premium material available for those who wish to upgrade \u2013 it\u2019s now titanium and carbon neutral (like the Apple Watch Ultra 2) instead of stainless steel. It\u2019s a change we rate after testing.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n They\u2019re all welcome additions, but the real meat (as ever) is what Apple has built up through previous generations; features such as Double Tap gestures<\/a>, Low Power Mode battery control<\/a>, ECG<\/a> readings for serious health screening, a temperature sensor for detailed cycle tracking, and a bustling app store full of third-party downloads<\/a>.<\/p>\n Combined with the watchOS 11 update<\/a>, which added sleep apnea detection, the Vitals app<\/a>, and more advanced insights into training, it\u2019s the most comprehensive smartwatch experience on the market. And the watchOS 26 update<\/a> looks set to add even more to the device.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n However, there are caveats (and that\u2019s without mentioned the fact a Series 11 is being rumored for September). <\/p>\n The single-day battery life remains a major Achilles\u2019 heel of the Apple Watch Series models, and problematic if you require a smartwatch that can withstand heavy use. We\u2019re also not convinced the bump in overall size will be to everyone\u2019s taste, particularly those with smaller wrists.<\/p>\n Easier to use <\/li>\n Lovely finishes <\/li>\n Sleep apnea detection <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Battery life is still a day <\/li>\n Huge display is a lot on the wrist <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Google Pixel Watch 3<\/p>\n Best smartwatch for Android (Android only)<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Google has propelled itself to the top of the Wear OS smartwatch field thanks to the additional case size for the Pixel Watch 3.<\/p>\n The all-new 45mm model doesn\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n This performance is on par with the Galaxy Watch, although not quite as impressive as the OnePlus Watch 3\u2019s battery life. This means that the wonderfully intuitive Fitbit platform is the key separator.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Accuracy remains a strong point as well. The heart rate data is among the best we\u2019ve tested across various workout types, while GPS\u2014though unfortunately not dual-frequency GNSS\u2014is 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\u2019t particularly favor.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n The Pixel Watch 3 offers a remarkably refined and well-rounded smartwatch experience. Although the battery life still isn\u2019t extraordinary on the 41mm model, the 45mm equivalent is our top recommendation for Android users. <\/p>\n Finally in two case sizes <\/li>\n Two-day AOD battery life (45mm version) <\/li>\n Still excellent HR tracking <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Not much of an upgrade for 41mm users <\/li>\n No dual-frequency GNSS <\/li>\n Stress tracking remains baffling <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Samsung Galaxy Watch 8<\/p>\n Best Samsung smartwatch for most people (Android only)<\/p>\n After several incremental updates, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 feels like a significant step forward and is the company\u2019s 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\u2019s capable of handling complex queries with ease.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Watch 8 adopts the new \u2018cushion\u2019 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.<\/p>\n It retains Samsung\u2019s powerful health suite, including ECG and blood pressure monitoring (which still requires a Samsung phone). New additions like \u2018Vascular Load\u2019 offer useful insights into sleep stress, but other \u2018Labs\u2019 features like the \u2018Antioxidant Index\u2019 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).<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the Galaxy Watch 8 doesn\u2019t solve the line\u2019s biggest weakness: battery life. Or, at least that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The cushion case design is nicely implemented <\/li>\n Google Gemini is a huge upgrade <\/li>\n Wear OS 6 and One UI 8 work well together <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n New health and fitness features are a mixed bag <\/li>\n Barely a battery improvement on the Watch 7 <\/li>\n Key health features remain exclusive to Samsung phone users <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Huawei Watch Fit 3<\/p>\n Best for battery life (iOS\/Android)<\/p>\n Disclaimer:<\/strong> 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\/\u00a3119). <\/p>\n However, it has now been superseded by the Fit 4 and Fit 4 Pro, released in May 2025. As such, we don\u2019t recommend picking up this last-gen model\u2014but we\u2019ll leave our original entry in below until we\u2019ve finished our testing for the latest models.<\/p>\n Yes, it\u2019s a massive clone of the Apple Watch, but it gets so much right. It\u2019s incredibly thin and light to wear, making it truly unisex. There is a range of strap options, but we don\u2019t know why people would look beyond the nylon option, which we tried during our review time (above).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Sleep tracking is also fairly solid. While we did find it wasn\u2019t the most sensitive to grace our testing lab, it\u2019s consistent and helpful enough to get value from. Again, it\u2019s great for this price.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Good workout tracking <\/li>\n Lovely price <\/li>\n Slim and light <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Sleep tracking accuracy could be better <\/li>\n Basic watch faces and UI design\u00a0 <\/li>\n Lack of apps\/services <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Apple Watch Ultra 2<\/p>\n Best sporty smartwatch (iOS only)<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t get an Apple Watch Ultra 3<\/a> last year as expected, with that model now rumored to arrive in September 2025. At last year\u2019s event, we were limited to a new black case option and sleep apnea detection<\/a> support via watchOS 11, so it\u2019s likely a substantial upgrade is inbound. <\/p>\n Still, the 49mm Ultra 2 remains bold and aimed at weekend warriors who want a superior Apple Watch to the Series 10. It\u2019s tough and suitable for diving and watersports, and runners will love the accurate dual-frequency GPS, which aced our city marathon testing<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> to help it realize its potential.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Great screen <\/li>\n Supreme GPS accuracy <\/li>\n Gestures are cool AF <\/li>\n Carbon neutral <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Wellness feels a tad stale <\/li>\n Short on prosumer metrics <\/li>\n New carbon neutral bands slightly dull <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra<\/p>\n Best sporty Wear OS smartwatch <\/strong>(Android only)<\/p>\n Wear OS was deprived of a truly rugged outdoor smartwatch until the Galaxy Watch Ultra launched in 2024.<\/p>\n Samsung\u2019s most premium smartwatch apes the Apple Watch Ultra to a pretty comical degree, but it remains unique for Android users. And that\u2019s still true in 2025, with the brand quietly releasing a slightly better 2025 edition of the Galaxy Watch Ultra<\/a> when it announced the Galaxy Watch 8 series.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Battery life is between two and three days, but we did find the drain inexplicably inconsistent at launch, so it\u2019s hard to get a feel for how much you\u2019ll get.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Solid build and fun design <\/li>\n Excellent HR and GPS tracking <\/li>\n Cracking display <\/li>\n Sleep tracking is very detailed <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Insane rotating bezel miss <\/li>\n Battery life feels inconsistent <\/li>\n Samsung phone required for some features <\/li>\n Looks ridiculous on smaller wrists <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Garmin Venu 3<\/p>\n Best for wellness (iOS and Android)<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n It\u2019s still a jack-of-all-trades sporty smartwatch \u2013 so, while there are loads of sports profiles, none offer the level of data you might expect from a Garmin.\u00a0Running, for example, shows basic metrics on pace, distance, and heart rate only.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n We found heart rate and GPS accuracy top-notch during testing. So, while the Venu 3 isn\u2019t a powerhouse of athletic performance analysis, it produces great data.\u00a0<\/p>\n As a smartwatch, it does a good job of covering bases, with notifications, Garmin Pay (with patchy bank support), and offline Spotify syncing. It\u2019s 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\u2019s a fantastic alternative.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n The other downside is that the Venu 3 is expensive, and the Vivoactive 5<\/a> (or the new Vivoactive 6<\/a>) offers most of its core features at around half the price.\u00a0A 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\u2019s also possible a Venu 4 doesn\u2019t arrive until January 2026.<\/p>\n Wellness features finally feel useful <\/li>\n Top HR accuracy <\/li>\n Lovely screen <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Really pricey <\/li>\n Sports tracking offers basic metrics only <\/li>\n Some sleep accuracy niggles <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)<\/p>\n Best affordable Apple Watch (iOS only)<\/p>\n Over the past few months, we\u2019ve considered dropping the Apple Watch SE 2 from our smartwatch recommendations list. It\u2019s over two years old, and options such as the Huawei Watch Fit 4 are genuine alternatives at a fraction of the price.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n But, as we wrote after re-testing the SE 2 in November 2024<\/a>, it\u2019s still a fantastic sports-tracking smartwatch capable of running the latest watchOS software and remains zippy thanks to the S8 chip.<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n You can\u2019t go wrong with the SE if you\u2019re 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\u2019s also no always-on display or ECG.<\/p>\n The final caveat, as we\u2019ve hinted throughout, is that we\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n Tracking is very accurate <\/li>\n S8 chip provides very smooth experience <\/li>\n Superb value <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Battery life hasn’t progressed <\/li>\n Design is starting to look a little old <\/li>\n No always-on display <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n How to choose the right smartwatch<\/p>\n Case size<\/p>\n A watch\u2019s fit, comfort, and wearability are largely down to case size \u2013 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.<\/p>\n iOS vs Android<\/p>\n It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Older Wear watches work on both, but the iOS experience is diminished and it\u2019s not recommended.<\/p>\n Huawei, Fitbit, and Garmin smartwatches work on both, but some advanced calling from the wrist features are usually Android only.<\/p>\n Check out our guides to the best smartwatches for iPhone<\/a> and the top Android watches<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Apps and extra features<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n For example, platforms run by Garmin, Amazfit, and Huawei don\u2019t have the developer support for many quality apps. This means you\u2019re limited to basic functionality.<\/p>\n Heath and fitness features<\/p>\n Smartwatches are increasingly becoming health and fitness tools, so make sure yours has the sensors you want.<\/p>\n Nowadays, you\u2019ll be hard-pressed to find a smartwatch without a heart rate sensor, and most are adept at 24\/7 HR and resting heart rate.<\/p>\n However, brands like Apple, Google Fitbit, and Samsung now include ECG, a powerful health tool. If you\u2019re curious, read our ECG explainer<\/a>. <\/p>\n Runners will want accurate GPS on board to track outdoor workouts.<\/p>\n \n Advertisement <\/p>\n Battery life<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Luckily, other smartwatches now last more than a week, with Fitbit, Huawei, Amazfit, and Garmin all pushing longer runtimes.<\/p>\n Cellular connectivity<\/p>\n A key consideration is whether you want your smartwatch to work away from your phone.<\/p>\n Many manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, offer LTE versions, which you\u2019ll need to purchase a separate data plan. Most carriers and networks have plans for LTE smartwatches.<\/p>\n![\"huawei-watch-5-x-tap\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/huawei-watch-5-x-tap-820x461.jpg\")
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