The very best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply monitor your steps and ship cellphone alerts to your wrist. The very 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.

Likelihood is, if you happen to’re studying this, you already know all the advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to speculate, or improve from an getting older accent, however we wouldn’t blame you if you happen to if you happen to didn’t know the place to start out. There are dozens of smartwatches obtainable now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear to be smartwatches and multi-purpose gadgets. Plus, you’ll need to think about elements 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 obtainable right now 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 (non-obligatory) | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant help: Google Assistant | Show: At all times-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 strong well being options. However it has some new tips 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 may exchange 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 horny design, vivid 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 when you’ve got a Pixel cellphone.

Professionals

• Tremendous quick recharging
• Complete well being and health monitoring
• Brilliant, lovely 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 help: 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 understood for its prowess on the earth of health watches and the Garmin Forerunner 165 is the watch I examined that I needed to put on probably the most once I went out for a run. The experience of the Forerunner line is within the title, and Garmin really excels at making complete but pleasant GPS running watches in flavors that may go well with every kind of athletes, from newbie to knowledgeable. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, vivid AMOLED touchscreen, simple button controls, correct built-in GPS and its capacity to trace exercise stats simply in addition to all-day exercise information.

Beginning a run with the Forerunner 165 is as straightforward 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 may select the train you need to monitor. Run is the primary possibility, however you’ve got greater than 25 profiles to select from together with monitor run, treadmill, stroll, power, swim and extra. When operating exterior, the GPS took a mean 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 nicely refined so 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 info and extra. It’s straightforward 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 must be sufficient for many runners and athletes competing in long-haul races. You too can get the 165 with music storage inbuilt or not, with the previous permitting you to retailer music domestically on the watch so you may 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 value spectrum for GPS operating watches; you might simply spend $500 or extra if you happen to’re uncertain about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have a number of cheaper gadgets, the Forerunner 165 strikes the correct stability of function set and worth that may attraction to seasoned runners and those that 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: At all times-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 refined — however extra importantly, it’s much more comfy. One other {hardware} enchancment bumps up the battery measurement, 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 simple. It additionally provides the help of Gemini, which may help you management features and full duties in your watch simply by saying, “Hey Google” (simply word that you simply’ll want a Gemini-compatible cellphone close by).

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

After all, that is solely a sensible choice for Samsung cellphone customers. And one other disadvantage is the raised glass display, which appears destined for harm. However we are going to word that you may keep away from that danger (and rating some severe heritage-watch fashion factors) by going with the Traditional variant of the watch. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Professionals

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

Cons

• The raised glass display could be simply broken
• AI-running coach may very well be extra customized
• Notifications are straightforward to overlook

$315 at Amazon

Fashionable smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless firms on the market making an attempt to make “modern” 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 firms like Withings and Garmin – these gadgets appear to be basic wrist watches however incorporate some restricted performance like exercise monitoring and coronary heart charge monitoring. They continue to be good choices if you happen to favor that look, however fortunately, wearables made by Apple, Samsung, Fitbit and others have gotten rather more engaging over the previous few years.

Finally, the one factor you may’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 instances that look just a little extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are supplied in a selection of colours and you’ll pay additional for premium supplies like chrome steel for additional sturdiness. When you resolve on a case, your band choices are infinite – there are dozens of first- and third-party watch straps obtainable for many main smartwatches, and for each bigger and smaller wrists, permitting you to alter up your look everytime you please.

Components to contemplate 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 also 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

The very best smartwatches typically value between $300 and $400. In comparison with funds smartwatches, which value between $100 and $250, these pricier gadgets have superior working methods, communications, music and health options. Additionally they typically embrace perks like onboard GPS monitoring, music storage and NFC, AMOLED shows, and lengthy battery life, issues that funds gadgets typically don’t have.

Some firms make specialised health watches: These can simply run north of $500, and we’d solely advocate them to severe 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 title and a few needlessly unique number of construct supplies.

Battery life

Battery life stays one in every of our largest 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 help prolonged battery modes that promise as much as 5 days of battery life on a cost — if you happen to’re prepared to close off most options apart from, you understand, 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 loads to you, think about a watch with LTE. They’re dearer than their WiFi-only counterparts, however mobile connectivity permits the smartwatch to take and obtain cellphone 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 if you happen to completely have to examine your cellphone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is a giant cause 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 right now’s wearables have a coronary heart charge monitor as nicely.

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-resistant, and fortunately most all-purpose gadgets now can face up to a minimum of 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 over time. Each Apple and Fitbit gadgets can estimate blood oxygen ranges and measure ECGs. However the extra inexpensive 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 can’t solely monitor your morning runs but in addition play music whilst you’re exercising. Many smartwatches allow you to save your music domestically, so you may join wi-fi earbuds through Bluetooth and hearken to tunes with out bringing your cellphone. Those who don’t have onboard storage for music often have on-watch music controls, so you may management playback with out whipping out your cellphone. 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 advocate 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 quicker 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 received’t see important features with the latter, although, as a result of the additional battery primarily will get used up when these gadgets have always-on shows, as most flagship wearables do right now. Some smartwatches have this function on by default whereas others allow you to allow it through tweaked settings. This sensible function lets you look down at your watch to examine the time, well being stats or another info 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 received’t have this function; as a substitute, their touchscreens will mechanically 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 info, you may maintain your smartwatch as much as an NFC reader to pay for a cup of espresso in your approach residence from a run. Remember that completely different watches use completely different cost methods: Apple Watches use Apple Pay, Put on OS gadgets use Google Pay, Samsung gadgets use Samsung Pay and so forth.

Apple Pay is likely one of the hottest NFC cost methods, with help for multiple banks and credit cards in 72 completely different nations, whereas Samsung and Google Pay work in fewer areas. It’s additionally vital to notice that each NFC cost help varies by gadget as nicely 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 largest battery of any Apple Watch to this point. Apple designed it for probably the most rugged amongst us, however to your common individual, it seemingly has extra options than they’d ever want. When you’re notably clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness may very well be an excellent 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’s going to most likely suffice for most individuals. We truly regard the Watch SE as one of the best smartwatch possibility for first-time patrons, or folks on stricter budgets. The hole has narrowed between the SE 3 and Apple’s primary flagship smartwatch, too, so you will not must make as many compromises.

Garmin Forerunner 745

Garmin watches usually could be nice choices for probably the most energetic amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a wonderful GPS running watch for severe athletes or those that prize battery life above all else. Once 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 help 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 respectable, however it’s a irritating smartwatch. For exercises, the built-in GPS tracks runs and rides with out your cellphone 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 is vivid 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 before today’s exertion to estimate how bodily ready you’re for the day forward — much like what Pixel Watches, Fitbit gadgets and Garmin watches provide. And because the watch battery lasts for over per week on a cost, you might 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 severe Apple Watch challenger, however the Bip 6’s glitches and overly difficult interface (each on the app and on the watch itself) had been disappointing. Throughout per week of testing, I received a number of repeated notifications, even after they had been deleted, together with ideas to face once I was actively doing chores round the home. The watch faces usually are not customizable, so it was exhausting to get the information I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has a lot of paid watch faces which will have what I needed, however I didn’t need 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 using. 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 capable of see the way it compares to the information my Apple Watch gathers. After per week of sporting the Bip 6, with no adjustments 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 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 typically 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 affords health monitoring options, but in addition permits you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management sensible residence gadgets. Many smartwatches help voice assistants, cell funds and even LTE connectivity, so you may go away your cellphone behind in some instances.

When you primarily need well being and exercise monitoring with lengthy battery life, a health tracker is the best way to go. If you need a extra linked 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 loads 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 every single day or two. When you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, count on the battery to empty quicker.

Bodily, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than it is advisable improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and robust construct supplies have a tendency to carry up nicely over time. Nevertheless, software program help issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for a minimum of a number of years, whereas some funds smartwatches might not get long-term software program help.

You’ll be able to count on to cost most smartwatches day by day or each few days, and if you happen to care for 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 you need to spend on a smartwatch will depend on what options you want and the way typically you intend to make use of it.

When you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart charge monitoring and primary health monitoring — yow will discover some strong budget-friendly choices from manufacturers like Amazfit, Fitbit and a few Put on OS fashions. These often have respectable battery life however might lack premium options like LTE, superior well being monitoring or third-party apps.

Within the mid-range smartwatch worth bracket, you’ll discover common 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 help, 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 help. These are nice for severe athletes, out of doors adventurers, or anybody who needs the most recent and biggest options.

When you simply need 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 stability of options and worth.

Do all smartwatches have GPS?

Not all smartwatches have built-in GPS. Some depend on your cellphone’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 with no need to be linked to your cellphone. It’s vital for severe athletes or anybody who needs correct location monitoring with out carrying a cellphone.

Some funds and mid-range smartwatches (like some Fitbit and Amazfit fashions) don’t have built-in GPS however can use your cellphone’s GPS when linked through Bluetooth. This works tremendous if you happen to often carry your cellphone whereas figuring out, however it’s much less handy if you happen to favor to depart it behind.

Some very primary 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 cellphone at residence and nonetheless use a smartwatch?

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

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 cellphone close by. Nevertheless, you’ll want a separate information plan out of your provider, which often comes with an additional month-to-month value.

Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do a lot 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 help downloads from Spotify or Apple Music), might contactless funds with options like Apple Pay and Google Pockets and management sensible residence gadgets.

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 and not using a cellphone?

Sure, a smartwatch could make calls and not using a cellphone — however provided that it has the correct options.

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, which means they will work independently out of your cellphone. You can also make and obtain calls, ship texts, stream music and use apps so long as you’ve got a cell information plan for the watch. Nevertheless, you’ll have to pay for a separate mobile plan and battery life drains quicker when utilizing LTE.

In case your smartwatch doesn’t have LTE, it will probably nonetheless make calls, however solely when linked to your cellphone through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It primarily acts as a distant speaker and microphone to your cellphone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nevertheless, in case your cellphone isn’t close by or linked to Wi-Fi, calling received’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 and not using a cellphone is a should, be certain 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’ve got an Android cellphone, you may’t use an Apple Watch in any respect. Android smartwatches (Put on OS, Samsung Galaxy, Garmin and many others.) largely work with Android telephones, however some additionally help iPhones with restricted options. When you’ve got an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the only option. When you’ve got an Android cellphone, go for a Put on OS or Samsung Galaxy Watch.

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

By way of design, Apple Watch has a single design however is available in completely different sizes and supplies. It’s smooth, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, alternatively, are available in tons of types and types (Samsung, Google Pixel Watch, Garmin, Fossil and many others.), which means you may 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.