Best Smartwatch for 2025

Smartwatches have graduated from being nice-to-have phone companions to standalone health tools on our wrists. They can help you track your vitals, monitor sleep, coach you through workouts, and give you a much-needed break from your phone by delivering the essential notifications without the temptation of a full-screen experience. Whether you're team iPhone or team Android , we've tested and vetted the best smartwatches for you based on prices, features and design.

Generally, premium models deliver seamless integration and advanced tools, while budget-friendly picks get you the essentials with a few trade-offs. The common denominator: Every watch on this list has been rigorously tested, so you can be confident you're getting great value no matter which one you choose. Here are our top recommendations for the best smartwatches in 2025.

What is the best smartwatch?

The Apple Watch Series 11 is our favorite overall smartwatch. It combines polished software with a wide variety of health tools and smartphone companion features. Ten years after the original Apple Watch set the stage for the modern smartwatch, the Apple Watch Series 11 adds even more health-tracking features, including notifications about hypertension (high blood pressure) and practical smartwatch tools like better scratch resistance and 5G connectivity. If you're an iPhone owner, the Series 11 provides the right balance of features for the price.

The Apple Watch Series 11 isn't perfect. Battery life has improved, but still only lasts about 24 to 29 hours of normal use. Fast charging goes some way to address battery life, but it still means the watch is off your wrist more than you might like. Considering the health and safety tools, from fall detection during the day to sleep apnea notifications at night, you're likely to want to wear the watch as much as possible. The Apple Watch Series 11 has the right balance of health tracking and everyday usability to make it the best choice.

Best smartwatches for 2025

Read more: I've Tested Dozens of Smartwatches, but the Apple Watch Series 10 Beats Them All

Recent updates

In September 2025, we added the Apple Watch Series 11 and Ultra 3 to our list. Both replace the previous generations of these watches.

Factors to consider when buying a smartwatch

Consider last year's model:Many new smartwatches offer incremental hardware updates over previous models, so you might want to look at the last generation's smartwatch to save some cash -- especially because software updates often bring new features to older models. For example, you could look at something like the Apple Watch Series 9 which is compatible with the latest WatchOS 11 update to get many of the same software features as the newer Series 9. Avoid buying smartwatches that are several years old, as they may start to feel sluggish. 

Buy at the right time of year:Smartwatches usually go on sale during Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so it's a good idea to look out for discounts around those holidays. Knowing when new devices typically launch can also be helpful. After all, you don't want to purchase a brand new smartwatch only for it to feel out of date two months later. Samsung, Apple and Google usually release new smartwatches in the late summer and early fall time frame, but you can find more information on typical launch periods here . 

Look at added costs: Some smartwatches are moving toward a subscription model that unlocks certain features of your watch. Google's Pixel Watch, for example, offers a monthly $10 subscription called Fitbit Premium that offers more in-depth sleep tracking metrics, workout programs and guidance on recovery.

How we test smartwatches and wearables

We test smartwatches in the real world, focusing on key features from fitness tracking to connectivity that you'll use every day. Starting with the watch itself, we check overall performance and responsiveness. Is there any lag when navigating menus? Is the touchscreen responsive? Do apps launch quickly?

Then we check if it has all the functionality you'd expect for the price. That could be everything from music playback controls to cellular connectivity so you can use the watch away from your phone or an always-on display. All smartwatches need to connect to a phone, so we also assess how easy the companion software is to navigate.

Durability and design

Smartwatches are something you wear on your body, so we assess how comfortable they are to wear. We also know that everyone has a different-sized wrist, so we try to see how it fits and feels on a variety of people. 

Then we look at how it stands up to wear and tear with daily life. Some smartwatches offer increased durability like dust resistance, or water resistance that's suited for activities like scuba diving and where possible we'll test this out for ourselves.

Battery life

Battery life will vary depending on how you use a smartwatch, so we test battery life with a few standard tests. We see how long it generally lasts on a single charge with features that represent typical use, like the always-on display, sleep tracking and doing an outdoor workout with GPS.

Fitness and health sensor accuracy

We test the accuracy of smartwatch sensors in a couple of different ways. For example, the heart rate sensor is compared against the readings taken from a chest strap, considered the gold standard in consumer heart rate tracking. We compare readings from the watch against the strap for resting heart rate, and heart rate during a variety of cardio-based activities like running or cycling. We check to see how long it takes to connect to a GPS signal when doing an outdoor workout.

Other health sensors, like a blood oxygen sensor, are compared against a pulse oximeter for spot readings where possible.

Other smartwatches we tested

While no longer sold directly by Apple, the Apple Watch Series 9 is still a strong option if you can find it. Third party retailers often have it in stock with discounts as low as $300. You'll miss out on the larger, redesigned screen and ultra fast charging of the newer Series 10, but it still has key health features not available on the cheaper SE, like the ECG app, temperature sensing and sleep apnea notifications.

What to look forward to going into 2026

Smartwatches are only getting smarter about health, and I hope that continues; whether it's better sensors, new metrics, or more personalized coaching, especially as more brands start leaning on AI to make sense of your data. One trend I'd love to see stick around in this year's launches is better battery life. Smarter software and hardware upgrades like the dual CPU architecture on the OnePlus Watch 3 are finally making multiday wear feel realistic. Meanwhile, the definition of a wearable is expanding fast, with more smart rings making their debuts as well as upgraded earbud options with built-in health sensors that are already nudging into smartwatch territory. They probably won't replace watches entirely, but they're definitely raising the bar, and will continue giving the smartwatch category a healthy push forward.

Smartwatch FAQs

How can I tell what smartwatch will work with my phone?

Figuring out smartwatch compatibility isn't always simple. The first thing you need to find out is what operating system it's running: Apple watches run watchOS, while Android watches run Wear OS and they typically don't mix. Apple Watches are designed to work exclusively with iPhones, while Wear OS watches like the Samsung Galaxy Watch or Pixel Watch, are built to work best with Android phones. There are unofficial workarounds that let you pair a Wear OS watch with an iPhone, but you'll lose a lot of the key features that make the watch useful in the first place, so we don't recommend it.

Then you get into the gray area with 3rd party watches that play well with both Android and Apple devices. Watches from Fitbit, Garmin, or Amazfit tend to be safe bets, but it's still smart to double-check compatibility on the manufacturer's website (or in one of our reviews) before making a purchase. And just because a watch supports both platforms doesn't mean you'll get the same features on each, so it's also good to check for any restrictions on either platform. Apple for example, doesn't allow notification replies on anything other than an Apple Watch, while Android users can usually respond no matter which brand they're using.

Are smartwatches safe for kids?

Smartwatches can be a safer and less distracting alternative for parents looking to stay connected with their kids without going all in on a smartphone. They offer the basics like two way communication and GPS tracking, without giving kids free rein of the internet or social media.

The key is choosing a smartwatch designed specifically with kids in mind. These watches tend to be easier to use, with larger buttons, and more icons than text for pre-reader. They also come with parental controls that allow caregivers to manage contacts, set up geofencing alerts and restrict usage during school time hours.

There are plenty of options to choose from, including ones from established (adult) smartwatch brands Garmin, Apple and Fitbit, or you can check out this article for more tips on picking the right smartwatch for your kid. 

Which is better, fitness trackers or smartwatches?

Both smartwatches and fitness trackers are highly personal devices that will often stay on your wrist for days at a time, tracking both your waking and sleeping moments. It's difficult to make a blanket statement about which is best for everyone. The ideal choice really depends on your individual needs and preferences. While both offer the same basic functionality; health and fitness tracking, telling time, and phone alerts, they differ in how they present this information to users.

Fitness trackers are a great option for those who prefer a subtle look that doesn't take over their wrist. They tend to have simpler, more compact designs with smaller screens (or none at all). The tiny display can also be more power-efficient, which is why most fitness trackers can easily outlast a smartwatch in terms of battery life. The downside is that a small screen limits the amount of information displayed, so you'll likely rely on a companion app on your phone to access more detailed metrics or track trends. Fitness trackers also have fewer "smart" features, like text response or mobile payments, though this might not be a drawback if you don't actually need these features.

Smartwatches, on the other hand, tend to be bulkier. Even the most elegant models still don't quite match the timeless elegance of an analog watch, and still end up looking like a screen strapped to your wrist. They're not as comfortable to sleep with, and require more frequent charging compared to fitness trackers. However, their larger size allows for more advanced health sensors and provides more screen space to display detailed information and offer real-time coaching. Just make sure you're clear on your non-negotiables before narrowing down your search, and let them match you with the right choice.