The best smartwatches you can buy: Expert tested

28 март 2025 г.

We tested the best smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more, including the new Apple Watch Series 10. Here's how to choose the right one for you.

Today's smartwatches are wearable computers capable of cellular connectivity and full application support without a tethered smartphone. With advanced features such as voice assistants, crash detection, call and text support, and long battery lives, modern smartwatches like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or the Google Pixel Watch are far more than just an accessory. Thanks to powerful sensors they've become one of the most popular health and fitness trackers, too.

Your smartphone may limit your smartwatch choice, but there are affordable smartwatches from Garmin and Withings and others from Amazfit that offer more limited application support.

What is the best smartwatch right now?

Based on our extensive hands-on testing and insights from experts, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is our pick for the best smartwatch overall due to its powerful processor, long battery life, third-party application support, storage capacity, high-quality titanium materials, sleep-tracking capabilities, women's wellness features, and advanced workout metric feature suite. If you're not an Apple user, read on to see how watches from Samsung (including its newest Galaxy Watch Ultra), Google (including its newest Pixel Watch 3), Garmin, Withings, and Amazfit compare to find the best smartwatch for your needs and your wrist.

Apple Watch Ultra 2

Best smartwatch overall

The Apple Watch maintained the same form factor and basic design for eight years, but all of that changed in 2022 when Apple released the radical new Apple Watch Ultra, built and optimized for the outdoor adventurer. The Ultra 2 builds on the Ultra with a new processor, a much brighter display, twice the storage capacity, and the use of recycled titanium materials. Apple also announced a matte black titanium Ultra 2 this year, with all of the same specifications and performance as the 2023 model

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is the most rugged and capable Apple Watch to date and offers a bright, flat 49mm display made of scratch-resistant sapphire glass and 3000 nits maximum brightness. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is larger than the Series 10, but the titanium case helps keep the weight down, and it is far lighter than competing sports watches.

Apple's WatchOS 10 launched with APIs for custom workouts, and third parties have released new versions of applications to support this advanced training functionality. We tested the TrainingPeaks integration and this capability is a serious shot across the bow of dedicated GPS sports watches. WatchOS 11 brought even more to challenge legacy sports watches with training load, a Vitals app to inform your readiness, sleep apnea detection, and a customizable Summary tab in the Apple Fitness app on your iPhone.

Beyond the build quality and advanced training functions, no other smartwatch supports as many applications and utilities as an Apple Watch, clearly making it the best smartwatch available today. Its capability to serve as a primary means of communication also makes it tough to beat.

Apple Watch Series 10

Best smartwatch for iPhone users

The Apple Watch Series 10 looks similar to the Series 9, but improves the user experience with narrower black borders, larger displays, and a much thinner form factor, making it the thinnest Apple Watch ever. Despite the reduction in thickness, the Apple Watch Series 10 still functions for more than a day, and now it charges up much more quickly so you can top it off while you get ready for the day.

Along with an improved display, the Series 10 also gets a new processor. For the first time, buyers can also choose a glossy jet black color aluminum watch that has a 30-step anodization process for a stylish and classy look.

Sleep apnea is a condition that is very common today, yet it is reported that 80% of the cases are undiagnosed. The Apple Watch Series 10 can help indicate whether or not you should seek medical evaluation for the condition. If sleep apnea is not treated, it can lead to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and cardiac issues.

Also, like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, the Series 10 watches now support the integrated water temperature and depth utility that can turn on automatically as you enter the water. A Tides app is also available to help you track conditions for more than 115,000 beaches and surfing areas around the world. The lack of precision start for GPS tracking is a limitation preventing me from selecting the Series 10 as my primary smartwatch.

Apple Watch Series 10 tech specs: Display: 416 x 496 pixels (46mm) and 374 x 446 pixels (42mm) OLED | Battery life: 18 hours | Dimensions: 46 x 39 x 9.7mm (46mm) and 42 x 36 x9.7mm (42mm) | Weight: 36.4 grams (AL 46mm) and 30 g (AL 42mm) | Water/Dust resistance: 50m with IP6X | LTE cellular option: Yes

Black Apple Watch Series 10 with blue band

Google Pixel Watch 3

Best Google smartwatch

Google's third-generation Pixel Watch 3 is sure to please the masses with two size options, improved displays, and software enhancements that provide a richer user experience. This watch integrates several Fitbit features, including improved heart rate sensors and GPS tracking, making it secretly the best watch available for both Fitbit and Google Pixel fans.

While it is clearly the best Fitbit made, it also challenges every other watch regarding support for runners. Google incorporated a running workout builder that gathers your health data over a two-week period and then creates a program that adapts to your data regularly. Real-time guidance is provided as you run, advanced metrics are tracked and then Google shows you how to improve the metrics, a Daily Readiness Score is provided even if you are not a Fitbit Premium subscriber, and Cardio/Target load features are available. The Cardio and Target load features may even trump some of the best sports watches.

One of the best functions of the Pixel Watch 3 that even beats out the Apple Watch is the focus on safety. While the Apple Watch can appear in your Find My application, and you can share your location with family and friends, that's a passive setting that requires people to physically check the app to find you. The Pixel 3's Safety Check feature allows you to set a check-in timer whenever you're moving from point A to B and want your emergency contacts to be notified if anything goes wrong -- the most reliable feature I've seen on any wearable I've tested. It also supports immediate emergency alerts/SOS and fall detection alerts, similar to the latest Apple Watches.

The new Loss of Pulse Detection feature was recently approved by the FDA and will soon be available for US owners. This feature has the potential to save lives and I look forward to hearing of success stories soon since my own father could have possibly been saved by this feature

Bottom line: If you're a Fitbit fan and are looking for the latest and greatest Fitbit in a watch form factor, then the Google Pixel Watch 3 is the wearable for you. If you also enjoy Google's take on wearables and want years of updates, then this is the watch to consider.

Google Pixel Watch 3 tech specs: Display: 1.2-inch (41mm) and 1.45-inch (45mm) AMOLED | Battery life: 24 hours with AOD | Dimensions: 41 x 41 x 12.3mm and 45 x 45 x 12.3mm | Weight: 31 g (without band) and 37 g | Water/Dust resistance: 5 ATM/IP68 | LTE cellular option: Yes

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra

Best Samsung smartwatch for outdoor adventurers

Apple took a shot across the bow of serious GPS sports watch brands with the Apple Watch Ultra series, and now Samsung joins the party with the large Galaxy Watch Ultra. Samsung branded it the same way as Apple, along with a familiar orange button and waterproof silicone band. A few other advanced features found in Apple's model are present in the Samsung model, which is a great thing for Android phone owners, especially Samsung Galaxy phone owners.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra has a unique square design with a round watch face, an interesting magnetic lug system, three buttons on one side, gesture support, advanced running dynamics, and more. Samsung's Galaxy AI is present in the form of wellness insights that combine into a daily score to help guide you to optimal performance, including healthy sleep levels.

The Watch Ultra runs the Samsung-powered Google Wear OS 5.0 with One UI Watch 6.0, meaning it still looks like a Samsung smartwatch, but also supports Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Wallet, Google Play Store, and more Google apps.

It has an operating system optimized for the round watch design with a virtual rotating bezel. Fall detection, messaging, phone calls, and more are available on the watch, with advanced fitness data such as VO2 Max and advanced running dynamics data also supported.

At $649, it is the most expensive Samsung Galaxy watch, but it is still $150 less than Apple's competing Apple Watch Ultra 2. There are some fantastic deals available and solid trade-in options, so if you are considering this watch, make sure to check out the latest prices on Samsung's website.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7

Best Samsung smartwatch for smaller wrists

Samsung's latest smartwatch for the masses, the Galaxy Watch 7, was unveiled along with the Galaxy Watch Ultra at its 2024 Unpacked event in Paris in July. The Watch 7 is available in two smaller sizes compared to the Watch 6 series, 44 and 40 mm, so it is likely to appeal to most Galaxy phone owners with smaller wrists. The Watch Ultra is a large 47mm watch designed for those with larger wrists.

Unfortunately, this year, there is no Galaxy Watch model with a rotating bezel, so if you like this navigation method, then you will have to rely on the software option that supports moving your finger around the outside of the watch face to scroll through lists and tiles

The Galaxy Watch 7 is affordable at $300 for the 40mm model and $330 for the 42mm model. LTE cellular support is an additional $50, along with the cellular plan from your carrier.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 tech specs: Display: 1.5-inch 480x480 Super AMOLED (44mm) and 1.3-inch 432x432 (40mm) | Battery life: Up to 40 hours | Dimensions: 44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm (44mm) 40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm (40mm) | Weight: 28.8g (44mm) and 33.8g (40mm)| Water/Dust resistance: 5ATM/IP68 | LTE cellular option: Yes

Apple Watch SE

Best value Apple Watch

Apple made an interesting move in 2020 and released a lower-priced Apple Watch designed to expand the use of an Apple Watch to other family members. The newest version of the Apple Watch SE starts at just $249, and if you are an iPhone user, it's an easy wearable to recommend.

Emery Wright, a former ZDNET associate editor who contributed to this article, wears her Apple Watch to track her steps, check notifications, and stay mindful of how she spends her time. She said it helps her accurately track running distance and pace while she trains for her next half-marathon.

With an Apple Watch, iPhone users can answer phone calls, receive notifications, and send messages from the convenience of their wrist. That's why Dr. Richard Newman, MD, Head & Neck Surgical Oncologist, prefers wearing an Apple Watch over a Garmin one during his everyday routine.

Now retired, Newman is training for his 75th marathon. He said he appreciates the convenience of smartphone connectivity: "For daily running, I use the Apple Watch. As a physician, sometimes I get a call, and so I like being able to answer on my watch. It also monitors my heart rate, which is nice" he said.

The next generation of the Apple Watch SE contains many features from the Apple Watch Series 8. You gain Crash Detection technology, meaning the watch can detect if you've been in an accident and contact first responders.

It also features the enhanced Workout app, giving you access to custom workouts and advanced metrics like heart rate zones, stride, length, and vertical oscillation. Ultimately, the newest version of the Apple Watch SE proves great things can come in small packages.

Garmin Venu 3S

Best Garmin smartwatch alternative

Garmin's watches are GPS sports watches focused on helping you improve your health, fitness, and performance. There are some features that rival smartwatches, but the Venu 3/3S is clearly the best Garmin to take on the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch.

The Venu 3/3S is extremely well built, has a brilliant AMOLED display, lasts for more than a week, lets you accept and make calls from the wrist, and supports voice assistants via a connected smartphone. It supports various sports and activities, including golf so it is an excellent choice for multi-sport participants.

In addition to its smartwatch functions, the Venu 3/3S supports all of the amazing Garmin functions and vast ecosystem. This includes subscription music support, Garmin Pay, Connect IQ app support, and the superb Garmin Connect smartphone application

Amazfit Balance

Best basic, budget smartwatch

One company that continues to push the limits of what you can buy for just over $200 is Amazfit. The Amazfit Balance offers an elegantly designed smartwatch with Amazon Alexa support and the ability to answer calls via a Bluetooth connection to your watch, just like all other non-cellular smartwatches. It runs the latest Zepp OS 4.0 operating system, built for a lean and mean experience.

It's tough to beat the low $220 price, and I continue to push the watch to see where the flaws are that could justify such a low price, but they don't exist. The Amazfit Balance has a brilliant AMOLED display, integrated mic and speaker, GPS, various advanced health/wellness sensors, and a battery life that lasts up to two weeks between charges. The battery life alone is something modern smartwatches cannot match and if you want to charge your watch just twice a month rather than every other day, then you might want to consider this watch

Amazfit provides the Zepp smartphone application that provides an exhaustive experience to track every detail of the data captured by the various sensors. The one flaw is that the application may be overwhelming for some users and thankfully, Amazfit continues to refine and simplify the application to make it more useful for Amazfit Balance owners.

Phone calls sound good and it is convenient to make and accept calls from your wrist when your phone is secured in a pocket or your backpack. There is support for more than 150 sports and the available watch faces look awesome.