The most effective smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply monitor your steps and ship telephone alerts to your wrist. The most effective smartwatches go even additional, providing you with the power to pay for a cup of espresso, take calls and connect with apps like Spotify all with out whipping out your smartphone.

Likelihood is, in the event you’re studying this, you already know all the advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to take a position, or improve from an ageing accent, however we wouldn’t blame you in the event you in the event you didn’t know the place to start out. There are dozens of smartwatches out there now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that seem like smartwatches and multi-purpose gadgets. Plus, you’ll wish to contemplate 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 out there in the present day and these are our prime picks.

Desk of contents

Greatest smartwatches of 2025

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (non-obligatory) | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant assist: Google Assistant | Show: All the time-on Actua touchscreen | Weight: 31 grams | Battery life: As much as 30 hours

Learn our full Google Pixel Watch 4 review

With its Google and Fitbit heritage, the Pixel Watch 4 continues in its predecessor’s footsteps of being a well-rounded smartwatch with stable well being options. Nevertheless it has some new tips up its sleeve, and one shocking benefit it has over the competitors is its extremely quick charging. In mere minutes, the Pixel Watch 4 can go from barely any energy to prepared for half a day of labor.

We additionally love that its repairable design means you’ll be able to exchange the show or battery in future if wanted, which makes this a way more futureproof gadget than another smartwatch available on the market. Plus, Google added a raise-to-talk to Gemini gesture that makes hands-free use of the Pixel Watch 4 a lot simpler.

It additionally comes with emergency satellite tv for pc communication capabilities so that you’ll have some added peace of thoughts when going off the grid. Throw in a pretty design, brilliant curved show, extremely customizable watch faces and good battery life and the Pixel Watch 4 is definitely one of the best Android smartwatch you will get, particularly you probably have a Pixel telephone.

Execs

• Tremendous quick recharging
• Complete well being and health monitoring
• Vibrant, stunning show
• Repairable design

Cons

• Gemini wake gesture is finicky
• Should be linked to web for Gemini to work

$350 at Amazon

Picture by Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress, dozens of exercises | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant assist: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with non-obligatory 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 this planet of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I needed to put on essentially the most after 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 go well with every kind of athletes, from newbie to professional. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, brilliant AMOLED touchscreen, simple button controls, correct built-in GPS and its capability 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 might have 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 vastly from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cell app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been effectively 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 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 principally correct even with a handful of GPS-tracked runs thrown in. The corporate claims you’ll stand 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 inbuilt or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music domestically 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 inbuilt. That’s on the decrease finish of the worth spectrum for GPS operating watches; you might simply spend $500 or extra in the event you’re not sure about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have a number of cheaper gadgets, the Forerunner 165 strikes the precise steadiness of function set and value that can enchantment to seasoned runners and people who are simply diving right into a extra regimented operating routine.

$250 at Garmin

Amy Skorheim for Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, dozens of exercises, antioxidant ranges, vascular load | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LTE (non-obligatory) | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Water-proof: Sure, 5 ATM + IP68 | Show: All the time-on, 3000 nits peak brightness | Battery life: 30+ hours

Learn our full Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 review

Samsung utterly redesigned its wearable for 2025. The Galaxy Watch 8 seems to be cleaner and extra subtle — however extra importantly, it’s way more snug. One other {hardware} enchancment bumps up the battery measurement, fixing one of many Galaxy Watch 7’s greatest flaws. With that watch, the always-on show tanked the battery, however now you will get a full day after which some whereas sporting it.

With Put on OS 6, the watch positive factors a brand new tiles-based interface that makes navigating fast and simple. It additionally provides the help of Gemini, which will help you management features and full duties in your watch simply by saying, “Hey Google” (simply notice that you simply’ll want a Gemini-compatible telephone close by).

Well being and health additions embody an antioxidant ranges metric and vascular load, which can assist some folks hold higher tabs on their well being. An AI-fueled operating steerage “coach” takes an evaluation of your jogging talents and tailors a program that can assist you run additional and sooner. We expect this can in all probability profit newbie runners essentially the most — these accustomed to teaching could not discover it as helpful.

In fact, that is solely a sensible choice for Samsung telephone customers. And one other disadvantage is the raised glass display screen, which appears destined for harm. However we are going to notice you could keep away from that danger (and rating some critical heritage-watch fashion factors) by going with the Basic variant of the watch. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Execs

• Remarkably snug match
• Tiles interface is snappy
• New antioxidant degree and vascular load well being metrics could assist customers regulate their well being
• The operating coach might be inspiring for newbies
• Good Gemini integration
• Improved battery makes the AOD extra viable

Cons

• The raised glass display screen might be simply broken
• AI-running coach might be extra customized
• Notifications are simple to overlook

$315 at Amazon

Fashionable smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless corporations on the market making an attempt to make “trendy” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables had been novel and customarily 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 choose up a “hybrid” smartwatch from corporations 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 in the event you want that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten way more enticing 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. When you’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical circumstances that look somewhat extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are supplied in a alternative of colours and you may pay additional for premium supplies like stainless-steel for additional sturdiness. When you resolve on a case, your band choices are limitless – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps out there for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to vary 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 gadgets 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.

Worth

The most effective smartwatches usually value between $300 and $400. In comparison with funds smartwatches, which value between $100 and $250, these pricier gadgets 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 funds gadgets usually don’t have.

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

Battery life

Battery life stays one among our greatest complaints about smartwatches, however there’s hope as of late. You’ll be able to count on two full days from Apple Watches and most Put on OS gadgets. 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 the event you’re prepared to close off most options other than, you realize, displaying the time. Different fashions can final 5 to seven days, however they often 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 rather a lot to you, contemplate 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 gadget close by. So far as app alerts go, getting them delivered to your wrist will allow you to look right down to the watch face and see in the event you completely have to verify your telephone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is a giant 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 in the present day’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 stand up to a minimum of 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 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 need to pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch can’t solely monitor 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 through Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your telephone. People who don’t have onboard storage for music often 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 straight 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 sooner 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 gained’t see vital positive factors with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery basically will get used up when these gadgets have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do in the present day. Some smartwatches have this function on by default whereas others allow you to allow it through tweaked settings. This good function means that you can look down at your watch to verify the time, well being stats or another data you’ve set it to indicate on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. This can 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 gadgets gained’t have this function; as an alternative, their touchscreens will routinely flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll need to 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 means house from a run. Remember that completely different watches use completely 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 among the hottest NFC fee techniques, with assist for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 completely different international locations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally essential to notice that each NFC fee assist varies by gadget as effectively for each Samsung and Google’s techniques.

Different smartwatches our specialists examined

Apple Watch Extremely 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 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 up to now. Apple designed it for essentially the most rugged amongst us, however to your common individual, it doubtless has extra options than they’d ever want. When you’re significantly clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive degree of sturdiness might be an awesome motive to think about the Apple Watch Extremely 3.

Apple Watch SE 3

The Apple Watch SE 3 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 one of the best smartwatch possibility for first-time consumers, or folks on stricter budgets. The hole has narrowed between the SE 3 and Apple’s foremost flagship smartwatch, too, so you will not need to make as many compromises.

Garmin Forerunner 745

Garmin watches generally might be nice choices for essentially the most lively amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a wonderful GPS running watch for critical athletes or those that prize battery life above all else. Once 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 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, 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 a superb quantity of information to create correct photos 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 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 day by day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and the day gone by’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — just like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit gadgets and Garmin watches provide. And for the reason that watch battery lasts for over per week on a cost, it’s possible you’ll be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch you need to cost day by day.

We weren’t anticipating an $80 gadget to be a critical 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 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 will not be customizable, so it was exhausting to get the data I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has numerous paid watch faces that will have what I needed, 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 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 per week of sporting the Bip 6, with no modifications to my day by 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 completely 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 provide 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, alternatively, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It presents health monitoring options, but in addition helps you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management good house gadgets. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cell funds and even LTE connectivity, so you’ll be able to depart your telephone behind in some circumstances.

When you primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the best way to go. If you would like a extra linked expertise with additional options, a smartwatch is the higher alternative.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts principally relies 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. Fundamental 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 often want a cost day-after-day or two. When you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, count on the battery to empty sooner.

Bodily, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than it’s good to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and powerful construct supplies have a tendency to carry up effectively over time. Nonetheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung usually present updates for a minimum of a number of years, whereas some funds smartwatches could not get long-term software program assist.

You’ll be able to count on to cost most smartwatches day by day or each few days, and in the event you handle them, they need to final 3-5 years earlier than an improve is critical.

How a lot do you have to spend on a smartwatch?

How a lot it is best to spend on a smartwatch relies on what options you want and the way usually you intend to make use of it.

When you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart price monitoring and fundamental health monitoring — you could find some stable budget-friendly choices from manufacturers like Amazfit, Fitbit and a few Put on OS fashions. These often have first rate battery life however could lack premium options like LTE, superior well being monitoring or third-party apps.

Within the mid-range smartwatch value bracket, you’ll discover common fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa sequence. These provide a superb mixture of health monitoring, good 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 sequence provide superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program assist. These are nice for critical athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who needs the newest and best options.

When 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 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 with no need to be linked to your telephone. It’s vital for critical 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 linked through Bluetooth. This works tremendous in the event you often carry your telephone whereas figuring out, but it surely’s much less handy in the event you want to go away it behind.

Some very fundamental or funds smartwatches skip GPS completely 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 relies 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. Nonetheless, you’ll want a separate information plan out of your service, which often comes with an additional month-to-month value.

Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do lots 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), could 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 no telephone?

Sure, a smartwatch could make calls with no telephone — however provided that it has the precise options.

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, that 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 might have a cell information plan for the watch. Nonetheless, you’ll have to pay for a separate mobile plan and battery life drains sooner when utilizing LTE.

In case your smartwatch doesn’t have LTE, it might probably nonetheless make calls, however solely when linked to your telephone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It basically acts as a distant speaker and microphone to your telephone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nonetheless, in case your telephone isn’t close by or linked 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 no telephone is a should, ensure that 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 right 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 the only option. When you have an Android telephone, go for a Put on OS or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

Apple Watch (watchOS) has one of the best app assist with seamless integration into Apple’s ecosystem (iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Pay, Apple Health+, Siri and so forth.). Android smartwatches provide extra selection, with entry to Google providers (Google Assistant, Google Pockets and Google Maps), and a few assist Amazon Alexa or Samsung’s Bixby.

When it comes to design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in completely different sizes and supplies. It’s modern, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, alternatively, are available tons of types and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so forth.), that means you’ll be able to choose 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.