The very best smartwatches for 2025

Smartwatches do extra than simply observe your steps and ship cellphone alerts to your wrist. The very best smartwatches go even additional, supplying you with the flexibility 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, for those who’re studying this, you already know all the advantages of a smartwatch. You’re prepared to speculate, or improve from an growing older accent, however we wouldn’t blame you for those who for those who didn’t know the place to start out. There are dozens of smartwatches accessible now, together with GPS running watches, fitness trackers that appear to be smartwatches and multi-purpose gadgets. 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 this time and these are our high picks.

Desk of contents

Greatest smartwatches of 2025

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Tracks: Sleep, exercise, energy, stress | Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Mobile (non-compulsory) | GPS: Sure, inbuilt | Water-proof: Sure | Assistant assist: 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. But it surely 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’ll be able to exchange the show or battery in future if wanted, which makes this a way more futureproof gadget than some other 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 beautiful design, vivid curved show, extremely customizable watch faces and good battery life and the Pixel Watch 4 is well one of the best Android smartwatch you may get, particularly you probably have a Pixel cellphone.

Execs

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

Cons

• Gemini wake gesture is finicky
• Have to be related to web for Gemini to work

$350 at Amazon

Photograph 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-compulsory 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 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 swimsuit every kind of athletes, from newbie to professional. The Forerunner 165 stands out with its light-weight design, vivid AMOLED touchscreen, simple button controls, correct built-in GPS and its means 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’ll be able to select the train you wish to observe. Run is the primary possibility, however you have got greater than 25 profiles to select from together with observe run, treadmill, stroll, power, swim and extra. When operating outdoors, 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 vastly from the continual enchancment of the Garmin Join cellular app. The beforehand clunky, complicated app has been properly refined with the intention 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 straightforward 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 largely 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 needs to 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 pay attention 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 would simply spend $500 or extra for those who’re uncertain about what you want and what’s simply additional fluff. Whereas Garmin does have just a few cheaper gadgets, the Forerunner 165 strikes the correct stability of characteristic set and worth that may enchantment 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-compulsory) | 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 fully redesigned its wearable for 2025. The Galaxy Watch 8 seems to be cleaner and extra subtle — however extra importantly, it’s much more comfy. One other {hardware} enchancment bumps up the battery dimension, fixing one of many Galaxy Watch 7’s greatest flaws. With that watch, the always-on show tanked the battery, however now you may get a full day after which some whereas carrying it.

With Put on OS 6, the watch beneficial properties a brand new tiles-based interface that makes navigating fast and straightforward. It additionally provides the help of Gemini, which might 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 cellphone 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 steering “coach” takes an evaluation of your jogging talents and tailors a program that will help you run additional and quicker. We predict this may most likely profit newbie runners probably the most — these accustomed to teaching could not discover it as helpful.

After all, that is solely a good selection for Samsung cellphone customers. And one other downside is the raised glass display, which appears destined for injury. However we’ll notice that you could keep away from that threat (and rating some severe heritage-watch fashion factors) by going with the Traditional variant of the watch. — Amy Skorheim, Senior Reporter

Execs

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

Cons

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

$315 at Amazon

Trendy smartwatches: Fossil and extra

Sure, there are nonetheless corporations on the market attempting to make “modern” hybrid smartwatches. Again when wearables have been novel and customarily 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 corporations like Withings and Garmin – these gadgets 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 for those who desire 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 instances that look a little bit extra like a conventional watch. Most wearables are provided in a selection of colours and you’ll pay additional for premium supplies like chrome steel for additional sturdiness. When you determine 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.

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 appropriate 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 very best smartwatches usually price between $300 and $400. In comparison with funds smartwatches, which price between $100 and $250, these pricier gadgets have superior working programs, communications, music and health options. Additionally they usually embrace 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 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 price greater than $1,000, and also you’re often paying for little greater than a model title and a few needlessly unique choice of construct supplies.

Battery life

Battery life stays certainly one of our greatest 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 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 — for those who’re keen to close off most options other than, 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 price testing the watch’s specs beforehand to see what the producer estimates.

Communication

Any smartwatch price 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 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 for those who completely have to examine your cellphone proper now.

Health monitoring

Exercise monitoring is a giant cause why individuals flip to smartwatches. An all-purpose timepiece ought to perform as a health tracker, logging your steps, energy and exercises, and most of at this time’s wearables have a coronary heart charge monitor as properly.

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 gadgets now can stand up to at the least 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 possible it’s that it has these sorts of superior well being monitoring options; if amassing these sorts of wellness metrics is necessary to you, you’ll should pay for the privilege.

Music

Your watch can’t solely observe your morning runs but additionally 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 by way of Bluetooth and take heed to tunes with out bringing your cellphone. 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 cellphone. 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 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 gained’t see important beneficial properties 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 at this time. Some smartwatches have this characteristic on by default whereas others allow you to allow it by way of tweaked settings. This good characteristic lets you look down at your watch to examine the time, well being stats or some other data you’ve set it to indicate on its watchface with out lifting your wrist. This may 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 characteristic; as an alternative, their touchscreens will routinely flip off to preserve battery life and also you’ll should 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’ll be able to maintain your smartwatch as much as an NFC reader to pay for a cup of espresso in your manner house from a run. Understand that completely different watches use completely different cost programs: 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 cost programs, 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 necessary to notice that each NFC cost assist varies by gadget as properly for each Samsung and Google’s programs.

Different smartwatches our specialists examined

Apple Watch Extremely 3

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 might be overkill for most individuals, nevertheless 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 to this point. Apple designed it for probably the most rugged amongst us, however on your common individual, it possible has extra options than they’d ever want. When you’re notably clumsy, nonetheless, its excessive stage of sturdiness might be an amazing cause 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’ll most likely suffice for most individuals. We really regard the Watch SE as one of the best smartwatch possibility for first-time patrons, or individuals on stricter budgets. The hole has narrowed between the SE 3 and Apple’s fundamental flagship smartwatch, too, so you will not should make as many compromises.

Garmin Forerunner 745

Garmin watches basically will be nice choices for probably the most lively amongst us. The Garmin Forerunner 745 is a superb GPS running watch for severe 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, nevertheless 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 footage 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 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 gadgets and Garmin watches supply. And because the watch battery lasts for over every week on a cost, you might be much more apt to put on it to mattress than a watch it’s important to cost each day.

We weren’t anticipating an $80 gadget to be a severe Apple Watch challenger, however the Bip 6’s glitches and overly sophisticated interface (each on the app and on the watch itself) have been disappointing. Throughout every week of testing, I bought a number of repeated notifications, even after they have been deleted, together with solutions to face once I was actively doing chores round the home. The watch faces should not customizable, so it was exhausting to get the information I wanted at a look (the Zepp app has plenty of 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 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 capable of see the way it compares to the information my Apple Watch gathers. After every week of carrying the Bip 6, with no adjustments to my each day routine, I averaged 400 fewer energy burned and a couple of.4 fewer miles tracked every day. That was probably 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 completely different functions.

A health tracker is primarily centered on well being and exercise monitoring. It retains tabs in your steps, coronary heart charge, sleep and exercises, and a few even supply 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 enables you to do issues like reply to texts, take calls, use apps and management good house gadgets. Many smartwatches assist voice assistants, cellular funds and even LTE connectivity, so you’ll be able to depart 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 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 general sturdiness.

Smartwatch battery life varies lots relying on the model, options and the way you utilize it. Fundamental fashions with e-ink shows or monochrome screens can final every week or extra, whereas full-featured smartwatches just like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch often want a cost each day or two. When you’re utilizing options like always-on show, GPS monitoring or LTE connectivity, anticipate the battery to empty quicker.

Bodily, a superb smartwatch ought to final a number of years earlier than you have to improve. Premium fashions with scratch-resistant glass, water resistance and powerful construct supplies have a tendency to carry up properly over time. Nonetheless, software program assist issues too — manufacturers like Apple and Samsung sometimes present updates for at the least just a few 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 for those who maintain 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 it’s best to spend on a smartwatch will depend on what options you want and the way usually you propose to make use of it.

When you simply need the fundamentals — step monitoring, notifications, coronary heart charge monitoring and fundamental health monitoring — you’ll find some strong 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 worth bracket, you’ll discover fashionable fashions just like the Apple Watch SE and Fitbit Versa collection. These supply 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 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 supply superior well being monitoring, rugged designs, LTE connectivity and longer software program assist. These are nice for severe athletes, outside adventurers, or anybody who desires the newest and biggest 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 price 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 observe your runs, walks, bike rides and hikes while not having to be related to your cellphone. It’s a must have for severe athletes or anybody who desires 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 related by way of Bluetooth. This works wonderful for those who often carry your cellphone whereas figuring out, nevertheless it’s much less handy for those who desire to go away it behind.

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

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

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

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

Even with out LTE, some smartwatches can nonetheless do loads on their very own, together with observe 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 necessary 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 cellphone?

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

Some smartwatches have built-in LTE connectivity, that 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 have got a cellular information plan for the watch. Nonetheless, 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 could possibly nonetheless make calls, however solely when related to your cellphone by way of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. It basically acts as a distant speaker and microphone on your cellphone’s calls. Watches like the usual Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch (Wi-Fi variations) can do that. Nonetheless, in case your cellphone 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 no 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. If in case you have an Android cellphone, you’ll be able to’t use an Apple Watch in any respect. Android smartwatches (Put on OS, Samsung Galaxy, Garmin and so forth.) largely work with Android telephones, however some additionally assist iPhones with restricted options. If in case you have an iPhone, the Apple Watch is the only option. If in case you have an Android cellphone, 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 supply extra selection, with entry to Google companies (Google Assistant, Google Pockets and Google Maps), and a few assist 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 modern, however your solely actual customization comes from bands and watch faces. Android smartwatches, then again, 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 necessary 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.