One of the best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply monitor your steps and ship telephone alerts to your wrist. One of the best 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.

Chances are high, when 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 when you when you didn’t know the place to begin. There are dozens of smartwatches accessible now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear to be smartwatches and multi-purpose units. Plus, you’ll wish to take into account 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 accessible at the moment and these are our prime picks.

Desk of contents

Finest smartwatches of 2025

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (optionally available) | GPS: Sure, in-built | 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. However it has some new methods up its sleeve, and one stunning 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 possibly can substitute the show or battery in future if wanted, which makes this a way more futureproof gadget than another smartwatch in the marketplace. 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 lovely design, shiny curved show, extremely customizable watch faces and good battery life and the Pixel Watch 4 is definitely one of the best Android smartwatch you may get, particularly if in case you have a Pixel telephone.

Professionals

• Tremendous quick recharging
• Complete well being and health monitoring
• Vivid, lovely show
• Repairable design

Cons

• Gemini wake gesture is finicky
• Should be related 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, in-built | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant assist: None | Show: 1.2-inch AMOLED with optionally available always-on mode | Weight: 39 grams | Battery life: 11 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours in GPS mode

Garmin is understood for its prowess on the planet of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I wished to put on probably the most once 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 skilled. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, shiny AMOLED touchscreen, simple button controls, correct built-in GPS and its capability to trace exercise stats simply in addition to all-day exercise knowledge.

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 possibly can select the train you wish to monitor. Run is the primary choice, however you may 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 significantly from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cell app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been effectively refined in an effort to customise its homepage the exercise and exercise stats you care about probably the most, together with issues like Physique Battery, Sleep Rating, menstrual cycle data and extra. It’s simple to dive into your most just 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 largely correct even with a handful of GPS-tracked runs thrown in. The corporate claims you’ll rise up to 19 hours of battery life with steady GPS use, which ought to be sufficient for many runners and athletes competing in long-haul races. You may as well get the 165 with music storage in-built or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music regionally on the watch so you possibly can 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 in-built. That’s on the decrease finish of the value spectrum for GPS operating watches; you would simply spend $500 or extra when you’re not sure about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have a couple of cheaper units, the Forerunner 165 strikes the precise steadiness of characteristic set and value that can attraction 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 (optionally available) | GPS: Sure, in-built | 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 fully redesigned its wearable for 2025. The Galaxy Watch 8 seems cleaner and extra subtle — however extra importantly, it’s way more snug. One other {hardware} enchancment bumps up the battery dimension, fixing one of many Galaxy Watch 7’s largest flaws. With that watch, the always-on show tanked the battery, however now you may get a full day after which some whereas sporting it.

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

Well being and health additions embrace an antioxidant ranges metric and vascular load, which can assist some individuals preserve higher tabs on their well being. An AI-fueled operating steerage “coach” takes an evaluation of your jogging talents and tailors a program that will help you run additional and sooner. We predict it will most likely profit newbie runners probably the most — these accustomed to teaching could not discover it as helpful.

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

Professionals

• 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 will be inspiring for novices
• Good Gemini integration
• Improved battery makes the AOD extra viable

Cons

• The raised glass display screen will be simply broken
• AI-running coach could possibly be extra personalised
• Notifications are simple to overlook

$315 at Amazon

Fashionable smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless firms on the market attempting to make “modern” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables had been novel and usually ugly, manufacturers like Fossil, Michael Kors and Skagen discovered their area of interest in trendy smartwatches that took cues from analog timepieces. You even have the choice to choose up a “hybrid” smartwatch from firms like Withings and Garmin – these units appear to be traditional wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart charge monitoring. They continue to be good choices when you choose that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten rather more enticing over the previous few years.

In the end, the one factor you possibly can’t change after you purchase a smartwatch is its case design. For those who’re not into the Apple Watch’s squared-off corners, all of Samsung’s smartwatches have spherical instances that look a bit extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are supplied in a selection of colours and you’ll pay additional for premium supplies like stainless-steel for additional sturdiness. When you resolve on a case, your band choices are countless – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps accessible for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to alter up your look everytime you please.

Elements to contemplate earlier than shopping for a smartwatch

Compatibility

Apple Watches solely work with iPhones, whereas Put on OS units 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 can even dictate the sort 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.

Value

One of the best smartwatches usually price between $300 and $400. In comparison with funds smartwatches, which price between $100 and $250, these pricier units have superior working methods, communications, music and health options. In addition they typically embrace perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that funds units usually don’t have.

Some firms 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 can even attain sky-high costs, however we wouldn’t endorse any of them. These units can price 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 largest complaints about smartwatches, however there’s hope as of late. You’ll be able to anticipate two full days from Apple Watches and most Put on OS units. 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 — when you’re prepared to close off most options apart from, you already know, 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 lots to you, take into account 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 when you completely have to examine your telephone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is an enormous cause why individuals flip to smartwatches. An all-purpose timepiece ought to operate as a health tracker, logging your steps, energy and exercises, and most of at the moment’s wearables have a coronary heart charge monitor as effectively.

Many smartwatches’ health options embrace a built-in GPS, which is beneficial for monitoring distance for runs and bike rides. Swimmers will need one thing water-proof, and fortunately most all-purpose units now can face up to at the least a dunk within the pool. Some smartwatches from firms 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 units can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra reasonably priced the smartwatch, the much less seemingly it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if amassing these sorts of wellness metrics is vital to you, you’ll must pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch cannot solely monitor your morning runs but additionally play music whilst you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music regionally, so you possibly can join wi-fi earbuds through Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your telephone. Those who don’t have onboard storage for music often have on-watch music controls, so you possibly can management playback with out whipping out your telephone. And in case your watch has LTE, native saving isn’t required — you’ll have the ability 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 instances, longer battery lives.

You gained’t see important features with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery primarily will get used up when these units have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do at the moment. Some smartwatches have this characteristic on by default whereas others allow you to allow it through tweaked settings. This sensible characteristic means that you can look down at your watch to examine the time, well being stats or another data you’ve set it to point out on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. It will 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 units gained’t have this characteristic; as a substitute, their touchscreens will routinely flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll must deliberately examine 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 possibly can maintain your smartwatch as much as an NFC reader to pay for a cup of espresso in your approach house from a run. Needless to say totally different watches use totally different cost methods: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS units use Google Pay, Samsung units use Samsung Pay and so forth.

Apple Pay is without doubt one of the hottest NFC cost methods, with assist for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 totally different international locations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally vital to notice that each NFC cost assist varies by gadget as effectively for each Samsung and Google’s methods.

Different smartwatches our specialists examined

Apple Watch Extremely 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 might be overkill for most individuals, however it has a ton of additional options like additional waterproofing to trace diving, an much more correct GPS and the most important battery of any Apple Watch so far. Apple designed it for probably the most rugged amongst us, however on your common individual, it seemingly has extra options than they’d ever want. For those who’re notably clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive degree of sturdiness could possibly be an ideal cause to contemplate 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 most likely suffice for most individuals. We truly regard the Watch SE as one of the best smartwatch choice for first-time patrons, or individuals on stricter budgets. The hole has narrowed between the SE 3 and Apple’s predominant flagship smartwatch, too, so you will not must make as many compromises.

Garmin Forerunner 745

Garmin watches generally will be nice choices for probably the most lively amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a superb GPS running watch for critical athletes or those that prize battery life above all else. After we examined it, we discovered it to supply 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 minimize. As a health tracker, it’s first rate, however it’s a irritating smartwatch. For exercises, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides with out your telephone and, mixed with the guts charge 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 shiny and sharp. It’s not an always-on show, however lifting your wrist wakes it reliably.

The sleep monitoring knowledge is on par with what we measured on different smartwatches and there’s even a each day readiness rating that compares your sleep high quality and yesterday’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — just like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit units and Garmin watches provide. And because the watch battery lasts for over per week on a cost, you could be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch it’s a must to cost each 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 acquired a number of repeated notifications, even after they had been deleted, together with strategies to face once I was actively doing chores round the home. The watch faces are usually not customizable, so it was onerous to get the information I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has a number of paid watch faces that will have what I wished, however I didn’t wish to pay $3 for one thing that’s free elsewhere).

Advertising particulars state that the Bip 6 can auto-detect exercises, together with strolling and bike using. Throughout testing, I walked a couple of 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 capable of see the way it compares to the information my Apple Watch gathers. After per week of sporting the Bip 6, with no modifications to my each day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a couple of.4 fewer miles tracked every day. That was presumably the most important 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 totally different functions.

A health tracker is primarily targeted on well being and exercise monitoring. It retains tabs in your steps, coronary heart charge, 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, then again, is sort of a mini smartphone in your wrist. It presents health monitoring options, but additionally helps you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management sensible house units. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cell funds and even LTE connectivity, so you possibly can depart your telephone behind in some instances.

For those who primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the best way to go. In order for you a extra related expertise with additional options, a smartwatch is the higher selection.

How lengthy do smartwatches final?

How lengthy a smartwatch lasts largely will depend on two issues: battery life and total sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies lots relying on the model, options and the way you utilize it. Primary 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 daily or two. For those who’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, anticipate the battery to empty sooner.

Bodily, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than you might want to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and powerful construct supplies have a tendency to carry up effectively over time. Nevertheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for at the least a couple of years, whereas some funds smartwatches could not get long-term software program assist.

You’ll be able to anticipate to cost most smartwatches each day or each few days, and when you handle them, they need to final 3-5 years earlier than an improve is important.

How a lot must you spend on a smartwatch?

How a lot you need to spend on a smartwatch will depend on what options you want and the way typically you propose to make use of it.

For those who simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart charge monitoring and primary 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 fashionable fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These provide a superb mixture of health monitoring, sensible options and design high quality. You’ll get higher construct supplies, extra correct sensors and app assist, however battery life would possibly 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 collection provide superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program assist. These are nice for critical athletes, out of doors adventurers, or anybody who needs the most recent and biggest options.

For those who simply need a easy smartwatch for notifications and health monitoring, a funds or mid-range mannequin will do the job. However if you’d like 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 will monitor your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes while not having to be related to your telephone. It’s a must have 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 related through Bluetooth. This works fantastic when you often carry your telephone whereas figuring out, however it’s much less handy when you choose to depart it behind.

Some very primary or funds smartwatches skip GPS completely and rely solely on step monitoring or movement sensors. These are fantastic for informal customers who don’t want location monitoring.

Can you allow your telephone at house and nonetheless use a smartwatch?

Sure, however it will depend on the smartwatch and what you wish to do with out your telephone.

In case your smartwatch has LTE or mobile connectivity , you can also make calls, ship texts, stream music, use maps and even entry apps with out your telephone close by. Nevertheless, you’ll want a separate knowledge plan out of your service, which often comes with an additional month-to-month price.

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 sensible house units.

If going phone-free is vital to you, search for a smartwatch with LTE and built-in GPS for one of the best expertise.

Can a smartwatch make calls with out a telephone?

Sure, a smartwatch could make calls with out a telephone — however provided that it has the precise options.

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, which means they will work independently out of your telephone. You may make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you may have a cell knowledge plan for the watch. Nevertheless, 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 will probably nonetheless make calls, however solely when related to your telephone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It primarily acts as a distant speaker and microphone on your telephone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nevertheless, in case your telephone isn’t close by or related 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 out a telephone is a should, ensure to decide on an LTE mannequin with a built-in mic and speaker.

What is the distinction between an Android and Apple smartwatch?

The largest 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 possibly can’t use an Apple Watch in any respect. Android smartwatches (Put on OS, Samsung Galaxy, Garmin and so on.) largely 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 on.). 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 totally different sizes and supplies. It’s smooth, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, then again, are available tons of kinds and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and so on.), which means you possibly can decide a spherical watch, a rugged design or a luxury-looking mannequin.

If battery life is vital 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.